Manase Injured, GanJo Restart Going Ahead

February 6, 2023

GANBARE☆JOSHI “GANJO RESTART ’23”, 01/04/2023
Yokohama Radiant Hall

A press conference was held by Ganbare☆Pro today for Yuna Manase with Ken Ohka and Michiyoshi Mishima also in attendance. It was to announce that Manase will be out of action for the time being in order to get knee surgery. She revealed she’s been dealing with a ruptured ACL and also a damaged meniscus in her left leg. The origin of the injury happened two years ago but Manase refused to get surgery at the time. Ganbare☆Joshi had begun running shows that year and she wanted to be part of them. Taking a long time off to heal her injury was an unnecessary option and she does not regret her decision. Last Autumn she noticed the pain in her knees was rising higher and consulted with everyone in the company over what to do. She continued to wrestle because it was at the time when she was getting so many opportunities everywhere from fighting in a Spirit Of Ganbare Title match to wrestling in other promotions like Ice Ribbon and Marvelous. Over the new year her doctor told her the knee was in worse condition and she needed to get the surgery. He was also sympathetic to Manase and told her “you did your best.” There is no timetable for Manase’s return but once she gets the surgery she thinks it will be about 10 months before she can start rehabbing her knee.

Ohka was full of praise for Manase’s fighting spirit and being part of Ganpro’s family. He knows she will be back in the ring some day and everyone will be there to support her. A reporter asked Mishima if the announcement will effect the GanJo division. Mishima said the all women GanJo show they announced at the end of last year was originally going to take place this month but then Manase’s situation came up. They also found out HARUKAZE’s schedule outside of pro wrestling (she is part of a comedy duo called Never Give Up) has gotten busier. She told them she prefers to be on the regular GanPro shows whenever she is available because she wants to fight men as well as women. So GanJo will become a blank slate because its two main characters are missing and they will wait for Manase’s return to restart it.

At that moment the press conference was suddenly interrupted by YuuRI and Yoshiko Hasegawa. With Manase out of action, the two of them asked if they could carry GanJo in her place? They both have not been wrestling for long but they want to protect GanPro and keep the flame of GanJo burning for Manase to return. Ohka told them it is not easy to produce a wrestling show by themselves but he was able to do it for the very first GanPro event with just 15,000 yen. He is happy to see YuuRI & Hasegawa doing whatever they can to help and told them the relaunch show will go ahead! Mishima decided the show will take place in Yokohama Radiant Hall on 1st April because GanPro already had the venue reserved for that date. It is now up to YuuRI & Hasegawa to put it all together!


Burlesque Tokyo Match, HARASHIMA And Naya Fight Over No. 1 Contendership, Arai Vs Kong

January 31, 2023

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT WINTER ~OSAKA PERFORMANCE~”, 04/02/2022
Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall

1. Suzume Vs Wakana Uehara
2. Kaya Toribami Vs HIMAWARI
3. Mizuki Vs Raku
4. Yuki Kamifuku, Mahiro Kiryu & Haruna Neko Vs Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Yoshiko Hasegawa
5. Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe Vs Yuki Aino & Pom Harajuku
6. Miyu Yamashita, Maki Itoh & Moka Miyamoto Vs Shoko Nakajima, Hyper Misao & Arisu Endo

One week before the Max Heart Tournament final takes place, 121000000 and Kyoraku Kyomei will give us a preview of what to expect when they all take part in a 6-Woman Tag.

Mizuki has been quietly running through the entire Tokyo Joshi Pro undercard in singles matches lately. Next is Raku’s turn to try and stop her momentum.

Yoshiko Hasegawa is popping up in Tokyo Joshi Pro again.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE 3RD “FUTARI WA PRINCESS” MAX HEART TOURNAMENT”, 11/02/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Final: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao

And here is the big finale to the tournament. Can Miyu Yamashita finally break her tournament curse? Will Maki Itoh add the Max Heart Tournament with the Tokyo Princess Cup in her trophy case? Or will Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao prove that nothing beats the combination of kaiju and superhero!

DDT “DDT YOKOHAMA UNLIMITED VOL. 1”, 11/02/2023
Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall

1. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Yuya Koroku (0) Vs Ilusion (0)
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Keigo Nakamura (2) Vs Toi Kojima (0)
3. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Yuki Ishida (0) Vs Takeshi Masada (0)
4. Special Tag Match: Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi Vs HARASHIMA & Yukio Naya

The KO-D Openweight Title scene has been shaken up in the aftermath of this past weekend. Yuji Hino is now the champion and has two wrestlers fighting over who should face him for the title at “JUDGEMENT 2023”. Before that gets settled those two potential challengers have to team up against Hino & Makoto Oishi.

DDT “ROJO PRO WRESTLING IN BURLESQUE TOKYO ~KO-D TAG TEAM BATTLE ON THE STREET! SHUNMAO VS BONNO DAI SHACHO!~”, 23/02/2023
Burlesque Tokyo

1. KO-D Tag Team Titles – Falls Count Anywhere Match: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Fuminori Abe

It’s like something out of Sega’s Yakuza series. The KO-D Tag Team Titles are being put on the line in a Falls Count Anywhere match because two teams of crazy wrestlers. Where is it taking place? At the glitzy and glamoruous Burlesque Tokyo club in Roppongi! The idea from Sanshiro Takagi & Fuminori Abe brings back memories of Takagi’s adventures with Munenori Sawa when they were the champions. ShunMao are up for the challenge.

