Who Needs To Win What?

December 11, 2020

DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU!”, 12/12/2020
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall

1. 3 Way Tag Match: Mad Paulie & Nobuihiro Shimatani Vs Mizuki Watase & Hideki Okatani Vs Yukio Naya & Keigo Nakamura
2. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Soma Takao (6) Vs Shunma Katsumata (2)
3. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Yuki Ueno (6) Vs Jun Akiyama (6)
4. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Tetsuya Endo (7) Vs Makoto Oishi (2)
5. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Yukio Sakaguchi (6) Vs Akito (5)
6. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: MAO (4) Vs Chris Brookes (6)
7. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Konosuke Takeshita (6) Vs HARASHIMA (7)

There’s the match order for the final matches in the group stage. So let’s grab a drink and figure out the paths that can play out. DDT only said a tiebreaker match will be held in case of a tie for first place. No mention of the direct confrontation rule so the previous results may not be as advantageous as they normally are. I am writing these paths assuming that the tiebreaker will happen no matter who finishes with the same amount of points. Also it’s a Friday night so if I’m wrong I’m not going to worry too much about it. Show’s on in a few hours time anyway.

A Block

1. HARASHIMA (7)
A win over Takeshita guarantees a spot in the final. A draw means getting into a tiebreaker with Chris Brookes and/or Yukio Sakaguchi if they win their matches. If they both fail to win in that situation then HARASHIMA gets a lucky escape.

2. Yukio Sakaguchi (6)
A win over Akito, HARASHIMA losing and Brookes failing to win gets Sakaguchi first place. If Sakaguchi gets a draw he needs HARASHIMA to lose and Brookes to not win in order to enter the tiebreaker.

2. Chris Brookes (6)
Brookes will finish first if he beats MAO, HARASHIMA loses and Sakaguchi fails to win. If Brookes gets a draw he needs HARASHIMA to lose and Sakaguchi to not win in order to enter the tiebreaker.

2. Konosuke Takeshita (6)
Needs to beat HARASHIMA to stay alive. Finishes on top if Brookes and Sakaguchi both fail to win. Otherwise it’s a tiebreaker.

5. Akito (5)
Any result of the main event prevents Akito from finishing first so he is eliminated. He ends Sakaguchi’s run if he beats him. Maybe even a draw.

6. MAO (4)
Cannot reach the final but can eliminate Brookes.

7. Daisuke Sasaki (2)
Completely out of it because of injury. Sorry for rubbing it in.

B Block

1. Tetsuya Endo (7)
Just needs to beat Oishi to win the block. A draw ties him with the winner of Ueno Vs Akiyama and Takao if he beats Katsumata. Endo still has a chance if he loses but that direction won’t be pretty.

1. Kazusada Higuchi (7)
This is the chaos path. Higuchi already wrestled all his matches. Only hope is if Endo loses, Takao doesn’t win and Ueno Vs Akiyama ends in a draw. That results in a massive 4 way or even 5 way tiebreaker.

3. Jun Akiyama (6)
Needs to beat Ueno, Endo loses and Takao loses. Akiyama Vs Ueno ending in a draw, Takao not winning and Endo losing leads to chaos.

3. Soma Takao (6)
Can squeak into the final if he beats Katsumata, Endo loses and Ueno Vs Akiyama ends in a draw. Otherwise Takao winning sends him to a tiebreaker against the winner of Akiyama Vs Ueno if Endo still loses.

3. Yuki Ueno (6)
Ueno’s in the same position as Akiyama. Just read his bit and swap their names around.

6. Makoto Oishi (2)
Won’t reach the final but can play one hell of a spoiler against Endo. Root for him if you want to see the the entire block turn on its head.

6. Shunma Katsumata (2)
Down and out but can ruin Soma Takao’s chances.


Road to Ittenyon, D-Ou Blocks Ending, IRON FIST Final, Young Communication

December 8, 2020

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “FALL TOUR ’20 ~WOMM (WRESTLING OF MY MIND)~”, 12/12/2020
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall

1. Marika Kobashi Vs Sena Shiori
2. Miyu Yamashita & Hikari Noa Vs Maki Itoh & Raku
3. Hyper Misao & Moka Miyamoto Vs Nao Kikuta & Mirai Maiumi
4. Shoko Nakajima, Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino Vs Yuki Kamifuku, Mahiro Kiryu & Pom Harajuku
5. Sakisama & Mei Saint-Michel Vs Haruna Neko & Suzume
6. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe

The road to Ittenyon continues with The Magical Sugar Rabbits facing Daydream. These are two of the most successful teams in Tokyo Joshi Pro facing off with the spotlight firmly on Yuka Sakazaki versus Rika Tatsumi.

DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU!”, 12/12/2020
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall

1. 3 Way Tag Match: Mad Paulie & Nobuihiro Shimatani Vs Mizuki Watase & Hideki Okatani Vs Yukio Naya & Keigo Nakamura
2. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Konosuke Takeshita (6) Vs HARASHIMA (7)
3. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Yukio Sakaguchi (6) Vs Akito (5)
4. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: MAO (4) Vs Chris Brookes (6)
5. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Tetsuya Endo (7) Vs Makoto Oishi (2)
6. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Soma Takao (6) Vs Shunma Katsumata (2)
7. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Yuki Ueno (6) Vs Jun Akiyama (6)

When the match order is determined I’ll attempt to figure out who needs to do what to reach the final.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “SE~NO, MERRY CHRISTMAS! 2020”, 19/12/2020
Nagoya Civic Gymnasium 3rd Stadium

1. Yuki Aino & Nao Kakuta Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu
2. Mizuki, Hyper Misao & Moka Miyamoto Vs Miu Watanabe, Hikari Noa & Raku
3. Christmas Special 6 Big Single Match: Yuka Sakazaki, Rika Tatsumi, Shoko Nakajima, Miyu Yamashita, Maki Itoh, Nodoka Tenma, Marika Kobashi, Haruna Neko, Pom Harajuku, Mirai Maiumi, Suzume and Sena Shiori

Six singles matches with 10 minute time limits are taking place on the show. The match ups will be drawn by a lottery at some point before the show takes place.

