Golden Lovers Sign IWGP Title Match

November 5, 2010

The IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title match set for DDT on 14th November has been signed and made official. New Japan officials joined Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega at a river for the contract signing. The reason was Ibushi wanted to defend the titles on the riverfront. When that was denied, Omega suggested having the title defence take place inside NJPW HQ. That was denied too. The officials had the Golden Lovers sign the contract before they could suggest having the match take place in a field covered in snow. Can’t blame the champs for trying to be creative.

DDT “OSAKA BAY BLUES SPECIAL”, 14/11/2010
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium #2

1. Young Drama Cup: Yukihiro Abe vs. Kazuki Hirata
2. Young Drama Cup: Takao Soma vs. Shigehiro Irie
3. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega (c) vs. Prince Devitt  & Ryusuke Taguchi
4. KO-D Openweight Title: HARASHIMA (c) vs. Hikaru Sato


Golden Lovers Vs Apollo 55 Rematch Confirmed! Some Other News Too

October 25, 2010

DDT already has its top two matches booked for their return to the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium next month and they are both something to really look forward too. The big one sees those two Golden Lovers, Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega defend their newly won IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Titles against the very team they won them from Apollo 55! The New Japan duo are heading into Dramatic territory in a bid to win those belts back. (Speaking of Golden Lovers Vs Apollo 55, we’re still waiting on that NJPW Sumo Hall show to come online. Come on Japan, what’s taking so long?)

Sticking closer to home is the other big match signed, HARASHIMA defending the KO-D Openweight Title against Hikaru Sato. The neko maid shoot fighter has seen his profile raise significantly over the past year and his recent win over Kota Ibushi was enough to earn him his chance at the title. If HARASHIMA defeats Sato, he will match his personal best of KO-D Title defences at 3 wins.

DDT “OSAKA BAY BLUES SPECIAL”, 14/11/2010
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium #2

1. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega (c) Vs Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi
2. KO-D Openweight Title: HARASHIMA (c) Vs Hikaru Sato

In a surprising turn of events, DDT founder Sanshiro Takagi will be moving over to the UNION brand after his defeat to Toru Owashi. But before he leaves DDT for the time being he will have one more match at the next Korakuen Hall show. Takagi and a partner of his choice will take on puro legend Genichiro Tenryu! Oh, and Masao Orihara too but nobody cares about him (I know I don’t).

DDT, 28/11/2010
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Sanshiro Takagi & X Vs Genichiro Tenryu & Masao Orihara

In business news, one of DDT’s restaurants will be getting a new name and new management. The Mitsuboshi Curry restaurant will have Cherry taking over as its manager and the new name will be introduced in two weeks. DDT currently runs three food and drink establishments in Tokyo, the Dropkick Bar and Ebisuku Bar & Grill which are both in Shinjuku and Mitsuboshi Curry in Mitaka. Many DDT wrestlers work in these places while pursuing their wrestling careers and the success of these businesses makes DDT is one of the more finacially healthy wrestling promotions in Japan today.


Golden Lovers Win IWGP Jr. Tag Titles!

October 11, 2010

(Note: Above image is only a placeholder until pics from the show come out. Still adorable though, eh?)

Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega have done it! They went over to New Japan for today’s big “DESTRUCTION ‘10” event in Sumo Hall and defeated Apollo 55 to become the new IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champions when Ibushi pinned Prince Devitt with the Firebird Splash, avenging his loss to the Irishman back at the Best Of Super Juniors final. This gives DDT possession of its highest profile championship yet and arguably crowns the Golden Lovers as the best Jr. Heavy Tag Team in Japan today.

NJPW “DESTRUCTION ‘10”, 10/11/10
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
8,800 Fans – No Vacancy

5. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Kota Ibushi & Kenny Omega defeated Prince Devitt & Ryusuke Taguchi (c) when Ibushi pinned Devitt with the Firebird Splash (15:05).
*Apollo 55 fail in V2. Golden Lovers become the 27th Champions.


