Ibushi’s G1 Has Climaxed

August 11, 2013

NJPW “G1 CLIMAX 23”, 01/08/2013
Act City Hamamatsu
3,200 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

G1 Climax – Block B: Kota Ibushi [2] defeated Toru Yano [0] with the Phoenix Splash (7:32).

NJPW “G1 CLIMAX 23”, 02/08/2013
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
2,015 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

G1 Climax – Block B: Kota Ibushi [4] defeated Tetsuya Naito with the Phoenix Splash [0] (13:16).

NJPW “G1 CLIMAX 23”, 03/08/2013
Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium
7,500 Fans – Super No Vacancy

G1 Climax – Block B: Kota Ibushi [6] defeated Karl Anderson [4] with the Phoenix Splash (9:52).

NJPW “G1 CLIMAX 23”, 04/08/2013
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium
6,700 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

G1 Climax – Block B: Shinsuke Nakamura [4] defeated Kota Ibushi [6] with the Boma Ye (19:18).

NJPW “G1 CLIMAX 23”, 06/08/2013
Ishikawa Industrial Exhibition Hall #3
2,000 Fans – No Vacancy

G1 Climax – Block B: Yuji Nagata [6] defeated Kota Ibushi [6] with the Back Drop Hold (13:49).

NJPW “G1 CLIMAX 23”, 07/08/2013
Sendai Sun Plaza Hall
2,950 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

G1 Climax – Block B: Shelton Benjamin [6] defeated Kota Ibushi [6] with the Paydirt (10:20).

NJPW “G1 CLIMAX 23”, 08/08/2013
Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium
5,500 Fans – Super No Vacancy

G1 Climax – Block B: Yujiro Takahashi [8] defeated Kota Ibushi [6] with the Tokyo Pimps (8:45).

NJPW “G1 CLIMAX 23”, 10/08/2013
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
8,200 Fans – No Vacancy

G1 Climax – Block B: Minoru Suzuki [10] defeated Kota Ibushi [6] with the Gotch-Style Piledriver (13:37).

NJPW “G1 CLIMAX 23”, 11/08/2013
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
11,500 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

G1 Climax – Block B: Kota Ibushi [8] defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan [6] by forfeit.
Special 6 Man Tag Match: Kazushi Sakuraba, Akebono & Kota Ibushi defeated Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii & YOSHI-HASHI when Sakuraba submitted YOSHI-HASHI with the Sakuraba Lock (13:25).

Kota Ibushi has completed the busiest two weeks of his life and came out of it with a wealth of new opportunities. His first set of matches as a heavyweight in the famous G1 Climax tournament won him plenty of praise as well as a few matches. Ibushi started off as strong as possible, winning his first three matches against Toru Yano, the eventual G1 winner Tetsuya Naito and Karl Anderson. But his run ended there as he lost the next five against Shinsuke Nakamura, Yuji Nagata, Shelton Benjamin, Yujiro Takahashi and Minoru Suzuki. His final match against Hiroyoshi Tenzan was cancelled when Tenzan suffered an injury halfway through the tournament. Instead, Ibushi spent the final night teaming with MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba and Ribera’s favourite son Akebono, forming possibly the weirdest 3-man team in Japan since the days of WAR. And he probably got a future match against Tomohiro Ishii out of it. Ibushi ended the tournament with 8 points and although he didn’t qualify for the final, he proved he can go with some of the best New Japan has to offer. Next up… Kazuchika Okada!

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Posted by JamieOD

Practice Makes Perfect For HARASHIMA, Genius Vs Rainmaker

July 8, 2013

ibushi-vs-okada

DDT “RYOGOKU PETER PAN 2013”, 18/08/2013
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – “Research Group” Battle Royal: Komyo (c) Vs
2. Dramatic Dream Match: Kota Ibushi Vs Kazuchika Okada
3. KO-D Openweight Title: Shigehiro Irie or Yuji Okabayashi (c) Vs HARASHIMA

As the 2013 King of DDT winner, HARASHIMA gets a main event KO-D Title shot at Sumo Hall. It is a title shot that has alluded the challenger ever since February when HARASHIMA fought and lost to Kenny Omega. All that is left to figure out now is who the champion will be. Shigehiro Irie defends the championship against Big Japan’s Yuji Okabayashi in Korakuen Hall on 21st July. If Okabayashi wins, it will bring back memories of “RYOGOKU PETER PAN 2010” when HARASHIMA challenged Daisuke Sekimoto for that very championship. A victory for Irie however will continue what is now arguably the most successful KO-D Title reign in DDT history.

