DDT “ROAD TO ULTIMATE PARTY 2023 IN SHINJUKU”, 03/11/2023 Shinjuku FACE 385 Fans – Super No Vacancy
1. Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku defeated Kazusada Higuchi & Toy Kojima when Koroku submitted Kojima with the Modified Triangle Lancer (7:28).
2. Special Single Match: Masahiro Takanashi defeated Soma Takao with the Bacchus (6:07).
3. Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi defeated HARASHIMA & Kazuma Sumi when Oishi pinned Sumi with the Miracle Ecstasy (9:16).
4. Saki Akai Debut 10th Anniversary Match Final ~ Special Single Match: Saki Akai defeated Kazuki Hirata with the Quetzalcoatl (20:48).
5. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul submitted Tetsuya Endo, Yukio Naya & Rukiya when KANON submitted Rukiya with the Just Cobra Twist (8:07).
6. All Asia Tag Team Titles: Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani defeated Jun Akiyama & Kotaro Suzuki (c) when Sakaguchi pinned Suzuki with the God’s Right Knee (13:25). *BURNING fails in V2. Eruption becomes the 121st All Asia Tag Team Champions!
7. Special Tag Match: Yuki Ueno & MAO defeated Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada when Ueno pinned Masada with the Jul.2 (22:06).
With the exception of a small outdoor show happening tomorrow, today was pretty much DDT’s go home show for “ULTIMATE PARTY 2023”. It was the final preview for Chris Brookes against Yuki Ueno. With MAO by his side, Ueno got the win by using his Rolling Guillotine Ace Crusher on Takeshi Masada. That move has a new name by the way. It’s now called the Jul.2 because Ueno’s special match against HUB this year took place on 2nd July. After winning in the main event, Ueno said his match with Brookes at Sumo Hall will go beyond being great and he will definitely win. His goal is to make DDT bigger and get as many people as possible to watch it. However Brookes said backstage that his Dramatic Dream is not over yet. All he is thinking about now is the match at Sumo Hall.
The valuable All Asia Tag Team Titles reached a new milestone to go along with brand new champions. Eruption defeated Jun Akiyama & Kotaro Suzuki to mark another title change in DDT for the belts that normally belong to All Japan. The milestone here is there are now two generations from the same family to have held the All Asia Titles. Yukio Sakaguchi gets to join his father Seiji Sakaguchi in the championship’s lineage. He put Suzuki away with the God’s Right Knee to make himself & Hideki Okatani the new champions. Sakaguchi told reporters he was always the hopeless son but this takes him one step closer to standing in front of his father with pride. He and Okatani will next be entering the annual Real World Tag League in AJPW. They said they will use the All Asia Tag Titles as their tickets to go on a rampage and destroy AJPW as part of DDT’s “Special Attack Team”!
After the match ended but before Sakaguchi gave his speech, the new champions already met their first challengers. Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku got permission from Akiyama to ask for a title shot so they can bring the belts right back to BURNING. Okada said it’s not going to take ability or achievements to win the titles. What he needs is courage and making the challenge is his first step. Koroku lamented about his lack of success since losing the D GENERATIONS CUP final to Masada earlier this year. Meanwhile Okatani has been winning a lot of tag team championships lately. That makes Koroku frustrated and he now wants to take the title from Okatani more than anything else. Once the match gets endorsed by PWF Chairman Dory Funk Jr. we will find out when it will take place.
The matter between Tetsuya Endo and Daisuke Sasaki is getting more personal as we get closer to Sumo Hall. Sasaki gave Endo a Low Blow during their match, which led to KANON submitting Rukiya without anyone there to stop him. Sasaki attacked Endo even further after the match this time with a chair. Endo fought him off by Dropkicking the chair into Sasaki’s face. Endo then got on the microphone and said the six years he spent with Sasaki were irreplaceable but now he is now going to tarnish them. He is now Tetsuya Endo of BURNING and Sasaki has been left behind by the times. Sasaki corrected Endo because he is not behind the times, he is the centre of the times! He told Endo their match at Sumo Hall will just be between them one on one. Meanwhile KANON sent out a warning to Yukio Naya. It’s not The Saito Brothers who will doom Naya in the D-Ou Grand Prix, it will be KANON!
The last dance for Saki Akai is coming soon so today she had her last real dance because her opponent was Kazuki Hirata. Akai’s final singles match in DDT was promised to be fought Strong Style but Hirata immediately contradicted himself by taking out the Hirata GO! glasses. Akai briefly knocked him out with the Tegatana strike to the neck but admitted there is no way her last match with him was going to end without a dance battle. The two put on the glasses and danced. Akai put Hirata in position for the Quetzalcoatl when Hirata called for the match to pause. He knew the match was about to end but before that he wanted to read a letter he wrote for Akai. One by one, wrestlers like HARASHIMA, Ueno, MAO, Brookes and Danshoku Dieno all entered the ring and spoke of their feelings towards her. When they finished, they all left the ring and Akai agreed to restart the match with Hirata with both of them at full power. Akai defeated Hirata in the end and thanked him for being the person she had the most matches with in DDT. She said you wouldn’t see other wrestling companies have people reading heartfelt letters in the middle of their matches. It is ideas like these that made her fall in love with DDT and have no regrets over the ten years she spent with the company.
The recent luck Danshoku Dieno has had has been mixed but seems to be on the uptake since forming D.O.A with Jun Akiyama & Makoto Oishi. His Danshoku Style is still not as strong as it used to be according to Akito. Dieno changed things up by promising not to kiss anyone in the audience during his entrance without their consent. The fans who raised their hands got their kisses from him. Dieno & Oishi’s teamwork was good enough to beat HARASHIMA & Kazuma Sumi. However Dieno is still unsure that D.O.A is going to work out. Oishi told him not to underestimate Akiyama. Just leave everything to him otherwise they will be Dead Or Alive!
Masahiro Takanashi got a measure of revenge for Antonio Honda by beating Soma Takao. They had a series of cradle pins going back and forth until Takanashi got the three count with the Bacchus. Takanashi then made fun of Shota for showing up without being booked for a match. He can tell Shota wanted to fight him today but Takanashi wouldn’t have bothered if that was the match instead. He told ROMANCE DAWN he will be at a ChocoPro show on 10th November, two days before Sumo Hall. He’ll be waiting for them if they want one more fight before the KO-D Tag Team Titles match.
Okada & Koroku winning in the opener was the set up they needed to make the All Asia Tag Titles challenge later in the show.
A messy edition this time around because I wrote most of this up a week ago before going on holiday. Then in the last seven days came the usual landslide of upcoming bookings and match announcements for the following month that I tried to catch up on. That is why some of the graphics below are outdated.
Anyway, this month Konosuke Takeshita is in the same position as he was last month in the whole Don Callis storyline. AEW has really taken a beating with reviews and criticism for their TV shows lately and rightfully so. Thankfully Takeshita got to have a few matches on the indies so he can do his thing more often. Maki Itoh was part of GCW’s visit to Japan so while this article is supposed to be everything DDT related that happens outside of Japan, this still finds a way to be included here. Miyu Yamashita did another group of bookings in America and Miu Watanabe got to join her for a bit. Yamashita also unintentionally made her on-screen WWE debut when she was seen sitting behind the commentary desk on an episode of NXT. May God have mercy on her for having to hear Booker T’s commentary that close in person. Closing out the month was CDK getting to torment the wrestling community in Thailand again.
AEW “DYNAMITE ANNIVERSARY”, 04/10/2023 Stockton Arena, Stockton, California, USA
1. Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho Vs Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher (w/ Don Callis)
LLL “THE HANDS OF FATE”, 20/10/2023 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. Lilith Grimm Vs Miyu Yamashita
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 27/10/2023 Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Kyle Fletcher Vs Konosuke Takeshita
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Results
AEW “WRESTLEDREAM”, 01/10/2023 Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. Sammy Guevara, Will Ospreay & Konosuke Takeshita (w/ Don Callis) defeated Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega & Kota Ibushi when Guevara pinned Jericho (22:10).
