DDT “THAT’S RIGHT! LET’S GO TO BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025” Results

June 11, 2025

DDT “THAT’S RIGHT! LET’S GO TO BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025”, 11/06/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. HARASHIMA & Yuya Koroku defeated Hideki Okatani & MJ Paul when HARASHIMA pinned Paul with the Somato (9:50).
2. Blow Away The Rainy Season! Officially Licensed Umbrella Only Death Match: Daisuke Sasaki & Ilusion defeated Yuni & Kazuma Sumi when Ilusion pinned Yuni with the Swanton Bomb on the Umbrellas (9:56).
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match ~ In The RING Rules: Kazusada Higuchi, Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida defeated Chris Brookes, Takeshi Masada & Shin Suzuki when Higuchi threw Masada Into The Ring (12:53).
4. K(ANON)-1 GP 2025: Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda defeated KANON when Honda made KANON laugh with the Anton Punch (0:43).
4a. Rematch: Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda defeated KANON by TKO when Honda made KANON laugh with the Anton Takashika Beam (9:52).
5. Special Tag Match: Jun Akiyama & Shinya Aoki defeated MAO & Danshoku Dieno (w/ KIMIHIRO) when Akiyama pinned Dieno with a Jackknife Pin (11:02).
6. Akito Nishigaki, Yukio Naya & Daichi Dekatsumata (Daichi Sato) defeated Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y when Nishigaki pinned Katsumata with a School Boy (17:51).

The card layout for the show was odd enough that even a few wrestlers called it out. Akito complained to Hisaya Imabayashi at the start of the show about how the main event had no theme to it and seemed to be rather plain to close out the show. Imabayashi explained it’s fine to have a normal, good match for a main event so everyone can show off their skills. However Akito is still riding on a high from Monday’s Korakuen Hall show and can’t just do a regular match. So thinking on his feet Imabayashi came up with some ideas. He gave Akito a debuting rookie gimmick, Yukio Naya was now a luchador and Daichi Sato had to become an idol as if he was part of NωA Jr. Their opponents were also transformed from The 37KAMIINA into a heel team called Sauna Of Torture.

When it was time for the main event Akito ran down in plain black trunks and was introduced as Akito Nishigaki. Sato took part in a NωA Jr. entrance with Yuni & Kazuma Sumi as Daichi Dekatsumata. Naya looked like he always does but allegedly did lucha moves. That’s if you count a Swinging DDT, Double Brainbuster and a Stunner as lucha moves. As for Sauna Of Torture they wrestled exactly like the heels you’d expect them to copy. They acted rude, they brought out chairs, Shunma Katsumata pulled out a gun, you know the usual heel stuff. They cheated so much that NωA Jr. came to Sato’s rescue and helped Akito pin Katsumata to win his “debut” match. Akito admitted that this is the most embarrassed he’s ever been in front of people. He is even more nervous than when he wrestled in front of tens of thousands at Saitama Super Arena. He blamed Imabayashi for this but the GM told him the match was great and DDT now has a promising newcomer who will carry the future on his shoulders. Sauna Of Torture returned back to their normal selves and apologised to the audience for being rude to them.

After the show To-y talked about getting a DDT Extreme Title match against Super Sasadango Machine on 15th June. This lucky chance has come his way because he’s been acting crazy lately so he believes he needs to get any crazier to win the belt! He then grabbed the iPhone filming him and ran off screaming.

Danshoku Dieno thought he got the upper hand on Jun Akiyama by giving him the Exploder Suplex to set up the Danshoku Driver. However Akiyama countered the move with a Jackknife Pin while his head was still stuck in Dieno’s tights. That might have given him some extra leverage to get the three count.

The goal for Match #4 was for Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda to make KANON laugh. They succeeded very quickly so they had to do a rematch with some extra rules. KANON would start the match with five points and he would lose a point whenever he laughed. If he could beat the other team clean or survive 10 minutes without losing all of his points he would be the winner. He almost made it to the time limit until Honda left the ring, returned wearing Yuya Koroku’s wrestling gear and started dancing while Hirata forced KANON to look. KANON couldn’t help but laugh and lose his last point.

