Chouten ~Itadaki~ And King Of DDT Finals Coming Up, Summer Injured, D GENERATIONS 3

May 22, 2025

BASARA “BASARA 279 ~UTAGE~”, 23/05/2025
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Chouten ~Itadaki~ 2025 – A Block Final: Takumi Tsukamoto Vs Keisuke Ishii
2. Chouten ~Itadaki~ 2025 – B Block Final: Daiki Shimomura Vs Ryota Nakatsu
3. Isami Kodaka, TAMURA☆GENE☆ & Tomoki Hatano Vs Takato Nakano, Masato Kamino & Yasu Urano
4. Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi Vs Daichi Kazato
5. Ryuichi Sekine, FUMA & Ayumu Honda Vs SAGAT, Lil’ Kraken & Minoru Fujita
6. Chouten ~Itadaki~ 2025 – Final: X Vs X

A few of the annual summer tournaments are coming to an end this week. BASARA has the final rounds of the Chouten ~Itadaki~ taking place tomorrow. From where I’m standing it looks like Daiki Shimomura is on the path to redemption by winning the tournament a year after coming back from his suspension. However Keisuke Ishii can become the rare outsider to win the tournament and continue BASARA’s interactions with Ganbare☆Pro down the line. Ryota Nakatsu is the current Union MAX Champion whose goal is to win the tournament as champ so he can choose his next challenger. That leaves Takumi Tsukamoto hanging around as the only one in the semi final without much of a story going into tomorrow. I don’t get the feeling it’s his turn to get pushed soon either.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN SHIZUOKA”, 24/05/2025
Shizuoka Shimizu Marine Building

1. Toga Vs Mifu Ashida
2. Rika Tatsumi Vs Pom Harajuku
3. 3 Way Match: Raku Vs Mahiro Kiryu Vs Ivy Steele
4. Yuki Arai & Moka Miyamoto Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa & Chika Nanase
5. Suzume & Arisu Endo Vs Maki Itoh & Uta Takami
6. Shoko Nakajima, Yuki Aino & Haruna Neko Vs Kaya Toribami, Wakana Uehara & HIMAWARI
7. Mizuki & Haru Kazashiro Vs Miu Watanabe & Shino Suzuki

Unfortunately Kira Summer has a leg injury and will be unable to wrestle Rika Tatsumi this Saturday. Tatsumi will now face Pom Harajuku instead. The tag match Harajuku was in will now be a 3 Way Match.

DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 FINAL!!”, 25/05/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. SCHADENFREUDE International Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada Vs Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & Ilusion
2. King Of DDT 2025 – Semi Final: Kazusada Higuchi Vs Yuki Ueno
3. King Of DDT 2025 – Semi Final: KANON Vs Hideki Okatani
4. 4 Way Tag Match: HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata Vs Akito & Yuya Koroku Vs Toru Owashi & Yuki Ishida Vs Yuni & Kazuma Sumi
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Jun Akiyama, Yukio Naya & Daichi Sato Vs Shinya Aoki, Shunma Katsumata & To-y
6. DDT Universal Title: Minoru Suzuki (c) Vs Danshoku Dieno
7. King Of DDT 2025 – Final: X Vs X

The King Of DDT is also down to its final four. Kazusada Higuchi is as always only focused on the next step in front of him. Yuki Ueno continues his mission to be the person who carries DDT but he is also realizing he has to stand out more. KANON has a chance to get revenge on Hideki Okatani but Ueno is expecting Okatani to reach the final over him. In response to that KANON wants Higuchi to make the final instead of Ueno.

DDT “D GENERATIONS 3 ~ACCELERATING BATTLE, UNSTOPPABLE AMBITION~”, 12/06/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. Yuni Vs Munetatsu Nakamura
2. Ryoma Tsukamoto Vs Yuki Ishida
3. Mikiya Sasaki Vs To-y
4. Special Single Match: Soma Takao Vs Daichi Sato
5. Special Single Match: Keisuke Ishii Vs Yuya Koroku
6. Special Tag Match: Shigehiro Irie & Shota Vs Takeshi Masada & Kazuma Sumi

Away from the tournaments we also have the full card for the next D GENERATIONS show. The young versus old concept is really highlighted by making To-y wrestle the Dory Funk Jr. tribute act Mikiya Sasaki.


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

May 21, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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


Last One Standing Gets Next Princess Title Shot, Crazy Tatsumi Faces The Brahmans

May 20, 2025

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

1. Daisuke Sasaki & Ilusion Vs Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda
2. 3 Count Vs 1 Count! Count Handicap Match: Jun Akiyama Vs Kazuma Sumi
3. No English Match: HARASHIMA, Tomomitsu Matsunaga & Yuya Koroku Vs Yukio Naya, Daichi Sato & Yuki Ishida
4. Thank You Toru Owashi ~ Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 2: Toru Owashi Vs Danshoku Dieno
5. Road To KING OF DDT 2025 FINAL!! Special 4 Way Match: Kazusada Higuchi Vs Yuki Ueno Vs KANON Vs Hideki Okatani
6. Takeshi Masada Produce Match – Hardcore Match: Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada Vs Shunma Katsumata & To-y

There will be a press conference for the King Of DDT final rounds taking place after Match #2. Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ueno, KANON and Hideki Okatani will all give their comments on the semi finals before they all face off in a 4 Way Match later in the show.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN SHIZUOKA”, 24/05/2025
Shizuoka Shimizu Marine Building

1. Toga Vs Mifu Ashida
2. Rika Tatsumi Vs Kira Summer
3. Raku & Pom Harajuku Vs Mahiro Kiryu & Ivy Steele
4. Yuki Arai & Moka Miyamoto Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa & Chika Nanase
5. Suzume & Arisu Endo Vs Maki Itoh & Uta Takami
6. Shoko Nakajima, Yuki Aino & Haruna Neko Vs Kaya Toribami, Wakana Uehara & HIMAWARI
7. Mizuki & Haru Kazashiro Vs Miu Watanabe & Shino Suzuki

After Maki Itoh defeated Uta Takami last weekend they are now going to be a tag team this weekend. Daisy Monkey are a very tough challenge for them to take on straight away though.