The month kicked off with AEW’s latest PPV being a put together as a tribute to the late Antonio Inoki. For Takeshita, his part on the show was to team up with Sammy Guevara & Will Ospreay to defeat Chris Jericho and The Golden Lovers. Takeshita hit a wall when he went face to face with Kota Ibushi and the two more or less cancelled each other out. The result instead went to Guevara who pinned Jericho after Callis struck Jericho with a baseball bat behind the referee’s back.
AEW “DYNAMITE – ANNIVERSARY”, 04/10/2023 Stockton Arena, Stockton, California, USA
1. Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho defeated Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher (w/ Don Callis) when Omega pinned Fletcher with the One-Winged Angel (15:15).
A few days later Takeshita and Guevara were meant to team up again to fight Jericho & Kenny Omega. However Guevara was not medically cleared to compete so Takeshita teamed up with Kyle Fletcher instead. Omega got Takeshita out of the way with a Snap Dragon Suplex, leaving everything open for The Golden Jets to finish off Fletcher.
WARRIOR “WARRIOR WRESTLING 31”, 06/10/2023 Bendix Arena, South Bend, Indiana, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Storm Grayson (w/ Frank The Clown) with the Powerdrive Knee (16:09).
Takeshita was back to being a babyface when he returned to Warrior Wrestling. Anybody going against a wrestler accompanied by Frank The Clown would be a babyface no matter what. Storm Grayson needed Frank’s interference to have a chance of winning. Frank pulled the referee out of the ring, got Takeshita to chase him around the venue and grabbed Takeshita’s leg back in the ring to stop his momentum. Grayson followed up by relying an exposed turnbuckle to damage Takeshita’s groin thanks to a missed Helluva Kick and then follow up with a kick between the legs. Takeshita however blocked a second Low Blow, threw Grayson away with the Rollover German Suplex and then pin him with the Powerdrive Knee. Given the way Takeshita was selling the low blow after the match, it does make me wonder if he got an injury that kept him away from the ring for pretty much the rest of the month.
GCW “TO LIVE AND DIE IN TOKYO”, 10/10/2023 Shin-Kiba 1st RING
1. Maki Itoh defeated Jimmy Lloyd with the I.S.D. (9:36).
GCW returned to Japan and Itoh was along for the ride. On night one she took on Jimmy Lloyd by herself and took every big move he threw at her. She kicked out of Piledrivers and even a One-Winged Angel. She fought back violently by using a pizza cutter and also smashing a lighttube over Lloyd’s head. Itoh pulled off the upset by dropping Lloyd with the Itoh Suicide DDT.
SPARK “RISING HEAT WEST”, 11/10/2023 LA Dojo, Carson, California, USA
1. Spark Joshi World Title: Billie Starkz defeated Miyu Yamashita (c) with a Title Belt Attack (15:36). *Miyu Yamashita fails in V2. Billie Starkz becomes the 2nd Spark Joshi World Champion!
Yamashita’s reign as Spark Joshi World Champion came to an end not that long after she became an international triple crown holder. Xtinguish leader Billie Starkz relied on Sumie Sakai’s interference to hit Yamashita with the title belt and become champion.
GCW “THE WRLD ON GCW”, 12/10/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Effy, Allie Katch & Maki Itoh defeated Kikutaro, Kikutaro (Abdullah Kobayashi) & Kikutaro (Jimmy Lloyd) when Effy, Katch & Itoh all pinned Kikutaro with a Triple Kokeshi Headbutt (8:20).
Night two of GCW’s Japan tour brought them right into Korakuen Hall. Itoh’s match here was a more lighthearted affair because she teamed up with Bussy to take on not one, not two but three Kikutaros! Itoh did a full Nick Gage style entrance with the crowd. She then used a bull rope with Effy to crotch all three Kikutaros with some added rope burn for extra damage. Itoh attacked the original Kikutaro with a pizza cutter until she realised she couldn’t cut through his mask. She and Bussy then unmasked the other two revealing they were Jimmy Lloyd and Abdullah Kobayashi! The original Kikutaro was then triple teamed with Effy, Allie Katch & Itoh all hitting Kokeshi Headbutts on him at the same time for the finish.
SPARK “RISING HEAT EAST”, 14/10/2023 Engelwood Neighborhood Center, Orlando, Florida, USA
1. Miu Watanabe defeated KiLynn King with the Tear Drop (14:09).
2. Miyu Yamashita defeated Jessie with the Skull Kick (13:13).
Things went off better for the Tokyo Joshi Pro side at SPARK’s next show. Jessie tried to match Yamashita kick to kick but fell to the Skull Kick like so many others.
Miu Watanabe scored a big win over KiLynn King, spinning her powerful opponent around with the Giant Swing in the process. She just about kicked out of the King’s Curse, stunned King with the Laserbeam and pinned her with the Tear Drop.
LLL “THE HANDS OF FATE”, 20/10/2023 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita defeated Lilith Grimm with the Skull Kick (?:??).
Yamashita didn’t have to worry about Heidi Howitzer in Lucha Libre & Laughs this time around. Her opponent instead was Lilith Grimm.
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 25/10/2023 (Aired 27/10/2023) Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Kyle Fletcher with the Wagamama (11:17).
From tag partners to opponents. Takeshita and Fletcher last fought each other one on one in Manchester almost four years ago. Now they fight again this time on American TV. Takeshita used the Wagamama version of his Powerdrive Knee that involves pulling down his kneepad and striking the opponent with the exposed knee. After the match Fletcher attacked Takeshita with a chair in an act of frustration but was stopped by Powerhouse Hobbs and Don Callis. Callis then convinced Fletcher to join his side.
SETUP “SETUP EP.16”, 28/10/2023 The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand
1. SPW Champion Of Singapore & Gatoh Move One And Only Title & SETUP Thailand Openweight Title Unification Match: Shivam (S/c) defeated Masahiro Takanashi (T/c) and Kappa Rockstar (?:??). *???
2. Dramatic Dream Match: Chris Brookes defeated Monomoth with the Praying Mantis Bomb (?:??).
3. IWA Japan SETUP World Tag Team Titles: Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi defeated Anont Alonzo & Mister Suchart when Brookes pinned Alonzo after the Thrust Kick & Praying Mantis Bomb with Takanashi (?:??) *THE GOOD DEAL fail in V?. CDK become the 11th IWA Japan SETUP World Tag Team Champions!
CDK went and caused a lot of havoc in Thailand at the end of the month. Chris Brookes defeated Monomoth in what was advertised as the main event Dramatic Dream Match but cheated to do so. He gave Monomoth a Low Blow before finishing him off with the Praying Mantis Bomb. CDK then demanded an impromptu tag title match against SETUP’s tag champions THE GOOD DEAL. They beat the champs to win the IWA Japan SETUP World Tag Team Titles.
Earlier in the show Masahiro Takanashi lost his SETUP Thailand Openweight Title in a 3 Way Match. His original match against Paksa was changed on short notice to a 3 Way Match with Shivam and Kappa Rockstar. Shivam ended up winning the match and all of the championships involved in it.
REPUBLIC OF LUCHA “ROL VI VI VI: LA NOCHE DE WALPURGIS”, 30/10/2023 Republic Of Lucha, South Pasadena, California, USA
1. Penta el Zero Miedo & Konosuke Takeshita defeated Sami Callihan & Shun Skywalker when Penta pinned Skywalker with the Fear Factor onto a stack of chairs (?:??).
This match was originally meant to be Takeshita and The Lucha Brothers teaming up against Shun Skywalker and La Rebellion. Well that didn’t happen. For a variety of reasons from Rey Fenix being injured and La Rebellion recently splitting up (I think? All I heard about the NWA PPV was it included a comedy scene where a bunch of wrestlers did cocaine on camera which is both the least NWA thing ever and also the most NWA thing ever), the match was changed to Takeshita & Penta el Zero Miedo taking on Skywalker & Sami Callihan. The match featured the unexpected inclusion of actor Jason Segel when Callihan found him in the crowd, threw Penta onto his lap and then Super Kicked them. Takeshita and Penta used some good teamwork together on Skywalker, leading to Penta crashing him through a bunch of chairs with a Package Piledriver for the win.
