Princess Cup Quarter Finals, King Of DDT Final 4, Sugiura-gun Enters STREET FIGHT CLUB

August 11, 2020

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO PRINCESS CUP”, 15/08/2020
Tokyo Kanda Myojin Hall

1. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final 1: Mizuki Vs Yuki Aino
2. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final 2: Miu Watanabe Vs Maki Itoh
3. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final 3: Natsumi Maki Vs Shoko Nakajima
4. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final 4: Miyu Yamashita Vs Hyper Misao

That was a long stretch of tournament shows we just had. There is a couple of days rest for Tokyo Joshi Pro before they hold the Tokyo Princess Cup quarter finals. Last year’s winner Mizuki faces the most recent Princess Title challenger Yuki Aino. The last remaining Up Up Girls member in the competition Miu Watanabe takes on Maki Itoh. Over on the other side of the bracket, Natsumi Maki and Shoko Nakajima promises to be frantic. Finally Miyu Yamashita’s meets the biggest reminder of her Princess Cup curse. Hyper Misao’s upset over Yamashita back in 2016 is what cemented this jinx in the first place. But did Misao use up all her luck knocking out Yuka Sakazaki?

DDT “BON DEMONE, ATASHA KAMISAMADA YO 2020”, 15/08/2020
Tokyo Kanda Myojin Hall

1. HARASHIMA, Konosuke Takeshita & Yukio Naya Vs Chris Brookes, Makoto Oishi & Mizuki Watase
2. It’s Summer! DDT Variety Group Meeting! Fight And Protect Justice!!: Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata Vs Toru Owashi & Antonio Honda
3. #DAMNHEARTS Vs ALL OUT!: Daisuke Sasaki, T-Hawk & Soma Takao Vs Akito, Shunma Katsumata & Yuki Iino
4. DAMNATION Vs Eruption!: Tetsuya Endo & Mad Paulie Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Sakaguchi
5. Team Big Old-Timers Vs Young Dramatics: Jun Akiyama & Sanshiro Takagi Vs Keigo Nakamura & Hideki Okatani
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura (c) Vs MIKAMI & Tanomusaku Toba

Over in DDT they have a non-tournament show to get through on the same day. Nautilus have to shake off their eliminations and focus on defending the KO-D Tag Team Titles. The undercard has a few previews of next week’s big matches too.

DDT “BLACK OUT PRESENTS KING OF DDT 2020 FINAL!!”, 23/08/2020
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. Under Match – 3 Way Tag Match: Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Antonio Honda & Keigo Nakamura Vs Tomomitsu Matsunaga & Yukio Naya
1. King Of DDT 2020 – Semi-Final: Tetsuya Endo Vs Kazusada Higuchi
2. King Of DDT 2020 – Semi-Final: Akito Vs T-Hawk
3. Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai Vs Danshoku Dieno & Seigo Tachibana
4. Jun Akiyama, Makoto Oishi, Mizuki Watase & Hideki Okatani Vs Konosuke Takeshita, Shunma Katsumata, Yuki Iino & Shinya Aoki
5. KING OF DDT 2020 Special 10-Man Tag Match: HARASHIMA, Yuki Ueno, Naomi Yoshimura, Minoru Tanaka & Chris Brookes Vs Daisuke Sasaki, Soma Takao, Mad Paulie, El Lindaman & Nobuhiro Shimatani
6. King Of DDT 2020 – Final: X Vs X

The King Of DDT is down to Tetsuya Endo, Kazusada Higuchi, Akito and T-Hawk. The winner headlines “ULTIMATE PARTY 2020” at Ota Ward Gymnasium in November. Endo has different connections with the rest of the final four. He feuded with Higuchi throughout the DDT TV SHOW series earlier this year. He was beaten in the 1st Round by Akito but was rescued from elimination by winning the Dramatic Chance Battle Royal. And his partnership with T-Hawk is the origin of the DAMNHEARTS business alliance. Akito wants revenge on T-Hawk after he lost to him at “JUDGEMENT 2019” in Sumo Hall last February.

BAKUHA KOSHIEN “STREET FIGHT CLUB”, 25/08/2020
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Gake no Fuchi Joshi Vs Pocchari Joshi Full Face To Face Battle!: Miyako Matsumoto & Chris Brookes Vs Yuna Manase & Yumehito Imanari
2. Hage Torongezu Vs #STRONGHEARTS!: Jiro Kuroshio & Seigo Tachibana Vs T-Hawk & El Lindaman
3. STREET FIGHT CLUB Special Match ~Royal Traditions Match~: Jun Akiyama Vs Yukio Naya
4. Street Fight 6-Man Tag Match: Atsushi Onita, Yuko Miyamoto & Rocky Kawamura Vs Takashi Sugiura, NOSAWA Rongai & Kaz Hayashi

Atsushi Onita got the toughest competition to fight his crew in the main event. Sugiura-gun from NOAH are entering the STREET FIGHT CLUB! Onita and Takashi Sugiura had a little death match feud half a decade ago that never really went anywhere. Might as well rekindle it because 2020 is weird enough to make it happen. There is also the two unusual joshi offshoots Gake no Fuchi Joshi and Pocchari Joshi getting paired against each other.

