Didn’t have time to write up a newcomers guide to DDT and Tokyo Joshi Pro for American fans this weekend. Probably won’t be until Wrestlemania Week next year when I do a new one. But something I do want to post is the little wrinkle that is the new WWE ID program. It is WWE’s new initiative for scouting wrestlers on the independent scene and two of the signings announced earlier today are playing a part in this weekend’s shows with DEFY.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO/DEFY “TJPW BRIGHT EYES”, 09/11/2024 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. Rika Tatsumi & Amira Vs Suzume & Arisu Endo
2. Yuki Kamifuku Vs Wakana Uehara
3. Moka Miyamoto Vs Rebel Kel
4. Mizuki Vs Liiza Hall
5. Miu Watanabe & Shoko Nakajima Vs Yuki Aino & Zara Zakher
6. Princess Tag Team Titles: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh (c) Vs Vert Vixen & Nicole Matthews
Zara Zakher is one of the ID signings which is notable for us because she’s currently in a Princess Of Princess Title program with Miu Watanabe. I don’t see much changing when it comes to TJPW’s plans for her. She can win the tag team match here and then lose next week’s title bout to Watanabe.
DDT/DEFY “DDT IN UTERO”, 09/11/2024 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. Marina Shafir Vs X
2. Danshoku Dieno Vs Randy Myers
3. 3 Way Tag Match: Cody Chhun & Guillermo Rosas Vs Bryan Keith & Shota Vs Eddie Pearl & Ricky Gibson
4. Gringo Loco Vs Yuni
5. Nick Wayne Vs Jack Cartwheel
6. Special Tag Match: Daisuke Sasaki & Artemis Spencer Vs Gurv Shira & Harv Shira
7. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA Vs Kohei Kinoshita
8. DDT Universal Title – 3 Way Match: MAO (c) Vs Mike Bailey Vs Miyu Yamashita
The other signing of note is Jack Summit, aka Jack Cartwheel. He will be facing Nick Wayne on the DDT show tomorrow making that match AEW Vs WWE. We are going to find out pretty quickly if there are any stipulations, restrictions or other caveats when it comes to indies booking WWE ID wrestlers with wrestlers attached to companies like AEW. Early word from insiders is that there are no restrictions in place and this match going ahead without incident would be the first piece of evidence towards that being true. You also have to remember Wayne has been a pushed commodity in the past for DEFY so in a world without WWE or AEW connections he would have been the favorite to win this match anyway.
There was an Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title change at the airport while the DDT crew were waiting on their flight. Danshoku Dieno found Yuni sleeping on a bench so he quietly pinned him to become the new champion. It’s not official yet but his match with Randy Myers will have the title on the line unless more 24/7 style title changes happen before then.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “LOOKING AROUND THE WORLD, ISN’T JAPAN AMAZING AFTER ALL!?”, 10/11/2024 Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall
1. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
2. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
3. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
4. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
5. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X & X Vs X & X
6. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X & X Vs X & X
Rakuhan: Raku, Yuki Arai, HIMAWARI, Shino Suzuki, Haru Kazashiro, Chika Nanase, Ryo Mizunami and Ram Kaichow
Pom-chan Army: Pom Harajuku, Mahiro Kiryu, Haruna Neko, Kaya Toribami, Toga, Kira Summer, Uta Takami and Yoshiko Hasegawa
Over in Tokyo the TJPW girls who didn’t travel to America have a show of their own to put together. Six matches are planned for the team challenge between Rakuhan and the Pom-chan Army. The match ups will be decided by Raku and Pom Harajuku passing their team lists to each other and picking from each other’s teams. The winning side gets 10kg of grilled unagi from the show sponsor. DEFY you still have time to get down to Pike Place Market and do the same for one of your shows!
DDT “UTAN FESTA 2024”, 10/11/2024 Tokyo JR Omori Station East Exit Plaza
1. MJ Paul & Ilusion Vs Takeshi Masada & Gota Ihashi
2. KANON Vs Keigo Nakamura
3. World Omori Title Next Challenger Battle Royal: Toru Owashi Vs Antonio Honda Vs Akito Vs Kazuki Hirata Vs Demus Vs Diego
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Iino & Yuya Koroku Vs HARASHIMA, Chikara & Yuki Ishida
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & Toy- Vs Jun Akiyama, Chris Brookes & Yukio Naya
6. World Omori Title: Soma Takao (c) Vs Masahiro Takanashi
Everyone on DDT who was left behind will be spending their day outside a Tokyo train station.
DDT/TOKYO JOSHI PRO/DEFY “TRIANGLER DTD”, 10/11/2024 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. Special Single Match: Gringo Loco Vs Miyu Yamashita
2. Special Tag Match: MAO & Mike Bailey Vs Judas Icarus & Travis Williams
3. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA Vs Yuni
The weekend comes to a finish with DDT and TJPW jumping in together with DEFY for one big finale.
1. Moeka Haruhi & Yuna Manase Vs HARUKAZE & YuuRI
2. Munetatsu Nakamura Vs Harutoki
3. Ken Ohka, Yumehito Imanari & Tsuyoshi Okada Vs Shuichiro Katsumura, Shota Kawakami & Hiroaki Moriya
4. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles: Shigehiro Irie & Mizuki Watase (c) Vs Naoki Tanizaki & Kohei Kinoshita
5. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Keisuke Ishii (c) Vs Hartley Jackson
Hiroaki Moriya is coming to Ganbare☆Pro looking to “Energize” the place. He’s been in the ring with Ken Ohka before but hasn’t with Yumehito Imanari so he’s looking forward to fighting both for different reasons.