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Iron Man Title In USA
But wait, there’s more. The Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title was taken to America this month too thanks to Hiromu Takahashi. The New Japan wrestler won the belt just before his company’s return to the USA so he was obligated to bring it with him. He was targeted by Danny Limelight during the show but made it out safe and sound as champion. It wasn’t until Takahashi was back at his hotel room when he was completely defenceless. Sumie Sakai snuck into his room with a referee and they found Takahashi sleeping on his bed. However the ref noticed that Takahashi’s iPhone was lying on his chest so he treated it as a pin, counted to three and declared Yellow iPhone 14 as the new champion! Sakai immediately grabbed the phone and pinned it on the floor to win the title. Her celebration was quickly cut off when Takahashi rolled her over with a School Boy to get the belt back and send everyone out of his room. At the time of writing Takahashi is back in Japan with the title but is still getting ambushed backstage at New Japan shows by other wrestlers who want to be the Iron Man Champion.
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Upcoming Appearances
GCW “PLEASE, BUDDY”, 03/11/2023 Pop’s Nightclub, Sauget, Illinois, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs Shazza McKenzie
This was a match originally booked by GCW back in May but was changed into a multiple woman free for all. Itoh and Shazza McKenzie have only wrestled each other in those kind of scramble matches so if plans don’t change again then there first singles match will take place here.
DAIKAIJU PRO “VOL. 1 – THE KAPPAS WALK AMONG US”, 04/11/2023 White Eagle, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA
1. Shoko Nakajima Vs VENY
America gets the first time ever Shoko Nakajima Vs VENY match. The two met in the ring for the first time earlier this year in DDT for one of Saki Akai’s 10th Anniversary celebration matches. Their next meeting is in somewhere very different, the new Daikaiju Pro group.
GCW “¿SI OR NO?”, 04/11/2023 Center Stage, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
1. Maki Itoh, Effy & Allie Katch Vs Jordan Oliver, Davey Bang & August Matthews
The match in Japan worked out for them so Itoh is now teaming up with Effy & Allie Katch to form the unbeatable force known as… Maki Death Bussy! Their opponents is also a trio of teams mashed up together. Jordan Oliver, Davey Bang & August Matthews are going by the name Young, Dumb & Bros.
EVE “FRIDAY NIGHT’S ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING”, 10/11/2023 Big Penny Social, Walthamstow, London, England
1. International Princess Title: Max The Impaler (c) Vs Kasey
The relationship between TJPW and EVE extends even further with Max The Impaler’s arrival in England. EVE has been given permission to have Max defend the International Princess Title against their upcoming opponent Kasey. The winner will next have a title defence in Japan against Shoko Nakajima.
GCW “GOING AND GOING”, 17/11/2023 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. Maki Itoh & Nick Gage Vs X
Not a guarantee that Maki Death Kill are teaming up just because they get advertised together.
HOODSLAM “RED”, 18/11/2023 Continental Club, Oakland, California, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh returns to Hoodslam. I hear things in their shows are getting a bit out of control over there lately.
EVE “WRESTLE QUEENDOM”, 19/11/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Safire Reed
Yamashita will have become a year long EVE Champion by the time her next appearance and title defence on their shows takes place. The next big challenger being built up for her is Safire Reed, the winner of this year’s SHE-1 tournament. Reed got to beat two of Yamashita’s previous EVE opponents to get here too. She has wins over Emersyn Jayne and Alex Windsor.
LLL “DEEP HURTING”, 22/11/2023 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. 3 Way Match: Lilith Grimm Vs Maki Itoh Vs Stormi Renee
Grimm gets another crack at a TJPW talent in Lucha Libre & Laughs, this time against Itoh. It’s a Triple Threat match though with Stormi Renee also in the mix.
SPW “VIVA LA LUCHA!”, 24/11/2023 Foo Chow Building, Singapore
1. Queen Of Asia Title: Alexis Lee (c) Vs Yuki Kamifuku
A second chance for Yuki Kamifuku. She fought Alexis Lee in Singapore Pro Wrestling for the Queen Of Asia Title back in January this year but lost. Since then Lee also successfully defended the title against Saki Akai.
GCW “WRESTLECADE WEEKEND”, 24/11/2023 Benton Convention Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs Kenzie Paige
Now here’s something interesting. Kenzie Paige is currently the NWA World Women’s Champion. Does that play into this match against Itoh in any way shape or form? Or does GCW just ignore that and tell her that Itoh is going over, sister!
BLACK LABEL PRO “SLAMILTON”, 02/12/2023 Berwyn Eagles Club, Berwyn, Illinois, USA
1. Rachel Armstrong Vs Maki Itoh
In another era that image above would be a King Of Trios team. Instead Itoh’s appearance in Black Label Pro is fighting against Rachel Armstrong.
GCW “WHAT IS YOUR CHOICE?”, 03/12/2023 Roulette Intermedium, Brooklyn, New York, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
You know what would be a fun idea? Sayaka Unagi is booked on GCW’s other show that weekend. Put her and Itoh in a match together for old time’s sake.
DREAMWAVE “UPRISING”, 08/12/2023 Knights of Columbus, LaSalle, Illinois, USA
1. Shazza McKenzie Vs Miyu Yamashita
A rematch from ROH earlier this year. Fingers crossed we get the same result.
DREAMWAVE “GOOD AS GOLD”, 09/12/2023 Knights of Columbus, LaSalle, Illinois, USA
Well, well, well, what do we have here? Yamashita and Emi Sakura in the same ring on the same team at the same time? They were on opposite sides once before and that was on a DPW show during the summer. Now we get to see how they will fare when they on the same page. Zayda Steel & Zamaya could be in for a rough night if their opponents gel together really well.
SKYFIRE PRO “NAVIDAD NIGHTMARE”, 10/12/2023 Bay City Brewing Co., San Diego, California, USA
1. Shota Vs X
Shota is heading back to America for an end of year tour. First stop for him is at Skyfire Pro Lucha Libre in San Diego.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO/PRESTIGE “COMBAT PRINCESS USA”, 14/12/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly
Free WiFi and Pom Harajuku have been added to the show.
PANDEMONIUM PRO “HOLIDAY IN LA”, 17/12/2023 Don Quixote, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Vinnie Massaro Vs Shota
2. Mike Bailey Vs Miyu Yamashita
Shota will also be on the same Pandemonium Pro show that’s hosting Yamashita versus Mike Bailey. He takes on indy journeyman Vinnie Massaro.
CIRCLE 6 “KING OF THE DEATHMATCHES”, 30/12/2023 Don Quixote, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. MAO Vs X
Circle 6 is one of the messier deathmatch promotions going on in the scene right now but MAO likes wrestling there so he’s going back to party with them for New Year’s.
1. Ram Kaichow & Chris Kaichow defeated Mad Dr. Ueki & Nurse Gore when Ram pinned Gore with the Rainmaker (?:??).
2. Kazusada Higuchi defeated Masahiro Takanashi with the Modified Canadian Backbreaker (?:??).
3. Wasabi Cream Puff Death Match: Hagane Shinno defeated Antonio Honda when Honda ate the Wasabi Cream Puff (?:??).
4. Mecha MAO (w/ Mad Dr. Ueki) defeated Chieko with a Body Press (?:??).
Things were not all as they seem for the visitors to the Halloween edition of Baka Gaijin + Friends. In the main event the room got a visit from the haunted spectre of Chieko, who was looking for a fight. Mad Dr. Ueki answered the challenge by calling forth his big experiment in its finished form. Earlier in the summer Dr. Ueki collected a sample of MAO’s DNA. Over time he infused Mecha Mummy with the DNA, morphing it into his ultimate creation… Mecha MAO! Using the powers of MAO and Mecha Mummy combined the merged fighter still had trouble shaking off Chieko. She used her ghostly powers to send MAO’s Rocket Punch towards Ueki instead of herself. Ueki then ordered MAO to self destruct but it resisted the command. Chieko tried to stop it too until MAO went ahead and caused its chest to explode. MAO then fell on top of Chieko which counted as a pin and resulted in a three count. When the dust settled MAO and Ueko embraced.