BASARA “BASARA 131 ~BANQUET~”, 25/08/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Union MAX Title: Fuminori Abe (c) Vs Daiki Shimomura

In the main event of the last BASARA show, Daiki Shimomura pinned Fuminori Abe to win the 8-Man Tag Team Elimination Match. That grants him a shot at the Union MAX Title. Abe quickly bounced back from that result two days later by winning the BJW Tag Team Titles with Takuya Nomura so he is now a double champion.

DDT “DAMNATION ILLEGAL RALLY RETURNS”, 29/08/2020
Shinjuku FACE

1. Shuji Ishikawa & Mad Paulie Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya
2. Tetsuya Endo Debut 8th Anniversary Match: Tetsuya Endo vs Ryuichi Sekine
3. Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Tsutomu Oosugi

The DAMNATION produce show that was meant to happen back in June is now happening at the end of August. Shuji Ishikawa comes back for the occasion.

DDT “TAISHO DRAMATIC ROMANTAN 2020”, 05/09/2020
Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall

1. Taisho Ward Specialty! Jun To Ai Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Maku Donaruto Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Danshoku Dieno
2. Junretsu Vs ALL OUT!: Jun Akiyama & Makoto Oishi Vs Konosuke Takeshita & Shunma Katsumata

Junretsu and ALL OUT are back to fighting each other. Jun Akiyama is only scheduled to wrestle on four DDT shows in September. This is the first date. He will also be on the two Korakuen Hall shows as well as an event in Nagoya.

Chris Brookes & Maku Donaruto now get the chance to be more friendly towards each other.


Beer Garden-Like Shows, Indy Jr. Title Might Get Sealed, Manase Joins Ganpro

July 29, 2020

DDT “BEER GARDEN-LIKE PRO WRESTLING 2020 DAY 1”, 30/07/2020
Shinjuku FACE

1. 3 Way Tag Match: Daisuke Sasaki & Tetsuya Endo Vs Makoto Oishi & Mizuki Watase Vs Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya
2. HARASHIMA & Chris Brookes Vs Soma Takao & Mad Paulie
3. Super Sasadango Machine Produce Match – Hell In A Blue Sheet Timed Blast! Kaidan Shin Numabukuro Death Match: Muscle Sakai, Danshoku Dieno & Antonio Honda Vs Akito, Yumehito Imanari & Shota
4. Jun Akiyama & Hideki Okatani Vs Naomi Yoshimura & Keigo Nakamura
5. Saki Akai Produce Match – NEO Biishiki-gun New Member Open Audition: Margaret☆Owashi Vs Francoise☆Ihashi Vs Pirako Vs Generic Martha Vs Kazuko Higuchi Vs X (Judges: Sakisama & Yukio Saint Laurent)
6. Konosuke Takeshita Produce Match – DDT Sauna Club Vs DDT Legend Army!: Konosuke Takeshita, Shunma Katsumata & Yuki Ueno Vs Sanshiro Takagi, MIKAMI & Tanomusaku Toba

Sanshiro Takagi found out that neither MIKAMI or Tanomusaku Toba follow him on Twitter, after all of these years of working for him! No matter, he still thinks the three of them are such important figures to DDT that they can beat the DDT Sauna Club.

DDT “BEER GARDEN-LIKE PRO WRESTLING 2020 DAY 2”, 31/07/2020
Shinjuku FACE

1. Soma Takao Vs Hideki Okatani
2. Chris Brookes & Akito Vs Daisuke Sasaki & Mad Paulie
3. Jun Akiyama & Mizuki Watase Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Tomomitsu Matsunaga
4. Danshoku Dieno Produce Match – Elimination Tornado Pantyhose Generation Fight!: Danshoku Dieno, Super Sasadango Machine, Makoto Oishi & Antonio Honda Vs Seigo Tachibana, Yuki Iino, Yukio Naya & Keigo Nakamura
5. HARASHIMA Produce Loser Punishment 5 Way Match – Over The Top Rope Losing Rule: HARASHIMA Vs Toru Owashi Vs Yuki Ueno Vs Naomi Yoshimura Vs Kazuki Hirata
6. Tetsuya Endo Produce Hardcore Tag Match – DAMNATION Vs ALL OUT!: Tetsuya Endo & Nobuhiro Shimatani Vs Konosuke Takeshita & Shunma Katsumata

The main event will be a Hardcore Match. That was Tetsuya Endo’s idea of course. That’s probably weak stuff for Shunma Katsumata after the Big Japan deathmatch he was in last week.

DDT “BEER GARDEN-LIKE PRO WRESTLING 2020 DAY 3”, 01/08/2020
Shinjuku FACE

0. Special Under Match “Can You Lose?”: Tetsuya Koda Vs Hisaya Imabayashi
1. Mizuki Watase Vs Yukio Naya
2. Danshoku Dieno & Akito Vs Soma Takao & Mad Paulie
3. Jun Akiyama, Makoto Oishi & Hideki Okatani Vs HARASHIMA, Toru Owashi & Keigo Nakamura
4. Drunk 3 Way Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Yuki Iino
5. Rock And Roll 4 Way Death Match: Saki Akai Vs Antonio Honda Vs Kazuki Hirata Vs Shunma Katsumata
6. Customer Lottery 6-Man Tag Match That Looks Like A Beer Garden Specialty: Tetsuya Endo, Chris Brookes, Yuki Ueno, Naomi Yoshimura, Konosuke Takeshita, Kazusada Higuchi

The Beer Garden series will be short and sweet this year.

