DDT “ROCK IN RING 2025” Results

July 13, 2025

DDT “ROCK IN RING 2025 ~STRIKE THE BEAT, SHOUT THE CHEERS~”, 13/07/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
??? Fans – Unannounced

0. Dark Match: Naomi Yoshimura & Antonio Honda defeated Soma Takao & Yuni when Honda pinned Yuni with a Jackknife Pin (6:36).
1. Chris Brookes, Jun Akiyama & Daichi Sato defeated Yuki Iino, Yukio Naya & Yuki Ishida when Sato pinned Ishida with the Mad Splash (8:29).
2. 3 Way Match: Super Sasadango Machine defeated Danshoku Dieno and Kazuki Hirata when Sasadango pinned Hirata with a School Boy (4:19).
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: MAO, KANON & Kazuma Sumi (w/ KIMIHIRO) defeated Masashi Takeda, Ilusion & Haruto Sakuraba when MAO pinned Ilusion with a Japanese Leg Roll Clutch (11:10).
4. Special Tag Match: Kosei Fujita & Takeshi Masada defeated To-y & Yuya Koroku when Masada pinned Koroku with the Masada no Chikara KOBU Mukimuki (12:22).
5. DDT Universal Title: Minoru Suzuki (c) defeated Shinya Aoki by Referee Stoppage with Elbow Strikes (15:17).
*V3 for Minoru Suzuki.
6. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Akito & Kaisei Takechi defeated Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & MJ Paul when Ueno pinned Paul with the BME (11:40).
7. KO-D Openweight Title: Kazusada Higuchi (c) defeated HARASHIMA with the Claw Slam (16:55).
*V1 for Kazusada Higuchi.

The new KO-D Openweight Champion treated his first defence as if he was the challenger instead of the title holder. Kazusada Higuchi took on this mindset because his opponent was HARASHIMA, one of his most difficult career opponents who he had never beaten in previous matches where the KO-D Title was on the line. HARASHIMA targeted Higuchi’s arm in a bid to shut down the Claw Hold and Claw Slam. Higuchi caught HARASHIMA’s Somato at ringside and slammed him back first onto the ring apron. He was also able to apply the Claw Hold after catching a kick leaving HARASHIMA open to be grabbed. HARASHIMA took him down with a Cross Armbreaker but Higuchi powered himself back to his feet to slam him down. He did get hit with the Somato but kicked out and was able to pin HARASHIMA with the Claw Slam to score his first defence.

After the match Higuchi called HARASHIMA a crazy 51 year old. Higuchi has only been able to beat him once so he has a long way to go. HARASHIMA told him he will keep challenging again and again if he can so Higuchi should keep polishing the belt for when he takes it back. Hisaya Imabayashi then told Higuchi his next title defence will be at Night 1 of “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2025” on 30th August. Before Higuchi could select his challenger, Jun Akiyama entered the ring and said the time is right for Higuchi to wrap the belt around his waist again. Higuchi responded that he will make Akiyama wrap the belt around his waist one more time and accepted the challenge. Akiyama then took the first shot by hitting Higuchi with a Lariat! The winner of the match will go on to defend the title on Night 2 of “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2025” on 31st August against the winner of a Battle Royal that will be held on 16th July.

It was a baptism of fire for DDT’s newest signing. Kaisei Takechi brought in a big crowd to the show like he did in his previous DDT appearances last year. Now THE RAMPAGE star will be delving into a deeper adventure into the promotion starting off with a match against DAMNATION T.A. He and Hideki Okatani had fought before and Okatani gave him a cheap shot to start off the match. Takechi relied on teamwork with Yuki Ueno & Akito to control the match until Daisuke Sasaki threw a chair at him and beat him up around ringside. Takechi caught a chairshot from Sasaki only to get hit from behind by Okatani with another chair. Yet the big comeback had Akito Side Suplex MJ Paul and Ueno follow up with a Frog Splash. The Takechi grabbed Sasaki by the neck and Choke Slammed him out of the ring onto the rest of DAMNATION T.A plus a few ringside seconds below. With the ring cleared, Ueno then landed the BME on Paul to win the match.

Takechi got on them microphone afterwards and spoke about his goal to bring pro wrestling to people who have never seen it before. If these dots connect they can make the circle of fans even bigger and create an amazing whirlwind that will help DDT become more popular. He wants to fight more opponents in DDT and also confirmed he will compete at “ULTIMATE PARTY 2025” in Sumo Hall on 3rd November. Akito, speaking from his role as a CyberFight director later said he would like to get Takechi to appear in DDT as regularly as he can before that show. Ueno asked if that means he could even be at the outdoor Ueno Park shows? Akito said absolutely! DAMNATION T.A also wants to fight Takechi more often. They accept him as a DDT wrestler but warn him that next time he won’t get away with the trouble he caused them today!

There’s been a few times Minoru Suzuki and Shinya Aoki have shared the wrestling ring together but today was the first singles match between the two accomplished fighters. The DDT Universal Title held by Suzuki was on the line too so both were trying to be at the top of their game. Suzuki flipped a switch and turned a back and forth grapple exchange into a ringside fight. Aoki hit a dive and then back in the ring went for different submissions until he locked in the Full Nelson Hold. However when he rolled it into the Aoki Clutch it was too close to the ropes and Suzuki escaped the pin because of it. Aoki applied the Full Nelson again but this time Suzuki rolled out of it and applied the Sleeper Hold as a counter. Aoki tried reversing it only to end up back in the Sleeper Hold. However Aoki still had some fight left in him and did what he could to avoid the Gotch-Style Piledriver until Suzuki fish hooked his mouth to finally pull off the move. Rather than go for the pin, Suzuki instead slapped and threw elbow strikes at Aoki repeatedly until Yukinori Matsui called for the match to end by TKO.

Suzuki told Aoki this is how much fun pro wrestling can be. Someone like Aoki cannot even get a foothold on Suzuki so Suzuki told him to get out of the ring. He then asked if there was any challenger out there who deserves to be called a Universal Champion? MAO came down to the ring and Suzuki admitted he was waiting for him to show up. MAO talked about his recent success with Strange Love Connection as well as his performances in the Best Of The Super Juniors. All of a sudden he is now feeling the urge to beat Suzuki, bring the Universal Title back to DDT and more importantly bring it back to himself! Suzuki accepted the challenge and said he’s been wanting to wrestle MAO after travelling to shows in other countries with him. MAO later called the Universal Title his ex-lover and he’s going to rescue it from that lust-driven old man!

A close friendship that crosses wrestling companies led to Takeshi Masada inviting this year’s BOSJ winner Kosei Fujita over for a tag match. The two of them fought To-y & Yuya Koroku in a match showcasing their generation. Most of the match pitted Fujita against To-y while Masada and Koroku continued their growing rivalry. Masada & Fujita ended up gelling greatly as a team and won in the end. Fujita wiped out T-oy with a dive out of the ring allowing Masada to pin Koroku with the Masada no Chikara KOBU Mukimuki.

Things went up a notch after the match when Chris Brookes entered the ring with Bunbun on his hand. Shortly following after him was the arrival of Zack Sabre Jr.! All of a sudden there was a face off between the SCHADENFREUDE International side and the TMDK side. Bunbun started mouthing off so Sabre grabbed him off Brookes’s hand and threw him out of the ring. While this was going on Hisaya Imabayashi had gotten in contact with New Japan and got their permission to book Sabre’s match at Night 1 of “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2025”. It’s going to be Brookes & Masada against Sabre & Fujita! Backstage Fujita said he had fun in DDT today and he’d like to return the favour and invite Masada over to NJPW sometime.

DAMNATION T.A’s massive weapon was back for his second match. Haruto Sakuraba teamed with KANON for his debut but things were different this time. Now KANON is the enemy that Sakuraba came to rip apart while Ilusion and Masashi Takeda made life hell for MAO & Kazuma Sumi. However Sumi was in sync with the Strange Love Connection and KANON fought to match Sakuraba’s power with his own. Sakuraba came out on top of the exchange but Ilusion couldn’t capitalize on it. He missed the Swanton Bomb aimed for MAO and was rolled up in a Japanese Leg Roll Clutch while KANON used the Cobra Twist on Sakuraba and Sumi pinned down Takeda with a School Boy to hold them both back from breaking the pin. After the match KANON and Sakuraba continued to provoke each other. Then backstage Sakuraba blamed Ilusion for losing the match and said it isn’t over between him and KANON.

