I’m Off To Tokyo For 2 Weeks

December 26, 2025

Almost ten years after my last visit to Japan, I’m a day away from flying back out there. Spending the new year in Tokyo and attending Wrestle Kingdom at the Tokyo Dome has been something I’ve wanted to do for over a decade but real life obligations prevented me from ever going through with it. Luckily for me, this time around everything has fallen into place for me to actually do it and the timing of it means I’m going to the biggest Wrestle Kingdom to happen in years. Not only that but the itinerary I’ve put together for this trip has become the mother of all wrestling holidays. Stardom at Sumo Hall? I’m going to that. NOAH in Budokan Hall? I’ll be there. DDT and Tokyo Joshi Pro having their year opening events in Korakuen Hall? You bet I wouldn’t miss that for the world! Add in shows at Shinjuku FACE, Shin-Kiba 1st RING, TOKYO SQUARE In Itabashi and even Ichigaya Chocolate Hall it all ends up with me pretty much speed running all of the famous and infamous Tokyo wrestling venues within a fortnight.

As for what will get posted on this blog while I am gone? I honestly don’t know at the moment. I’m bringing my laptop with me and will at least post the match results when I can but show reports, up to date news and other stuff will likely be put on the wayside until I return home and get some rest. I did a small one for the DDT show I went to in Saitama back in 2016 (which you can read here). Same goes for any end of trip report where I talk about what the experience is like. Worrying about that sort of stuff would only get in the way while I’m trying to enjoy my holiday. What I’ll likely do is tweet about all the shows I’m going to so you might get not non-DDT and non-TJPW related stuff from me on your feeds for the next two weeks.

What I have done in preparation for this trip is take part in a podcast about it. I was invited onto Wrestling Omakase for a massive roundtable covering as many of the shows happening around Wrestle Kingdom and the New Year’s period as we could. My lion’s share of the recording is in Part 1 for the men’s companies where I talk about DDT, NJPW, NOAH and BASARA. Then I pop up for half an hour in Part 2 as part of the TJPW section. Links to the episodes can be found below:

Wrestling Omakase #276: Wrestle Kingdom Week 2025-26 Preview Part 1 (NJPW, NOAH, AJPW, DDT, BASARA, Ganbare, BJW & GLEAT)

https://redcircle.com/shows/89701c36-312e-4ab1-b159-fd2aa057df63/ep/d35cf887-9d99-4964-b903-7e07330830a9

Wrestling Omakase #277: Wrestle Kingdom Week 2025-26 Preview Part 2 (STARDOM, Marigold, TJPW, AWG, OZ, ICE, Marvelous, SEAd, ChocoPro, Diana, Pure-J, WAVE)

https://redcircle.com/shows/89701c36-312e-4ab1-b159-fd2aa057df63/ep/a92a7a90-8a36-4c20-ae58-3f923d11628e


“SHINJUKU FACE 20TH ANNIVERSARY ~MILESTONE~”, Results

July 31, 2025

“SHINJUKU FACE 20TH ANNIVERSARY ~MILESTONE~”, 31/07/2025
Shinjuku FACE
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion defeated Toru Owashi, Kazuki Hirata & Makoto Oishi when Sasaki submitted Hirata with the Crossface Lock (0:07).
1a. Rematch: Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion defeated Toru Owashi, Kazuki Hirata & Makoto Oishi when Ilusion pinned Oishi with the Swanton Bomb (7:01).
2. Minoru Suzuki & Chinsuke Nakamura defeated Jun Akiyama & Fat Kobashi when Suzuki submitted Kobashi with an Achilles Tendon Hold (13:15).
3. Mayumi Ozaki, HARASHIMA & Yukio Naya defeated Shin Sakura Hirota, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada (w/ Sanshiro Takagi) when Ozaki pinned Hirota with the Ozaki Kick (16:30).
4. MAO defeated Kuroshio TOKYO Japan with a Japanese Leg Roll Clutch (18:26).
5. Hiromu Takahashi & Chris Brookes Vs Yuki Ueno & Atsuki Aoyagi ended in a Time Limit Draw (20:00).