Sapporo Card, Golden Lovers Vs Apollo 55, Togo & Urano To NOAH, Ohka In SMASH

September 28, 2010

DDT “SAPPORO PRO-WRESTLING FESTIVAL”
10/10/2010
Sapporo Teisen Hall

1. Nunchucks & Nunchucks Board Death Match: Hiroki Vs Chiharu
2. Antonio Honda Vs Tomoya
3. Dick Togo & GENTARO Vs Daisuke Sasaki & Takao Soma
4. 3 Way Match: Yasu Urano Vs Keisuke Ishii Vs DJ Nira
5. Kota Ibushi, Kenny Omega & Futoshi Miwa Vs Sanshiro Takagi, KUDO & Yukihiro Abe
6. HARASHIMA & Toru Owashi Vs Michael Nakazawa & Hikaru Sato
7. KO-D Tag Team Title: Shiro Koshinaka & Danshoku Dino (c) Vs MIKAMI & Tanomusaku Toba

It’s official, the Golden Lovers will take on Apollo 55 for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Titles over in New Japan. The match I have been waiting for the entire year will finally take place in Sumo Hall for NJPW’s “DESTRUCTION ‘10” card in October. This match pits the two top Jr Heavyweight teams in Japan today and the four men have crossed paths several times over the last two years. Prince Devitt and Kota Ibushi fought each other three times with Devitt leading 2-1 in that series of matches. Ryusuke Taguchi also beat Ibushi back in the 2009 Best Of The Super Juniors. Devitt recently beat Kenny Omega in a recent IWGP Jr. Title defence but Omega has been undefeated against Taguchi.

DDT will be represented in NOAH’s upcoming NTV Cup Jr. Tag League. Dick Togo & Yasu Urano have been paired together for the tournament.

Ken Ohka made an appearance at SMASH.8 to say he will be wrestling there soon. Akira Shoji confronted him during the show, possibly to set up a match between the two in the future.


Upcoming DDT Cards for September & October

September 15, 2010

DDT “WHO’S GONNA TOP? 2010”
26/09/2010
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. Antonio Honda Vs Kazuki Hirata
1. Dick Togo & GENTARO Vs KUDO & Yasu Urano
2. Trial Unit Gauntlet Match: MIKAMI & Tanomusaku Toba Vs Shigehiro Irie & Hoshitango Vs Rion Mizuki & Takao Soma Vs Keisuke Ishii & Yukihiro Abe
3. Michael Nakazawa, Hikaru Sato & Tomimitsu Matsunaga Vs Great Kojika, Emi Sakura & Ultraman Robin
4. Muscle Sakai DDT Last Match: Sanshiro Takagi Vs Muscle Sakai
5. Special Singles Match: Kota Ibushi Vs Daisuke Sasaki
6. KO-D Tag Team Title: Shiro Koshinaka & Danshoku Dino (c) Vs HARASHIMA & Toru Owashi

A pretty busy card for Korakuen Hall. The KO-D Tag Team Championships take the headline spot with Shiro Koshinaka & Danshoku Dino facing Disaster-BOX duo HARASHIMA & Toru Owashi. The result of this match might help determine the next challenger for HARASHIMA’s KO-D Openweight Title or even Dino’s DDT Extreme Title.

Kota Ibushi makes his return to the ring facing off against Daisuke Sasaki. Ibushi’s return from injury was spoiled by YOSHIHIKO at last week’s Camping Ground event. Here, Sasaki can add salt to the wounds with a major victory over the Golden Star that would springboard him back into title contention.

The last days of Muscle Sakai wrestling before his retirement now leads to his final match for the DDT brand against Sanshiro Takagi. While his retirement show won’t take place until a forthnight later, it will still be an emotional match for everyone involved.

The Shit Heart ♥ Foundation marks its first match as a group by taking on the random squad of the Great Kojika from Big Japan, Emi Sakura of Ice Ribbon and Ultraman Robin of Specialist Global Pro. Never knew Robin had his own promotion.

The fresh set of teams formed during the Battle Royal at Shin-Kiba earlier this month will all face each other in a Gauntlet match. No Engrish team names made yet though. Also Dick Togo and GENTARO have their first match together as a team against the former Tag Champs KUDO & Yasu Urano.

