DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2024 TOUR IN NAGOYA” Results

February 12, 2024

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2024 TOUR IN NAGOYA”, 12/02/2024
Aichi Nagoya City Higashi Sports Center
252 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. 3 Way Match: Shunma Katsumata defeated Kazuki Hirata and Toru Owashi when Katsumata pinned Hirata with a Backslide Pin (7:08).
2. Yuki Iino & Hideki Okatani defeated KANON & MJ Paul when Iino pinned Paul with the Low-Altitude Spear (10:32).
3. Nagoya Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi, Yoshitatsu & Yukio Naya defeated Lowther, Jack Kennedy & Kazuma Sumi when Yoshitatsu pinned Sumi with the This Is My WWE (12:07).
4. HARASHIMA & Kazusada Higuchi defeated Jun Akiyama & Rukiya when HARASHIMA pinned Rukiya with the Somato (12:08).
5. Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki defeated Makoto Oishi with the Crossover Face Lock (10:58).
6. Special Single Match: Tetsuya Endo defeated Akito with the Swivel Torture Rack Bomb (10:24).
7. The 37KAMIINA Vs SCHADENFREUDE International!: Yuki Ueno & MAO defeated Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada when Ueno submitted Masada with the Twister (21:05).

Before the main event began MAO told Chris Brookes that the days of settling things in the ring are over. Today is the beginning of the era of outside the ring brawling! MAO showed what he meant by bringing out a kick scooter and using it to chase his opponents around ringside. Unfortunately the venue floor was covered in judo mats and MAO crashed his scooter by tripping over the edge of one. MAO then continued fighting with Brookes around the building including on top of a high pile of mats they found in a corner of the room. The two of them were at risk of getting counted out but the match was decided when Yuki Ueno used Cara Noir’s finisher the Blackout Sleeper on Takeshi Masada. Ueno then turned the move into the Twister hold to make Masada submit in the ring.

After the match MAO challenged Brookes to have their upcoming singles match on Wednesday take place completely outside of the ring! Brookes suggested the match should have a 30 count or even a 40 count for being outside. A fed up Yukinori Matsui told them a 10 count or even a 5 count is too long for them so they might as well make it a 3 count. MAO and Brookes both loved the idea and surprisingly agreed to it! Their match on Wednesday only needs 3 seconds outside the ring to make it end in a countout.

BURNING still has a misfiring problem. During Tetsuya Endo’s match with Akito the two of them fought on the ring apron with Yuki Iino standing nearby. Akito kicked Iino from the apron and lured him into a charge. Iino tried to swipe Akito’s legs with a Lariat but Akito hopped over him and Iino ended up clipping Endo by the feet instead. Endo recovered to beat Akito and he forgave Iino after the match. He figured out it was Akito’s strategy to make that happen so it wasn’t entirely Iino’s fault. Maybe it’s 30% or 40% his fault but that’s it. Endo’s solution is to have them switch things up so they can start building up momentum as the KO-D Tag Team Champions.

Yesterday Daisuke Sasaki declared he is moving on from the KO-D Tag Titles scene and will no longer lose any singles matches. He lived up to the claim by beating Makoto Oishi today but he still needed interference from KANON & MJ Paul to pull it off.

Yoshitatsu is one of Jack Kennedy’s mentors and praised him for fighting hard against Yukio Naya. He would like to face him again whether it is in DDT or anywhere else. Sanshiro Takagi said they should do that match in the Nagoya Dome!


DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2024 TOUR IN SHINJUKU” Results

February 7, 2024

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2024 TOUR IN SHINJUKU”, 07/02/2024
Shinjuku FACE
500 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi defeated Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata when Brookes pinned Hirata after the Thrust Kick/Praying Mantis Bomb Combo (6:47).
2. Jun Akiyama, Yoshitatsu & Soma Takao defeated Toru Owashi, Akito & Kazuma Sumi when Takao pinned Sumi with the Perfect Driver (9:09).
3. DDT Extreme Title Next Challenger Match – Hardcore Match: Hideki Okatani defeated MJ Paul with the Quetzalcoatl onto the Chairs (9:53).
4. Special Tag Match ~ DDT Vs AJPW: Ryuki Honda & Yuma Anzai defeated Takeshi Masada & Rukiya when Anzai pinned Rukiya with the German Suplex (12:40).
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Shunma Katsumata defeated Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Naya & Makoto Oishi when Ueno submitted Oishi with a Dojime Sleeper Hold (12:27).
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino defeated Daisuke Sasaki & KANON (c) when Endo pinned Sasaki with the Burning Star Press (18:38).
*DAMNATION T.A fails in V1. BURNING becomes the 82nd KO-D Tag Team Champions!
7. Yukio Sakaguchi Retirement Match: HARASHIMA defeated Yukio Sakaguchi with the Somato (15:37).

Today Yukio Sakaguchi brought his pro wrestling career to an end after 12 years in the business. He spent almost the entire time of his wrestling life with DDT. Per his request the period of time between his announcement to the retirement match itself was a short one. He chose HARASHIMA as his final opponent and had his closest conifdents stand in his corner, including KUDO and Saki Akai. The result was obvious but with a little extra added to it. HARASHIMA hit the Somato but took too long to pin Sakaguchi leading to a one count kickout. Sakaguchi yelled at HARASHIMA to hit him with the move again which he did and that got HARASHIMA the 3 count. Yukinori Matsui raised both of their hands after the match and the two wrestlers hugged each other. HARASHIMA thanked Sakaguchi for nominating him as his last opponent. He praised Sakaguchi for always being in great condition and working hard right to the end. He is sad to see him go when he is still strong but understands it is the path Sakaguchi chose for himself. Sakaguchi said he wanted to win but he always knows HARASHIMA is there to protect DDT. He thought he was becoming DDT’s gatekeeper but he is granting that role back to HARASHIMA.

He then received a video message from his younger brother Kenji Sakaguchi. Kenji said Yukio was always into fighting ever since they were children. He thought it took a lot of courage for Yukio to become a second generation pro wrestler but he was able to leave a mark and made a lot of fans happy. The time they stood in the ring together at Sumo Hall is a memory that will last a lifetime. Later backstage Yukio told reporters he also got a rare phonecall from his father Seiji Sakaguchi during the morning.

Yukio then thanked the fans because so many of them came to see his retirement match on a weekday. He is grateful to the fans that supported him. Even though he will now no longer wrestle, there are still the other wrestlers in DDT who do their best and deserve support. The show ended with the locker room throwing Sakaguchi into the air in celebration and him shaking all of their hands afterwards. There was no 10 bell salute because Sakaguchi asked for there not to be one.

The new BURNING team of Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino have won the KO-D Tag Team Titles! They defeated their arch enemies in DAMNATION T.A to do it. Daisuke Sasaki & KANON tried using their new Freedom Call tag finisher on Endo but Iino broke the pin. Sasaki then tried pinning Endo with the Sasaki Hurricanrana but he left himself vulnerable to get hit with the Spear from Iino. Endo then took over with the Swivel Torture Rack Bomb and followed up with the Burning Star Press for the title change.

Iino thanked Endo for the success and he now feels like they can go anywhere as the tag champions. They welcome any challenge from any challengers and will not turn anyone down. Those comments made New Period walk down to the ring. The All Japan team of Ryuki Honda & Yuma Anzai beat Takeshi Masada & Rukiya earlier in the show. They enjoyed the match so much it makes them want to take on more stronger DDT teams so they challenged BURNING to a title match. Endo accepted and warned that they are yet to experience the depth of DDT. He & Iino will take them even deeper. The title match will take place at “JUDGEMENT 2024” in Korakuen Hall on 17th March. But before that happens there will be a DDT Vs AJPW 6-Man Tag Match on 6th March. Endo, Iino & Rukiya will face New Period & Ryo Inoue.

On short notice the No. 1 Contender match for the DDT Extreme Title was held under Hardcore rules. Hideki Okatani and MJ Paul brawled in and out of the ring with chairs, garbage cans and kendo sticks. Okatani got the upper hand by Power Bombing Paul from the corner through a table. He then used the chairs to hit Paul with the Mammoth Home Run before using the Quetzalcoatl to slam him on top of more chairs for the win. Okatani said he couldn’t lose today because he needs to fight Shunma Katsumata for the Extreme Title again. He’s been waiting for it to happen ever since their previous title match together. Kasumata was happy to hear that and admitted he’s been thinking of Okatani all this time too. Their title match will happen in Korakuen on 17th March and Katsumata is excited to have a fun match with Okatani under rules both will appreciate.

Ken Ohka got into the ring after the second match to tell the audience in person about Ganbare☆Pro will be going independent from CyberFight at the end of March. But before that happens there is one person Ohka really wants to fight at DDT’s 27th Anniversary show on 17th March. He wants a match with the CyberFight president Sanshiro Takagi! Ohka explained that Takagi is like a father to him and he must defeat his “father” before he leaves the family home! Takagi said this match may be the last time they will be in the ring together because he will be taking a break from being a pro wrestler after July. It is hard work running a wrestling company especially when you do it by yourself but if Ohka is determined then he will do his best. But if he does this half-heartedly then Takagi will destroy him! Ohka promised to beat Takagi and make GanPro bigger than DDT!

A “No Spoiler” show will be held at Tsurumi Fruit & Vegetable Market on 21st April. People attending the show are prohibited from posting about it on social media while it is happening. DDT is also holding a collaborated show with the Zeekstar Tokyo handball team in Sumida from 25th to 27th April.