There was a Universe Cast recorded by Kira Summer on Wrestle Universe earlier this year where she talked about how much she looks up to Rika Tatsumi. So getting a singles match with her is going to be a pretty big deal.

Yuki Kamifuku is not on the show because she will be wrestling in China that day.

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

1. Last One Standing 8-Woman Tag Team Elimination Match: Miu Watanabe Vs Maki Itoh Vs Yuki Kamifuku Vs Yuki Aino Vs Yuki Arai Vs Pom Harajuku Vs Arisu Endo Vs Jada Stone

The next challenger for the Princess Of Princess Title will be determined sort of Torneo Cibernetico style! A Last One Standing 8-Woman Tag Match will start off as a 4 Vs 4 Elimination Tag bout. Wrestlers are knocked out of the match by pinfall, submission or being thrown over the top rope to the floor. If the winning team has more than one wrestler remaining then the match will continue as a singles, 3 Way or 4 Way elimination match with the partners now facing each other as opponents. As the match name says, last one standing becomes the winner and earns the right to face Mizuki for the Princess Title. The eight participants have been selected but the two teams have not been determined yet.

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

1. MLW Women’s World Featherweight Title: Shoko Nakajima (c) Vs Kaya Toribami

One day after Kaya Toribami celebrates the 4th Anniversary of her debut match she challenges her close friend Shoko Nakajima for the MLW Women’s World Featherweight Title. Nakajima knows Toribami better than anyone else in Tokyo Joshi Pro because they’ve been friends since before Toribami became a wrestler. She’s happy a match like this is happening because it gives Toribami a chance to reach the potential Nakajima knows she has. With that being said, Nakajima is closely holding onto the MLW Women’s Title because it is currently her ticket to wrestle in America more often.

Jada Stone will be on the show.

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

1. Special Tag Match: Rika Tatsumi & Antonio Honda Vs Brahman Shu & Brahman Kei
2. Special Single Match: Suwama Vs Muscle Sakai
3. Special Single Match: Yuji Nagata Vs Ken Ohka

A new match booked by Sanshiro Takagi for his next MatchMake & Agent show. Takagi is looking for the craziest wrestler to fight The Brahman Brothers and nobody in TJPW is crazier than Rika Tatsumi! Antonio Honda will be in the match too.


DDT “EARLY SUMMER BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025 – DAY 1” Results

May 13, 2025

DDT “EARLY SUMMER BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025 – DAY 1”, 13/05/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage
??? Fans

1. 3 Way Match – Submission Rules Only: Kazusada Higuchi defeated KANON and Yuya Koroku when Higuchi submitted Koroku with a Katahajime (8:11).
2. Thank You Toru Owashi ~Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 1~ Lucha Libre Rules: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion defeated Toru Owashi, Soma Takao & Sumicaras when Okatani pinned Sumicaras with a School Boy (10:19).
3. Jun Akiyama & Antonio Honda defeated HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata when Honda pinned Hirata after the Exploder Suplex from Akiyama (9:54).
4. Danshoku Dieno Produce Match ~ Woof Woof Paradise: Danshoku Dieno (w/ Haku) Vs Shunma Katsumata (w/ Ponta & Komachi) Vs Yuki Kamifuku (w/ Zac) Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa (w/ Qoo) ended in a No Contest (18:39).
5. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Yuki Ueno defeated To-y & Takeshi Masada when Ueno pinned To-y with the WR (22:35).
-. Danshoku Dieno Produce Match ~ Woof Woof Paradise Insurance Match: Haku, Ponta, Komachi, Zac & Qoo defeated Akito and Yukio Naya when Naya awakened his love for animals (59:40).

A much needed break from King Of DDT begins this week so the time was right to visit the Beer Garden along with some cute critters. Danshoku Dieno came up with an idea to have a match between a bunch of dog owners so they could all bring their pets to the ring. So it ended up being him, Shunma Katsumata, Yuki Kamifuku and Yoshiko Hasegawa all taking part with their beloved pets running alongside them. Dieno had the foresight to realize the wrestlers would be so preoccupied with minding their dogs at ringside that they wouldn’t actually be able to actually wrestle. So Akito and Yukio Naya were booked to have a match of their own taking place at the same time. The problem with that is they wrestled too close to the dogs which could have frightened the dogs and also blocked the fans from seeing the actual stars of the show. Hisaya Imabayashi complained to them about it on the microphone and ordered Akito and Naya to have their match first out of the ring and then backstage away from the dogs. That ended Part 1 of the match.

Part 2 took place after the main event when Akito and Naya returned to ringside, still fighting each other. By this point they had been fighting for nearly an hour. The other wrestlers with their dogs returned to the ring and Dieno asked Naya to hold Haku for him. Naya couldn’t believe how cute Haku was and he burst into tears before collapsing onto his back. The other dogs Ponta, Komachi, Zac & Qoo gathered around Naya while Imabayashi explained to him just how precious their lives are. Naya understood and apologised for caring more about his match than for the dogs. The bell then rang to end the match now that Naya discovered his new love for animals.

Kazuma Sumi decided to wrestle his match wearing a plastic bag over his head with the Dos Caras mask design drawn over it. DAMNATION T.A unmasked “Sumicaras” and choked him with the bag.