Meanwhile a co-main event has been signed and I am so excited to see it happen. It will be the Independent Genius taking on the Rainmaker when Kota Ibushi faces the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada from New Japan. This will continue Ibushi’s move up to heavyweight status along with his recent weight gain (it is currently 88kg). What’s interesting to note is the match will take place one week after the final of the G1 CLIMAX, which both men have entered. Ibushi thinks he will win the G1 and is interested, is highly motivated to wrestle Okada and wants to challenge for the IWGP Title. However, since there has been no mention of the championship during the announcement, I believe that Ibushi Vs Okada will be a non-title bout if Okada is still the champion when “RYOGOKU PETER PAN 2013” takes place.

Speaking of Ibushi and the G1 CLIMAX, his group match with Shinsuke Nakamura in Osaka on 4th August will be shown live on Ustream iPPV.

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DDT “KING OF DDT OSAKA 2013” Results

July 7, 2013

DDT “KING OF DDT OSAKA 2013”, 07/07/2013
Osaka Umeda Nasci Hall
350 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. 3 Way Tag Team Match: Antonio Honda & Daisuke Sasaki defeated Kushinbo Kamen & Michael Nakazawa and Masa Takanashi & Akito when Sasaki pinned Nakazawa with the Now Or Never (6:26).
2. Hikaru Sato defeated Tetsuya Endo with a Boston Crab (6:59).
3. King Of DDT Semi Final: Kenny Omega defeated Yukio Sakaguchi with the Croyt’s Wrath (9:59).
4. King Of DDT Semi Final: HARASHIMA defeated Konosuke Takeshita with the Somato (10:09).
5. Kota Ibushi & DJ Nira defeated Danshoku Dino & Makoto Oishi when Ibushi pinned Oishi with the Osaka Muscle Sakai Last Ride (10:07).
6. Shigehiro Irie, Keisuke Ishii & Takao Soma defeated KUDO, Yasu Urano & FUMA when Irie pinned FUMA with the Flying Sausage (13:11).
7. King Of DDT Final: HARASHIMA defeated Kenny Omega with the Swan Dive Somato (15:20).

HARASHIMA wins the 2013 King of DDT and will challenge for the KO-D Openweight Title in the co-main event of “RYOGOKU PETER PAN 2013”. It took two Somatos and a Swan Dive Somato for HARASHIMA to beat Kenny Omega in the final. HARASHIMA defeated the rookie phenom Konosuke Takeshita in the semi-final while Omega took care of Yukio Sakaguchi. Now we to see who the champion will be, Shigehiro Irie or Yuji Okabayashi?

The “super important” announcement was the reveal of Kazuchika Okada competing at “RYOGOKU PETER PAN 2013”. But that’s not all, it was announced Okada will take on Kota Ibushi in the co-main event! Ibushi thanked the crowd for the support they will give him in the upcoming G1 Climax and he promised he will do his best against the Rainmaker.

Danshoku Dino & Makoto Oishi announced that Kensuke Sasaki will be the third member of their team when they challenge the Monster Army for the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles on 21/7. GM Tsurumi Amon was completely unaware of this and now has to contact Sasaki and negotiate with him to actually appear at the show.

Antonio Honda and Daisuke Sasaki both wrestled in Kushinbo Kamen costumes along with the gear they stole from Masa Takanashi & Akito. I guess they are Kamen’s spare costumes and the Monster Army stole them too.

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Ibushi Enters G1 CLIMAX 23!

July 5, 2013

ibushi-g1

Kota Ibushi surprised everyone by being announced as a participant in this year’s G1 Climax tournament in New Japan. He made an appearance at today’s New Japan iPPV in Korakuen Hall after the reveal. His message was brief and polite. “I am Kota Ibushi from DDT Pro Wrestling. I decided to enter the G1 Climax for the first time. Thank you!”

Ibushi had previously competed in New Japan as a Jr. Heavyweight, winning the Best of the Super Jr. tournament and holding both IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championships. Now he has moved up to Heavyweight and the decision may not be as sudden as you think.

During an interview on the DDT website last year, Ibushi said one of his dreams was to compete in the G1 Climax. Ever since Ibushi returned to active competition, he has toned down his high flying moves a little bit while adding some power to his repertoire. These changes might have helped Ibushi adapt his style to be more compatible with heavier opponents. Could it be that Ibushi’s entry was planned a long time ago?