Everyone in Match #3 did Battle Royal tease spots on the ring apron to try and get each other into the ring rather than out of it. The rubber band spot was done with Bunbun and Yukinori Matsui but backfired in such a way that it knocked Matsui out. That led to everyone fighting in the ring only to all get out right when Matsui regained consciousness. Kazusada Higuchi was then able to vault Takeshi Masada over the top rope and into the ring to win the match for his team. Chris Brookes wanted to give Masada the Praying Mantis Bomb after the match for screwing up but Matsui stopped him.

Umbrellas were hung from the ropes lighttube style for Match #2. Everyone did various weapon spots with the umbrellas too such as opening them up and slamming each other onto them. Yuni in particular got violent using them so Daisuke Sasaki tried to bribe him with money. It was all a distraction so Ilusion could Low Blow Yuni from behind. He then laid Yuni on top of a bunch of umbrellas and did the Swanton Bomb onto him for the win.


Video – “BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS VOL. TWENTY TWO”

May 28, 2025


BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. 22: THE BEGINNING IS THE END IS THE BEGINNING”, 27/05/2025
Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa
??? Fans

1. Special Tag Team Match: Chris Brookes & Shikaku SAYA (w/ Bunbun) Vs Chie Brookes & Kota Ibushikoshi (w/ Fukafuka)
2. Special Single Match: Mr. Bueno Vs Fuminori Abe
3. BK-G Openweight Title: Mr. Malo (c) Vs Antonio Honda
4. Special Tag Team Match: Great King Ueki & Munek Vs Brahman Shu & Brahman Kei (w/ Karate Brahman)


DDT “KIRANAH BBQ STREET PRO WRESTLING 2025 ~MEAT! BEER! FESTIVAL!~” Results

May 28, 2025

DDT “KIRANAH BBQ STREET PRO WRESTLING 2025 ~MEAT! BEER! FESTIVAL!~”, 28/05/2025
Tokyo Kiranah Garden Toyosu
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Falls Count Anywhere 3 Way 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y defeated Chris Brookes, Takeshi Masada & Mecha Mummy and HARASHIMA, Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata when Katsumata pinned Mummy and Hirata with the Sauna Trance Splash on the Pool (37:18).

A leisure resort containing a massive barbecue field is the latest location to get the DDT street wrestling experience. For The 37KAMIINA this match was the perfect warm up for their KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles shot coming up on 1st June. SCHADENFREUDE International called in Mecha Mummy to bolster their side while the third team was possibly the most DDT trio you could find with HARASHIMA, Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata all teaming up together.

The match begun like a regular wrestling bout with all three teams fighting each other on the grass. Soon enough they moved over to the public dining area where they snuck in some food and drink in the middle of the brawling. Dieno briefly disappeared from the action and returned riding on the Dramatic Dream combat bike. He crashed it into other wrestlers one after the other. He also used Bunbun as an unwilling weapon to duel with Mecha Mummy when Mummy was armed with the Mecha Drill.

Takeshi Masada came to Bunbun’s rescue and held Dieno in place for Chris Brookes to attach the rubber band to Dieno’s backside. Brookes then made it up to the second floor of the restaurant, attached the other end of the band to the Mecha Fist and launched it directly at Dieno’s rear end! The other wrestlers added insult to injury by attacking Dieno’s backside afterwards.

More of the fighting made its way into the crowd where Shunma Katsumata found Yoshihiko hanging out. There was an attempt to do a Headscissors chain that flipped over from a Crab Hold by Brookes but it had to be broken up because the gravel on the ground was too painful for the wrestlers to roll in.

HARASHIMA placed Katsumata next to a leaning table and aimed to do the Somato. Katsumata got out of the way and HARASHIMA crashed into the table by himself. Meanwhile a bunch of wrestlers found horse hopping toys nearby and they all decided to have a race! To-y won but it meant nothing so the match continued. Hirata put his glasses on his horse toy and started dancing with it until Brookes sprayed him with a fire extinguisher.