DDT “SUMIDA DRAMATIC DREAM! ~FREE SEATING PRO WRESTLING SHOW~”, 04/11/2024 Tokyo Higashin Arena (Sumida City Gymnasium)
1. Maruto Potori Foods Presents Tag Match: Keigo Nakamura & Yuki Ishida Vs Yuni & Kazuma Sumi
2. Special Tag Match ~ Touchi-kun & Oshinari-kun & Higapyon Pro Wrestling Debut Match: Touchi-kun & Pokotan Vs Oshinari-kun & Higapyon
3. Daisuke Sasaki, KANON, MJ Paul & Demus Vs Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Iino, Masahiro Takanashi & Yuya Koroku
4. STOMPING Presents Tag Match: Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Makoto Oishi & Soma Takao
5. Special Single Match: Takeshi Masada Vs Ilusion
6. Tokyo Higashi Shinkin Bank Presents Special 6-Man Tag Match: Jun Akiyama, Yukio Naya & Shinichiro Kawamatsu Vs Satoshi Kojima, Akito & Antonio Honda
7. Toho Kogyo Presents Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & To-y Vs HARASHIMA, Danshoku Dieno & Super Sasadango Machine
8. KO-D Openweight Title – Houset Co., Ltd Presents: Shinya Aoki (c) Vs Chris Brookes
Thought we were all clear from Shinya Aoki’s threats to fight Katsuhiko Nakajima somewhere down the line? Not so fast! Aoki held a short interview with Tokyo Sports today where he said his goal is to hold onto the KO-D Openweight Title long enough that he will still be the champion when he has a grappling match in ONE FC this December. Aoki cannot believe he got a fight in ONE scheduled before he got a booking in GLEAT. He then started rambling about Nakajima and asking why he hasn’t been in the news lately?
BASARA “BASARA 261 ~SOUEN~”, 08/11/2024 Shin-Kiba 1st RING
1. Isami Kodaka & Minoru Fujita Vs Daichi Kazato & Ayato Yoshida
Earlier this year Ayato Yoshida came to BASARA as an opponent for Daichi Kazato. Now they are teaming up for his next appearance.
DDT/DEFY “DDT IN UTERO”, 09/11/2024 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. 3 Way Tag Match: Cody Chhun & Guillermo Rosas Vs Bryan Keith & Shota Vs Eddie Pearl & Ricky Gibson
2. Danshoku Dieno Vs Randy Myers
3. Gringo Loco Vs Yuni
4. Special Tag Match: Daisuke Sasaki & Artemis Spencer Vs Gurv Shira & Harv Shira
5. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA Vs Kohei Kinoshita
6. DDT Universal Title – 3 Way Match: MAO (c) Vs Mike Bailey Vs Miyu Yamashita
Miyu Yamashita’s involvement in the DEFY weekend is resulting in some creative matchups. She was already announced as one of MAO’s opponents in the DDT Universal Title match and now we know the other opponent is Mike Bailey! Yamashita could be at a disadvantage if The Moonlight Express decided to use the numbers game against her.
This is not the full card. Both Nick Wayne and Marina Shafir have been announced for the show and do not have their matches announced yet.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “LOOKING AROUND THE WORLD, ISN’T JAPAN AMAZING AFTER ALL!?”, 10/11/2024 Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall
1. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
2. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
3. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
4. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
5. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X & X Vs X & X
6. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X & X Vs X & X
Rakuhan: Raku, Yuki Arai, HIMAWARI, Shino Suzuki, Haru Kazashiro, Chika Nanase, Ryo Mizunami and Ram Kaichow
Pom-chan Army: Pom Harajuku, Mahiro Kiryu, Haruna Neko, Kaya Toribami, Toga, Kira Summer, Uta Takami and Yoshiko Hasegawa
The match card will be decided on the day by the two team captains Raku and Pom Harajuku.
DDT “UTAN FESTA 2024”, 10/11/2024 Tokyo JR Omori Station East Exit Plaza
1. MJ Paul & Ilusion Vs Takeshi Masada & Gota Ihashi
2. KANON Vs Keigo Nakamura
3. World Omori Title Next Challenger Battle Royal: Toru Owashi Vs Antonio Honda Vs Akito Vs Kazuki Hirata Vs Demus Vs Diego
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Iino & Yuya Koroku Vs HARASHIMA, Chikara & Yuki Ishida
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & Toy- Vs Jun Akiyama, Chris Brookes & Yukio Naya
6. World Omori Title: Soma Takao (c) Vs Masahiro Takanashi
Masahiro Takanashi is chosen to face Soma Takao for the World Omori Title. There is also going to be a Battle Royal to determine next year’s No. 1 Contender.
The full force of BURNING must meet the power of Chikara head on! No one shall be spared.
DDT/TOKYO JOSHI PRO/DEFY “TRIANGLER DTD”, 10/11/2024 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. Special Single Match: Gringo Loco Vs Miyu Yamashita
2. Special Tag Match: MAO & Mike Bailey Vs Judas Icarus & Travis Williams
3. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA Vs Yuni
Come on Tony, give Yuni a shot at the AEW International Title. Do it for the sickos.
The Moonlight Express will team up proper at the end of the DEFY weekend for a tag match against Sinner & Saint.
I don’t know what kind of person would ever think up a Miyu Yamashita Vs Gringo Loco match but that’s some good booking right there.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE TOUR 2024 AUTUMN”, 22/11/2024 Shinjuku FACE
1. Next Generation Tournament ’24 – Final: X Vs X
2. Rika Tatsumi & Arisu Endo Vs Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao
3. International Princess Title: Yuki Arai (c) Vs Shazza McKenzie
Big children rejoice for it’s the return of Hyper Misao to save the day! No better choice for her first match back from injury than to team up with Shoko Nakajima as Kyoraku Kyomei again. Rika Tatsumi will certainly welcome her back with a big hug that will suspiciously look a lot like a strangulation. Arisu Endo will probably stand to the side and give it a thumbs up.
Zara Zakher will be on the show.