Sakaguchi Retires Tomorrow, Sauna Club Vs Bath Club, Hirata’s New Unit Gains Another Member

February 6, 2024

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2024 TOUR IN SHINJUKU”, 07/02/2024
Shinjuku FACE

1. Kazuki Hirata & Danshoku Dieno Vs Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi
2. Jun Akiyama, Yoshitatsu & Soma Takao Vs Toru Owashi, Akito & Kazuma Sumi
3. DDT Extreme Title Next Challenger Match – Hardcore Match: Hideki Okatani Vs MJ Paul
4. Special Tag Match ~ DDT Vs AJPW: Takeshi Masada & Rukiya Vs Ryuki Honda & Yuma Anzai
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Shunma Katsumata Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Naya & Makoto Oishi
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Daisuke Sasaki & KANON (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino
7. Yukio Sakaguchi Retirement Match: Yukio Sakaguchi Vs HARASHIMA

Tomorrow we bid farewell to the wrestling career of Yukio Sakaguchi.

Yesterday Hideki Okatani put out a message asking for his match against MJ Paul to be turned into a Hardcore Match. Paul sent a letter via courier to the DDT office that was simply a large, bloody “OK” smeared on the page. Challenge accepted.

There will be contract signings for the upcoming KO-D Openweight Title and DDT Universal Title matches held before this show begins.

DDT “NEPPA OVER FLOWERS 3 ~TOTONOI TO YOU~”, 14/02/2024
Shinjuku FACE

1. Hideki Okatani, Yuni & Ilusion Vs Takeshi Masada, Kazuma Sumi & Rukiya
2. ~DDT Sauna Club Vs DDT Open Bath Club~: Kazuki Hirata & Naya Tonttu Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Makoto Oishi
3. ~Toy Kojima’s Sauna Room~: Toy Kojima Vs Masato Tanaka
4. ~Shunma Katsumata’s Sauna Room~: Shunma Katsumata Vs Kuroshio TOKYO Japan
5. ~Mao Inoue’s Sauna Room~: MAO Vs Chris Brookes
6. KO-D Openweight Title ~Yuki Ueno’s Sauna Room~: Yuki Ueno (c) Vs Danshoku Dieno

A conflict has suddenly broken out between the DDT Sauna Club and the DDT Open Bath Club. Although Kazuki Hirata declined to join The 37KAMIINA, he still gets to participate in the Sauna Club away from matches. While heading out to a riverbed one day Hirata confronted Kazusada Higuchi & Makoto Oishi from the Open Bath Club and an argument broke out between them. Hirata found himself outnumbered when all of a sudden somebody who looked like Yukio Naya showed up to protect him. That being is Naya Tonttu, the mythical guardian of the DDT Sauna Club! Hirata convinced him to team up against the Open Bath Club at The 37KAMIINA’s sold out show next week.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “PRO WRESTLING WINTER FESTIVAL 2024 IN JOETSU DAY 1 – SHOKO NAKAJIMA IS BACK ~ NIIGATA HOMECOMING PERFORMANCE”, 17/02/2024
Niigata Dúo CEREZO

1. 3 Way Match: Mizuki Vs Raku Vs Shino Suzuki
2. Kaya Toribami Vs Haru Kazashiro
3. Rika Tatsumi Vs Zara Zakher
4. Yuki Aino & Pom Harajuku Vs Mahiro Kiryu & HIMAWARI
5. Suzume & Arisu Endo Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Toga
6. Miyu Yamashita Vs Wakana Uehara
7. Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao Vs Miu Watanabe & Moka Miyamoto

The homecoming show for Shoko Nakajima sees her team up with Hyper Misao as Kyoraku Kyomei again. They cannot get full revenge on Daydream for being eliminated from the Max Heart Tournament but they still get to fight Miu Watanabe. Teaming with her here is Moka Miyamoto.

A first time singles match between Miyu Yamashita and Wakana Uehara is on the show. Zara Zakher also continues her tour with a match against Rika Tatsumi.

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2024”, 25/02/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Chris Brookes, Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda Vs Yuki Iino, Yuni & Kazuma Sumi
2. Daisuke Sasaki & KANON (w/ MJ Paul) Vs Akito & Soma Takao
3. Kazusada Higuchi & Yoshitatsu Vs Yukio Naya & Rukiya
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Danshoku Dieno, Makoto Oishi & Toru Owashi Vs Kazuki Hirata, Naruki Doi & X
5. Special Single Match: HARASHIMA Vs Toy Kojima
6. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) Vs Hikaru Machida
7. Kaisei Takechi Debut Match ~ Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & Kaisei Takechi Vs Tetsuya Endo, Hideki Okatani & Takeshi Masada

Kaisei Takechi is responsible for selling out the show so no question he gets the main event slot.

So it looks like Hirata got Naruki Doi on board to join his new unit. He isn’t the only one though because Hirata is teasing another addition will be revealed at Korakuen Hall. Is he going for something Dragon System flavored as the unit’s theme I wonder?

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “GRAND PRINCESS ’24”, 31/03/2024
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. Princess Of Princess Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Miu Watanabe

Max The Impaler has been added to the show.

DDT “DDT GOES PHILADELPHIA!”, 04/04/2024
Penns Landing Caterers Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Mike Bailey, Andrew “The Giant” Everett and Kid Lykos will all be part of DDT’s next USA show.


Max Heart Final, Ueno Picks Dieno, Momono Coming To GanJo, TJPW USA Lineup

January 30, 2024

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2024 TOUR IN NAGANO”, 04/02/2024
Nagano Act Hall

1. Hideki Okatani Vs Rukiya
2. Sanshiro Takagi, Yoshitatsu & Yukio Naya Vs Chris Brookes, Takeshi Masada & Kazuma Sumi
3. Daisuke Sasaki & KANON Vs Yuki Iino & Akito
4. Special Tag Match: Yuki Ueno & Shunma Katsumata Vs HARASHIMA & Soma Takao
5. Special Tag Match: Yukio Sakaguchi & Antonio Honda Vs Kazuki Hirata & Kazusada Higuchi
6. Nagano Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Jun Akiyama, Toru Owashi & Akihiro Vs Danshoku Dieno, Makoto Oishi & Tetsuya Endo

Yoshihiko has gotten itself into trouble after getting double booked this weekend. It will be travelling to Europe with MAO to wrestle in France and England. However DDT had also booked Yoshihiko for their show in Nagano this Sunday. It’s too late to change plans so DDT is pulling their other battle doll Akihiro out of storage to take Yoshihiko’s place. The company has strictly warned Yoshihiko not to double book itself like that again. However MAO is defending his friend because their European dates were booked well in advance and MAO has been promoting them online since December so DDT had plenty of time to avoid this scenario.

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2024 TOUR IN SHINJUKU”, 07/02/2024
Shinjuku FACE

1. Kazuki Hirata & Danshoku Dieno Vs Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi
2. Jun Akiyama, Yoshitatsu & Soma Takao Vs Toru Owashi, Akito & Kazuma Sumi
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Shunma Katsumata Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Naya & Makoto Oishi
4. Special Tag Match ~ DDT Vs AJPW: Takeshi Masada & Rukiya Vs Ryuki Honda & Yuma Anzai
5. DDT Extreme Title Next Challenger Match: Hideki Okatani Vs MJ Paul
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Daisuke Sasaki & KANON (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino
7. Yukio Sakaguchi Retirement Match: Yukio Sakaguchi Vs HARASHIMA

The DDT Extreme Title picture has a new direction after Shunma Katsumata regained the championship over the weekend and two potential challengers approached him. Hideki Okatani wants to rekindle his rivalry with Katsumata over the title from last year. However MJ Paul has also stepped forward wanting a title shot, even going through the effort to write a letter to declare his challenge. A fight broke out between everyone over the situation so a decision was made to have Okatani and Paul fight each other in a No. 1 Contender’s Match.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE 4TH “FUTARI WA PRINCESS” MAX HEART TOURNAMENT”, 10/02/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Shino Suzuki Vs Haru Kazashiro
2. Yuki Kamifuku, Nao Kakuta & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Raku, Pom Harajuku & Ram Kaichow
3. Moka Miyamoto Vs Kaya Toribami
4. Mizuki Vs Zara Zakher
5. Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao Vs Wakana Uehara & HIMAWARI
6. Miyu Yamashita & Toga Vs Ryo Mizunami & Yuki Aino
7. International Princess Title: Yuki Arai (c) Vs Juria Nagano
8. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Final: Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe Vs Suzume & Arisu Endo

The Max Heart Tournament could get its first two-time winner if Daydream beats Daisy Monkey in the final. The tournament winners usually move on to challenge for the Princess Tag Team Titles and Rika Tatsumi previously made a suggestion that Miu Watanabe can do two title matches at “GRAND PRINCESS ’24”. Watanabe would go along with the idea even if she isn’t super enthusiastic about it. Suzume & Arisu Endo keep finding ways to get shots at the top teams, Daydream included, but it always ends in failure for them. Will this turn out differently?

Juria Nagano is making sure to do as much as she can in the ring before her graduation in April. Her big goal is to win a championship or tournament. She couldn’t do it in the Max Heart Tournament so now she wants to challenge Yuki Arai for the International Princess Title. Nagano sees Arai as a wrestling senpai to surpass rather than some big celebrity.

The next foreign wrestler to enter Tokyo Joshi Pro is Zara Zakher from the California wrestling scene. She is 22 years old and only been wrestling for a year but her talent and potential as a breakout prospect leads her over to TJPW. Mizuki has been selected to be her opponent for her Korakuen Hall debut.

The opening match is going to give either Shino Suzuki or Haru Kazashiro their first singles win.

Ryo Mizunami and Ram Kaichow are both paying a visit here again.

