GANBARE☆WRESTLING “CRAZY DIAMOND 2020” Results

July 12, 2020

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “CRAZY DIAMOND 2020”, 12/07/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall
110 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Washi Sakurai Trial Single Match: Chikara defeated Washi Sakurai with the Saber Chop (8:21).
2. Ganjo-gun Vs PocchaJo-gun Total Battle: Yumehito Imanari, Miss Mongol & Yuna Manase defeated Shunma Katsumata, Moeka Haruhi & HARUKAZE when Manase pinned HARUKAZE with the Suzuki Dynamic (11:53).
3. Special Single Match: Asuka defeated Shinichiro Tominaga with the ASKA FANTASY (10:09).
4. Ganpro Vs RENEGADES: Shigehiro Irie & Mizuki Watase defeated Shota & Kouki Iwasaki when Irie pinned Shota with a Rotating Cradle (12:52).
5. Special Tag Match Full Of Indie Jr. Champions: Shiori Asahi & Hagane Shinno defeated Keisuke Ishii & Shuichiro Katsumura when Shinno pinned Ishii with the Reverse Rankei (16:17).

Keisuke Ishii now has two challengers for the Independent World Jr. Heavyweight Title. Halfway through the show, Asuka challenged Ishii to a title match because she wants to become the youngest champion in the title’s history. Ishii asked for the match to take place on 26th July but Asuka’s busy schedule pushed it back to the agreed date of 22nd August. Then in the main event Hagane Shinno pinned Ishii and asked for a title shot on the 26th July show that Asuka turned down. Ishii accepted that challenge too so he can achieve his 8th and 9th title defences when all is said and done. Asuka told them to do what they want, she will challenge the winner of Ishii Vs Hagane.

Yumehito Imanari invited Yuna Manase to compete in Ganbare☆Wrestling on a regular basis, believing this is the perfect place for her last run. Manase told him she is still with Tokyo Joshi Pro until 23rd July so she cannot agree to regular participation in Ganpro just yet. But she would like to be on the next Ganpro show on the 26th.

Ken Ohka was pulled from the show due to a fever. Shunma Katsumata took his place in Match #2.


TJPW IS 『   』, Imanari In ZERO1, Akiyama-gun’s New Name, FITE TV, Yoshihiko Going To GCW!

July 10, 2020

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO JOSHI 2020 SUMMER ~TJPW IS 『   』~”, 12/07/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

The full match card will be revealed on the day of the show.

Okay so I thought the 『   』 was just a placeholder for the show’s complete name but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

DDT “SUMMER ITABASHI SERIES”, 12/07/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

1. Naomi Yoshimura Vs Hideki Okatani
2. Kazusada Higuchi & Saki Akai Vs Antonio Honda & Keigo Nakamura
3. 3 Way Tag Match: Danshoku Dieno & Toru Owashi Vs Makoto Oishi & Mizuki Watase Vs Shunma Katsumata & Yuki Iino
4. 3 Way Match: Chris Brookes Vs Akito Vs Mad Paulie
5. The Evil Yankee Wrestler Seigo Tachibana’s Road To The Top: Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Seigo Tachibana
6. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Yukio Naya
7. DAMNATION Vs DISASTER BOX!: Daisuke Sasaki, Tetsuya Endo & Soma Takao Vs HARASHIMA, Yuki Ueno & Kazuki Hirata

This is the confirmed match order.