GANBARE☆PRO “ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD 2023”, 25/02/2023
Takashimadaira Ward Community Center

1. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Mizuki Watase (c) Vs Shinichiro Tominaga

Mizuki Watase is aiming to defend the Spirit Of Ganbare Title twice in February. His next title defence is against Towa Iwasaki in BURST on the 19th. Should he win that match then his singles bout against Shinichiro Tominaga on the 25th will also have the title on the line. Even if Watase loses the title to Iwasaki, he will be facing Tominaga on the 25th no matter what.

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2023”, 26/02/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. D GENERATIONS CUP – Final: Winner Of A Block Vs Winner Of B Block
2. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada (c) Vs Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Super Sasadango Machine
3. KO-D Tag Team Titles: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs X & X
4. KO-D Openweight Title Next Challenger Decision Match: HARASHIMA Vs Yukio Naya

The No. 1 Contender for the KO-D Title will either be HARASHIMA or Yukio Naya. HARASHIMA wants to be the one who challenges for the championship in the main event of DDT’s 26th Anniversary show. Naya has become a stronger wrestler thanks to Hino so it will mean so much to him if he can beat Hino for the KO-D Title.

Whoever leaves Roppongi as the KO-D Tag Champions will have to defend the belts at this show three days later.

Three wrestlers who have very little in common are joining up to challenge BURNING for the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles. The one thread that connects Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Super Sasadango Machine is they all do regular radio appearances outside of wrestling. Sasadango convinced DDT to give the three of them a title shot because they can all promote it on the radio in the lead up to the show.

DDT “HANAMI PRO WRESTLING 2023”, 12/03/2023
Saitama Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park Outdoor Stage

1. Yuki “Sexy” Iino Produce Match: X Vs X
2. Kazuki Hirata Produce Match: X Vs X
3. Tetsuya Endo Produce Match: X Vs X

Some of the wrestlers will get to book their own matches at DDT’s outdoor show in Saitama next month.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “GRAND PRINCESS ’23”, 18/03/2023
Ariake Coliseum

1. Special Single Match: Aja Kong Vs Yuki Arai
2. Princess Of Princess Title: Yuka Sakazaki (c) Vs Mizuki

The second match announced for “GRAND PRINCESS ’23” is a real doozy. Yuki Arai gets a second shot against Aja Kong but this time she will be on her own. Their first match against each other was a tag match that took place five months into Arai’s wrestling career. It was so long ago in Arai’s mind that she will no rewatch the match because she is a different wrestler now. She thinks her head has gotten harder so she is not scared of being hit by Kong’s steel cans again.

DDT “JUDGEMENT 2023 ~LONGEST 5 HOUR SPECIAL IN KORAKUEN HISTORY~”, 21/03/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. International Special Single Match: Samuray Del Sol Vs Yuki Ueno
2. DDT 26th Anniversary Special Single Match: Sanshiro Takagi Vs Konosuke Takeshita
3. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuji Hino (c) Vs Winner Of 26/02 Match

There is no DDT Universal Title involved anymore but the Samuray Del Sol Vs Yuki Ueno match is going ahead.


GANBARE☆PRO “GANBARE☆PRO WRESTLING PLAYERS ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE” Results

January 28, 2023

GANBARE☆PRO “GANBARE☆PRO WRESTLING PLAYERS ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE”, 28/01/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR
92 Fans – No Vacancy

1. 1st Young Ganbare Cup: Yumehito Imanari (4) defeated Yuki Kanzaki (2) with a Sasori-Gatame (9:37).
2. 1st Young Ganbare Cup: Kentaro Hachisu (5) Vs Munetatsu Nakamura (1) ended in a Double Countout (7:16).
3. Moeka Haruhi & Itsuki Aoki defeated Yuna Manase & YuuRI when Aoki pinned YuuRI with the Frog Splash (11:23).
4. 1st Young Ganbare Cup – Final: Yumehito Imanari defeated Kentaro Hachisu with a Cross Armbreaker (8:54).
5. Oji Specialty GanPro Style Survival 8-Man Tag Match: Keisuke Ishii, Shota, Shinichiro Tominaga & Hartley Jackson (3) defeated Mizuki Watase, Ken Ohka, Shuichiro Katsumura & Soma Takao (2).
5a. Shota & Shinichiro Tominaga defeated Mizuki Watase & Shuichiro Katsumura when Shota eliminated Katsumura by Ring Out (9:28).
5b. Shota & Shinichiro Tominaga defeated Mizuki Watase & Soma Takao whn Shota pinned Takao with a Samson Clutch (8:56).
5c. Mizuki Watase & Ken Ohka defeated Shota & Shinichiro Tominaga when Watase pinned Shota with a Diving Foot Stomp (5:51).
5d. Mizuki Watase & Ken Ohka defeated Shinichiro Tominaga & Hartley Jackson when Ohka eliminated Jackson by Ring Out (8:26).
5e. Keisuke Ishii & Shinichiro Tominaga defeated Mizuki Watase & Ken Ohka when Tominaga pinned Ohka with the Moonsault Press (13:39).

