DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2023” Results

February 26, 2023

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2023”, 26/02/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
680 Fans – Super No Vacancy

0. MJ Paul & KANON defeated Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda when KANON submitted Honda with the Just Cobra Twist (5:08).
0. 2 Vs 6 Handicap Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Fuminori Abe, Toru Owashi, Gota Ihashi, Saki Akai & Kazuki Hirata ended in a No Contest (8:52).
1. D GENERATIONS CUP 6-Man Tag Match: Keigo Nakamura, Toi Kojima & Kazuma Sumi defeated Hideki Okatani, Yuki Ishida & Ilusion when Nakamura pinned Ilusion with a Diving Headbutt (7:54).
2. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Shishamo Power defeated Jun Akiyama & Unagi Mask when Power pinned Mask with a Cradle Cutback (7:47).
3. International Special 6-Man Tag Match: Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Ford), Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno defeated Yuji Hino, Naruki Doi & Makoto Oishi when Sabian pinned Oishi with the Deathly Hallows (10:13).
-. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Kip Sabian defeated Penelope Ford (c) with a School Boy (12:19 pm).
*Kip Sabian becomes the 1,558th champion.
4. D GENERATIONS CUP – Final: Takeshi Masada defeated Yuya Koroku with the Samurai Driver ’01 (8:26).
5. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Super Sasadango Machine defeated Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada (c) when Aoki pinned Okada with a High Angle Rotating Cradle (13:08).
*BURNING fails in V2. Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Super Sasadango Machine become the 50th KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champions!
-. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Yoshihiko defeated Kip Sabian (c) with a Sleeper Hold (13:03 pm).
*Kip Sabian becomes the 1,559th champion.
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) defeated Yukio Sakaguchi & Hikaru Machida when MAO pinned Machida after the Oretachi no Mad Max (14:22).
*V3 for ShunMao.
7. KO-D Openweight Title Next Challenger Decision Match: Yukio Naya defeated HARASHIMA with the Back Drop (17:55).

The main event of DDT’s 26th Anniversary show is going to be two friends and tag team partners fighting each other for the company’s biggest prize. Today Yukio Naya defeated HARASHIMA in the main event to set up the biggest match of his career against Yuji Hino with the KO-D Openweight Title on the line. He survived HARASHIMA’s battleplan of targeting the legs by being too tough. Despite all of the attacks to Naya’s legs, he used them to block HARASHIMA’s Swan Dive Somato. HARASHIMA then tried to use a Cross Knee Lock, striking at the knee for extra damage but that did not work either. Naya got a nearfall with a Choke Slam then tried to hit the Back Drop. HARASHIMA blocked the move only for Naya to switch over to a German Suplex. Naya finally got the win by using the Back Drop with no chance of it being countered.

After the match Naya called HARASHIMA the ace of DDT and said to leave the 26th Anniversary main event to him. Yuji Hino entered the ring and Naya talked to him about how much his pro wrestling life changed since the two met each other. He asked Hino to accept his challenge so they can fight for the best of DDT! Hino accepted and said he enjoyed watching the main event because it made him feel like a fan. He cannot promise the match will be as great as a certain retirement that happened recently but he will do his best to have a match that will live on in everyone’s hearts. They shook hands and Naya told the fans they will see a heavyweight battle that no other company can match! Backstage Naya said there was no way he would lose to HARASHIMA with so many fans cheering for him. HARASHIMA admitted he could feel Naya’s strength and desire to win. He is disappointed to lose but will continue to train and push even harder for everyone who supports him.

Two well earned KO-D Tag Team Title defences in three days for ShunMao. After coming out of Burlesque Tokyo with the titles still around their waists, they faced a new and completely different challenge today. Yukio Sakaguchi & Hikaru Machida rushed in with submissions and strikes to break down the champions. MAO tried to fight back against Machida’s punches by using Palm Strikes. He struggled to match the kickboxer blow for blow, needing Shunma Katsumata to break the pin after MAO took the God’s Right Knee and Iai Punch. But MAO recovered and lured Machida into a Michinoku Driver. Katsumata took out Sakaguchi with a dive out of the ring and then ShunMao regrouped to pin Machida with the Oretachi no Mad Max.

The two teams praised each other after the match until ShunMao’s next opponents made themselves known. Both Kazusada Higuchi & Ryota Nakatsu from Harimao entered the ring to declare their challenge. MAO said he used to be afraid of Nakatsu back when they wrestled in DNA because his first singles loss was to him. Nakatsu pointed out at least he wasn’t as serious as Kota Umeda. MAO agreed. MAO is also afraid of turning down the challenge so he accepted it. ShunMao won’t be able to create a new pro wrestling landscape if they cannot get over their DNA past. MAO and Nakatsu shook hands and so did Katsumata and Higuchi. The match will take place on 21st March.

A big upset happened in the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles when BURNING lost the titles! They were unexpectedly beaten by Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Super Sasadango Machine thanks to some unusual tactics. Aoki took Yusuke Okada’s yellow entrance jacket and wore it in the ring to distract him. Okada got it back after he Dropkicked Aoki from behind. Kotaro Suzuki and Yuki Ueno fought to a stalemate with neither getting the upper hand. Tetsuya Endo did some Keiji Muto tribute moves on Sasadango but Sasadango then blocked the Burning Star Press with his knees. Sasadango then unmasked himself, placed the mask over Okada and hit him with a Lariat. Okada tried to scramble back but ended up being pinned by Aoki in the end for the title change.

Sasadango said the probabilities of his team winning today was at 0%. There was a reason why he put this plan together to win the KO-D 6-Man Titles from BURNING and now is the time to reveal it. He wants to face Jun Akiyama again! He called Akiyama down to the ring and said he just beat three of BURNING’s strongest wrestlers. On 16th April DDT will have a show in Sasadango’s hometown of Niigata. He wants to defend the 6-Man Titles against Akiyama on that show to make the event as important as possible. Akiyama agreed and later said his tag partners for the match will be Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku.

It took a long detour to get here but Takeshi Masada is finally bound for Hollywood! He defeated Yuya Koroku in the final of the D GENERATIONS CUP, countering Koroku’s arm submissions with High Kicks. A Triangle Kick got Masada a two count so he followed up with a Buzzsaw Kick and then the Samurai Driver ’01 to win. Not only is Masada now going to America for the DDT shows in Los Angeles, he got a bonus prize for winning the tournament. On 12th March Masada will go one on one against Akiyama! Masada celebrated by demanding a first class ticket for his flight to America. Backstage Masada said he was able to win the tournament because his feelings were just a little bit stronger than the rest of the field. He also wants to leave a lasting impression on Akiyama with their match. Meanwhile Koroku swore revenge on Masada, promising he will make him give up the next time he traps his arm in a submission!

The international trio won their second match in a row, continuing what’s been a dream tour for Kip Sabian & Penelope Ford. The match saw Ford interfere again, this time doing a Flying Hurricanrana to Naruki Doi. Later Chris Brookes took out Doi with a Cutter while Hagane Shinno knocked Yuji Hino out of the ring with a Swan Dive Missile Dropkick. Shinno then took out both Hino & Doi with a Moonsault out of the ring. That left Sabian in the ring to pin Makoto Oishi with the Deathly Hallows. Backstage Shinno called the trio the World Good Looking Guys.

That wasn’t the end of Sabian & Ford’s adventure though. Sabian surprised his wife after the match by pinning her with a School Boy to win the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title! Backstage an upset Ford tried to get an explanation from Sabian then walked off in a huff. Sabian shrugged it off because he was happy being the champion. Then suddenly Yoshihiko burst out of a nearby locker and grabbed Sabian in a Sleeper Hold! Sabian had no choice but to tap out, losing the belt to Yoshihiko and getting left in the locker room all alone.

The masked seafood wrestlers Shishamo Power and Unagi Mask made their return to promote DDT’s sponsorship with the Yamada Suisan company. The match itself went by without incident with Shishamo pinning Unagi. But afterwards Higuchi suddenly turned on Shishamo and attacked both wrestlers with a Brain Claw Slam and a Stunner! Why did Higuchi do this? Because he is a meat eater! Shishamo was shocked. He couldn’t believe that Higuchi eats meat instead of fish. He demanded a match between meat eaters and fish eaters to take place on 23rd April.

The six wrestlers who couldn’t reach the D GENERATIONS CUP final were put into a 6-Man Tag Match. Keigo Nakamura had his hand raised in the end after he pinned Ilusion with a Diving Headbutt. Even though the tournament has ended today, Nakamura has unfinished business with a lot of people in his generation. For one, he wants a rematch with Toi Kojima. Then there is Kojima wanting to fight everyone who was in the A Block like Hideki Okatani. While all of this is going on, Kazuma Sumi wants to use his disappointing results as a springboard for his growth.

One of the dark matches was changed when Sanshiro Takagi attacked Pheromones before it began. It was supposed to be a 4 Way Tag Match but it was changed into a 6 Vs 2 Handicap Match instead. Takagi got the other teams to agree by promising them a spot on the America shows if they could beat Pheromones. That was easier said than done. Yuki Iino & Danshoku Dieno fought off Takagi & Fuminori Abe. Then they fought off Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata. By the time they got to Saki Akai & Gota Ihashi the numbers game became too much and Pheromones looked to be done for. Then suddenly Ihashi paused the match to declare his love for Akai and how they will travel to America together. The delay allowed Pheromones to recover and set up a bare butt tower over the turnbuckles with Ihashi in the middle. Yumehito Imanari threw different wrestlers into them including Akai. The attacks got so lewd that the match had to be stopped. Dieno protested backstage, saying Pheromones aren’t trying to destory DDT anymore but to make it change. Meanwhile Takagi is worried about how Pheromones will act in America. He has contacted AEW asking for a superstar to team up with against Pheromones on the 30th March show.

The other dark match had MJ Paul & KANON beat Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda. Paul blocked Honda’s Bionic Elbow with a Lariat and KANON made him submit to the Just Cobra Twist.