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “CRAZY DIAMOND 2020”, 12/07/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

1. Washi Sakurai Trial Single Match: Washi Sakurai Vs Chikara
2. Ganjo-gun Vs PocchaJo-gun Total Battle: Ken Ohka, Moeka Haruhi & HARUKAZE Vs Yumehito Imanari, Miss Mongol & Yuna Manase
3. Ganpro Vs RENEGADES: Shota & Kouki Iwasaki Vs Shigehiro Irie & Mizuki Watase
4. Special Single Match: Shinichiro Tominaga Vs Asuka
5. Special Tag Match Full Of Indie Jr. Champions: Keisuke Ishii & Shuichiro Katsumura Vs Shiori Asahi & Hagane Shinno

Yumehito Imanari has entered this year’s Tenkaichi tournament in ZERO1. So far it’s going great, he eliminated Shinjiro Otani in the first round! Their match ended in a 20 minute draw and went into overtime. The sudden death rules included two count pins and it only took 22 seconds for Imanari to snatch the upset win. He advances to wrestle HUB on 25th July. Imanari is able to wrestle in Ganbare☆Wrestling this weekend but he may have to miss the next Ganpro show if he advances further in the tournament and there is a scheduling conflict.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “BRAND NEW WRESTLING 4 ~TAKE NOT, BUT GIVE~”, 23/07/2020
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Moka Miyamoto Debut Match: Moka Miyamaoto Vs X
2. Himawari Unagi Return Match: Himawari Unagi Vs X
3. Yuna Manase Regular Participation Last Match: Yuna Manase, Nodoka Tenma & Maki Itoh Vs Miyu Yamashita, Mizuki & Natsumi Maki
4. Princess Tag Team Titles: Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe (c) Vs Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao
5. Princess Of Princess Title: Yuka Sakazaki (c) Vs Yuki Aino

The trainee Aona will become Moka Miyamoto when she debuts in the ring. Miyamoto comes from Kanagawa, is 160cm tall and was born on 18th March, 1999. She trained in Shotokan Karate when she was in high school and joined Tokyo Joshi Pro last fall. Her debut match was originally meant to happen on 3rd May but that show was cancelled due to the Coronavirus. Thankfully a new Korakuen Hall date was booked for later this month and her debut will now happen there.

The show will air live on both WRESTLE UNIVERSE and FITE TV. It costs $14.99 on FITE with an option to buy either English or Japanese commentary.

DDT “SUMMER VACATION 2020”, 23/07/2020
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Soma Takao & Mad Paulie Vs Yukio Naya & Keigo Nakamura
2. Toru Owashi, Naomi Yoshimura & Kazuki Hirata Vs Danshoku Dieno, Super Sasadango Machine & Seigo Tachibana
3. Chris Brookes & Drew Parker Vs Daisuke Sasaki & Nobuhiro Shimatani
4. Akiyama-gun Vs ALL OUT All Out Battle!: Jun Akiyama, Makoto Oishi, Mizuki Watase & Hideki Okatani Vs Konosuke Takeshita, Akito, Shunma Katsumata & Yuki Iino
5. DDT Extreme Title: Shinya Aoki (c) Vs Maku Donaruto
6. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai (c) Vs HARASHIMA, Antonio Honda & Riho
7. KO-D Openweight Title: Tetsuya Endo (c) Vs Yuki Ueno

Akiyama-gun is looking for an official unit name. So far each member proposed a name except for Jun Akiyama himself. He made a poll on Twitter with three options: NEW EXPLOSION, Re: STERNNESS and STERNNESS. NEW EXPLOSION won the poll so that is his entry. Now a second poll is up with the four possible names: NEW EXPLOSION, Junretsu (準烈), Firestar and The Beginning (ザ・ビギニング). It’s not guaranteed that the poll winner will become the official name but Akiyama will for sure make a decision in time for the July Korakuen show.

The show will air live on both WRESTLE UNIVERSE and FITE TV. It costs $14.99 on FITE with an option to get either English or Japanese commentary.

GCW “HOMECOMING WEEKEND PART 2”, 26/07/2020
Atlantic City Garden Pier, New Jersey

1. Joey Janela Vs Yoshihiko

The Social Distance Rules match GCW held in March went viral, especially in Japan. Joey Janela in particular caught Sanshiro Takagi’s attention. Interactions on Twitter show that Takagi wants Janela to come over to DDT when the Coronavirus is gone. For now something else is planned. Yoshihiko is heading over to America to fight Janela in GCW!