BASARA “BASARA 241 ~TAKAGARI 22~”, 10/02/2024
Tokyo Takashimadaira Kumin Center

1. Lil’ Kraken Vs Masahiro Takanashi
2. Ryuichi Sekine Vs Takato Nakano
3. Isami Kodaka & Minoru Fujita Vs Takumi Tsukamoto & SAGAT
4. FUMA, Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & Daichi Kazato Vs Masato Kamino, Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga
5. IRON FIST Tag Team Titles: Ryota Nakatsu & Kazusada Higuchi (c) Vs KUBITO & Yasu Urano

Masahiro Takanashi is going over to BASARA for a match against Lil’ Kraken.

GANBARE☆JOSHI “GANJO EMERALD DRAGON ’24”, 12/02/2024
Tokyo Takashimadaira Kumin Center

1. Special Single Match: Riara Vs Kizuna Tanaka
2. Ram Kaichow & Sumire Natsu Vs Kaho Kobayashi & Banny Oikawa
3. Alex Lee & Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Yappy & JC Storm
4. Special Single Match: YuuRI Vs Mio Momono

Last year at “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA II” there was a joshi tag match with YuuRI and Mio Momono on opposite teams. Now they get to fight each other in Ganbare☆Joshi one on one!

An international tag match gathers together Alex Lee from Bosnia & Herzegovina, Yoshiko Hasegawa from Japan, Yappy from the Philippines and JC Storm from America. Storm is currently in Japan to wrestle for Ice Ribbon.

DDT “NEPPA OVER FLOWERS 3 ~TOTONOI TO YOU~”, 14/02/2024
Shinjuku FACE

1. Hideki Okatani, Yuni & Ilusion Vs Takeshi Masada, Kazuma Sumi & Rukiya
2. ~Kazuki Hirata’s Sauna Room?~: Kazuki Hirata Vs Makoto Oishi Vs Kazusada Higuchi Vs Yukio Naya
3. ~Toy Kojima’s Sauna Room~: Toy Kojima Vs Masato Tanaka
4. ~Shunma Katsumata’s Sauna Room~: Shunma Katsumata Vs Kuroshio TOKYO Japan
5. ~Mao Inoue’s Sauna Room~: MAO Vs Chris Brookes
6. KO-D Openweight Title ~Yuki Ueno’s Sauna Room~: Yuki Ueno (c) Vs Danshoku Dieno

A request was made by Yuki Ueno to defend the KO-D Openweight Title against Danshoku Dieno. He wanted his next challenger to be the most interesting person in DDT since the championship is more than just about who is the strongest. There is already a singles match between them booked for The 37KAMIINA’s produce show in Shinjuku FACE. To make his point even clearer, Ueno convinced DDT to turn that match into a KO-D Title bout because it does not matter to him where it takes place. This will be the first KO-D Title match held in front of an audience in around 8 years. Dieno warns Ueno that there’s a reason why the company never wants him to win that championship even if he symbolises the spirit of DDT more than anyone else. The entire direction of the KO-D Title will change if Dieno gets his hands on it!

Kazuki Hirata gets to keep his spot on the show despite turning down The 37KAMIINA’s offer to join their unit. He now has his mind set on creating his own stable and he is searching for potential members.

DDT “PRO WRESTLING WINTER FESTIVAL 2024 IN JOETSU DAY 2 – INTO THE FIGHT 2024 TOUR IN NIIGATA”, 18/02/2024
Niigata Dúo CEREZO

1. Daisuke Sasaki & KANON Vs Yuki Iino & Rukiya
2. Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada Vs HARASHIMA & Akito
3. Kazuki Hirata Vs Toy Kojima
4. Special Tag Match: Jun Akiyama & Yoshitatsu Vs Tetsuya Endo & Makoto Oishi
5. Special Single Match: Danshoku Dieno Vs Super Sasadango Machine

Does Toy Kojima take it personally that Hirata turned him down along with the rest of the sauna boys? Does Hirata take it personally that Kojima is the reason he is no longer the Extreme Champion? If there are any sore feelings between them coming out of the weekend, it’s best to settle them as soon as possible.

GANBARE☆PRO “GANPRO 2024 DESIRE”, 23/02/2024
Yokohama Radiant Hall

1. YuuRI & Riara Vs HARUKAZE & Banny Oikawa
2. Ken Ohka, Mizuki Watase & Tyson Maeguchi Vs Keisuke Ishii, Soma Takao & Shinichiro Tominaga
3. Shota Vs Munetatsu Nakamura
4. Yuna Manase Return Match: Yuna Manase & Yumehito Imanari Vs Sayaka Unagi & Minoru Fujita
5. EVE International Title: Yuu (c) Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa
6. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Shuichiro Katsumura (c) Vs Takuya Wada

The rest of the Ganbare☆Pro and GanJo roster fills up the Yokohama card.

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2024 TOUR IN YOKOHAMA”, 23/02/2024
Yokohama Radiant Hall

1. Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino Vs Kazusada Higuchu & Kazuma Sumi
2. Daisuke Sasaki & KANON Vs MAO & Kazuki Hirata
3. Special Single Match: Yoshitatsu Vs Soma Takao
4. KO-D 10-Man Tag Team Titles: Chris Brookes, Masahiro Takanashi, Antonio Honda, Takeshi Masada & Mecha Mummy (c) Vs Maya Yukihi, Ram Kaichow, Rina Yamashita, Sanshiro Takagi & Akito

If there is anyone out there who ever thought Yoshitatsu and Soma Takao should have a match together then mark 23rd February down on your calendar right now.

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2024”, 25/02/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Kaisei Takechi Debut Match ~ Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & Kaisei Takechi Vs Tetsuya Endo, Hideki Okatani & Takeshi Masada.
2. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) Vs Hikaru Machida

The 37KAMIINA are on Kaisei Takechi’s side for his debut. He will team with Ueno & Katsumata for his big first match. Facing them is a trio mixing three wrestlers together. Tetsuya Endo, Hideki Okatani & Takeshi Masada will put the newcomer through his paces.

DDT “JUDGEMENT 2024 ~27TH ANNIVERSARY 5 HOUR SPECIAL~”, 17/03/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Tsubasa Suzuki Debut Match: Tsubasa Suzuki Vs X
2. DDT Extreme Title: Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs Winner Of 7/2 Next Challenger Match
3. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA Vs Yuma Aoyagi
4. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuki Ueno (c) Vs X

The very next KO-D Title match was supposed to be at DDT’s 27th Anniversary show until Ueno made his request to fight Dieno. The winner of that headlines Korakuen the next month.

The winner of Okatani Vs Paul faces Katsumata for the Extreme Title here too.

DDT “DDT GOES PHILADELPHIA!”, 04/04/2024
Penns Landing Caterers Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

We have talent announcements for Wrestlemania Week. Announced so far for DDT’s USA show are Yuki Ueno, MAO, Kazuki Hirata, Konosuke Takeshita, Tetsuya Endo, Daisuke Sasaki, Chris Brookes, Shunma Katsumata, KANON, Takeshi Masada and Yoshihiko.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN PHILLY”, 05/04/2024
Penns Landing Caterers Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

TJPW are sending over 14 women to Philadelphia for Wrestlemania Week. They are Miyu Yamashita, Yuki Aino, Shoko Nakajima, Rika Tatsumi, Mizuki, Maki Itoh, Miu Watanabe, Yuki Kamifuku, Hyper Misao, Nao Kakuta, Raku, Pom Harajuku, Suzume and Arisu Endo. All 14 of them will be at “GCW VS TJPW” the next day too.

 


DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2024” Results

January 28, 2024

DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2024”, 28/01/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,120 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. Special 10-Man Tag Match: HARASHIMA, Tomoya, Antonio Honda, Takeshi Masada & Kazuma Sumi defeated Sanshiro Takagi, Toru Owashi, Akito, Shinichiro Kawamatsu & Yuni when Sumi pinned Yuni with a School Boy (7:07).
2. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & Bryan Keith (w/ MJ Paul) defeated Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Iino & Rukiya after KANON pinned Rukiya with the Freedom Call (8:39).
3. Yukio Sakaguchi Korakuen Final Match ~ Special Single Match: Yukio Sakaguchi defeated Hideki Okatani with the God’s Right Knee (5:42).
4. MAO Birthday Commemorative Match: MAO & TAKA Michinoku defeated Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi when MAO pinned Takanashi with the Cannonball 450° (8:45).
5. DDT Extreme Title – Who Is The Fated One!? Toy Kojima Challenge Death Match: Shunma Katsumata defeated Kazuki Hirata (c) (8:33).
5a. Kazuki Hirata pinned Shunma Katsumata with the Miracle One Shot Cradle (0:57).
*Toy Kojima fails his challenge.
5b. Shunma Katsumata submitted Kazuki Hirata with a Crab Hold (4:04).
*Toy Kojima fails his challenge.
5c. Kazuki Hirata pinned Shunma Katsumata with the Miracle One Shot Cradle (7:42).
*Toy Kojima fails his challenge.
5d. Shunma Katsumata pinned Kazuki Hirata with a School Boy (8:33).
*Toy Kojima passes his challenge. Kazuki Hirata fails in V6. Shunma Katsumata becomes the 59th DDT Extreme Champion!
6. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles – DEAD OR ALIVE Contra DEAD OR ALIVE: Jun Akiyama, Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi (c) defeated Hikaru Sato, Kazusada Higuchi & Ryo Kawamura when Oishi pinned Kawamura with the Jikiden Tornado Clutch (8:20).
*V3 for D.O.A.
7. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA defeated Naruki Doi with the Wagamama (10:58).
8. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuki Ueno (c) defeated Yukio Naya with the Twister (23:35).
*V1 for Yuki Ueno.