During the show Ilusion and El Unicorn gave everyone an update about their futures. Both wrestlers are graduating from the DDTeeeen!! project on 21st March to become full time members of the DDT roster! Ilusions recently turned 20 years old so he is no longer a teenager. El Unicorn is still a teen but was recently accepted into his choice of high school. His goal is now to win the KO-D Title and wrestle in America while he is a high school student. Ilusion said there won’t be any changes from him just because he is graduating from DDTeeeen!! He still wants to wrestle against opponents like Vent Vert Jack and Raimu Imai more often.

Saki Akai announced her plans this year to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of her pro wrestling debut. First she will have a singles match against Masahiro Takanashi on 21st March. Takanashi was a part of Akai’s debut match in 2013. Then she will be getting two anniversary shows later in the year, one in Korakuen Hall on 13th August and another in Kyoto KBS Hall on 30th September where she promises there will be beautiful pro wrestling in front of the beautiful stained glass windows.

Trainee Rukiya Ikeda will make his debut on 9th April. He is from the same class of trainees as Takeshi Masada and Kazuma Sumi. Ikeda wants to surpass the both of them.

More matches were announced for the 26th Anniversary show on 21st March. The five hour show will include Kazuki Hirata’s 13th Anniversary Match where he will team with Yoshihiko against Keisuke Ishii & Soma Takao. Also on the card Sasadango & Honda will take on a mystery “Super Powerhouse Tag Team”. Finally, Kenta Kobashi will be at the show to see the KO-D Title main event.


DDT “ROJO PRO WRESTLING IN BURLESQUE TOKYO” Results

February 23, 2023

DDT “ROJO PRO WRESTLING IN BURLESQUE TOKYO ~KO-D TAG TEAM BATTLE ON THE STREET! SHUNMAO VS BONNO DAI SHACHO!~”, 23/02/2023
Burlesque Tokyo
102 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. KO-D Tag Team Titles – Falls Count Anywhere Match: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) defeated Sanshiro Takagi & Fuminori Abe when Katsumata pinned Takagi with the Totonou Splash from the stage through a Table (30:04).
*V2 for ShunMao.

Many years ago Sanshiro Takagi had an eventful KO-D Tag Team Titles reign with Munenori Sawa where the two wrestlers defended the belts in bizarre and unlikely locations away from the wrestling ring. In a bid to relive that past glory Takagi teamed up with Sawa’s protege Fuminori Abe to challenge ShunMao for the same titles inside a Roppongi burlesque club. The stage was set with six members of the Burlesque Tokyo troupe perfoming on the stage while the two teams made their entrances.

When the match began Takagi and Shunma Katsumata quickly started brawling into the audience while MAO and Abe fought each other on the stage. Takagi and Katsumata paused briefly when they found a bottle of champagne and shared a toast together before getting back to fighting each other.

Meanwhile on the stage a fan handed MAO a Great Muta hood for him to wear. MAO put it on and used some Muta moves on Abe before climbing a nearby railing and Moonsaulting off of it onto both members of Bonno Dai Shacho.

On the stage Katsumata challenged Takagi to show off the pole dancing skills he learned from taking a class earlier this week. Takagi tried and quickly failed, falling down easily. Abe did much better and remembered what his tutor Keiko taught him. The world champion pole dancer told Abe that the Headscissors is the most dangerous move to use from the pole. He successfully pulled off the move, catching both MAO & Katsumata with his legs at the same time! Takagi & Abe then climbed the stage and threatened to do the Golden Shower but they were blocked and brought back down to the floor.

The fight went over to a revolving circle stage in the middle of the room. Takagi put Katsumata in a Cobra Twist while Abe tangled up MAO in the Manjigatame. The stage rotated around for the entire audience to see while this was happening. Takagi then called in the six dancers because it was time to party!

Bonno Dai Shacho danced with the girls while ShunMao looked on in amazement. It reached the point where Takagi & Abe got chairs and sat down on the stage wearing blindfolds expecting to get lapdances. Instead ShunMao replaced the dancers and Super Kicked their opponents once the blindfolds were removed.

The tables were turning and the challengers were losing focus. Abe threw an Irabu Punch but missed and hit a pole by accident. Katsumata wanted to climb the pole but couldn’t so he called back the dancers to be their reinforcements this time. The stage began to rise while ShunMao sang and danced with the girls. When the stage reached its highest point, the champions both hit dives onto their opponents below.

Things got more violent when a bunch of chairs were brought onto the stage. MAO tried to slam Abe onto them but Abe instead flipped MAO into the pile with a Frakensteiner. Abe then purposely applied a Figure 4 Leg Lock as a tribute to Keiji Muto. He then attached himself to a crane that raised him up off the ground, somehow applying even more damage to MAO who was still stuck in the Figure 4. Unfortunately the crane lifted Abe up too high and he was left alone hanging in midair calling for help!

Takagi heard Abe’s call and made a big return to the stage dressed like Kenshiro from Fist Of The North Star! He made a big comeback but the numbers game soon overwhelmed him. Katsumata hit him over the head with a chair and placed him on a table. Katsumata then hit the Totonou Splash from the highest point of the stage onto Takagi, putting him through the table for the three count!

After the match Katsumata told Abe he will only let him down if he apologised. Abe at first refused but eventually said he was sorry. MAO said he had fun and that Burlesque Tokyo is only the beginning for ShunMao’s title reign. They will now defend the belts against Yukio Sakaguchi & Hikaru Machida in three days time. That team has come out of nowhere and are threatening to kill ShunMao. The champions have a message for them. You cannot kill MAO & Shunma Katsumata!

Takagi later said all of the burlesque dancers showed so much potential today. It is inspiring him to consider launching a burlesque pro wrestling promotion!


Four Shows Tomorrow, Into The Fight Match Order, Doi Vs Endo Confirmed

February 22, 2023

GANBARE☆PRO “GRINDHOUSE 2023”, 23/02/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. Ken Ohka Vs Munetatsu Nakamura
2. GanPro Specialty Mixed Tag Match: Shota & Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Soma Takao & YuuRI
3. Punch Drunker Vs Battle Socrates: Tyson Maeguchi Vs Yasu Urano
4. Elimination 6-Man Tag Match: Mizuki Watase, Shuichiro Katsumura & Takuya Wada Vs Keisuke Ishii, Yumehito Imanari & Shinichiro Tominaga

A busy day coming up tomorrow with 4 shows going on overall. Ganbare☆Pro will be getting the lion’s share of attention because they are holding three of those shows. Mizuki Watase and Shinichiro Tominaga get to test each other out in the Elimination 6-Man Tag main event.

GANBARE☆PRO “MOONRISE KINGDOM 2023”, 23/02/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. Munetatsu Nakamura Vs Yasu Urano
2. YuuRI Vs Rina Amikura
3. Secret Captain’s Fall Elimination 6-Man Tag Match: Mizuki Watase, Yumehito Imanari & HARUKAZE Vs Ken Ohka, Shinichiro Tominaga & Moeka Haruhi
4. Special Tag Match: Shuichiro Katsumura & Shota Vs Keisuke Ishii & Soma Takao

Watase and Tominaga are also on opposite sides of the Secret Captain’s Fall match on the second show. However that show is headlined with the continuing ROMANCE DAWN rivalry between Shota and Soma Takao.

DDT “ROJO PRO WRESTLING IN BURLESQUE TOKYO ~KO-D TAG TEAM BATTLE ON THE STREET! SHUNMAO VS BONNO DAI SHACHO!~”, 23/02/2023
Burlesque Tokyo

1. KO-D Tag Team Titles – Falls Count Anywhere Match: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Fuminori Abe

The burlesque dancers who will perform during the match are named Mii-san, DC Sora-san, Sawa-san, Mary-san and Mina-san.

GANBARE☆PRO “GANBARE☆PRO WRESTLING PLAYERS ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE”, 23/02/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. GanPro Specialty Mixed Tag Match: Yumehito Imanari & HARUKAZE Vs Kentaro Hachisu & Moeka Haruhi
2. 3 Way Match: YuuRI Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Hong Kong International Policeman
3. The Return Of LariPro 2023: Keisuke Ishii & Shinichiro Tominaga Vs Ken Ohka & Shota
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Mizuki Watase, Takuya Wada & Yuki Kanzaki Vs Shinichiro Tominaga, Tyson Maeguchi & Munetatsu Nakamura

Kentaro Hachisu & Moeka Haruhi have been given the unfortunate team name of Chest Hair Weather Tag.

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2023”, 26/02/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. MJ Paul & KANON Vs Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda
0. 4 Way Tag Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Toru Owashi & Gota Ihashi Vs Saki Akai & Kazuki Hirata Vs Losers Of 23/2 KO-D Tag Team Titles Match
1. D GENERATIONS CUP 6-Man Tag Match: Hideki Okatani, Yuki Ishida & Ilusion Vs Keigo Nakamura, Toi Kojima & Kazuma Sumi
2. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Shishamo Power Vs Jun Akiyama & Unagi Mask
3. International Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuji Hino, Naruki Doi & Makoto Oishi Vs Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Ford), Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno
4. D GENERATIONS CUP – Final: Yuya Koroku Vs Takeshi Masada
5. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada (c) Vs Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Super Sasadango Machine
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs Yukio Sakaguchi & Hikaru Machida
7. KO-D Openweight Title Next Challenger Decision Match: HARASHIMA Vs Yukio Naya

Two of the matches have been pushed down into the pre-show.

DDT “DDT YOKOHAMA UNLIMITED VOL. 2”, 04/03/2023
Yokohama Radiant Hall

1. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – Battle Royal: Penelope Ford (c) Vs X
2. Special Tag Match: Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada Vs Tetsuya Endo & Kotaro Suzuki
3. Special Single Match: MAO Vs Ryota Nakatsu
4. Special Tag Match: Yuji Hino & Yukio Sakaguchi Vs 26/2 Main Event Winner & D GENERATIONS CUP Winner

The addition of Ryota Nakatsu to Harimao has fuelled some DNA nostalgia among the DDT roster. MAO was one of Nakatsu’s regular opponents on that brand so it’s time to see them fight each other for the first time in a long time.

An all BURNING tag match is being put together to build up Jun Akiyama’s upcoming DDT Extreme Title defence against Kotaro Suzuki.