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

1. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura (c) Vs X & X

Nautilus are going for their 6th KO-D Tag Team Titles defence next month.


TV SHOW Finale, Akiyama-gun, Saki Vs Meiko, Aino Aims For The Top

June 23, 2020

First things first, I hope Joey Ryan never appears in a DDT ring or any other for that matter ever again. I regret ever supporting him after reading all of the allegations from the last few days.

DDT “DDT TV SHOW! #8”, 27/06/2020
Shinjuku FACE

1. Soma Takao & Mad Paulie Vs Mizuki Watase & Keigo Nakamura
2. Danshoku Dieno & Akito Vs Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata
3. Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai Vs Antonio Honda, Hiroshi Yamato & Yukio Naya
4. The Evil Wrestler Seigo Tachibana’s Road To The Top: HARASHIMA Vs Seigo Tachibana
5. Akiyama-gun Vs ALL OUT!: Jun Akiyama, Makoto Oishi & Hideki Okatani Vs Konosuke Takeshita, Shunma Katsumata & Yuki Iino
6. DDT UNIVERSAL Title: Daisuke Sasaki (c) Vs Chris Brookes
7. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo & Nobuhiro Shimatani

This looks to be the finale of DDT TV SHOW now that a more regular schedule is coming back. Tetsuya Endo & Nobuhiro Shimatani have been getting the better of Nautilus whether it is by Endo winning matches against them or Shimatani attacking Yuki Ueno. Both Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura agree that the worst thing that could happen to them is if they lose the KO-D Tag Team Titles to Shimatani. Endo is understandable, but Shimatani? No way!

The fighting between Daisuke Sasaki and Chris Brookes is getting more wild but their DDT UNIVERSAL Title match is under regular rules. After the last couple of defences were held in stipulation matches, maybe having a calm head is the way to win this one. Or maybe smashing a signboard over the other guy’s head is the better idea. I don’t know, I’m not the wrestler here.

Jun Akiyama has gathered some disciples under his wing for a feud with ALL OUT. It seems that Konosuke Takeshita has figured something out though. Akiyama is teaching the Royal Road style to the DDT roster but it’s not exactly his own personal style, is it? That is what Takeshita wants to experience when they fight. Akiyama-gun was just going to be the coach, Makoto Oishi & Mizuki Watase but the youngster Hideki Okatani found himself a spot after he stepped up for himself against Takeshita.

If Seigo Tachibana wants to be in DDT so bad he can fight one of the best around in HARASHIMA.

MAO is currently recovering from an MCL injury in his left knee. There is no timetable for his return but he is speaking with his doctor over how to treat it.

DDT “DRAMATIC DREAM TSURUMI VOL. 2”, 28/06/2020
Kanagawa Tsurumi Fruit & Vegetable Market

1. Soma Takao Vs Hideki Okatani
2. Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai Vs Toru Owashi, Kazuki Hirata & Tomomitsu Matsunaga
3. Sanshiro Takagi & Yukio Naya Vs Akito & Keigo Nakamura
4. 4 Way Match: Danshoku Dieno Vs Chris Brookes Vs Antonio Honda Vs Yuki Iino
5. DAMNATION Vs DISASTER BOX!: Daisuke Sasaki, Tetsuya Endo & Mad Paulie Vs HARASHIMA, Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura
6. Akiyama-gun Vs ALL OUT!: Jun Akiyama & Mizuki Watase Vs Konosuke Takeshita & Shunma Katsumata

Watase enters the Akiyama-gun Vs ALL OUT feud here.