BASARA “BASARA 144 ~GLITTER~”, 22/12/2020
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. IRON FIST TAG TOURNAMENT – Final: Isami Kodaka & Daiki Shimomura Vs Ryota Nakatsu & SAGAT

The IRON FIST TAG TOURNAMENT final is down to Sento Minzoku Vs Sparky. Either result will create the first two time winner in either Isami Kodaka or Ryota Nakatsu.

BOYZ “(BRAND NEW) BOYZ -CHRISTMAS EVE EDITION-”, 24/12/2020
Kitazawa Town Hall

1. DNA Alumni Association 6-Man Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi, Nobuhiro Shimatani & Ryota Nakatsu Vs Shunma Katsumata, Yuki Ueno & Mizuki Watase
2. BOYZ-Like Special Single Match: Chris Brookes Vs Jun Masaoka
3. Special Referee Series Part 2: Konosuke Takeshita Vs Yasu Urano (Special Referee: Antonio Honda)
4. On The Day Of Your Birthday! 45th Anniversary Of Toru Owashi’s Birth!: Toru Owashi Vs X
5. DDT x Ganpro Exchange Battle: HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata Vs Shuichiro Katsumura & Shota
6. Homoiro Clover Z Vs NωA Full Scale Battle ~ Oishi Contra Oishi: Danshoku Dieno, Akito & Makoto Oishi Vs Shunma Katsumata, MAO & Makoto Oishi

The BOYZ get to celebrate Toru Owashi’s birthday after all! His match will be announced as soon as it is decided. His birthday was ignored by Hisaya Imabayashi when this event was promoted at the last DDT Korakuen Hall show.

GANBARE☆PRO “THE WORLD 2020”, 26/12/2020
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

1. Moeka Haruhi & HARUKAZE Vs Yuna Manase & Rina Amikura
2. Special Single Match ~Wrestle And Bromance~: Yumehito Imanari Vs Shinichiro Tominaga
3. THE HALFEE Vs Sync Tag: Shuichiro Katsumura & Washi Sakurai Vs Kouki Iwasaki & Kota Umeda
4. A Special Tag Match To Verify Whether “Age Is Just A Number”: Ikuto Hidaka & Ken Ohka Vs Keisuke Ishii & Shigehiro Irie
5. Independent World Jr. Heavyweight Title: Asuka (c) Vs Shota

Two longtime members of the Ganbare☆Pro roster are pitted against each other.

DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 THE FINAL!!”, 27/12/2020
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Toi Kojima Debut Match: Toi Kojima Vs Hideki Okatani
2. Hold Your Stomach! Forget The Year Special Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi & Danshoku Dieno Vs Nayashiro Nayagi & Super Sasadango Machine
3. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – Final: Winner Of A Block vs Winner Of B Block

Sanshiro Takagi doesn’t think Yukio Naya’s impression of him on the Muscle shows is accurate enough. This match might backfire because Naya, Danshoku Dieno and Super Sasadango Machine will have enough material combined to make fun of Takagi until the cows come home.

“NEW YEAR’S EVE WRESTLING 2019 ~TOSHIWASHURE! SHUFFLE TAG TOURNAMENT”, 31/12/2020
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Shuffle Tag Tournament – Round 1A: Yuji Okabayashi & HARASHIMA Vs Yuya Aoki & Yukio Naya
2. Shuffle Tag Tournament – Round 1B: Akira Hyodo & Makoto Oishi Vs Takuya Nomura & Konosuke Takeshita
3. Shuffle Tag Tournament – Round 1C: Drew Parker & Danshoku Dieno Vs Yasufumi Nakanoue & Yuki Ueno
4. Shuffle Tag Tournament – Round 1D: Hideyoshi Kamitani & Chris Brookes Vs Daisuke Sekimoto & Tetsuya Endo
5. New Year’s Wrestling 2020 Special 8-Man Tag Match: Yukio Sakaguchi, Kazuki Hashimoto, Daichi Hashimoto & Kazusada Higuchi Vs Takuho Kato, Kosuke Sato, Keigo Nakamura & Hideki Okatani
6. Shuffle Tag Tournament – Semi Final: Winners Of Match 1A Vs Winners Of Match 1B
7. Shuffle Tag Tournament – Semi Final: Winners Of Match 1C Vs Winners Of Match 1D
8. Fluorescent Lighttube Death Match: Ryuji Ito Vs Shunma Katsumata
9. Shuffle Tag Tournament – Final: X & X Vs X & X

The draw has been made for the Shuffle Tag Tournament.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO JOSHI PRO ’21”, 04/01/2021
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Princess Tag Team Titles: Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino (c) Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu
2. Princess Of Princess Title: Yuka Sakazaki (c) Vs Rika Tatsumi

The Bakuretsu Sisters are ready for their first Princess Tag Team Titles defence. They wanted Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu to challenge them because their No. 1 Contenders match back in October was cancelled. Now the match can finally happen this time with the belts going straight to the winners.

DDT “REPRINT YOUNG COMMUNICATION SPECIAL ISSUE”, 16/01/2021
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall

1. Main Event 6-Man Tag Match: Yukihiro Abe, Keisuke Ishii, Shigehiro Irie, Ryuichi Sekine, Kazuki Hirata, FUMA

It’s a big Young Communication reunion! So many wrestlers who competed on those shows a decade ago are all coming back for the special event. The headline match will feature Yukihiro Abe, Keisuke Ishii, Shigehiro Irie, Ryuichi Sekine, Kazuki Hirata and FUMA in a 6-Man Tag with the teams yet to be determined.

Also appearing on the show is Akito, Gota Ihashi, Michio Kageyama, Daichi Kazato, Shota, Toru Sugiura, Soma Takao, Hiroshi Fukuda, Rion Mizuki and Tatsuhiko Yoshino. Look at them boys all grown up.


DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU!” Results

December 6, 2020

DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU!”, 06/12/2020
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall
??? Fans – Withheld

-. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Chris Brookes (6) defeated Daisuke Sasaki (2) by Forfeit.
1. Chris Brookes defeated Hideki Okatani with the Elevator Action Death Parade (6:13).
2. Blow Away The D-Ou GP 2021 From The DDT Variety Team! ~ Narimasu Tag Death Match: Danshoku Dieno & Saki Akai defeated Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata when Akai pinned Hirata with a PK (8:27).
3. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Konosuke Takeshita (6) defeated Yukio Sakaguchi (6) by Knockout with the Zahi (11:26).
4. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: HARASHIMA (7) Vs Akito (5) ended in a Draw after a Double Pinfall (16:26).
5. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Yuki Ueno (6) defeated Shunma Katsumata (2) with the WR (13:56).
6. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Soma Takao (6) defeated Tetsuya Endo (7) with the Gin And Tonic (16:37).
7. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Kazusada Higuchi (7) defeated Jun Akiyama (6) with the Brain Claw Pin (4:03).