Whoever is the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion on 4th March is supposed to defend the title in a Battle Royal that day. Penelope Ford is currently the champion but she’ll be going back to AEW with Kip Sabian after the 26th February Korakuen Hall show. If she is unable to return to DDT in time then the Battle Royal will go ahead with nothing on the line. DDT will then be left to figure out how they can get their belt back fair and square.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “GRAND PRINCESS ’23”, 18/03/2023
Ariake Coliseum

1. Haru Debut Match: Haru Vs X
2. Momo Debut Match: Momo Vs X
3. Sakisama & Mei Saint-Michel Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Billie Starkz
4. Special Single Match: Aja Kong Vs Yuki Arai
5. Princess Tag Team Titles: Princess Tag Team Titles: Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh
6. International Princess Title: Miu Watanabe (c) Vs Rika Tatsumi
7. Princess Of Princess Title: Yuka Sakazaki (c) Vs Mizuki

A press conference was held today to promote two of the big matches for the show. Both Yuka Sakazaki and Mizuki admitted to have mixed feelings over having to fight each other for the Princess Of Princess Title. Mizuki has a lot of respect for her friend but has now found herself wanting to be the one who carries Tokyo Joshi Pro on her back by winning the Princess Title. Sakazaki does not want to wrestle Mizuki but given how much they mean to each other she understands she has no choice but to do it. She noticed their bond has changed over time since their match at “WRESTLE PRINCESS” two and a half years ago. Out of the ring everything between them is normal when they are together but recently inside the ring their emotions have become more complicated during their preview tag matches. With that being said, both of them say The Magical Sugar Rabbits are staying together no matter who wins. In fact, they believe they will become an even more exciting tag team after they are done fighting each other.

The other match talked about was Yuki Arai’s uphill battle against Aja Kong. Arai has spent a lot of time thinking since last week’s tag match. She’s been trying to do what she can but still feels like she cannot reach her goal yet. There is still a month left for her to prepare so she wants to have a match that will leave an impact both on herself and also Kong too. Kong said she is not concerned about thinking what it is like as a “monster” to fight an idol. If you stand in front of Kong in the ring then you are a pro wrestler in her eyes and she is not taking Arai lightly. She knows Arai is thinking of ways to counter her most famous moves so Kong too is thinking about how to counter Arai’s moveset. It will be wrestler against wrestler at Ariake Coliseum so Kong wants to win!

DDT “JUDGEMENT 2023 ~LONGEST 5 HOUR SPECIAL IN KORAKUEN HISTORY~”, 21/03/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. International Special Single Match: Samuray Del Sol Vs Yuki Ueno
2. DDT 26th Anniversary Special Single Match: Sanshiro Takagi Vs Konosuke Takeshita
3. DDT Extreme Title – Regular Pro Wrestling Rules: Jun Akiyama (c) Vs Kotaro Suzuki
4. DDT Universal Title: Naruki Doi (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo
5. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuji Hino (c) Vs Winner Of 26/02 Match

The challenge has been accepted and the match can go ahead. Naruki Doi nominated Tetsuya Endo to face him for the DDT Universal Title and the match will happen on the 26th Anniversary show.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES”, 31/03/2023
Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh

Trish Adora will be on the show, joining Billie Starkz and The Wasteland War Party as the guests for TJPW’s USA debut.


DDT And TJPW At Keiji Muto’s Retirement Show Results

February 21, 2023

NOAH “KEIJI MUTO GRAND FINAL PRO-WRESTLING “LAST” LOVE~HOLD OUT~”, 21/02/2023
Tokyo Dome
30,096 Fans

0. Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling Offer Match – TJPW Spark: Yuka Sakazaki, Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima & Rika Tatsumi defeated Mizuki, Maki Itoh, Miu Watanabe & Yuki Arai when Sakazaki pinned Arai with the Magical Girl Chicken Dude (11:38).
2. DDT Pro Wrestling Offer Match – Dramatic Dream Future: MAO, Shunma Katsumata, Yuki Ueno & Toi Kojima defeated Tetsuya Endo, Hideki Okatani, Yuya Koroku & Takeshi Masada when Ueno pinned Masada with the WR (9:06).

Without a doubt the biggest wrestling show to take place in Japan this year took place today with Keiji Muto retiring at the Tokyo Dome. On the undercard there were matches put together by several companies including DDT and Tokyo Joshi Pro. The DDT match presented The 37KAMIINA taking on Tetsuya Endo leading a team of DDT’s future stars in the making. For Endo the match gave him an opportunity to be on the big stage for the first time since the concussion incident at “CYBERFIGHT FESTIVAL 2022” last June. His Burning Star Press was dodged by MAO but he was able to make up for it by hitting the Sasuke Special into an Overhead Kick later on. Takeshi Masada also stepped up to the plate and brought the fight to Yuki Ueno. That moment was stopped with a German Suplex followed by Ueno’s pinpoint Dropkick. Ueno then got the pin by giving Masada the WR to give The 37KAMIINA the victory.

Backstage Ueno told reporters unfamiliar with The 37KAMIINA that the group loves to have hot matches that transforms arenas into saunas. For Muto’s retirement at the Tokyo Dome they really wanted to have a match as passionate as the occasion. Because of that MAO admitted everybody in the match were feeling nervous. Even if they made the atmosphere even just a little bit more electric he hopes the match helped build the show up towards its massive main event. Toi Kojima had a Konosuke Takeshita shirt with him to represent Takeshita in spirit so in a way all five members of the unit were together at the Tokyo Dome. Shunma Katsumata told everyone to keep doing their best so some day DDT will have their own proper show in the Dome. Endo noted that his team was not a unit at all but everyone got to see how hard they work on a regular basis. Yuya Koroku said the match is a great source of inspiration for his future in wrestling. Hideki Okatani isn’t as positive because he felt he did not give his best effort out there. The experience will fuel him to get better though. Out of all of the wrestlers involved, the match may have left the most impact on Takeshi Masada. The rookie said he will never forget the sight of the ceiling he had to stare at after he lost the match.

The pre-show featured an 8-Woman Tag Match put together by TJPW. Everyone got their own moment in the spotlight in the centre of the ring. Maki Itoh demonstrated her hard head, Miu Watanabe did the Giant Swing, Rika Tatsumi threw some Dragon Screws, Mizuki landed the Whirling Candy, Miyu Yamashita used her Return Crash kick from the corner, Yuki Arai was able to do the Full Nelson Buster and Shoko Nakajima wiped out a group of wrestlers outside with a Topé Suicida. But it was Yuka Sakazaki who brought things to an end by pinning Arai with the Magical Girl Chicken Dude.

Everyone gave their comments backstage after the match. Yamashita said their time out there in the Tokyo Dome came and went in the blink of an eye. She is really happy that TJPW played a part on a day as historic as Muto’s retirement. Sakazaki wanted to thank Muto for allowing them to have the match because it made them love pro wrestling even more. Nakajima now wants TJPW to run the Tokyo Dome themselves and does not think that dream is impossible. Tatsumi agrees and because she wants all of TJPW to be here. Watanabe wants to spread the word and tell everyone how wonderful TJPW is. Mizuki thinks the company will grow even bigger and she will do her best to headline the Dome some day. Itoh was very happy to do the Cutest Knuckle Punch In The World at the Tokyo Dome. Arai was disappointed to lose the match but still called the experience a wonderful time with wonderful wrestlers.


DDT “NEPPA OVER FLOWERS 2 ~THE WORLD UNKNOWN TO EVERYONE~” Results

February 14, 2023

DDT “NEPPA OVER FLOWERS 2 ~THE WORLD UNKNOWN TO EVERYONE~”, 14/02/2023
Shinjuku FACE
306 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. Anshin Oyado Presents ~The World Unknown To ShunMao~ Reprinted Men’s Club! Special 4 Way Tag Match: MAO & Shunma Katsumata defeated Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi, Makoto Oishi & Shiori Asahi and Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga when MAO pinned Oishi after the Oretachi no Madmax (12:12). (Special Referee: MEN’S Teioh)
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Ilusion (2) defeated Kazuma Sumi (0) with a Japanese Leg Roll Clutch (6:19).
3. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Yuki Ishida (2) defeated Keigo Nakamura (2) with the Flame Palm (11:02).
4. sauna line Presents ~The World Unknown To Yuki~ A Fair And Square Special Handicap Match Where Blood Is Washed Away: Yuki Ueno defeated Gorgeous Matsuno & Gabai Ji-chan when Ueno pinned Matsuno after the Swanton Bomb from Ji-chan (13:10).
5. SeaSaunaShack Presents ~The World Unknown To Toi~ Burn The Firewood! Special Singles Match: Yasu Urano defeated Toi Kojima with a Hurricanrana Turnback (10:01).
6. Special Tag Match: Konosuke Takeshita (Sakura Hirota) & Akito defeated Tetsuya Endo & Kazuki Hirata when Takeshita (Hirota) pinned Hirata with the Jumping Knee (17:19).
7. Final Set – Naniwa Kenko Land Yu~topia Presents ~The World Unknown To The 37KAMIINA~ Beyond The Totonoi: Toi Kojimda defeated MAO, Shunma Katsumata and Yuki Ueno (19:38).
7a. 4 Way Match: Shunma Katsumata Vs MAO Vs Yuki Ueno Vs Toi Kojima is still ongoing.
7b. Single Match: MAO Vs Shunma Katsumata is still ongoing.
7c. Single Match: Yuki Ueno Vs Toi Kojima is still ongoing.
7d. Tag Team Match: MAO & Yuki Ueno Vs Shunma Katsumata & Toi Kojima is still ongoing.
7e. 3 Vs 1 Handicap Match: MAO, Yuki Ueno & Toi Kojima Vs Shunma Katsumata is still ongoing.
7f. 3 Vs 1 Handicap Hardcore Match: MAO, Yuki Ueno & Toi Kojima Vs Shunma Katsumata is still ongoing.
7g. Survival 4 Way Match ~ 2 Count Falls & Over The Top Rope Rules: Toi Kojimda defeated MAO, Shunma Katsumata and Yuki Ueno (19:38).
7ga. Yuki Ueno eliminated MAO by Ring Out (17:39).
7gb. Shunma Katsumata eliminated Yuki Yeno with a Foot Stomp (18:12).
7gc. Toi Kojima eliminated Shunma Katsumata with a Modified Ebigatame (19:38).