DDT “SEE YOU AT DDT 2020”, 03/07/2020
Shinjuku FACE

1. Saki Akai “Okibariyasu” 7 Match Series – Final Match: Meiko Satomura Vs Saki Akai

The finale of Saki Akai’s Okibariyasu trial is a main event match against Meiko Satomura! In fact this is the first time a DDT show has ever had an all women main event. Akai’s record in the trial so far is 3-3 so she gets the toughest challenge possible to end with a winning record.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “STAND PROUD”, 04/07/2020
Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall

1. Princess Of Princess Title Challenger Match: Yuki Aino Vs Yuki Kamifuku
2. Princess Tag Team Titles: Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe (c) Vs Maki Itoh & Raku

The progress Yuki Aino has made over the last few months has been something to behold. Back in February she picked up the win in the Main Event Prospect tag match then she reached the final of the Haru Beautiful One Day Tournament. Since then she has been close to the top of the card in the few Tokyo Joshi Pro shows that went ahead over the COVID-19 shutdown. So it’s fair for her to challenge for the Princess Of Princess Title. However, Yuki Kamifuku thinks she should get the next shot instead so we’re getting a No. 1 Contender match.

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “CRAZY DIAMOND 2020”, 12/07/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

1. Washi Sakurai Trial Single Match: Washi Sakurai Vs Chikara
2. Special Single Match: Shinichiro Tominaga Vs Asuka
3. Ganjo-gun Vs Pocchajo-gun Total Battle: Ken Ohka, Moeka Haruhi & HARUKAZE Vs Yumehito Imanari, Miss Mongol & Yuna Manase
4. Ganpro Vs RENEGADES: Shota & Kouki Iwasaki Vs Shigehiro Irie & Mizuki Watase
5. Special Tag Match Full Of Indie Jr. Champions: Keisuke Ishii & Shuichiro Katsumura Vs Shiori Asahi & Hagane Shinno

A lot of reunions and past faces appearing for next month’s Ganbare☆Wrestling show. A bunch of Independent World Jr. Heavyweight Champions get together, RENEGADES are showing up for a fight and the two joshi sub-brands Ganbare☆Joshi & Pocchari Joshi are set to clash.

That opening match is… sheesh!

DDT “SUMMER VACATION 2020”, 23/07/2020
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai (c) Vs X, X & X

The newly crowned KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champions hold their first defence at Korakuen Hall next month. For now Eruption has to wait until a trio of challengers are chosen for them.


GANBARE☆WRESTLING “COMEBACK ANYTIME 2020” Results

June 14, 2020

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “COMEBACK ANYTIME 2020”, 14/06/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall
82 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Shuhei Washida Trial Singles Match: Minoru Fujita defeated Washi Sakurai with the Suffering Lock (10:35).
2. Master And Disciple Confrontation! Special Mixed Tag Match: Shuichiro Katsumura & Moeka Haruhi defeated Yumehito Imanari & HARUKAZE when Katsumura pinned Imanari with a Low Kick (18:37).
3. Special Single Match: Asuka defeated Shota with the ASKA FANTASY (10:48).
4. Ganpro Vs RENEGADES Full Face to Face Battle: Shinichiro Tominaga & Kouki Iwasaki defeated Shigehiro Irie & Mizuki Watase when Tominaga pinned Watase with a Power Bomb Switchback (17:05).
5. Independent World Jr. Heavyweight Title: Keisuke Ishii (c) defeated Ken Ohka with the Neck And Arm Lock (14:38).
*V7 for Keisuke Ishii.

Ganbare☆Wrestling is the next compaby to say they are now back to holding shows after a two and a half month absence. The roster all came down to the ring one by one at the start of the show. Only Ken Ohka and Yumehito Imanari got into the ring after Ohka told the others to respect social distancing. Together Ganpro promised to make today’s show a success in front of the crowd.