DDT “GET ALIVE 2024”, 23/11/2024 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Akito 15th Anniversary Debut Special Single Match: Isami Kodaka Vs Akito
2. DDT Extreme Title & Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Danshoku Dieno (c/c) Vs Yuni
3. KO-D Tag Team Titles: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo & Yuya Koroku
BURNING have found themselves back in the front of the line for a KO-D Tag Team Titles shot. This time however Tetsuya Endo is teaming with Yuya Koroku instead of Yuki Iino. Koroku has a pinfall win over Shunma Katsumata and that interested MAO enough to accept his title challenge.
1. Munetatsu Nakamura Vs Harutoki
2. Moeka Haruhi & Yuna Manase Vs HARUKAZE & YuuRI
3. Ken Ohka, Yumehito Imanari & Tsuyoshi Okada Vs Shuichiro Katsumura, Shota Kawakami & Hiroaki Moriya
4. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles: Shigehiro Irie & Mizuki Watase (c) Vs Naoki Tanizaki & Kohei Kinoshita
5. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Keisuke Ishii (c) Vs Hartley Jackson
Keisuke Ishii has mindset of a challenger going into next weekend’s show even though he is the defending Spirit Of Ganbare World Champion. All of his favorite wrestlers growing up beat strong foreign opponents so he would like to do the same. However Hartley Jackson’s stock in Japan has been rising lately with appearances in New Japan, All Japan and GLEAT. If Ishii can beat him then he will tie the record for most SOG Title defences.
Things are a little different for Mizuki Watase. He sees Ishii as a fortress that protects Ganbare☆Pro. Watase & Shigehire Irie however see themselves as an attacking force that invades other fortresses. That’s why he is excited for the Spirit Of Ganbare Tag Team Titles defence against the Osaka team of Naoki Tanizaki & Kohei Kinoshita. It will be in a GanPro ring but it will also be in Osaka so who truly has the homefield advantage?
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “LOOKING AROUND THE WORLD, ISN’T JAPAN AMAZING AFTER ALL!?”, 10/11/2024 Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall
1. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
2. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
3. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
4. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
5. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X & X Vs X & X
6. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X & X Vs X & X
Rakuhan: Raku, Yuki Arai, HIMAWARI, Shino Suzuki, Haru Kazashiro, Chika Nanase, Ryo Mizunami and Ram Kaichow
Pom-chan Army: Pom Harajuku, Mahiro Kiryu, Haruna Neko, Kaya Toribami, Toga, Kira Summer, Uta Takami and Yoshiko Hasegawa
The team challenge between Rakuhan and Pom-chan Army is now sponsored by Yamada Suisan so the winning team will receive 10kg of Yamada Unagi as their luxurious prize.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE MOUNTAIN TOP 2024”, 16/11/2024 Osaka Edion Arena #2
1. Next Generation Tournament ’24 – Semi Final: Toga Vs Kira Summer
2. Next Generation Tournament ’24 – Semi Final: Haru Kazashiro Vs Winner Of Match 1D
3. Princess Of Princess Title: Miu Watanabe (c) Vs Zara Zakher
The winner of Wakana Uehara Vs Chika Nanase next week will meet Haru Kazashiro in the Next Generation Tournament semi-finals.
GANBARE☆PRO “WHERE EAGLES DARE 2024”, 17/11/2024 Shin-Kiba 1st RING
It wasn’t that long ago when GanPro was Kouki Iwasaki’s home promotion. He left in 2022 but returned this year for a couple of appearances. So in the run up to DNA’s 10th Anniversary, GanPro will be throwing a celebratory match for Iwasaki with Tatsuhito Takaiwa and Rekka among the invited guests.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE TOUR 2024 AUTUMN”, 27/10/2024 Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall 350 Fans – Super No Vacancy
1. Arisu Endo & Toga defeated Kira Summer & Chika Nanase when Endo submitted Nanase with the Camel Clutch (9:20).
2. Haruna Neko Return Match: Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku defeated Haruna Neko, Suzume & Mahiro Kiryu when Aino pinned Neko with the Venus DDT (10:18).
3. Next Generation Tournament ’24 – Round 1: Haru Kazashiro defeated Uta Takami with the Fisherman Suplex (6:49).
4. Yuki Kamifuku defeated Runa Okubo with two Famousers (8:15).
5. Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami defeated Shoko Nakajima & Yoshiko Hasegawa when Miyamoto submitted Hasegawa with the Rashomon (12:38).
6. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh defeated Rika Tatsumi & HIMAWARI when Yamashita pinned HIMAWARI with a Buzzsaw Kick (12:30).
7. Miu Watanabe & Wakana Uehara defeated Mizuki & Shino Suzuki when Watanabe pinned Suzuki with the Tear Drop. (11:59).
After the main event Miu Watanabe threw her support behind Wakana Uehara for the Next Generation Tournament. She’ll be cheering her on and encouraged Wakana to talk about it because she loves her enthusiasm. Uehara said she will definitely win the tournament for the second year in a row.
Today is the last time we’ll see Runa Okubo in a wrestling ring, at least for now. She is going on an indefinite hiatus to focus on her high school education so for her final match she got to face the person she most admires on the roster, Yuki Kamifuku. For the occasion Kamifuku used the Famouser twice to win the match before hugging Okubo afterwards. Okubo thanked everyone for taking care of her for the last year and seven months. Thnaks to pro wrestling she was able to meet so many wonderful people and she will love them always. Backstage Kamifuku said Okubo is at a sensitive point in her life because of her age and she wants her to live her life well. It’ll up to “that brat” Okubo to make the most of it. Okubo said she is sorry for her fans and her parents that she hasn’t shown her true potential yet. She wants to work hard and not make excuses.