A Block

1. HARASHIMA (7)
2. Yukio Sakaguchi (6)
-. Chris Brookes (6)
-. Konosuke Takeshita (6)
5. Akito (5)
6. MAO (4)
7. Daisuke Sasaki (2)

B Block

1. Tetsuya Endo (7)
-. Kazusada Higuchi (7)
3. Jun Akiyama (6)
-. Soma Takao (6)
-. Yuki Ueno (6)
6. Makoto Oishi (2)
-. Shunma Katsumata (2)

With one last roar, Kazusada Higuchi finishes his schedule of block matches with a gigantic win over Jun Akiyama! He did it in quick time too. In just over 4 minutes, Higuchi applied the Brain Claw and pressed Akiyama down to the canvas to pin him. Higuchi got on the mic and said the top spot cannot be given to someone who is about to go back to All Japan. With this result, Higuchi is now tied in first place but he has no more matches remaining. He needs a bunch of results from other matches to play out a certain way in order for him to enter some sort of emergency tiebreaker match.

Tetsuya Endo could have sealed his place in the final here today if he had beaten Soma Takao. Instead he is in a position where it could all slip away. Takao avoided the Modified One-Winged Angel and trapped his stablemate in the Official Endless Waltz. Endo wouldn’t be pinned by it but Takao got him into the Gin And Tonic and got the upset victory. Takao reminded Endo he is still his senpai. He hates him but also loves him too. Backstage Endo said that Takao beating him means Takao has indirectly beaten Akiyama. If that doesn’t make him feel anything then he will never move past the spot he is in.

The DDT Sauna Club had another member versus member match in the D-Ou Grand Prix. That relationship came into play when Shunma Katsumata made Yuki Ueno sit down on a chair and waved him with a towel before choking him with it. Katsumata used more chairs to cut off a Plancha and then taped Ueno’s feet together for a possible countout. Ueno got Toui Kojima to cut the tape off and he made it back to the ring to continue the match. Katsumata tried using Daisuke Kiso as a human shield but Ueno maneuvered around them and hit a Standing Shining Wizard. Ueno then won with the WR. Katsumata praised Ueno for getting stronger and he told him to look up at the Finnish sky so they can see aurora borealis together. He told Ueno he will meet him again at the Grand Prix final. Ueno said that isn’t possible but Katsumata told him he wouldn’t give up.

HARASHIMA is clinging on to the top spot of the A Block. He got into a back and forth match with Akito and almost got counted out when he missed the Somato on the apron and crashed into the ring post. Akito then attempted the Goliath Birdeater but HARASHIMA attempted a counter Cradle. Both men’s shoulders were on the mat long enough for Yukinori Matsui to count to three. Matsui called it a double pin and declared the match a draw. HARASHIMA said the difference between Akito now compared to their past matches is the Goliath Birdeater so he knew he had to avoid it. Since there was no winner or loser, HARASHIMA doesn’t understand how to feel about the result.

The bad news for Konosuke Takeshita is his left arm is hanging by a thread. The good news is his recent run of results have gotten him back in the hunt for a place in the final. His victory over Yukio Sakaguchi today came from a clash of knee strikes. Sakaguchi hit the God’s Right Knee and Takashita got in the Zahi before they both crumpled to the mat. Takeshita was able to stand back up before the 10 count but Sakaguchi couldn’t do the same. Takeshita thinks luck is on his side and he will give up his left arm to finish the Grand Prix.

The non-tournament tag match was suddenly turned into a Narimasu Tag Death Match. After three minutes a weapon handed down from the ancient times would be introduced to the match. It was revealed to be Yuki Iino, Keigo Nakamura and Hisaya Imabayashi all sitting on the turnbuckles bent over with their backsides exposed. Danshoku Dieno appreciated the idea and copied them on the remaining turnbuckle. Toru Owashi and Saki Akai were thrown face first into the backsides. The four corners then joined in Kazuki Hirata’s dance with their butts still hanging out. They then all closed into the center of the ring where Akai threw Hirata and Hirata got his face full of everyone. Akai then hit a Penalty Kick and pinned him.

Chris Brookes spent most of his replacement match twisting Hideki Okatani into knots.

At the start of the show it was announced that Sanshiro Takagi & Danshoku Dieno Vs Nayashiro Nayagi & Super Sasadango Machine will happen at Korakuen Hall on 27th December. Nayagi is Yukio Naya’s parody of Takagi from the Hiragana Muscle shows. Takagi saw that and noticed Naya’s posing and the angle he hits the Stunner with are not accurate enough. Takagi won’t stand for this!

The #STRONGHEARTS quartet of CIMA, T-Hawk, El Lindaman & Shigehiro Irie will be at the Nagoya Congress Center show on 23rd February.


TOKYO JOSHI PRO “FALL TOUR ’20 ~WOMM (WRESTLING OF MY MIND)~” Results

December 6, 2020

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “FALL TOUR ’20 ~WOMM (WRESTLING OF MY MIND)~”, 06/12/2020
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall
??? Fans – Withheld

1. Mirai Maiumi defeated Haruna Neko with the Back Drop (6:15).
2. Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & Nao Kakuta defeated Maki Itoh, Pom Harajuku & Suzume when Tatsumi submitted Suzume with the White Dragon Sleeper (11:45).
3. Sakisama & Mei Saint-Michel defeated Sena Shiori & Moka Miyamoto when Sakisama submitted Miyamoto with the Versailles Foot Choke (13:00).
4. Shoko Nakajima, Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino defeated Miyu Yamashita, Marika Kobashi & Hikari Noa when Aino pinned Kobashi with the Venus DDT (12:23).
5. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki defeated Hyper Misao & Raku when Mizuki pinned Raku with the Cutie Special (10:08).
6. International Princess Title: Yuki Kamifuku (c) defeated Mahiro Kiryu with the Fame Asser (11:45).
*V1 for Yuki Kamifuku.