A Block

1. Hideki Okatani (4)
-. Yuya Koroku (4)
3. Ilusion (2)
4. Kazuma Sumi (0)

B Block

1. Toi Kojima (4)
2. Takeshi Masada (2)
-. Yuki Ishida (2)
-. Keigo Nakamura (2)

One year ago The 37KAMIINA held their first self produced show. It was a success so one year later they did it again. The four members of the unit still in Japan all came up with their own ideas for matches to fill up the card but the main event was a mystery until it began. The missing member of the group Konosuke Takeshita was somehow able to speak from the heavens and declared that he will come up with the rules for the main event. What he wanted to see depended on how hot the match would get. At first he asked for a 4 Way Match but after an exchange between MAO and Shunma Katsumata took place he then wondered what a singles match between ShunMao would look like. After a few minutes of that he then noticed Yuki Ueno and Toi Kojima were cooling off so they should do a singles match too. Just when Ueno was about to win, Takeshita changed his mind and said it was now a tag match between Ueno & MAO against Katsumata & Kojima. He also told them there is now a special rule that you can only tag in and out by kissing each other! He then said was only joking. He continued changing the rules turning the match into a 3 Vs 1 Handicap with everyone against Katsumata, then turning that into a Hardcore 4 Way before finally settling on a 4 Way Survival Match with 2 Count Pins and Battle Royal style eliminations in effect. When the dust finally settled it was the most junior member of the unit Kojima who was the winner! Kojima was so happy to win because today is the first time he could hear the fans chanting his name for a victory. He told the rest of The 37KAMIINA they should do a third show like this in the future.

Takeshita was part of the show in body as well as spirit. Well kind of. Akito was supposed to team with Sakura Hirota and Hirota walked out in a full bodsuit Takeshita costume! Her mimickry was so convincing that Tetsuya Endo wanted to start the match against “Takeshita” instead of Akito. They proceeded to do a back and forth that was very similar to a section of the Takeshita Vs MJF match from AEW last week. Akito provided some assistance so “Takeshita” could give Endo & Kazuki Hirata a Double German Suplex. “Takeshita” then wanted to do the Zahi but it came off looking more like the Jumping Knee. Either way, it was enough to pin Hirata for the three count. After the match Akito thanked “Takeshita” for coming back to America just to do this match. Endo also shook “Takeshita’s” hand finally putting their heated rivalry to rest. That counts, right?

Most of the undercard featured at least one member of The 37KAMIINA involved in it. Kojima had a singles match against Yasu Urano that turned out to be way more heated than it looked on paper. Urano attacked Kojima behind the curtain before he could even make his entrance and attacked him around ringside. Kojima fought back, even leaving Urano with a shiner over his right eye. He tried to use Cradle moves to pin Urano but his Hurricanrana was used against him. Urano ended up rolling back on top of Kojima out of that move to get the pin.

Ueno’s match was a 2-On-1 Handicap contest against the elderly. Gorgeous Matsuno picked a fight with Ueno in the leadup to the show and said he knew somebody who wanted to fight Ueno even more. It turned out to be Gabai Ji-chan. At first Ueno easily fought them off until he had the temerity to cuss out Ji-chan for being an old man. That made Ji-chan drop his cane and proceed to wrestle at a fast pace. Ueno couldn’t keep up until he gave the cane back to Ji-chan, regressing him back to his elderly state. The cane was passed around, turning whoever held it into an old person. When Matsui was given the cane, it made him count pinfalls slower than Joe Higuchi. Matsuno put Ueno in a Sleeper Hold and held him down, offering to sacrifice himself so Ji-chan could hit the Swanton Bomb onto both of them. Ueno escaped anyway and Matsuno took the entire move. Ueno then pinned him for the win. Despite the loss, Matsuno & Ji-chan congratulated Ueno for winning so their little grudge is now settled.

ShunMao’s match was a Men’s Club style 4 Way Tag Match with Men’s Teioh himself involved as the referee. The other three teams were CDK, Speed Of Sounds and Makoto Oishi & Shiori Asahi. All teams tried to one up each other with tricky Men’s Club spots in between their usual moves. Teioh ended up getting caught in the crossfire and got hit by Oishi. Teioh took his anger out on him and helped ShunMao get the win over him.

The four wrestlers in today’s D GENERATIONS CUP matches all finish their runs with no chance of making the final. Keigo Nakamura had a slim chance depending on other results but Yuki Ishida killed off any hope of that happening by beating him. Ilusion also finally got to win a block match in his very last bout of the group. That result means Kazuma Sumi ends the tournament with 0 points. He is the only one to not win a match.


Seafood Gimmicks Return, New GanJo Matches, Jado Alert Issued!

February 10, 2023

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE 3RD “FUTARI WA PRINCESS” MAX HEART TOURNAMENT”, 11/02/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Wakana Uehara Vs HIMAWARI
2. Yuki Kamifuku, Nao Kakuta & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Raku, Haruna Neko & Kaya Toribami
3. Moka Miyamoto Vs Arisu Endo
4. Yuki Arai Vs Pom Harajuku
5. Rika Tatsumi & Yuki Aino Vs Hikari Noa & Janai Kai
6. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Miu Watanabe & Suzume
7. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Final: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao

Yuka Sakazaki is back in Japan after her latest AEW tour and Janai Kai is in the country as well. Julia Nagano will also be at the show despite being unable to wrestle because of her finger injury.

There will be three announcements happening before the show begins. We know there are still a few trainees that have not debuted yet (Shino, Haru, Momo and Toga). Also The Up Up Girls social media has been teasing new music involving the Pro Wrestling arm of the unit.

DDT “DDT YOKOHAMA UNLIMITED VOL. 1”, 11/02/2023
Yokohama Radiant Hall

0. Dark Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Toru Owashi & Antonio Honda
1. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Yuya Koroku (2) Vs Ilusion (0)
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Keigo Nakamura (2) Vs Toi Kojima (0)
3. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Yuki Ishida (0) Vs Takeshi Masada (0)
4. Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama, Yusuke Okada & Noriyuki Yoshida Vs Chris Brookes, Akito, Soma Takao & Kazuma Sumi
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: MAO, Yuki Ueno & Kazuki Hirata Vs Yukio Sakaguchi, Hideki Okatani & Hikaru Machida
6. Special Single Match: Shunma Katsumata Vs Sanshiro Takagi
7. Harimao Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Kazusada Higuchi & Ryota Nakatsu Vs MJ Paul & KANON
8. Special Tag Match: Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi Vs HARASHIMA & Yukio Naya

Noriyuki Yoshida usually only appears in DDT shows whenever they are in Sapporo. Getting the opportunity to team with BURNING is enough to make him travel to Yokohama.

GANBARE☆PRO “ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD 2023”, 25/02/2023
Takashimadaira Ward Community Center

1. Shota Vs Munetatsu Nakamura
2. Yumehito Imanari & Kabuto Mitomi Vs Soma Takao & Yuki Kanzaki
3. GanJo Special Tag Match: Moeka Haruhi & HARUKAZE Vs YuuRI & Yoshiko Hasegawa
4. Special Tag Match: Ken Ohka & Keisuke Ishii Vs Shuichiro Katsumura & Hartley Jackson
5. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Mizuki Watase (c) Vs Shinichiro Tominaga

Match #4 sounds like a nice, friendly kickabout on a Saturday night.

Does the name Kabuto Mitomi sound familiar? He used to appear regularly in Ganbare☆Pro and other places as Masayuki Mitomi. In 2019 he formed P.P.P Tokyo and changed his ring name to Kabuto Mitomi two years ago. His appearance here with Yumehito Imanari continues the growing relationship between GanPro and P.P.P.

The “Young Ganbare” wrestler takes on a member of the “Monthly Young Communication” generation when Munetatsu Nakamura faces Shota.

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2023”, 26/02/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. D GENERATIONS CUP 6-Man Tag Match: X, X & X Vs X, X & X
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – Final: Winner Of A Block Vs Winner Of B Block
3. International Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuji Hino, Naruki Doi & Makoto Oishi Vs Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Ford), Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno
4. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Shishamo Power Vs Jun Akiyama & Unagi Mask
5. KO-D Tag Team Titles: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs X & X
6. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada (c) Vs Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Super Sasadango Machine
7. KO-D Openweight Title Next Challenger Decision Match: HARASHIMA Vs Yukio Naya

DDT is being sponsored by the Yamada Suisan seafood company again which means the return of the masked wrestlers Shishamo Power and Unagi Mask. The two of them were on the same team last time but now will be opponents the next time they step into the ring together. DDT will be doing a wrestling show with Yamada Suisan in April so don’t be surprised if some meat eating tough guys appear and provoke our seafood loving grapplers.

The international trio of Kip Sabian, Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno have another trios match together but this time they have the two big singles champions opposing them along with Makoto Oishi!

Everybody in the D GENERATIONS CUP who do not qualify for the final will take part in a 6-Man Tag Match.

GANBARE☆PRO “SHOOTING IN THE COLD RAIN, A GUN FOR PROMISE 2023”, 05/03/2023
Takashimadaira Ward Community Center

1. Munetatsu Nakamura Vs Takuya Wada
2. GanJo Special Single Match: YuuRI Vs Miyuki Takase
3. GanJo Special Tag Match: HARUKAZE & Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Moeka Haruhi & Asahi

More preparation going into the Ganbare☆Joshi restart in April. Asahi and Miyuki Takase are here to take on the home team joshi. Also, what does Moeka Haruhi make of all of this? She remains freelance and can sit on the fence while YuuRI and Yoshiko Hasegawa try to figure out how to relaunch a division.