The other two teenage girls on the roster faced each other in the Next Generation Tournament. Haru Kazashiro got the win over Uta Takami by hitting the Low Cross Body followed by the Fisherman Suplex. Kazashiro is said that Okubo is going away but knows it isn’t a goodbye so she wanted to show her how much she has grown. She is also glad to see how much Takami is having fun with wrestling every time they meet in the ring. Kazashiro wanted to win the match today not to crush Takami’s potential but to expand it even more. Takami admitted she went into the match with fake confidence to convince herself that she would win. She realised during the match that it was a bad idea because whenever she senses genuine intensity it feels different.
Haruna Neko is finally back after spending so long recovering from a torn ACL and torn meniscus in her left knee. The Love Triangle celebrated her return by all wearing cat ears before the match began. The ring rust still needs to be shaken off because Neko dropped the fall in her first match back, losing when Yuki Aino dodged the Nekodebreaker and pinned her with the Venus DDT. Aino had kind words to say about Neko’s return and believe she found a way to still get stronger during her recovery. Also according to Nao Kakuta online she was at the show today to see Neko’s return match.
The teams for the Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army team challenged on 10th November were picked before today’s show began. The Rakuhan consists of captain Raku, HIMAWARI, Ryo Mizunami, Ram Kaichow, Haru Kazashiro, Yuki Arai, Shino Suzuki and Chika Nanase. The Pom-chan Army is captain Pom Harajuku, Kaya Toribami, Mahiro Kiryu, Yoshiko Hasegawa, Uta Takami, Haruna Neko, Kira Summer and Toga. The winning team will receive 10kg of broiled eel as their prize because the show is now being sponsored by the Yamada Suisan seafood company.
Hyper Misao announced her return match from injury will take place on 22nd November. She has been out of action since April with a fractured ankle she suffered at the “GCW VS TJPW” show in America.
There will be a weekend of shows in January where TJPW will be at Mizuki and Yuki Aino’s hometowns. Mizuki’s show in Kobe is on 11th January and Aino’s show in Okayama is on the 12th.
DDT “AKOS X DDT EKIMAE PRO WRESTLING”, 26/10/2024 Saitama AKOS Event Square
1. Danshoku Dieno, Kazuki Hirata & Shunma Katsumata Vs HARASHIMA, Yuki Ishida & Kazuma Sumi
2. Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Iino & Yuya Koroku Vs Jun Akiyama, Yukio Naya & Keigo Nakamura
3. The 37KAMIINA Vs SCHADENFREUDE International!: Yuki Ueno, MAO & To-y Vs Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada
The weekend begins with a short and free DDT show over in a Saitama plaza.
DDT “FUKUSHIMA ADATARA ONSEN HOTEL PARADISE HILLS BOX OFFICE”, 27/10/2024 Fukushima Adatara Onsen Hotel Paradise Hills Sakura Campground Special Venue
1. Yukio Naya Vs Keigo Nakamura
2. MJ Paul Vs Yuki Ishida
3. Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata Vs To-y & Kazuma Sumi
4. Special Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo & Makoto Oishi Vs Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada
5. Yuki Iino, Akito, Yuni & Yuya Koroku Vs Daisuke Sasaki, KANON, Demus & Ilusion
6. Sakura Campground Will Be Used In Its Entirety! Paradise-Style Falls Count Anywhere 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Shunma Katsumata Vs Jun Akiyama, HARASHIMA & Antonio Honda
This is going to be an outdoor show. If the weather in Paradise Hills is bad on Sunday then the ring will be moved to an area with shelter.
DDT “DDT PRO WRESTLING IN SHINGASHI”, 02/11/2024 Saitama Takashina Elementary School
1. Shunma Katsumata, To-y & Kazuma Sumi Vs Yukio Naya, Yuya Koroku & Yuki Ishida
2. Special Tag Match: Makoto Oishi & Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Akito & Kaya Toribami
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Danshoku Dieno, HARASHIMA & Tetsuya Endo Vs Chris Brookes, Takeshi Masada & Keigo Nakamura
Next weekend DDT will be doing another outdoor free show in Saitama, this time at an elementary school. Yoshiko Hasegawa and Kaya Toribami are coming along for the ride too.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “MAHIRO KIRYU TRIUMPHANT RETURN ~TOKYO JOSHI SHINOYABO~”, 03/11/2024 Gunma G-Messe Main Hall C (Takasaki City)
1. 3 Way Match: Rika Tatsumi Vs Pom Harajuku Vs Arisu Endo
2. Suzume & Haruna Neko Vs Kaya Toribami & Toga
3. Maki Itoh & Kira Summer Vs Shoko Nakajima & HIMAWARI
4. Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Uta Takami
5. Next Generation Tournament ’24 – Round 1D: Wakana Uehara Vs Chika Nanase
6. Miu Watanabe, Raku & Shino Suzuki Vs Mizuki, Yuki Aino & Haru Kazashiro
7. Miyu Yamashita & Moka Miyamoto Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu
Gunma is Mahiro Kiryu’s territory so she gets the main event spot. She is also teaming with Yuki Kamifuku which means Toyo Mates are back together for the first time in a long while. The Karate Tag pair of Miyu Yamashita & Moka Miyamoto will be their opponents.
DDT/DEFY “DDT IN UTERO”, 09/11/2024 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. Danshoku Dieno Vs Randy Myers
2. Gringo Loco Vs Yuni
3. Special Tag Match: Daisuke Sasaki & Artemis Spencer Vs Gurv Shira & Harv Shira
4. 3 Way Tag Match: Cody Chhun & Guillermo Rosas Vs Bryan Keith & Shota Vs Eddie Pearl & Ricky Gibson
5. DDT Universal Title – 3 Way Match: MAO (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita Vs X
6. Special Single Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA Vs Kohei Kinoshita
Seattle is where MAO will have his first defence of his latest DDT Universal Title reign. It’s going to be a 3 Way Match and Yamashita is one of the opponents, making it her first time she will be properly fighting for a DDT championship (other than the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title). The other opponent is a mystery for now.