In the main event Keisuke Ishii successfully defended the Independent World Jr. Heavyweight Title for the 7th straight time. Ohka hit the Fire Spear twice but couldn’t get the pin. In return Ishii struck Ohka with a Kneelift to the face, landed a Double Knee Drop and locked in the Neck And Arm Lock to get the submission victory. Afterwards Ishii said if he makes it to over 10 defences in this title reign then he will break the record for most overall defences in the championship’s history. He wanted to defend the title today and originally thought Ohka didn’t deserve to be the challenger. However, Ohka’s passion for pro wrestling in the match they just had proved Ishii wrong. Ohka reminded Ishii that their Loser Leaves Town Match in Union Pro seven years ago is what led to the creation of Ganbare☆Wrestling! He encouraged Ishii to break the title defence record but warned he wants to be the one who stops his reign.

The semi-main event tag had an awkward ending where Shinichiro Tominaga grabbed onto the referee to prevent Mizuki Watase from doing a Tiger Suplex. Watase tried to do a Power Bomb instead but Tominaga Cradled him to steal the three count. He was happy to win it that way. Meanwhile Kouki Iwasaki and Shigehiro Irie had a staredown with each other after the match.


GANBARE☆WRESTLING “HIMITSU 2020” Results

June 3, 2020

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “HIMITSU 2020”, 03/06/2020
WRESTLE UNIVERSE
0 Fans

1. 4 Vs 4 Survival Tag Match: Shuichiro Katsumura, Shota, Washi Sakurai & Minoru Fujita (3) defeated Keisuke Ishii, Yumehito Imanari, Shinichiro Tominaga & Kouki Iwasaki (2).
1a. Shota & Washi Sakurai defeated Yumehito Imanari & Kouki Iwasaki when Shota pinned Imanari with a Cradle (11:27).
1b. Shinichiro Tominaga & Kouki Iwasaki defeated Shota & Washi Sakurai when Iwasaki submitted Sakurai with a Texas Cloverleaf (8:07).
1c. Shinichiro Tominaga & Kouki Iwasaki defeated Shuichiro Katsumura & Shota when Iwasaki pinned Shota with a Ground Cobra Twist (1:27).
1d. Shuichiro Katsumura & Minoru Fujita defeated Shinichiro Tominaga & Kouki Iwasaki when Fujita pinned Tominaga with the Modified Samson Clutch (8:11).
1e. Shuichiro Katsumura & Minoru Fujita defeated Keisuke Ishii & Kouki Iwasaki by TKO when Katsumura used the Ninja Choke on Iwasaki (16:30).

A unique match format was used for the tag team elimination match. Every round was a regular two vs two tag match. Whoever lost a fall would be eliminated and replaced by a teammate until one team was reduced to its last remaining member. Shuichiro Katsumura surprised everyone with the secret fourth member of his team. Everyone in the room expected it to be Ken Ohka. Instead it was Minoru Fujita! Katsumura even gave a big hint it was him by wearing a Fujita shirt to the ring. He jokingly called Fujita “The Fake Ken Ohka”.

The match began with Yumehito Imanari & Kouki Iwasaki on one side and Shota & Washi Sakurai on the other. Imanari tried to give Shota a Fisherman Suplex but Shota pulled him down by the hair and pinned him for the first elimination. Shinichiro Tominaga came in yet it was Iwasaki who got Sakurai to give up with a Texas Cloverleaf. Iwasaki then caught Shota in a Ground Cobra Twist for another elimination. That left Katsumura & Fujita as the last pair left on their team. Fujita summoned the spirit of Ken Ohka to fight like an underdog. He used a Modified Samson Clutch to get rid of Tominaga. That meant the last man left outside Keisuke Ishii was now able to enter the match. Katsumura trapped Iwasaki in the Ninja Choke and the match was stopped when Iwasaki went motionless.

Katsumura praised Fujita for coming to help him while Ohka wasn’t around. Fujita isn’t the Fake Ken Ohka. He is Shin Ken Ohka! Fujita explained he is in perfect condition because he has wrestled throughout the entire pandemic while everyone else stayed home. He told the others to call him whenever Ohka isn’t around. Do not call him Shin Ken Ohka. He should be more like Shin Osamu Namiguchi from Shin Ganbare☆Wrestling!