The participants of the 3 Way Match were given strict instructions by Hisaya Imabayashi to not waste any time and start right at the climax. So Danshoku Dieno immediately went into the Hell Gate position in the corner while Super Sasadango Machine unmasked himself and laid prone on the canvas. He then got back up to attack Kazuki Hirata once Hirata finished his entrance. When Dieno got the back of his tights fully pulled down, Imabayashi ran into the ring to protest it and give Sasadango a Stunner. Hirata knocked out the GM and shoved him face first into Dieno’s Hell Gate. He then hit Sasadango with an Axe Bomber but as he posed heroicly, Sasadango rolled him up with a School Boy to win the match.

After the 3 Way Match ended, Sasadango had a PowerPoint presentation to shoe everyone. In it he talked about his recent DDT Vs NJPW match and how afterwards Hiroshi Tanahashi met him in the waiting room asking to be treated to a meal sometime. Sasadango couldn’t help but wonder what Tanahashi’s intention was so he looked into the origin of the word “ogoru” (“treat”). He found out the word can be used for arrogance or pride, then discovered a Greek origin where it refers to someone following their desires and stepping into forbidden territory. So when Tanahashi asked him to treat him to a meal, Sasadango worked out that what he really meant was Tanahashi wants a singles match against Danshoku Dieno! DDT then confirmed the match will happen at Night 2 of “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2025” on 31st August!

When Dieno heard about the match he said it will not be about DDT or NJPW. For him the match is his final chance to see if Dieno’s way of life can reach Tanahashi. He then talked about the recent “shocking” discovery that Sasadango is really Muscle Sakai, who retired from pro wrestling 15 years ago. The anniversary of that retirement is coming up so Dieno thinks it would be a good time for Sakai to revisit that match. This is going to be Dieno’s treat to Sasadango. It was then announced that Muscle Sakai will face Minoru Suzuki at Night 1 of “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2025” on 30th August!

The Apex met their next challengers in a preview of the upcoming KO-D Tag Team Titles match. Jun Akiyama & Daichi Sato went toe to toe with them with Chris Brookes and Yuki Ishida throwing themselves into the action. Sato suffered the numbers game against Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya but Akiyama & Brookes were there to cut them off. That left Sato to give Ishida a Fire Thunder Driver and then get the win with the Mad Splash.

The dark match had Antonio Honda telling his jokes, Naomi Yoshimura joining in the fun, Soma Takao shilling the Dropkick Bar shirt and Yuni Moonsaulting into Honda’s raised feet so he could get pinned with a Jackknife afterwards.

There was a lot of news announcements at the beginning of the show. Rukiya announced he will return from injury on 17th August. He has been out of action since May 2024 with a cervical sprain. He described how frustrated he was seeing the other young wrestlers working so hard while he’s been gone so he is starting from scratch in a bid to catch up, surpass them and reach to the top.

A new trainee introduced himself to everybody and this one is noteworthy. If “Happy Boy” Hinata Kasai is a name that sounds familiar then it should because he is the son of “Crazy Monkey” Jun Kasai! Hinata is 21 years old from Yokohama, is 171cm tall and weighs 79kg. He will make his pro wrestling debut at Night 1 of “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2025” on 30th August. There is a dream he set out for himself and that is to surpass his father as a pro wrestler!

This year’s Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere challenge was announced. It will begin next month with four Right To Challenge prizes being put on the line in matches held on the 9th, 10th, 16th and 17th August. The four prizes are all KO-D Openweight Title shots that can be cashed in during the period between 9th August and 19th October. If a prize holder directly loses a match on a DDT show they will transfer their title shot over to the person that beat them.


DDT “FIGHTING BEER GARDEN 2025 IN UENO” Results

July 8, 2025

DDT “FIGHTING BEER GARDEN 2025 IN UENO”, 08/07/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Yuya Koroku & Yuki Ishida defeated Makoto Oishi & Kazuma Sumi when Koroku pinned Sumi with the Moonsault Press (8:53).
2. Beer Specialty “Youth” Borrowing Competition Death Match: Yuni defeated Kazuki Hirata when Yuni reached 3 Points (10:19).
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya defeated Jun Akiyama, Daichi Sato & Soma Takao when Iino pinned Takao with the Spear (10:37).
4. Falls Count Anywhere Crocodile Death Match: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion (w/ MJ Paul) defeated Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada when Ilusion pinned Honda with the Crocodile Splash (16:10).
5. A Match To Win 1,000 Yen In Pocket Money: Hikaru Sato & Akito defeated Yuki Ueno & To-y when Sato sumbitted To-y with an Armpit Hold (15:15).
6. KANON 6th Anniversary Match ~ Special Tag Match: MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) defeated HARASHIMA & Danshoku Dieno when KANON pinned Dieno with the Ground Cobra Twist (13:59).

KANON got to celebrate the 6th Anniversary of his debut match successfully by scoring a pinfall victory over Danshoku Dieno. The two will be facing off again soon with a singles match on 15th July so KANON hyped it up with MAO and KIMIHIRO to end the show.

The DDT Extreme Title contract signing took place and To-y revealed to Hikaru Sato what the rules of their match on 1th July is going to be. It will be a 10,000 Yen Pocket Money Pro Wrestling Excursion Death Match! To-y said they will be given 10,000 yen each and must spend an hour before the match spending it on items and hiring allies to appear in the match. Sato convinced To-y to increase the spending time from one hour before the match to 24 hours before the match. Both wrestlers are also allowed to gamble their pocket money in the hopes of getting more to spend. So later in the show they had a tag match where they wagered their money on penalties. They would have to give over 1,000 yen for every time they get pinned, 2,000 yen for every rope break they use to escape a submission hold and 3,000 yen whenever their tag partner had to break up a pin or submission. Sato’s team won the match and after all of To-y’s penalties were added up, Sato now had 19,000 yen while To-y only had 1,000 yen. To-y was upset with having so little cash that he pleaded with Sato to lend him 9,000 yen. The fans convinced Sato to lend him the money so they are now back to 10,000 yen each. Backstage Sato said he thought DDT wasn’t that kind of company anymore where everyone borrows money a lot. But if the cost of winning the Extreme Title is 10,000 yen then Sato is willing to pay it.

The Crocodile Death Match was pretty much a big excuse for SCHADENFREUDE International and DAMNATION T.A to have a massive water fight against each other. Everyone brought out water guns of various kinds, they dunked each other into big bins filled with water and Daisuke Sasaki tried to drown Bunbun. The crocodile was attached to Ilusion’s back by Hideki Okatani & MJ Paul. He jumped from a bench onto Antonio Honda in the kiddie pool to pin him for the three count. Chris Brookes and Takeshi Masada tried to get the last laugh by throwing buckets of water at DAMNATION T.A after the match.

The heavyweight trio of Kazusada Higuchi & The Apex were dominant over Jun Akiyama, Daichi Sato & Soma Takao. Akiyama was in danger of being beaten by Yukio Naya so Sato went to fight Naya off. But that left Yuki Iino free to Spear Takao and get the win for his team. Iino was impressed by Sato’s kicks during the match and encourages him to strike him more. Naya however warned Sato not to underestimate him. Akiyama meanwhile told the KO-D Tag Team Champions not to hold back against him and his tag partner. This has only just begun.

A special rule was added to the Kazuki Hirata Vs Yuni match. Hisaya Imabayashi would write a request on a piece of paper and the wrestlers would have to go do that request to earn a point. The first to reach three points would then win.

With Shunma Katsumata currently out injured, NωA Jr. had original NωA member Makoto Oishi fill in for him in the opening match. He did the entrance as well as wrestle in the match.