Young Ganbare Cup Standings

1. Kentaro Hachisu (5)
2. Yumehito Imanari (4)
3. Yuki Kanzaki (2)
4. Munetatsu Nakamura (1)

The last Ganbare☆Pro show of the day was headlined with a Survival 8-Man Tag Match. Shota got a little measure of revenge for Soma Takao beating him on today’s first show by eliminating him in this match. Mizuki Watase rallied his team into the lead and Ken Ohka played his part by getting the biggest road block Hartley Jackson out of the way. But it was Shinichiro Tominaga who came out on top by pinning Ohka with the Moonsault Press for the final result. After the match Tominaga said he is still feeling in a new year’s mood and feels boosted for that reason. He challenged Watase to a Spirit Of Ganbare Title match. Watase accepted but explained he already agreed to defend the title against Towa Iwasaki at a BURST show on 19th February. Michiyoshi Mishima decided that a singles match between Watase and Tominaga will take place in GanPro on the 25th. If Watase is still the champion then it will be a title match.

The current situation between Shota and Soma Takao was talked about by both of them in separate post-match interviews. With the Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles coming soon Shota would like ROMANCE DAWN to fight for the new prizes. However he also wants to show everyone what he learned in America by himself. He gets to do that by fighting against Takao and he wants to continue doing that. Takao also wants ROMANCE DAWN to win the tag titles and understands the team is not breaking up. But he needs Shota to calm his feelings and settle down otherwise something bad will eventually happen whenever they team up again.

Nobody in the Young Ganbare Cup was able to win all three of their matches so a final took place between the top two ranked wrestlers Kentaro Hachisu and Yumehito Imanari. Earlier in the day Hachisu had beaten Imanari so when the match began Imanari immediately went for the kill by doing a Tiger Driver for a nearfall. Hachisu fought his way back into a stronger position until Imanari used his own Lou Thesz Press and applied a Cross Armbreaker to make Hachisu submit. Imanari began to cry when he was given the trophy and 30,000 yen cash prize for winning the Young Ganbare Cup. He told everyone when he became a pro wrestler he didn’t have time to be young and his twenties are filled with regretful memories. He praised the other three wrestlers in the tournament and thanked them all for taking part. He never had anyone to eat chanko with so he invited them all to the Snake Pit Japan dojo so they can together all enjoy chanko made with the sauce directly passed down from New Japan!

Hachisu had a chance of winning the tournament outright in his last league match. If he had beaten Munetatsu Nakamura it would have been three wins out of three and he would automatically become the Young Ganbare Cup champion. Nakamura was determined not to let it happen. He was already motivated not to lose and before the match Imanari gave him some words of encouragement. The two ended up fighting outside the ring. They were right next to the ring apron so the referee couldn’t see Imanari crouched on the floor wrapping the two wrestlers’ legs together with tape. It caused both Hachisu and Nakamura to be counted out and led to the Imanari Vs Hachisu rematch happening later in the show to determine who won the tournament. Nakamura was upset to have the match end like that and wants to have a singles bout against Imanari sometime in the near future to make up for it.

Imanari’s last gasp path to the final started with him beating Yuki Kanzaki in the opener. Kanzaki started off well but couldn’t lock in the Camel Clutch that won him his earlier match in the day. Imanari blocked a Frog Splash with his knees and got a nearfall with a Lariat. Imanari then applied a Sasori-Gatame to make Kanzaki give up. Kanzaki was disappointed in the result but promised not to give up pro wrestling. He is still aiming to reach the top.


GANBARE☆PRO “SHUICHIRO KATSUMURA PRODUCE” Results

January 28, 2023

GANBARE☆PRO “SHUICHIRO KATSUMURA PRODUCE”, 28/01/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR
79 Fans

1. 3-Man Grappling Match: Shuichiro Katsumura (2) defeated Munetatsu Nakamura, HARUKAZE & HARASHIMA (0).
1a. Shuichiro Katsumura defeated Munetatsu Nakamura with an Arm And Knee Cross Hold (3:23).
1b. Shuichiro Katsumura defeated HARUKAZE with a Cross Heel Hold (2:48).
1c. Shuichiro Katsumura Vs HARASHIMA ended in a Time Limit Draw (5:00).
2. GanPro Specialty! Mixed 6-Man Tag Match: Yumehito Imanari, Shinichiro Tominaga & Moeka Haruhi defeated Ken Ohka, Maori Kawashima & YuuRI when Haruhi submitted YuuRI with the 79.5MHz (10:09).
3. Special Single Match ~Baptism Of GanPro~: Takuya Wada defeated Hong Kong International Policeman with a Sleeper Hold (0:26).
3a. Rematch: Takuya Wada defeated Hong Kong International Policeman with a Crossface Lock (7:09).
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match: HARASHIMA, Mizuki Watase & Keisuke Ishii defeated Shuichiro Katsumura, Tsuyoshi Okada & Tyson Maeguchi when HARASHIMA pinned Okada with the Somato (16:08).

The second show of today’s Ganbare☆Pro tripleshot was all put together by Shuichiro Katsumura. It was a tiring event for him because he ended up wrestling in four matches of some sort. In the main event he did what he could with the energy he had left. He did well enough to put HARASHIMA in the Ninja Choke but that got broken up. Tsuyoshi Okada tagged in but found himself on the receiving end of the entire opposition’s attacks. It ended with HARASHIMA pinning Okada with the Somato. Katsumura said there are still eleven months left in the year so his goal is to have singles matches against HARASHIMA, Mizuki Watase & Keisuke Ishii by the end this year! He also said backstage he wants to produce three more GanPro shows this year so the stage is set for his goal to be completed.