President Sakai, Ganbare Comeback Anytime

June 2, 2020

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. Yoshihiro Sakai Presidential CEO Inauguration Match In Niigata!: Super Sasadango Machine Vs Pokotan
4. Singles Match Between Wrestlers Who Want To Participate In DDT Regularly: Nobuhiro Shimatani Vs Seigo Tachibana
5. Jun Akiyama & Mizuki Watase Vs Akito & Yuki Iino
6. DDT UNIVERSAL Title – Hardcore 3 Way Match: Daisuke Sasaki (c) Vs Isami Kodaka Vs Shunma Katsumata
7. DDT Vs Kongoh All Out Battle!: Sanshiro Takagi, Kazusada Higuchi & Tomomitsu Matsunaga Vs Kenoh, Masa Kitamiya & Hao
8. TOKYO 2020 LAST MAN STANDING: Yoshihiko Vs Konosuke Takeshita

Yoshihiro Sakai, aka Muscle Sakai and nobody else, was appointed the President and Representative Director of Sakai Seiki Co., Ltd on 1st June. It is a farm equipment manufacturer and also Sakai’s family business. He originally retired from pro wrestling in 2010 to focus on that job and eventually succeed to the top. A decade later and it finally happened. To celebrate, the Super Sasadango Machine Vs Pokotan match will be dedicated to his achievement. I think it is being filmed in Niigata too since it was originally advertised as a Remote Pro Wrestling match.

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “COMEBACK ANYTIME 2020”, 14/06/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

1. Shuhei Washida Trial Singles Match: Washi Sakurai Vs Minoru Fujita
2. Master And Disciple Confrontation! Special Mixed Tag Match: Shuichiro Katsumura & Moeka Haruhi Vs Yumehito Imanari & HARUKAZE
3. Special Single Match: Asuka Vs Shota
4. Ganpro Vs RENEGADES Full Face to Face Battle: Shinichiro Tominaga & Kouki Iwasaki Vs Shigehiro Irie & Mizuki Watase
5. Independent World Jr. Heavyweight Title: Keisuke Ishii (c) Vs Ken Ohka

Ganbare☆Wrestling returns tomorrow for a one off empty arena match. After that they are back with fans and are putting together a big card for them. Ken Ohka aims to become a three time Independent World Jr. Heavyweight Champion by facing the currently unstoppable Keisuke Ishii. The home team of Shinichiro Tominaga & Kouki Iwasaki face the reunited RENEGADES. The newest Ganpro regular Asuka takes on one of the longest serving wrestlers here, Shota.


Revised June Schedule, Audience Shows Return, Complete Peter Pan 2020 Cards

May 31, 2020

First let’s get the bad news out of the way. Even though Japan is entering the second phase of lifting their Coronavirus restrictions, the DDT Group are following requests from venues to cancel the following shows in June and July:

DDT “BLACK OUT PRESENTS KING OF DDT 2020 THE FINAL!!”, 28/06/2020
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

DDT “ROAD TO PETER PAN 2020 ~DRAMATIC DREAM TAKESHI~”, 02/07/2020
Tokyo Hanayashiki Asakusa Flower Theater

MUSCLE “HIRAGANA MUSCLE 3”, 09/07/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

DDT “KAZUKI HIRATA 10TH ANNIVERSARY SHOW! 10 YEARS OF HIRATA GO!!”, 18/07/2020
Tokyo Belle Epoque Beauty School 2nd School Hall

DDT “DATE CITY 2ND ROUND! 1 YEAR UNTIL THE 60TH BIRTHDAY! ~GORGEOUS NIGHT~”, 19/07/2020
Fukushima Date City Hobara Gymnasium