BASARA “BASARA 130 ~TOKUMARU GAHARA~”, 08/08/2020
Tokyo Takashimadaira Ward Hall

1. Tetsuo Usui Vs Tatsuya Hanami
2. Daichi Kazato & Tsutomu Oosugi Vs Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & Yasu Urano
3. Ryota Nakatsu Vs Yusuke Kubo
4. FUMA & SAGAT Vs Takumi Tsukamoto & Jaki Numazawa
5. 8-Man Tag Team Elimination Match: Isami Kodaka, Ryuichi Sekine, Daiki Shimomura & Minoru Fujita Vs Fuminori Abe, Takuya Nomura, Takato Nakano & Masato Kamino

The main event sees the entire Sento Minzoku unit take on a mixture of Astronauts and the main BASARA roster.

Takumi Tsukamoto was originally supposed to team with Masashi Takeda but Takeda is now unable to participate. He got injured in yesterday’s FREEDOMS main event. Jaki Numazawa from Big Japan takes his place as Tsukamoto’s tag partner.

Tatsuya Hanami is from 2AW.

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “HEAVEN’S DOOR 2020”, 22/08/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

1. Ganpro Vs FREEDOMS All Out Battle!: Washi Sakurai Vs Tomoya Hirata
2. First Single! Toyama’s Strongest Decisive Match!: Ken Ohka Vs Shinichiro Tominaga
3. 6 Men And Women Summer Story! Special Mixed 3 Way Tag Match: Shuichiro Katsumura & Moeka Haruhi Vs Yumehito Imanari & Yuna Manase Vs Shota & HARUKAZE
4. Teacher & Student Tag Vs Aikata Tag: Keisuke Ishii & Kouki Iwasaki Vs Ikuto Hidaka & Minoru Fujita
5. Independent World Jr. Heavyweight Title: Hagane Shinno (c) Vs Asuka

These might be the final Independent World Jr. Heavyweight Title defence if Hagane Shinno gets his way. The new champion is in the twilight of his wrestling career and believes the title no longer serves its use. His peak was beating Kota Ibushi for the belt which means it should only be defended against a wrestler on the same level. Asuka is getting the title match because it was already promised to her when Keisuke Ishii was the champion. If Asuka can beat Shinno and achieve her goal of becoming the youngest ever Indy Jr. Champion, then Shinno will be convinced she can become as big of a superstar as Ibushi.

Yuna Manase is now a full time member of Ganbare☆Wrestling! Two weeks ago she received an invite from Yumehito Imanari to wrestle for them on a regular basis. She couldn’t give an answer then because she had not finished her commitment to Tokyo Joshi Pro. But when she appeared at last Sunday’s show she announced she wants to do more with the group and be part of the Ganpro family.


BASARA “BASARA 129 ~BANQUET~” Results

July 14, 2020

BASARA “BASARA 129 ~BANQUET~”, 14/07/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING
135 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & SAGAT defeated Masato Kamino & Tetsuo Usui when SAGAT pinned Usui after the Space SAGAT Torpedo II (10:37).
2. FUMA & Yusuke Kubo defeated Daichi Kazato & Leo Isaka when FUMA submitted Kazato with a Stretch Muffler (9:30).
3. 3 Way Tag Match: Takumi Tsukamoto & Yasu Urano defeated Ryuichi Sekine & Minoru Fujita and Ryota Nakatsu & Akiyori Takizawa when Tsukamoto pinned Takizawa with the Zudon (10:14).
4. Daiki Shimomura defeated Takato Nakano with the Swanton Bomb (10:40).
5. IRON FIST Tag Titles – Turnabout Pro Wrestling Trial: Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga (c) defeated Gouma Ryu & Ryuji Ito when Oosugi pinned Ryu with a Jackknife Pin (16:23). (Defendent: Ryuichi Sekine)
*V4 for Speed Of Sounds.
6. Union MAX Title: Fuminori Abe (c) Vs Isami Kodaka ended in a Time Limit Draw (30:00).
*V1 for Fuminori Abe.

Daiki Shimomura challenged Fuminori Abe for the Union MAX Title backstage after the show.


Heaven Summit ~Itadaki~ 2020

July 7, 2020

The annual BASARA Vs Dove Pro summer feud gets even spicier this year with the addition of the Heaven Summit ~Itadaki~ tournament! Itadaki is the yearly tournament to determine BASARA’s strongest wrestler. The inclusion of Dove Pro this year gives them their own name to use, the Heaven Summit ~Choten~. The end result is two tournaments being merged together. The first two rounds will be held on BASARA shows and the final rounds are on a Dove Pro show.