The GanPro debut of former Pancrase fighter Takuya Wada was an odd one. His opponent was revealed to be Hong Kong International Policeman (Choun-Shiryu). Wada did not know who he was. When Policeman began introducing himself to everyone, Wada quickly put him in a Sleeper Hold and won the match in under 30 seconds. The match restarted and this time Policeman bribed the referee with 20,000 yen to tilt the match in his favour. America International Policeman (Shota) then walked to the ring with Wada’s phone and threatened to destroy it. Wada pleaded at him to stop and agreed to let Hong Kong Policeman bind his hands together with a wire. However Wada waited for an opening and attacked both his opponent and the referee despite having his hands tied together. He found a way to put Hong Kong Policeman in a Crossface and Policeman gave up. Wada thought his first GanPro experience was amazing and he’d be happy to come back here again.

The first match of the event was a series of grappling bouts between Katsumura and three opponents. Everyone involved took part wearing their own grappling gear of some sort. Katsumura was able to submit both Munetatsu Nakamura and HARUKAZE in his first two matches. The third was against an unannounced opponent and it was revealed to be HARASHIMA! Their match went to a five minute draw with both of them fighting over Heel Hooks in the final moments.


GANBARE☆PRO “TRANSPORTER 2023” Results

January 28, 2023

GANBARE☆PRO “TRANSPORTER 2023”, 28/01/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR
75 Fans

1. 1st Young Ganbare Cup: Yuki Kanzaki (2) defeated Munetatsu Nakamura (0) with a Camel Clutch (7:45).
2. 1st Young Ganbare Cup: Kentaro Hachisu (4) defeated Yumehito Imanari (2) with the Lou Thesz Press (12:10).
3. Yuna Manase defeated Yoshiko Hasegawa with the Suzuki Dynamic (7:20).
4. GanPro Specialty! Mixed 6-Man Tag Match: Soma Takao, Shinichiro Tominaga & HARUKAZE defeated Keisuke Ishii, Shota & YuuRI when Takao pinned Shota with the Reverse Gory Special Bomb (12:14).
5. Mizuki Watase & Tyson Maeguchi defeated Ken Ohka & Thanomsak Toba when Watase pinned Toba with the Elbow Butt (17:21).

Young Ganbare Cup Standings

1. Kentaro Hachisu (4)
2. Yumehito Imanari (2)
-. Yuki Kanzaki (2)
4. Munetatsu Nakamura (0)

A Ganbare☆Pro tripleheader took place in Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR today. The fans were treated to a “GanPro Unlimited” experience according to Mizuki Watase. In the main event Watase wore similar kickboxing gear as his tag partner Tyson Maeguchi. A promise was made by Maeguchi to beat Ken Ohka into a bloody mess. He couldn’t quite do that but Watase hit harder than Thanomsak Toba could to get the win. At the end of the show Watase explained the main event was a hot match because everyone involved is hot.

The Young Ganbare Cup would be decided by the end of the day. This first show was the halfway point of the tournament. Kentaro Hachisu won his second match in a row by beating Yumehito Imanari. It was the power of Hachisu’s chest hair that was the difference maker. When he hit the Lou Thesz Press, the chest hair was too heavy for Imanari to kick out of. The result means Hachisu is one more win away from outright becoming the tournament champion.

The other match from the tournament was between two young wrestlers both searching for their first win. While the moves were basic, the action was heated. Yuki Kanzaki got the better of Munetatsu Nakamura in the end. He dealt big damage with a Fisherman Suplex and then submitted Nakamura with a Modified Camel Clutch. Kanzaki said Nakamura is really good and he has to do his best not to let the GanPro rookie overtake him.


No Fee Rumble Entries, Ganpro February Tripleshot, DDT In USA Updates

January 27, 2023

DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2023”, 29/01/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. Dark Match – Bonno Dai Shacho Presents No Fee Rumble: Sanshiro Takagi Vs Fuminori Abe Vs ASHUKA Vs Ariji Akinori Vs Shosaku Inoue Vs Kaijin Mukuro 696 Vs Kim Yocchan Vs Crusher Inoba Vs Great-CO-Khan Vs Great-GO-Khan Vs Gundan Hitori Vs Shinya Vs Tsutenkakuka Vs Dick Zlater Vs Tezuka awesome Ichiro Vs Dopyu♡McIntyre Vs Tadaki Toronomi Vs “Great Mother” Mazakon Kid Vs Big Bear Vs Fuck Takeda Vs Thick And Hard Kankuro Hoshino Vs BRA-VO Vs Hen China Vs Macho Gallows Vs Mori Haruomi Vs X
0. Dark Match – 4 Way Tag Match: Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata Vs MJ Paul & KANON Vs Antonio Honda & Akito Vs Yuya Koroku & Yuki Ishida
1. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Hideki Okatani Vs Kazuma Sumi
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Keigo Nakamura Vs Takeshi Masada
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Toi Kojima Vs Thanomsak Toba, Yukio Sakaguchi & Hikaru Machida
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Naruki Doi, Jun Akiyama & Soma Takao Vs HARASHIMA, Chris Brookes & Yukio Naya
5. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada (c) Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno & Koju “Shining Ball” Takeda
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs Makoto Oishi & Shiori Asahi
7. KO-D Openweight Title: Kazusada Higuchi (c) Vs Yuji Hino

The D GENERATIONS CUP begins on Sunday. All eight participants took part in a press conference during the week to give their views on the tournament. Hideki Okatani is confident he will win because he has the most in-ring experience out of everyone involved. Yuya Koroku thinks he has grown both physically and skillfully over the last year. He’s been waiting for a tournament like this to happen so he can show off his growth. Kazuma Sumi says with only three months of pro experience he has nothing to lose. Ilusion wants to leave an impression on fans who only know him from DDTeeeen!! and see what he can do beyond that brand. Keigo Nakamura has spent his preparation drinking raw eggs, eating bugs and breaking roof tiles all for his Twitter account. He also tried drinking an entire bottle of cola without burping but failed. Toi Kojima wants to level up and grab the opportunity to go to Hollywood. Yuki Ishida promised to do his best to take everybody down. Takeshi Masada thinks he let everyone down after he failed to beat Sanshiro Takagi and couldn’t earn his place on the USA shows. He is not concerned with the tournament’s goal of finding the strongest young wrestler in DDT. He is only focused on making it to Hollywood.