———————————————————————–

Now here’s the good news. The DDT Group can run shows in front of audiences again! They have to put in safety precautions of course such as limiting the number of seats at the venues (either around 100 fans or 50% capacity looks to be deal across the board depending on the venue size). Fans going to shows will need to wear medical masks, get their temperatures checked and have their hands disinfected as they enter. New shows in June have been announced today across the different promotions. They will be held in venues that provide a lot of open air and ventilation. That means Shin-Kiba 1st RING, Shinjuku FACE, Itabashi Green Hall and Tsurumi Vegetable Market for those not paying attention. DDT TV SHOW episodes #7 & #8 will also continue to take place as planned. DDT can now advertise the worst kept secret that they were taped in Shinjuku FACE. The revised schedule for June is as follows.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “KOKO NI IRUZEE!”, 13/06/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

DDT “WITH DRAMATIC DREAM TEAM”, 14/06/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “COMEBACK ANYTIME 2020”, 14/06/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “KOKO NI IRUZEE!”, 20/06/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

DDT “DDT TV SHOW! #7”, 20/06/2020
Shinjuku FACE

DDT “DRAMATIC DREAM TSURUMI VOL. 1”, 21/06/2020
Kanagawa Tsurumi Fruit & Vegetable Market

DDT “DDT TV SHOW! #8”, 27/06/2020
Shinjuku FACE

DDT “DRAMATIC DREAM TSURUMI VOL. 2”, 28/06/2020
Kanagawa Tsurumi Fruit & Vegetable Market

———————————————————————–

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. Singles Match Between Wrestlers Who Want To Participate In DDT Regularly: Nobuhiro Shimatani Vs Seigo Tachibana
5. Jun Akiyama & Mizuki Watase Vs Akito & Yuki Iino
6. DDT UNIVERSAL Title – Hardcore 3 Way Match: Daisuke Sasaki (c) Vs Isami Kodaka Vs Shunma Katsumata
7. DDT Vs Kongoh All Out Battle!: Sanshiro Takagi, Kazusada Higuchi & Tomomitsu Matsunaga Vs Kenoh, Masa Kitamiya & Hao
8. TOKYO 2020 LAST MAN STANDING: Yoshihiko Vs Konosuke Takeshita

Before the audiences can come back, “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020” will hopefully be the bookend for DDT’s empty arena era (fingers crossed). I don’t think I’ll write a full blown preview for these shows due to the short amount of time most of the matches were put together. So this will do for now.

The big feud of DDT TV SHOW has been between Konosuke Takeshita and Yoshihiko. A hatred led to warning messages of “ALL OUT All Dead” where Yoshihiko defeated each member of the unit one by one. It even brought back another battle doll named Akihiro to join the fight. Yesterday ALL OUT reached their breaking point and launched a vicious counter attack where Takeshita ripped off Akihiro’s arm. Alone again, Yoshihiko has to fight Takeshita one more time in a Last Man Standing match!

Kongoh popped by to visit Sanshiro Takagi on yesterday’s DDT TV SHOW. They seem like nice lads. Well if you ignore the leader Kenou threatening violence on Takagi if he doesn’t leave NOAH alone. That’s difficult because Takagi is NOAH’s president. And as president Takagi is ordering Kenoh, Masa Kitamiya & Hao to fight him, Kazusada Higuchi & Tomomitsu Matsunaga in a DDT ring!

Daisuke Sasaki originally chose Shunma Katsumata to be his next DDT UNIVERSAL Title defence because he thinks it is a match he can easily win. Then two things happened that he did not expect. One, Isami Kodaka came in wanting to win a title that didn’t exist back when he was a DDT employee. And two, Katsumata went into his Super Hardcore form to attack the champion. A Hardcore 3 Way Match will solve those problems.

Mizuki Watase has shown some progress by wrestling with coach Jun Akiyama. This is the first time they are teaming together.

Both Nobuhiro Shimatani and Seigo Tachibana want regular bookings in DDT. The company isn’t big enough for the both of them.