Both Antonio Honda and Hagane Shinno entered the ARENA Shimokitazawa dressed in bee costumes. They intended to play a song by their band Daisetz for the fans in attendance but forgot to bring their instruments. Each blamed each other and decided there was only one match they could do to solve their dispute… a Wasabi Cream Puff Death Match! Daisuke Kiso held out a pan filled with cream puffs, one of which was filled with wasabi. Every time a wrestler was pinned for a two count they would have to eat a cream puff. If it was the cream puff filled with wasabi then they would lose. Honda and Shinno pinned each other once but both ate a safe cream puff. Honda used Gongitsune to pin Shinno only for the third puff to be safe too. What looked to become a Bionic Elbow duel instead turned into Shinno pinning Honda with a Backslide Pin. With two puffs left Honda made his choice and spat it out into the fans! It was the wasabi puff meaning Shinno was the winner.
Masahiro Takanashi didn’t show up wearing any silly costumes because he thinks Halloween is for kids. He made fun of the audience for coming to the show all dressed up but that attracted the attention of Kazusada Higuchi in his sumo gear. He easily overpowered Takanashi which caused Takanashi to change tactics. He grabbed whatever he could of Higuchi whether it was a finger or an ear and started twisting. He then poured a glass of beer into Higuchi’s mouth and swirled his head around to get him drunk. He then grabbed this month’s ring announcer Shota (dressed as Super Mario) and threw him into Higuchi. That did nothing to Takanashi threw Higuchi head first into a wooden pillar. That did nothing either. If that wasn’t enough, Higuchi’s hard head no sold getting hit with a bamboo stick too! A ref bump gave Takanashi the chance to grab his SETUP World Tag Team Titles belt to use as a weapon but Shota stopped him. Shota grabbed the belt off him and took a swing. Takanashi ducked and Higuchi got hit instead. However Takanashi’s luck finally ran out when Shota gave him a Codebreaker and Higuchi lifted him up into the Canadian Backbreaker to make him give up in front of the revived referee.
The first signs of fun that awaited everyone was Chris Brookes showing up in full Ram Kaichow facepaint. The real Ram Kaichow didn’t like seeing Brookes behave just like her, movements and all. Their opponents were Mad Dr. Ueki & Dr. Gore, who showed up as Nurse Gore because Ueki is already the doctor here. Ueki took Kaichow lightly even when she was armed with a stapler. He encouraged her to staple his forehead and proudly showed that it didn’t hurt him. What did hurt him was Kaichow stapling him in the groin afterward. Brookes lifted Kaichow up onto his shoulers and propellar spun her around to kick Gore. Ueki & Gore did their own teamwork by piling on top of Kaichow together only for Brookes to break the pin with a Double Stomp. Brookes then blinded Gore with Ectoplasm and Kaichow pinned him with the Rainmaker. The two Kaichows then fought over each other to soak in the cheers for “Kaichow”.
At the end of the show Brookes announced the next event on 12th December will celebrate Baka Gaijin’s 1st Anniversary. It also already has a main event in place. Brookes will face Munetatsu Nakamura from Ganbare☆Pro! Brookes explained that when he wrestled in Japan for the first time five years ago, Nakamura was just a fan who bought his merchandise. It would be a special idea for Brookes to face somebody who begun as a fan of his and then became a pro wrestler.
I’m going on holiday for the rest of the month so the blog might be a little quiet for the rest of the week. I’ll post results if I find the time but it might have to wait until I’m back next month. Same goes for the next DDT Around The World article. That might be delayed until I get home.
BASARA “BASARA 234 ~UTAGE~”, 24/10/2023 Shin-Kiba 1st RING
1. Ryuichi Sekine, Minoru Fujita & KUBITO Vs Takato Nakano, Masato Kamino & Tsutomu Oosugi
2. Turnabout Pro Wrestling Trial: Yasu Urano Vs Gouma Ryu Vs Banana Senga
3. IRON FIST TAG TOURNAMENT – Round 2B: Takumi Tsukamoto & SAGAT Vs Lil’ Kraken & Leo Isaka
4. IRON FIST TAG TOURNAMENT – Round 2A: Ryota Nakatsu & Kazusada Higuchi Vs Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & Daichi Kazato
5. FUMA Vs Isami Kodaka
The Union MAX Title match that was supposed to take place tomorrow has been cancelled because of Daiki Shimomura’s suspension. The new main event is FUMA against Isami Kodaka in a non-title match.
DDT “UTAN FESTA 2023”, 29/10/2023 Tokyo JR Omori Station East Exit Plaza
1. Danshoku Dieno Vs Rukiya
2. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul Vs Yusuke Okada, Yuya Koroku & Yuni
3. Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toy Kojima Vs HARASHIMA, Makoto Oishi & Yukio Naya
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Chikara Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Akito & Kazuki Hirata
5. Omori Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai & Hideki Okatani Vs Aja Kong, Takeshi Masada & Kazuma Sumi
6. World Omori Title: Soma Takao (c) Vs Antonio Honda
Antonio Honda has been chosen as Soma Takao’s next challenger for the World Omori Title. The match also serves as a preview for the KO-D Tag Team Titles bout at Sumo Hall next month.
One of Saki Akai’s early rivals meets with her one more time. Aja Kong was always a big challenge that Akai could never climb over.
Chikara returns so he can team up with BURNING.
DDT “ROAD TO ULTIMATE PARTY 2023 IN SHINJUKU”, 03/11/2023 Shinjuku FACE
1. Kazusada Higuchi & Toy Kojima Vs Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku
2. Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi Vs HARASHIMA & Kazuma Sumi
3. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul Vs Tetsuya Endo, Yukio Naya & Rukiya
4. Special Single Match: Soma Takao Vs Masahiro Takanashi
5. Saki Akai Debut 10th Anniversary Match Final ~ Special Single Match: Saki Akai Vs Kazuki Hirata
6. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada Vs Yuki Ueno & MAO
7. All Asia Tag Team Titles: Jun Akiyama & Kotaro Suzuki (c) Vs Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani
The final warm up match between Chris Brookes and Yuki Ueno takes place here.
Takao is also getting a singles match with Masahiro Takanashi.
DDT “DDT PRO WRESTLING IN SHINGASHI”, 04/11/2023 Shingashi Station West Exit Ekimae Street/Takashina Elementary School
1. Rojo Pro Wrestling Match: X Vs X
2. X Vs X
3. X Vs X
DDT will be holding three matches at the Shingashi Waku Festival. The first match will be a Street Wrestling match a Shingashi Station. The next two matches will be held inside a ring set up at Takashina Elementary School. HARASHIMA, Sanshiro Takagi, Makoto Oishi, Yoshiko Hasegawa and Danshoku Dieno have been announced for the event so far.