Yuki Kamifuku came close to losing the International Princess Title in her first defence. When she went for the Fame Asser, Mahiro Kiryu caught her in the Spinebuster for a nearfall. Kamifuku used a Dropkick to regain control and hit the Fame Asser on the second attempt to get the win. After the match Kiryu said she was disappointed because she fought with all of her might and still lost. Kamifuku told her to continue working hard then asked if she still has other goals to fight for. Kiryu brought up the time they were supposed to team together to go after the Princess Tag Team Titles but Kamifuku had to pull out with an injury. Kamifuku apologised and Kiryu asked her if they could team up again. Kamifuku agreed and called out The Bakuretsu Sisters to challenge them for the belts. The Sisters walked out and immediately accepted. Nodoka Tenma said she always wanted to fight them and Yuki Aino could really feel the spirit coming out of Kamifuku and Kiryu. The champions want the match to happen at Korakuen Hall on 4th January! The challengers said their connection through Toyo University is like a brotherhood so the title match will be a battle between brothers and sisters!

Hyper Misao entered the ring for her match carrying a cooking pot. Now that she is married she has another dream she wants to achieve. She wants to be an assitant on a cooking show. Raku took the pot to demonstrate a 30 second hamburger steak recipe she knows because The Magical Sugar Rabbits love hamburger steak. When she finished, Misao opened the pot to reveal a can of cold spray was inside and she sprayed her opponents’ faces with it.

A serving tray is the new secret weapon behind NEO Biishiki-gun’s success. Mei Saint-Michel used it to block Moka Miyamoto’s attacks and then placed it behind Daisuke Kiso for him to slip on so she and Sakisama could do use more illegal tactics while he was down. Sena Shiori tried to save Miyamoto but the rookies were dealt with a loss at the end. NEO Biishiki-gun played innocent and acted concerned about the “accidents” that happened throughout the match.

The Magical Sugar Rabbits Vs Daydream was announced for 12th December.


IP Title Defence Tomorrow, Higuchi First To Finish, Hell Gate

December 5, 2020

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “FALL TOUR ’20 ~WOMM (WRESTLING OF MY MIND)~”, 06/12/2020
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall

1. Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & Nao Kakuta Vs Maki Itoh, Pom Harajuku & Suzume
2. Haruna Neko Vs Mirai Maiumi
3. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Hyper Misao & Raku
4. Shoko Nakajima, Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino Vs Miyu Yamashita, Marika Kobashi & Hikari Noa
5. Sakisama & Mei Saint-Michel Vs Sena Shiori & Moka Miyamoto
6. International Princess Title: Yuki Kamifuku (c) Vs Mahiro Kiryu

Finally the first International Princess Title defence since January.

DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU!”, 06/12/2020
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall

-. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Chris Brookes (6) defeated Daisuke Sasaki (2) by Forfeit.
1. Chris Brookes Vs Hideki Okatani
2. Blow Away The D-Ou GP 2021 From The DDT Variety Team!: Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Danshoku Dieno & Saki Akai
3. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Konosuke Takeshita (4) Vs Yukio Sakaguchi (6)
4. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: HARASHIMA (6) Vs Akito (4)
5. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Yuki Ueno (4) Vs Shunma Katsumata (2)
6. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Tetsuya Endo (7) Vs Soma Takao (4)
7. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Kazusada Higuchi (5) Vs Jun Akiyama (6)

We’re almost at the end. Kazusada Higuchi’s final block match is tomorrow. He must beat Jun Akiyama and hope nobody positioned above him in the standings wins all of their remaining matches. Even then he can only tie with Tetsuya Endo and be put into a tiebreaker on the final day of block matches.

BASARA “BASARA 143 ~SPACE SHOT~”, 07/12/2020
Tokyo Asakusa Flower Theater

1. Takumi Tsukamoto & Takato Nakano Vs Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & Daichi Kazato
2. Turnabout Pro Wrestling Trial: Gouma Ryu Vs Banana Senga Vs Fuminori Abe
3. Tsutomu Oosugi Vs Masato Kamino
4. IRON FIST TAG TOURNAMENT – Semi-Final: FUMA & Yusuke Kubo Vs Isami Kodaka & Daiki Shimomura
5. IRON FIST TAG TOURNAMENT – Semi-Final: Ryuichi Sekine & Minoru Fujita Vs Ryota Nakatsu & SAGAT

Some changes to the card after Tetsuo Usui’s sudden exit from BASARA and pro wrestling. Tsutomu Oosugi is now facing Masato Kamino. The 3 Way Tag opener is now just a regular tag with Takumi Tsukamoto & Takato Nakano paired together.

DDT “HELL GATE DAI BUKAI”, 13/12/2020
Hell Gate

1. DDT Extreme Title – Hell Gate Dai Bukai For 5 People: Sanshiro Takagi (c) Vs Amateur Wrestling “Nariagari” Five Elite People

Away from DDT, Danshoku Dieno started his own little project for training amateurs into becoming pro wrestlers. DDT would mention it here and there to help Dieno get some applicants but otherwise not much was ever made of it. All of a sudden, Dieno tells Sanshiro Takagi he has five elite students ready to hunt Takagi for the DDT Extreme Title! From the start of his title reign, Takagi has said he will defend the belt against anyone including amateurs. He will travel to a place described as a Hell Gate to fight these elite amateurs.


DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU (FREE!)” Results

December 4, 2020

DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU (FREE!)”, 04/12/2020
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall
??? Fans – Withheld

-. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Akito (4) defeated Daisuke Sasaki (2) by Forfeit.
1. K-Ou Grand Prix 2021: Danshoku Dieno & Akito (w/ Yuki Iino) (3) Vs Mizuki Watase & Hideki Okatani (w/ Keigo Nakamura) (3) ended in a Draw (5:00).
1a. Penalty Shootout: Danshoku Dieno & Akito (w/ Yuki Iino) (3) defeated Mizuki Watase & Hideki Okatani (w/ Keigo Nakamura) (2).
2. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Yuki Ueno (4) defeated Makoto Oishi (2) with an Inverted Cross Armbreaker (17:23).
3. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Shunma Katsumata (2) defeated Kazusada Higuchi (5) with the 120% School Boy (10:59).
4. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Jun Akiyama (6) defeated Soma Takao (4) with the Wrist Clutch Exploder Suplex (8:22).
5. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Yukio Sakaguchi (6) defeated HARASHIMA (6) by TKO with the Sleeper Hold (10:17).
6. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Konosuke Takeshita (4) defeated MAO (4) with the Zahi 3 Barrage (22:46).