DDT “KING OF KINGS ~ARASHI’S JUNE SHOWDOWN~” Results

June 29, 2025

DDT “KING OF KINGS ~ARASHI’S JUNE SHOWDOWN~”, 29/06/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
??? Fans – Unannounced

0. Dark Match: Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida defeated Akito & Kazuma Sumi when Ishida pinned Sumi with the Flame Palm (6:46).
1. Jun Akiyama, Daichi Sato & Soma Takao defeated Toru Owashi, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada when Sato pinned Masada with the Mad Splash (8:53).
2. International Special Tag Match: Mansoor & Mason Madden defeated Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata when Madden pinned Hirata after the Danshoku Driver-Style Centrefold (8:57).
-. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Sanshiro Takagi defeated Poison Sawada JULIE (c) with the Stunner (12:08 pm).
*Sanshiro Takagi becomes the 1,749th champion.
3. Special Tag Match: MJ Paul & Ilusion defeated HARASHIMA & Kumadori when Ilusion pinned Kumadori with a Cradle (10:43).
4. 3 Way Tag Match: Daisuke Sasaki & Hideki Okatani defeated MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) and Shunma Katsumata & To-y when Sasaki submitted Katsumata with La Mistica Crossface Lock (8:39).
5. Special Tag Match: Minoru Suzuki & Yuki Ueno defeated Shinya Aoki & Yuya Koroku when Ueno pinned Koroku with a Chickenwing Arm Lock Counter (14:03).
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya defeated Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura (c) when Naya pinned Abe with The World’s Best Back Drop (14:14).
*Astronauts fails in V6. The Apex become the 87th KO-D Tag Team Champions!
7. KO-D Openweight Title: Kazusada Higuchi defeated Chris Brookes (c) with the Claw Slam (20:43).
*Chris Brookes fails in V5. Kazusada Higuchi becomes the 85th KO-D Openweight Champion!

Three months after his return from injury, Kazuasada Higuchi has climbed to the top of DDT again to regain his place as the KO-D Openweight Champion! His match with Chris Brookes started with a Chop battle and quickly escalated from there. Brookes did a Piledriver onto the ring apron, a Diving Foot Stomp to the outside, an Avalanche Double Arm Suplex back into the ring and also the Somato. Higuchi kicked out of the Praying Mantis Bomb, Heabutted his way into taking control of the match and did the Claw Slam, which Brookes also kicked out of. Higuchi then powered his way out of the Octopus Hold and used Lariats as well as the Doctor Bomb to soften up the champ. Another Claw Slam (that Brookes tried to stop by pinching Higuchi’s nose) after that kept Brookes down for the count and made Higuchi the new champion!

Brookes was leaving the ring when Higuchi called for him to come back. He told Brookes he is really strong for brushing off every challenge that has come his way in order to defend the KO-D Title. Brookes wrapped the belt around Higuchi’s waist then Harimao and SCHADENFREUDE International shared cans of beer together. Higuchi talked about how it was his dream to regain the title when HARASHIMA approached the ring. He said he always admires strength which is why he always aiming to win the strongest championship in DDT. Therefore he is here to challenge Higuchi for a title match! Higuchi agreed and the match will take place at Korakuen Hall on 13th July.

A new heavyweight tag team has taken over the tag division. Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya only just recently joined forces but their combined power was too much for Astronauts to handle. The result brings an end to their KO-D Tag Team Title reign at the halfway point of reaching their goal to get the most title defences. Fuminori Abe continued to stop Iino from doing his “I Am BURNING! Yeah!” catchphrase as he’s been doing in the buildup to this match. But Iino got the last laugh by hitting him and Takuya Nomura with a Double Spear then gave another Spear to Nomura so he wouldn’t be able to stop Naya pinning Abe with The World’s Best Back Drop. However Abe was able to get one last sucker punch in to stop Iino from saying his catchphrase after the match.

Despite becoming the new KO-D Tag Champs, Naya told Iino they still have a lot to learn but at least together they will make DDT the best it can be. Iino is pleased to have safely come back from his eye injury and win his comeback match. He also revealed to everyone their tag team’s new name. Is it BURNING? No, it is The Apex! They way he announced it left the audience feeling a bit confused but Jun Akiyama & Daichi Sato walked out to quickly move on from the awkward moment so they could challenge The Apex for the titles. Akiyama even said out loud what a confusing name it is. Earlier in the show Sato directly won a DDT match for the first time today and he wants to carry on that momentum to get a title shot with Akiyama. Naya accepted but warned Sato not to get too cocky just because he won one match. The title bout will happen in Sumitomo on 27th July.

Earlier in the show Minoru Suzuki and Shinya Aoki had a contract signing segment for their DDT Universal Title match taking place on 13th July. It went ahead without any trouble although the two had a tense staredown at the end of it. Then later in the show they fought in a tag team match with Yuki Ueno on Suzuki’s team and Yuya Koroku on Aoki’s. This turned out to be a lot more dangerous with Suzuki and Aoki having a ringside brawl with chairshots being thrown. Back in the ring Koroku went for the Triangle Lancer on Ueno but Suzuki found himself getting trapped in Aoki’s Sleeper Hold. Ueno made a surprise cradle counter on Koroku to get away with the win but as this was happening, his partner Suzuki was choked out cold by Aoki! After the match Aoki got on the microphone and simply said it was an “Easy job.” He had already made his way to the back when Suzuki regained consciousness. Suzuki then immediately went on a rampage by kicking referees, attacking the wrestlers doing ringside duties and throwing furniture around the venue.

A 3 Way Tag Match featuring wrestlers from Strange Love Connection, The 37KAMIINA and DAMNATION T.A was always going to get out of control. To-y wanted to show how crazy he is but Daisuke Sasaki hit him in the back with a chair. To-y tried to get revenge with a Diving Body Press but Sasaki blocked it with his knees. MAO & KANON worked over Hideki Okatani with double team moves until Shunma Katsumata stunned MAO with a Thrust Kick. MAO fired back with the Michinoku Driver II but Sasaki broke the pin and then put Katsumata in La Mistica Crossface Lock to make him tap out.

Other members of DAMNATION T.A played spoiler for Kumadori’s return to DDT. Ilusion in particular wanted to make an example of the O-MENZ dancer because he got served when it comes to dance moves. HARASHIMA came to Kumadori’s aid by hitting Ilusion with a Standing Somato and then went to hold MJ Paul back. But Ilusion found the referee’s blind spot to give Kumadori a Low Blow and get away with cradling him for the three count. Ilusion made fun of Kumadori afterwards, calling him a weak baby who should go back to his mom’s bed instead of being in the ring. Kumdaori demanded a singles match with Ilusion and he is going to get it at Shinjuku FACE on 16th July.

Perhaps MxM Collection are an even better fit in DDT than I thought. They made their entrance to “Death By Glamour” from Undertale and did their own little dance along with their chic poses. They weren’t going to beat Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata in a popularity contest though, if only because Dieno brought his pet dog Haku down to the ring. Once the match actually began Mansoor quickly found out how much of a pervert Dieno is. MxM did some of their own Danshoku moves to Hirata but that only made Dieno want to take Hirata’s place. It fired him up enough to get the hot tag just so nothing could stop him from getting a piece of Mason Madden. But when Madden grabbed him for a Choke Slam, Dieno successfully pleaded him not to do it because Haku was watching from the corner. When Mason bowed to Haku in apology Dieno knocked him out of the ring, attached the handle to Haku’s dog collar around his neck and made Haku walk forward to strangle him. Mansoor then tried to take Haku and bring him up to the top rope when Hirata stopped him. Dieno stripped off his main tights and tried to do Danshoku things to MxM when Madden escaped and hit a Double Spear to Dieno & Hirata. Madden then put Dieno’s tights on himself and with Mansoor gave Hirata the Centrefold (elevated double team Pedigree) to get the win.

Sato’s first DDT win was almost overshadowed by Soma Takao attacking Bunbun with an unwarranted Leg Drop during the match. Toru Owashi used a little bit of lucha to deal with him and Sato while Antonio Honda prepared Gongitsune. Things almost got passionate between Sato and Takeshi Masada but Akiyama was there to give Masada the Exploder Suplex. Sato then scored his first win by hitting the Mad Splash from the top rope.

Naomi Yoshimura’s limited schedule has put him in the dark match for today’s show. He and Yuki Ishida kicked off what became a good day for Harimao by beating Akito & Kazuma Sumi. Akito targeted Yoshimura’s massive legs to slow him down but couldn’t count on Sumi to finish Ishida. Instead Ishida gave him a Back Drop followed by the Flame Palm for the victory.