Yuki Ueno’s run as KO-D Openweight Champion has just begun and in his first defence he put down Yukio Naya, shutting down the D-Oh Grand Prix winner’s momentum. The champion went for big dives from the get go but took high risk damage of his own when Naya gave him an Avalanche Choke Slam. Naya also blocked the BME with his knees and used a Wrist-Clutch Back Drop. Ueno was only able to break the pin thanks to a rope break. He switched to using Dropkicks and got a nearfall with the BME. Naya tried fighting back using Knee Strikes but Ueno grabbed him in a Face Lock and pulled him into a Twister hold, making Naya give up. After the match Ueno said Naya has nothing to be ashamed about. He is a great wrestler not because he crawled from the bottom up to the top but because he uses pro wrestling to stand up for himself. Ueno will take what he learned from Naya today and carry them on his own shoulders.

Ueno was told the next KO-D Title defence is scheduled for 17th March. He expected to hear that and already has an opponent in mind. He wants to defend the KO-D Title against Danshoku Dieno and he is willing to do it before the mandatory March defence. The 37KAMIINA will be holding a produce show in Shinjuku FACE on 14th February and Ueno can defend the title against Dieno there. Sanshiro Takagi entered the ring and told Ueno his request cannot be met. The KO-D Title is DDT’s top championship and its matches need to attract large audiences. Ueno explained he does not want this match for the venue size or as an easy title defence. He chooses Dieno because Dieno is the most amazing guy and interesting wrestler in DDT. Takagi accepted his reasoning and gave permission for the match to go ahead. Dieno told Ueno what he said to Jun Akiyama three years ago. He knows the champ will not let him win and DDT does not want him to become the KO-D Champion but if you flash the belt in front of his face he is going to want it! And if he does win the belt who knows what direction he will take DDT in!

The semi-main event was a first time ever meeting between Konosuke Takeshita and Naruki Doi. Takeshita dealt a big blow by giving Doi a Brainbuster on the floor outside the ring. Back in the ring Doi had to rely on speed to try and keep one step ahead of his opponent’s power. He used the V9 Clutch to counter a Lariat for a nearfall. There was one power spot Doi got the better of. That was for a Brainbuster that led to the Doi 555 and Bakatare Sliding Kick combo for another two count. Takeshita blocked the Muscular Bomb and used Doi’s rolling attempt to throw him over with a German Suplex. He then hit the Wagamama to get the victory. Takeshita called it a fun match that made him feel like Takeshita the young wrestling fan again. He never forgets that feeling wherever he goes. He wants to fight Doi again and next time it should be in America.

The D.O.A branding is safe again for the time being. The name was up for grabs along with the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles for the second time after Hikaru Sato complained about his catchphrase being stolen by them. Akiyama was the first one to stand against Sato and Kazusada Higuchi in the ring. Ryo Kawamura ended up sparring with Dieno and made the mistake of putting him in a Triangle Choke. Makoto Oishi kept trying to bring out wasabi and eventually succeeded in wiping it over Dieno’s backside. Both of them regretted it when Kawamura shoved Oishi face first in there but Oishi recovered and flash pinned Kawamura with the Jikiden Tornado Clutch. He celebrated the successful title defence by saying he is well aware that other people use the phrase “Dead Or Alive” so we are all D.O.A! He hoped Akiyama & Dieno would join in but he was left alone in the ring. Sato questioned if the team really are D.O.A because they show no intentions of staying alive and act like they only want to die.

The fate of the DDT Extreme Title all rested on Toy Kojima’s shoulders. Kazuki Hirata and Shunma Katsumata were wrestling each other under 2-Count Fall rules for the belt but the match result would only stand if Kojima could pass a challenge given to him backstage. He didn’t have to wait long for his first task because Hirata pinned Katsumata with the Miracle One Shot Cradle in under a minute. Kojima had to endure bumps for 30 seconds but he couldn’t so the match restarted. Katsumata then submitted Hirata with a Crab Hold so Kojima’s task was to drink a bottle of cola in one go. He couldn’t do that either. Hirata pinned Katsumata with the Miracle Cradle again so Kojima had to play Pop-Up Pirate for 10 turns without losing. He lost in the first turn. Katsumata used a School Boy to pin Hirata so Kojima had to play with a Kendama toy. He was given three goals to swing the ball onto the cup. He did it on his third and final go, making Katsumata the new Extreme Champion!

Katsumata thanked Hirata for coming up with such a fun ruleset. He also announced that after talking with the other members of the group, Kazuki Hirata has been accepted as the newest member of The 37KAMIINA! Unfortunately Hirata changed his mind and no longer wants to be part of the team. Why? Because he wants to create his own brand new unit instead! He later found Naruki Doi backstage and kept pestering him to join this new stable. Doi is reluctant but may have been talked into joining. Meanwhile Katsumata was asked for who he wants his challenger to be for his first defence on 17th March. He suggested Hideki Okatani so they could renew their rivalry over the title. However MJ Paul then came out to attack Okatani, handed Katsumata a piece of paper saying he wanted to challenge him and then he attacked Katsumata too. Katsumata and Okatani worked together to fend off Paul’s attack. Hisaya Imabayashi came up with a solution. Okatani and Paul will face each other on 7th February and the winner will get the title shot for 17th March.

MAO was having a big birthday bash and invited the likes of TAKA Michinoku and CDK to be at the party. One present he got was to be the headpiece of the Kaientai spot with poor Masahiro Takanashi being the victim. Somehow Chris Brookes got to be on the good side of that present. CDK fought back using their double team moves to wrap their opponents into each other but it couldn’t get them the win. Instead TAKA dropped Takanashi with the Michinoku Driver II and MAO pinned him with the Cannonball 450°. MAO is happy to start off being 27 years old with a win. He said no matter where his career goes, TAKA Michinoku’s name will always be around him because he is his hero. TAKA said he is proud to be an influence to people outside of K-DOJO and JTO. He calls MAO one of the few genius young wrestlers he’s seen and that geniuses often don’t see it in themselves. He is sure he can become the KO-D Champion some day. CDK were disappointed to lose but everyone in SCHADENFREUDE International was happy to see Brookes be healthy and wrestle again.

Today was the final time Yukio Sakaguchi would wrestle in Korakuen Hall. He was given a singles match against his former Eruption teammate Hideki Okatani for the occasion. It was a chance for Sakaguchi to test how Okatani could fight by himself. Okatani took all the kicks he could and fought back with the Double Arm Suplex. But Sakaguchi blocked the Quetzalcoatl and put Okatani down with the God’s Right Knee to end the match. His message to Okatani backstage was to ask what is his strength? He needs to find that answer in order to change from what he is now. Okatani thanked Sakaguchi for the lesson and will use the DDT ring to show him what he learned.

The services of Bryan Keith were used by DAMNATION T.A to fight what’s currently left of BURNING along with Rukiya. MJ Paul interfered to take the Spear from Yuki Iino instead of KANON. Keith used the Emerald Tiger Driver on Rukiya then left him for the others to pick at the pieces. Daisuke Sasaki & KANON used a Vietnam Driver & Diving Elbow combination called the Freedom Call to finish Rukiya off. Sasaki called BURNING worthless and thinks the group should disband. KANON made fun of them, telling them to go home and drink their mothers’ protein. Iino complained about KANON needing Paul’s help because he doesn’t want to take the Spear. Tetsuya Endo thinks he needs to improve his accuracy because today’s performance wasn’t up to snuff. But he is confident that if he and Iino hit DAMNATION T.A right, they will win the KO-D Tag Team Titles from them.

The opening match went ahead with No Tag Rules. Takagi quickly gave Kazuma Sumi the Stunner but was then caught in a Train Attack that included the referee getting involved. HARASHIMA and Toru Owashi got to fight each other until Akito came in to target HARASHIMA’s leg. So did Tomoya and Shinichiro Kawamatsu in what turned out to be a battle between pro wrestling politicians. Antonio Honda paused the match for his Gongitsune joke but it backfired. Yuni gave Takeshi Masada a Tornado DDT but then missed a Moonsault aimed for Sumi. That allowed Sumi to roll up the school boy with the School Boy for the win.

The first set of wrestlers to enter this year’s King Of DDT are a mix of previous winners and finalists to mark the 20th Anniversary of the tournament. Poison Sawada JULIE (2004 winner), Sanshiro Takagi (2009 finalist), Danshoku Dieno (2012 finalist), HARASHIMA (2010 & 2013 winner, 2017 finalist) and Shuji Ishikawa (2016 winner) have all been announced to be taking part.

Kaisei Takechi’s debut match on 25th February has him teaming up with Yuki Ueno & Shunma Katsumata. They will be against Tetsuya Endo, Hideki Okatani & Takeshi Masada.


DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2024 TOUR IN SHINAGAWA” Results

January 21, 2024

DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2024 TOUR IN SHINAGAWA”, 21/01/2024
Tokyo Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX
242 Fans

1. Kazuki Hirata & Yuni defeated Akito & Ilusion when Hirata pinned Ilusion with the Miracle One Shot Cradle (11:51).
2. Special Single Match: Kazusada Higuchi defeated MJ Paul with the Brain Claw Press (10:16).
3. Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino defeated Takeshi Masada & Rukiya when Iino pinned Rukiya with a Lariat (12:09).
4. Jun Akiyama, Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi defeated HARASHIMA, Hideki Okatani & Kazuma Sumi when Oishi submitted Sumi with the Fujiyama Knee Lock (9:50).
5. Special Tag Match: Yukio Naya & Yoshitatsu defeated Yuki Ueno & Shunma Katsumata when Naya pinned Katsumata with The World’s Best Back Drop (11:18).
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Daisuke Sasaki & KANON defeated Soma Takao & Shota (c) when KANON submitted Shota with the Cobra Twist 2.0 (14:46).
*ROMANCE DAWN fails in V4. DAMNATION T.A becomes the 81st KO-D Tag Team Champions!
7. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) defeated Bryan Keith with a Running Palm Sole (18:27).
*V4 for MAO.