Kazusada Higuchi wrestled the Submission Match wearing a Judo outfit. Yuya Koroku had KANON in the Modified Triangle Lancer when Higuchi grabbed him in a Katahajime and forced him to give up.


Back To Ueno Park, Takami’s Heart Vs Itoh’s Soul, A Memorial For Heisei’s Wrestling Mastermind

May 12, 2025

DDT “EARLY SUMMER BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025 – DAY 1”, 13/05/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. 3 Way Match – Submission Rules Only: Kazusada Higuchi Vs KANON Vs Yuya Koroku
2. Thank You Toru Owashi ~Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 1~ Lucha Libre Rules: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion Vs Toru Owashi, Soma Takao & Kazuma Sumi
3. Jun Akiyama & Antonio Honda Vs HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata
4. Danshoku Dieno Produce Match ~ Woof Woof Paradise Insurance Match: Akito Vs Yukio Naya
5. Danshoku Dieno Produce Match ~ Woof Woof Paradise: Danshoku Dieno (w/ Haku) Vs Shunma Katsumata (w/ Ponta & Komachi) Vs Yuki Kamifuku (w/ Zac) Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa (w/ Qoo)
6. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Yuki Ueno Vs To-y & Takeshi Masada

There is now a two week break from the King Of DDT tournament until the final takes place near the end of the month. Instead DDT is heading back to Ueno Park for a series of early summer shows.

DDT “D GENERATIONS 2 ~THERE’S NO LIMIT TO GROWING PAINS~”, 14/05/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. Special Single Match: Keisuke Ishii Vs Kazuma Sumi
2. Soma Takao Vs Takumi Saito
3. Yuni Vs Ali Najima
4. Hideki Okatani & Ilusion Vs Munetatsu Nakamura & Shota Kawakami
5. Special Single Match: Ryoma Tsukamoto Vs To-y
6. Special Tag Match: Shigehiro Irie & Shota Vs Takeshi Masada & Yuya Koroku

The match order for the second D GENERATIONS show has been decided.

BASARA “BASARA 278 ~KOO~”, 14/05/2025
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Ryuichi Sekine, Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi, Ayumu Honda & Reiya Igarashi Vs Takato Nakano, Masato Kamino, Lil’ Kraken & Yasu Urano
2. SAGAT & Minoru Fujita (w/ Takeru Inoue) Vs Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga (w/ Gouma Ryu)
3. Chouten ~Itadaki~ 2025 – Round 2 Block B: Daiki Shimomura Vs Tomoki Hatano
4. Chouten ~Itadaki~ 2025 – Round 2 Block A: Takumi Tsukamoto Vs Daichi Kazato
5. Chouten ~Itadaki~ 2025 – Round 2 Block B: Ryota Nakatsu Vs FUMA
6. Chouten ~Itadaki~ 2025 – Round 2 Block A: Isami Kodaka Vs Keisuke Ishii

More tournament action this week with BASARA holding the second round of its Chouten ~Itadaki~ tournament.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN SHINAGAWA VOL. 1”, 17/05/2025
Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX

1. 3 Way Match: Pom Harajuku Vs Mahiro Kiryu Vs Chika Nanase
2. Yuki Aino Vs Ivy Steele
3. Yuki Kamifuku & Raku Vs Rika Tatsumi & Haruna Neko
4. Mizuki, Wakana Uehara & Mifu Ashida Vs Miu Watanabe, Toga & Kira Summer
5. Shoko Nakajima & Kaya Toribami Vs Yuki Arai & Moka Miyamoto
6. Maki Itoh Vs Uta Takami
7. Suzume, Arisu Endo & Haru Kazashiro Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa, HIMAWARI & Shino Suzuki

The singles match between Maki Itoh and Uta Takami is going to mean a lot to Takami. She tweeted about the time she was a trainee and took an Elbow Strike from Itoh for the first time. She would never forget the pain. Then when Takami got to wrestle Itoh for the first time back in January she hit her with an Elbow Strike using all of her heart. However Itoh hit back with an Elbow Strike using all of her soul. They then had a singles match at the Garafes show in March where Takami felt like she couldn’t do anything against Itoh. It was the most depressed she ever felt so with this rematch coming up she is going to put all of her soul into it.

The two current holders of Asian championships are teaming up on this show. Yuki Kamifuku recently lost the VPW Women’s Title but still has the Queen Of Asia Title in her possession while Raku is currently the SETUP All Asia Women’s Champion.

Hyper Misao is still out of action with the right hand injury she suffered last week.

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

1. Daisuke Sasaki & Ilusion Vs Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda
2. No English Match: HARASHIMA, Akito & Yuya Koroku Vs Yukio Naya, Daichi Sato & Yuki Ishida
3. 3 Count Vs 1 Count! Count Handicap Match: Jun Akiyama Vs Kazuma Sumi
4. Thank You Toru Owashi ~ Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 2: Toru Owashi Vs Danshoku Dieno
5. Takeshi Masada Produce Match – Hardcore Match: Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada Vs Shunma Katsumata & To-y
6. Road To KING OF DDT 2025 FINAL!! Special 4 Way Match: Kazusada Higuchi Vs Yuki Ueno Vs KANON Vs Hideki Okatani

There will be a big preview of the semi finals taking place just a few days before. The final four will be pitted against each other in a 4 Way Match.

More Beer Garden inspired silliness is happening on the show. Kazuma Sumi only needs a 1 Count Pinfall to beat Jun Akiyama while Akiyama will follow the usual rules. There will also be a match where speaking in English for any reason is prohibited!