DDT “ULTIMATE PARTY 2023”, 12/11/2023 Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
1. Staggered Entry Tag Rumble: KANON & MJ Paul Vs Naruki Doi & Kazuma Sumi Vs Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku Vs Toy Kojima & Yuki Ishida Vs Yuni & Rukiya
2. Tokyo Joshi Pro Offer 6-Woman Tag Match: Yuki Arai, Moka Miyamoto & Shino Suzuki Vs Suzume, Arisu Endo & Wakana Uehara
3. Special 8-Man Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi, Akito, Makoto Oishi & Shinichiro Kawamatsu Vs Yoshitatsu, Yoshihiko, Danshoku Dieno & Super Sasadango Machine
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match ~ DDT Vs VOODOO-MURDERS: Jun Akiyama, HARASHIMA & Yukio Naya Vs Jun Saito, Rei Saito & Toshizo
5. Special Single Match: Kuroshio TOKYO Japan Vs Takeshi Masada
6. Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Tetsuya Endo
7. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Soma Takao & Shota (c) Vs Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda
8. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Hiromu Takahashi (c) Vs Kazuki Hirata
9. DDT Universal Title: Matt Cardona (c) (w/ Steph De Lander) Vs MAO
10. Saki Akai Retirement Match ~Strong, Noble, Beautiful~: Saki Akai, Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani Vs Naomichi Marufuji, Kazusada Higuchi & Miyu Yamashita
11. Dramatic Dream Match: Chris Jericho Vs KONOSUKE TAKESHITA
12. KO-D Openweight Title: Chris Brookes (c) Vs Yuki Ueno
A few slight changes to the card after what happened yesterday. Hiromu Takahashi is the new Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion so he should be defending the belt against Kazuki Hirata. Takahashi also asked Hirata to come up with special rules for the match.
Takeshi Masada has been taken out of the opening match because he was challenged by Kuroshio TOKYO Japan to a singles bout. Kuroshio heard from Konosuke Takeshita that Masada is really good in the ring so he wants to see it for himself.
The opening match is now a Tag Rumble instead of a 5 Way Tag Match. Yuni has been added to fill in Masada’s spot.
DDT “ULTIMATE PARTY 2023 OFFICIAL AFTER EVENT IN RYOGOKU”, 13/11/2023 Tokyo Ryogoku Pier
1. X Vs X
Former New Japan director Katsuji Nagashima will be attending the show as a “special witness”.
DDT “GET ALIVE 2023 TOUR IN SHINJUKU”, 16/11/2023 Shinjuku FACE
1. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles 1-DAY Tournament – Round 1: Chris Brookes, Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda Vs Jun Akiyama, Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi
2. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles 1-DAY Tournament – Round 1: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toy Kojima Vs Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul
3. DDT Extreme Title: Kazuki Hirata (c) Vs MIKAMI
4. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles 1-DAY Tournament – Final: X, X & X Vs X, X & X
Once Eruption vacates the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles a mini tournament will take place to crown new champions. The 37KAMIINA, DAMNATION T.A, CDK x The Iyasareru and the new trio D.O.A are all taking part.
The very first DDT Extreme Champion has come back wanting to reclaim the title! MIKAMI has challenged Kazuki Hirata and would prefer Hirata come up with a ruleset that involves ladders. MIKAMI loves to use ladders in his matches.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO/PRESTIGE “COMBAT PRINCESS USA”, 14/12/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly
The first match for Tokyo Joshi Pro’s return to USA is a doozy. It’s 121000000 Vs MK Ultra! The pairing of Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly joined forces earlier this year after a short rivalry and currently hold the Knockouts Tag Team Titles in Impact. They’ve also fought Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh often in singles matches this year.
DDT “GOD BLESS DDT 2023”, 22/10/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall 800 Fans
0. Dark Match: Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda defeated Soma Takao & Yuni when Honda pinned Yuni with a Modified Leg Clutch Hold (7:53).
1. Special Single Match: MIKAMI defeated Kazuma Sumi with the Swanton Bomb (5:57).
2. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul defeated Tetsuya Endo, Toy Kojima & Rukiya when KANON pinned Rukiya with the Sleepy Hollow (9:25).
3. Yukio Naya Vs Yuya Koroku ended in a No Contest when The Saito Brothers attacked Naya (5:17).
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Jun Akiyama, Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi defeated defeated Kazusada Higuchi, Akito & Yusuke Okada when Dieno pinned Akito with the Danshoku Driver (7:52).
5. Saki Akai Debut 10th Anniversary Match Vol. 4 ~ Special Tag Match: Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani defeated Saki Akai & Chihiro Hashimoto when Sakaguchi pinned Akai with the God’s Right Knee (12:19).
6. DDT Extreme Title & Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – Let’s Enjoy! Everyone Will Have A Great Time Death Match: Kazuki Hirata (E/c) defeated Takeshi Masada (I/c) by Countout (15:27). *V4 for Kazuki Hirata. V? For Takeshi Masada.
-. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Kazuki Hirata defeated Takeshi Masada (c) with the Miracle One Shot Cradle (1:30 pm). *Kazuki Hirata becomes the 1,583rd champion.
-. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Hiromu Takahashi defeated Kazuki Hirata (c) with a School Boy (1:32 pm). *Hiromu Takahashi becomes the 1,584th champion.
7. Road To Ultimate Party 2023! Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & HARASHIMA defeated Yuki Ueno & MAO when Brookes pinned Ueno with the Praying Mantis Bomb (22:11).
The upcoming Sumo Hall main event was previewed at today’s Korakuen Hall show. Chris Brookes and Yuki Ueno showed respect to each other but neither wants to lose. The competitive atmosphere carried over to the other wrestlers in the match. Brookes was teaming with HARASHIMA while Ueno teamed with MAO. This pairing of The 37KAMIINA hit their unique version of the MADMAX to Brookes but HARASHIMA broke up the pin by hitting Ueno with the Somato. Brookes then dodged the BME and gave Ueno a Piledriver only for MAO to break the pin. HARASHIMA got rid of MAO allowing Brookes to finish off his upcoming challenger. He hit a Buzzsaw Kick, the Diving Double Knee Drop and then the Praying Mantis Bomb to score the win over Ueno.
After the match Brookes said he and Ueno are both friends and rivals wanting to show their ideal vision of DDT. They can have a great match in the main event of “ULTIMATE PARTY 2023” on 12th November but Brookes thinks he is going to win at Sumo Hall. Backstage both HARASHIMA and MAO spoke about how happy they were to see Brookes and Ueno wrestle each other before Sumo Hall because recently one would get sick and the other would get injured. Ueno knows how strong Brookes is but that will not stop him on his mission to become the best in DDT!
When Takeshi Masada’s lack of a social life was discovered by DDT it was all up to Kazuki Hirata to find a way to fix it. Their double title match would use a stipulation that can teach Masada how to open up and have fun with people. The match started off normally until a few minutes in when music began to play and a group of masked people entered the ring. They assisted Hirata in teaching Masada by playing games of Jenga and basketball as well as putting together a drinking party in the ring. Masada enjoyed the experience and was having fun until Hirata and the masked men attacked him! He fought them off and was then chased around the venue. Masada soon realised he was being counted out and he rushed back to the ring. But just when he made it to the apron at the 19 count Hirata knocked him to the floor. Masada was counted out and Hirata recorded a successful DDT Extreme Title defence.
However the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title held by Masada cannot be won by a countout so the result counted as a successful title defence for Masada as well. The two shook hands until Hirata rolled Masada into the Miracle One Shot Cradle. The masked men piled on top helping Hirata get the three count and win the Iron Man Title after all! The masked men dragged Masada away from ringside while Hirata explained he needed to become a double champion to make his Sumo Hall match with Hiromu Takahashi next month an even bigger deal. But while he was saying this, Takahashi suddenly ran into the ring and pinned him with a School Boy to become the new Iron Man Champion! He celebrated the championship now belonging to a New Japan wrestler and admitted he doesn’t even want the belt. He just took a shot at winning it because the opportunity was there. The actual reason he showed up today was to ask Hirata what the rules for their match on 12th November is going to be? Hirata said he cannot decide now but promised it will be something fun for them and the fans. Hirata then tried to win back the Iron Man Title and chased Takahashi around ringside.
Saki Akai’s road to retirement hit a rough patch this weekend. Yesterday Eruption lost the AJPW TV 6-Man Tag Team Titles in All Japan with Akai dropping the fall. Today in DDT Akai had a special tag match where she faced against the other two members of Eruption. Backing her up though was Chihiro Hashimoto from Sendai Girls. The power of Hashimoto was on show when she used German Suplexes to throw around Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani. Akai had Sakaguchi on the ropes by hitting the Rookie Award and she tried to finish him off with the Quetzalcoatl. But Sakaguchi blocked the move and came off better in a High Kick exchange. Akai kicked out from a Right High Kick at 2 but was put away with the God’s Right Knee.