Two title matches highlighted today’s finale for the weekend of shows held inside Shinagawa Prince Hotel Club eX. The headline match was MAO defending the DDT Universal Title against Bryan Keith, the American bounty hunter who already has a win against him that happened in the USA last year. This time Keith went for a bigger plan of attack, throwing MAO into the corner post with an Exploder Suplex from the ring apron. MAO had scouted his opponent’s finisher the Emerald Tiger Driver and was able to avoid taking it. But Keith was also too tough to be pinned with the Avalanche Michinoku Driver II. MAO used his own Tiger Driver among other moves but couldn’t put Keith away. But the constant attacks took their toll and Keith was finally pinned after being hit with a Running Palm Strike.

At first Keith refused to shake MAO’s hand after the match but that was just so he could bow to him instead. MAO responded with his own bow and then they shook hands. When Keith left the ring, Hikaru Machida suddenly appeared and climbed in. MAO remembers him from a KO-D Tag Team Titles match they had together a year ago. Machida remembers it too and has unfinished business with MAO. He wants to fight him one on one with the Universal Title on the line! MAO accepted the challenge but there was no authority figure at the show today to book the match. MAO told Machida it will have to happen sometime in February because he already has a tag match with TAKA Michinoku scheduled for the next Korakuen Hall show. DDT later confirmed the title match will happen at the 25th February Korakuen show.

New KO-D Tag Champions were crowned when DAMNATION T.A defeated ROMANCE DAWN! Of course there was cheating involved throughout. MJ Paul was at ringside to give his team the numbers advantage whenever the referee couldn’t see it. That put the champions on the ropes. Daisuke Sasaki gave Soma Takao the Pedigree and then hit Shota with a Spear. Shota got a second wind but that was cut off by KANON who submitted him with the Cobra Twist 2.0. KANON bragged about DAMNATION T.A getting their revenge with a complete victory over the team that won the belts from himself and Minoru Fujita. Sasaki then called for Tetsuya Endo & Yuki Iino to come out and challenge them, not noticing that they had already approached the ring behind him while he was talking. Endo pointed out that he & Iino had already declared their intention to challenge for the KO-D Tag Titles after they won their match earlier in the show. They also beat Sasaki & KANON in Osaka two weeks ago and they expect the same result to happen when the titles are on the line. Backstage Sasaki told the reporters he wants the title match to happen on 7th February because it is DDT’s next show after Korakuen. DDT later confirmed the match will happen there.

Is Yukio Naya starting to figure it all out? He & Yoshitatsu defeated Yuki Ueno & Shunma Katsumata and the finish all came down to him. He got rid of Ueno with a Choke Slam and pinned Katsumata with The World’s Best Back Drop. He said on the microphone that when he joined DDT he ended up making irreplaceable friends, meeting seniors he respects and also got to fight Ueno. Naya wants to show his gratitude to all of them by becoming the best and strongest in DDT. He thinks this is why he will beat Ueno for the KO-D Openweight Title fair and square. After listening to his speech, Ueno ignored a handshake and gave him the NeppoWER!! pose instead.

Backstage Yoshitatsu said he noticed a change in Naya from when he wrestles to when he speaks. It reminded him of the time when he was a young lion watching Yoshihiro Takayama from ringside. Takayama was the biggest monster in wrestling back then and Yoshitatsu thinks Naya can become the biggest monster in wrestling today. He sees himself as a link between both and wants to team with Naya more for that reason. Yoshitatsu also said this will not be a teacher-student relationship but a team made up of equals.

The KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champions may have figured out the key to defending their titles against Hikaru Sato’s team at the end of the month. It all comes down to Danshoku Dieno’s ass! The lightbulb above Jun Akiyama’s head went off after he used the Exploder Suplex position to push HARASHIMA face first into Dieno’s rear end and then shoved Hideki Okatani’s face into the same target. Makoto Oishi was then clear to put Kazuma Sumi in the Fujiyama Knee Lock for the submission victory. D.O.A also have brand new T-shirts on sale so they are determined more than ever to retain the titles and survive as a unit otherwise DDT will get mad at them.

Both Yuni and Ilusion wanted to film the opening match on their phones while they wrestled because that’s what everybody does in 2024. Akito and Kazuki Hirata didn’t understand at first but got into the groove as the match progressed.


DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2024 TOUR IN SHINJUKU” Results

January 5, 2024

DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2024 TOUR IN SHINJUKU”, 05/01/2024
Shinjuku FACE
225 Fans

1. Soma Takao & Kazuma Sumi defeated Kazusada Higuchi & Ilusion when Takao pinned Ilusion with the Perfect Driver (7:40).
2. Eruption Vs D.O.A!: Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani defeated Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi when Okatani submitted Oishi with the Modified Dragon Sleeper (11:01).
3. Jun Akiyama, Yoshitatsu & Yukio Naya defeated Akito, Yuki Iino & Rukiya when Naya submitted Rukiya with a Crab Hold (11:24).
4. DISASTER BOX Final Match: HARASHIMA defeated Toru Owashi and Kazuki Hirata when HARASHIMA pinned Hirata with the Somato (20:22).
5. BURNING Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Daisuke Sasaki & KANON defeated Tetsuya Endo & Yusuke Okada when Sasaki submitted Okada with the Crossface Lock (11:01).
6. KO-D 10-Man Tag Team Titles: Masahiro Takanashi, Antonio Honda, Takayuki Ueki, Takeshi Masada & Mecha Mummy defeated Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata, Toy Kojima, Yuni & Yoshihiko (c) when Honda pinned Katsumata with a Leg Fold Hold (23:57).
*The 37KAMIINA & Shinya Aoki fails in V1. SCHADENFREUDE International & Baka Gaijin + Friends become the 9th KO-D 10-Man Tag Team Champions!

Before the show took place today Chris Brookes informed the combined forces of SCHADENFREUDE International and Baka Gaijin + Friends that if they lost in the main event he would disband the unit. It was just the motivation the ragtag group of wrestlers needed to beat the fractured combination of The 37KAMIINA, Yuni & Yoshihiko. The Rocket Fist belonging to Mecha Mummy saw plenty of use while Takayuki Ueki pulled out a pistol to threaten Shunma Katsumata with. Honda used the Rocket Fist to power up his Diving Fist Drop but he missed the move. Katsumata was just as bad with the follow up because Honda dodged it and rolled him up with a Leg Fold hold to get the three count.

The new KO-D 10-Man Tag Team Champions celebrated with their titles. Honda thanked everyone for giving him their strength so he could win for the team. He promised to protect the titles until Chris Brookes is safely able to wrestle again. When he does come back Honda said he will fire Mecha Mummy from the team so Brookes can get back in. Backstage Takeshi Masada said they no longer have to worry about splitting up because they won so now they can grow and become a masterpiece. The new champions are willing to defend the belts against any five things no matter what they are. It all depends on whenever DDT wants to use this championship again for a title match.

Yuki Ueno, Katsumata & Toy Kojima are looking on the bright side despite losing the titles. When they were doing their post-match interview backstage they came across Kazuki Hirata sitting in a cardboard box marked “Discarded Wrestler”. Kojima felt sorry for him and asked the others if any of them can take him in for shelter? They can’t so they told Kojima to leave him alone and they all walked off.

DAMNATION T.A used the numbers game to beat BURNING. It was a normal tag match but MJ Paul interfered and gave Yusuke Okada a German Suplex. KANON followed up with a Lariat and Daisuke Sasaki finished him off with the Pedigree and Crossface Lock. After the match Sasaki asked Endo if he made his decision to join DAMNATION T.A so they can create a new world together. Endo refused, telling Sasaki there is no way he will join and the DAMNATION he knew is already gone. Sasaki gave him a Low Blow and attacked him with a chair until Yuki Iino suddenly ran out for the save and took out the three DAMNATION T.A wrestlers. With the ring cleared of danger, Iino then asked Endo if he could join BURNING? Endo accepted, calling Iino the piece that Jun Akiyama left out for them to find.

The last battle of DISASTER BOX pitted HARASHIMA, Toru Owashi and Hirata against each other. That wasn’t all because former members Yuki Ueno and Naomi Yoshimura appeared during the match to read out goodbye letters they wrote for the group. HARASHIMA, Owashi and Hirata all put on Hirata GO! glasses for one last dance together before Owashi gave Hirata a Choke Slam. All of the glasses were then placed on Hirata’s head and HARASHIMA gave him the Somato to win the match. Owashi said DISASTER BOX is now on hiatus but the relationship between himself and HARASHIMA will last forever. The same goes for his teacher-student relationship with Hirata. The three can still team up together and whenever they do, they will make everyone smile.

Yoshitatsu’s first match as a regular means a lot to him because he got to be in the ring with Jun Akiyama again. He also recognises how important it is to be in the ring with Yukio Naya because Naya just won the D-Oh Grand Prix. Yoshitatsu admits he isn’t able to compete on their level right away but he is confident he can adapt to the DDT style.

Both Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi arrived for their match wearing pairs of pantyhose over their faces. They also offered pairs for Eruption to wear too. Yukio Sakaguchi volunteered to have Oishi put them on him and he scolded Hideki Okatani whenever he laughed because Okatani was ordered to take the match seriously. Okatani eventually put the pantyhose on his face and gave Oishi a Dragon Sleeper to make him give up. Afterwards Eruption reminded everyone they are the All Asia Tag Team Champions and there are no other champions like them.