BASARA “BASARA X DOVE – DAY”, 19/07/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Round 1A: Fuminori Abe Vs “brother” YASSHI
2. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Round 1B: Takumi Tsukamoto Vs Gunso
3. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Round 1C: Daiki Shimomura Vs Shoichi Uchida
4. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Round 1D: Ryuichi Sekine Vs Naoki Tanizaki
5. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Round 1E: Ryota Nakatsu Vs Rey Paloma
6. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Round 1F: SAGAT Vs Kohei Kinoshita
7. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Round 1G: FUMA Vs Kabuki Kid
8. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Round 1H: Isami Kodaka Vs Kenshin Chikano

———————————————————————–

BASARA “BASARA X DOVE – NIGHT”, 19/07/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Round 2A: Winner Of Match 1A Vs Winner Of Match 1B
2. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Round 2B: Winner Of Match 1C Vs Winner Of Match 1D
3. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Round 2C: Winner Of Match 1E Vs Winner Of Match 1F
4. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Round 2D: Winner Of Match 1G Vs Winner Of Match 1H

———————————————————————–

DOVE PRO “CLASH! DOVE X BASARA”, 26/07/2020
Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall

1. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Semi Final: Winner Of Match 2A Vs Winner Of Match 2B
2. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Semi Final: Winner Of Match 2C Vs Winner Of Match 2D
3. Heaven Summit ~Itadaki/Choten~ – Final: X Vs X


News Comes As Restrictions Get Lifted

May 26, 2020

I hope everybody out there is feeling well and finding ways to cope with the sad news about Hana Kimura. Dylan from the Eastern Lariat podcast tweeted a magazine photo of the time when an 8 year old Kimura won the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title, which I think was her only connection to DDT. There would have been a working relationship between her and Sanshiro Takagi in WRESTLE-1 as well back when Takagi was part of its management.

There’s a quick story I want to tell. When I last went to Tokyo in 2016 I got to see a Sendai Girls show with a group of friends in Korakuen (the 8th April one). Kyoko Kimura was wrestling in the opener and Hana was there as her ringside attendant. This was only a few weeks after her pro debut and it was her only role on the show. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. The next day I spoke to an American expat and talked about the show. Before I even finished a sentence he cut me off and asked “Was Kyoko Kimura’s daughter there? She is going to be a star!”

DDT “DDT TV SHOW! #5”, 30/05/2020
DDT TV SHOW Studio

1. Jun Akiyama Vs Hideki Okatani
2. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Danshoku Dieno (c) Vs Antonio Honda
3. DAMNATION VS ALL OUT!: Daisuke Sasaki & Soma Takao Vs Shunma Katsumata & Yuki Iino
4. Yoshihiko & Akihiro Vs Konosuke Takeshita & Akito
5. #DAMNHEARTS Vs DISASTER BOX!: Tetsuya Endo, T-Hawk & El Lindaman Vs HARASHIMA, Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura

Figures from past and present are returning as Japan opens up again. The #STRONGHEARTS pair of T-Hawk & El Lindaman rejoin Tetsuya Endo to protect him from losing before his big title match. Yuki Ueno has spent all of this time during the pandemic looking after the Dropkick Bar. He gets to wrestle again for the first time in almost two months.

The second battle doll Akihiro came back in Yoshihiko’s time of need to defeat ALL OUT. The feud isn’t over yet when revenge is on offer.

Third time’s the charm for Danshoku Dieno Vs Antonio Honda.

Two thirds of the next DDT UNIVERSAL Title match face off in tag action.

Hideki Okatani showed his stuff by fighting Seigo Tachibana to a time limit draw in the match that took place after the last episode ended. Jun Akiyama should have lots to teach him.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW PPV SHOW ~ZENRYOKU YELL~”, 31/05/2020
OPENREC.tv

1. Hikari Noa Vs Sena Shiori
2. Hyper Misao Vs Mahiro Kiryu
3. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Shoko Nakajima & Suzume

The main event is confirmed to be The Magical Sugar Rabbits against Shoko Nakajima & Suzume.

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “HIMITSU 2020”, 03/06/2020
???

1. 4 Vs 4 Survival Tag Match: Keisuke Ishii, Yumehito Imanari, Shinichiro Tominaga & Kouki Iwasaki Vs Shuichiro Katsumura, Shota, Washi Sakurai & X

At last Ganbare☆Wrestling gets to have a go at an empty arena match. Here’s a neat concept for the match. We have two teams with 4 wrestlers each. When the match begins two wrestlers from each side are selected to wrestle a tag team match. When a wrestler is defeated by normal means they are replaced by a new teammate and the tag match continues. To win the match, a team must eliminate three of their opponents.

As you can see, one team has a mystery wrestler advertised. I’m surprised to see Ken Ohka or Moeka Haruhi aren’t involved. Haruhi being there would have meant all members of THE HALFEE were in the match on the same side. This is the only match of the show too.

DDT “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020 DAY 1”, 06/06/2020
DDT TV SHOW Studio

1. Soma Takao & Mad Paulie Vs Keigo Nakamura & Hideki Okatani
2. Keisuke Ishii & HARUKAZE Vs Hiroshi Yamato & Saori Anou
3. DDT Yuru-chara No. 1 Battle In Niigata: Super Sasadango Machine Vs Pokotan
4. DDT UNIVERSAL Title – Hardcore 3 Way Match: Daisuke Sasaki (c) Vs Isami Kodaka Vs Shunma Katsumata

The new plan for “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020” is to hold it under the DDT TV SHOW format across two days. It’s not the mega show it is going to be but under the current circumstances it keeps DDT chugging along as light appears at the end of the tunnel.