To celebrate 20 years of Shinjuku FACE a special show was put together featuring wrestlers from six different promotions. Really it was a DDT show with guests from New Japan, All Japan, OZ Academy, Up Town and West Gate Wrestling Federation involved. Hiromu Takahashi teamed with Chris Brookes while Atsuki Aoyagi teamed with Yuki Ueno in the main event tag match that lasted the full 20 minutes. Ueno felt the match was short but as long as Shinjuku FACE continues to exist there will always be more to come. Brookes was more upset that the bar was now closed because the show is about to end. Aoyagi said he would have liked to have done a singles match but he’s too tired right now. Takahashi said he hasn’t wrestled in this venue a lot but he has a fond memory of a New Japan show he did here back in May 2011. He beat a young lion making his debut named Takaaki Watanabe. Takahashi doesn’t know what ever happened to him but believes he would have become a superstar had he stuck around…

MAO and Kuroshio TOKYO Japan ended up chasing each other around the room with the Dramatic Dream bike involved. When they went back to the ring Kuroshio demanded a strike exchange to determine who is more popular. It turned into a series of roll ups that eventually ended with MAO scoring the three count.

The first pro wrestling match to be held in Shinjuku FACE 20 years ago featured Mayumi Ozaki so it was fitting she would get to take part in today’s show. That wasn’t the only special thing about Match #3. Sanshiro Takagi announced a surprise for everyone and called out Konosuke Takeshita! Then Shin Sakura Hirota wearing her complete Takeshita costume. After Ozaki won the match she told the fans she looks forward to their continued support for OZ Academy, herself and also DDT.

Minoru Suzuki got stuck with the parody wrestlers from West Gate Wrestling Federation. He enjoyed beating them up though.

In the opening match Kazuki Hirata made the mistake of launching an attack on DAMNATION T.A by himself. They easily took care of him and Daisuke Sasaki tapped him out before Hirata’s partners could even do anything. Staff forced the match to restart and this time DAMNATION T.A won in a more regular manner.

At the end of the show all of the wrestlers gathered in the ring alongside some of the venue’s staff. Everyone was introduced to Yuka Ogawa who was responsible for organizing today’s event. She said she is truly happy to have travelled this path of pro wrestling for 20 years. This show was a source of pride for her and her staff. She promised fans that they will continue to do their best to fill Shinjuku FACE with the same joy and excitement that everyone felt today.


Next Extreme Title Match, Neko Out With A Torn ACL, Shinjuku FACE’s 20th Anniversary

June 10, 2025

DDT “THAT’S RIGHT! LET’S GO TO BEER GARDEN PRO WRESTLING 2025”, 11/06/2025
Tokyo Ueno Park Outdoor Stage

1. HARASHIMA & Yuya Koroku Vs Hideki Okatani & MJ Paul
2. Blow Away The Rainy Season! Officially Licensed Umbrella Only Death Match: Daisuke Sasaki & Ilusion Vs Yuni & Kazuma Sumi
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match ~ In The RING Rules: Chris Brookes, Takeshi Masada & Shin Suzuki Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida
4. K(ANON)-1 GP 2025: KANON Vs Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda
5. Special Tag Match: Jun Akiyama & Shinya Aoki Vs MAO & Danshoku Dieno (w/ KIMIHIRO)
6. Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y Vs Akito, Yukio Naya & Daichi Sato

This is the match order for tomorrow’s Beer Garden show.

DDT “ECHIGO POWER SLAM”, 15/06/2025
Niigata City Higashi Ward Plaza

1. Takeshi Masada & Kazuma Sumi Vs Yuni & Daichi Sato
2. HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata Vs Danshoku Dieno & Akito
3. Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani, MJ Paul & Ilusion Vs Jun Akiyama, Shunma Katsumata, Soma Takao & Yukio Naya
4. After KING OF DDT 2025! Special Single Match: Yuki Ueno Vs Yuya Koroku
5. Special 3 Way Tag Match: Chris Brookes & Antonio Honda Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida Vs MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO)
6. DDT Extreme Title: Super Sasadango Machine (c) Vs To-y

After taking us through a journey yesterday, Super Sasadango Machine has his next DDT Extreme Title defence already lined up. To-y has been chosen as his next challenger.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR 2025 IN KOFU”, 21/06/2025
Yamanashi Kose Sports Park Gymnasium Sub-Arena (Kofu City)

-. 12th Tokyo Princess Cup Preliminary League – Round 1: Pom Harajuku defeated Haruna Neko by Forfeit.
1. 12th Tokyo Princess Cup Preliminary League – Round 1: X Vs X

There was an update from Tokyo Joshi Pro about Haruna Neko that was put out today. Her right knee injury was diagnosed as a torn ACL along with bone bruising in her femur and tibia. She will be out of action for a long time in order to get surgery and rehabilitation. Her Tokyo Princess Cup qualifier match against Pom Harajuku was going to be held on 21st June but Neko has forfeited the match. She will still make an appearance at the show because it is happening just before her sugery takes place.