“HEISEI’S PRO WRESTLING MASTERMIND – KATSUJI NAGASHIMA’S FINAL MOVE! IKEBUKURO ROOFTOP WRESTLING”, 24/05/2025
Tokyo Yodobashi HD Ikebukuro Building Special Rooftop Venue

1. GLEAT Offer Match: Katsuhiko Nakajima & El Lindaman Vs Minoru Tanaka & Yumehito Imanari
2. DDT Offer Final nWJ Match: Ken Ohka, Yukio Nay & Soma Takao (w/ Sanshiro Takagi) Vs Tomomitsu Matsunaga, Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi

A special memorial show for the late Katsuji Nagashima will be taking place later this month. DDT, New Japan, GLEAT and Ganbare☆Pro along with the Battle News website will hold the show at the rooftop of the Yodobashi HD Ikebukuro Building in Tokyo to pay tribute to the Heisei era’s pro wrestling mastermind who passed away back in February. Admission to the event is free although visitors are encouraged to leave a donation at the reception desk with all of the funds minus the minimum expenses being donated to his widow.

The DDT match of the show will be the final match for New World Japan, the nWo Japan parody that Sanshiro Takagi put together in 2012 that included Nagashima as the unit’s backer. The GLEAT match includes Katsuhiko Nakajima who had his debut match in Wrestle Japan, the company that Nagashima helped launch after he left NJPW. The other wrestlers in the match El Lindaman, Minoru Tanaka and Yumehito Imanari also had connections with Nagashima when he was alive.

Yuji Nagata will be at the event as one of the guests for a talk show segment being held in between the two matches. Also former AKB48 idol Chisato Nakata will be the special ring announcer for the event. She was a radio host with Nakajima for over two years on a show called Avalanche Brainbuster Radio.

DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 FINAL!!”, 25/05/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. 4 Way Tag Match: HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata Vs Akito & Yuya Koroku Vs Toru Owashi & Yuki Ishida Vs Yuni & Kazuma Sumi
2. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Jun Akiyama, Yukio Naya & Daichi Sato Vs Shinya Aoki, Shunma Katsumata & To-y
3. SCHADENFREUDE International Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada Vs Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & Ilusion
4. DDT Universal Title: Minoru Suzuki (c) Vs Danshoku Dieno
5. King Of DDT 2025 – Semi Final: KANON Vs Hideki Okatani
6. King Of DDT 2025 – Semi Final: Kazusada Higuchi Vs Yuki Ueno
7. King Of DDT 2025 – Final: X Vs X

So how are the semi finals shaking out? Kazusada Higuchi and Yuki Ueno are both trying to climb back to the top of DDT. Higuchi’s run has been presenting him as being completely recovered from his injuries while Ueno has a specific vision of DDT in mind that he feels only he can lead. Meanwhile KANON has a grudge match with Hideki Okatani. It was Okatani who helped DAMNATION T.A kick KANON out of the unit as his replacement and the new mean streak has served him well ever since. KANON found a new path to change the error of his ways but a chance at revenge might briefly turn him back into a psychopath.

DDT “NAGOYA FIGHT FEVER 2025”, 01/06/2025
Aichi Chunichi Hall & Conference

1. Akito Vs Yuya Koroku
2. Thank You Toru Owashi ~ Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 3: Toru Owashi Vs Danshoku Dieno Vs Antonio Honda Vs Kazuki Hirata
3. Special Tag Match: HARASHIMA & Yasu Urano Vs Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida
4. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion (c) Vs Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y

Nagoya sees Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida joining together as a tag team for the first time since Yoshimura’s return from injury. Their opponents are the Smile Squash tag team of HARASHIMA & Yasu Urano.


DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 2ND ROUND” Results

May 10, 2025

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


King Of DDT Round 2, Ken & Mio Reunite, Yoppy’s To-Do List

May 7, 2025

DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 2ND ROUND”, 10/05/2025
Shinjuku FACE

1. MJ Paul & Ilusion Vs Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi
2. Danshoku Dieno, Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Shunma Katsumata, Soma Takao & To-y
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Chris Brookes, Akito & Antonio Honda Vs Jun Akiyama, Shinya Aoki & Daichi Sato
4. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 2: Kazusada Higuchi Vs Takeshi Masada
5. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 2: HARASHIMA Vs Hideki Okatani
6. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 2: Yukio Naya Vs KANON
7. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 2: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Yuki Ueno

Round 2 for King Of DDT takes place this Saturday with eight wrestlers being whittled down to four. DAMNATION T.A have a chance to fill up half of the semi-finals if Daisuke Sasaki and Hideki Okatani both win their matches. HARASHIMA hardly broke a sweat in his 1st Round match though and Yuki Ueno is feeling pretty motivated to climb back to the top of DDT too. KANON is calling himself the “Yukio Naya Killer” because Naya has never beaten him in their previous singles matches. That also leaves Kazusada Higuchi and Takeshi Masada fighting each other over one of the remaining spots.

When Round 2 has been completed a lottery will be held to pair off the semi-final matches.

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

1. Falls Count Anywhere 6-Man Tag Match: Chris Brookes, Shinya Aoki & Takeshi Masada Vs Yukio Naya, Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi
2. Falls Count Anywhere 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y Vs HARASHIMA, Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata

The next day there will be not one but two Falls Count Anywhere matches taking place around a track cycling stadium in Kanagawa.

DDT “EARLY SUMMER BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025 – DAY 1”, 13/05/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. Jun Akiyama & Antonio Honda Vs HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata
2. 3 Way Match – Submission Rules Only: Kazusada Higuchi Vs KANON Vs Yuya Koroku
3. Thank You Toru Owashi ~Toru Owashi 20th Anniversary Of DDT Participation Series Vol. 1~ Lucha Libre Rules: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion Vs Toru Owashi, Soma Takao & Kazuma Sumi
4. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Yuki Ueno Vs To-y & Takeshi Masada
5. Danshoku Dieno Produce Match ~ Woof Woof Paradise Insurance Match: Akito Vs Yukio Naya
6. Danshoku Dieno Produce Match ~ Woof Woof Paradise: Danshoku Dieno (w/ Haku) Vs Shunma Katsumata (w/ Ponta & Komachi) Vs Yuki Kamifuku (w/ Zac) Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa (w/ Qoo)

Since there is no guarantee that the dogs in the main event will behave themselves, Danshoku Dieno decided to book a stable, no nonsense singles match between Akito and Yukio Naya as an insurance plan just in case the main event goes wrong.