My hands feel so grimy writing out all of the names entering the No Fee Rumble. Some might sound familiar if you remember DDT’s past ventures with the wrestling club scene. Some are as recent as the time Sanshiro Takagi defended the DDT Extreme Title against a bunch of amateurs in a field. Others were around for the “ALL DOIN” experiment from 2018. Then there are names like Gundan Hitori who I remember seeing in DDT all the way back in 2010! Then there are the parody names on the list. ASHUKA is an Asuka tribute, there’s one person named after Drew McIntyre and another named after Dick Slater. If that’s not enough there are somehow also two wrestlers named after Great-O-Khan entering the match and I think only one of them is meant to be a parody!

GANBARE☆PRO “GRINDHOUSE 2023”, 23/02/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. Ken Ohka Vs Munetatsu Nakamura

Time for Munetatsu Nakamura to take on the head honcho Ken Ohka for the first time.

GANBARE☆PRO “MOONRISE KINGDOM 2023”, 23/02/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. Special Tag Match: Shuichiro Katsumura & Shota Vs Keisuke Ishii & Soma Takao

Shota and Soma Takao are on opposite sides of a tag match once more, continuing the growing rivalry between the two former ROMANCE DAWN partners.

GANBARE☆PRO “GANBARE☆PRO WRESTLING PLAYERS ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE”, 23/02/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. The Return Of LariPro 2023: Keisuke Ishii Vs X

We’ve had Lariat Pro, Knee Pro, there was a Chop Pro in there somewhere. Keisuke Ishii is determined to make the latest rendition of his Lariat Pro match the best one yet!

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2023”, 26/02/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. D GENERATIONS CUP – Final: Winner Of A Block Vs Winner Of B Block
2. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada (c) Vs X, X & X
3. KO-D Tag Team Titles: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs X & X

Appearing on the show will be Naruki Doi, Shinya Aoki, Kotaro Suzuki, Fuminori Abe and Hikaru Machida.

DDT “DDT GOES HOLLYWOOD”, 30/03/2023
Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

16 wrestlers representing DDT will be in Los Angeles for the company’s big return to America. They are Kazusada Higuchi, Jun Akiyama, MAO, Shunma Katsumata, Sanshiro Takagi, Konosuke Takeshita, Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Ueno, Chris Brookes, Saki Akai, KANON, Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno, Michael Nakazawa, Yoshihiko and the winner of the D GENERATIONS CUP.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES”, 31/03/2023
Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA

No talent announcements yet for the Tokyo Joshi Pro show but expect it to be a similar number to DDT.

DDT/GCW “GCW VS DDT”, 31/03/2023
Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

Takeshita will not be on this show. ROH appearance maybe?


All Star Jr Festival 2023 Announced

January 23, 2023

“LEC PRESENTS JUNIOR DREAM FESTIVAL ~ALL STAR JR FESTIVAL 2023~”, 01/03/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

This is a show that has been years in the making yet I never thought was going to happen. Wrestlers like Hiromu Takahashi and El Desperado have said over and over on interviews their desire for there to be an all star show that gathers together the best junior heavyweights from across the Japanese wrestling scene. Meanwhile other junior heavyweights from different promotions keep interacting with each other on social media teasing matches at times when there were no chances of those matches ever happening. Well now it’s finally happening thanks to sponsorship from LEC, a company that seems to have sponsored every notable Japanese wrestling promotion you can think of at some point in the last decade.

The only details announced so far is it will be taking place in Korakuen Hall and will be broadcast as a PPV on NJPW World. 22 different wrestling companies are attached to the show with wrestlers and matches to be announced as soon as they are decided on.

The participating promotions are:

– Dark Pro Wrestling 666
– Osaka Pro Wrestling
– Ganbare☆Pro Wrestling
– Kyushu Pro Wrestling
– New Japan Pro Wrestling
– All Japan Pro Wrestling
– Big Japan Wrestling
– Pancrase MISSION
– Pro Wrestling SECRET BASE
– Pro Wrestling ZERO1
– Pro Wrestling NOAH
– Pro Wrestling BASARA
– Pro Wrestling FREEDOMS
– Michinoku Pro Wrestling
– Ryukyu Dragon Wrestling
– CMLL
– DDT Pro Wrestling
– DRADITION
– DragonGate
– GLEAT
– JUST TAP OUT
– 2AW

We have a lot of choices among DDT, Ganbare☆Pro and BASARA to throw onto the show. Shunma Katsumata, MAO, Chris Brookes, Masahiro Takanashi, Keisuke Ishii, Shuichiro Katsumura, Shota, Isami Kodaka, Daiki Shimomura, Takato Nakano, the list goes on and on. Not Tetsuya Endo though. He’s been bulking up recently and now weighs over 100kg.