There was a castle of chairs built nearby that Yuki Ueno & To-y both slammed Masada into. Then over at the stage there was a ladder that Dieno climbed standing over an inflatable pool of water. He ended up leaning over the ladder with his backside sticking out exposed. One by one the other wrestlers got their heads shoved into Dieno’s rear which then knocked them into the pool. Katsumata sprayed Mummy with a hose causing the robot to malfunction and fall into the pool next to Hirata. Katsumata then climbed the Ladder and hit the Sauna Trance Splash onto Hirata & Mummy in the pool to get the three count.

After the match To-y pointed to Tokyo Tower in the distance and told the fans DDT is bigger than it! He encouraged everyone to go eat a lot of meat and drink a lot of beer. Then all of the wrestlers did bumps into the pool. Later Katsumata said The 37KAMIINA is now down to three people but the three of them have developed a stronger desire to win the KO-D 6-Man Tag Titles.


DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 FINAL!!” Results

May 25, 2025

DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 FINAL!!”, 25/05/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. SCHADENFREUDE International Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada defeated Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & Ilusion when Honda pinned Ilusion with the Japanese Leg Roll Clutch (9:59).
2. King Of DDT 2025 – Semi Final: Kazusada Higuchi defeated Yuki Ueno with the Claw Slam (12:10).
3. King Of DDT 2025 – Semi Final: KANON defeated Hideki Okatani with the LONELY DEZIRES (9:41).
4. 4 Way Tag Match: Akito & Yuya Koroku defeated HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata, Toru Owashi & Yuki Ishida and Yuni & Kazuma Sumi when Koroku submitted Akito with the Modified Triangle Lancer (9:47).
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Shinya Aoki, Shunma Katsumata & To-y defeated Jun Akiyama, Yukio Naya & Daichi Sato when Aoki pinned Sato with a Modified Crucific Pin (8:45).
6. DDT Universal Title: Minoru Suzuki (c) defeated Danshoku Dieno with the Gotch-Style Piledriver (12:50).
*V2 for Minoru Suzuki.
7. King Of DDT 2025 – Final: Kazusada Higuchi defeated KANON with the Claw Slam (19:09).

Any lingering doubt that Kazusada Higuchi had returned to action in perfect condition can now be laid to rest because he has won this year’s King Of DDT tournament! He came back to the ring with something to prove and meeting him in the final was KANON, who had his own eventful journey to get here. When KANON put Higuchi in the Cobra Twist 2.0, Higuchi grabbed him by the jaw and countered the hold into the Claw Slam. KANON used the Lariat many times to hit back against Higuchi’s Double Chops. But Higuchi hit him back with Headbutts, Lariats and the Doctor Bomb for a nearfall. Higuchi was then able to apply the Claw once more and used another Claw Slam to get the three count and be crowned King Of DDT for the second time in his career.

Higuchi was filled with joy when he received his trophy. He told the fans when he was away recovering from his neck injury he thought he wouldn’t be able to survive in the ring anymore. But he took things one step at a time and is happy to be standing here today talking to everyone as the tournament champion. He thanked the other members of Harimao at ringside for always standing by him and later spoke about how grateful he is towards each of his opponents in this year’s tournament. But there’s one more thing he wants. As King Of DDT he now qualifies for a shot for the KO-D Openweight Title! Meanwhile KANON said this month has been the most fulfilling period of his career since coming to DDT and he is really glad he joined the promotion. He wants to earn a KO-D Title shot by himself and said he will definitely get it at the next opportunity.

KANON had to overcome a grudge with Hideki Okatani to reach the final. Okatani was KANON’s replacement in DAMNATION T.A after KANON was kicked out of the unit. Okatani attacked KANON with the bamboo stick at the start and had Ilusion interfere for him but KANON built up a comeback that included him blocking those attacks. Okatani turned the tables again by doing a Sling Blade style Crucifix Pin and also the Skewer-Style Claymore for a nearfall. KANON got things back on track with a Brainbuster, followed up with a Lariats and then got the victory by pinning Okatani with the LONELY DEZIRES.