Kota has been added to Group B where he will have matches against Yuji Nagata, Shinsuke Nakamura, Minoru Suzuki, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Tetsuya Naito, Toru Yano, Yujiro Takahashi, Shelton X Benjamin and Karl Anderson. The tournament will take place in the first two weeks of August.

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DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2013” Results

February 17, 2013

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2013”, 17/02/2013
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,532 Fans – Super No Vacancy

0. Dark Match: Hiroshi Fukuda defeated DJ Nira with the Retrofit Perfect Plex (6:08).
1. Antonio Honda, Daisuke Sasaki, Hoshitango & Yuji Hino defeated MIKAMI, Masa Takanashi, Tomomitsu Matsunaga & Tetsuya Endo when Honda pinned Endo with the Diving Fist Drop (9:23).
2. Toru Owashi Return Assessment: Toru Owashi & Ken Ohka defeated Sanshiro Takagi & Michael Nakazawa when Owashi pinned Nakazawa after Takagi gave him the Stunner (0:07).
2a. Sanshiro Takagi & Michael Nakazawa defeated Toru Owashi & Ken Ohka when Takagi pinned Ohka after he gave Nakazawa the Sit Down Himawari Bomb on top of Ohka (6:57).
3. Jushin Thunder Liger & Hiromu Takahashi defeated Yukio Sakaguchi & Akito when Takahashi pinned Akito with the Amiuchi Bomb (9:40).
4. Keisuke Ishii, Shigehiro Irie & Takao Soma defeated Kota Ibushi, Gota Ihashi & Yoshihiko when Ishii pinned Ihashi with the Kneel Kick (12:18).
5. KUDO Comeback Match: KUDO & Yasu Urano defeated Danshoku Dino & Makoto Oishi when KUDO pinned Dino with the Diving Double Knee Drop (17:17).
6. KO-D Openweight Title: Kenny Omega (c) defeated HARASHIMA with the One-Winged Angel (20:24).
*V2 for Kenny Omega.

Kenny Omega requested a match against his good friend Michael Nakazawa. When Omega first came to Japan, Nakazawa was there for him and has been ever since. However, he doesn’t want to have a comedy match. He knows Nakazawa can make it to the next step and wants to give him one chance to prove it. Nakazawa thanked Omega for the opportunity, said he will be at 120% and will beat Omega.

KUDO achieved something rare today. He is one of the few wrestlers in Japan to win his first match back from an injury. He was rewarded with the MAGP Award from Tsurumi Amon. A tournament between all of the MAGP Award winners will take place in Shin-Kiba 1st RING on 24/2. KUDO will compete with Makoto Oishi, Yasu Urano and the next person to win the award.

Keisuke Ishii’s quest to discover what he is missing to be a complete pro wrestler has brought him face to face with Yoshihiko. The doll wrestled dressed in the AKB48 “Flying Get” costume. Since it has no hair, I’m guessing Yoshihiko was pretending to be Minami Minegishi, the AKB48 singer who controversially shaved her head as punishment for being caught spending the night with a male friend. Drift was able to beat The Golden Rendezvous with Ishii pinning Gota Ihashi. Afterwards Ishii demanded Yoshihiko to tell him what he was missing, but it stayed silent. Ishii then demanded Sanshiro Takagi to come out and tell him. Instead he got a video message from President Takagi telling him he was still a student and he needed to wrestle a teacher. That teacher is Tomoaki Honma! Ishii Vs Honma was made for the 24/2 Shin-Kiba show.

Jushin Liger had some pretty nasty things to say about DDT and their fans after he & Hiromu Takahashi beat Yukio Sakaguchi & Akito. Liger called all DDT fans rotten and then challenged Sakaguchi to a singles match anywhere, even in DDT if they have to. A voice in the crowd yelled at them to do the match now and Liger said he would, leading him and Takahashi to attack Sakaguchi and Akito and start a brawl between the four.

Toru Owashi has been welcomed back into DDT after his assessment match. Sanshiro Takagi wasn’t interested in being involved and gave his own partner Michael Nakazawa a Stunner when the match begun. Owashi pinned Nakazawa but Tsurumi Amon demanded the match to restart and pleaded with Takagi to take the match seriously. The rematch began and Takagi gave Nakazawa another Stunner. Nakazawa recovered and Takagi soon got involved in the match properly, using Nakazawa as a weapon on Ken Ohka to win the match. Takagi then accepted Owashi back into DDT. Ohka however was very upset. He resigned from Union and his loss here means he is not good enough for DDT. While Amon tried to console him, Ohka “found” an envelope in Amon’s pocket with 15,000 yen inside it. He decided to start his own wrestling promotion with blackjack and hookers! Takagi told Ohka how difficult it is to launch a promotion with only 15,000 yen but was so impressed with his passion that he allowed Ohka to take Amon’s money and go ahead with his plan.