To celebrate the 25 years of the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title its creator and current champion Poison Sawada JULIE went and created a brand new belt to replace the first generation prize that has become badly worn down. Sawada explained it was originally created so he could fight Sanshiro Takagi 24 hours a day, seven days a week. However many, many different things got in their way resulting in so many wrestlers, oridnary people, animals and inanimate objects to become champions over the last 25 years. Hisaya Imabayashi presented the 2nd generation belt to Sawada who started laughing because nobody will ever be able to take it off him! Then Takagi ran into the ring, gave Sawada the Stunner and pinned him to win the title. Backstage Takagi said he hopes the new belt will make new history for the championship. He also told fans to keep an eye on its movements because it will also show up in Super Japan as well as DDT.

It was announced that Zack Sabre Jr. will compete at “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2025 – DAY 1” being held in Higashin Arena Main Arena on 30th August. This news came out hours before Sabre won back the IWGP World Heavyweight Title at today’s New Japan show.


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

June 11, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Cast Added For Sasadango Vs Yano, Mataro Breaks His Retirement, Sakazaki Returning To TJPW For Dallas Show

June 6, 2025

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN SHINAGAWA VOL. 2”, 07/06/2025
Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX

1. 12th Tokyo Princess Cup Preliminary League – Round 1: HIMAWARI Vs Mifu Ashida
2. Maki Itoh & Chika Nanase Vs Mahiro Kiryu & Shino Suzuki
3. Rika Tatsumi & Ren Kotatsu Vs Yuki Aino & Haru Kazashiro
4. Mizuki, Yoshiko Hasegawa, Toga & Ivy Steele Vs Yuki Kamifuku, Wakana Uehara, Raku & Pom Harajuku
5. Suzume, Arisu Endo & Jada Stone Vs Miu Watanabe, Yuki Arai & Moka Miyamoto
6. MLW Women’s World Featherweight Title: Shoko Nakajima (c) Vs Kaya Toribami

Uta Takami has a fever and will be unable to wrestle tomorrow. Her Tokyo Princess Cup preliminary match scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed to a later date. Shino Suzuki will be added to the 3 Way Match to make it a tag bout instead.

BASARA “BASARA 280 ~TAKAGARI 28~”, 07/06/2025
Tokyo Takashimadaira Kumin Center

1. Takumi Tsukamoto & Banana Senga Vs Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & Fuminori Abe
2. 3 Way Match: Daichi Kazato Vs Daiki Shimomura Vs Tsutomu Oosugi
3. SAGAT & Isami Kodaka Vs Lil’ Kraken & Akira Jo
4. Ryota Nakatsu Vs Munetatsu Nakamura
5. Isami Kodaka, Takato Nakano & Masato Kamino Vs Ryuichi Sekine, FUMA & Ayumu Honda

Tomorrow begins Ryota Nakatsu’s search for his Union MAX Title No. 1 Contender.

DDT “MY LOVE LETTER 2025”, 07/06/2025
Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX

1. Hideki Okatani, MJ Paul & Ilusion Vs Shunma Katsumata, Yukio Naya & Kazuma Sumi
2. HARASHIMA & Shinya Aoki Vs Soma Takao & Daichi Sato
3. Thank You Toru Owashi ~ Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 5: Toru Owashi Vs Kazuki Hirata
4. Special 3 Way Tag Match: MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) Vs Jun Akiyama & Danshoku Dieno Vs Yuki Ueno & To-y
5. SCHADENFREUDE International Vs Harimao!: Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida
6. Antonio Honda 20th Anniversary Match ~ Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Antonio Honda
7. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura (c) Vs Akito & Yuya Koroku

There will be a contract signing between Chris Brookes and Kazuasada Higuchi for their upcoming KO-D Openweight Title match during the show. It will take place after the opening match.

DDT/NJPW “ONE-SIDED MATCH ~SUPER SASADANGO MACHINE VS TORU YANO~”, 09/06/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. DDT Pro Wrestling x New Japan Pro Wrestling One-Sided Match: Super Sasadango Machine Vs Toru Yano

If you’re wondering how a Super Sasadango Machine Vs Toru Yano match is going to last long enough to sustain a Korakuen Hall show by itself then look no further to the list of special guests who will be attending the event. DDT are sending over MAO, Antonio Honda, Kazuma Sumi, referee Yukinori Matsui and ring announcer Inoue Mic for various roles on the show. New Japan will be sending El Desperado, YOH, Daiki Nagai, referee Kenta Sato and ring announcer Makoto Abe to do the same on their side of the show.

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

1. HARASHIMA & Yuya Koroku Vs Hideki Okatani & MJ Paul
2. Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y Vs Akito, Yukio Naya & Daichi Sato
3. Blow Away The Rainy Season! Officially Licensed Umbrella Only Death Match: Daisuke Sasaki & Ilusion Vs Yuni & Kazuma Sumi
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match ~ In The RING Rules: Chris Brookes, Takeshi Masada & Shin Suzuki Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida
5. K(ANON)-1 GP 2025: KANON Vs Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda
6. Special Tag Match: Jun Akiyama & Shinya Aoki Vs MAO & Danshoku Dieno (w/ KIMIHIRO)

If Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda are able to make KANON laugh during their match then they automatically win. But if KANON can last the entire match without laughing even once then he will be the winner.

Reverse Battle Royal rules are in effect for Match #4. Everyone fights outside the ring and you lose when you get thrown inside it.

Umbrellas are allowed to be used as weapons in Match #3 but only if they are officially licensed and approved beforehand.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “SAYURI NAMBA’S DREAM COME TRUE SPECIAL”, 14/06/2025
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Special Rounds Match: Kazuki Hirata Vs Hideki “Shrek” Sekine
2. LEONA Vs Antonio Honda
3. Mizuki & Suzume (w/ Sayuri Namba) Vs X & X

There will be six matches in total for Sayuri Namba’s special produce show. She will only do ring announcing for one match, the LEONA Vs Antonio Honda one. The rest will go to five Tokyo Joshi Pro wrestlers who are all getting a chance to give the role a go. Miu Watanabe, Raku, Pom Harajuku, Yuki Arai and Arisu Endo will be a ring announcer for one match each and they will all be wearing one of Namba’s different costumes from over the years.

DDT “ECHIGO POWER SLAM”, 15/06/2025
Niigata City Higashi Ward Plaza

1. HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata Vs Danshoku Dieno & Akito
2. After KING OF DDT 2025! Special Single Match: Yuki Ueno Vs Yuya Koroku
3. Special 3 Way Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Antonio Honda Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida Vs MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO)

Super Sasadango Machine will be on the show because it is being held in his hometown.

DDT “CHARISMANIA II”, 18/06/2025
Shinjuku FACE

1. ~20 Years Of Promise~: Yasu Urano Vs Naohiro Katsumi
2. Brahman Brothers Vs Dirty Cops: Brahman Shu, Brahman Kei & Brahman Ueno Vs Takayuki Ueki, Akito & Mataro
3. LUCHA LIBRE WORLD WIDE: El Pantera Jr. & Sumicaras Vs Ilusion & Sangre Azteca Jr.
4. Hardcore Match: Isami Kodaka Vs Hideki Okatani
5. GREATEST WRESTLING MATCH EVER: Dick Togo Vs Daisuke Sasaki

A big Hardcore Match awaits for Hideki Okatani. He is going to fight Isami Kodaka!

The pro wrestling retirement of Mataro is only going to eight months because he wants to get revenge on The Brahman Brothers! The DDT staff member was humiliated by The Brahmans at last year’s “CHARISMANIA” show so has enlisted the help of Takayuki Ueki & Akito to help him even the score. The move is necessary because there is now a third Brahman Brother on the loose! Brahman Ueno could be anybody…

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN DALLAS”, 13/07/2025
The OC, Forney, Texas, USA

The fourteen TJPW regulars now confirmed to be on the Texas tours are Mizuki, Shoko Nakajima, Hyper Misao, Suzume, Miyu Yamashita, Maki Itoh, Yuki Kamifuku, Miu Watanabe, Raku, Pom Harajuku, Arisu Endo, Yuki Arai, Moka Miyamoto and Shino Suzuki.

But that’s not all. Making her return to TJPW for just the “Dallas” show is Yuka Sakazaki!