The Beer Garden show will also begin DDT’s celebration of Toru Owashi wrestling on their shows for 20 years. He first showed up on DDT’s doorstep in 2005 and he’s been working with the company almost ever since, save for a year long hiatus he took from wrestling in 2011.

DDT “D GENERATIONS 2 ~THERE’S NO LIMIT TO GROWING PAINS~”, 14/05/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. Yuni Vs Ali Najima
2. Hideki Okatani & Ilusion Vs Munetatsu Nakamura & Shota Kawakami
3. Special Single Match: Ryoma Tsukamoto Vs To-y
4. Soma Takao Vs Takumi Saito
5. Special Single Match: Keisuke Ishii Vs Kazuma Sumi
6. Special Tag Match: Shigehiro Irie & Shota Vs Takeshi Masada & Yuya Koroku

Yuki Ishida is still out of action recovering from a concussion so his match with Keisuke Ishii has to be changed. Kazuma Sumi will now be Ishii’s opponent to continue the D GENERATIONS Vs Young Communication feud. Soma Takao will now face Nagoya wrestler Takumi Saito. He can recently be seen on Tochigi Pro shows as well as HEAT-UP.

GANBARE☆PRO “BOAT RACE TODA”, 18/05/2025
Saitama Boat Race Toda

1. Ken Ohka & Mio Shirai Vs Daisuke® & YuuRI
2. Yuki Kanzaki & Tyson Maeguchi Vs Mizuki Watase & Reiya Igarashi
3. Kyoko Inoue & Moeka Haruhi Vs Yuna Manase & Ibuki Hoshi
4. The Great Sasuke & Munetatsu Nakamura Vs Shinichiro Tominaga & Shota Kawakami
5. Shuichiro Katsumura, Takuya Wada & Choun-Shiryu Vs Yumehito Imanari, Keisuke Ishii & Tatsuhito Takaiwa

It’s back to the boat races for Ganbare☆Pro with an unexpected reunion on the cards. Ken Ohka & Mio Shirai are teaming up again for the first time in 13 years! Back in the Union Pro days they had a tsundere relationship where Shirai dominated Ohka but could never quite want to get rid of him. They had a regular spot where she would submit Ohka with a Headscissors and boy did writing about that in my show reports at the time result in some readers searching my site hoping to find similar fetish wrestling content. WordPress kept track of the search terms back then you perverts!

Oh, also The Great Sasuke and Kyoko Inoue will be on the show too.

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

1. Special Tag Team Match: Great King Ueki & Munek Vs Brahman Shu & Brahman Kei
2. Special Single Match: Mr. Bueno Vs Fuminori Abe
3. BK-G Openweight Title: Mr. Malo (c) Vs Antonio Honda

The last Baka Gaijin + Friends show ended with a brand new BK-G Openweight Champion. The next show sees Mr. Malo having his first defence with Antonio Honda stepping up to be his challenger.

Things aren’t going Mr. Bueno’s way lately so maybe a spiritual battle with Fuminori Abe will cure what ails him.

We also last saw Great King Ueki & Munek capture the soul of Ram Kaichow, leaving her body behind as a husk following after them. Are they satisfied with what they got or do they want more? Throwing The Brahman Brothers against them is only going to cause chaos even if no soul catching takes place.

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

1. International Princess Title: Suzume (c) Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa

Before Yoshiko Hasegawa retires she still has a few things to check off her list. Most important of all is challenging Suzume for the International Princess Title. Her idea got a negative response from some fans but she decided in the end to go through with it and eventually got everyone’s approval. Suzume will earn her 4th defence if she wins this match and that’s about the level her kind of IP Title reign usually reaches.

Jada Stone is advertised for the show. Yesterday she vaguely tweeted “Sadly, All Good Things Must Come To An End…” along with a highlight video of herself. So she’s making it sound like she’s either about to call it quits or she just got signed somewhere.

DDT “NAGOYA FIGHT FEVER 2025”, 01/06/2025
Aichi Chunichi Hall & Conference

1. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion (c) Vs Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y

After Shunma Katsumata failed to win back the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles with NωA Jr. so he gets another title shot this time with The 37KAMIINA. What’s he going to do to get a third chance if he loses to DAMNATION T.A again. Reform ALL OUT?

Minoru Suzuki will be on the show.

GANBARE☆PRO “BLUE VELVET 2025”, 22/06/2025
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Yoshiko Hasegawa’s Last Ganbare☆Pro Wrestling Match: Moeka Haruhi, Yuna Manase & Banny Oikawa Vs YuuRI, Yoshiko Hasegawa & Riara

Also on Yoppy’s to do list is one final match in GanPro. She reunites with the Ganbare☆Joshi division for her farewell, including the return of Riara to the promotion. Riara has been busy lately doing her best over in Marigold.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW INSPIRATION”, 28/06/2025
TOKYO SQUARE In Itabashi

1. 3 Minute Exhibition Match: Ai Shimizu Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa
2. Suzume & Arisu Endo Vs Gabai Ji-chan & Mahiro Kiryu
3. Tae Honma & Miyuki Takase Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa & Kaya Toribami
4. Mizuki & Miu Watanabe Vs Haru Kazashiro & Uta Takami

The “TJPW INSPIRATION” show is being brought back for Tokyo Joshi Pro’s first event at the new TOKYO SQUARE In Itabashi venue. The main event sees the two strongest TJPW wrestlers currently in Japan taking on the two youngest members of the roster. The youthful energy of Daisy Monkey will be pitted against the combination of years old wisdom plus earnestness found in Gabai Ji-chan & Mahiro Kiryu.