Daisuke Sasaki wanted his next title defence to be easy and violent. That is why he nominated Shunma Katsumata to be his next challenger. The twist is the sudden appearance of Isami Kodaka getting involved. Kodaka heard about DDT’s new UNIVERSAL Title and wanted to add it to his ever growing list of accomplishments.

I bet the DDT roster are happy to see Saori Anou again.

DDT “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020 DAY 2”, 07/06/2020
DDT TV SHOW Studio

1. Tokyo Joshi Pro 6-Woman Tag Match: Yuka Sakazaki, Miyu Yamashita & Shoko Nakajima Vs Rika Tatsumi, Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino
2. Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai Vs Chris Brookes & Maki Itoh
3. Super Sasadango Machine Remote Produce Match: Toru Owashi Vs Antonio Honda
4. DDT Extreme Title – Celebration! Release Restriction Rules: Shinya Aoki (c) Vs Yukio Naya
5. KO-D Openweight Title: Masato Tanaka (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo

Endo is so close to his final goal. He tripped up once before but reclaimed the KO-D Challenger Sword and just has to avoid a direct defeat one more time. Once he does that, Masato Tanaka will be there waiting for him with the KO-D Openweight Title held tightly in his grip.

The state of emergency in Tokyo has been lifted and the restrictions across Japan are easing off. Shinya Aoki will use the uplifting news as inspiration for his next DDT Extreme Title defence. Yukio Naya is stepping up as the challenger.

This show is taking place on Nodoka Tenma’s birthday! She is happy to spend the day fighting against the three strongest wrestlers in Tokyo Joshi Pro. Her team with Yuki Aino & Rika Tatsumi is called Bakuretsu Dragon.

BASARA “BASARA 129 ~BANQUET~”, 14/07/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. IRON FIST Tag Titles: Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga (c) Vs Gouma Ryu & Ryuji Ito
2. Union MAX Title: Fuminori Abe (c) Vs Isami Kodaka

BASARA are playing it safe and have cancelled their last remaining show in June. Instead their first show back will be in July at Shin-Kiba 1st RING. Normally this is the Banquet all you can drink show but that system will be suspended and the seating rearranged to accommodate social distancing. For now they are numbering the show #129. The last BASARA show that took place was #126 (I’m amazed I’ve been able to keep track of the chapter numbers for so long). If that sticks then it means #127 & #128 are forever lost to the cancellations.

The two title matches that were originally going to take place in April are now finally going to happen in July. Fuminori Abe must be chomping at the bit to prove his worth as Union MAX Champion by now.


New No People Shows In April

March 31, 2020

DDT “DDT UNIVERSE LIVE! APRIL FOOL 2020”, 04/04/2020
Chiba 2AW Square

1. Jordan Heatley Debut Match: Konosuke Takeshita Vs Jordan Heatley
2. Saki Akai “Okibariyasu” 7 Match Series – 5th Match: Syuri Vs Saki Akai
3. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo, T-Hawk & El Lindaman (c) Vs HARASHIMA, Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura
4. DDT Extreme Title: Shinya Aoki (c) Vs Makoto Oishi

We’re back to empty arena shows for the time being. At least it’s happening in different venues. Chiba 2AW Square is available so Jordan Heatley’s debut match, Saki Akai Vs Syuri, the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles match and the DDT Extreme Title match that were all meant to happen in the first weekend of April are now taking place there.

DDT “DDT UNIVERSE LIVE! MAX BUMP 2020”, 12/04/2020
Shinjuku FACE

1. Special Single Match: Tetsuya Endo Vs Kazusada Higuchi
2. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura (c) Vs MAO & Mike Bailey
3. KO-D Openweight Title: Masato Tanaka (c) Vs Yukio Sakaguchi

The 12th April Korakuen Hall show was cancelled so the big matches booked for that show are now happening in Shinjuku FACE on the same day. So the KO-D Openweight Title and KO-D Tag Team Titles are still getting defended. Also Tetsuya Endo Vs Kazusada Higuchi for the Saitama Super Arena Sword. There may be some other Right To Challenge Gauntlet shenanigans going on.

BASARA “BASARA 129 ~BANQUET~”, 21/04/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. IRON FIST Tag Titles: Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga (c) Vs Gouma Ryu & Ryuji Ito
2. Union MAX Title: Fuminori Abe (c) Vs Isami Kodaka

Fuminori Abe gets the toughest test possible for his first Union MAX Title defence. Isami Kodaka pinned him in a tag match on the last show so that makes him the No. 1 Contender.


Early April Shows Postponed And Cancelled

March 27, 2020

In response to the latest move made by the Japanese government in regards to Covid-19, the DDT Group has made the decision to cancel or postpone several of its shows due to take place in April.

DDT “ROAD TO PETER PAN 2020 ~DRAMATIC DREAM TAKESHI~”, 02/04/2020
Tokyo Hanayashiki Asakusa Flower Theater

Postponed.