DDT “SAPPORO PRO-WRESTLING FESTIVAL”
10/10/2010
Sapporo Teisen Hall

1. Nunchucks & Nunchucks Board Death Match: Hiroki Vs Chiharu
2. Antonio Honda Vs Tomoya
3. Dick Togo & GENTARO Vs Daisuke Sasaki & Takao Soma
4. 3 Way Match: Yasu Urano Vs Keisuke Ishii Vs DJ Nira
5. Kota Ibushi, Kenny Omega & Futoshi Miwa Vs Sanshiro Takagi, KUDO & Yukihiro Abe
6. Losers From 26/09 Tag Title Match Vs Michael Nakazawa & Hikaru Sato
7. KO-D Tag Team Title: KO-D Tag Team Champions After 26/09 Vs MIKAMI & Tanomusaku Toba

The Suicide Boyz have been given a second chance to go after the KO-D Tag Titles. MIKAMI & Tanomusaku Toba became the No. 1 Contenders at Sumo Hall, but their title match with Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa turned into a Three Way with Dino & Koshinaka thrown into the mix. It was Dino & Koshinaka who became champions while the Suicide Boyz were left cursing at the unfair decision of adding another team. To make it up to them, DDT has given MIKAMI & Toba another title shot and this time there will be no other teamds added to the mix. But who they face won’t be determined until the Korakuen Hall show takes place.


“CAMPSITE PRO-WRESTLING” Results

September 13, 2010

DDT “CAMPING-GROUND PRO-WRESTLING 2010 ~ THANK YOU DRAMATIC DREAM TEAM FAREWELL CAMPGROUND”
12/09/2010
Yamanashi Natureland Om

1. 4 Way Tag Match: Keisuke Ishii & YOSHIHIKO defeated Dick Togo & Kota Ibushi, Michael Nakazawa & Mammoth Handa and Sanshiro Takagi & Muscle Sakai when YOSHIHIKO pinned Ibushi with the YOSHIHIKO Destroyer (59:08).

When the two buses arrived at the Yamanashi Natureland this morning, the visitors entering the site were not there for a camping trip. Instead, they travelled to see the third and final DDT “Camping-Ground Pro-Wrestling” show. In recent times, Yamanashi played home to one of DDT’s most famous shows that were filled with epic matches that spanned the entire parkland. Rocks were thrown, fireworks were let loose and people did Moonsaults into ponds. Every time a show took place here, more and more wrestlers have been added to the headline (and usually only) match. This time the fans were treated to a 4 Way Tag match with some unusual pairings. Kota Ibushi returned from injury and teamed with Dick Togo, Keisuke Ishii brought YOSHIHIKO along, Michael Nakazawa found Mammoth Handa from the depths of mediocrity and Sanshiro Takagi sided with Muscle Sakai as Sakai’s career goes through its final days. The head official for the match was Yukinori Matsui and he was joined by Tomomitsu Matsunaga as the back-up ref for when the action splits apart. Before the match could begin, the special guest announcers used an ocarina to call in a fairy to introduce the teams. Sanshiro brought out his trusty guitar, Ibushi made his entrance setting off fireworks, YOSHIHIKO came out sporting a shirt and shorts instead of impersonating another wrestler and nobody gave a damn about Handa. So far, so normal. Then the match began.

It started off pretty basic with the eight participants staying in the one place, tagging in and out when needed. But when Ibushi dominated Nakazawa with his arsenal of strikes and a Standing Moonsault, the fighting begun to move to another area of the campsite. Nakazawa was sent rolling down the sloping path by Togo, Sakai Body Slammed Ishii onto his partner, Sanshiro and Kota almost threw each other off the bridge and then wound up fighting on top of a cottage, which Ibushi dove off of onto Takagi. He didn’t stop there as he Moonsaulted off of a hill onto Nakazawa while YOSHIHIKO was tossed down another hill and was almost pinned by Sakai. Nakazawa and Togo brawled over to and inside the restrooms. From there, some of the wrestlers fetched out the artillary. Sanshiro brought out a leafblower, Handa rode on an inflatable whale and Ibushi carried a basket filled with fireworks on his back with an umbrella to shield himself. He let loose the fireworks on everyone, even his partner Togo was not safe from them. Takagi grabbed the guitar and tried to stop Ibushi with an anti-war song. But that just made Ibushi chase after him with even more fireworks. Togo caught up with Takagi and broke the guitar over his back. They then made it to a nearby shelter where they both sat down beside each other and begun a chop battle.