Plus Hasegawa gets two special matches with special guests involved. The main one is a tag match with against Tae Honma & Miyuki Takase bringing back memories of Actwres girl’z for the three of them. But also there will be a short exhibition match against Ai Shimizu, who has not wrestled since 2017. The two of them once starred in a wrestling themed play together back when they were both actresses and Shimizu was already gone from the wrestling business by the time Hasegawa debuted so they never got to be in the ring together. Hasegawa wanted it to happen so she came up with the idea to do an exhibition match and convinced Shimizu to do it.

GANBARE☆PRO “MIZUKI WATASE 10TH ANNIVERSARY – IT’S A SUMMER FILM 2025”, 26/08/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Mizuki Watase 10th Anniversary Match – Fluorescent Lighttube Death Match: Mizuki Watase Vs Jun Kasai

This was already announced but I forgot to write about it in the news section until now. Mizuki Watase wants to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of his debut match by fighting Jun Kasai with Lighttubes. He’s a nutjob.


DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 1ST ROUND” Results

May 6, 2025

DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 1ST ROUND”, 06/05/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
??? Fans – Unannounced

0. Dark Match – 3 Way Tag Match: MJ Paul & Ilusion defeated Toru Owashi & Tomomitsu Matsunaga and Yuni & Kazuma Sumi when Ilusion pinned Sumi with a Rope-Assisted School Boy (5:31).
0. Dark Match: Jun Akiyama & Danshoku Dieno defeated MAO & Kazuki Hirata (w/ KIMIHIRO) when Dieno submitted Hirata with a Strong Chicken Wing Sleeper Hold (8:25).
1. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: Yuki Ueno defeated Antonio Honda with the Blackout Sleeper (15:05).
2. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: Daisuke Sasaki defeated Akito with the Crossover Face Lock (4:44).
3. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: KANON defeated Shunma Katsumata with the Cobra Twist 2.0 (9:16).
4. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: Yukio Naya defeated Daichi Sato with The World’s Best Back Drop (12:33).
5. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: Hideki Okatani defeated To-y with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster (11:58).
6. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: HARASHIMA defeated Chris Brookes with the Somato (0:22).
7. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: Takeshi Masada defeated Yuya Koroku with the Masada No Chikara KOBU Mukimuki (12:10).
8. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1: Kazusada Higuchi defeated Shinya Aoki with the Claw (15:34).

Kazusada Higuchi sent a message loud and clear in the opening round of this year’s King Of DDT tournament. He has reached a complete recovery! The final match of the 1st Round pitted Higuchi against Shinya Aoki over two and a half years after their KO-D Openweight Title bout against each other. The rematch featured grappling from Aoki, Higuchi no selling his head hitting off the corner post, the Aoki Clutch being kicked out of and a costly mistake from Aoki after that. He gave Higuchi a Headbutt that only hurt himself, giving Higuchi the opening to clamp on the Claw and make Aoki tap out! Higuchi said he only focused on fighting Aoki and hasn’t thought about anything beyond that. He described Aoki as being frighteningly strong. Aoki admitted he felt relieved after the match because Higuchi is refreshingly strong. It is the strength of somebody regaining the ground he lost. A reporter pointed out this is the first time in a while Aoki has lost to the same fighter twice in a row. Aoki knew who the reporter is talking about and compared Higuchi to Hayato Sakurai. Aoki is also now looking to the future as an unemployed man because he is no longer under contract to ONE FC. He might follow Sayaka Unagi’s example and put together his own independent event.

Meeting Higuchi in the next round will be Takeshi Masada. He avenged the D GENERATIONS CUP final loss to Yuya Koroku thanks to his perfect calculations of how it would go this time. Koroku targeted the arm so Masada focused on leg based attacks including Dropkicking a chair into his opponent at ringside. He was also able to break out of the Modified Triangle Lancer and caught Koroku with the Masada No Chikara KOBU Mukimuki to get the win. Masada said it is one of the new formulas he came up with since the DGC so he has Koroku to thank for that. He said Higuchi has a great Japanese spirit but so does he and he will bring it out to show everyone in DDT for the next round. Koroku is really disappointed his tournament is over already but he knows he’s been through lower lows than this. He will go on as he is now.

A record was broken on today’s show. HARASHIMA defeated Chris Brookes in just 22 seconds, the fastest time ever in King Of DDT history! Brookes got the jump on HARASHIMA with a Dropkick during the entrances and quickly went for the Praying Mantis Bomb. But HARASHIMA popped out of the move and fired a short range Somato at Brookes before hitting the full on version for the shock three count! HARASHIMA said he responded calmly to the ambush and just went with his gut resulting in a perfect victory against the KO-D Champion. He hasn’t given up on winning the title again and every fan who came to the show today all know it is possible.

To-y’s hopes of finally getting to face Brookes one on one were already extinguished at this point because he was already eliminated by Hideki Okatani. There was a little bit of help from MJ Paul and Ilusion but To-y fought against the odds and almost won with the Kojima In Wonderland. Okatani hit back with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster and that was enough for him to advance to Round 2. Afterwards he said To-y is as hot headed and annoying as ever. Okatani will next face HARASHIMA. He said HARASHIMA is not an ace but a corpse fighting against the times.