Higuchi had to survive against everything Yuki Ueno could throw at him in the other semi final. Ueno used everything in his arsenal including a Springboard Hurricanrana, the Blackout Sleeper, the Jul.2 and also the Dropkick aimed for Higuchi’s face. But Ueno didn’t expect Higuchi to grab him in the Claw Hold straight after kicking out of a pin. He also didn’t expect Higuchi to run through the WR and Shining Wizard with Lariat counters that knocked Ueno senseless. Ueno had enough awareness to block Higuchi from giving him the Claw Slam except Higuchi then grabbed him from the back of the head to squeeze the life out of him before finishing him off with the Claw Slam. Ueno backstage said he wanted to win but admits that is the Higuchi everyone loves to see. While Konosuke Takeshita and MAO are showing everyone how great they are in other promotions, Ueno thinks it is up to him to show the wrestling world that you can still find power and dreams in DDT too.

Maybe Strong Style isn’t the right fit for Danshoku Dieno after all. He tried living up to his promise to give Minoru Suzuki the most serious fight of his life for the DDT Universal Title and wore plain black trunks to prove it. But the gap between them was too large for him to overcome so he had to unlock his Danshoku style for his best chance at surviving. When Suzuki had him trapped in a Cobra Twist, Dieno used the Lip Lock to break out of it. Then Jun Akiyama showed up to hand Dieno back his regular costume so Dieno was fully himself again. A deep Lip Lock almost had Suzuki down for the count but he kicked out in time and stopped Dieno from hitting a Moonsault. But even he couldn’t fight off the gravity pulling power of the Danshoku Driver. When Dieno had the move all set up he chose to do it Gotch-Style but Suzuki struggled his way out of it and Headbutted Dieno to stop him from doing another Lip Lock. Suzuki then applied his Sleeper Hold to weaken Dieno enough for the Gotch-Style Piledriver, ending the match with Suzuki retaining the Universal Title.

After the match Suzuki said Dieno was messing around a little bit but he accepts Dieno’s Strong Style. He explained pro wrestling is not just about grabbing holds, stretching limbs and punching each other. Suzuki won today but he wanted Dieno to know one more thing. He would like to do a match with him again. Shinya Aoki then walked down to the ring as Dieno was making his exit. The two hugged and high fived each other as they crossed paths. Aoki then got into the ring and said he cannot let Suzuki look this strong forever. He wants to be his next challenger! Suzuki wants an opponent just like Aoki but isn’t sure if it will be treated like a joke. Hisaya Imabayashi understands Suzuki is suspicious after taking on such difficult challengers like Yoshihiko and Dieno so far in his reign but this is the real deal Shinya Aoki stepping up to him next! Suzuki accepted the challenge and the title match will take place on the 13th July Korakuen Hall show.

Maybe Aoki was in a relaxed mood today by teaming up with members of The 37KAMIINA? He joined forces with Shunma Katsumata & To-y to face the heavyweight trio of Akiyama, Yukio Naya & Daichi Sato. To-y took a beating outside the ring thanks to Akiyama and Naya Body Slamming him onto the floor. The heavyweights looked to have the match in control until Sato got in the ring with Aoki. The rookie was smothered Aoki’s skills on the mat and was easily pinned with a Modified Crucifix Hold that came from an Aoki Clutch attempt that didn’t go right.

A 4 Way Tag Match ended up sorting out who the next challengers for the KO-D Tag Team Titles are going to be. The match was a free for all with Yuni & Kazuma Sumi using their NωA Jr. music to power themselves up. It was interrupted by Toru Owashi & Yuki Ishida doing a Dosukoi pose to the beat of sumo drums. HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata danced while wearing the Hirata GO! glasses but that caused HARASHIMA to take Hirata style pratfalls. The only team that were fully on the same page was Akito & Yuya Koroku. Their teamwork outclassed everyone else’s and the finish was set up from Akito giving Sumi an Ankle Lock. While the hold was locked in, Koroku kicked Sumi’s arm and then applied the Triangle Lancer to the damaged limb to make Sumi give up.