DDT “DRAMATIC DREAM ONITA ~DDO HATAAGE BATTLE~”, 19/03/2023
Kanagawa Tsurumi Fruit & Vegetable Market

1. Jado Alert Issued! Current Blast Jado Missile 6-Man Tag Team Death Match: Atsushi Onita, Shunma Katsumata & Toi Kojima Vs HARASHIMA, Soma Takao & Kazuki Hirata

Warning! Warning! Jado alert! I’d be saying that if it referred to the pro wrestler but in this case Jado stands for “Japan-Danger-Onita”. It is an emergency system that will be installed into the wrestling ring for this exploding death match. When the system’s button is pressed, a countdown will begin warning the residents of Tsurumi that a missile is about to be launched into the ring! When the missile hits its target there will be a massive explosion.

DDT “DDT GOES HOLLYWOOD”, 30/03/2023
Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Special Tag Match: MAO & Shunma Katsumata Vs Chris Brookes & Yoshihiko
2. Special Single Match: Tetsuya Endo Vs Joey Janela
3. Special Single Match: Konosuke Takeshita Vs Yuki Ueno

Two new matches added to the card. First is ShunMao taking on the odd pairing of Chris Brookes & Yoshihiko. After that is a rematch from the D-Ou Grand Prix now set for Los Angeles. Joey Janela beat Tetsuya Endo in an upset last November.

DDT/GCW “GCW VS DDT”, 31/03/2023
Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Dark Sheik Vs Saki Akai
2. Blake Christian Vs Kazusada Higuchi
3. Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne Vs MAO & Mike Bailey

Freshly announced while I was typing this up is the next GCW Vs DDT match. Kazusada Higuchi takes on a man currently without any friends on the GCW side. Blake Christian has been undefeated in GCW singles matches so far this year. Beating Higuchi will be a big accomplishment to add to his momentum.

DDT “MEGA MAX BUMP 2023 IN YOKOHAMA”, 03/05/2023
Yokohama Budokan

1. DDT Universal Title: Naruki Doi (c) Vs X
2. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuji Hino (c) Vs X

There will be both a KO-D Openweight Title match and a DDT Universal Title match at the big Yokohama Budokan show.


Arai Faces Kong Early, Baka Gaijin Vol. 3, Hollywood Updates

February 7, 2023

DDT “HEAT WAVE OVER FLOWERS 2 ~THE WORLD THAT EVERYONE DOES NOT KNOW~”, 14/02/2023
Shinjuku FACE

1. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Keigo Nakamura (2) Vs Yuki Ishida (0)
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Kazuma Sumi (0) Vs Ilusion (0)
3. Special Tag Match: Akito & Sakura Hirota Vs Tetsuya Endo & Kazuki Hirata
4. SeaSaunaShack Presents ~The World Unknown To Toi~: Toi Kojima Vs Yasu Urano
5. Anshin Oyado Presents ~The World Unknown To ShunMao~: MAO & Shunma Katsumata Vs Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi Vs Makoto Oishi & Shiori Asahi Vs Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga (Special Referee: MEN’S Teioh)
6. sauna line Presents ~The World Unknown To Yuki~: Yuki Ueno Vs Gorgeous Matsuno & Gabai Ji-chan
7. Final Set – Naniwa Kenko Land Yu~topia Presents ~The World Unknown To The 37KAMIINA~: MAO Vs Shunma Katsumata Vs Yuki Ueno Vs Toi Kojima

The mystery man Gorgeous Matsuno warned Yuki Ueno about has been revealed. It’s… Gabai Ji-chan? Are we sure Ueno is the one fighting against the odds in this match and not his elderly opponents?

Keigo Nakamura has a chance to take the lead in the D GENERATIONS CUP B Block. Yuki Ishida already lost his first match and cannot afford to lose another. Over in the A Block Kazuma Sumi will try to avoid ending his tournament with three defeats in a row. Ilusion’s next match is happening on 11th February so where he stands on the 14th will be very different depending if he wins or loses that match. He may be fighting for the top spot or his match with Sumi could end up becoming the wooden spoon match of their group.

A bunch of sauna related brands are sponsoring many of the matches on the show. The winners of each sponsored match will receive a prize such as free sauna passes and branded clothing.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT WINTER ~NAGOYA PERFORMANCE~”, 18/02/2023
Nagoya International Conference Center Event Hall

1. Miyu Yamashita & Yuki Arai Vs Aja Kong & Moka Miyamoto
2. International Princess Title: Miu Watanabe (c) Vs Janai Kai

One of the big matches taking place at “GRAND PRINCESS ’23” in March is Yuki Arai against Aja Kong. Before that match takes place they will meet in a preview tag match in February. This will also be the first time Kong fights against Miyu Yamashita. Their only previous match together was as a tag team back in 2020. Moka Miyamoto teamed with Kong once before in 2021.

GANBARE☆PRO “GRINDHOUSE 2023”, 23/02/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. GanPro Specialty Mixed Tag Match: Shota & Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Soma Takao & YuuRI
2. Ken Ohka Vs Munetatsu Nakamura
3. Punch Drunker Vs Battle Socrates: Tyson Maeguchi Vs Yasu Urano
4. Elimination 6-Man Tag Match: Mizuki Watase, Shuichiro Katsumura & Takuya Wada Vs Keisuke Ishii, Yumehito Imanari & Shinichiro Tominaga

Takuya Wada returns to Ganbare☆Pro for a second go around. His second visit is going to be very different this time because he will be in the middle of the build up for Mizuki Watase Vs Shinichiro Tominaga.

Tyson Maeguchi Vs Yasu Urano is a first time ever match.

The mixed tag match on this show mashes together the ROMANCE DAWN rivalry with the two faces of Ganbare☆Joshi’s upcoming relaunch.

GANBARE☆PRO “MOONRISE KINGDOM 2023”, 23/02/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. Munetatsu Nakamura Vs Yasu Urano
2. YuuRI Vs Rina Amikura
3. Special Tag Match: Shuichiro Katsumura & Shota Vs Keisuke Ishii & Soma Takao
4. Secret Captain’s Fall Elimination 6-Man Tag Match: Mizuki Watase, Yumehito Imanari & HARUKAZE Vs Ken Ohka, Shinichiro Tominaga & Moeka Haruhi

In the main event when you eliminate the captain you win the match. But the captain’s identity is a mystery and won’t be revealed until they are eliminated!

Perhaps some of the opponents YuuRI and Yoshiko Hasegawa will be facing in the next two months will suggest who will be on the GanJo relaunch show in April. Like Rina Amikura here.

GANBARE☆PRO “GANBARE☆PRO WRESTLING PLAYERS ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE”, 23/02/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. 3 Way Match: YuuRI Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Hong Kong International Policeman
2. GanPro Specialty Mixed Tag Match: Yumehito Imanari & HARUKAZE Vs Kentaro Hachisu & Moeka Haruhi
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Mizuki Watase, Takuya Wada & Yuki Kanzaki Vs Shinichiro Tominaga, Tyson Maeguchi & Munetatsu Nakamura
4. The Return Of LariPro 2023: Keisuke Ishii & Shinichiro Tominaga Vs Ken Ohka & Shota

It’s going to be a busy day for Munetatsu Nakamura. He’s getting singles matches against Ken Ohka and Yasu Urano. Then after that he will be thrown into a crowded 6-Man Tag Match along with Yuki Kanzaki.

“BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS VOL. THREE”, 07/03/2023
Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa

1. WTF?! Tag Team Match: Brahman Shu & Brahman Kei Vs Drew Parker & Death Worm
2. Special Singles Match: Chris Brookes Vs Maya Yukihi
3. Special Tag Team Match: Masahiro Takanashi & Mei Suruga Vs MAO & Chie Koishikawa

The third Baka Gaijin + Friends show has Maya Yukihi and The Brahman Brothers as the visiting guests this time. Masahiro Takanashi & Mei Suruga will mix it up with MAO & Chie Koishikawa. Brookes takes on Yukihi one on one. Drew Parker finds himself teaming with Death Worm. Last but not least, Lingerie Muto will put on a performance of some sort.

DDT “HANAMI PRO WRESTLING 2023”, 12/03/2023
Saitama Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park Outdoor Stage

1. Yuki “Sexy” Iino Produce Match: X Vs X
2. Kazuki Hirata Produce Match: X Vs X
3. Tetsuya Endo Produce Match: X Vs X

Four of the participants who competed in the No Fee Rumble have impressed DDT enough to get booked for their outdoor show in Saitama next month. They are Great-GO-Khan, Dopyu♡McIntyre, Macho Gallows and “Mother’s Child” Mazakon Kid. That means the four of them are going to get paid this time!

DDT “DDT GOES HOLLYWOOD”, 30/03/2023
Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Special Single Match: Konosuke Takeshita Vs Yuki Ueno

The match promised for the Tokyo Joshi Pro show in Tampa back in 2020 will now happen in Los Angeles. Konosuke Takeshita and Yuki Ueno gave DDT fans a taster of what they could do in their 10 minute draw last month. Fans attending the show will get to see the whole thing!

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES”, 31/03/2023
Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA

The Japanese talent coming over for the TJPW show are Yuka Sakazaki, Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima, Miu Watanabe, Rika Tatsumi, Maki Itoh, Mizuki, Hyper Misao, Yuki Aino, Yuki Kamifuku, Hikari Noa, Raku, Nao Kakuta, Suzume and Arisu Endo. International talent are still to be announced.


DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2023 IN OSAKA” Results

February 5, 2023

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2023 IN OSAKA”, 05/02/2023
Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall
216 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Yuya Koroku (2) defeated Kazuma Sumi (0) with a Triangle Lancer (6:39).
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Hideki Okatani (4) defeated Ilusion (0) with the Double Arm Suplex (6:25).
3. Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Shunma Katsumata & Maku Donaruto ended in a No Contest (10:55).
4. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Toi Kojima (2) defeated Yuki Ishida (0) with the Kojima In Wonderland ~KOJIMA Wonderland~ (8:58).
5. Osaka Specialty Special Tag Match: Naruki Doi & Toru Owashi Vs MJ Paul & KANON ended in a Double Countout (2:34).
5a. Rematch: Naruki Doi & Toru Owashi defeated MJ Paul & KANON when Doi pinned Paul with the V9 Clutch (9:08).
6. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Chris Brookes defeated Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi when Higuchi submitted Oishi with the Brain Claw (13:39).
7. Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada defeated HARASHIMA, Yukio Sakaguchi & Kazuki Hirata when Endo pinned Hirata with the Swivel Torture Rack Boom (15:12)
8. Special Tag Match: Yuki Ueno & MAO defeated Yukio Naya & Takeshi Masada when Ueno pinned Masada with the WR (18:47).