“SHINJUKU FACE 20TH ANNIVERSARY ~MILESTONE~”, 31/07/2025
Shinjuku FACE

1. Daisuke Sasaki, Hideki Okatani & Ilusion Vs Toru Owashi, Kazuki Hirata & Makoto Oishi
2. Minoru Suzuki & Chinsuke Nakamura Vs Jun Akiyama & Fat Kobashi
3. Mayumi Ozaki, HARASHIMA & Yukio Naya Vs Shin Sakura Hirota, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada (w/ Sanshiro Takagi)
4. Kuroshio TOKYO Japan Vs MAO
5. Hiromu Takahashi & Chris Brookes Vs Yuki Ueno & Atsuki Aoyagi

This July Shinjuku FACE will be celebrating the 20th anniversary of its grand opening. The venue has been holding various pro wrestling events along with other combat sports deep in the heart of Kabukicho ever since. To celebrate the occasion, DDT will be holding an event there along with five other promotions: New Japan, All Japan, OZ Academy, Up Town and West Gate Wrestling Federation. It’s not a massive lineup but some names showing up alongside the DDT wrestlers include Hiromu Takahashi, Atsuki Aoyagi, Kuroshio TOKYO Japan, Mayumi Ozaki, Sakura Hirota, Minoru Suzuki and the parody pair of Chinsuke Nakamura and Fat Kobashi.


Video – Sayaka Unagi’s Adventures With The Iron Man Title

May 8, 2024


UNION, OZ ACADEMY, WAVE, ICE RIBBON “M.I.O 5” Results

September 20, 2015

mioshirai-retires

UNION, OZ ACADEMY, WAVE, ICE RIBBON “M.I.O 5”, 20/09/2015
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1,724 Fans – Super No Vacancy

0. Dark Match – Timely Help From YMZ: Kaori Yoneyama & Madoka defeated Isami Kodaka & Ryu Gouma when Yoneyama pinned Gouma with the Amerika-ZOU (8:22).
1. Mio Shirai Last Tag Match: Mio Shirai & Aoi Kizuki defeated Yumi Ohka & Mayumi Ozaki when Shirai pinned Ozaki with the Tsuchigumo (11:22).
2. 4 Organisation Representative 8-Person Tag Team Match: Fairy Nihonbashi, Shuji Ishikawa, Dynamite Kansai & Neko Nitta defeated Ayako Hamada, Hiroshi Fukuda, Aja Kong & Mochi Miyagi when Nihonbashi pinned Fukuda with a Small Package (11:22).
3. Mio Shirai Last Single Match: Isami Kodaka defeated Mio Shirai with the Isamuashi Zan (11:11).
4. 4 Organisation Time Difference Battle Royal: Sonoko Kato defeated Cherry with a Cradle Cutback (18:27).
Order Of Elimination: Yusuke Kubo, Kyuri, SAGAT, Mika Iida, Maruko Nagasaki, Sawako Shimono, FUMA and Mitomi Masayuki, Moeka Haruhi, Kaho Kobayashi, Yuki Miyazaki, Yu Yamagata and Seiya Morohashi, Miyako Matsumoto, Yuka, Rina Yamashita, Ryo Mizunami, Hamuko Hoshi, Cherry.
5. Mio Shirai Final Wrestling Match: Hiroe Nagahama, Tsukushi & Risa Sera defeated Mio Shirai, Tsukasa Fujimoto & Misaki Ohata when Tsukushi pinned Shirai with the Tiger Suplex (14:09).

farewell-mio

After a long career spanning over 8 years with countless different championships and companies, Mio Shirai has today retired from pro wrestling. The final M.I.O. co-promoted show brought together Union, Oz Academy, Pro Wrestling WAVE and Ice Ribbon to celebrate Shirai’s final matches. With three matches left to do it was clear Mio was not going to take it easy today.

miofinaltag

The show began with her final tag team match with Aoi Kizuki against Yumi Ohka & Mayumi Ozaki. Ohka and Ozaki quickly took Shirai and Kizuki out of the ring while their lackey Police threw chairs over to them. Ozaki also used her chain whenever the opportunity arose. The tables turned when Mio Headbutted Ozaki and knocked down Police. A Big Boot from Ohka missed Shirai and hit Ozaki by accident. She then locked in the Tsuchigumo on Ozaki to get the pin. After the match Shirai was given hugs by the other three wrestlers.

mio-final-single

Shirai’s final singles match was against Union’s Isami Kodaka. The reason he was her opponent is when Shirai originally joined Union she said she wanted to be the female Isami Kodaka. They had a hard fought match with Shirai kicking out of the Diving Double Knee Drop. Shirai went for the Tsuchigumo but Kodaka blocked it. Shirai then went for her Purple Flash Shining Wizard but Kodaka caught her and applied a Cross Kneelock. Shirai avoided a German Suplex and got a two count with a Samson Clutch. Kodaka applied a European Clutch for a two count but that was countered into the Tsuchigumo for another nearfall. Kodaka hit Shirai with a Sliding Lariat and won the match with the Isamuashi Zan. Kodaka patted Shirai on the back after the match.