One of the other new matches on the show is on the DEFY end of things. Cody Chhun & Guillermo Rosas are known together as C4 and they are the current DEFY Tag Team Champions. One of the other regular teams is Eddie Pearl & Ricky Gibson, aka Midnight Heat. The third team have previously been opponents against each other. Bryan Keith was somebody that Shota faced during one of his American excursions two years ago.
Marina Shafir will be on the show. If Kazuki Hirata isn’t her opponent then what are we doing here (I’m predicting Yoshihiko is in the 3 Way Match)?
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “LOOKING AROUND THE WORLD, ISN’T JAPAN AMAZING AFTER ALL!?”, 10/11/2024 Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall
1. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
2. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
3. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
4. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X Vs X
5. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X & X Vs X & X
6. Rakuhan Vs Pom-chan Army: X & X Vs X & X
Around a dozen wrestlers from Tokyo Joshi Pro will be in Seattle for the DEFY weekend in November. Meanwhile everyone else left behind in Japan will be running a TJPW show built around a team challenge with a luxurious prize on the line. Raku and Pom Harajuku will each captain a team and will draft their members out of a pool of 16 wrestlers (14 from TJPW plus 2 guests). The teams will be drafted this Sunday before that day’s show begins.
DDT “GET ALIVE 2024 TOUR IN YOKOHAMA”, 16/11/2024 Yokohama Radiant Hall
1. Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata Vs Soma Takao & Kazuma Sumi
2. HARASHIMA, Toru Owashi & Keigo Nakamura Vs Akito, Yukio Naya & Diego
3. Special Tag Match: Shinya Aoki & Jun Akiyama Vs Yuki Ueno & To-y
Once “CHARISMANIA” is over and done with, Diego will be sticking around for another DDT show.
DDT “MAO TRIUMPHANT RETURN! DRAMATIC DREAM TAISEIKAN ~THE VILLAGE IS WHERE THE SCHOOL IS~ 2024”, 17/11/2024 Miyagi Osaki City Matsuyama B&G Marine Center
1. Makoto Oishi Vs Kazuma Sumi
2. Jun Akiyama & HARASHIMA Vs Keigo Nakamura & Yuki Ishida
3. Special Tag Match: MAO & Yuki Ueno Vs Minoru Suzuki & Chris Brookes
Imagine coming home to wrestle in front of your friends, family and adoring fans but Minoru Suzuki is also there and he wants to kill you. That will keep MAO on his toes.
BJW “KING OF DEATHMATCH WORLD GP TOURNAMENT”, 31/12/2024 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
The annual New Year’s Eve show that Big Japan, DDT and others have held together for almost two decades is not going ahead this year. Instead of doing a Shuffle Tag Tournament with DDT, Big Japan will instead hold their own one night international death match tournament. BJW’s president Eiji Tosaka wants to show the power of Japan’s death matches to the world especially since next year will be the company’s 30th Anniversary. He asked DDT for their blessing and they agreed to let him do this show at Korakuen Hall instead of the usual Shuffle Tag Tournament.
It’s a disappointing decision but also one I understand. DDT will be running Sumo Hall a few days before New Year’s Eve so that will be their priority for the end of 2024. Also the New Year’s Eve show itself has been dwindling in popularity and interest over the last few years, particularly coming out of the covid pandemic where the show can’t even be held close to midnight anymore. So while I will miss the Shuffle Tag Tournament, the truth is it’s time to try something different. Big Japan’s idea kind of reminds me of the annual “BLOOD X’MAS” shows that FREEDOMS and Jun Kasai both produce every Christmas. Can they reach the same heights though? If there are any DDT wrestlers entering the tournament (Shunma Katsumata would be the likely choice) I will post updates and the show results when they happen. If not then at least that’s less stuff for me to worry about on New Year’s Eve.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE TOUR 2024 AUTUMN”, 19/10/2024 Miyagi Yume Messe Miyagi West Building Hall 159 Fans
1. Moka Miyamoto defeated Chika Nanase with the Rashomon (6:44).
2. 3 Way Match: Mahiro Kiryu defeated Kaya Toribami and Haru Kazashiro when Kiryu pinned Kazashiro with the Spinebuster (8:01).
3. Next Generation Tournament ’24 – Round 1: Kira Summer defeated Shino Suzuki with the Samoan Drop (6:14).
4. Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku defeated Maki Itoh, Toga & Uta Takami when Aino pinned Takami with the Venus DDT (11:32).
5. Mizuki defeated Yoshiko Hasegawa with the Cutie Special (9:54).
6. Rika Tatsumi & Suzume defeated Shoko Nakajima & Wakana Uehara when Suzume pinned Uehara with the Ring A Bell (13:51).
7. Miu Watanabe & Arisu Endo defeated Yuki Kamifuku & HIMAWARI when Watanabe pinned HIMAWARI with the Tear Drop (12:46).
Miu Watanabe celebrated her 25th birthday (it was also Sayuri Namba’s 31st birthday) by picking up the win with Arisu Endo in today’s main event. Since she is another year older she has noticed the wrestlers younger than her are getting stronger so she cannot afford to lose against them. She also enjoyed wrestling in the Sendai region again because it’s been a year since Tokyo Joshi Pro last held a show here. Endo said she wants to conquer Tohoku too!
Match #4 began with all of Love Triangle deciding to fall asleep in the ring instead of shaking their opponents’ hands. Maki Itoh knew what they were up to though and told Toga & Uta Takami to take a nap with her too. Pom Harajuku got up to attack Itoh but was Cradled into a nearfall instead. Itoh was then able to get everyone crowded up in the corner to do the World Cutest Knuckle Punch on Yuki Aino, Raku & Harajuku. Somehow Harajuku got her hands on a Date Masamune helmet and put it on to power herself up.