There are not a lot of heavyweights in the tournament this year and now even less so when one knocked out another in the 1st Round. Yukio Naya put Daichi Sato through his paces, beating him down while withstanding the young wrestler’s return strikes. Sato kept it up though and soon Naya was breaking down. A High Kick followed by a Rolling Elbow and a Brainbuster gave Sato a nearfall. Naya turned things around with Knee Butts and Elbow Strikes before putting his opponent away with The World’s Best Back Drop. Naya said Sato will grow in DDT just like he did and the next time they fight, Sato should try to surprise him even more. Sato was thankful to compete in the tournament so soon after joining the company. His goal is to become the face of DDT’s heavyweight division but he’ll need to surpass Naya first.

One of the first round matches was a little bit awkward because it pitted MAO’s current tag partner against his ex-tag partner. KANON looked to have gotten the better of Shunma Katsumata when he put him in the Cobra Twist 2.0. Katsumata wouldn’t submit though despite having no way to escape. It led to a situation on the ring apron where Kazuma Sumi wanted to throw in the towel but Yuni wouldn’t let him. They had a tug of war over the towel until they lost their grips and accidentally threw it into the ring. This happened right when Katsumata tapped out anyway so it was still a valid win for KANON. Katsumata gave his approval to KANON afterwards because he thinks he is now on the right path. KANON said he has a lot of respect for ShunMao which is why Strange Love Connection will do things differently from MAO’s other team. He also called himself the “Yukio Naya Killer” because he has never lost to Naya in singles matches. They just so happen to be facing each other in the next round.

Akito wanted to make quick work of Daisuke Sasaki and grabbed him by the leg as he entered the ring. That advantage was ruined when Ilusion got into the ring to distract Akito by flipping him off. Akito turned back and continued going for Sasaki’s legs but a counter attack led to Sasaki trapping him in the Crossover Face Lock for the submission victory. Akito admitted he was arrogant when he said this year’s tournament might be his last chance to win King Of DDT and the KO-D Title. He has a lot to think about but he wants to be involved in the main storyline of DDT within the next year. Sasaki originally said he wanted this to be a Hair Vs Hair match but in honor of Akito’s effort he decided not to go through with the stipulation. His Round 2 match though? He wants is to be Hair Vs Hair because he gets joy in life by making his next opponent miserable.

That next opponent is Yuki Ueno. He was taking on a sentimental favorite in this year’s competition because Antonio Honda was competing on behalf of the injured Masahiro Takanashi. While Honda did pull out the Shining Gongitsune, he also used his serious techniques to try and win including the Octopus Hold, the Tenzan Tombstone Driver and the Diving Fist Drop. Unfortunately Honda ran out of steam after Ueno hit him with a Dropkick followed by the WR. He was almost counted out for a KO but got back to his feet at nine. Ueno ended up putting him in the Blackout Sleeper to choke him out for the win. Ueno promised to carry Honda’s feelings with him for the rest of the tournament as he begins his path to win back the KO-D Title and make DDT even more fun and interesting. He noticed that even though DAMNATION T.A is usually a gloomy group, Sasaki has been having more fun lately…

There were two non-tournament dark matches in the pre-show. One of them was to continue showing how Danshoku Dieno is taking pro wrestling seriously for his upcoming match with Minoru Suzuki. He proved this by trying to stop Kazuki Hirata from dancing. MAO tried to get Jun Akiyama to dance by offering him the Hirata GO! glasses but Akiyama gave him the Exploder Suplex instead. He then heard the fans chanting for him to put the glasses on so he did so. But just when he started to dance, Dieno made Hirata tap out to a Crossface Chicken Wing and the match ended.

The other dark match was meant to include Soma Takao but he was feeling unwell and was replaced by Tomomitsu Matsunaga. He and Toru Owashi worked together as best as they could in the 3 Way Tag Match but in the end DAMNATION T.A got the win over NωA Jr when Ilusion used the ropes for a leveraged pin on Sumi after Low Blowing him.

Yet again NωA Jr.’s show opening performance was hijacked by KIMIHIRO and the Strange Love Connection. This time Sumi tried to fight back by challenging KIMIHIRO to a rap battle but he quickly lost his flow and ran out of the ring feeling really embarrassed.


DDT “SENDAI NEW LEGEND 2025 ~SASA KAMABOKO~” Results

May 4, 2025

DDT “SENDAI NEW LEGEND 2025 ~SASA KAMABOKO~”, 04/05/2025
Miyagi Yume Messe Miyagi
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Hideki Okatani defeted Kazuma Sumi with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster (6:43).
2. 3 Way Match: Toru Owashi defeated Danshoku Dieno and Yuni when Owashi pinned Yuni with La Magistral Cradle (7:45).
3. Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & Ilusion defeated Makoto Oishi, Akito & Yukio Naya when Sasaki submitted Oishi with the Crossface Lock (10:36).
4. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Yuya Koroku defeated Jun Akiyama & Kazuki Hirata when Higuchi submitted Hirata with the Claw (10:41).
5. SCHADENFREUDE International Vs The 37KAMIINA!: Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y defeated Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada when Ueno pinned Honda with a Japanese Leg Roll Clutch (14:41).
6. Special Tag Match: MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) defeated HARASHIMA & Daichi Sato when MAO pinned Sato after the Alien Love Call (14:27).

The King Of DDT 2025 is beginning in two days time so this show was the last chance for everyone to get ready for the tournament. KANON felt the need to act as a shield for MAO against the barrage of kicks from HARASHIMA & Daichi Sato. Once he collapsed he was filled with regret he wasn’t able to protect MAO more. But Strange Love Connection rebounded and used their new tag finisher called the Alien Love Call to win. The move is KANON’s Modified Facebuster but with MAO joining in to add more rotation to the victim taking it. After the match MAO told the Miyagi fans he will be back as soon as next week because the Best Of The Super Jr. tour will be stopping by and he’ll be competing on it. He wants DDT fans to come see the show to make his match more of a rivalry against New Japan.