miofinalmatch

The main event was Shirai’s retirement match. She teamed with her closest friends Tsukasa Fujimoto & Misaki Ohata to take on the trio of Hiroe Nagahama, Tsukushi & Risa Sera. In the pre-match video Shirai said she wanted to leave pro wrestling without any regrets and also show it will be in a good place with the younger women. The WAVE and Ice Ribbon wrestlers at ringside all got involved by joining in on the train attacks as a parting gift to Mio. In the ending stretch each of Mio’s opponents yelled “Thank you forever!” as they hit their finishing move but Mio kept kicking out! Eventually Fujimoto and Ohata attacked Mio themselves to keep her down. They let Tsukushi hit one more Tiger Suplex to end the match. “Thank you forever!”

mio-and-io

The retirement ceremony begun and Mio shook hands with all of the wrestlers. She and Ohata vacated their WAVE Tag Time Titles and handed the belts over to WAVE president Mikiko Futagami. She then received bouquets from a number of people including Sanshiro Takagi from DDT, Makoto and Maki Narumiya from REINA, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Nagisa Nozaki, Kagetsu, AKINO, Shu Shibutani, Kyoko Kimura, Toshie Uematsu, Nagashima and finally Takashi Sasaki from FREEDOMS. Next up Mio was greeted by the WAVE and Ice Ribbon rosters, then the Oz Academy roster and then the Union roster. But the biggest bouquet of all came from a Stardom wrestler… also Mio’s sister. They’ve had their differences over the years but Mio and Io Shirai smiled together. Then they headbutted each other. They embraced afterwards when their mother entered the ring.

mio10bell

Mio took the microphone and wondered if any young girls or even young boys in audience felt something when they saw today’s matches. She thinks today’s show was a success and someone in the audience yelled “Cheers for the good work!” Mio said she was tired after 8 and a half year in the business and her body was tattered. She thanked everyone and stood still for the 10 bell salute. Her name was announced one more time and she was then flooded with streamers in the ring.

mio-engaged

However that wasn’t all Mio had to announce. She interrupted her music and raised her hand, showing a ring on her finger. She’s going to get married! She said 8 and a half years is a long time and she worked hard to be a good wrestler but from now on she is going to be a good wife. She thanked everyone for coming and told everyone not to worry, that was the last shocking announcement she had.

sing-for-mio

Hiroshi Fukuda was able to convince everyone in Match #2 to sing with him, even Aja Kong. They sang a song called “Gift Words” but slightly changed the lyrics so they could sing about how much they love Mio.

kaori-quiz

During the dark match Ryu Gouma gave Kaori Yoneyama a general knowledge quiz. Everytime she got a question wrong Gouma would do a wrestling move on her. Yoneyame eventually hed enough of the lesson and countered Gouma’s Neckbreaker Drop into the Amerika-ZOU to win the match.


Mio’s Retirement Card, Replacing Wolf With A Gorilla, Union’s Decisive Joshi Battle

September 17, 2015

UNION, OZ ACADEMY, WAVE, ICE RIBBON “M.I.O 5”, 20/09/2015
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. Dark Match – Timely Help From YMZ: Kaori Yoneyama & Madoka Vs Isami Kodaka & Ryu Gouma
1. 4 Organisation Time Difference Battle Royal: Cherry Vs Seiya Morohashi Vs FUMA Vs Mitomi Masayuki Vs SAGATO Vs Yusuke Kubo Vs Haruki Kato Vs Hamuko Hoshi Vs Risa Sera Vs 235 Vs Akane Fujita Vs Kyuri Vs Yuka Vs Maruko Nagasaki Vs Moeka Haruhi Vs Ryo Mizunami Vs Mika Iida Vs Kaho Kobayashi Vs Yu Yamagata Vs Yuki Miyazaki Vs Sawako Shimono Vs Rina Yamashita
2. 4 Organisation Representative 8-Person Tag Team Match: Fairy Nihonbashi, Shuji Ishikawa, Dynamite Kansai & Neko Nitta Vs Ayako Hamada, Hiroshi Fukuda, Aja Kong & Mochi Miyagi
3. Mio Shirai Last Single Match: Mio Shirai Vs Isami Kodaka
4. Mio Shirai Last Tag Match: Mio Shirai & Aoi Kizuki Vs Yumi Ohka & Mayumi Ozaki
5. Mio Shirai Final Wrestling Match: Mio Shirai, Tsukasa Fujimoto & Misaki Ohata Vs Hiroe Nagahama, Tsukushi & Risa Sera

For her retirement Mio Shirai is making her last matches count by wrestling not once or twice but three times!