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

June 3, 2025

DDT “THAT’S RIGHT! LET’S GO TO BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025”, 03/06/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. 1 Vs 4 Handicap Match: Danshoku Dieno defeated Yuya Koroku, Yuni, Yuki Ishida & Kazuma Sumi when Dieno pinned Sumi with the Gaydo Clutch (7:57).
2. Thank You Toru Owashi ~ Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 4: HARASHIMA & Yuki Ueno defeated Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata when Ueno submitted Hirata with a Sleeper Hold (12:05).
3. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya defeated Jun Akiyama & Daichi Sato when Higuchi pinned Sato with the Claw Hold (7:18).
4. Referee Daisuke Kiso 15th Anniversary Match ~Special 6-Man Tag Match~: MAZADA, Minoru Fujta & Yoshiko Hasegawa defeated Yasu Urano, Akito & Shoko Nakajima when Fujita pinned Urano with the Modified Samson Clutch (12:34).
5. Lumberjack Pool Crocodile Match: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion defeated Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada when Sasaki submitted Honda with the Crossface Lock with the Crocodile in the Pool (12:51).
6. STRANGE LOVE CONNECTION Vs The 37KAMIINA!: MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) defeated Shunma Katsumata & To-y when MAO pinned Katsumata with a Running Palm Strike (19:00).

MAO has come back from spreading the word of DDT to New Japan as part of the Best Of The Super Jr. tournament. KANON was there with him for parts of the tour but today was the first time in a month that Strange Love Connection were teaming together. When To-y tried to get the fans to chant “T.O.Y”, MAO countered with the “Shikaku” chants he started doing during BOSJ. The match soon left the ring where KANON put To-y in the Cobra Twist 2.0 beneath the stage platform while MAO knocked Shunma Katsumata onto a pile of chairs below. Back in the ring MAO gave Katsumata the Michinoku Driver II and then got the win after hitting a Running Palm Strike. After the match KIMIHIRO talked up The 37KAMIINA because MAO wouldn’t be who he is today without them. He also brought up KANON making it to the King Of DDT final recently. MAO talked about finishing tied for first place in his BOSJ block and while he couldn’t reach the final, he tried his best to attract New Japan fans to DDT. For that reason he wants everyone here to make DDT more exciting so they can create a new good era and all get rich together.

The Lumberjack Pool Crocodile Match was one big excuse for SCHADENFREUDE International and DAMNATION T.A to have a massive water fight against each other. There were some rubber pools filled with water placed around ringside and everyone walked out wearing summer outfits and also armed with water pistols. There was also a biting crocodile toy game placed nearby which Daisuke Sasaki used to dig into Antonio Honda’s head Crossface style to make him give up.

Six wrestlers who all have some sort of connection to Daisuke Kiso gathered together to celebrate his 15th anniversary in the business. Shoko Nakajima and Yoshiko Hasegawa were there from Tokyo Joshi Pro where Kiso also works. MAZADA & Minoru Fujita made sure Kiso wasn’t getting an easy day on the job. They pulled some dirty tricks on Akito & Yasu Urano that ended with Fujita grabbing the ropes for leverage to pin Urano without Kiso seeing it. Both teams congratulated Kiso backstage and he said he is looking forward to working hard for the next 16 or 17 years!


MAO’s BOSJ Adventure

June 3, 2025

It’s been so long since a DDT wrestler last made an appearance in New Japan’s premier tournament for junior heavyweights. The Best Of The Super Jr. was historically the showcase that introduced Kota Ibushi and Kenny Omega to the wider wrestling world back when they were with DDT. Daisuke Sasaki also competed in two of the tournaments and his appearance in 2012 was the last time a DDT wrestler was involved… until this year! MAO got the invite to take part in the 2025 edition of BOSJ, no doubt influenced by a certain current IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion who has been molding the division in his vision whenever he can for a while now. When MAO got to wrestle on a NJPW show in April, he gave a tease that fans would see more of him in May. The very next day he was included in the announced field for the BOSJ! His goal was to bring the DDT style into New Japan like a square block fitting into a round hole and hopefully convince some of their fans to give his home promotion a try.

B Block

1. YOH (12)
-. El Desperado (12)
-. MAO (12)
4. Nick Wayne (8)
-. Taiji Ishimori (8)
-. Robbie Eagles (8)
-. SHO (8)
-. Titán (8)
-. Kevin Knight (8)
10. Ryusuke Taguchi (6)


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 10/05/2025
Chiba YohaS Arena (Chiba Park General Gymnasium)
1,000 Fans

2. Kevin Knight, Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato defeated MAO, Tiger Mask & Shoma Kato when Wato pinned Kato with the Tsutenkaku German Suplex (7:38).

MAO was placed in the B Block but his first match on the opening show of the tour was a non-tournament 6-Man Tag. He was happy with that because it lets him casually fit in with New Japan. Two of his opponents were in his block so he got to get some ring time against his first opponent Kevin Knight. Meanwhile Tiger Mask took out Ryusuke Taguchi with a Topé Suicida leaving Shoma Kato to deal with Master Wato. Kato had just returned from a leg injury and was ready to wipe the ring rust off but Wato ended up beating him with the Tsutenkaku German Suplex. Backstage Knight said this match was the first time he got to properly introduce himself to MAO. He likes his style but wants to know if MAO can match him in the ring? After getting to share the ring with Wato, MAO mentioned he would have liked to wrestle him, Hiromu Takahashi or Kosei Fujita from the A Block. But he’s looking forward to face Knight first.


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 11/05/2025
Miyagi Iwanuma City General Gymnasium (Big Arena)
1,369 Fans

5. BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32 – B Block: MAO (2) defeated Kevin Knight (0) with the Iai Kick (9:34).

24 hours later MAO started his tournament off with a win. The “Michinoku Tornado” as NJPW nicknamed him had the home town advantage because the show was held in Miyagi. He also started forming a square shape with his chest which would become a recurring spot of his for the rest of the tour. After a back and forth match, MAO scored a nearfall with the Michinoku Driver II and then finished Knight off with the Iai Kick to score his first two points. MAO spoke of his goal to win BOSJ so he could then win the IWGP Jr. Title and bring it back to DDT where he was born and raised into the strange wrestler he is today. Why would he do this? So a new good era for DDT would begin!


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 14/05/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,470 Fans – Super No Vacancy

5. BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32 – B Block: MAO (4) defeated Taiji Ishimori (0) with the Osaka Rinkai Upper (9:45).

Things kept rolling in the right direction because MAO then defeated Taiji Ishimori, a multiple time Jr. Heavyweight champion in both NJPW, NOAH and also the TNA X Division. Ishimori is also from the Miyagi prefecture which made the match became that little bit more meaningful. MAO had KANON in his corner but he had to stand and watch the two fight out of the ring where MAO did a stage dive onto Ishimori. Back in the ring Ishimori countered the Michinoku Driver II with a Reverse Frankensteiner but his 450 Splash missed when MAO moved out of the way. MAO pushed the ref into Ishimori’s way and then leapt over the ref to give Ishimori a Cutter. He then hit the Iai Kick but Ishimori found the power to stay on his feet. So MAO hit him with the Osaka Rinkai Upper palm strike to make the pin and get the three count. MAO said Ishimori is the first Miyagi wrestler he’s hunted down in the tournament and there are two more he is after. Ishimori has a square shape but MAO is becoming a pretty big square too. He is going to turn BOSJ into Best Of The Square Jr.!


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 15/05/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,365 Fans – No Vacancy

7. BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32 – B Block: Titán (4) defeated MAO (4) with the Llave Immortal (9:20).

Any chance of MAO going three for three were put to a halt by Titán, the luchador from CMLL. MAO wanted to fight fire with fire by doing a high risk La Quebrada out of the ring as well as an upside down Llave submission. But Titán started hitting the ropes himself doing a Swan Dive Boy Press and a Topé Suicida. Their match turned into a striking battle with athletic dodges including one where Titán passed through the Hurricane Kick and trapped MAO in his Llave Immortal submission finisher. When he applied it deeper by crossing MAO’s arms over MAO had to give up. Titán paid his respect by describing MAO as one of the strongest opponents he has ever faced. MAO said that submission move is why he never wants to go to Mexico. He’s wrestled in seven different countries but he doesn’t want to make Mexico number eight because the lucha libre over there scares him.