After the match Sakaguchi and Hashimoto exchanged words to let everyone know they want to fight each other again. Hashimoto also praised Akai for being strong, cool and beautiful. She asked her to continue being like this until she reties. Sakaguchi asked Akai not to cry because it would make everyone else sad too, even himself and Okatani. Today is the last time Akai wrestled in Korakuen for DDT so she should get to talk about it. Akai said Okatani’s growth has been her purpose in life lately. She thanked him for joining Eruption. She also thanked Sakaguchi for teaching her so much from her fighting spirit to her wrestling techniques. She hopes he will continue being everyone’s big brother. Until Akai’s wrestling career ends she will continue to represent Eruption.
The teams in Match #4 were slightly switched around by Danshoku Dieno’s request. Makoto Oishi and Yusuke Okada swapped sides based on Okada’s recent interactions with Dieno and his weakened state. The result of this was Dieno, Oishi & Jun Akiyama working unexpectedly well together as a trio. They won the match against Okada, Kazusada Higuchi & Akito. Oishi thought things worked so well that they should team up more often. Dieno disagreed so Oishi tried to convince him that a person like Akiyama who has had many ups and downs in his career can help Dieno get out of his current slump. Oishi already decided on a team name. Take the D from Danshoku, the O from Oishi and the A from Akiyama and you get D.O.A which also stands for Dead Or Alive! Oishi wants D.O.A to fight for the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles once Eruption vacates them. Akiyama agreed to take part but only if the D.O.A splits up if they fail. Dieno doesn’t like the idea but he’s now stuck with it.
The Yukio Naya Vs Yuya Koroku match was interrupted by the sudden appearance of The Saito Brothers! The Voodoo Murders team from All Japan entered the ring and attacked Naya, causing the match to get thrown out. Koroku and Toy Kojima were attacked too until HARASHIMA ran down for the save. Rei Saito grabbed the microphone and complained about Naya disrespecting him and his brother lately. They are going to spend the next few months destroying him! They will be fighting Naya in a tag match at Sumo Hall next month and Rei Saito is taking part in the D-Ou Grand Prix this year, entering in the same block as Naya! Jun Saito warned everyone the D in D-Ou is the same D you will find in “DOOM!”
Daisuke Sasaki is taking his upcoming singles match with Tetsuya Endo very personally. DAMNATION T.A beat Endo today with KANON pinning Rukiya but Sasaki was focused on Endo’s fallen body outside the ring when the match ended. Sasaki told Endo what’s going on now has nothing to do with DAMNATION or BURNING. It is all about their match at Sumo Hall on 12th November. He will not let anybody get in the way of it. Endo agreed with the comments backstage, saying the match will be a pure fight between two people. He doesn’t want anything else to get mixed up in it.
One of DDT’s legends returned to the promotion today to wrestle one of the company’s prospects. MIKAMI defeated Kazuma Sumi by hitting the Mickey Boomerang (the 619 before Rey Mysterio even used it as an offensive maneuver, that’s how long MIKAMI has been around) and following it up with the Swanton Bomb. MIKAMI said Sumi has a long way to go but he’s got something good to work with. They can team up next time so Sumi can learn some MIKAMI-ism skills to his repertoire. MIKAMI then threw his name out as the next challenger for the DDT Extreme Title. He was the very first Extreme Champion when the title was created in 2006. He later approached Hirata backstage to challenge him in person. Their title match will take place on 16th November.
The dark match gave Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda some prep time for their KO-D Tag Team Titles challenge at Sumo Hall. One-half of the champions Soma Takao was on the opposing team with Yuni. The other half Shota was there at ringside and even got lured in by Honda’s Gongitsune joke. Yuni took over with an RKO to Honda but he missed a Moonsault. Honda then rolled him up with a Rolling Leg Clutch for the victory.
There was a lot of newsworthy stuff on the show away from the matches in-ring. Chris Jericho sent in a video message for Konosuke Takeshita. He showered praise towards Takeshita for already creating a great pro wrestling legacy in DDT and AEW. Jericho admits he should be angry over Takeshita’s constant attacks on him but instead he wants to give him a gift. He promised he will give Takeshita the best match of his career at Sumo Hall. On that night Takeshita will learn that Jericho is the greatest wrestler of all time and he is just an idiot!
Hisaya Imabayashi revealed a new addition to “ULTIMATE PARTY 2023”. It’s the DDT return of the man formerly known as Jiro “Ikemen” Kuroshio! After announcing his return to the Japanese wrestling scene this month, this person is now being called Kuroshio TOKYO Japan! He is still the same old Kuroshio though, taking his sweet time entering the ring while “HELLO” played in the background. When he finally did speak he said Takeshita recommended he challenge Masada to a match. Masada was surprised to hear this and accepted. He was already booked for a Tag Gauntlet on the show but Imabayashi agreed to change the card so this match can go ahead.
The D-Ou Grand Prix 2023 blocks were announced at the beginning of the show. Block A contains Yuki Ueno, Tetsuya Endo, Kazusada Higuchi, Daisuke Sasaki, HARASHIMA and Yuki Iino. Block B has Chris Brookes, MAO, Yukio Naya, KANON, Kazuki Hirata and Rei Saito. The tournament will be Iino’s return to DDT after Pheromones broke up. He is currently away getting rehabilitated to remove whatever Pheromones was left inside him.
DDT “ULTIMATE PARTY 2023”, 12/11/2023 Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
1. 5 Way Tag Match: KANON & MJ Paul Vs Naruki Doi & Kazuma Sumi Vs Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku Vs Toy Kojima & Yuki Ishida Vs Takeshi Masada & Rukiya
2. Tokyo Joshi Pro Offer 6-Woman Tag Match: X, X & X Vs X, X & X
3. Special 8-Man Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi, Akito, Makoto Oishi & Shinichiro Kawamatsu Vs Yoshitatsu, Yoshihiko, Danshoku Dieno & Super Sasadango Machine
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match ~ DDT Vs VOODOO-MURDERS: Jun Akiyama, HARASHIMA & Yukio Naya Vs Jun Saito, Rei Saito & Toshizo
5. Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Tetsuya Endo
6. Special Single Match: Hiromu Takahashi Vs Kazuki Hirata
7. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Soma Takao & Shota (c) Vs Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda
8. DDT Universal Title: Matt Cardona (c) (w/ Steph De Lander) Vs MAO
9. Saki Akai Retirement Match ~Strong, Noble, Beautiful~: Saki Akai, Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani Vs Naomichi Marufuji, Kazusada Higuchi & Miyu Yamashita
10. Dramatic Dream Match: Chris Jericho Vs KONOSUKE TAKESHITA
11. KO-D Openweight Title: Chris Brookes (c) Vs Yuki Ueno
During her retirement road Saki Akai has said she wants her pro wrestling career to end like a flower that scatters beautifully, not one that withers and dies of decay. For her final ever match she chose three opponents that have the most power to scatter her petals. Eruption will have a 6-Man Tag Match against Naomichi Marufuji from NOAH, former member Kazusada Higuchi and Miyu Yamashita from Tokyo Joshi Pro. Marufuji was chosen because Akai wants to stay so strong until the end that she is able to beat “The boss next door”. It will be the first time Marufuji wrestles on a DDT only show since November 2020 (not counting the 2021 CyberFight Festival). The KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles will not be on the line because everyone is taking part in the match for Akai instead of a championship. A press conference was held today to announce this match along with the rest of the card for “ULTIMATE PARTY 2023”. Akai said at the conference that she still does not feel like she is approaching her final match. As a pro wrestler she will continue to do her best.