DDT “D-OH GRAND PRIX 2023 THE FINAL” Results

January 3, 2024

DDT “D-OH GRAND PRIX 2023 THE FINAL”, 03/01/2024
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,194 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & MJ Paul defeated Soma Takao, Yuki Iino & Yuni when KANON submitted Takao with the Cobra Twist 2.0 (8:15).
2. Jun Akiyama & Makoto Oishi defeated Yusuke Okada & Kazuma Sumi when Oishi submitted Sumi with the Fujiyama Knee Lock (7:42).
3. Special Tag Match ~ Shunma Katsumata Return Match: Shunma Katsumata & Toy Kojima defeated Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani when Kojima pinned Okatani with a Modified Facebuster (9:37).
4. HARASHIMA, Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata defeated Sanshiro Takagi, Akito & Antonio Honda when Hirata pinned Honda with the Miracle One Shot Cradle (12:05).
5. Special Tag Match ~ DDT Vs AJPW: Jun Saito & Rei Saito defeated Kazusada Higuchi & Rukiya when Rei pinned Rukiya with the Saito Iginari Smash (11:40).
-. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Kuroshio TOKYO Japan defeated Christmas Tree (c) by Pinfall (8:11 pm).
*Kuroshio TOKYO Japan becomes the 1,600th champion.
6. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Kuroshio TOKYO Japan defeated Danshoku Dieno with the Ikemenrana (12:31).
*V1 for Kuroshio TOKYO Japan.
7. The 37KAMIINA Vs SCHADENFREUDE International!: Yuki Ueno & Yuki Iino defeated Masahiro Takanashi & Takeshi Masada when Ueno pinned Masada with the Jul.2 (10:28).
8. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – Final: Yukio Naya defeated Tetsuya Endo with The World’s Best Back Drop (26:59).

At the end of 2022 Yukio Naya made it all the way to the D-Ou Grand Prix final but could not win the tournament. He made it his goal to do one better in the 2023 Grand Prix and right here at the start of 2024 he achieved it! Tetsuya Endo was also determined to win today’s final but he couldn’t defeat Naya even with Exploder Suplexes, Spinning Torture Rack Bombs and Burning Star Presses. The last move in particular was blocked by Naya and served him the opening to take over the match. Endo relied on Rolling Chops to try and get back into it but Naya cut him off with Knee Lifts and a Choke Slam for a nearfall. Naya then overpowered Endo with The World’s Best Back Drop to put him away and win the Grand Prix!

Naya burst into tears after the match when Kenta Kobashi presented him with the trophy and posed with him for a photo. Naya thanked everyone for supporting him from his family to everyone in DDT. This means so much to him because a few years ago nobody ever thought he could compete at this level. He still has one dream that hasn’t come true yet and that is to win the KO-D Openweight Title! He called Yuki Ueno down to the ring and challenged him for the championship so everyone will see who really is the strongest in DDT. Ueno accepted but told him the title should be held by the most interesting guy in DDT. The title match will take place at Korakuen Hall on 28th January.

As for Endo, he thought 2024 was going to start out well for him because he was on the winning team of the Shuffle 6-Man Tag Tournament on New Year’s Eve. But after losing to Naya today he now feels like he fell to the bottom of DDT and has to climb out of Hell. Then suddenly backstage Daisuke Sasaki approached Endo after his post-match interview with the media. Sasaki explained the reason why Endo lost today is because he did not have Jun Akiyama next to him. But that also means there is nothing tying down Endo anymore either. Sasaki suggested that Endo does not need BURNING anymore and they should go change the world together. But before Endo could respond, Sasaki told him to relax and think about what he just said because they will see each other again soon.

Ueno was meant to team with MAO in the semi-main event but MAO had fever symptoms and was pulled from the show. Parts of the card were changed around and Ueno got to team with Yuki Iino instead. Masahiro Takanashi & Takeshi Masada jumped them early but Ueno & Iino quickly rallied together. Things went pair shaped when Iino’s Lariat missed Masada and hit Ueno by mistake. Masada tried to capitalise but Ueno held on until he could counter attack and pin Masada with the Jul.2. The result left SCHADENFREUDE International feeling disappointed because Chris Brookes was in attendance for the first time since getting his surgery. Brookes suggested they disband right away but everyone else convinced him not to. Instead they figured out Masada can get revenge on Ueno beating him today by pinning him for the KO-D 10-Man Tag Team Titles in two days time!

After Danshoku Dieno made his entrance to the ring for his match, footage was shown of Kuroshio TOKYO Japan and Seigo Tachibana hanging out backstage. They opened a nearby locker and out fell the Christmas Tree that won the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title on Christmas Eve! Tachibana decided to pin the tree but Kuroshio stopped him and stole the pin to become the champion instead. Kuroshio then forced Tachibana to get into the ring with Dieno while he completed his long and elaborate entrance. Dieno kept Tachibana in the Lip Lock while Kuroshio pranced around the audience until his theme song looped back to the beginning. He finally attacked Dieno to start the match and they brawled through the crowd with the back of their tights all pulled down. The fight went up to the commentary table where Kenta Kobashi was seated. Dieno tried to stumble over for a kiss but Kobashi sent him away with a Chop. The match returned to the ring where Tachibana tried to get involved again. He ended up getting a water bottle shoved up his rear by Dieno that Kuroshio then had to pull out. Makoto Oishi forcibly filled Dieno’s mouth with wasabi but the Lip Lock missed Kuroshio and landed on Tachibana instead. Kuroshio then rubbed the wasabi onto his crotch and pinned Dieno with a Hurricanrana to retain the Iron Man Title. Backstage he admitted he doesn’t even know what this championship is. He likes it but wants to win a proper title as well as compete in DDT more often in 2024.

If DDT thought they were now safe from The Saito Brothers bringing them doom then they are sorely mistaken. Rei Saito had one more appearance left for them and this time he brought along his brother Jun Saito. The two of them fought Kazuasada Higuchi & Rukiya. Higuchi did a good job handling them in the ring but it was a more difficult challenge for Rukiya. In the end they just couldn’t handle so much doom. Jun used a Lariat to take out Higuchi and then The Saito Brothers together threw down Rukiya with a Double Choke Slam for the win. Rei said next time he is going to beat up Rukiya even more! Jun however showed interest in seeing Higuchi show up in All Japan some day. Apparently Higuchi and The Saito Brothers already have a history together going back to their sumo days over a decade ago.

For the final time the three main members of DISASTER BOX all teamed together and they finished the occasion with a win. Toru Owashi brought along the lucha to fight Akito while HARASHIMA suddenly had bad flashbacks when Sanshiro Takagi started using Hiroshi Tanahashi’s moves on him to celebrate the New Japan wrestler’s promotion to company president. Antonio Honda relied on Gongitsune like he always does but Kazuki Hirata’s eyes were protected by his Hirata GO! glasses. The deflected attack allowed Hirata to pin Honda with the Miracle One Shot Cradle.

After the match HARASHIMA told the others DISASTER BOX is going away but it will always feel like the unit is still around whenever they are together. They all left the ring together when Shunma Katsumata suddenly ran out and dragged Hirata back into the ring. Without taking any breaths Katsumata challenged Hirata for the DDT Extreme Title. He was the previous champion who had to vacate the title due to injury but admitted Hirata has become the kind of Extreme Champion he always wanted to be. They agreed to have the title match on 28th January.

Katsumata’s challenge came shorty after his return match from injury. He teamed with Toy Kojima to take on Eruption. He made sure to start off the match against Hideki Okatani and even thanked him for waiting all this time for him to return. But it was Kojima who stole the spotlight by using a new Spinning Flapjack move to pin Okatani for the 3 count. After a brief staredown with Yukio Sakaguchi, Kojima told Eruption this will be the same when they fight in the exploding death match on 14th January! Katsumata said now that he’s back, The 37KAMIINA will make DDT more hotter than ever!

Jun Akiyama & Makoto Oishi gave Kazuma Sumi a tough night in the ring. Yusuke Okada was there to help out until he missed a Diving Headbutt aimed for Akiyama. Sumi found his second wind and used Oishi as a footstep to Dropkick Akiyama off the ring apron. However Oishi dodged the Mickey Boomerang and planed Sumi with the Miracle Ecstasy. That would have been the end but Akiyama pushed Oishi away during the pin and gave Sumi an Exploder Suplex as payback for the Dropkick. Oishi then made Sumi tap out to the Fujiyama Knee Lock.

DAMNATION T.A now find themselves in the midst of a KO-D Tag Team Titles shot after they won the opening match. Sasaki took out Yuni with a Spear and then tricked the referee into distracting Shota because he was holding a chair. While that was going on Sasaki hit Soma Takao with another chair and KANON applied the Cobra Twist 2.0 for the submission win. Afterwards KANON wished ROMANCE DAWN to have a miserable new year and declared himself and Sasaki as their next challengers. The two sides agreed to have the match on 21st January. Sasaki insulted Shota for claiming he is a part of the Young Communication generation. According to Sasaki, Shota was only a supporting role and that name should only be used for the likes of Shigehiro Irie and Keisuke Ishii!

The first DDT show of the year means a lot of big announcements to get through along with other major news stories. First, the DDT Vs All Japan rivalry will continue throughout 2024. Ryuki Honda and Yuma Anzai will be at the 7th February DDT show in Shinjuku. Then on 17th March at DDT’s 27th Anniversary show Konosuke Takeshita will face Yuma Aoyagi one on one! Aoyagi was in attendance to greet the fans after the announcement. He hoped Takeshita would be here too but he has to wait until 17th March to show Takeshita his own Dramatic Dream. Later backstage Aoyagi told reporters he would also like to face Yuki Ueno for the KO-D Title too!

Kaisei Takechi sent in a video to promote his pro wrestling debut on 25th February. The celebrity who is part of THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE told fans he worked with DDT wrestlers during the filming of Fukumen D and felt indebted to them. He is very happy to repay them by doing this match. This is just his first step into the pro wrestling world and he is honored to do it on such a wonderful stage.