Backstage Koroku asked Akito where are the KO-D Tag Titles currently? Akito answered they are being defended by Astronauts in other promotions. Koroku finds it weird that nobody in DDT has said anything about this and he wants to bring the belts back. Akito agreed and is happy to keep teaming with Koroku so they get the tag titles back to DDT. They want the message sent out to Astronauts. Akito & Koroku are coming after them!

The latest battle between SCHADENFREUDE International and DAMNATION T.A saw Bunbun getting thrown around like a toy. When Daisuke Sasaki cut off the rubber band spot he tied the band around Bunbun, spun him around in the air and threw him into the crowd. DAMNATION T.A then worked over Antonio Honda until Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada made the comeback. Honda returned to attack his opponents with Gongitsune but he was soon flattened by a Double Body Press from MJ Paul & Ilusion. Honda dodged Ilusion’s Swanton Bomb though and rolled him up in the Japanese Leg Roll Clutch to escape with the victory.

A video played during the show announcing the return of “THE MONSTER” Haruto Sakuraba to DDT! The muscular stage actor had his debut wrestling match last October and is still a member of DAMNATION T.A. While he’s been away he heard about them recently kicking out a pathetic guy from the group. He isn’t impressed to hear what KANON has been up to since then, making stupid heart signs with his hands. Sakuraba is coming back to DDT on 13th July to crush KANON’s heart so hard that he’ll never be able to get back up again!


DDT “EARLY SUMMER BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025 – DAY 2” Results

May 21, 2025

DDT “EARLY SUMMER BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025 – DAY 2”, 21/05/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Daisuke Sasaki & Ilusion defeated Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda when Ilusion pinned Hirata with a Rotating Cradle (7:41).
2. 3 Count Vs 1 Count! Count Handicap Match: Jun Akiyama defeated Kazuma Sumi with the Running Knee Butt (0:10).
2a. Rematch: Kazuma Sumi defeated Jun Akiyama with the School Boy (0:11).
2b. Rematch: Jun Akiyama defeated Kazuma Sumi with an Arm Lock (0:51).
3. No English Match: Yukio Naya, Daichi Sato & Yuki Ishida defeated HARASHIMA, Tomomitsu Matsunaga & Yuya Koroku by TKO when HARASHIMA said “Ring” (10:50).
4. Thank You Toru Owashi ~ Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 2: Toru Owashi Vs Danshoku Dieno ended in a No Contest (6:20).
4a. Rematch: Toru Owashi & Hisaya Imabayashi defeated Danshoku Dieno & Yukinori Matsui when Imabayashi pinned Matsui with La Magistral Cradle (5:44).
5. Road To KING OF DDT 2025 FINAL!! Special 4 Way Match: Hideki Okatani defeated Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ueno and KANON when Okatani pinned KANON with a School Boy (10:47).
6. Takeshi Masada Produce Match – Hardcore Match: Shunma Katsumata & To-y defeated Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada when Katsumata pinned Masada with the Sauna Trance Splash onto the pool through the Table with Bunbun (20:20).

The latest Beer Garden show gave Takashi Masada the book to do whatever he wanted in the main event. He decided to take part in his very first Hardcore Match teaming with Chris Brookes to fight Shunma Katsumata & To-y. The wrestlers fought each other with ladders, buckets, plastic boxes, chairs and even an ear piercer. Then The 37KAMIINA wrestlers placed a kiddie pool filled with water on top of a table and laid Masada onto it. Bunbun had accompanied the SCHADENFREUDE International team and was sent on a wild ride. Katsumata climbed a nearby ladder with Bunbun, gave the puppet a kiss and then together they jumped off and crushed Masada with the Sauna Trance Splash to get the win. Masada said he had discovered a new style of pro wrestling, one that is super fun but also super painful.

The King Of DDT semi finals were previewed with the four wrestlers involved all taking part in a 4 Way Match against each other. Earlier in the show they had a press conference talking about the final rounds and some of the words said got on people’s nerves. Yuki Ueno thinks he will meet Hideki Okatani in the final so in response to that KANON said he expects to fight Kazusada Higuchi in the final instead. It made the 4 Way Match a free for all because nobody trusted each other to make a brief alliance. That worked out to Okatani’s advantage because he had Ilusion nearby to throw a chair at KANON’s face from ringside. Okatani then rolled up KANON for the three count after that. KANON admitted he left his guard down today but promised that won’t happen at Korakuen Hall. Okatani only said they’ll have fun on the day.