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 17/05/2025
Tokyo National Yoyogi Stadium Gymnsium #2
1,857 Fans

10. BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32 – B Block: El Desperado (4) defeated MAO (4) with the Pinche Loco (23:31).

When MAO realised his match with El Desperado was main eventing the show he made a promise to make it a DDT style match. Apparently Desperado felt the same way because he went along with MAO’s idea. The two fought up the aisle to the entrance while a confused Red Shoes Unno started counting them out. When he was about to reach 20, MAO gave Desperado a Cutter onto one of the security barriers. That scared the ref so much he stopped counting to go check on them. Both were physically able to continue and they went back to the ring to keep the match going. The DDT-ness only got stronger when MAO tried to use Unno as a launchpad to do the Stunner and Despy instead pushed Unno in the way to take the move! MAO got the fans to chant “It’s not MAO” while Despy wondered what could they do now without a ref? MAO decided to pull out a load of plastic boxes from beneath the ring and break one over Desperado’s head. Desperado then responded in kind and the two proceeded to do more plastic box spots, ignoring the protests of the replacement ref Marty Asami. When they got the box bumps out of their system they started wrestling to win and went for their signature moves. Desperado used the Reverse Tiger Driver and then did the Pinche Loco but MAO kicked out at two. Desperado used the pair of moves again, this time with a Vertical Drop version of the Reverse Tiger Driver. MAO tried his best to resist a second Pinche Loco but he was pinned clean in the end.

Despy suggested that next time they should do this in MAO’s promotion although he’s worried that vehicles would be involved over there. He doesn’t want to get run over like Sanshiro Takagi often does. MAO talked about this match being his way of thanking Desperado for inviting him to the “DESPE-INVITACIONAL” last year. He never liked the period when different wrestling companies were talking trash about each other. If Evangelion could finally get a happy ending then why should pro wrestling finish with a bad ending? That’s why he thinks the likes of Despy and Hiromu are different. They have the motivation that drives the wrestling world and it’s why MAO came here to help make BOSJ a true festival that spreads Japanese wrestling across the world.


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 18/05/2025
Tokyo Esforta Arena Hachioji
1,231 Fans

5. BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32 – B Block: YOH (4) defeated MAO (4) with a Dragon Suplex (8:11).

While MAO was feeling spiritually good about how his experience has been so far, he was also hitting a slump results wise. YOH, the second Miyagi wrestler he was chasing after, beat MAO make it three losses in a row. To add insult to injury that cheeky git YOH used the Somato en route to winning the match! Oh he hasn’t forgotten about that match he had with Hiroshi Tanahashi against HARASHIMA & Ken Ohka ten years ago. MAO avoided the move the first time and gave YOH a similar taste of medicine by doing the Sling Blade and the High Fly Flow. But YOH kicked out of it and used the Reverse Frankensteiner to successfully set up the Somato the second time. MAO at least kicked out of it but YOH put him away with a Dragon Suplex afterwards. MAO couldn’t believe what YOH did. He likes New Japan and doesn’t want to kick off a promotional war with DDT but that’s still crossing a line. MAO decided that YOH should attend the Toru Yano Vs Super Sasadango Machine match that’s happening on 9th June. MAO will be there and they can settle their differences together. All YOH had to say is he and MAO are not on the same level. I think I heard something like that from someone else before…


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 20/05/2025
G-Messe Gunma
842 Fans

2. YOH, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tiger Mask & Katsuya Murashima defeated El Desperado, MAO, Shoma Kato & Masatora Yasuda when Murashima submitted Yasuda with a Crab Hold (8:48).

The schedule gave MAO a non-tournament match in the middle of the tour to let him and a few others catch their breath a little bit. Despite his slump in form at this point his block was fairly tight across the board so nobody was out of the running yet. The 8-Man Tag match even ended with the Young Lions instead of any of the BOSJ wrestlers. Katsuya Murashima submitted Masatora Yasuda while MAO and Taguchi were doing lewd spots to each other that involved the back of Taguchi’s tights being pulled down. Taguchi is well aware that MAO has Danshoku Dieno supporting him. However Taguchi is not following the Hirooki Goto Revolution nor is he fighting on behalf of New Japan or even Miyagi. He is going to fight MAO by himself. MAO said he’s not shocked by seeing a little bit of butt. He didn’t expect it but now he has a plan to combat it.


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 22/05/2025
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium #2 (Osaka Edion Arena)
967 Fans

5. BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32 – B Block: MAO (6) defeated Ryusuke Taguchi (6) with the Iwanuma City Styles Clash (8:33).

Things could only go up from here but oh man did MAO have to go through some things to get there. In his final match of the “Miyagi Derby”, MAO fought Taguchi and the ever slipping back of his wrestling tights. Not only was his crack exposed but Taguchi eventually stuffed MAO’s head into his tights! That turned out to be the wrong move because MAO was somehow able to keep fighting and a roll up battle resulted in him giving Taguchi the Styles Clash with his head still stuck in the tights! Taguchi admitted defeat because a fake pervert like him could never beat a real pervert like MAO. He only plays a pervert so he will go back to his true self for the rest of the tournament. MAO said he was suffocating in there and just when he was about to lose consciousness he got a flashback to all of the times something like this happened to him in DDT. It makes him glad he was raised in a wrestling company where that sort of stuff was a daily occurrence. This match was fate because MAO was a big fan of Apollo 55. He also now has to leave the Miyagi Derby up to the winner of Taiji Ishimori against YOH.


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 24/05/2025
Hyogo Arcrea Himeji
1,136 Fans

4. BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32 – B Block: MAO (8) defeated Robbie Eagles (6) with the Ultra Big Tone (9:26).

Can you believe that Taguchi match was exactly what MAO needed to get his mojo back? Next up for him was Robbie Eagles and he came up with his own version of the “Robbie! Robbie! Robbie!” chant. He chanted “MAO! MAO! MAO!” and got the fans to shout “Shikaku!” (“Square!”) in response. Eagles would target MAO’s knee to cut off his momentum but the match would instead make its way up to the top turnbuckle. MAO grabbed Eagles in a Dragon Sleeper and used that to set up his AI created finisher the Ultra Big Tone to get the win. MAO pointed out that he is never going to have the same kind of match no matter who he is fighting. Eagles was in shock because he thought MAO was just some fun and chill square guy and instead he tried to kill him! If MAO ever wants a rematch then Eagles wants it to happen in DDT. He’ll even put the Soul Of PWA Title on the line even though MAO has never once stepped foot in Australia.


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 25/05/2025
Aichi Port Messe Nagoya Exhibition Hall #2
1,404 Fans

5. BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32 – B Block: MAO (10) defeated Nick Wayne (8) with the Dick Killer (7:41).

MAO was building up momentum heading into the final stretch and his next opponent was a familiar one. He’s already wrestled with Nick Wayne several times before and wasted no time in continuing their rivalry. MAO tried to rally the fans behind him with “Shikaku” chants but Wayne wasn’t deterred by them. He seemed to have an answer for everything MAO threw at him but he never could has guessed what MAO would do to throw him in a loop. Wayne appeared to hit the Wayne’s World except MAO blocked it with a handstand and cartwheeled out of it! He then went and did his own version of the Wayne’s World, giving Wayne a taste of his own finisher. It only got a two count but MAO quickly applied a Crossface Lock, turning it into the Dick Killer variation to make Wayne tap out. MAO said he’s known Wayne for a long time now and the great thing about being a wrestler is you can enjoy your youth no matter how old you are. With one more match left MAO was still in the running for first place but it was necessary for him to win his last bout.


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 27/05/2025
Shizuoka Kira Messe Numazu
668 Fans

2. SHO & Yujiro Takahashi defeated MAO & Shoma Kato when Takahashi pinned Kato with the Pimp Juice (4:18).

But before that happens there was one more non-tournament match to get through. It just happened to feature MAO’s last opponent in Block B, SHO from the House Of Torture. SHO attacked him during the entrance and when Kato tried to rescue him, Yujiro Takahashi came over to fight him off. The four brawled around the room where MAO held SHO in a Piledriver position while standing on a dolly. Kato pushed the dolly around until Takahashi found a second dolly nearby. It led to Kato pushing MAO on one dolly and Takahashi pushing MAO on the other until SHO wanted to leave because he had enough. MAO & Kato ended up putting the House Of Torture on both dollies and crashed them into each other. The match finally began in an official manner when everyone returned to the ring. MAO and SHO soon went back to fighting outside the ring but that left Kato in the ring to be beaten by Takahashi’s Pimp Juice. SHO complained about people from Miyagi and he then complained about Niigata where his match with MAO would take place. MAO however promised to show SHO just what DDT is really like. Oh boy, did he…


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 29/05/2025
Niigata Region Plaza Joetsu
1,027 Fans

7. BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32 – B Block: MAO (12) defeated SHO (8) with the Cannonball 450 (11:57).