GANBARE☆WRESTLING “BAD COMMUNICATION 2015”, 23/09/2015
Shinjuku FACE

1. Animal Planet Special 3 Way Match: J-Soul Pandita III IV Vs Neko Nitta Vs Gorilla
2. Do Judge!!: Yukihiro Abe Vs Shinichiro Tominaga
3. GANBARE SUPER FIGHT!!: Kotaro Nasu Vs Tigger Bedscene
4. Go Beyond The Asia ~3rd Generation Grandson Vs 94th All Asia Tag Team Champions~: Chikara & Yumehito Imanari Vs Keisuke Ishii & Shigehiro Irie
5. Resonance To The Major Sports ~The Real Tiger Mask And Disciple Of Tiger Mask Vs Enjo-gun~: Shuichiro Katsumura & Hayato Mashita Vs Shibata & Mitomi Masayuki
6. Texas Tornado Hardcore Special Handicap Match: Ken Ohka, GENTARO, Shota & Bambi Vs Minoru Fujita, Hi69 & Osamu Namiguchi

Unfortunately Kris Wolf has to miss the show because she is recovering from a concussion. Ken Ohka contacted Stardom president Rossy Ogawa to get a replacement but he was told there won’t be one. Ohka still wants the 3 Way Match to go ahead so he is replacing Wolf with a gorilla to make this match even more of a crime against animal rights than it already is. Ohka assures everyone it is an actual gorilla and not a person in a gorilla costume.

UNION “10TH ANNIVERSARY BOX OFFICE”, 04/10/2015
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. FUMA Vs Daichi Kazato
2. Union Fly To Everywhere World Title: Cherry (c) Vs Masako Takanashi
3. Union MAX Title: Isami Kodaka (c) Vs Shuji Ishikawa

Union’s final joshi match will pit Cherry and Masako Takanashi against each other in what is described as the decisive battle for women’s wrestling in Union. Nothing has been said yet about the future of the Fly To Everywhere Title.


UNION, OZ ACADEMY, WAVE, ICE RIBBON “M.I.O 4” Results

June 19, 2015

shirai-nakajima

UNION, OZ ACADEMY, WAVE, ICE RIBBON “M.I.O 4”, 19/06/2015
Shinjuku FACE
325 Fans

1. Women’s Single Match: Chikayo Nagashima defeated Risa Sera with the Fisherman Buster (7:37).
2. 6-Person Tag Match: Misaki Ohata, Tsukasa Fujimoto & Mayumi Ozaki defeated Hiroshi Fukuda, Hamuko Hoshi & Mochi Miyagi when Ozaki pinned Fukuda with a Small Package (17:14).
3. 4 Organization 4 Way Match: Aoi Kizuki, Cherry and Kaho Kobayashi defeated Dynamite Kansai when all three pinned Kansai at the same time (7:19).
4. Hard Mixed Singles Match: Isami Kodaka defeated Yumi Ohka with the Isamuashi Zan (11:34).
5. Mixed Tag Match: Aja Kong & SAGAT defeated Shuji Ishikawa & Neko Nitta when Kong pinned Nitta with the Vertical Brainbuster (11:21).
6. Main Event Singles Match: Mio Shirai Vs Arisa Nakajima ended in a Time Limit Draw (30:00).
6a. Overtime: Arisa Nakajima defeated Mio Shirai with the Dharma Style German Suplex (2:09).

Both Mio Shirai and Arisa Nakajima fought their hearts out in a 30 minute draw. They shook hands at the beginning of the match but Shirai immediately threw a High Kick to start things off. At the 15 minute mark they brawled out of the ring and brought chairs into the match. When 5 minutes remained Shirai locked in the Figure 4 Necklock and Nakajima spent some time trying to escape it. In the final seconds of the match Nakajima hit the Dharma Suplex but the bell rang before she could get the three count. Nakajima pleaded with Shirai to restart the match because she wanted a definitive winner for their last singles match together. Shirai agreed and the match went to overtime with no time limit. The two quickly tried to get the advantage with strikes and finisher attempts until Nakajima hit the Dharma Suplex again and this time got the pin. Nakajima thanked Shirai for he exciting match afterwards.

Isami Kodaka got the better of Yumi Ohka and there seems to be a measure of respect between the two now. However they both gestured towards having a rematch at some point in the future.