DDT “ROAD TO PETER PAN 2020 ~DRAMATIC DREAM TOCHIOTOME~”, 04/04/2020
Oyama City Cultural Center Small Hall

Cancelled.

DDT “ROAD TO PETER PAN 2020 ~DRAMATIC DREAM TSUKENAPORITAN~”, 05/04/2020
Shizuoka Fuji-san Messe

Cancelled.

DDT “DAMNATION ILLEGAL RALLY RETURNS”, 07/04/2020
Shinjuku FACE

Postponed.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “SPRING TOUR ’20 ~HEART & BODY~”, 11/04/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

Cancelled.

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “HIEROPHANT GREEN 2020”, 11/04/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

Cancelled.

DDT “MAX BUMP 2020”, 12/04/2020
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

Cancelled.

DDT and Tokyo Joshi Pro will be holding No-People shows on DDT UNIVERSE to take the place of the cancelled events. DDT will have two shows with the dates to be announced. Tokyo Joshi will have their shows on 3rd and 11th April.

BASARA “BASARA 126 ~OSAKA CAMP SPRING TAISHO~”, 28/03/2020
Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall

1. Takato Nakano Vs Jun Masaoka
2. 3 Way Match: Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi Vs Gouma Ryu Vs Daichi Kazato
3. Isami Kodaka & Daiki Shimomura Vs Fuminori Abe & Tetsuo Usui
4. Takumi Tsukamoto, Yasu Urano & Masato Kamino Vs FUMA, Yusuke Kubo & SAGAT
5. Ryuichi Sekine Vs Minoru Fujita
6. IRON FIST Tag Titles: Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga (c) Vs Ryota Nakatsu & Naoki Tanizaki

Meanwhile the nutjobs in BASARA are thinking they might be small enough to fit under the cracks and run their shows as usual. Tomorrow’s show seems to be going on as scheduled. The most recent update from them today is a safety message for those with tickets.

Speed Of Sounds defend the IRON FIST Tag Titles against Sparky.

DDT “PROTECT THE ELDERLY FROM THE NEW CORONAVIRUS! KYOU CLINIC PRO WRESTLING”, 30/03/2020
Saitama Medical Corporation Anzukai Kyou Clinic

1. Falls Count Anywhere 4 Way Tag Match: Shinya Aoki & Makoto Oishi Vs Konosuke Takeshita & Shunma Katsumata Vs MAO & Mike Bailey Vs Gorgeous Matsuno & Gabai Ji-chan

How in the fuck did this not get cancelled?!? The change here is going from a 6-Man Tag to a 4 Way Tag with the addition of The Moonlight Express.

BASARA “BASARA 127 ~KAGUNDZUKA NO SAKURA~”, 05/04/2020
Chiba 2AW Square

1. Takato Nakano Vs Yasu Urano
2. Takumi Tsukamoto, Daichi Kazato & Masato Kamino Vs FUMA, Yusuke Kubo & SAGAT
3. Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi Vs Shigehiro Irie
4. Isami Kodaka & Ryuichi Sekine Vs Kengo Mashimo & Shiori Asahi
5. Ryota Nakatsu & Daiki Shimomura
6. Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga Vs Fuminori Abe & Tetsuo Usui

Fuminori Abe is the new Union MAX Champion but he only won it because Masahiro Takanashi suffered a freak injury two minutes into their match. Takanashi is giving Abe his support because hey, this is the pro wrestling business. Injuries happen all the time and winning a championship that way doesn’t make it any less legitimate in Takanashi’s eyes. Abe has promised to remain the champion until Takanashi recovers from his fractured fibula.

If this Chiba show goes ahead, Abe could be fighting against the current IRON FIST Tag Champions. That match will also be Tetsuo Usui’s first proper main event (excluding a bonus multi-man tag back in January).


BASARA “BASARA 125 ~BANQUET~” Results

March 24, 2020

BASARA “BASARA 125 ~BANQUET~”, 24/03/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING
259 Fans – No Vacancy

1. Akiyori Takizawa defeated Tetsuo Usui with the Sleng Teng (7:28).
2. Ryuichi Sekine, Minoru Fujita & Gouma Ryu defeated Yusuke Kubo, Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & SAGAT when Ryu pinned SAGAT with a Cradle (8:17).
3. FUMA & Antonio Honda defeated Yasu Urano & Masato Kamino when FUMA pinned Kamino with the Heavy Metal Anthem (11:07).
4. Tsutomu Oosugi, Banana Senga & Daichi Kazato defeated Takumi Tsukamoto, Takato Nakano & Leo Isaka when Oosugi pinned Nakano after the Pictures At An Exhibition (9:06).
5. IRON FIST Next Challengers Decision Battle: Ryota Nakatsu & Naoki Tanizaki defeated Isami Kodaka & Daiki Shimomura when Tanizaki submitted Shimomura with a Crosss Facelock (12:18).
6. Union MAX Title: Fuminori Abe defeated Masahiro Takanashi (c) by Referee Stoppage (1:57).
*Masahiro Takanashi fails in V4. Fuminori Abe becomes the 14th Union MAX Champion!