Student pro wrestler Tsubasa Suzuki has applied to DDT as an intern wrestler. He will debut on the 27th Anniversary show on 17th March. Suzuki comes from Hitotsubashi University World Pro Wrestling Alliance and previously appeared on DDT shows a year ago under the ring name “Mother’s Child” Mazakon Kid. The point of an internship is so students can get work experience before starting their careers so he will wrestle on DDT shows for a certain amount of time. At the end DDT will talk with Suzuki and decide if he can join the company. Suzuki told the fans he is the world’s first intern wrestler and promises to do his best to become a beloved member of DDT. He likes high flying wrestling and has a lot of respect for Kota Ibushi and Naomichi Marufuji (bad timing to bring those two names up) so he thinks it will be great if he could become like them (hopefully not in their present forms).

Miu Watanabe appeared in the ring to promote tomorrow’s annual Ittenyon show for Tokyo Joshi Pro. She will be part of the 3 Way Tag Match to determine the new Princess Tag Team Champions.

During the show’s opening ceremony Yoshitatsu appeared and announced he will become a regular part of DDT shows starting on 5th January. The wrestler had just left All Japan over the new year. He said when he fought in DDT a couple of times in 2023 it reminded him of the fun side of pro wrestling that he had forgotten. One match he had with Jun Akiyama in particular stood out for him and he would like to have more tough battles against him. Also DDT working with Chris Jericho and Matt Cardona who he both knew from WWE made it an appealing place for him to look for an opportunity.

Chris Brookes told the fans he would like to come back from his surgery as soon as possible. He feels fine physically but does not know when he can return to wrestling again yet.

The last piece of news came after the show had ended. Sanshiro Takagi announced to reporters he will be taking an indefinite break as a pro wrestler after DDT’s Sumo Hall show on 21st July. He is doing this for several reasons from taking care of his health to concentrating more on managing Cyberfight. He also said he will soon need to begin the process of finding his successor because he believes current management across Japan’s pro wrestling industry is aging out. This is not intended to be him retiring from the ring because he will start wrestling again when his health improves. However he does not know when that will happen which is why he saved this announcement for the media after the show. He may go into more details later this week.


DDT “D-OH GRAND PRIX 2023 IN KORAKUEN HALL” Results

December 24, 2023

DDT “D-OH GRAND PRIX 2023 IN KORAKUEN HALL”, 24/12/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
761 Fans – No Vacancy

-. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – B Block: Rei Saito (8) defeated Chris Brookes (2) by Forfeit.
1. KANON & MJ Paul defeated Yukio Sakaguchi & Rukiya when KANON submitted Rukiya with the Torture Cobra Twist (4:57).
2. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – Battle Royal ~ Toru Owashi Return Match: Toru Owashi defeated The Great Koji (c), Sanshiro Takagi, Kazuki Hirata, Akito, Kazuma Sumi and Poison Sawada JULIE (10:21).
2a. Sanshiro Takagi eliminated Akito by Over The Top Rope (8:25).
2b. Sanshiro Takagi eliminated Kazuma Sumi by Over The Top Rope (8:25).
2c. Sanshiro Takagi eliminated Kazuki Hirata by Over The Top Rope (8:25).
2d. Poison Sawada JULIE eliminated Sanshiro Takagi by Over The Top Rope (8:25).
2e. Poison Sawada JULIE eliminated The Great Koji (c) with the Cattle Mutilation (10:08).
*Poison Sawada JULIE becomes the 1,597th champion.
2f. Toru Owashi defeated Poison Sawada JULIE (c) with a School Boy (10:21).
*Toru Owashi becomes the 1,598th champion.
3. Special Single Match: Rei Saito defeated Hideki Okatani with the Drill-A-Hole Piledriver (4:43).
4. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Jun Akiyama, Danshoku Dieno & Makoto Oishi (c) defeated Masahiro Takanashi, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada when Oishi pinned Honda with a Rotating Cradle (10:41).
*V1 for D.O.A.
5. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – B Block: Yukio Naya (8) defeated MAO (6) with The World’s Best Back Drop (10:58).
6. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – A Block: HARASHIMA (4) defeated Daisuke Sasaki (5) with the Somato (6:37).
7. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – A Block: Yuki Iino (4) defeated Yuki Ueno (5) with the Spear (8:14).
8. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – A Block: Tetsuya Endo (6) defeated Kazusada Higuchi (6) with the Burning Star Press (20:37).
– Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Christmas Tree defeated Toru Owashi (c) with a Body Press (1:39 pm).
*Christmas Tree becomes the 1,599th champion.

A Block

1. Tetsuya Endo (6)
-. Kazusada Higuchi (6)
3. Yuki Ueno (5)
-. Daisuke Sasaki (5)
5. Yuki Iino (4)
-. HARASHIMA (4)

B Block

1. Yukio Naya (8)
-. Rei Saito (8)
3. MAO (6)
4. KANON (4)
5. Kazuki Hirata (2)
-. Chris Brookes (2)

Back from the brink, Tetsuya Endo has won the A Block but only just! The last day of group matches in the D-Ou Grand Prix took place at Korakuen Hall on Christmas Eve. Every remaining A Block match had somebody fighting to finish in first so they will qualify for the grand final. The other potential challengers all fell at the final hurdle leaving it all on the line in the main event between Endo and Kazusada Higuchi. Throughout the tournament Endo has been using the Rolling Chop taught to him by Kenta Kobashi. The move here was not enough to put down Higuchi so Endo came up with an even more dangerous idea from Kobashi’s moveset. He wanted to do the Torture Rack Bomb but Higuchi grabbed him with the Brain Claw. Endo resisted and turned the Torture Rack into a Sitout Burning Hammer! He was then able to do the Spinning Torture Rack Bomb but Higuchi kicked out. Endo then hit the Burning Star Press and this time Higuchi was done for, ending the A Block with Endo heading to the final!

The other two frontrunners in the A Block both collapsed, leading to Endo to overtake them. Yuki Ueno was knocked for a loop thanks to Yuki Iino’s Spear. The first one was blocked with a Dropkick but when Ueno went for the WR, Iino countered it with a short-range Spear and pinned last year’s D-Oh winner in an upset! Iino calls the result a very precious victory and he will use this momentum to keep evolving into the next year. Ueno said whether he won or lost in this tournament, he is still the KO-D Openweight Champion coming out of it. He thinks it is still up to him to carry DDT over his back.

Daisuke Sasaki saw his chances of reaching the final blow up in flames thanks to HARASHIMA. Even with MJ Paul at ringside helping him behind the ref’s back, Sasaki fell to the Somato in short order. HARASHIMA credits his battleplan for the win because you have to be careful fighting against Sasaki. He isn’t pleased with only getting 4 points in the tournament but it will spur him on to train harder for next year. Sasaki meanwhile was so upset over his failure to win the Grand Prix that he decided to retire! Then he got cold feet and convinced a nearby reporter to grant permission for him to delay the retirement for one year.

Meeting Endo in the final is Yukio Naya in the B Block. There was only one match left in that group and Naya needed to win or else Rei Saito would go to the final instead. MAO was out of the running due to circumstances out of his control but he still fought like he had a chance to qualify. But despite using the match to get his frustrations out, MAO was hit with Knee Strike after Knee Strike, including one with his kneepad pulled down. It was all over for MAO when he was given The World’s Best Back Drop. He wasn’t happy about the result and complained about Naya not showing enough spirit when he fight. It has MAO wondering if Naya really wants to win this?

So the D-Oh final comes down to Endo against Naya. The two had a standoff in the ring after Endo’s match. Naya called Endo as amazing wrestler and Naya has to surpass amazing wrestlers to make up for last year’s defeat in the final. He wants to be the best not just in DDT but also all of Japanese pro wrestling so he cannot afford to lose now. Endo said Naya is bigger than him but not as strong. On 3rd January keep your eyes on Endo because he promises to crush Naya!

D.O.A might be getting a little ahead of themselves by accepting more title challengers than they need to but right now they look like they can handle the pressure. Their first KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles defence was a successful one against Schadenfreude International. The match saw Jun Akiyama using his own Gongitsune to combat Antonio Honda’s version. Things were looking bad when Masahiro Takanashi & Takeshi Masada blocked Danshoku Dieno’s Wasabi Lip Lock. But Makoto Oishi maneuvered Honda to run face first into Dieno’s backside and Oishi then rolled him up for the victory. Even though the champions won, Dieno was in agony because he still had the wasabi stuck in his mouth. Their next defence will be against Bodyguard’s Osaka team on 6th January. That match also has the D.O.A name on the line!

Rei Saito went into today’s show with a forfeit win over Chris Brookes. So with no tournament match Saito instead fought Hideki Okatani in a singles match between an AJPW World Tag Team Champion and an All Asia Tag Team Champion. Okatani had some chances to win but Saito was too big to let the Quetzalcoatl be used against him. Saito used his strength to turn things around and beat Okatani with the Drill-A-Hole Piledriver. Saito is still booked for 3rd January and so is his brother Jun Saito. Since the D-Oh final is no longer on the cards for Rei, The Saito Brothers are instead challenging DDT to give them a tag team to fight. Meanwhile Okatani promised to get revenge on Rei no matter if it is in DDT, All Japan or anywhere else!