Meanwhile Ibushi found the swings and used them to fend off Nakazawa and Handa. YOSHIHIKO followed suit and swung into Takagi. Togo then applied the Crippler Crossface onto Mammoth Handa on the nearby stage, but Nakazawa was there to break it up. At this point a now nearly naked Nakazawa was given a German Suplex by Ibushi onto the wooden stage. The match moved into the rocky end of the river where YOSHIHIKO dove off the bridge onto everyone underneath. There were several nearfalls over at the pond. Ishii dove off the rocks and struck Handa with the Kneel Kick, Takagi gave Ishii the Sunflower Bomb into the water, Ibushi Moonsaulted onto Takagi and Nakazawa’s Back Drop attempt was prevented by a Dick Togo Missile Dropkick followed by a Pedigree into the water. Back in dry land, Muscle Sakai lit up a campfire with YOSHIHIKO. He was then run over by a truck driven by Nakazawa, who then grabbed YOSHIHIKO and threw him head first into the fire! Ishii stamped out the fire but YOSHIHIKO was then dragged onto the top of the van by Ibushi and Power Bombed onto the roof! YOSHIHIKO kicked out so he was then given a Brainbuster form the van onto the ground by Ibushi! Ishii stopped the count and hit Ibushi with the Kneel Kick, allowing YOSHIHIKO to recover and deliver the YOSHIHIKO Destroyer on Ibushi to win the match at just over 59 minutes!

After the match, everyone got together as it begun to rain over the campsite. Takagi said that this was the final event of its kind. It is a bit sad to see it go. It was an annual event that showed the imagination and craziness of DDT in one single hour. However, someone was overheard to have said “Next year, raising an army to a professional wrestling camp om!” I wonder what this could mean…


DDT Schedule For September

September 4, 2010

Back to the proper DDT related news and we have some stuff to really look forward to.

DDT “NON-FIX 9.8”
08/09/2010
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. KUDO & Yasu Urano Vs Antonio Honda & Daisuke Sasaki
2. Dick Togo Vs Kazuki Hirata
3. Unit Reorganization Battle Royal: MIKAMI Vs Tanomusaku Toba Vs Hoshitango Vs Tomimitsu Matsunaga Vs Michael Nakazawa Vs Yukihiro Abe Vs Keisuke Ishii Vs Shigehiro Irie Vs Rion Mizuki Vs Takao Soma
4. Muscle Sakai Shin-Kiba Last Match: HARASHIMA & Toru Owashi Vs Danshoku Dino & Muscle Sakai
5. Sanshiro Takagi Vs Yuki Miyazaki

First up is the next “NON-FIX” event in Shin-Kiba 1st RING. The main event will be an inter-gender match between Sanshiro Takagi and soon-to-retire NEO wrestler Yuki Miyazaki. Yuki spent some time in DDT in the past and is a 15 time Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion. Muscle Sakai will team up with his Belt Hunter X Hunter co-founder Danshoku Dino for his final match in the Shin-Kiba arena before his retirement against HARASHIMA & Toru Owashi. Thi match also serves as a preview for the upcoming KO-D Tag Team Titles match at Korakuen Hall later this month. I haven’t been able to find out what the Unit Reorganization Battle Royal is about. Is it to create new teams and stables? All I know is that the match was created by DDT’s new General Manager, Tsurumi Amon.

DDT “CAMPING-GROUND PRO-WRESTLING 2010 ~ THANK YOU DRAMATIC DREAM TEAM FAREWELL CAMPGROUND”
12/09/2010
Yamanashi Natureland Om

1. 4 Way Tag Match: Dick Togo & Kota Ibushi Vs Keisuke Ishii & YOSHIHIKO Vs Michael Nakazawa & Mammoth Handa Vs Sanshiro Takagi & X

After NON-FIX, DDT then takes a day trip down to the Yamanashi Natureland Om for its annual Campsite Pro Wrestling show. Every year DDT adds another team to the advertised match so this time we have a 4 Way Tag Team match, and the line up has me very excited. Who’d ever thought that a dream team of Dick Togo & Kota Ibushi will be a reality at an event like this? Who’d knew that Keisuke Ishii & YOSHIHIKO were such nature enthusaists? Who will Sanshiro Takagi bring with him as his surprise tag partner? Who else thinks Michael Nakazawa & Mammoth Honda is the most inspired pairing ever? Who will remember to bring the fireworks? So many questions and all will be answered at the camping ground on 12th September.