Masahiro Takanashi injured his ankle two minutes into the main event and the match had to be stopped. He fractured his fibula and tibia while he was grappling with Fuminori Abe on the ring mat. Abe was awarded the Union MAX Title and Takanashi tried to encourage him by saying he deserved it. Abe promised to remain the MAX Champion until Takanashi recovers so they can have a rematch for the belt.

Sparky faces Speed Of Sounds for the IRON FIST Tag Titles on 28th March.

Antonio Honda was invited to wrestle at “FUMA FEST VOL.4” on 11th April.


BASARA “BASARA 122 ~BANQUET~” Results

February 18, 2020

BASARA “BASARA 122 ~BANQUET~”, 18/02/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING
264 Fans – No Vacancy

1. Yasu Urano & Daichi Kazato defeated Takato Nakano & Masato Kamino when Urano pinned Nakano with the Rock Drop (6:34).
2. Handicap Match: Takumi Tsukamoto defeated Gouma Ryu & Tetsuo Usui when Tsukamoto submitted Ryu with a Crab Hold (7:55).
3. Fuminori Abe defeated Daiki Shimomura with the Arm Trapped Manjigatame (10:16).
4. Ryota Nakatsu, Naoki Tanizaki & Akiyori Takizawa defeated FUMA, Yusuke Kubo & SAGAT when Tanizaki pinned Kubo with the Implant Bomb (13:17).
5. IRON FIST TAG Titles: Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga (c) defeated Isami Kodaka & Ryuichi Sekine when Senga pinned Sekine with a Let’s Combine Cutback (13:12).
*V2 for Speed Of Sounds.
6. Union MAX Title: Masahiro Takanashi (c) defeated Minoru Fujita with the Takatonic (20:25).
*V3 for Masahiro Takanashi.

After the main event Fuminori Abe challenged Masahiro Takanashi to a Union MAX Title match. Takanashi accepted and the match will take place on 24th March.

A BASARA owned bar will open in Yotsuya Sanchome, Tokyo this March. The bar is called Clutch and Ryota Nakatsu will be the manager.


“Quiet” Weekend Ahead, Thunder Challenges Shoko, E10 & Royce Chambers

February 7, 2020

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO JOSHI 2020 WINTER ~WONDERFUL HARMONY~”, 08/02/2020
Aichi NGK Sports Plaza 3rd Stadium

1. Miu Watanabe Vs Raku
2. Rika Tatsumi & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Mina Shirakawa
3. Yuna Manase & Mirai Maiumi Vs Hyper Misao & Pom Harajuku
4. Shoko Nakajima, Nodoka Tenma & Haruna Neko Vs Mizuki, Suzume & Sena Shiori
5. Saki Akai Vs Hikari Noa
6. Miyu Yamashita Vs Natsumi Maki
7. Yuka Sakazaki & Maki Itoh Vs Lana Austin & Yuki Aino

Quiet weekend. Only three shows. Yes that’s a quiet weekend now.

DDT “SUNDAY KASUKABIAN! 2020”, 09/02/2020
Saitama Kasukabe Hall

1. Kazusada Higuchi & Saki Akai Vs Hiroshi Yamato & Keigo Nakamura
2. 3 Way Match: Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Soma Takao Vs Kazuki Hirata
3. Toru Owashi & Naomi Yoshimura Vs Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi
4. Tetsuya Endo, Mad Paulie & Nobuhiro Shimatani Vs Akito, Mizuki Watase & Yukio Naya
5. Yuki Ueno Vs Cody Hall
6. Charisma Vs Gongitsune!: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Antonio Honda
7. Harashimao Vs ALL OUT!: HARASHIMA & MAO Vs Konosuke Takeshita & Yuki Iino

Heading into this weekend Daisuke Sasaki currently holds the Right To Challenge At Saitama Super Arena Sword. The Right To Challenge Gauntlets are attached to Shinya Aoki (Blue), Naomi Yoshimura (Yellow), Akito (Green) and Cody Hall (Black).

BASARA “BASARA 121 ~OKEHAMA~”, 09/02/2020
Aichi Tsubohashi Sports Center

1. Takumi Tsukamoto & Takato Nakano Vs Banana Senga & Daichi Kazato
2. Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & Yasu Urano Vs Masato Kamino & Tetsuo Usui
3. Isami Kodaka Vs Shigehiro Irie
4. FUMA, Yusuke Kubo & SAGAT Vs Ryuichi Sekine, Minoru Fujita & Daiki Shimomura
5. Fuminori Abe Vs Ryota Nakatsu

Fuminori Abe hasn’t been pinned since December. Ryota Nakatsu is coming off of a loss to Isami Kodaka. I’m thinking Abe is closing in on a Union MAX Title shot.

DDT “ISN’T IT DRAMATIC 2020”, 24/02/2020
Nagoya City East Sports Center

1. Hiroshi Yamato Vs Keigo Nakamura
2. Soma Takao & Mad Paulie Vs Kazuki Hirata & Yukio Naya
3. 3 Way Tag Match: Daisuke Sasaki & Tetsuya Endo Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Yuki Iino & Mizuki Watase
4. Konosuke Takeshita, Akito & Shunma Katsumata Vs Chris Brookes, Masahiro Takanashi & MAO
5. Saki Akai “Okibariyasu” 7 Match Series – 4th Match – Rocky Of Naniwa II Vs Human Torpedo II: Saki Akai Vs Miranda Gordy
6. DDT Senbatsu-gun Vs Nagoya & Kengo Takai-gun: HARASHIMA, Toru Owashi & Makoto Oishi Vs Kengo Takai, Intelligence Sensational Grand Passion Mask #4 & Hiroaki Ura
7. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura (c) Vs Danshoku Dieno & Cody Hall

The Nagoya Army led by Kengo Takai has been decided. DDT has their defence force set in response.