This time MAO jumped SHO during his entrance. Well, not jumped, more like ran over with the Dramatic Dream bike! Takahashi and Ren Narita helped SHO attack MAO but KANON & Kazuma Sumi ran over to even the odds and take the fight out of the building! Not only did MAO clear House Of Torture with a dive out from the doorway but he climbed into a nearby van and knocked over SHO with it! The match hadn’t started yet so MAO was allowed wheel SHO back to the ring on a dolly and throw him into the ring. SHO somehow kicked out of a pin and had House Of Torture attack the Dramatic Dream bike. He then picked apart MAO’s arm until MAO made his comeback. Takahashi & Narita tried to interfere again but KANON & Sumi were there to keep them at bay. During the chaos the DDT wrestlers got the upper hand with Strange Love Connection even getting to hit SHOT with a Lariat/McEnroe style Total Elimination. Yoshinobu Kanemaru then suddenly appeared, spat Whiskey Mist into KANON’s face and hit MAO with the bottle. MAO kicked out of SHO’s Cross Arm Piledriver so SHO distracted the ref by bringing his NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Title belt into the ring. The ref took the belt off him but didn’t notice SHO was hiding a wrench behind his back. But when SHO went to attack MAO with it, he found out MAO was suddenly armed with Mecha Mummy’s Mecha Fist! MAO knocked the wrench out of his hands, ducked the Whiskey Mist from Kanemaru that blinded SHO instead and then MAO knocked SHO down with a Rocket Punch followed by the Iai Kick. SHO still kicked out of the pin so MAO did the Cannonball 450 from the top rope and that got him the win.

Sadly for MAO the result was not enough to reach the final. He was able to finish Block B on 12 points, enough to tie with YOH and El Desperado for first place. But by losing to both of them earlier in the tournament, the head-to-head tiebreakers were not in his favor and he had no way of reaching the final. MAO looks back on his matches with YOH and Desperado thinking what could have been if they ended differently but he is still happy they turned out to be some exciting matches they created. He gave it his all and he thinks he is the only person to have done so well in BOSJ using the DDT style. He’d like to come back to New Japan and when he does maybe he’ll become a bit more square.


NJPW “SEKICHU PRESENTS BEST OF THE SUPER JR. 32”, 01/06/2025
Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium
3,044 Fans

3. Shota Umino, El Phantasmo, MAO & Nick Wayne defeated Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa, Hartley Jackson & Robbie Eagles when Phantasmo pinned Jackson with the CR II (10:38).

It turns out MAO had one more appearance lined up to close out the tour. For the final night of BOSJ he got to team with Shota Umino, El Phantasmo & Nick Wayne to take on TMDK in an 8-Man Tag Match. Before it began all four of them posed together as squares in front of their opponents. MAO spent most of his time in the match facing off with Ryohei Oiwa but he had some time in there with Zack Sabre Jr. too. MAO & Wayne also co-operated with each other pretty well, much to Eagles’s chagrin. They were smashed aside by Hartley Jackson though but Umino & ELP were there to put the big guy down and win the match. MAO told the others after the match he’d like to return to NJPW in a casual manner like Jackson does. If there is another Jackson or TAKA Michinoku like spot on the roster he’d like to take it. He also got to reminisce with Umino about the time they met each other in England back in 2019. Maybe the four of them can continue to be together as Team Square Hearts somewhere down the line?


DDT “DRAMATIC DREAM TAKASHIMAYA VOL. 3” Results

May 31, 2025

DDT “DRAMATIC DREAM TAKASHIMAYA VOL. 3”, 31/05/2025
Tokyo Shinjuku Takashimaya 1st Floor JR Exit Special Venue
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Time Delayed Entry Battle Royal For Shinjuku Takashimaya’s Half Day Promotional Ambassador: KANON defeated Poison Sawada JULIE by Ring Out (17:20).
Order Of Elimination: Yukio Naya, Yuki Ishida, Yuno & Kazuma Sumi, Pokotan, Kazuki Hirata, Poison Sawada JULIE.
-. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Poison Sawada JULIE defeated Pokotan’s Head (c) with a Senton (11:54 am).
*Poison Sawada JULIE becomes the 1,748th champion.
2. Kazusada Higuchi, Yuya Koroku & Daichi Sato defeated Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & MJ Paul when Higuchi pinned Paul with a Lariat (13:39).
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y defeated Chris Brookes, HARASHIMA & Takeshi Masada when Ueno pinned Masada after the Everybody’s MADMAX (20:50).

This is the third year in a row DDT has run a show at the Shinjuku Takashimaya outlet. Shunma Katsumata was fired up for it because he missed the previous two events here. He combined his powers with Yuki Ueno & To-y to get The 37KAMIINA the victory in the main event. All three of them worked together to use a triple team version of the MADMAX for the win. Their prize was some Ibaraki Melons presented to them by the “Ibara King”. To-y said he injured his shoulder and suffered a nose bleed during the match but eating one of the melons gave him an instant recovery! Ueno told the fans that many people in DDT look forward to this event every year and it will continue thanks to everyone’s support.

A Battle Royal was held to determine who in DDT would become the special store ambassador for the rest of the day. Pokotan put on an unusually powerful performance, possibly driven by the need to protect the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title despite only its head being the champion. The mascot was eliminated by Poison Sawada JULIE’s snake magic. However KANON used a mirror to deflect the magic back at Sawada, petrifying him and causing him to be easily eliminated. KANON won the match and proceeded to take on his ambassador role but after the match Sawada jumped onto Pokotan’s Head and pinned it to become the new Iron Man Champion! Later backstage Sawada announced that as the man who originally created the championship back in 2000, he decided a new 2nd generation belt will be created to replace the current strap! He promised the new title belt will be ready for the 29th June Korakuen Hall show.

Saki Akai held a talk show with Hisaya Imabayashi in the middle of the event. Their special guest was Yuki Iino who is still out with an injury. He demonstrated to the audience some easy stretching exercises you can do while sitting down.


TJPW Injury Updates, Ren Konatsu, GanPro Ultimate Rules, MxM Collection Coming To DDT

May 29, 2025

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN NERIMA”, 31/05/2025
Tokyo Nerima Coconeri Hall

1. 12th Tokyo Princess Cup Preliminary League – Round 1: Mahiro Kiryu Vs Moka Miyamoto
2. Miu Watanabe, Wakana Uehara & Ivy Steele Vs Pom Harajuku, HIMAWARI & Haru Kazashiro
3. Rika Tatsumi & Yuki Aino Vs Yuki Arai & Mifu Ashida
4. Shoko Nakajima, Arisu Endo & Chika Nanase Vs Kaya Toribami, Toga & Shino Suzuki
5. Mizuki & Jada Stone Vs Maki Itoh & Uta Takami
6. International Princess Title: Suzume (c) Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa

An injury report was given out by Tokyo Joshi Pro today for three of their wrestlers. Hyper Misao’s arm injury has been revealed to be ligament damage in her right elbow and she will remain out of action until late June. Haruna Neko picked up another knee injury and will miss this weekend’s shows. She is currently having it examined so TJPW will give an update once her diagnosis is known.

Kira Summer has a thigh injury and will be resting for another 4 weeks. Her Tokyo Princess Cup qualifier match with Wakana Uehara that was meant to happen on Saturday is postponed until she returns. However if she is still not cleared to wrestle by late June she may have to forfeit the match.