A Block

1. Hideki Okatani (4)
2. Yuya Koroku (2)
-. Ilusion (0)
-. Kazuma Sumi (0)

B Block

1. Keigo Nakamura (2)
2. Toi Kojima (2)
-. Yuki Ishida (0)
-. Takeshi Masada (0)

Given that today’s show was taking place in Osaka, Yuki Ueno had a few words to say after the main event. First, he did not expect Yukio Naya to be even more fired up than he was when they fought in the D-Ou Grand Prix final. Second, he heard about Takeshi Masada, also from Osaka, was amazing for a newcomer. He now believes it after fighting him today. However Ueno thinks it will be Toi Kojima who wins the D GENERATIONS CUP and goes to Hollywood with him. Speaking of Hollywood, Ueno then promoted his singles match against Konosuke Takeshita at “DDT GOES HOLLYWOOD” in Los Angeles on 30th March and asked for the fans to support him. The 37KAMIINA is the unit that will make the entire world hot in 2023 but Ueno’s heart will always be in Osaka. MAO does not like Osaka however because of that one time he and Mike Bailey had travel issues there and arrived late for a show.

Yukio Sakaguchi ordered Kazuki Hirata not to wear his Hirata GO! glasses for the semi-main event because it was “not that kind of match”. Hirata tried to put them on but Sakaguchi took the glasses off him and placed them over in the other team’s corner. Hirata eventually got the glasses back and began dancing. Somehow all of his opponents then appeared in the ring wearing Hirata GO! glasses too. Jun Akiyama knocked Hirata down with a Lariat, Yusuke Okada hit a Diving Headbutt and Tetsuya Endo pinned him with the Torture Rack Bomb. HARASHIMA didn’t spend much time caring about the loss. His focus quickly switched to watching how his next big opponent Naya fared in the main event.

The Brain Claw was used by Kazusada Higuchi to counter Makoto Oishi’s Fujiyama Knee Lock. When Oishi applied the move, Higuchi grabbed his head in the Claw and overpowered him for the tapout victory.

Naruki Doi and KANON took their fight out of the ring and kept it out there long enough for the tag match to end in a Double Countout. Doi got on the microphone and said this was their last match before the DDT Universal Title bout on 18th February and he did not want it to end this way. KANON agreed so the match restarted. It almost ended in another Double Countout but they both made it back to the ring at 19. MJ Paul tagged in and KANON struck Doi in the back with a chair when the referee wasn’t looking. However things then went wrong for DAMNATION T.A and Doi pinned Paul out of nowhere with the V9 Clutch. KANON & Paul both attacked Doi after the match, leaving him beaten in the middle of the ring. Backstage Doi admitted KANON did what he is supposed to do and he wants him to do the same when the title is on the line. There will be nobody in his corner when that match happens and Doi wants to test how far KANON can go on his own.

Of course the Pheromones match with Maku Donaruto also involved ended in an obscene No Contest. There was no way the finish would be anything else. The antics caused Shunma Katsumata to turn into Shunma “Chunma” Katsumata and it was he who caused the match to get thrown out when he gave Yukinori Matsui the Lip Lock.

Three block matches in the D GENERATIONS CUP took place today. Kojima is off to a good start by beating Yuki Ishida. He dodged the Flame Palm and then used two versions of the Kojima In Wonderland to pin Ishida. He is very satisfied with the result because he could tell Ishida was giving him his “Dosukoi” best effort. His next group opponent is Keigo Nakamura and he promises to beat him up because he finds him annoying.

Hideki Okatani takes the clear lead in the A Block after winning his second match in a row. It was Ilusion’s first match in the tournament and he threw everything he had at his opponent. Okatani isn’t interested in following Ilusion’s career but he admits he is now a little more aware of the guy after the match they had today. Ilusion said he will win his remaining matches and go on to win the tournament. He also swore he will spend years and even decades chasing after Okatani so he can overtake him!

The only person who can stop Okatani in the A Block now is Yuya Koroku. His first match today ended with a win and he will have to beat Ilusion next week to catch up with Okatani. He uses a Triangle Lancer to beat Kazuma Sumi after discovering that Sumi was a more aggressive opponent than he expected. Sumi cannot reach the final now but will stay strong for his final group match. All he can do now is do his best.


Nakatsu Joins Harimao, Master Of Environment, GCW Vs DDT

February 3, 2023

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT WINTER ~OSAKA PERFORMANCE~”, 04/02/2022
Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall

1. Suzume Vs Wakana Uehara
2. Kaya Toribami Vs HIMAWARI
3. Mizuki Vs Raku
4. Yuki Kamifuku, Mahiro Kiryu & Haruna Neko Vs Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Yoshiko Hasegawa
5. Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe Vs Yuki Aino & Pom Harajuku
6. Miyu Yamashita, Maki Itoh & Moka Miyamoto Vs Shoko Nakajima, Hyper Misao & Arisu Endo

The first Tokyo Joshi Pro show of the month happens tomorrow. It’s been a while since they were in Osaka too.

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2023 IN OSAKA”, 05/02/2023
Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall

1. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Yuya Koroku (0) Vs Kazuma Sumi (0)
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Hideki Okatani (2) Vs Ilusion (0)
3. Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Shunma Katsumata & Maku Donaruto
4. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Toi Kojima (0) Vs Yuki Ishida (0)
5. Osaka Specialty Special Tag Match: Naruki Doi & Toru Owashi Vs MJ Paul & KANON
6. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Chris Brookes Vs Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi
7. Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada Vs HARASHIMA, Yukio Sakaguchi & Kazuki Hirata
8. Special Tag Match: Yuki Ueno & MAO Vs Yukio Naya & Takeshi Masada

Sunday’s show has turned into a bigger test for Yukio Naya because his match is now the main event! Meanwhile Yuji Hino and Kazusada Higuchi face off again fresh off of their KO-D Openweight Title match.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE 3RD “FUTARI WA PRINCESS” MAX HEART TOURNAMENT”, 11/02/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Moka Miyamoto Vs Arisu Endo
2. Wakana Uehara Vs HIMAWARI
3. Yuki Arai Vs Pom Harajuku
4. Rika Tatsumi & Yuki Aino Vs Hikari Noa & Janai Kai
5. Yuki Kamifuku, Nao Kakuta & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Raku, Haruna Neko & Kaya Toribami
6. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Miu Watanabe & Suzume
7. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Final: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao

Yuka Sakazaki returns from her latest American tour and is back teaming with Mizuki. Is the unbreakable bond between The Magical Sugar Rabbits still solid or will cracks begin to appear as we get closer to their Princess Of Princess Title match.

The TJPW debut of Janai Kai has her teaming with Hikari Noa.

Either Wakana Uehara or HIMAWARI will get their first singles win. Unless a draw somehow happens.

Juria Nagano will not be on the show because of a left finger injury.

DDT “DDT YOKOHAMA UNLIMITED VOL. 1”, 11/02/2023
Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall

0. Dark Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Toru Owashi & Antonio Honda
1. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Yuki Ishida (0) Vs Takeshi Masada (0)
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Keigo Nakamura (2) Vs Toi Kojima (0)
3. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Yuya Koroku (0) Vs Ilusion (0)
4. Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama, Yusuke Okada & Noriyuki Yoshida Vs Chris Brookes, Akito, Soma Takao & Kazuma Sumi
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: MAO, Yuki Ueno & Kazuki Hirata Vs Yukio Sakaguchi, Hideki Okatani & Hikaru Machida
6. Special Single Match: Shunma Katsumata Vs Sanshiro Takagi
7. Harimao Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Kazusada Higuchi & Ryota Nakatsu Vs MJ Paul
8. Special Tag Match: Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi Vs HARASHIMA & Yukio Naya

Higuchi invited an close friend of his to join Harimao and bolster up the unit while Naomi Yoshimura is out injured. Ryota Nakatsu from BASARA was Higuchi’s rival in DNA and is more than happy to give Harimao some reinforcement. He also doesn’t want people to think he is only filling in for Yoshimura because he is a fully fledged fourth member of the stable. Meanwhile DAMNATION T.A is still working out as a focused force even with Daisuke Sasaki still missing. Just like every other show that’s being advertised since his absence, the card can change if Sasaki appears at the show and is able to wrestle.

DDT “HEAT WAVE OVER FLOWERS 2 ~THE WORLD THAT EVERYONE DOES NOT KNOW~”, 14/02/2023
Shinjuku FACE

1. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Keigo Nakamura Vs Yuki Ishida
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Kazuma Sumi Vs Ilusion
3. ~The World Unknown To ShunMao~: MAO & Shunma Katsumata Vs Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi Vs Makoto Oishi & Shiori Asahi Vs Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga (Special Referee: MEN’S Teioh)
4. ~The World Unknown To Toi~: Toi Kojima Vs Yasu Urano
5. ~The World Unknown To Yuki~: Yuki Ueno Vs Gorgeous Matsuno & X
6. Special Tag Match: Akito & Sakura Hirota Vs Tetsuya Endo & Kazuki Hirata
7. Final Set ~The World Unknown To The 37KAMIINA~: MAO, Shunma Katsumata, Yuki Ueno, Toi Kojima

DDT received a message from Gorgeous Matsuno earlier today about his singles match against Yuki Ueno. Matsuno warns there is another wrestler out there who wants to fight Ueno as much as he does so Matsuno is bringing him to the show. Matsuno also wants the match to turn into a 2 Vs 1 Handicap Match because of this. Ueno accepts the challenge, thinking Matsuno is so little of a threat that it may as well still be a singles match.