It’s been pointed out online that the show will take place the day after New Japan and CMLL finish up their “FANTASTICA MANIA” tour which explains why CMLL is part of an otherwise Japan only line-up. Also AEW was never going to be a part of this. Even if they could have been, the show is on a Wednesday anyway.


Max Heart Round 2, SAGAT’s 10th Anniversary, Monoboke Death Match, No Fee Rumble

January 16, 2023

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE 3RD “FUTARI WA PRINCESS” MAX HEART TOURNAMENT”, 19/01/2023
Shinjuku FACE

1. Hikari Noa Vs Wakana Uehara
2. Mizuki & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Nao Kakuta & HIMAWARI
3. Miyu Yamashita, Maki Itoh & Yuki Kamifuku Vs Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku
4. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 2D: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao Vs Haruna Neko & Kaya Toribami
5. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 2A: Moka Miyamoto & Juria Nagano Vs Suzume & Arisu Endo
6. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 2C: Saki Akai & Yuki Arai Vs Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe

Round 2 of the Max Heart Tournament has already begun but the majority of the matches will take place here. Kyoraku Kyomei takes on Haruna Neko & Kaya Toribami, Karate Tag faces Daisy Monkey and Reiwa AA Cannon meets Daydream in the main event.

Wakana Uehara gets another big singles match this time against Hikari Noa. Uehara will have new ring gear.

BASARA “BASARA 208 ~HATAAGE ANNIVERSARY~”, 21/01/2023
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

1. Daichi Kazato & Lil’ Kraken Vs Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga
2. Takumi Tsukamoto, Takato Nakano & Masato Kamino Vs FUMA, KUBITO & Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi
3. SAGAT 10th Anniversary Match: SAGAT Vs Hideyoshi Kamitani
4. Ryuichi Sekine & Daiki Shimomura Vs Ryota Nakatasu & Fuminori Abe
5. Union MAX Title: Isami Kodaka (c) Vs Yasu Urano

To celebrate his 10th anniversary in wrestling, SAGAT takes on Hideyoshi Kamitani from Big Japan. They’ve only been in the same match together once for an Elimination Tag held on a BJW show last July. SAGAT enjoyed the experience of fighting Kamitani so much he’s been wanting a singles match against him ever since. BASARA was able to put it together for his special occasion.

DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2023 TOUR IN YOKOHAMA”, 21/01/2023
Yokohama Radiant Hall

1. KANON & MJ Paul Vs Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi
2. Yuki Ueno, Toi Kojima & Shinichiro Kawamatsu Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Akito & Makoto Oishi
3. HARASHIMA, Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Soma Takao, Keigo Nakamura & Takeshi Masada
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ishida & Chris Brookes Vs Yuji Hino, Yukio Naya & Hideki Okatani
5. Yokohama Two Major Singles Match I: Yusuke Okada Vs Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno
6. Yokohama Two Major Singles Match II: Tetsuya Endo Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino
7. DDT Extreme Title – Monoboke Death Match: Jun Akiyama (c) Vs Antonio Honda

The goal of the Monoboke Death Match is for Antonio Honda to make Jun Akiyama laugh. Every time Honda kicks out of a pin or uses a rope break to escape a submission, he gets to make a joke. If he can get Akiyama to laugh three times he will win the match. Akiyama on the other hand needs to beat Honda by pinfall or submission three times in order to successfully defend the DDT Extreme Title.

If Daisuke Sasaki ends his self-imposed exile and shows up he will be booked for a match. The undercard will be changed around as a result.

MAO & Shunma Katsumata will not be at the show because they will be wrestling in California for Prestige that same day.

GANBARE☆PRO “TRANSPORTER 2023”, 28/01/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. Young Ganbare Cup: Yumehito Imanari (2) Vs Kentaro Hachisu (2)
2. Young Ganbare Cup: Yuki Kanzaki (0) Vs Munetatsu Nakamura (0)
3. Yuna Manase Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa
4. GanPro Specialty! Mixed 6-Man Tag Match: Keisuke Ishii, Shota & YuuRI Vs Soma Takao, Shinichiro Tominaga & HARUKAZE
5. Mizuki Watase & Tyson Maeguchi Vs Ken Ohka & Thanomsak Toba

Soma Takao is feeling a little lost in DDT lately but in Ganbare☆Pro he has Shota on his mind. The former ROMANCE DAWN partners are on opposite sides for another tag match.

GANBARE☆PRO “SHUICHIRO KATSUMURA PRODUCE”, 28/01/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. GanPro Specialty! Mixed 6-Man Tag Match: Ken Ohka, Maori Kawashima & YuuRI Vs Yumehito Imanari, Shinichiro Tominaga & Moeka Haruhi
2. Special Single Match ~Baptism Of GanPro~: Takuya Wada Vs X
3. 3-Man Grappling Match: Shuichiro Katsumura Vs Munetatsu Nakamura, HARUKAZE & X
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Shuichiro Katsumura, Tsuyoshi Okada & Tyson Maeguchi Vs HARASHIMA, Mizuki Watase & Keisuke Ishii

Former Pancrase fighter Takuya Wada makes his Ganpro debut on a show that is being booked by a former Shooto fighter. Speaking of Shuichiro Katsumura, he is bringing in one of his pro wrestling buddies Maori Kawashima for a match too.