Tension is building up between Yuki Ueno and Antonio Honda for their 1st Round match. During their faceoff in Match #5 Honda gave Ueno the Tenzan Tombstone Driver and tried to pin him with the Japanese Leg Roll Clutch. However Ueno reversed the move and used it to pin Honda instead. Earlier in the match SCHADENFREUDE International brought in a kid from the crowd to take part in their tower spot on To-y. The other members of The 37KAMIINA felt the need to join in too.

For the second day in a row the Strange Love Connection interrupted NωA Jr.’s opening performance and took it over so KIMIHIRO could rap for the audience.


King Of DDT 2025 Press Conference

May 2, 2025

DDT “KING OF DDT 2025 1ST ROUND”, 06/05/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. Dark Match – 3 Way Tag Match: MJ Paul & Ilusion Vs Toru Owashi & Soma Takao Vs Yuni & Kazuma Sumi
0. Dark Match: Jun Akiyama & Danshoku Dieno Vs MAO & Kazuki Hirata (w/ KIMIHIRO)
1. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1A: Antonio Honda Vs Yuki Ueno
2. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1B: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Akito
3. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1C: KANON Vs Shunma Katsumata
4. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1D: Yukio Naya Vs Daichi Sato
5. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1E: Hideki Okatani Vs To-y
6. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1F: Chris Brookes Vs HARASHIMA
7. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1G: Takeshi Masada Vs Yuya Koroku
8. King Of DDT 2025 – Round 1H: Shinya Aoki Vs Kazusada Higuchi

With the King Of DDT about to begin next week a press conference was held at Kanda Myojin Cultural Center yesterday featuring all 16 participants giving their opinions on their opening round matches. Yuki Ueno said his plan is to win the tournament and become KO-D Openweight Champion again. DDT will become a wild and fun place to be with himself at the centre. Antonio Honda is entering as the replacement for Masahiro Takanashi so he was at a loss for words at first. He will be getting into the ring with something big on his mind and will fight with all of the gratitude, respect and prayer for the people who have helped him.

Akito is entering the tournament for the first time since 2021. He explained he missed out on the last couple of tournaments not because his behind the scenes job became bigger but because DDT’s roster has grown so much that he just couldn’t make the cut. He thinks this may be his last chance to win King Of DDT which could then become his last chance to win the KO-D Title. A drunk Daisuke Sasaki changed the subject by saying when people think of him against Akito, they think Hair Vs Hair! Sasaki suggested he gets to shave every person he beats bald until he wins the tournament. Akito declined. If it was every single match in the tournament he would let the idea happen but just doing it for Sasaki Vs Akito isn’t worth the bother. Honda said he is already bald so the rule doesn’t worry him if he has to fight Sasaki in Round 2.

It’s also been a while since Shunma Katsumata took part in King Of DDT. He remembers how important the first round is so if he can get past it he knows he will win the whole thing. He has lots of friends taking part too so if they all advance to the later rounds together they can all win it too. KANON doesn’t understand Katsumata’s point but said this tournament will be meaningful for him now that he has fully joined up with DDT. He will be part of this while MAO is competing in the Best Of The Super Jr. He will aim to win and stand next to MAO as somebody worthy to team with him.

Young Daichi Sato has loudly declared his goal is to win the KO-D Title while he is still in his second year of high school. Winning the King Of DDT will be his quickest way to achieve that goal. Yukio Naya has said 2025 is going to be make or break for him. He hasn’t accomplised anyhing yet this year which means the timing is right for him to win the tournament and become KO-D Champion. Sato’s chances of making his dream come true are going to be low as long as Naya is still here!

When it was Hideki Okatani’s turn to speak he kept silent for a long time. When he finally did say something it was just “I’ll do my best.” To-y has had many singles matches with Okatani but never won any of them. When Okatani was injured To-y waited for him to come back so to hear him just say he’ll do his best leaves To-y feeling disappointed. He’ll just have to beat him and then in the next round face an opponent who will actually be hyped up to fight him. Somebody like Chris Brookes or one of his friends in The 37KAMIINA. That prompted Brookes to say something but all he put out was he will win as the KO-D Champion and nominate his next challenger afterwards.

HARASHIMA was uncharacteristically angry at To-y’s comments because it means To-y assumes Brookes will beat HARASHIMA in Round 1. So now HARASHIMA wants himself and To-y to win their matches so HARASHIMA can beat up To-y in Round 2! Brookes calmed things down by reminding everyone that HARASHIMA is the strongest wrestler in DDT so Brookes will have to be at his best against him. He then noticed the fancy looking suit that To-y was wearing and asked him how much it cost? To-y said he spent 70,000 yen on it. Brookes then asked how did he get the money to pay for it because he remembers the lines in Sapporo for To-y’s autograph were really short. To-y said he has a credit card and buy anything with it. The suit was already bought in advance so if To-y wins the tournament then he clear the debt off his card!

The D GENERATIONS CUP match between Takeshi Masada and Yuya Koroku hasn’t escaped either of their minds. Koroku’s dream now is to fight for the KO-D Title again and this time win it. He remembers his win over Masada in the DGC 1st Round was a close one so this time he is going to face him with all of his might. Masada has been eliminated from Round 1 two tournaments in a row now so Koroku doesn’t understand his feelings. This match will be the most Masada has ever committed to win just so he can reach Round 2.

It’s been a month since Kazusada Higuchi has returned from injury and he feels he’s been rebuilding his skills one step at a time. He will concentrate on each and every match in front of him, the first being against Shinya Aoki. It doesn’t matter to Aoki if this is a tournament match or not. He is just excited he gets to fight Higuchi one on one and wants to beat him by submission if it’s possible.