One of the semi-finals of the Next Generation Tournament is now set. Kira Summer won her opening round match by beating Shino Suzuki. She countered Suzuki’s Sleeper Hold by standing back up to reposition Suzuki into the Samoan Drop for the victory. Summer said it feels like a dream and she will carry Suzuki’s feelings along with her own for the rest of the tournament. She will be facing Toga in the next round. Suzuki is despondent over losing and doesn’t know what to do anymore. She works hard but now she is losing to her juniors. She thought she would start catching up to her peers but now it feels like she can’t even have the chance to do that anymore.
Mahiro Kiryu pretended to be the referee and body checked her two opponents before the 3 Way Match began. She then ordered Kaya Toribami and Haru Kazashiro to fight each other before attempting to roll them up in a bid to quickly win the match. She of course apologised for her behaviour when the plan didn’t work.
Another Garafes concert featured The Up Up Girls among the lineup sing songs and also wrestle. Wakana Uehara and Pom Harajuku were along for the ride, sticking around to do commentary for the matches they weren’t involved in.
One of the other events that took place during Garafes was an arm wrestling tournament between a bunch of idols. The eventual winner was given a bonus arm wrestling match against a mysterious masked woman named M-chan who was wearing a familiar pink wrestling costume. M-chan easily defeated her opponent.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “ALL RISE ’24”, 06/10/2024 Tokyo Korakuen Hall 611 Fans
1. Wakana Uehara & Haru Kazahiro defeated Toga & Uta Takami when Uehara submitted Takami with the Banana Pillow (9:43).
2. Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku defeated Kakeru Sekiguchi, Kira Summer & Chika Nanase when Aino pinned Nanase with the Venus DDT (10:02).
3. Suzume & Yoshiko Hasegawa defeated Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami when Hasegawa pinned Toribami with the Diving Double Knee Attack (10:08).
4. Mizuki & Mahiro Kiryu defeated Andreza Giant Panda & Shino Suzuki when Mizuki pinned Suzuki with the Cutie Special (7:53).
5. Maki Itoh & Rika Tatsumi defeated Yuna Manase & HIMAWARI when Tatsumi pinned HIMAWARI with an Inside Cradle (10:23).
6. Yuki Kamifuku defeated Kuroshio TOKYO Japan with an Ikemen Clutch Counter (5:58).
7. Ryo Mizunami defeated Arisu Endo with the HOT LIMIT (10:20).
8. Special Tag Match: Meiko Satomura & Shoko Nakajima defeated Miu Watanabe & Miyu Yamashita when Satomura pinned Yamashita with the Death Valley Bomb (18:40).
A grudge from seven years ago has been rekindled. Meiko Satomura first entered Tokyo Joshi Pro in 2017 to have a match against Miyu Yamashita and didn’t see the hype about her at all. She defeated her in an overwhelming fashion and that result has stuck with Yamashita all this time. So when news came out that Satomura will retire from wrestling next year, Yamashita quickly convinced TJPW to bring Satomura back so she can get a crack at revenge. It was decided that Yamashita will team with Miu Watanabe, bringing Momoiro Sparkling back together. It would also give Satomura a chance to wrestle the new top star of the promotion. Meanwhile Satomura was paired with Shoko Nakajima, partly because both of them are from Niigata so they at least had one reason to get along.
Satomura was the big target for Momoiro Sparkling. Yamashita in particular threw everything she had at her. She escaped the Death Valley Bomb to hit the Skull Kick but Satomura kicked out of it. She then went for the Crash Rabbit Heat but Satomura blocked it and returned fire with a Back Drop. Yamashita had the Scorpio Rising scouted and looked to have turned the tables again but Nakajima cut her momentum off before wiping out Watanabe with a Topé con Hilo. From there Satomura took over, landing two Death Valley Bombs on Yamashita. She then used the Scorpio Rising but didn’t hit the move right so she went back to using one more Death Valley Bomb to pin Yamashita for the three count.
After the match Yamashita stared and Satomura and wanted to strike her. Satomura stopped Yamashita and ordered her to stand back in her corner with Watanabe. She then got on the microphone and said even though TJPW’s style is different from other promotions, once you step inside the ring everyone becomes your enemy! Satomura will be retiring in six months time and before that happens she is planning to come back to TJPW for another match. So if there is anyone who in TJPW who wants to fight her again she will be waiting for them! Backstage Yamashita wasted little time in telling reporters she wants a singles match against Satomura because she cannot let her retire without finally being able to kick her down. Watanabe and Nakajima also showed interest in wanting to fight Satomura more after they heard her post-match speech.
Arisu Endo was also given a big wall to climb for her match. Both she and Ryo Mizunami were coming off of title match defeats at “WRESTLE PRINCESS V” so they were hungry for a bounce back victory. Endo used a Sleeper Hold to take Mizunami down to the mat to move into the Camel Clutch. But Mizunami was too stubborn to stay down from Endo’s further attacks and escaped from the Ju no Okite. She turned Endo inside out with a Lariat and then won the match with the HOT LIMIT. She said Endo has a long way to go but what’s charming about her is her incredible originality. She can tell Endo is starting to enjoy wrestling and feel fulfilled by it. She could become a fearsome wrestler in two or three years time. Endo thinks she gained more than she lost from this match. Mizunami’s power and passion motivates her to take another step forward.