Things between Toru Owashi and Danshoku Dieno got so ridiculous during their match that Hisaya Imabayashi called it off. Yukinori Matsui didn’t appreciate the GM making the call instead of himself so they started arguing with each other. It got so rough that it turned into a tag match between Owashi & Imabayashi against Dieno & Matsui! Daisuke Kiso stepped in to be the ref and he counted Imabayashi pinning Matsui with La Magistral Cradle. Owashi & Imabayashi almost kissed to celebrate but the GM realised what was happening at the last second and left Owashi hanging.

The No English match began with both teams having five points. Every time a wrestler said an English word their team was deducted a point. This went on until the losing team reached 0 points.


DDT “ROJO PRO WRESTLING IN ABEMA SHONAN BANK HIRATSUKA KEIRIN STADIUM” Results

May 11, 2025

DDT “ROJO PRO WRESTLING IN ABEMA SHONAN BANK HIRATSUKA KEIRIN STADIUM”, 11/05/2025
Kanagawa ABEMA Shonan Bank Hiratsuka Keirin Stadium
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Falls Count Anywhere 6-Man Tag Match: Chris Brookes, Shinya Aoki & Takeshi Masada defeated Yukio Naya, Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi when Aoki pinned Sumi with the Aoki Clutch (18:31).
2. Falls Count Anywhere 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y defeated HARASHIMA, Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata when Katsumata pinned Hirata with a Diving Body Press on the Table from the Ladder (23:19).

DDT held not one but two Falls Count Anywhere matches at a cycle racing meet over in Hiratsuka Keirin Stadium.

He only just showed up yesterday but Bunbun is already getting attacked by other wrestlers. Yukio Naya couldn’t resist kicking it into the air when the opportunity presented itself. The track mascot Windy-kun the dolphin also got involved in the match, much to Chris Brookes’s dismay.

When the two matches were finished, Shunma Katsumata and To-y spent the rest of the day trying to predict the bike race results.


DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 2ND ROUND” Results

May 10, 2025

DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 2ND ROUND”, 10/05/2025
Shinjuku FACE
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. MJ Paul & Ilusion defeated Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi when Paul pinned Sumi after a Combined Body Press (5:14).
2. Danshoku Dieno, Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata defeated Shunma Katsumata, Soma Takao & To-y by Referee Stoppage when Dieno used the Strong Arm Lock on Takao (11:04).
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Jun Akiyama, Shinya Aoki & Daichi Sato defeated Chris Brookes, Akito & Antonio Honda when Aoki pinned Honda with a Ground Cobra Twist Reversal (9:47).
4. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 2: Kazusada Higuchi defeated Takeshi Masada with a Short Range Lariat (8:12).
5. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 2: Hideki Okatani defeated HARASHIMA with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster (12:25).
6. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 2: KANON defeated Yukio Naya with the LONELY DEZIRES (12:41).
7. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 2: Yuki Ueno defeated Daisuke Sasaki with a Japanese Leg Roll Clutch (21:22).

The final rounds of this year’s King Of DDT are next on the horizon with only four wrestlers left in the running. Yuki Ueno is in the clear after advancing past one of his most troublesome opponents Daisuke Sasaki. It was a match where Sasaki fought pretty cleanly for the most part, possibly proving Ueno’s theory that he’s been having more fun with wrestling lately. There were some dirty tactics here and there but it wasn’t as overwhelming as you would expect from DAMNATION T.A. The match instead came down to a battle of technique with Ueno winning out in the end. He countered La Mistica Crossface Lock into a Japanese Leg Roll Clutch to get the pinfall victory. Ueno said if he can win two more matches to become the tournament champion then he will be one step closer to the future he wants. He also said if Sasaki is going to shave his own head for losing like he promised then he will let him but that doesn’t mean Sasaki can join The 37KAMIINA. However according to Sasaki, after the match Ueno whispered in his ear that he doesn’t need to cut his hair off because Ueno felt sorry for him. Sure he said that, Sasaki.