A Block

1. Yukio Sakaguchi (6)
-. HARASHIMA (6)
-. Chris Brookes (6)
4. Konosuke Takeshita (4)
-. Akito (4)
-. MAO (4)
7. Daisuke Sasaki (2)

B Block

1. Tetsuya Endo (7)
2. Jun Akiyama (6)
3. Kazusada Higuchi (5)
4. Soma Takao (4)
-. Yuki Ueno (4)
6. Makoto Oishi (2)
-. Shunma Katsumata (2)

After a brief break in the schedule, the D-Ou Grand Prix continued on with a DDT Sauna Club showdown as today’s headliner. Konosuke Takeshita entered the match with his injured left arm heavily taped. While MAO did target the arm at points, it wasn’t in his gameplan to fully exploit that limb. Instead MAO’s big move was the Marines Tornado Splash. Unfortunately for him, Takeshita rolled out of the way and MAO went splat. Takeshita went for a barrage of three Zahi knee strikes and just about pinned MAO long enough to get the three count. MAO was a split second too late in lifting his shoulder up. Takeshita was impressed with how much stronger MAO has gotten. MAO can’t believe that Takeshita is still one step ahead of him but they’re still able to have fun fighting each other. They closed out the show with the rest of the DDT Sauna Club celebrating in the ring. “Ready, heatwaver WER!!”

Yukio Sakaguchi jumped straight to the top of the A Block by beating the previous leader HARASHIMA. The match was kept close to the mat with HARASHIMA and Sakaguchi ending up getting into the Inoki/Ali positions before grappling for submission holds. Sakaguchi caught HARASHIMA in the Sleeper and sunk it in deep until HARASHIMA lost consciousness for the referee stoppage. When HARASHIMA recovered he took the loss in his stride and happily shook Sakaguchi’s hand for a job well done. Sakaguchi called this match the result of all his years in DDT. He and his “brothers” KUDO, Masahiro Takanashi and even Danshoku Dieno cultivated different fields in the farm that is DDT. He is able to show himself in a way only he can after putting in all of that time cultivating.

The newest DDT rookie Toui Kojima worked in Jun Akiyama’s corner for Match #4. Akiyama thought his name was Oshima and had to be corrected. Soma Takao brought in a steel basin but Akiyama took it off him. Takao brought in another basin and they both hit each other with them. Akiyama got the better of the exchange with some Knee Strikes. He had the match won with the Exploder Suplex but he went ahead and did the Wrist Clutch Exploder to win with emphasis. Akiyama said in his post-match interview that he is using the Wrist Clutch version more to let the DDT roster know what’s waiting for them when they try against him. Takao said Akiyama should have been disqualified for hitting him with the basin. When it was explained to him that the referee didn’t see it, Takao then claimed victory for being able to hit Akiyama with his own basin.

The rivalry between Kazusada Higuchi and Shunma Katsumata has existed going all the way back to their DNA days. It means so much to Katsumata that he wore his old DNA attire for today’s match. He’s a different wrestler compared to back then though. During the match Katsumata dared Higuchi to fight him outside the ring, pulled off one of the turnbuckle pads and lured Higuchi underneath the ring. When Higuchi reemerged he had tape wrapped around his body, sticking his arms to his side! Katsumata blinded him with spray then hit move after move trying to pin him. The tricks finally took their toll on Higuchi when a missed charge sent him running into the exposed turnbuckle. Katsumata rolled him up with the 120% School Boy and it got him his first win in this year’s Grand Prix. It is also the first time Katsumata ever beat Higuchi! He understands he cannot win the Grand Prix but he still wants to win his remaining matches by any means necessary. Higuchi was asked backstage how Katsumata was able to wrap tape around him under the ring. He explained there were also spanners under there which Katsumata used to beat him up first so he could use the tape.

Yuki Ueno rounded out what was mostly a good day for the Sauna Club. His WR finisher was almost countered by Makoto Oishi into the Fujiyama Knee Lock. Ueno turned the move over into a Cross Armbreaker to make Oishi give up. Oishi thinks he is losing because he is not being careful enough. He knows using a Knee Lock leaves his arms exposed for a counter and he would expect fighters like Sakaguchi or Shinya Aoki to exploit it. But he never expected Ueno to take advantage the same way. Ueno proved Oishi’s point when he explained his thought process. Fujiyama makes him think of Mount Fuji. Fuji makes him think of Shizuoka. Shizuoka makes him think of Shinya Aoki. Eureka!

The opening contest was not a wrestling match but a competition called the K-Oh Grand Prix. The K stands for Kancho. Whichever team do the kancho butt poke to their opponents and make them scream in pain the most in five minutes wins. Yuki Iino appeared to perform the Haka as part of the opening ceremony. Dieno & Akito took the lead when Dieno got Hideki Okatani. Akito made it 2-0 when he caught Mizuki Watase with a kancho. The Junretsu pair tied the game, even after Dieno called for VAR. The score ended at 3-3 when the time expired. A penalty shootout was held to determine a winner. It was still tied to Iino and Keigo Nakamura were brought in. Iino scored the winning point on Nakamura, giving the win to Dieno & Akito. The two teams exchanged wrestling gear afterwards and praised each other for a good game.


D-Ou Enters 2nd Half, Onita Vs Kuro-chan Explosion Death Match!

December 3, 2020

DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU (FREE!)”, 04/12/2020
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall

-. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Akito (4) defeated Daisuke Sasaki (2) by Forfeit.
1. Playfulness Series Act 2: Danshoku Dieno & Akito Vs Mizuki Watase & Hideki Okatani
2. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Makoto Oishi (2) Vs Yuki Ueno (2)
3. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Kazusada Higuchi (5) Vs Shunma Katsumata (0)
4. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Soma Takao (4) Vs Jun Akiyama (4)
5. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: HARASHIMA (6) Vs Yukio Sakaguchi (4)
6. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Konosuke Takeshita (2) Vs MAO (4)

Three shows of block matches left to go through. Injuries and fatigue are slowing down half the field but they can’t give up now.