The 4 Way Match was pretty much a 3 Vs 1 Handicap match. Aoi Kizuki, Cherry and Kaho Kobayashi were all wary of facing Dynamite Kansai on their own so they all decided to team up on her instead. While the three did eventually wrestle each other they still ganged up on Kansai when the opportunity presented itself. The end came when the trio all Dropkicked Kansai and then jumped on top of her for a triple pin. Kizuki, Cherry and Kobayashi were all pleased with the result.

Hiroshi Fukuda was in the mood for some singing and got the Lovely Butchers to join him midway through the opening match. He also convinced Misaki Ohata and Tsukasa Fujimoto to sing too. Mayumi Ozaki refused to do it but eventually gave in. When she finished she gave Fukuda a Low Blow kick and pinned him with a Small Package.


M.I.O 4, Tavern Wrestling, King Of DDT Finals, Grand Osaka Plans

June 18, 2015

UNION, OZ ACADEMY, WAVE, ICE RIBBON “M.I.O 4”, 19/06/2015
Shinjuku FACE

1. Women’s Single Match: Chikayo Nagashima Vs Risa Sera
2. 6-Person Tag Match: Misaki Ohata, Tsukasa Fujimoto & MAyumi Ozaki Vs Hiroshi Fukuda, Hamuko Hoshi & Mochi Miyagi
3. Mixed Tag Match: Aja Kong & SAGAT Vs Shuji Ishikawa & Neko Nitta
4. 4 Organization 4 Way Match: Dynamite Kansai Vs Aoi Kizuki Vs Cherry Vs Kaho Kobayashi
5. Hard Mixed Singles Match: Isami Kodaka Vs Yumi Ohka
6. Main Event Singles Match: Mio Shirai Vs Arisa Nakajima

Mio Shirai and Arisa Nakajima have only had one previous singles match together and it was in 2013. Shirai won that bout in just over three minutes. Nakajima says she is more careful now and promises she will fight to her heart’s content without making any mistakes so she can avenge that loss.

DDT “WRESTLE FESTIVAL IN MATSUYAMA 2015”, 21/06/2015
Matsuyama Comprehensive Community Center Exhibition Hall

1. Yasu Urano & Akito Vs Tomomitsu Matsunaga & Suguru Miyatake
2. Kazusada Higuchi Vs Makoto Oishi
3. Danshoku Dino Vs Masa Takanashi
4. Kazuki Hirata Dancing Stars First Landing: Sanshiro Takagi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Keisuke Ishii & Shigehiro Irie
5. Matsuyama Castle Wrestling Elegence Battle: HARASHIMA Vs MIKAMI
6. 3 Way Tag That In Reckless Of Hereditary Are Only Loss From Childhood: KUDO & Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Kota Ibushi & Daisuke Sasaki Vs Antonio Honda & Konosuke Takeshita

KUDO, Danshoku Dino and Ken Ohka are the remaining Right To Challenge contract holders.

DDT “TAVERN WRESTLING VOL. 0”, 23/06/2015
Saitama Wrestle Fighter Museum

1. Akito & Ryuichi Sekine Vs MIKAMI & Daichi
2. Tokyo Joshi Pro Offer Match: Miyu Yamashita & Erin Vs Shoko Nakajima & Yuka Sakazaki
3. Hiroshi Fukuda Vs Takayuki Ueki
4. Isami Kodaka & Ryota Nakatsu Vs KUDO & Kouki Iwasaki

Most of the wrestlers involved work for either the Dropkick Bar or Ebisuko Tavern, DDT’s two eating establishments.

DDT “KING OF DDT 2015 TOKYO”, 28/06/2015
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. King Of Dark Title – 3 Way Match: Gota Ihashi (c) Vs DJ Nira Vs Kota Umeda
1. King Of DDT 2015 – Semi Final: Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Kazusada Higuchi
2. King Of DDT 2015 – Semi Final: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Konosuke Takeshita
3. KUDO, Masa Takanashi & MIKAMI Vs HARASHIMA, Yasu Urano & Akito
4. 4 Way Tag Team Match: Antonio Honda & Hiroshi Fukuda Vs Keisuke Ishii & Soma Takao Vs Kota Ibushi & Suguru Miyatake Vs Danshoku Dino & Makoto Oishi
5. Sanshiro Takagi, Toru Owashi, Kazuki Hirata & Saki Akai Vs Shigehiro Irie, Tomomitsu Matsunaga, Hoshitango & Shunma Katsumata
6. King Of DDT 2015 – Final: X Vs X

Yukio Sakaguchi and Konosuke Takeshita have both reached the semi-final before back in 2013. Daisuke Sasaki has regained his momentum after his scheme to horde all of the Right To Challenge contracts failed. Kazusada Higuchi has also bounced back from his revent KO-D Openweight Title challenge. One of those four will headline “RYOGOKU PETER PAN 2015”.