The “Yukio Naya Killer” continues his streak. KANON once again defeated Naya in a singles match, this time pinning him with his Modified Facebuster that is now called the LONELY DEZIRES. He resorted to using the move after hitting Naya with several Dropkicks that wouldn’t keep the big guy down. KANON bowed to Naya after the match but Naya couldn’t help but pound the mat in frustration. KANON said backstage that the result is a reminder that he can be part of DDT’s heavyweight division too.

If the course was set for HARASHIMA to pull off a heroic charge through the brackets, Hideki Okatani and DAMNATION T.A killed off any chance of that happening. Okatani attacked HARASHIMA before the bell and stomped him down in the corner so he wouldn’t make an instant comeback like in Round 1. MJ Paul and Ilusion also interfered, including a moment where the two of them landed a Combined Body Press onto HARASHIMA. Despite fighting them off and having some energy left for his opponent, HARASHIMA soon fell to Okatani’s cheating. When he went for the Somato, Okatani hit him with his bamboo stick. The pin only got a two count so Okatani then finished him off with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster.

The one in the tournament who looks most unstoppable at the moment is Kazusada Higuchi. He had a Chop Vs Kick battle with Takeshi Masada with both trying to withstand the punishment as much as they could. When they both reached the brink they charged in for one last blow. Masada got the first hit in with a Middle Kick but Higuchi was still standing and he hit back with a Short Range Lariat. Masada was knocked down from that and couldn’t kick out of the pin.

A lottery took place at the end of the show to pair off the semi finalists. When the balls were all chosen we all learned the matches on 25th May will be Ueno Vs Higuchi and KANON Vs Okatani. Backstage Ueno said everyone in DDT knows how amazing Higuchi is but DDT needs more than that to move forward so Ueno can’t just leave it to him. Higuchi said Ueno is filled with a lot of thoughts lately. He though will just focus on what’s in front of him next. KANON said he is ready to kill Okatani but then remembered he is filled with love now so he corrected himself to say he knock Okatani from Heaven down to Hell. Okatani said he will decided whether KANON can laugh or not. He will make sure KANON will never be able to laugh again!

After seeing the success Strange Love Connection is getting from having an MC as part of the act, SCHADENFREUDE International decided they should add something new to their group too. Antonio Honda brought out a puppet from Thailand named Bunbun. He got to take part in SCHADENFREUDE’s usual spots so it’s already as if he’s been part of the group the whole time.

Everyone in Danshoku Dieno’s match wanted to give him their support for the DDT Universal Title shot. But when Dieno tried to wrestle the match Strong Style Kazuki Hirata and Toru Owashi told him he can never beat Minoru Suzuki that way. So they all started encouraging him to be Danshoku again and even eagerly made themselves victims to Dieno’s Hell Gate, even the opponents Shunma Katsumata, Soma Takao & To-y. However things went in a bad directions when Takao ran face first into Dieno’s backside. Dieno all of a sudden felt a movement in his stomach and blew wind, knocking out Takao with the smell. Dieno didn’t want to win the match that way so he half heartedly applied the Strong Arm Lock and Yukinori Matsui agreed to call a TKO so the match could end in a slightly more respectable manner.

A contract signing was held during the show for the 25th May Universal Title match between Suzuki and Dieno. The challenger talked about spending the last month abandoning his Danshoku style to become someone who is prepared not just to fight Suzuki but beat him too. The Universal Title is the only DDT belt that Dieno has not won yet so it has sentimental value to him. It is also a chance for him to bring a championship back into DDT after an outsider took it away. He believes the Danshoku Dieno he is now is the version Suzuki wants to fight. He was then questioned by Suzuki who wanted to know why is it that Dieno does pro wrestling? He wanted Dieno to look him in the eyes when he asks if he can do this match? The two had a staredown and Dieno reminded Suzuki he once said it’s not about whether or not you can do it. You just do it. Suzuki believed him and simply told Dieno not to regret this decision.