Parts of the undercard for Saturday’s show has been changed because of Neko and Summer’s injuries. There is now one less match and Uehara takes Neko’s place in Match #2.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN NAGOYA”, 01/06/2025
Aichi Chunichi Hall

1. Ren Konatsu Debut Match: Suzume Vs Ren Konatsu
2. Yoshiko Hasegawa & Moka Miyamoto Vs Toga & Chika Nanase
3. Rika Tatsumi, Wakana Uehara & Mifu Ashida Vs Mahiro Kiryu, Shino Suzuki & Ivy Steele
4. Shoko Nakajima & Haru Kazashiro Vs Kaya Toribami & HIMAWARI
5. Mizuki Vs Uta Takami
6. Last One Standing 8-Woman Tag Team Elimination Match: Maki Itoh, Yuki Arai, Pom Harajuku & Arisu Endo Vs Miu Watanabe, Yuki Kamifuku, Yuki Aino & Jada Stone

The teams for the Last One Standing Elimination Match have been decided. The next Princess Of Princess Title challenger will be decided here.

Match #2 & #3 are mixed around to fill in the gaps Neko and Summer opened up. Ivy Steele is bumped up the card a little while Moka Miyamoto swaps sides.

The trainee Konatsu will now go by the name Ren Konatsu for her debut. She was born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka on 26th May 2001 and is 153cm tall. She was originally an SKE48 fan and started watching TJPW to follow Yuki Arai. However it was Suzume who inspired Konatsu to try wrestling out for herself so Suzume gets to be her very first opponent.

GANBARE☆PRO “GRAND BLEU 2025”, 01/06/2025
Tokyo Takashimadaira Kumin Center

1. Shota Kawakami Vs Keisuke Goto
2. Ken Ohka, PSYCHO & Moeka Haruhi Vs Shinichiro Tominaga, Daisuke® & Banny Oikawa
3. YuuRI & Nanami Hatano Vs Yuna Manase & Mio Shirai
4. GanPro Ultimate Rules: Shuichiro Katsumura & Takuya Wada Vs Tyson Maeguchi & Thanomsak Toba
5. Yumehito Imanari, Mizuki Watase & Shigehiro Irie Vs Keisuke Ishii, Toru Sugiura & Munetatsu Nakamura

A shootfight style ruleset is being tried out by Ganbare☆Pro for Match #4. The GanPro Ultimate Rules can be won by knockout, submission or referee stoppage. There are no rope breaks and moves involving use of the ropes or corners are prohibited. Also double team moves and tag partners breaking up the opponent’s holds are not allowed. Should a grounded fighter position himself onto the ring apron the referee will shout “Don’t Move” and the match will pause for the wrestlers to reposition themselves over to the centre of the ring. Intentional fouls are an immediate disqualification while non-serious fouls result in a warning. Two warnings will result in a disqualification. Given the fighting styles of Shuichiro Katsumura, Takuya Wada, Tyson Maeguchi and Thanomsak Toba they should all adapt to the rules no problem.

DDT “THAT’S RIGHT! LET’S GO TO BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025”, 03/06/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. 1 Vs 4 Handicap Match: Danshoku Dieno Vs Yuya Koroku, Yuni, Yuki Ishida & Kazuma Sumi
2. Thank You Toru Owashi ~ Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 4: HARASHIMA & Yuki Ueno Vs Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata
3. Special Tag Match: Jun Akiyama & Daichi Sato Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya
4. Lumberjack Pool Crocodile Match: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion Vs Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada
5. Referee Daisuke Kiso 15th Anniversary Match ~Special 6-Man Tag Match~: MAZADA, Minoru Fujta & Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Yasu Urano, Akito & Shoko Nakajima
6. STRANGE LOVE CONNECTION Vs The 37KAMIINA!: MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) Vs Shunma Katsumata & To-y

Today was MAO’s final block match in the Best Of The Super Juniors tournament. He was able to beat SHO using everything he learned in DDT throughout his career and finished tied for first in his block with 12 points. However due to head-to-head tiebreakers he did not qualify for the final. I will write a full report for his tour with New Japan next week. Next week he comes back home to rejoin KANON and fight some old friends.

The rules for the Lumberjack Pool Crocodile Match have not been explained yet. Not even those in charge of DDT knows what it’s going to be.

The next match in Toru Owashi’s 20th Anniversary series is a partial reunion of DISASTER BOX! He will be in the same match as HARASHIMA, Yuki Ueno and Kazuki Hirata. Sadly Naomi Yoshimura will not be in attendance to complete the reunion.

Now that Danshoku Dieno is done with being a Strong Style wrestler, he’ll have to find his strength somewhere else to fight four opponents at once.

BASARA “BASARA 280 ~TAKAGARI 28~”, 07/06/2025
Tokyo Takashimadaira Kumin Center

1. Ryota Nakatsu Vs Munetatsu Nakamura
2. 3 Way Match: Daichi Kazato Vs Daiki Shimomura Vs Tsutomu Oosugi
3. Takumi Tsukamoto & Banana Senga Vs Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & Fuminori Abe
4. SAGAT & Isami Kodaka Vs Lil’ Kraken & Akira Jo
5. Isami Kodaka, Takato Nakano & Masato Kamino Vs Ryuichi Sekine, FUMA & Ayumu Honda

Right now in BASARA the field is wide open for future title challengers to emerge. Maybe one of them will be Akira Jo!!!

DDT “MY LOVE LETTER 2025”, 07/06/2025
Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX

1. Hideki Okatani, MJ Paul & Ilusion Vs Shunma Katsumata, Yukio Naya & Kazuma Sumi
2. HARASHIMA & Shinya Aoki Vs Soma Takao & Daichi Sato
3. Special 3 Way Tag Match: MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) Vs Jun Akiyama & Danshoku Dieno Vs Yuki Ueno & To-y
4. Thank You Toru Owashi ~ Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 5: Toru Owashi Vs Kazuki Hirata
5. SCHADENFREUDE International Vs Harimao!: Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida
6. Antonio Honda 20th Anniversary Match ~ Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Antonio Honda
7. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura (c) Vs Akito & Yuya Koroku

Owashi’s just never going to be able to get away from Hirata, is he?

M&A “SANSHIRO TAKAGI 30TH ANNIVERSARY PROJECT ~MATCHMAKE & AGENT~”, 25/06/2025
Shinjuku FACE

1. Special Tag Match: Kuroshio TOKYO Japan & Momoka Hanazono Vs Ippanjin Munenori Sawa & Mio Shirai
2. Special Tag Match: Rika Tatsumi & Antonio Honda Vs Brahman Shu & Brahman Kei
3. Special Single Match: Fuminori Abe Vs Shota
4. Special Single Match: Suwama Vs Muscle Sakai
5. Special Single Match: Yuji Nagata Vs Ken Ohka
6. Special Single Match: Momo Kohgo Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa

Two weeks before Yoshiko Hasegawa retires from pro wrestling she gets to be in the ring with Momo Kohgo one last time. The two wrestlers both debuted in Actwrez Girl’z back in 2019 so this it will be the perfect time for the two classmates to reunite and face each other. It is also Sanshiro Takagi’s way of getting to book the rare Stardom Vs TJPW match on his show.

One of the last additions to the card is the Pro Wrestling Up Town pair of Kuroshio TOKYO Japan & Momoka Hanazono taking on the once retired but not really anymore duo of Munenori Sawa & Mio Shirai.

DDT “KING OF KINGS ~ARASHI’S JUNE SHOWDOWN~”, 29/06/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. International Special Tag Match: Mansoor & Mason Madden Vs Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata
2. KO-D Openweight Title: Chris Brookes (c) Vs Kazusada Higuchi

Here comes the latest American tag team to make their DDT debuts. Straight from the lands of AEW and ROH it’s MxM Collection! Both Mansoor & Mason Madden sent a video where they said DDT should get ready to touch their tips. When Takagi heard that he immediately knew which two wrestlers should face them at Korakuen Hall. It’s the gatekeeper team of Dieno & Hirata!

BASARA “BASARA 285 ~CONTINUATION IS POWER~”, 03/08/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Union MAX Title: Ryota Nakatsu (c) Vs X

There is currently no one worthy to challenge Ryota Nakatsu for the Union MAX Title. Normally at this time of year it would be the winner of Chouten ~Itadaki~ but that just so happens to be Nakatsu this time around. It’s not possible for him to fight himself so he is going to spend the summer wrestling on BASARA shows to decide for himself who should be the No. 1 Contender. He will not defend the title before then.


DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 FINAL!!” Results

May 25, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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