The return of Toru Owashi from injury has him back in his natural role. He is and always will be the straight man in a comedy Battle Royal. The Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title was on the line as The Great Koji emerged from Parts Unknown against a field of challengers including a mystery opponent. That mystery wrestler turned out to be the championship’s creator Poison Sawada JULIE! He used his Snake Magic on Sanshiro Takagi forcing him to eliminate Akito, Kazuma Sumi and Kazuki Hirata one by one until JULIE eliminated Takagi by himself. Great Koji armed himself with a sickle and resisted JULIE’s magic at first but the spell eventually overpowered him. JULIE then applied his version of the Cattle Mutilation, forcing Koji to give up. JULIE was not the Iron Man champion but Owashi quickly pinned him with a School Boy to win the belt and the match.

Afterwards Takagi attacked JULIE and they fought their way to the back. Owashi stayed in the ring so he could thank the fans for their support during his recovery. Backstage he also made a decision to disband DISASTER BOX! Over the last five months Owashi has seen Hirata grow up and learn to take care of himself. The reason why DISASTER BOX stuck around for so long was so Owashi & HARASHIMA could look after Hirata but now that is no longer needed. Hirata is now walking down a new path, Owashi feels lucky he still has time to be a pro wrestler and HARASHIMA is fighting to remain the ace of DDT so the time is right for DISASTER BOX to end. The unit may come back in the future because it has been revived before. Also the three of them can still team together in some form whenever DDT tells them to so Hirata thinks not much is going to change from this decision.

Both KANON & MJ Paul were interested in fighting Yukio Sakaguchi because he is one half of the All Asia Tag Champions. So KANON felt a bit let down when he had to beat up Rukiya instead. At least DAMNATION T.A are having a year end drinking party at Sasaki’s house to make up for that disappointment.

At the very end of the show everyone came down to the ring dressed in Santa Claus outfits to celebrate Christmas with the fans. Hirata talked about how great DDT is and how he cannot wait for 2024. He then suddenly attacked Owashi with a Christmas Tree and everybody piled on top of them to try and win the Iron Man Title! Yukinori Matsui counted the pin and then seperated the pile of bodies to figure out who won. Everyone was pulled away until the only thing left directly lying on Owashi was the tree. Which means the Christmas Tree is the new Iron Man Champion! Takagi ordered everybody not to attack the tree because it is fitting for it to become a champion on Christmas Eve. Ueno closed out the show telling fans DDT in 2024 will make dreams come true for everyone!

The team challenging for the KO-D 10-Man Tag Team Titles on 5th January have chosen the replacement for Chris Brookes. Taking his place for the title match is Takayuki Ueki. That means the team is not fighting as Schadenfreude International but instead representing Baka Gaijin + Friends!

DDT will be holding two outdoor Beer Garden shows in Tokyo Ueno Park on 21st and 26th March.


DDT “D-OH GRAND PRIX 2023 OPENING ROUND” Results

November 26, 2023

DDT “D-OH GRAND PRIX 2023 OPENING ROUND”, 26/11/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
678 Fans

0. Dark Match: Yuni & Yuya Koroku defeated Kazuma Sumi & Rukiya when Koroku submitted Rukiya with the Modified Triangle Lancer (8:40).
1. Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada defeated Daisuke Sasaki, Demus & MJ Paul when Endo pinned Demus with the Burning Star Press (10:47).
2. Masahiro Takanashi, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada defeated Danshoku Dieno, Makoto Oishi & Toy Kojima when Masada pinned Oishi with the Masada Power KOBU Mukimuki (8:46).
3. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – B Block: Rei Saito (2) defeated MAO (0) with the Drill-A-Hole Piledriver (10:22).
4. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – B Block: KANON (2) defeated Kazuki Hirata (0) with the Crucifixion Cobra Twist (8:27).
5. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – A Block: Yuki Iino (2) defeated HARASHIMA (0) with the Low Altitude Spear (5:31).
6. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – B Block: Yukio Naya (2) defeated Chris Brookes (0) with the World’s Best Back Drop (16:10).
7. D-Oh Grand Prix 2023 – A Block: Yuki Ueno (2) defeated Kazusada Higuchi (0) with the WR (17:46).

A Block

1. Yuki Ueno (2)
-. Yuki Iino (2)
3. Tetsuya Endo (0)
-. Daisuke Sasaki (0)
-. Kazusada Higuchi (0)
-. HARASHIMA (0)

B Block

1. Yukio Naya (2)
-. KANON (2)
-. Rei Saito (2)
4. Chris Brookes (0)
-. Kazuki Hirata (0)
-. MAO (0)

The campaign to become the first consecutive winner of the D-Oh Grand Prix has gone off to a good start for Yuki Ueno. Day one of the tournament ended with Ueno beating Kazusada Higuchi, avenging his King Of DDT semi-final loss to him from earlier this year. The difference this time was Ueno flipping out of the Brain Claw Slam that beat him last time. Higuchi reacted by running the ropes but Ueno flipped over him again, putting himself in position to hit the WR and win the match. Ueno knows the tournament is just beginning and his intention to fight Konosuke Takeshita again is waiting for him beyond that. Higuchi described Ueno as becoming more tenacious than the last time they fought each other.

Last year’s runner up Yukio Naya dealt an early big blow to Chris Brookes, making the previous top champion of DDT lose his first block match. Naya used his own knees to block a Diving Double Knee Drop and then hit several Knee Strikes to Brookes, some with the kneepad pulled down. Brookes wasn’t able to stop the World’s Best Back Drop after taking all of those blows. Now Naya’s confidence in winning the Grand Prix is really high. Meanwhile Brookes can’t figure out why he’s been on the losing side so much lately.

There’s no twist with Yuki Iino’s return match after having all Pheromones influence removed from him. He says we are now going to see the real Iino and he is proving it by beating HARASHIMA in his first block match. He used his old Spear finisher to cut off the Somato and then hit a Low Altitude Spear for the three count. HARASHIMA said Iino showed so much more power than he had from his pre-Pheromones days and that caught him off guard.

So how does Kazuki Hirata fare in a tournament setting? Early signs say not so good. He decided to go full power from the start by immediately putting on the Hirata GO! glasses and attacking KANON. His attacks did nothing and KANON pulled the glasses off. Hirata got the glasses back and crawled beneath the ring to put them back on but KANON chased after him, took the glasses again and stomped on it back in the ring. Hirata made a comeback and with some triumphant music backing him revealed he had a spare in his trunks! Unfortunately for him, KANON also had his own pair hidden this entire time and wore them while making Hirata tap to the Crucifixion Cobra Twist in tune to the music. KANON had fun in the match. He got to dance and also shatter Hirata’s heart the same way he shattered the glasses. Hirata asked for the fans to support him because if they lower their guard then he’ll be crushed by his opponents even more.

Rei Saito’s cries of bringing doom to the D-Oh GP began by beating MAO in the first tournament match of the day. The difference in size and power between the two meant MAO had to hit quick and fast to make up for Saito’s heavy hitting offence. MAO couldn’t catch up and he was put away with a Headbutt followed by the Drill-A-Hole Piledriver. Saito now can’t wait for his next match because it is against Naya. The two of them have been picking fights with each other for a while leading into this. MAO said the only people he is focusing on from this point is Hirata and Brookes.

In non-tournament action SCHADENFREUDE International got their first win as a group since its formation. Two members of D.O.A were put with Toy Kojima in a match where no tags were needed to switch partners. Makoto Oishi filled up Danshoku Dieno’s mouth with wasabi again but Dieno’s Lip Lock was given to him by mistake. Takeshi Masada then pinned Oishi with his finisher. After the match Masada said SCHADENFREUDE should get a KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles shot for beating two thirds of D.O.A. Oishi accepted the challenge and said the match will happen at Korakuen Hall on 24th December. This is happening before D.O.A’s scheduled title defence against Bodyguard’s team on 6th January. Later backstage Jun Akiyama scolded Oishi for accepting the challenge without anyone else’s input. Dieno then cried because nobody in D.O.A is getting along. Oishi assured both of them everything is ok and revealed he will have a match with Bodyguard at some point over the new year.

 

The only two D-Oh wrestlers who didn’t have a tournament match today were Tetsuya Endo and Daisuke Sasaki in the A Block. They instead faced each other in a BURNING Vs DAMNATION T.A 6-Man Tag bout. Endo unveiled the Rolling Chop that Kenta Kobashi had apparently taught him during the week and made Sasaki the first victim of it. Demus stepped in and proved to be a tricky opponent for Endo. But Endo avoided La Valagueza, dropped Demus with the Torture Rack Bomb and pinned him with the Burning Star Press. Endo said he practiced using the Rolling Chop a lot until he was satisfied with it. After today’s successful use of it he intends to use it more from now on. Sasaki said the Endo today was a different person than the Endo he fought in Sumo Hall a few weeks ago.

The opening match had no connection to the Grand Prix. Instead it was Yuni & Yuya Koroku teaming up to beat Kazuma Sumi & Rukiya. Yuni wiped out Sumi with a Quebrada so Koroku could put Rukiya in the Triangle Lancer for the win.

During the end of show victory speech, Ueno told the fans there was important news but it isn’t about him. It is from Shunma Katsumuata who announced his comeback match will be at Korakuen on 3rd January! Katsumata has been out of action with an ankle injury since May.

Also announcing his return today was Toru Owashi. He hasn’t wrestled since June because of a cervical spine injury. His comeback match will take place on 24th December, the same day as his birthday! He has been storing up his strength during recovery and will explode with all of that energy in his return match.

In the middle of Owashi’s announcement, The Great Koji made an unexpected appearance attacking Hisaya Imabayashi and spitting Mist in his face. Kojika then approached Kenta Kobashi at the commentary table and threatened to do the same to him. However Kobashi was unphased by Koji and started removing his headset. Koji backed off and ran away screeching.

Next April DDT will return to America as part of The Collective series of shows being held during Wrestlemania week. “DDT GOES PHILADELPHIA!” will take place in Penns Landing Caterers Auditorium in Pennsylvania on 4th April, 2024.