Hideki Okatani said he is happy to be part of Akai’s retirement match as a member of Eruption. They are double crown champions because of Akai and he is grateful to her for that. Yukio Sakaguchi admitted he is at a loss for words. For the last ten years Akai is probably the one person he’s been closest to, through all the good times to the bad. Higuchi said he has nothing but gratitude and respect for everyone in Eruption. He will express that to Akai when they are in the ring against each other. Yamashita is really happy to be included because her debut happened in the same venue on the same weekend as Akai’s debut, just one day before her. They privately hang out together and often talk about pro wrestling with each other. She wants Akai and herself to keep kicking each other until the end. Marufuji wondered why he was chosen but he wants to get a clear understanding of who Saki Akai is and how she wants her final match to end. Does she want to win by herself or win with the help of her friends? He warned her that if she does not want any bruises then she better wear gear with cushioning in it. Marufuji & Higuchi aren’t going to take it easy on Akai with their Chops and neither is Yamashita with her kicks!
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The rest of the card was revealed today. The tag team division has gone in a completely different direction thanks to ROMANCE DAWN winning the KO-D Tag Team Titles so quickly after DAMNATION T.A claimed the vacant belts. Now we have Shota & Soma Takao getting a big spot on the show in a title defence against Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda. That team is getting the shot based on Chris Brookes’s recommendation since he’s already busy with the main event to take part.
Daisuke Sasaki and Tetsuya Endo are facing each other in a singles match. This is coming off yesterday’s show when Sasaki tried to offer Endo a spot in DAMNATION T.A. Endo refused out of respect for the original DAMNATION they were both a part of. He has no interest in joining the current version of the group because it has not surpassed the first rendition. Endo then flipped the idea on its head by suggesting to reporters that Sasaki join BURNING instead. It would be a chance for Sasaki to discover a brand new side to him. Imagine Sasaki if he grew up with a Kenta Kobashi influence. I just can’t picture it.
DDT’s working relationship with All Japan has a place on the show. The VOODOO-MURDERS are rampaging over to Sumo Hall! It will be up to the combined forces of Jun Akiyama, HARASHIMA & Yukio Naya to stop them. The Saito Brothers have been one of the more visible players in Japan’s tag team scene recently. I don’t know what to think about Toshizo. If that’s not enough AJPW goodness for you then how about another serving of Yoshitatsu in the match before that?
The participants in the TJPW Offer Match will be revealed during “WRESTLE PRINCESS IV” on 9th October.
DDT “GOD BLESS DDT 2023 TOUR IN SHINJUKU”, 04/10/2023 Shinjuku FACE 436 Fans – Super No Vacancy
1. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Takeshi Masada & Kazuma Sumi defeated Kazuki Hirata (c) & Makoto Oishi when Masada pinned Hirata with Shoda no Chikara KOBU Mukimuki (8:43). *Takeshi Masada becomes the 1,580th champion.
2. Jun Akiyama, Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku defeated Hideki Okatani, Yukio Naya & Rukiya when Okada pinned Rukiya with the Sudden Death (10:43).
3. Special Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo & Kazusada Higuchi defeated Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul when Higuchi pinned Paul with the Brain Claw Slam (12:23).
4. Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai defeated HARASHIMA & Gota Ihashi when Sakaguchi pinned Ihashi after the Double Rookie Award with Akai (14:00).
5. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Soma Takao & Shota defeated Minoru Fujita & KANON (c) when Shota pinned Fujita with the Gannosuke Clutch (12:41). *DAMNATION T.A fails in V1. ROMANCE DAWN becomes the 80th KO-D Tag Team Champions!
6. Pheromones Final ~ 3 Vs 4 Handicap Tag Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno & Yumehito “Fantastic” Imanari (w/ Koju “Shining Ball” Takeda) Vs Akito, Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toy Kojima ended in a No Contest (18:12).
6a. Emergency Decision Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino defeated Hisaya Imabayashi with the STP (Stepover Toe Hold With Pheromones) (0:58).
For the last time Pheromones were in the air surrounding DDT for one final ride in Tokyo Sexy Land. Danshoku Dieno did not want the fans to be sad because the unit was splitting up, but happy that something this ridiculous existed in the first place. All four members of Pheromones were together although Koju Takeda was too injured to wrestle so the other three had the numbers disadvantage against Akito & The 37KAMIINA in the main event. Yuki Iino had an idea to even the field by pulling out a small plastic standee of Shunma Katsumata, calling him “Chunma” much to the annoyance of Toy Kojima. They then got an actual equalizer when Tetsuya Endo did a run-in for them wearing only an O-Back. Pheromones started doing their usual lewd spots putting Yukinori Matsui in a dilemma. The referee’s thoughts were suddenly projected to the audience. He should stop the match but doing so would ruin their farewell match. If only someone could make him faint. At that moment MAO got rid of him and the match continued. The Shinuku FACE manager then started thinking the same thoughts, resulting in MAO taking him out too. Finally Hisaya Imabayashi stepped in and knocked out MAO so the match could end at last.
Suddenly Iino got on the microphone and began to actually speak. Instead of giving grunts and other inappropriate noises, he spoke to Imabayashi and requested a singles match with him to close out the show. Imabayashi refused until “Fantastic City” began to play and he got dragged down to the ring. The match began and Imabayashi gave Iino the Stunner followed by an STF. Iino countered the move into the Stepover Toe Hold With Pheromones which is just another way to stick the GM’s face into his backside for the quick submission victory. Inoue Mic narrated the history of Pheromones while all four members gathered in the ring for their final sendoff. Each member left their signature item in the ring. Iino’s item was the O-Back he was wearing so that left him completely naked in the ring covering his shame with his hands.
Later that night after the show DDT held a Pheromones trial where Sanshiro Takagi, Akito & Imabayashi all judged what should happen to the remaining members who are planning to stick around. From what I could gather some of it was a parody of the Johnny Kitagawa scandal that’s been the big story in Japan’s entertainment industry this week. Dieno, Iino and Yumehito Imanari were all found guilty. As punishment Imanari must leave CyberFight (he already did), Iino has to take a leave of absence to rehabilitate himself of his remaining Pheromones and Dieno might be forced to change his “company name”, i.e. his wrestling name.
Shortly after crowning new KO-D Tag Team Champions the belts have only gone and switched over to another team already! ROMANCE DAWN scored the biggest victory in their existence by beating Minoru Fujita & KANON for the titles. Shota avoided Fujita’s Tombstone Piledriver and lured him into the Gannosuke Clutch to get the three count. Shota talked afterwards about being friends with Soma Takao since they were both 18 year old student pro wrestlers. They dreamed of becoming tag team champions together and in reality it feels even better than they ever imagined! Chris Brookes interrupted their celebrations and brought up the time CDK fought ROMANCE DAWN in Ganbare☆Pro. He would like to challenge them for the KO-D Tag Titles at “ULTIMATE PARTY 2023” but he is already defending the KO-D Openweight Title at that show. So instead he wants his friends to get the title shot. Out walked Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda down to the ring to the song “My Love Letter” by Honda’s band Daisetz. Honda tripped on the ropes climbing in but was able to gut through his promo. ROMANCE DAWN accepted the challenge for 12th November at Sumo Hall.
Gota Ihashi felt today was going to be his last chance to be with his longtime crush Saki Akai. He kept thinking he would get a chance to embrace his love only to discover Yukio Sakaguchi was standing in Akai’s place instead. He finally caught Akai in a big hug but she escaped and gave him a Sandwich PK with Sakaguchi. Ihashi then missed a Moonsault and his opponents did another double team attack, this time a Double Rookie Award for the win. Akai told Ihashi afterwards she was happy to wrestle him again and the next time they see each other will be when she goes to Ebisuko Tavern for a meal while he works as their head chef. Ihashi said she doesn’t have to wait until then because he loves her. He moved in for a hug but Sakaguchi knocked him down with the God’s Right Knee. Ihashi still professed his love for Akai while HARASHIMA helped him out of the ring.