With the Asian Double Crown match postponed until Xia Zhao can sort out her visa problem, Yuki Kamifuku was given a mystery opponent instead. The dreaded X turned out to be Kuroshio TOKYO Japan, full blown entrance and all! Kamifuku was confused by Kuroshio’s delayed entrance especially when the song ended and he left the room, only to return when the song restarted. When he was finally ready to start the match he told Kamifuku he heard she would like to have a match with him some day. So when he found out she needed an opponent on short notice, he was happy to answer the call. Kamifuku said that is true but she doesn’t want to do the match today. She then called him an idiot for not understanding how women feel. Kuroshio took offence and attacked her. He then brought her out to the front row just so he could attack her in front of one of her biggest fans. Back in the ring Kamifuku fought back and hit the Famouser for a nearfall. Kuroshio made a comeback but his Ikemen Clutch finisher was countered out of nowhere, resulting in Kamifuku pulling off the upset victory. She later praised Kuroshio for being the surprise opponent. She appreciated that he came dressed like someone from TJPW would and thinks they could even team together next time. Kuroshio though wanted to make it clear this appearance wasn’t meant to be a polite gesture. He really wanted to win and then challenge Kamifuku for her two championships.
Can you believe today was the very first time Maki Itoh & Rika Tatsumi teamed up together for a regular tag match? Maybe it’s for a good reason because Tatsumi was really enthusiastic for Itoh’s singing entrance. It was enough to annoy Itoh and throw off their team dynamic before the match even began. Yuna Manase & HIMAWARI were a little off-kilter too by they had the teamwork to make up for it. As the match went on Itoh dragged HIMAWARI out of the ring and tied her hair up against the bleacher handrail by the entrance. While Manase went over to free her, Itoh & Tatsumi started in-fighting again and even attacked each other. Things calmed down between them until Itoh missed a Headbutt aimed for HIMAWARI that hit Tatsumi instead. HIMAWARI then tricked Tatsumi into choking Itoh in the corner. Sensing victory, HIMAWARI tried to put Tatsumi in a Half Crab Hold but it was countered into an Inside Cradle for the three count. Tatsumi shook Itoh’s hand after the match but Itoh responded by giving her the middle finger.
Trust the bunny rabbit to bring a weapon for a fight against a giant panda. Mizuki carried a Pico Pico Hammer to the ring, jumped off the top rope and landed a direct hit right onto Andreza Giant Panda’s noggin. Mahiro Kiryu was horrified by her partner’s actions and forced Mizuki to apologise with her. Andreza recovered and knocked back Kiryu with a Spinning Back Fist. Shino Suzuki tagged in to do the heavy lifting while Andreza recovered out of the ring. He returned but was cut off by Kiryu demanded that he too should apologise to everyone. Andreza took a moment to consider before kneeling down on the canvas to apologise dogeza style. Then he got back up and immediately Headbutted Kiryu. Andreza went for another Headbutt that missed Mizuki and hit Suzuki instead. Mizuki brought out a rope and ran circles around Andreza to make him trip over. She then hit a Diving Foot Stomp and had Kiryu keep the panda down so she could pin Suzuki with the Cutie Special. Backstage Andreza apologised to Suzuki via his handler.
With Endo busy being a singles wrestler today, Suzume went to team with Yoshiko Hasegawa. The pairing worked out well and the two of them defeated Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami. Miyamoto did her part in getting rid of Suzume but Toribami found herself going back and forth against Hasegawa. It ended in Hasegawa’s favour with her hitting the Diving Double Knee Attack for the win.
Halloween is this month so the Love Triangle were in a trick or treat mood. Yuki Aino brought out a brand new red and pink costume for the match while Pom Harajuku wore a paper mask of Mahiro Kiryu’s face to make fun of Kakeru Sekiguchi. She even tried to copy Kiryu’s apology as a joke but Sekiguchi told her to do it properly. Aino almost pinned Chika Nanase with a Senton but Kira Summer broke the pin. Sekiguchi tried to follow up but was taken out by the teamwork of Raku & Harajuku. Aino was then clear to beat Nanase with the Venus DDT.
The opening match was a preview for the Next Generation Tournament beginning later this month with four of the eight participants facing off in a tag bout. Toga & Uta Takami were both fired up to fight last year’s winner Wakana Uehara. However Haru Kazahiro took out Toga with a Low Cross Body and while Takami put up a passionate fight, Uehara made her tap out to the Banana Pillow.
At the start of the show Haruna Neko announced she is finally cleared to start wrestling again and her comeback match will take place on 27th October. She had been out of action since last September when she tore both her ACL and her meniscus. During her time off to recover she was able to be an advertised second at ringside for some of TJPW’s major shows.
Two new trainees who were introduced to the audience. Kana is a 19 year old from Kanagawa who is also a trainee for The Up Up Girls (Pro Wrestling). Her trainee role was already revealed by The Up Up Girls back in July but today is the first time TJPW is acknowledging her. The other trainee is Konatsu, a 23 year old from Shizuoka. She was inspired by Suzume to become a pro wrestler. TJPW also announced they will be holding more auditions for new trainees throughout the rest of the month.
God it feels like it’s been forever since I wrote so much about AEW in this series of articles. Konosuke Takeshita is getting more screen time with the one and only Kazuchika Okada becoming his new main target. Also Yuka Sakazaki returned to the ring and had several matches surrounding the AEW Women’s World Title. It even ended with an unusual reunion with somebody she used to know from Tokyo Joshi Pro. Sakazaki’s story did not end with her achieving gold and glory. It looks like she’s able to stick around this time though. She might end up taking a back seat in AEW from here on out or maybe she’ll drop down to Ring Of Honor but fingers crossed at least we all get to see her again.
Speaking of TJPW, a good few of the women there spent a lot of time travelling this month. Maki Itoh went back to America to finish off what was left of her disrupted tour. Shoko Nakajima reminded everyone she is quite the tournament wrestler by reaching yet another final. Yuki Kamifuku is continuing to prove why she deserves to be called the Queen Of Asia Champion. Plus in a change of pace we also got Raku & Pom Harajuku going on an adventure together in Thailand. As shown above Kenoh from NOAH was there too but he’s not important.