DDT “DRAMATIC DREAMS! VOL. 2 ~NO SUBTITLE~”, 12/07/2015
Osaka Higashinari Kumin Hall

1. Special 3 Way Match: Kushinbo Kamen Vs Kikutaro Vs X
2. Naniwa Shocked! Special Single Match: Antonio Honda Vs Magnitude Kishiwada
3. Super Sasadango Machine Vs Atsushi Maruyama

A bunch of Osaka based wrestlers will be on the show. The guests who do not have a match yet are Tsubasa, Billiken Kid, HUB, Shoichi Uchida and HAYATA.

UNION “TOWARD THE SUMMER UNION 2015”, 18/07/2015
Shin-kiba 1st RING

1. Independent World Jr. Heavyweight Title: Isami Kodaka (c) Vs Madoka

Madoka has put his AV idol problems behind him and is now gunning after Isami Kodaka and the Independent World Jr. Heavyweight Title.

DDT “OSAKA OCTOPUS 2015”, 28/11/2015
Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium #1

1. KO-D Openweight Title: HARASHIMA (c) Vs Winner Of DDT Dramatic General Election 2015

DDT’s big Osaka show this winter will be in the main arena in the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium. DDT usually runs the second smaller room but this will be their first in the main one. The main event will be a KO-D Title match with the winner of this year’s upcoming DDT Dramatic General Election being the challenger.


Empty Can Death Match, Mio Vs Arisa, 2nd Tokyo Princess Cup, Matsuyama Festival

June 10, 2015

UNION “AMANIMOMAKEZU UNION 2015”, 17/06/2015
Shin-kiba 1st RING

1. Road To The Best Of Independent Junior – 4 Way Match: Isami Kodaka Vs Madoka Vs Ryota Nakatsu Vs Daichi Kazato
2. Western Type Gentleman And Lady First Tag Death Match: Daichi & Cherry Vs Hiroshi Fukuda & Aoi Ishibashi
3. MEN’S Teioh, Kazushi Miyamoto & SAGAT Vs Ladybeard, Mitomi Masayuki & Seiya Morohashi
4. Union Fly To Everywhere World Title: Hibiscus Mii (c) Vs Mio Shirai
5. UWA World Tag Team Titles – Empty Can Death Match: Shuji Ishikawa & Masato Shibata (c) Vs Brahman Shu & Brahman Kei
6. Union MAX Title: FUMA (c) Vs Yusuke Kubo

Drinking is permitted at certain times in the Empty Can Death Match. When a wrestler finishes the drink he can use the empty can as a legal weapon. Fans are also encouraged to throw their empty cans into the ring when they are told to.

Yusuke Kubo is grateful for the opportunity to wrestle for the Union MAX Title. Not just for himself but for FUMA and the rest of the new generation in Union.

At the age of 28, Hiroshi Fukuda is beginning to consider retirement and what his lasting impact will be on the industry. He wants future generations of Japanese wrestlers to behave more like the gentlemen from Europe and the United States. To prove his point he put together a mixed tag team match to show how gentlemen should treat ladies.

UNION, OZ ACADEMY, WAVE, ICE RIBBON “M.I.O 4”, 19/06/2015
Shinjuku FACE

1. Women’s Single Match: Chikayo Nagashima Vs Risa Sera
2. 6-Person Tag Match: Misaki Ohata, Tsukasa Fujimoto & MAyumi Ozaki Vs Hiroshi Fukuda, Hamuko Hoshi & Mochi Miyagi
3. Mixed Tag Match: Aja Kong & SAGAT Vs Shuji Ishikawa & Neko Nitta
4. 4 Organization 4 Way Match: Dynamite Kansai Vs Aoi Kizuki Vs Cherry Vs Kaho Kobayashi
5. Hard Mixed Singles Match: Isami Kodaka Vs Yumi Ohka
6. Main Event Singles Match: Mio Shirai Vs Arisa Nakajima

Mio Shirai Vs Arisa Nakajima has a nice ring to it.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE GIRLS BATTLE 2015 ROUND 6”, 20/06/2015
Tokyo BASEMENT MON☆STAR

1. 3 Way Match: Nonoko Vs Shoko Nakajima Vs MIZUHO
2. Miyu Yamashita Vs Yuka Sakazaki
3. KANNA Vs Hyper Misao
4. Saki Akai & Ai Shimizu Vs Erin & Akane Miura

The Tokyo Princess Cup returns for a second year and the first round draw will take place on this show. Nonoko was the first winner and is among the eight participants in this year’s tournament. The winner will get to produce her own Tokyo Joshi event. The other competitors are Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima, Yuka Sakazaki, Erin, Akane Miura, KANNA and Ai Shimizu.