DDT “FRIENDSHIP, EFFORT, VICTORY IN NAGOYA 2023”, 18/02/2023
Aichi Nagoya International Conference Center Event Hall

1. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Toi Kojima (0) Vs Takeshi Masada (0)
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Hideki Okatani (2) Vs Yuya Koroku (0)
3. 4 Way Tag Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai Vs Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Antonio Honda & Keigo Nakamura
4. Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada Vs Yuji Hino, Makoto Oishi & Kazuma Sumi
5. Nagoya Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: MAO, Shunma Katsumata & Yukio Naya Vs HARASHIMA, Soma Takao & Shinya Ishida
6. International Special 6-Man Tag Match: Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Ford), Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ueno & Yuki Ishida
7. DDT Universal Title: Naruki Doi (c) Vs KANON
8. DDT Extreme Title – Master Of Environment Match: Jun Akiyama (c) Vs Akito

Once again Jun Akiyama is allowing his challenger to come up with the match stipulation for a DDT Extreme Title defence. This time it is Akito as the opponent and he came up with the Master Of Environment Match. All four corner turnbuckle pads will be removed and two green straps will criss cross the ring. Akiyama and Akito will fight under normal rules with the ring in this state. The green straps do not count as rope breaks. Akito was inspired by Gaia’s fight against Sikorsky in Baki The Grappler to come up with the match idea. That fight was all about how to use the environment as a weapon and Akito thinks he has a much better chance of beating Akiyama under a similar scenario. The concept might backfire though because Akiyama himself admits he does not move a lot in his matches. The restrictions caused by the extra ropes across the ring may not even matter in the end. Akito wants to return the Extreme Title belt back to purple if he wins it but accepts that it is the champion who gets to make that decision.

Proof of DAMNATION T.A still being a well oiled machine can be seen from how KANON is dealing with Naruki Doi. KANON & MJ Paul attacked Doi backstage after his match last weekend. Today at a press conference KANON approached Doi and apologised for his behaviour. Doi wanted to make sure if the DDT Universal Title defence against KANON is only going to involve those two and no one else. That means no Sasaki and no Paul in KANON’s corner while Doi will not have Kazuki Hirata in his. Doi then hesitantly shook KANON’s hand until KANON gave him a low blow! He told Doi his title reign won’t make it past its first defence in Nagoya!

Let’s see how this AEW relationship works out. Kip Sabian makes his DDT debut and Penelope Ford is by his side for extra danger. His first match here has him teaming with both Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno as an international trio. Shinno recently had his own little excursion in AEW over the winter.

BASARA “BASARA 211 ~OJI NI KITSUNE 24~”, 18/02/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MONSTAR

1. IRON FIST Tag Titles: Isami Kodaka & Daiki Shimomura (c) Vs Takato Nakano & Masato Kamino

The new IRON FIST Tag Champions are going up against former champions in their first defence. Isami Kodaka is now a double BASARA champion and Daiki Shimomura wants to hold the tag titles long enough for the “ALL STAR JR FESTIVAL 2023”. That’s if he is chosen as BASARA’s representative of course. He may have jumped the gun on that. Aijin Tag lost the belts to the previous champions and had already planned to challenge them to a rematch. Now that Sento Minzoku have the titles, Aijin Tag had to change their target.

DDT/GCW “GCW VS DDT”, 31/03/2023
Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Dark Sheik Vs Saki Akai
2. Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne Vs MAO & Mike Bailey

We have our first two matches for the GCW Vs DDT show! The Moonlight Express reunite to take on The East West Express. The show will also pit GCW’s Dark Sheik against DDT’s own Saki Akai.

A partial lineup of other wrestlers have been announced. Team DDT so far consists of Kazusada Higuchi, Jun Akiyama and Yoshihiko. The first crop of GCW wrestlers showing up are Joey Janela, Blake Christian, EFFY and Allie Katch. The last two are being advertised together as Bussy (adding that to the taglist is going to be a dangerous game) so that means we have at least one other tag match happening.


DDT Around The World – January 2023

February 1, 2023

The first month of 2023 felt like DDT’s international plans have jumped up a gear. Konosuke Takeshita now finds himself orbiting the current AEW World Title storyline and Yuka Sakazaki has her sights set on a Ring Of Honor championship, making a new enemy (maybe her first?) in the process. Maki Itoh is getting further entrenched into GCW while Miyu Yamashita is also out there growing her stock across America. Things are going to ramp up even further in the coming months as we approach WrestleMania weekend.

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Videos


AEW “DYNAMITE”, 11/01/2023
KIA Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Bryan Danielson Vs Konosuke Takeshita


PRESTIGE “VENDETTA”, 21/01/2023
The Glass House, Pomona, California, USA

1. Kevin Blackwood Vs MAO


Video starts at 2:20:10 for the match
ROH “JAY BRISCOE TRIBUTE AND CELEBRATION OF LIFE”, 25/01/2023
Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, USA

1. Yuka Sakazaki Vs Sandra Moone

Video starts at 2:03:40 for the match
SETUP “SETUP EP.11”, 28/01/2023
The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand

1. International Single Match: Matcha Vs Yuki Kamifuku


Video starts at 22:05 for the match. Go to 39:55 for The Dark Order segment.
AEW “DARK ELEVATION”, 30/01/2023
Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

1. Athena & Diamante Vs Yuka Sakazaki & Skye Blue (w/ Madison Rayne)


Video starts at 31:48 for Match #1. Go to 41:03 for Match #2.
AEW “DARK”, 31/01/2023
Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, USA

1. Yuka Sakazaki Vs Avery Breaux
2. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Angelico

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Results


GCW “56 NIGHTS”, 01/01/2023
The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

1. 4 Way Match: Maki Itoh defeated Dark Sheik, Billie Starkz and Sawyer Wreck when Itoh pinned Sheik with the I.S.D (8:01).

I think Itoh is fitting in with GCW a little too well. During her last trip their she became firmly established as a member of Nick Gage’s gang, adopting the pizza cutter as her new weapon of choice and even entering to Gage’s theme music “For Whom The Bell Tolls” by Metallica! It’s been working out for her because she was the last woman standing in a 4 Way against Dark Sheik, Billie Starkz and Sawyer Wreck! She even got a piggy back ride from Gage back to the locker room after the match. Being MDK all day has its benefits.


PWG “BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES 2023 – FIRST STAGE”, 07/01/2023
Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Battle Of Los Angeles 2023 – Round 1: Konosuke Takeshita defeated Michael Oku with the Zahi (17:17).

Takeshita’s hectic month began with the Battle Of Los Angeles tournament in PWG. It is one of the most high profile events on the American indies even though it takes about 6 months for official videos of the event to actually surface. Takeshita only had one match on the first night but it was an intense fight against Michael Oku, who is an English wrestler you should be paying attention to. Countering the Blue Thunder Bomb with a Reverse Hurricanrana is no easy feat.


PWG “BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES 2023 – FINAL STAGE”, 08/01/2023
Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Battle Of Los Angeles 2023 – Round 2: Konosuke Takeshita defeated Titus Alexander with the Jumping Knee (9:38).
2. Battle Of Los Angeles 2023 – Semi Final: Konosuke Takeshita defeated Komander with a Backslide Pin (5:43).
3. Battle Of Los Angeles 2023 – Final: Mike Bailey defeated Konosuke Takeshita with the Flamingo Driver (27:22).

Night two was an even busier night for Takeshita. He went through three rounds to reach the BOLA final, beating the west coast’s own Titus Alexander and luchador Komander. The only man who had an even busier night in the ring was Takeshita’s opponent in the final. It was his good old friend Mike Bailey! Speedball fought four matches in one night due to a busy weekend schedule and won them all. That’s right, Bailey beat Takeshita in the final and he used the Flamingo Driver to do it. It was the very move Bailey first created to beat Takeshita in 2018.


AEW “DYNAMITE”, 11/01/2023
KIA Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Bryan Danielson defeated Konosuke Takeshita by Referee Stoppage with the Regal Stretch (14:47).

No rest for the wicked because a few days later Takeshita stepped up to face the one and only Bryan Danielson in AEW! There was more than just a wrestling match to pay attention to because MJF entered the ring after Takeshita to run down everybody on the microphone, Takeshita included. Takeshita responded to the AEW World Champion first in Japanese and then told MJF in English to kiss his ass. Once that was out of the way Takeshita and Danielson put on one hell of a match that ended with Takeshita passing out to the Regal Stretch. Danielson had nothing but the highest of praise for Takeshita afterwards.


ROH “JAY BRISCOE TRIBUTE AND CELEBRATION OF LIFE”, 18/01/2023 (Aired 25/01/2023)
Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, USA

1. Yuka Sakazaki defeated Sandra Moone with the Magical Magical Girl Splash (3:02)

The January tour for Sakazaki began with what you could say is her debut for Ring Of Honor. It was under sad circumstances because the taping was held in tribute for the late Jay Briscoe, who tragically lost his life in a car crash the previous day. Sakazaki beat Sandra Moone in one of the matches taped for the show and showed good sportsmanship to her opponent afterwards. Oh and there was that one guy in the crowd who was having the time of his life dancing to Sakazaki’s theme song after the match.


WARRIOR “WARRIOR WRESTLING 27”, 21/01/2023
Bendix Arena, South Bend, Indiana, USA

1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Zachary Wentz with the Zahi (14:21).

Takeshita was back to winning ways on the indies. His first visit to Warrior Wrestling put him in the ring with Zachary Wentz of The Rascalz. It was a back and forth match that ended with Takeshita hitting the Jumping Knee followed by the Zahi for the three count.


PRESTIGE “VENDETTA”, 21/01/2023
The Glass House, Pomona, California, USA

1. Anything Goes Match: Sonico defeated Shunma Katsumata with the BMF through the Lego covered door (16:53).
2. MAO defeated Kevin Blackwood with a Screw High Kick (13:21).
3. ROH Women’s Title: Athena (c) defeated Miyu Yamashita with a Title Belt Attack (20:59).
*V4 for Athena.

Yamashita’s plan to become a triple crown champion had already fallen apart by the time she travelled to California for her latest Prestige appearance. Now thanks to Athena’s cheating she is also no longer undefeated in the promotion. Athena tricked the referee into thinking Yamashita had hit her with the ROH Women’s Title belt. Then when the ref’s back was turned, Athena grabbed the belt and whacked it over Yamashita’s head for the three count!