GANBARE☆PRO “GANBARE☆PRO WRESTLING PLAYERS ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE”, 28/01/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. Young Ganbare Cup: Yumehito Imanari (2) Vs Yuki Kanzaki (0)
2. Young Ganbare Cup: Kentaro Hachisu (2) Vs Munetatsu Nakamura (0)
3. Yuna Manase & YuuRI Vs Moeka Haruhi & Itsuki Aoki
4. Oji Specialty GanPro Style Survival 8-Man Tag Match: Mizuki Watase, Ken Ohka, Shuichiro Katsumura & Soma Takao Vs Keisuke Ishii, Shota, Shinichiro Tominaga & Hartley Jackson

Itsuki Aoki is coming over for a Ganbare☆Joshi tag match.

DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2023”, 29/01/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Hideki Okatani Vs Kazuma Sumi
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Keigo Nakamura Vs Takeshi Masada
3. No Fee Rumble: Sanshiro Takagi & Fuminori Abe Vs X & X
4. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada (c) Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno & Koju “Shining Ball” Takeda
5. KO-D Tag Team Titles: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs Makoto Oishi & Shiori Asahi
6. KO-D Openweight Title: Kazusada Higuchi (c) Vs Yuji Hino

Bonno Dai Shacho are taking a page out of their predecessor’s playbook. They want to break barriers and fight against opponents from all over the Japanese wrestling scene from the indies right down to the most obscure corners of the industry. In order to do that Sanshiro Takagi & Fuminori Abe are looking for teams to enter the No Fee Rumble. It will not cost teams anything to apply for entry. However they will not get paid for taking part either unless they happen to win.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE 3RD “FUTARI WA PRINCESS” MAX HEART TOURNAMENT”, 29/01/2023
Saitama Kasukabe Fureai Cube

1. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Semi-Final: Winners Of Match 2A Vs Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh
2. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Semi-Final: Winners Of Match 2C Vs Winners Of Match 2D

The winners of Karate Tag versus Daisy Monkey will face 121000000 in the semi-final.

DDT “FRIENDSHIP, EFFORT, VICTORY IN NAGOYA 2023”, 18/02/2023
Aichi Nagoya International Conference Center Event Hall

1. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Hideki Okatani Vs Yuya Koroku
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Toi Kojima Vs Takeshi Masada
3. DDT Extreme Title: Jun Akiyama (c) Vs X
4. DDT Universal Title: Naruki Doi (c) Vs KANON

Sasaki has gone missing because Naruki Doi won the DDT Universal Title from Yuki Ueno instead of him. KANON stepped forward as the first challenger expecting his leader to be the new champion. He committed to challenge Doi anyway because he now thinks winning the title from him will cheer Sasaki up and bring him out of hiding.

Kotaro Suzuki, Kip Sabian, Penelope Ford and Shinya Ishida will all be on the show.


Ueno’s Universal Blueprint, Tournament Updates

January 12, 2023

DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2023 TOUR IN SHINJUKU ~FIRE!~”, 13/01/2023
Shinjuku FACE

1. Keigo Nakamura Comeback Match: Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada Vs HARASHIMA, Hideki Okatani & Keigo Nakamura
2. MJ Paul & KANON Vs Antonio Honda & Kazuma Sumi
3. Shunma Katsumata Pheromones One Day Experience Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno & Shunma Katsumata Vs Akito, Kazuki Hirata & Yuya Koroku
4. Special Single Match: Kotaro Suzuki Vs Soma Takao
5. MAO & Toi Kojima Vs Makoto Oishi & Shiori Asahi
6. Special Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi & Fuminori Abe Vs Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada
7. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida Vs Yuji Hino & Yukio Naya
8. DDT Universal Title – Survival 3 Way Match: Yuki Ueno (c) Vs Naruki Doi Vs Daisuke Sasaki

The three wrestlers taking part in the DDT Universal Title match all met for a press conference held yesterday. Naruki Doi said he is ready to continue his fight with Daisuke Sasaki after the two went to a 30 minute draw over a week ago. He expects to settle his score with Sasaki first, then beat Yuki Ueno to win the title. Sasaki (who was drinking) said the match does not need Ueno and he accused him of devaluing the Universal Title after Ueno lost to Kazusada Higuchi at “NEVER MIND 2022”. Sasaki thinks it is now up to him and Doi to make the belt be worth more than the KO-D Openweight Title. Ueno calmly ignored Sasaki’s insults and spoke about his upcoming plans with the title. After he defends it tomorrow, he will put the belt on the line against Samuray Del Sol on 21st March and then he will bring it with him to America. It is his dream to defend the Universal Title in the USA so everything from here on out will be a journey towards that destination.

Before tomorrow’s show begins there will be a contract signing for both the DDT Extreme Title Match for 21st January and the KO-D Tag Team Titles Match for 29th January.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE 3RD “FUTARI WA PRINCESS” MAX HEART TOURNAMENT”, 15/01/2023
Tokyo Otemachi Mitsui Hall

1. Shoko Nakajima Vs Wakana Uehara
2. 3 Way Match: Mizuki Vs Hyper Misao Vs Pom Harajuku
3. Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & HIMAWARI Vs Suzume, Arisu Endo & Kaya Toribami
4. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 2B: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta
5. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 1A: Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Moka Miyamoto & Juria Nagano
6. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Round 1B: Saki Akai & Yuki Arai Vs Yuki Aino & Raku

The Max Heart Tournament begins and I have to rewrite the tournament layout because 121000000 Vs Free WiFi is put down as part of the 2nd Round even though it will be both team’s first match.

Wakana Uehara gets her wish and will face Shoko Nakajima. The way it plays out in her head is it will be a high flying battle in the skies. It’s probably not going to turn out that way.