DDT “WRESTLE FESTIVAL IN MATSUYAMA 2015”, 21/06/2015
Matsuyama Comprehensive Community Center Exhibition Hall

1. Kazuki Hirata Dancing Stars First Landing: Sanshiro Takagi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Keisuke Ishii & Shigehiro Irie
2. Matsuyama Castle Wrestling Elegence Battle: HARASHIMA Vs MIKAMI
3. 3 Way Tag That In Reckless Of Hereditary Are Only Loss From Childhood: KUDO & Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Kota Ibushi & Daisuke Sasaki Vs Antonio Honda & Konosuke Takeshita

I don’t understand those match titles and I don’t think I want to understand those match titles.


UNION, OZ ACADEMY, WAVE, ICE RIBBON “M.I.O 3” Results

May 9, 2015

sasaki-shirai

UNION, OZ ACADEMY, WAVE, ICE RIBBON “M.I.O 3”, 09/05/2015
Osaka Ikuno Kumen Center
247 Fans – No Vacancy

1. Mixed 6-Person Tag Team Match: Aja Kong, Hamuko Hoshi & Daichi Kazato defeated Hiroshi Fukuda, Mika Iida & Miyako Matsumoto when Kong pinned Fukuda with the Diving Elbow Drop (12:34).
2. Special Retirement Exhibition Match: KAGUYA Vs Ayako Hamada ended in a Time Limit Draw (5:00).
3. 3 Way Match: Sonoko Kato defeated Ryo Minami and Mitsuhisa Sunabe when Kato pinned Minami with the Diving Guillotine Drop (9:44).
4. Irregular Rules Match: Shuji Ishikawa defeated Fairy Nihonbashi with the Fire Thunder (5:54).
5. Psuedo Close Match: HAYATA, Misaki Ohata & Tsukasa Fujimoto defeated Yumi Ohka, Isami Kodaka & Yuko Miyamoto when HAYATA pinned Ohka with the Tsuchigumo (15:11).
6. Thanks For Teaching And Training During The Rookie Era: Takashi Sasaki defeated Mio Shirai with the Vertical Drop D-Geist (15:10).

She is four months away from retirement but Mio Shirai found time to thank and credit Takashi Sasaki for helping during her rookie years. Before the match began Shirai offered a handshake. Sasaki asked her if she is grateful. She said she was because she would have become a bad wrestler without his help. Sasaki did not shake her hand but was happy with her answer and called for the match to start. Shirai came close to winning when she countered a Power Bomb into the Tsuchigumo. Sasaki kicked out and stopped Shirai in her tracks with a Knee Kick and a Lariat. Shirai kicked out and countered the D-Geist into a Sleeper Hold. Sasaki countered that into the Michinoku Driver II followed by the D-Geist for the three count. After the match Sasaki thanked Shirai for picking him as an opponent knowing that she only has a limited amount of matches left to wrestle. He talked about knowing Mio and her sister Io Shirai for 8 years and the times she wrestled for his FREEDOMS promotion.

Yumi Ohka blamed Isami Kodaka for their loss in the semi-main event. The two haven’t seen eye to eye ever since “M.I.O 2” and Ohka challenged Kodaka to a match on 19th June. Meanwhile Misaki Ohata suggested a 3 Way Tag Match for a show on 12th July. She and Tsukasa Fujimoto can both go find partners to take on Shirai & HAYATA. HAYATA noted that he and Shirai kind of look alike so Ohata and Fujimoto should go looking for men who have similar appearances to themselves. He advised the audience to send both women suggestions on Twitter.

Due to a difference of over 80kg in weight between Shuji Ishikawa and Fairy Nihonbashi special rules were put in place to make the match more even. Nihonbashi only needed to pin Ishikawa for a one count to win. That wasn’t enough and Ishikawa went on to win the match without any hesitation.

Shirai’s masked alter ego KAGUYA had her retirement match with Ayako Hamada. Since it was just an exhibition the bout only lasted five minutes before being declared a draw. A retirement ceremony was held for her afterwards and included a message from AAA general manager Dorian Roldan read by Hamada. The message spoke of how “KAGUYA was born in Mexico” back in 2010 and was AAA’s first female masked wrestler from Japan.

Aja Kong was clearly frustrated with having to wrestle Miyako Matsumoto in the opening match. If that wasn’t enough, Hiroshi Fukuda tried to woo her with a love song. Kong gave him a Diving Elbow Drop for his troubles.