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “STAR PLATINUM 2020”, 24/02/2020
Tokyo Seijo Hall

1. Ganpro World Tryout: Shin Suzuki Vs E10
2. Ganpro Specialty Special 3 Way Match ~HARUKAZE’s Close Call~: Shota Vs HARUKAZE Vs Kuishinbo Kamen
3. Ganpro & GanJo Special Mixed Tag Match: Shuichiro Tominaga & Moeka Haruhi Vs Shinichiro Tominaga & Asuka
4. Ganpro Vs Pro Wrestling BASARA Full Battle: Kouki Iwasaki & Washi Sakurai Vs Ryuichi Sekine & Tetsuo Usui
5. Ganpro Vs TTT Full Battle: Ken Ohka Vs Guts Ishijima
6. Independent World Jr. Heavyweight Title: Keisuke Ishii (c) Vs Yumehito Imanari

For fuck sake Guts Ishijima, stick to one affiliation please! He formed TTT (Total Triumph Team) in December and the promotion held its first show on 25th January. That explains why the Real GUTS Army angle got a bit wonky for the last couple of shows with the enemy team constantly changing its name and intentions.

With THE HALFEE idea now put on the shelf, Shuichiro Tominaga & Moeka Haruhi are going back to their regular ring names. However Shuhei Washida has taken to the name Washi Sakurai and wants to stick with it.

When Shota went on tour in Australia last year he wrestled for a promotion called Pro Wrestling Power in Cairns, Queensland. One of the locals who caught his attention goes by the name of E10. He is coming over to Japan later this month for a tryout in Ganbare☆Wrestling. E10 is 178cm tall, weighs 77kg and his signature moves are the Side Effect and the Frog Splash.

DDT “DRAMATIC SHINYURESE 2020”, 28/02/2020
Kanagawa Shinyuri Twenty One Hall

1. HARASHIMA & Makoto Oishi Vs Daisuke Sasaki & Hiroshi Yamato
2. Shinyuri Specialty! Two Major Singles Match: MAO Vs Kazuki Hirata
3. Shinyuri Specialty! Two Major Singles Match: Tetsuya Endo Vs Akito

Two big singles matches are set for Kanagawa. If it happened today then Akito’s Right To Challenge Gauntlet is on the line. MAO might be the KO-D Openweight Champion by the time the show takes place.

DDT “DDT DOES NOT KNOW GUNMA YET 2020”, 29/02/2020
Gunma Yamada Green Dome Maebashi Sub Event Area

1. ALL OUT Vs Eruption!: Konosuke Takeshita, Akito & Shunma Katsumata Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai
2. The First Leap Year Of Reiwa! Inevitable Laughter Once Every 4 Years Ultra Super Mechanko Special 4 Way Match: Danshoku Dieno Vs Antonio Honda Vs Kazuki Hirata Vs Kazusada Higuchi
3. Akagi Mountain Is Also Tonight! Maebashi Specialty Special Single Match: Yutaka Yoshie Vs Yuki Iino

Big boys collide in Maebashi! Yutaka Yoshie made his first appearance in DDT last year in a comedy match involving a daruma and a kokeshi. This time it’s a more serious challenge in the form of Yuki Iino.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “STAND PROUD”, 01/03/2020
Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall

1. International Princess Title: Thunder Rosa (c) Vs Shoko Nakajima

A message was sent to the Tokyo Joshi Pro office by Thunder Rosa earlier today. She nominates Shoko Nakajima as the No. 1 Contender for the International Princess Title. The two previously faced each other for the Princess Of Princess Title back in May last year. Nakajima won the match and Rosa wants revenge. She thinks she has the upper hand because this time she is the champion and Nakajima is the challenger.

DDT “DRAMATIC RED READY! 2020”, 01/03/2020
Osaka Hirano Community Hall

1. Chris Brookes Vs Maku Donaruto
2. Yuni Kid Wrestler Graduation Match: Yuni Vs Kazuki Hirata
3. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Konosuke Takeshita, Shunma Katsumata & Yuki Iino (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo, T-Hawk & El Lindaman

There’s another Australian heading over to Japan soon, this one for DDT. Melbourne high flyer Royce Chambers will be in DDT from 1st to 20th March. His acrobatic moves and matches from Melbourne Championship Wrestling have been getting attention online and impressed the likes of Konosuke Takeshita. DDT is bringing in Chambers on Takeshita’s recommendation. Chambers is 180cm tall, weighs 86kg and has only been wrestling for two years.

Yuni closes out the childhood portion of his wrestling life by facing his career rival Kazuki Hirata.

Thanks for sticking with DDT, Brookes. Here’s Maku Donaruto for you.