MAO had the breakout performance of the show with his win against Kevin Blackwood. The one moment in particular that went viral was MAO giving Blackwood a Springboard Hurricanrana off the corner and then following up with a Swan Dive Phoenix Splash, aka the Marines Tornado Splash!

Shunma Katsumata also had a crazy match with Sonico. It had to be because he was asking fans to bring Lego and other items to the show so they could use them as weapons! The chaotic match ended with Sonico spitting Poison Mist in Katsumata’s eyes and then crashing him through a lego covered door from the top rope. The two showed respect to each other after the match.


AEW “DARK ELEVATION”, 25/01/2023 (Aired 30/01/2023)
Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

1. Yuka Sakazaki & Skye Blue (w/ Madison Rayne) defeated Athena & Diamante when Sakazaki pinned Diamante with the Magical Merry-Go-Round (7:11).

Sakazaki’s return to AEW actually began earlier in the month when she started a program with Athena. For weeks Athena has been winning matches and beating up her opponents afterwards. Sakazaki ran down to put a stop to it, sending Athena out of the ring. Sakazaki noticed the ROH Women’s Title belt and showed an interest in taking it. The following week the two women met up backstage and got into a fight, causing them to be pulled apart. That all led to the match on this show. Sakazaki teamed with her usual AEW tag partner Skye Blue while Athena struck a deal with Diamante to tag with her. Sakazaki scored the win after sending Athena out of the ring with a Hurricanrana and then pinning Diamante with the Magical Merry-Go-Round.

That wasn’t the end of Sakazaki’s night though. She was approached by The Dark Order later backstage with an offer to join their group. She kept telling them “Hai!” but they misunderstood and thought she was just saying hello. They left her alone, convinced they were being rejected. She made the Dark Order pose with her hand anyway. So maybe she’s in (or maybe she’s not, brother)?


SPW “CHAMPIONS NEVER YIELD”, 27/01/2023
Foochow Building, Singapore

1. Queen Of Asia Title: Alexis Lee (c) defeated Yuki Kamifuku with the Shotgun Double Knees (?:??).
*V1 for Alexis Lee.

In travels much closer to home Yuki Kamifuku took a mini-tour of southeast Asia after her team was eliminated from the Max Heart Tournament. Her first stop was in Singapore Pro Wrestling where she challenged Alexis Lee for the Queen Of Asia Title. Lee successfully defended her title by pinning Kamifuku with the Shotgun Double Knees.


SETUP “SETUP EP.11”, 28/01/2023
The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand

1. International Single Match: Yuki Kamifuku defeated Matcha with the Famouser (9:43).

The next day Kamifuku was in Thailand to take on Matcha at a SETUP show. Things got better for her here… sort of. Kamifuku pinned Matcha with the Famouser but for some reason the bell never rang and the two of them decided to continue wrestling. Kamifuku had climbed up to the second rope ready to do a flying Famouser when the bell finally rang and the referee tried to explain to a confused audience that the match had ended with Kamifuku as the winner.


AEW “DARK”, 28/01/2023 (Aired 31/01/2023, 07/02/2023 & 13/02/2023)
Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, USA

1. Yuka Sakazaki defeated Avery Breaux with the Magical Girl Splash (4:15)
2. Konosuke Takeshita defeated EJ Nduka with the Zahi (4:15).
3. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Bronson with the Zahi (6:37).

The month for Takeshita and Sakazaki ends with an AEW Dark taping in Universal Studios. Sakazaki’s match with Avery Breaux has already been shown on the most recent episode as I type this. Takeshita’s matches with EJ Nduka and Bronson will be show in February. The EJ Nduka match got some attention online because it is Nduka’s first appearance in the ring since leaving MLW a few weeks earlier.

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Upcoming Appearances


AEW “DYNAMITE”, 01/02/2023
Nutter Center, Dayton, Ohio, USA

1. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Brian Cage (w/ Prince Nana)

So now Takeshita has found himself playing a part in the MJF Vs Danielson feud. In the weeks since his Danielson match, Takeshita has called MJF an asshole in interviews and saved Danielson in the ring from an attack from MJF and Brian Cage. The next part of the story happens tonight when Takeshita faces Cage one on one.


DPW “YOU ALREADY KNOW”, 25/02/2023
NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA

1. Princess Tag Team Titles: Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer (c) Vs Raychell Rose & Hyan

The Princess Tag Team Titles are heading over to America thanks to The Wasteland War Party. The new champions have set Deadlock Pro Wrestling as their next target and agreed to defend the titles against Raychell Rose & Hyan. It will be the first time the Princess Tag Titles will be defended outside of Japan. Rose is an established part of DPW’s roster, being the young company’s first women’s champion. Hyan is a talent from the Texas scene who is well travelled around the US indies.


GCW “HOLY SMOKES”, 04/03/2023
The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

1. Maki Itoh Vs X
2. Joey Janela Vs VENY

Itoh will have a lot to do with GCW in March and she won’t be alone for any of it. Asuka/VENY will be travelling over to Atlantic City alongside her. They’ll be wrestling together on the second show but first, VENY is getting a GCW welcoming party from Joey Janela.


GCW “RANSOM”, 05/03/2023
The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA

1. Maki Itoh, Rina Yamashita & VENY Vs Sawyer Wreck, Billie Starkz & Janai Kai

Itoh is familiar with all three of her opponents Wreck, Starkz & Janai Kai at this point. Rina Yamashita is joining in the fun and will surely make the match turn out way more violent than anticipated.


EVE “WOMEN BEHAVING BADLY”, 08/03/2023
229 The Venue, London, England

1. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Lizzy Evo

Yamashita’s scheduled EVE Title defence against Lizzy Evo was delayed due to the concussion Yamashita suffered in Tokyo Joshi Pro a few days earlier. She was unable to travel abroad safely because of it. The match will now take place at EVE’s next event in March.


SETUP “SETUP EP.12”, 18/03/2023
The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand

1. SETUP Thailand Openweight Title: Monomoth (c) Vs Masahiro Takanashi

Masahiro Takanashi is getting a title match when he returns to Thailand in March. Monomoth is the current SETUP Openweight Champion and is now counting down the days for his defence against Takanashi to happen.


NEW “NEW 12”, 24/03/2023
Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, Canada

1. Maki Itoh Vs X
2. Miyu Yamashita Vs X

YYamashita makes her Canadian debut with Nation Extreme Wrestling. Itoh joins her and cannot wait to eat poutine again.


PANDEMONIUM PRO “NEW 12”, 29/03/2023
Don Quixote, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Maki Itoh & Kidd Bandit Vs Taya Valkyrie & Heather Monroe

Damn it this was announced while I was in the middle of finishing this post. Itoh makes her debut for Pandemonium Pro Wrestling teaming with Kidd Bandit. Together they take on Taya Valkyrie & Heather Monroe! Bandit once cosplayed as Itoh and got her approval so will they be showing up in matching costumes on the night?


DDT “DDT GOES HOLLYWOOD”, 30/03/2023
Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

DDT are sending 16 wrestlers over to Los Angeles for the company’s big return to America. They are Kazusada Higuchi, Jun Akiyama, MAO, Shunma Katsumata, Sanshiro Takagi, Konosuke Takeshita, Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Ueno, Chris Brookes, Saki Akai, KANON, Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno, Michael Nakazawa, Yoshihiko and the winner of the D GENERATIONS CUP. This will be Takeshita’s only DDT match during the week.


TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES”, 31/03/2023
Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA

The report from The Wrestling Observer last November was true. TJPW is travelling along with DDT to America this March! Here’s the interesting wrinkle. The TJPW show is being held under the Wrestlecon umbrella ran by Highspots while DDT is with GCW and The Collective. Now that’s playing both sides! Somewhere between 12 and 15 members of the TJPW roster will be part of the show along with some international guest wrestlers.


DDT/GCW “GCW VS DDT”, 31/03/2023
Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne Vs MAO & Mike Bailey

The first GCW Vs DDT match announced is sure to be a barn burner. MAO & Mike Bailey are back together as The Moonlight Express for the first time in three years. Their opponents are two of GCW’s most talked about prospects. Together Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne are The East West Express.

Other DDT wrestlers so far confirmed to appear are Higuchi, Akiyama and Yoshihiko. As already mentioned, Takeshita will not be part of the GCW Vs DDT show. ROH have their PPV happening around the same time so maybe he shows up there?


PRESTIGE “NERVOUS BREAKDOWN”, 31/03/2023
Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Taya Valkyrie Vs Miyu Yamashita

Another match that got announced right after I finished this post. You’re killing me here lads. Yamashita faces Valkyrie for the first time ever.


GCW “JOEY JANELA’S SPRING BREAK 7”, 31/03/2023
Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. Maki Itoh Vs X

Here me out. The payoff to the Itoh and Gage interactions has to be the two of them in the same match together, right? They’re both MDK so Itoh & Gage teaming together makes sense. But “JOEY JANELA’S SPRING BREAK” has the reputation of being one of the craziest booked shows to happen anywhere every year. Gage is the GCW World Champion so why not have him defend it against Itoh on this show! Or how about Itoh versus Kota Ibushi now that he’s been announced for the show?


LLL “MONSTER ISLAND”, 07/04/2023
The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA

1. Heidi Howitzer Vs Maki Itoh

Heidi Howitzer got the chance to pick any opponent she wanted for the next Lucha Libre & Laughs show in April. She wants to fight Itoh and made her challenge in words Itoh can understand: “Hey Maki, fuck you!”


WEST COAST PRO “HOME OF THE KILLERS”, 07/04/2023
The State Room, South San Francisco, California, USA

1. West Coast Pro Women’s Title: X (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita

Another promotion debut for Yamashita is happening while she is in America this Spring. West Coast Pro will be crowning their first Women’s Champion in March. Whoever it is, her first defence will be against Yamashita in April.

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Cancelled Appearances


EVE “EVE 100”, 07/01/2023
229 The Venue, London, England

1. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Lizzy Evo

As mentioned above, the title match was pushed back to March because of Yamashita’s concussion preventing her from travelling overseas.