DDT “ATSUSHI ONITA VS KURO-CHAN! CHRISTMAS FINAL BATTLE! SKYTREE STREET CURRENT EXPLOSION WRESTLING!”, 23/12/2020
Tokyo Solamachi

1. Current Explosion Death Match: Atsushi Onita Vs Kuro-chan

In an interview with Tokyo Sports this week, Atsushi Onita challenged the comedian Kuro-chan to an Explosion Death Match! Kuro-chan refused but DDT thinks it is a great idea that should be taken seriously. So they are building an entire show around the match at a shopping mall near the Tokyo Skytree. ABEMA has exclusive rights to the live broadcast.


DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU” Results

November 28, 2020

DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU”, 28/11/2020
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall
??? Fans – Withheld

-. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Yukio Sakaguchi (4) defeated Daisuke Sasaki (2) by Forfeit.
1. Yukio Sakaguchi defeated Hideki Okatani with the Modified Haneorigatame (2:43).
2. No Touch Rules: Saki Akai, Tomomitsu Matsunaga & Yukio Naya defeated Danshoku Dieno, Antonio Honda & Keigo Nakamura when Naya pinned Nakamura with the Choke Slam (9:56).
3. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Chris Brookes (4) defeated Akito (4) with the One More Round (13:10)
4. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: HARASHIMA (6) defeated MAO (2) with the Somato (12:49).
5. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Soma Takao (4) defeated Makoto Oishi (2) with the Running Elbow Butt (2:30).
6. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Jun Akiyama (2) defeated Shunma Katsumata (0) by Countout (9:53).
7. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Tetsuya Endo (5) Vs Kazusada Higuchi (3) ended in a Double Knockout (20:56).

A Block

1. HARASHIMA (6)
2. Yukio Sakaguchi (4)
-. Chris Brookes (4)
-. Akito (4)
5. MAO (2)
-. Daisuke Sasaki (2)
-. Konosuke Takeshita (2)

B Block

1. Tetsuya Endo (5)
2. Soma Takao (4)
3. Kazusada Higuchi (3)
4. Yuki Ueno (2)
-. Makoto Oishi (2)
-. Jun Akiyama (2)
7. Shunma Katsumata (0)

For the first time in D-Ou Grand Prix history a match has ended in a Double Knockout! A bout between Tetsuya Endo and Kazusada Higuchi guaranteed to have bombs thrown at both sides but nobody expected it to exceed the limits of both men. Endo pulled off one of the turnbuckle pads and used a chair to wreck Higuchi’s leg. Higuchi had so much trouble standing up that the referee attempted to count him out. Higuchi was able to stay on his feet and used a Brain Claw to cut off Endo’s momentum. Endo hit the Canadian Destroyer expecting it to be the finish but Higuchi spent his last gasp charging Endo right into the exposed turnbuckle with the Buchikamashi. Higuchi couldn’t stand up again due to the pain while Endo was knocked right out by the move. Both were counted out and the match was ruled a draw. When Endo recovered he was sat up and given the microphone. He thought he had no enemies left to beat after Jun Akiyama but Higuchi proved him wrong. Still, Endo leads the B Block and promises to win his remaining Grand Prix matches. He has to because he is carrying the KO-D Openweight Title, the pride of beating Akiyama and the thoughts of Daisuke Sasaki on his back! Backstage Higuchi said his leg is in bad shape after his back to back matches with Makoto Oishi and Endo. He’ll crawl to Osaka for tomorrow’s match if he has to!

Shunma Katsumata promised that his Super Hardcore form was gone for the rest of the year. Akiyama didn’t get that message and walked down to the ring armed with a Lego covered baseball bat. Katsumata tried to get Akiyama counted out by taping his feet together but Akiyama was able to rip the tape off. Katsumata later got Akiyama back out of the ring and the two of them tried to stop each other from getting back in. Katsumata thought he pulled one out of the bag when he hit a 619 out of nowhere. But Akiyama got back up and bounced his opponent away with a Jumping Knee. Akiyama got back into the ring and won by countout. That result was another first in D-Ou history, the first block match to end by countout!

Soma Takao currently has the fastest win of the Grand Prix so far. He and Makoto Oishi quickly exchanged roll ups before going straight for their finishing moves. When the Miracle Ecstasy and the Gin And Tonic were both avoided, Oishi ran the ropes. He aimed to do a Running Forearm but Takao cut him off with the Running Elbow Butt for the three count out of nowhere. Oishi complained that his shoulder was up and there should be a video replay to back him up. Takao was happy to win quickly because normally that means he can go home early. He can’t though because he now has to travel to Osaka. Also his late start in the tournament means he has no breaks in the remaining schedule.

Three shows in and HARASHIMA leads the A Block with a perfect score of 6 points. Today he beat MAO, avenging his defeat to him back in D-Ou 2019 (the one held in 2018). After the match HARASHIMA told the fans he came into the match with a good feeling and won thanks to their support. He brought up how injuries are already taking their toll on the DDT roster during this Grand Prix but everyone will do their best to make it through the entire tournament. MAO in his interview said he did okay today but that’s not enough against the ace of DDT. He then talked about DDT’s history with wrestlers who spell their name under the traditional alphabet (HARASHIMA, KUDO and MIKAMI). Those wrestlers can all claim to be DDT’s ace at some point in time. MAO is the only one from his generation spelling his name this way and he will continue working hard to become the ace.

Akito made a request to Chris Brookes before their match, asking for a Lancashire Rules match. He never experienced Lanacashire wrestling before so he suggested fighting 3 minute rounds for 10 round. Yukinori Matsui refused because he wasn’t going to change the rules to a D-Ou match. Akito still used his phone to keep track of the time and took breaks whenever a “round” ended. Brookes ignored the break and Cradled Akito for a nearfall. He then said it was a round break, knowing that Akito wouldn’t break the rules he wanted to follow. But when a “round” ended while Akito held Brookes in an Armlock, Akito said the phone alarm was too noisy and he ignored it from that point on. He tried to do the Goliath Birdeater but Brookes escaped and used a Horizontal Crucifix Pin to get the victory. Akito was disappointed he lost but doesn’t regret coming up with his Lancashire idea. Brookes is happy to beat the best technical wrestler in DDT at his own game. He thinks tomorrow’s opponent Konosuke Takeshita is broken to the point where Brookes can’t waste this chance to beat him again. He is also trying to get the Shukan Puroresu reporters interviewing him to attend Masahiro Takanashi’s show in January.