BASARA “BASARA 208 ~HATAAGE ANNIVERSARY~”, 21/01/2023
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

1. Union MAX Title: Isami Kodaka (c) Vs Yasu Urano

The last few months of 2022 saw a bit of a career revival for Yasu Urano thanks to successes in both BASARA and JUST TAP OUT. It’s up to Isami Kodaka to make sure the freelancer does not spoil BASARA’s 7th anniversary by defending the Union MAX Title against him.

Fuminori Abe will have his first match in BASARA since going freelance on this show.

DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2023 TOUR IN YOKOHAMA”, 21/01/2023
Yokohama Radiant Hall

1. Yuki Ueno, Toi Kojima & Shinichiro Kawamatsu Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Akito & Makoto Oishi
2. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ishida & Chris Brookes Vs Yuji Hino, Yukio Naya & Hideki Okatani
3. Yokohama Two Major Singles Match I: Yusuke Okada Vs Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno
4. Yokohama Two Major Singles Match II: Tetsuya Endo Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino
5. DDT Extreme Title: Jun Akiyama (c) Vs Antonio Honda

Higuchi and Yuji Hino return to the venue where their 30 minute draw took place. The 6-Man Tag here will be their last meeting before the KO-D Title bout on the 29th.

If Shinichiro Kawamatsu wrestles in a suit does that mean he wears one in the sauna too? That is my first thought after finding out he will team with The 37KAMIINA.

GANBARE☆PRO “TRANSPORTER 2023”, 28/01/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. Young Ganbare Cup: Yumehito Imanari (2) Vs Kentaro Hachisu (2)
2. Young Ganbare Cup: Yuki Kanzaki (0) Vs Munetatsu Nakamura (0)
3. Yuna Manase Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa
4. Mizuki Watase & Tyson Maeguchi Vs Ken Ohka & Thanomsak Toba

What a start to the year Mizuki Watase and Tyson Maeguchi had. The two had a great match for the Spirit Of Ganbare Title and now they are teaming up together for a clash against Ken Ohka & Thanomsak Toba.

Yuna Manase versus Yoshiko Hasegawa is a first time singles match between the two.

Over in the Young Ganbare Cup either Yumehito Imanari or Kentaro Hachisu can get one win closer to winning the tournament outright if one can beat the other. Meanwhile when Yuki Kanzaki and Munetatsu Nakamura face each other one of them can get their first win in Ganbare☆Pro.

GANBARE☆PRO “SHUICHIRO KATSUMURA PRODUCE”, 28/01/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. 3-Man Grappling Match: Shuichiro Katsumura Vs Munetatsu Nakamura, HARUKAZE & X
2. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Shuichiro Katsumura, Tsuyoshi Okada & Tyson Maeguchi Vs HARASHIMA, Mizuki Watase & Keisuke Ishii

Shuichiro Katsumura is keeping himself busy for his show during the tripleshot. Not only is he doing the main event but he is running the gauntlet by taking part in three grappling rules bouts with no striking allowed. Each bout will have a five minute time limit and victory can be achieved by submission or referee stoppage. If a bout goes to a time limit draw then whoever made the least rope breaks will win. If both wrestlers have the same amount then it will remain a tie.

GANBARE☆PRO “GANBARE☆PRO WRESTLING PLAYERS ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE”, 28/01/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. Young Ganbare Cup: Yumehito Imanari (2) Vs Yuki Kanzaki (0)
2. Young Ganbare Cup: Kentaro Hachisu (2) Vs Munetatsu Nakamura (0)
3. Oji Specialty GanPro Style Survival 8-Man Tag Match: Mizuki Watase, Ken Ohka, Shuichiro Katsumura & Soma Takao Vs Keisuke Ishii, Shota, Shinichiro Tominaga & Hartley Jackson

One of the other shows for the tripleshot brings back the Ganpro Survival Tag Match.

If nobody in the Young Ganbare Cup has won all three of their matches then the wrestlers who finish in the top two will face off in a final match to determine the tournament champion.

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2023 IN OSAKA”, 05/02/2023
Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall

1. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Hideki Okatani Vs Ilusion
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Yuya Koroku Vs Kazuma Sumi
3. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Toi Kojima Vs Yuki Ishida
4. Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada Vs HARASHIMA, Yukio Sakaguchi & Kazuki Hirata
5. Special Tag Match: Yuki Ueno & MAO Vs Yukio Naya & Takeshi Masada

Ueno and Yukio Naya face each other for the first time since the D-Ou Grand Prix final.

Naruki Doi will be on the show.

DDT “FRIENDSHIP, EFFORT, VICTORY IN NAGOYA 2023”, 18/02/2023
Aichi Nagoya International Conference Center Event Hall

1. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Hideki Okatani Vs Yuya Koroku
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Toi Kojima Vs Takeshi Masada
3. DDT Extreme Title: Jun Akiyama (c) Vs X
4. DDT Universal Title: Yuki Ueno (c) Vs X

Kotaro Suzuki and Shinya Ishida will both be on the show.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “GRAND PRINCESS ’23”, 18/03/2023
Ariake Coliseum

1. Princess Of Princess Title: Yuka Sakazaki (c) Vs Mizuki

The Wasteland War Party are confirmed to be part of the show.


Video – Watase Vs Maeguchi For The Spirit Of Ganbare Title

January 9, 2023

GANBARE☆PRO “ADRENALINE 2023”, 05/01/2023
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall
127 Fans – Super No Vacancy

Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Mizuki Watase (c) Vs Tyson Maeguchi