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!


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.