The participants in Match #2 all wanted to steal the show from the D-Ou matches. They agreed to a No Tag rule for their match. However Hisaya Imabayashi came out and told the wrestlers that one of the curtains hanging over the ring was malfunctioning. At some point the curtain was going to fall down and completely block the north side of the room from seeing the show! So for the sake of the fans sitting in the north side, the wrestlers had to do their match quickly before the curtain falls. The curtain did indeed fall so Danshoku Dieno, Saki Akai and Tomomitsu Matsunaga all worked together to keep it held above the audience’s heads. The plan worked until Antonio Honda poked all of them in the eyes with Gongitsune. Yukio Naya and Keigo Nakamura finished off the match without the north section getting to see it. They had to be told what happened after the curtain was fixed and raised back up.

Yesterday Yukio Sakaguchi warned he would fight Hideki Okatani as if he was Daisuke Sasaki. So fair play to Okatani for bringing the fight, albeit brief to Sakaguchi. He used Bulldogs, the Northern Lights Suplex and the Neckbreaker Drop. Sakaguchi kept calm though and countered the Double Arm Suplex into a Sleeper Hold. He placed Okatani down to hit him with a Penalty Kick and then used the Modified Haneorigatame from yesterday for the finish.


Last Minute BASARA Changes, Nobu Also Out, Aoki Homecoming

November 27, 2020

BASARA “BASARA 141 ~THE 8TH FOX PRINCE~”, 28/11/2020
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. Ryota Nakatsu Vs FUMA
2. Banana Senga Vs Masato Kamino
3. Isami Kodaka Vs Fuminori Abe
4. Daichi Kazato Vs Tsutomu Oosugi
5. Ryuichi Sekine Vs SAGAT
6. Takato Nakano Vs Takumi Tsukamoto
7. Yusuke Kubo Vs Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi

BASARA “BASARA 142 ~THE 9TH FOX PRINCE~”, 28/11/2020
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. Yusuke Kubo & Takato Nakano Vs SAGAT & Fuminori Abe
2. Isami Kodaka & Banana Senga Vs Takumi Tsukamoto & Masato Kamino
3. Ryuichi Sekine, Ryota Nakatsu & Daichi Kazato Vs FUMA, Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & Tsutomu Oosugi
4. Each Army Selection Elimination 6-Man Tag Match: X, X & X Vs X, X & X

Team Isami: Isami Kodaka, Ryota Nakatsu, Ryuichi Sekine, Yusuke Kubo, Banana Senga, Daichi Kazato and Takato Nakano

Team Abe: Fuminori Abe, Takumi Tsukamoto, FUMA, Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi, Tsutomu Oosugi, SAGAT and Masato Kamino

Unfortunately there are a lot of last minute changes going on because of COVID-19. Yasu Urano went for a PCR test this week after getting a fever and it came back positive. Meanwhile Daiki Shimomura, Tetsuo Usui and referee Yuya Okada have gone into quarantine after coming into close contact with someone who has the virus while wrestling for other promotions (it is unclear if they are referring to Urano). The Shimomura Vs Usui match on the afternoon show has now been cancelled. The evening show is also mixing some matches around. The new main event will be 6-Man Tag Team Elimination match with teams decided right before it takes place.

DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU”, 28/11/2020
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall

-. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Yukio Sakaguchi (4) defeated Daisuke Sasaki (2) by Forfeit.
1. Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Hideki Okatani
2. Danshoku Dieno, Antonio Honda & Keigo Nakamura Vs Saki Akai, Tomomitsu Matsunaga & Yukio Naya
3. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Akito (4) Vs Chris Brookes (2)
4. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: HARASHIMA (4) Vs MAO (2)
5. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Soma Takao (2) Vs Makoto Oishi (2)
6. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Shunma Katsumata (0) Vs Jun Akiyama (0)
7. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Tetsuya Endo (4) Vs Kazusada Higuchi (2)

Still early in the grand prix but when the weekend is over we’ll be past the halfway point.

BAKUHA KOSHIEN “BAKUHA KOSHIEN 2020 ~30TH ANNIVERSARY OF CURRENT BLAST~”, 29/11/2020
Kanagawa Tsurumi Fruit & Vegetable Market

1. Mizuki Watase Vs Maku Donaruto
2. Yuna Manase Vs Ayumi Hayashi
3. Ricky Fuji Vs Gota Ihashi
4. Rikidozan III Vs Taiho III: Chikara & Yumehito Imanari Vs Yukio Naya & Hoshitango Imachi
5. First In History! Air Time Bomb & Current Blast Bat x 3 Death Match: Atsushi Onita, Mecha Pandita & Rambo Kawamura Vs Takashi Sugiura, NOSAWA Rongai & Hidetaka Monma

In other absence news, Nobuhiro Shimatani has a fever and will not be at the Bakuha Koshien show this Sunday. He was tested for COVID and thankfully the result came back negative. The decision was still made for him to stay home and rest just to be safe. Gota Ihashi takes his place in the match against Ricky Fuji.

DDT “SATURDAY KASUKABIAN! 2020”, 19/12/2020
Saitama Kasukabe Fureai Cube

1. DAMNATION Vs ALL OUT!: Tetsuya Endo & Hiroshi Yamato Vs Konosuke Takeshita & Shunma Katsumata

With Daisuke Sasaki out of action probably for the rest of the year, Tetsuya Endo & Hiroshi Yamato are given the chance to team up together.

DDT “DRAMATIC 2020 MARINE!”, 20/12/2020
Shizuoka Shimizu Marine Bill

1. MAO Vs Keigo Nakamura
2. A Rumble Of Laughter! DDT Variety Group Sangokushi: Danshoku Dieno Vs Antonio Honda Vs Kazuki Hirata
3. Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai Vs Akito, Chris Brookes & Yukio Naya
4. DAMNATION Vs Junretsu!: Tetsuya Endo & Nobuhiro Shimatani Vs Jun Akiyama & Hideki Okatani
5. 42 Years Old Soon!: Makoto Oishi & Mizuki Watase Vs Soma Takao & Mad Paulie
6. Shinya Aoki Shizuoka Triumph! Shimizu Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: HARASHIMA, Toru Owashi & Shinya Aoki Vs Konosuke Takeshita, Shunma Katsumata & Yuki Ueno

Shinya Aoki’s first match back since losing the DDT Extreme Title will be in his hometown.


DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU (FREE!)” Results

November 27, 2020

DDT “D-OU GRAND PRIX 2021 IN NARIMASU (FREE!)”, 27/11/2020
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall
??? Fans – Withheld

-. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: MAO (2) defeated Daisuke Sasaki (2) by Forfeit.
1. MAO, Yukio Naya & Hideki Okatani defeated Toru Owashi, Tomomitsu Matsunaga & Keigo Nakamura when MAO pinned Nakamura with the Michinoku Driver I (7:45).
2. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Kazusada Higuchi (2) defeated Makoto Oishi (2) with a Brain Claw (9:07).
3. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Soma Takao (2) defeated Yuki Ueno (2) with the Official Endless Waltz (12:01).
4. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – B Block: Tetsuya Endo (4) defeated Shunma Katsumata (0) with the Modified Yurikamome (11:45).
5. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Yukio Sakaguchi (4) defeated Chris Brookes (2) with a Modified Haneorigatame (10:45).
6. D-Ou Grand Prix 2021 – A Block: Konosuke Takeshita (2) defeated Akito (4) with the Surprise Rose (29:32).

A Block

1. Yukio Sakaguchi (4)
-. HARASHIMA (4)
-. Akito (4)
4. MAO (2)
-. Konosuke Takeshita (2)
-. Chris Brookes (2)
-. Daisuke Sasaki (2)

B Block

1. Tetsuya Endo (4)
2. Soma Takao (2)
-. Kazusada Higuchi (2)
-. Makoto Oishi (2)
-. Yuki Ueno (2)
6. Jun Akiyama (0)
-. Shunma Katsumata (0)

 

It’s still early in the D-Ou Grand Prix but Konosuke Takeshita was 30 seconds away from remaining in the bottom of the A Block. Akito used his surroundings to his advantage by applying a Figure 4 Leg Lock around the ring post and slamming his arm against a nearby table over and over. He continued to target Takeshita’s arm and held onto it for the Perfect Figure Four. Takeshita fought through the pain and in the last minute of the match, countered a Standing Arm Lock into a Vertical Drop Brainbuster. From there he hit the Surprise Rose and pinned Akito with seconds to spare. He admitted he could hardly move his left arm anymore but he wasn’t going to lose against his ALL OUT partner. Akito said that three and a half years ago they wrestled each other for the KO-D Openweight Title in Narimasu Act Hall and Takeshita won with the same move he used today. He accepts that nothing has changed since then and today’s defeat is a bit of a pain for him. Everyone in ALL OUT seems to have their own thing going on now. Takeshita has the DDT Sauna Club and Akito has the Young Communication reunion. But they agree ALL OUT still has a lot of potential together for the future.

Yukio Sakaguchi moves to the front of the A Block after beating Chris Brookes. He caught the Slingshot Cutter and turned it into a Sleeper Hold. Brookes rolled him up for a nearfall then Sakaguchi grappled Brookes into a Modified Butterfly Lock to make him submit. Sakaguchi had wanted to take it easy today because he was meant to face Daisuke Sasaki tomorrow. That match has been forfeited but he will still wrestle tomorrow’s non-tournament bout as if he was fighting Sasaki. Poor Hideki Okatani. Brookes still has two points already on the board but that is also from Sasaki’s forfeit. He worries that losing twice in a row may have already taken him out of the running.

A match against Tetsuya Endo must be taken seriously so Shunma Katsumata appeared in his Super Hardcore form! He hid under the ring before Endo’s entrance then ambushed him with a chair. A pile of Lego was spilled into the ring for the wrestlers to be slammed onto. Katsumata also armed himself with a bat covered in Lego. Matsui pulled it away from him but accidentally struck Endo with it in the process. Endo grabbed some Lego, shoved it into Katsumata’s mouth and then did an Overhead Kick. Katsumata tried to fight out of the Yurikamome Hold with rolling pins but Endo locked the move in and got the submission victory. Endo said a champion can handle any match format so he was able to beat Katsumata at his own game. Also he likes saunas but not when people force him to visit them. That is why he will destroy the Sauna Club! Katsumata blamed his loss on not taping his wrists. Today was the last appearance of Super Hardcore Katsumata this year so don’t expect that version of him to show up against Jun Akiyama tomorrow.

Soma Takao is now off to a good start. He kicked out of Yuki Ueno’s Frog Splash and rolled away from the BME. His Gin And Tonic attempt turned into a series of cradles back and forth between the two. Takao got the upper hand and used the Official Endless Waltz to eventually catch Ueno with a three second pin. Sasaki said he misses Sasaki so everyone in DAMNATION and #DAMNHEARTS will do their best for him (including Puma King). Ueno said there are peaks and valleys in his life. He experienced a valley today so all he has to do is climb.

The Fujiyama Knee Lock came so close for Makoto Oishi. He entangled himself around Kazusada Higuchi’s leg and took him down to apply the move. It should have worked. What Oishi didn’t expect was for Higuchi to grab his head and apply the Brain Claw to fight back. Neither man would let go but Higuchi raised himself up to apply more pressure to the Claw and Oishi had to submit. Oishi was in shock backstage. He was certain the Knee Lock would work but his skull was going to crack if he wouldn’t give up. Higuchi said he lost one leg but he was willing to give that leg up to beat Oishi.

The rookies still have a lot to learn. Hideki Okatani wanted to do lucha exchanges with Toru Owashi but Owashi couldn’t jump high enough to complete the sequence. Keigo Nakamura wanted to do comedy spots with Yukinori Matsui but the referee wouldn’t go along with them. Nakamura finally got what he wanted when everyone joined in with his hop spot. Yukio Naya even lifted him onto his shoulders to celebrate. Then he remembered Nakamura was his opponent so he threw him off. MAO went ahead a finished Nakamura off to win. Tomomitsu Matsunaga wrestled in a face mask the whole time too.