DDT “WHO’S GONNA TOP? 2010”
26/09/2010
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Special Singles Match: Kota Ibushi Vs Daisuke Sasaki
2. Muscle Sakai DDT Last Match: Sanshiro Takagi Vs Muscle Sakai
3. KO-D Tag Team Title: Shiro Koshinaka & Danshoku Dino (c) Vs HARASHIMA & Toru Owashi

Last but not least, a new match has been added to this month’s Korakuen Hall event. Daisuke Sasaki had a very impressive performance against HARASHIMA last month and will now go toe-to-toe with Kota Ibushi at Korakuen Hall.


Omega Loses To Devitt, But Golden Lovers Get Title Shot

September 3, 2010

NJPW “KOTETSU YAMAMOTO MEMORIAL SHOW”, 9/3/10 (Samurai! TV)
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

7. IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Prince Devitt (c) defeated Kenny Omega with the Bloody Sunday (17:29).

DDT’s involvement in New Japan led to the main event of today’s NJPW show dedicated to Kotetsu Yamamoto. The rare Gaijin Vs Gaijin main event had Prince Devitt successfully defend his IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title over Kenny Omega. While this was a setback for DDT, they have another chance to take away some New Japan gold in the future. On the 11th October in Sumo Hall, the Golden Lovers team of Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi will get a shot at the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championships against either Apollo 55 or Gedo & Jado. Both teams have history with the DDT duo. Omega has already beaten Ryusuke Taguchi twice while Ibushi has faced off with Devitt a couple of times in Best Of The Super Junior tournaments, the most high profile bout being from this year’s grand final. Meanwhile, Jado was injured by dives from Ibushi & Omega the last time they fought each other, while Gedo has been a thorn in Ibushi’s side ever since last year’s Super J Cup. No matter who winds up as the champions, either team against the Golden Lovers will create a very exciting IWGP Jr. Tag Title match.


“WHO’S GONNA TOP?” Matches Added, DDT48 Standings, Sawada Injured, Ibushi Returning

August 31, 2010

Two matches have been announced for “Who’s Gonna Top? 2010” set to take place in Korakuen Hall on the 26th September. Our new KO-D Tag Team Champions already have their first defence lined up and it couldn’t be against a tougher team. Disaster BOX are the challengers with HARASHIMA looking to add another title to go along with the KO-D Openweight Title currently around his waist while another Tag Title reign would be just peaches for Toru Owashi. Probably the kind he can wear on his head. However, the odd couple of Shiro Koshinaka & Danshoku Dino were able to defeat two highly regarded teams in the DDT roster to become the champs. A successful first defence here will clear the highest profile challengers off the table for the time being.

The second match will be Muscle Sakai’s final appearance on the main DDT brand, and could there be any better choice than Sanshiro Takagi to be his opponent? With his retirement coming just over a week later, I look forward to seeing Sakai provide a lot of entertainment here before he’s gone for good.

DDT “WHO’S GONNA TOP? 2010”
26/09/2010
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Muscle Sakai Last DDT Match: Sanshiro Takagi Vs Muscle Sakai
2. KO-D Tag Team Championship: Shiro Koshinaka & Danshoku Dino (c) Vs HARASHIMA & Toru Owashi

As of 29th August 2010, the DDT48 Election standings are as follows:

01. HARASHIMA (117 votes)
02. Danshoku Dino (111 votes)
03. Kota Ibushi (92 votes)
04. MIKAMI (84 votes)
05. Sanshiro Takagi (81 votes)
06. YOSHIHIKO (78 votes)
07. Hikaru Sato (77 votes)
08. Dick Togo (74 votes)
09. Shigehiro Irie    (66 votes)
10. Kenny Omega (60 votes)
11. Yasu Urano (53 votes)
12. Michael Nakazawa    (51 votes)
13. KUDO & Antonio Honda (48 votes)
15. Toru Owashi & Daisuke Sasaki (39 votes)
17. Yukihiro Abe, Shuji Ishikawa & Cherry (33 votes)
20. Takao Soma (32 votes)
21. Keisuke Ishii (30 votes)

The top three have received a huge boost in votes and it’s expected that DDT’s three most known names would be on top. Shigehiro Irie is the most notable drop and languishes in the middle of the pack. It’s becoming clear that the fight for the 18th spot will be the most frantic. A tie for the final spot at the end is starting to look likely.

Turns out Poison Sawada JULIE is injured. He’s gone into hibernation after receiving elbow surgery. No more rattling snake magic for a while then.

Kota Ibushi will make his return for the Campsite Pro Wrestling show on 12th September. So far only he and Sanshiro Takagi have been announced to compete.