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

1. Super Sasadango Machine Remote Produce Match: Toru Owashi Vs Antonio Honda
2. Tokyo Joshi Pro 6-Woman Tag Match: Yuka Sakazaki, Miyu Yamashita & Shoko Nakajima Vs Rika Tatsumi, Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino
3. Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai Vs Chris Brookes & Maki Itoh
4. DDT Extreme Title – Celebration! Release Restriction Rules: Shinya Aoki (c) Vs Yukio Naya
5. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Danshoku Dieno (c) Vs Makoto Oishi
6. HARASHIMA & Naomichi Marufuji Vs MAO & Asuka
7. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura Vs T-Hawk & El Lindaman
8. KO-D Openweight Title: Masato Tanaka (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo

On Day 2, Tetsuya Endo reaches his destination. There was a setback here and there but now nothing is stopping him from facing Masato Tanaka for the KO-D Openweight Title. Endo’s big goal for #DAMNHEARTS is to monopolize DDT’s championships so T-Hawk & El Lindaman are challenging Nautilus for the KO-D Tag Team Titles.

MAO will return from injury one day too late. The last active Right To Challenge Gauntlet has expired and he was too hurt to use it. So he has to take a detour and will chase after the UNIVERSAL Title. MAO will also team with Asuka for now because the Coronavirus measures prevent Mike Bailey from entering Japan. They get a big challenge in the form of HarashiMarufuji!

Danshoku Dieno is finally moving away from his Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title defences against Antonio Honda. He still hasn’t beat him but another figure decided to get in his way. Makoto Oishi has a decade of history with Dieno and he will let it all out for the big clash.


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.


DDT UNIVERSE Is Now WRESTLE UNIVERSE

May 12, 2020

DDT! NOAH! Tokyo Joshi!

DDT UNIVERSE, which offers a variety of video content both live and on-demand, will be rebranding.

Distribution of Pro-Wrestling NOAH videos has begun in January 2020, and the library has expanded to approximately 7.500 videos, including videos from outside promotions.

As the name UNIVERSE suggests, it will be our mission to provide content to as many pro-wrestling fans as possible on a global basis, and as such, we have come to the decision to rebrand.

The details are as follows:

New brand:
WRESTLE UNIVERSE

Twitter:
@W_UNIVERSE2020

Social media hashtag:
#wrestleUNIVERSE

We will continue to strive to improve service quality.
Please enjoy WRESTLE UNIVERSE!

Notes:

*There will be no changes to the service itself, its pricing, etc.

*Fan-club benefits for the DDT Group will continue to be effective


May And June Shows Cancelled

May 6, 2020

Based on the current Coronavirus situation, the DDT Group has cancelled more of their shows scheduled for May and June.

May

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO PRINCESS CUP”, 22/05/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO PRINCESS CUP”, 30/05/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

June

DDT “KING OF DDT 2020 1ST ROUND DAY 1”, 10/06/2020
Tokyo Art Center White Studio

DDT “KING OF DDT 2020 1ST ROUND DAY 2”, 11/06/2020
Tokyo Art Center White Studio

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO PRINCESS CUP”, 14/06/2020
Kitazawa Town Hall

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “STICKY FINGERS 2020”, 14/06/2020
Kitazawa Town Hall

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO PRINCESS CUP”, 20/06/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “LOVE CHANCE”, 21/06/2020
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

DDT “DAMNATION ILLEGAL RALLY RETURNS”, 23/06/2020
Shinjuku FACE

———————————————————————–

A decision will be made after 31st May over DDT getting back to holding public shows from 28th June onward. Should they be allowed to go ahead, DDT will prepare social distancing measures so they can be wrestle in front of live audiences again. For now they will continue producing episodes of DDT TV SHOW. Considerations are under way for Tokyo Joshi Pro and Ganbare☆Wrestling to hold their own shows for DDT UNIVERSE using the same format.

BASARA have cancelled their 26th May show in Shin-Kiba 1st RING. The planned title matches on that show will now take place on 20th June. Their 1st June show in Hanayashiki is also postponed.