Akai then talked about the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles and what is next for them. Eruption wants to defend them often to make the belts shine brighter and Akai still has wrestlers she wants to fight before her retirement. She called down Sanshiro Takagi and Akito to the ring. DDT is only possible because of those two which is why she wants them to be part of her road to retirement. She is nominating them as the next challengers along with one other wrestler, Makoto Oishi! He has stood by Akai during her entire wrestling career, giving advice and teaching her so much. She would love to fight him in a title match too. Oishi accepted the challenge to team with Takagi & Akito against Eruption. He is the cutest person standing in that ring and will become the champion of cuteness! The title match will take place in Sapporo on 15th October.
Tetsuya Endo was confronted with his past when Daisuke Sasaki asked him to join DAMNATION T.A after their tag match. While Endo still seems to be on good terms with Sasaki, he refused because the group cannot compare to the original DAMNATION they were both a part of. Endo suggested maybe Sasaki should join BURNING instead? He would show a new side of himself if he took on a Kenta Kobashi kind of influence.
Somebody wasn’t in the mood to dance during the opening match. Takeshi Masada kept cutting off Kazuki Hirata’s dance routine until he was offered his own pair of Hirata GO! glasses. He pretended to dance with Hirata only to attack him and pin him for the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title! That prize is not enough so Masada then challenged Hirata for the DDT Extreme Title. Hirata was taken aback by how passionate the challenge was but Masada wants to have competitive fight instead of fun and games. The title match will take place on 22nd October. Imabayashi then warned Masada not to lose the Iron Man Title to New Japan when he wrestles at their Sumo Hall show next week.
DDT “GOD BLESS DDT 2023 TOUR IN OSAKA”, 01/10/2023 Osaka City Minato Ward Citizens Center 190 Fans – No Vacancy
1. Pheromones Final Countdown In Osaka: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Makoto Oishi & Yuni ended in a No Contest (9:38).
2. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul defeated Akito, Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku when KANON submitted Koroku with the Cobra Twist (9:38).
3. Osaka Specialty 3 Way Match: “brother” YASSHI defeated Kazuki Hirata and Kazuma Sumi when YASSHI pinned Sumi with the Kingston Piledriver (8:32).
4. Tetsuya Endo & Jun Akiyama defeated Hideki Okatani & Rukiya when Endo pinned Rukiya with the Spinning Torture Rack Bomb (10:46).
5. Special Single Match: Yukio Naya defeated Takeshi Masada with The World’s Largest Back Drop (14:03).
6. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toy Kojima defeated HARASHIMA, Masahiro Takanashi & Kazusada Higuchi when Ueno pinned Takanashi with the BME (19:39).
A heatwave from The 37KAMIINA was at risk when Kazusada Higuchi was around. Yuki Ueno threw him head first into the ring post and it didn’t effect him. Toy Kojima then gave the fans a defiant pose up on the entrance stage only for Higuchi to reach out from behind the curtain and grab him in the Brain Claw. Higuchi also did teamwork with Masahiro Takanashi, using a move similar to the Hair Of The Dog together on both Ueno & MAO. The match still turned out to be Ueno’s to win. He pushed a briefcase into HARASHIMA’s crotch at ringside and later applied the Octopus Stretch to send a message to Chris Brookes. He then pinned Takanashi with the BME. After the match Ueno told the fans it was here in Osaka where he first watched pro wrestling and fell in love with it. The next time he appears in Osaka it will be as the KO-D Openweight Champion!
Yukio Naya praised Takeshi Masada for the effort he’s shown only one year since his debut. But there is a difference between him and Naya. Masada wants to compete in the D-Ou Grand Prix. Naya wants to win it and move on to become the KO-D Champion! He thinks Masada is not ready for that yet. Masada said he isn’t giving up his goal of entering the tournament.
The 3 Way Match was won by “brother” YASSHI but he didn’t pin Kazuki Hirata so there was no Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title change. YASSHI tried to pin him after the match but Hirata kicked out and escaped.
Before the opening match began the ring announcer Ken Kato ordered Makoto Oishi to protect Yuni from Pheromones because of his age. He also gave advice, explaining that until Pheromones strip out of their clothes they are just a group of chubby people. Unfortunately Yuki Iino & Danshoku Dieno were already stripped down to their undergarments before they entered the ring. The match went ahead but was soon called off before Yuni was traumatised. Afterwards Dieno said Akito is the one to blame for this happening because he is the reason Pheromones are disbanding in the first place. Pheromones would then reappear during the second match to assault Akito at ringside.
DDT “SAKI AKAI 10TH ANNIVERSARY & FINAL COUNT DOWN IN KYOTO!!”, 30/09/2023 Kyoto KBS Hall 451 Fans – Super No Vacancy
1. Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku defeated Kazusada Higuchi & Rukiya when Koroku submitted Rukiya with the Modified Triangle Lancer (8:27).
2. Pheromones Final Countdown In Kyoto: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno defeated Yuni & Kazuma Sumi when Iino submitted Sumi with the Kongobuji Temple (7:46).
3. Yukio Naya & Shinichiro Kawamatsu defeated Makoto Oishi & Toy Kojima when Kawamatsu pinned Oishi with the Shitamachi Rocket (10:54).
4. Special Single Match: KANON defeated Takeshi Masada with the Sleepy Hollow (10:46).
5. BURNING Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Tetsuya Endo & Jun Akiyama defeated Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul when Endo pinned Paul with the Burning Star Press (10:39).
6. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – Falls Count Anywhere Match: Yuki Ueno & MAO defeated Kazuki Hirata (c) & Akito when MAO pinned Hirata with the Michinoku Driver II (13:55). *MAO becomes the 1,577th champion.
7. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai & Hideki Okatani (c) defeated HARASHIMA, Masahiro Takanashi & Mei Suruga when Akai pinned Takanashi with the Quetzalcoatl (19:33). *V4 for Eruption.
-. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Saki Akai defeated MAO (c) with a Cradle (7:22 pm). *Saki Akai becomes the 1,578th champion.
-. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Kazuki Hirata defeated Saki Akai (c) with a Cradle (7:24 pm). *Kazuki Hirata becomes the 1,579th champion.
The challengers were without Chris Brookes for the main event but made up for it by bringing in the ChocoPro cheering section. They were there to support Masahiro Takanashi & Mei Suruga along with Brooke’s replacement HARASHIMA in the main event. Eruption were not moved by the touching gesture though. The spotlight was going to shine on Saki Akai today because it is her last match in Kyoto. Hideki Okatani took the brunt of the challenger’s teamwork. Yukio Sakaguchi got a direct hit on Takanashi with the God’s Right Knee which led to Akai pinning him with the Quetzalcoatl.
Earlier in the show MAO pinned Kazuki Hirata to win the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title during a Falls Count Anywhere Tag Match. During the match Hirata found a piano and took the time to play it. Everyone then fought outside the building over to the DDT bus where Yoshihiko was found sitting on the driver’s seat. Anyway at the end of the show everyone got together for a group photo. Hirata tried to roll up MAO to win his title back but failed. Akai then rolled up MAO and succeeded to become a triple crown champion! However the show ended with Hirata rolling up Akai to win the Iron Man Title back. He ran off while everyone booed.
Takeshi Masada’s quest to enter the D-Oh Grand Prix already hit a bump in the road when he lost to KANON. He isn’t letting that hurt his chances. He believes if he can beat Yukio Naya tomorrow then he will definitely be invited to enter the tournament. KANON does not agree with that. He thinks he is more deserving of a spot than Masada. His goal is to win the D-Oh GP while holding the KO-D Tag Team Title.
BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. EIGHT: THE DIRECTOR’S CUT”, 20/09/2023 Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa ??? Fans
1. Special Single Match: Yoshihiko Vs Antonio Honda
2. Special Single Match: Mecha Mummy (w/ Mad Dr. Ueki) Vs HARASHIMA
3. Mad Dr. Ueki (w/ Mecha Mummy) Vs Baliyan Akki
4. Special Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi Vs El Hijo del Chris Brookes & El Hijo del Takanashi
5. Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi Vs Monomoth & Dr. Gore
Posted by JamieOD 
Dramatic DDT 