A big name was announced for “RYOGOKU PETER PAN 2013” on 18th August, the second of DDT’s two Sumo Hall shows. Kensuke Sasaki will be there!

One of my favorite matches in DDT will be brought back on 20th March, The Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Contract Battle Royal! Hikaru Sato also announced a one day grappling tournament will take place that same day.

Kazuki Hirata will return from injury on 20/3 for his first match since January of last year when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament.

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Sakaguchi’s Thunder Grudge, Yoshihiko Goes Golden

February 6, 2013

DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2013”, 17/02/2013
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. Dark Match: DJ Nira Vs Hiroshi Fukuda
1. Antonio Honda, Daisuke Sasaki, Hoshitango & Yuji Hino Vs MIKAMI, Masa Takanashi, Tomomitsu Matsunaga & Tetsuya Endo
2. Toru Owashi Return Assessment: Toru Owashi Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Michael Nakazawa
3. KUDO Comeback Match: KUDO & Yasu Urano Vs Danshoku Dino & Makoto Oishi
4. Kota Ibushi, Gota Ihashi & Yoshihiko Vs Keisuke Ishii, Shigehiro Irie & Takao Soma
5. Yukio Sakaguchi & Akito Vs Jushin Thunder Liger & Hiromu Takahashi
6. KO-D Openweight Title: Kenny Omega (c) Vs HARASHIMA

In a shocking term of events, a DDT Vs New Japan tag match has been made with Yukio Sakaguchi and Jushin Thunder Liger in opposite sides. The two faced each other in a 6 Man Tag main event at a Legend Pro-Wrestling show on 13th January and Liger criticised Sakaguchi’s performance after the match. Yukio, who represented his father Seiji Sakaguchi on the show will not stand for Liger’s harsh comments. Meanwhile, Tsurumi Amon sensed the opportunity to capitalize on the situation by using DDT’s relationship with New Japan to set up this tag team match which includes Akito and Hiromu Takahashi. Sakaguchi is ready to show Liger he is more than just Seiji Sakaguchi’s son and will show a more savage side when he steps into the ring.

Drift sent out a challenge to the Golden Rendezvous for a 6 Man Tag Team match. However Kenny Omega will be defending the KO-D Championship in the main event. So the Golden Orchid duo of Kota Ibushi & Gota Ihashi went in search of a third partner. Lo and behold they found the perfect choice, Yoshihiko!

KUDO will find himself in the ring with plenty of familiar faces in his first match back from injury. He has held the KO-D Tag Team Titles with both Yasu Urano and Makoto Oishi. He has also spent plenty of time in his career wrestling with and against Danshoku Dino.

Toru Owashi will have to go through a 2-on-1 Handicap Match to prove he is deserving of a full time spot in DDT.

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Posted by JamieOD

Kota’s Contract Conflict

November 6, 2012

Kota Ibushi got himself into an awkward situation today when he unintentionally crashed a press conference held by New Japan to promote their upcoming PPV on 11/11. The conference included a contract signing for the IWGP Jr. Title Match between champion Low Ki and challenger Prince Devitt. However, Ibushi entered the room before either wrestler and sat down at the table. When Devitt, Low Ki and New Japan president Naoki Sugabayashi entered they were surprised to see Ibushi greeting them. Ibushi explained he was here to sign the contract for his rematch with Low Ki. Sugabayashi tried to explain that the contract wasn’t for him. Ibushi sighed with disappointment but cheered up when Sugabayashi said that when this match is over, Ibushi will be able to compete for the next title shot. Ibushi tried to seal the president’s promise with a pinkie shake but Sugabayashi redirected the offer of gratitude to his interpreter Mr. Nishizawa. Ibushi then left the room and was escorted out of the building.

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Golden Lovers Lose Title Matches, Now Or NEVER For Sasaki, Odate Match

October 11, 2012

AJPW “40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR 2012” 07/10/2012
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,600 Fans

AJPW World Jr. Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Yamato (c) defeated Kenny Omega with the Cross-Arm Suplex (17:54).
*V3 for Hiroshi Yamato

NJPW “NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY ~ KING OF PRO-WRESTLING”, 08/10/2012
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
9,000 Fans – No Vacancy

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Low Ki defeated Kota Ibushi (c) with the Avalanche Ki Krusher (17:05).
*Kota Ibushi fails in V3. Low Ki becomes the 65th IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion!

Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi both lost their title matches in the space of 24 hours at the beginning of the week. Omega went to All Japan to challenge for the AJPW Jr. Title held by Hiroshi Yamato and all he left with was a broken ear drum and some stitches. Meanwhile Kota Ibushi lost the IWGP Jr. Title to Low Ki over in New Japan, marking his second title loss in two weeks.

DDT “WE’RE GONNA GO BEFORE WINTER COMES”, 11/11/2012
Odate

1. Danshoku Dino & Makoto Vs Kaz Hayashi & Yuu Yamagata

Here we have a multi-promotional tag match between DDT and Wrestling New Classic against All Japan and ZABUN (a WAVE affiliated brand). This is a kind of match that I like to call Fire Pro Wrestling match making.

Daisuke Sasaki has been entered into a tournament to crown New Japan’s newest champion. The NEVER Openweight Title is the prize everyone will be fighting for and Sasaki will face 8 year veteran Tomohiro Ishii in the first round on 15th November in Tokyo SHIBUYA-AX. Is Sasaki defeats Ishii he will face YOSHI-YASHI or Ryuichi Sekine in the next round four days later.

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Ibushi V1 In NJPW, Masa & Tango In Thailand

September 7, 2012

NJPW “NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR ~ ROAD TO DESTRUCTION”, 07/09/2012
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,950 Fans – Super No Vacancy

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Kota Ibushi (c) defeated KUSHIDA with the Sit Down Last Ride (25:10).
*V1 for Kota Ibushi.

Kota Ibushi’s first defence of the IWGP Jr. Title took place today against the man he was originally supposed to face during his first title reign a year ago. Despite what was described as a spirited challenge by the young KUSHIDA, Ibushi was the last one standing. Now he is being challenged for the championship by both Ryusuke Taguchi and Low Ki.

When asked about his thoughts on the match after the show, Ibushi’s first reply was “My arm is sore” (in reference to KUSHIDA targeting his arm during the match). The interviewer asked him about Taguchi and Low Ki, Ibushi said he will “win more and more” and said that the 25 minute match was a “short-term battle.” When asked if he would rather face Taguchi or Low Ki, Ibushi said Taguchi because Low Ki has a scary voice. However, Ibushi hasn’t made his decision yet and he will defend his title at anytime.

GATOH PRO, 07/09/2012
Sakura Dojo, Bangkok, Thailand

1. Masa Takanashi defeated Golem Thai with a Knee Bar (9:57).
2. Hoshitango & Emi Sakura defeated EK Baki & Kaori Yoneyama when Sakura pinned Baki with a La Magistral Cradle (11:45).
3. Madoka defeated Ken Chan with a Lariat (9:02).

Meanwhile in Thailand Masa Takanashi, Hoshitango and freelancer Madoka took part in the debut Gatoh Pro Wrestling event. Masa submitted rookie Golem Thai while Hoshitango teamed with Gatoh Pro founder Emi Sakura to win their tag match afterwards. The visit took place during Hoshintago’s 47th birthday.

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Ibushi Wins IWGP Jr. Title Again

July 29, 2012

NJPW “40TH ANNIVERSARY LAST REBELLION”, 29/07/2012
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
2,040 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Kota Ibushi defeated Low Ki (c) with the Phoenix Splash (19:30).
*Low Ki fails in V2. Kota Ibushi becomes the 64th IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion!

Kota Ibushi returned to New Japan today to challenge Low Ki for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Championship, the title he had to vacate back in September 2011 after a shoulder injury. With Kenny Omega, Daisuke Sasaki and Michael Nakazawa in his corner, Ibushi fought tooth and nail with Low Ki. The champ dodged Ibushi’s Quebrada outside the ring and later applied an upside down Dragon Sleeper hanging from the top rope. Ibushi recovered and hit the Quebrada a second time. Feet were flying from both wrestlers as their kick heavy offence came into play. Low Ki avoided the Sit Down Last Ride and tried to finish the match with the Phoenix Splash. But Ibushi rolled out of the way and struck Low Ki with the Cartwheel Overhead Kick. Ibushi landed his own Phoenix Splash to pin Low Ki and win the IWGP Jr. Title for the second time. Afterwards, KUSHIDA came out to challenge the new champion.

The big victory continues Ibushi’s path of success since returning from injury. His next big challenge is Kenny Omega at the DDT 15th Anniversary Show in Budokan Hall.

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