AEW “COLLISION”, 06/09/2024 NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA
1. Continental Contenders Challenge: Konosuke Takeshita Vs The Beast Mortos
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 13/09/2024 Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita (w/ Don Callis) Vs Action Andretti (w/Lio Rush & Leila Grey)
MKW “CHAMPIONSHIP SUPERCARD FROM SHANGHAI”, 14/09/2024 Bandai Namco Shanghai Base, Shanghai, China
1. Queen Of Asia Title: Yuki Kamifuku (c) defeated Crystal (w/ Chairman Al)
AEW “COLLISION”, 14/09/2024 Nutter Center, Dayton, Ohio, USA
1. Yuka Sakazaki Vs Serena Deeb
GCW “BAD ONE”, 14/09/2024 Harpos Concert Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs Kylie Rae
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 18/09/2024 Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Yuka Sakazaki & Queen Aminata Vs Mariah May & Serena Deeb
2. Kazuchika Okada, Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson Vs Will Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher
AEW “DYNAMITE – GRAND SLAM”, 25/09/2024 Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York City, New York, USA
1. AEW Women’s World Title: Mariah May (c) Vs Yuka Sakazaki
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 27/09/2024 MassMutual Center, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Angelico
SETUP “CHAOPHRAYA VOYAGE: 12TH ANNIVERSARY OF THAI WRESTLING”, 28/09/2024 The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand
1. SETUP All Asia Women’s Title – 3 Way Match: Matcha (c) Vs Raku Vs Pom Harajuku
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Results
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 04/09/2024 UW Panther Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
1. Dark Match: Konosuke Takeshita defeated Komander (w/ Alex Abrahantes) (?:??).
Not much to talk about Takeshita’s first match of the month. He beat Komander in a post-Dynamite dark match that followed up on the 4 Way they were both a part of the week prior. The result was pretty much the same here as it was in the 4 Way. Don Callis ordered Takeshita to give Komander another beating after the match but The Beast Mortos ran down to stop him. Takeshita and Mortos then got into a pull apart brawl.
AEW “COLLISION”, 06/09/2024 NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA
1. Continental Contenders Challenge: Konosuke Takeshita defeated The Beast Mortos with the Raging Fire (12:00).
So a few days later Takeshita and Mortos faced off with a little something extra on the line. The winner would qualify for a 4 Way Match at “ALL OUT” that also includes Okada putting the AEW Continental Title on the line. Takeshita discovered it would take a lot more than just using his big Elbow Strike to knock the minotaur down and out. Mortos was hard headed enough to keep standing after taking a German Suplex that made him land on the top of his dome. The two of them also fought up to the top rope where Mortos lifted Takeshita up in a Gorilla Press and threw him down from such a high height. Things went to even more of a standstill after a Double Heabutt spot but Takeshita survived the trampling and got in a critical hit by using a Busaiku Knee Strike. After that he used the Raging Fire on Mortos and that won him the match.
F1RST “SATURDAY NIGHT NITRO”, 07/09/2024 Mall Of America, Bloomington, Minnesota, USA
1. Allie Katch & Effy defeated Danhausen & Maki Itoh when Effy pinned Danhausen with a Cradle (?:??).
The famous Mall Of America was the location where Itoh met up with Danhausen again. This time they were teaming up as Very Cute, Very Evil Makihausen and that meant Itoh showed up in face paint! Their match against Bussy started off as a contest to see who was cutest between all four of them. Danhausen & Itoh both poured a jar of teeth down their opponents’ mouths and then kicked their faces. But things went wrong for them when they both tried to curse their opponents. Effy & Allie Katch both ducked the curse, leaving Danhausen & Itoh to curse each other! They started arguing leading to Danhausen giving Itoh a shove. Katch didn’t like what she was seeing and pushed Danhausen away from Itoh, unintentionally tripping him over Effy. Effy then pinned down Danhausen for the three count while Itoh got a comforting hug from Katch.
AEW “ALL OUT 2024”, 07/09/2024 NOW Arena, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, USA
1. AEW Continental Title – 4 Way Match: Kazuchika Okada (c) defeated Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy and Konosuke Takeshita when Okada pinned Cassidy with the Rainmaker (14:59). *V5 for Kazuchika Okada.
Okada is as big of a target that Takeshita could ask for in all of pro wrestling let alone AEW or Japan. But he had two other bodies to contend with because Orange Cassidy and Mark Briscoe were also in the match aiming to win the Continental Title. He needed eyes in the back of his head and that was proven by the finish. Takeshita almost beat Briscoe with the Powerdrive Knee but Cassidy broke the pin. Takeshita then countered the Orange Punch with an Elbow Strike and tried to set up the Raging Fire only for Okada to stop him. Okada then gave Briscoe the Rainmaker, Dropkicked Takeshita from the apron to the floor and after a small scare from Cassidy, he pinned Cassidy with the Rainmaker to remain champion. The cameras made sure to stay on Takeshita while Okada left to celebrate his victory. Things aren’t over between them yet.
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 11/09/2024 (Aired 13/09/2024) Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita (w/ Don Callis) defeated Action Andretti (w/Lio Rush & Leila Grey) with the Raging Fire (11:53).
Things at the PPV didn’t go Takeshita’s way so it was time to bounce back. Action Andretti turned out to be more of a challenge than the match-up suggested on paper. However Andretti missed a Springboard 450 and also jumped right into an Elbow Smash. Takeshita then used the Powerdrive Knee but held up Andretti at a 2 count. That was just so Takeshita could use the Raging Fire to end things on an even more painful looking note.
AEW “COLLISION”, 12/09/2024 (Aired 14/09/2024) Nutter Center, Dayton, Ohio, USA
1. Yuka Sakazaki defeated Serena Deeb with the Magical Girl Splash (10:38).
Guess who returned after being sidelined with an injury for the last five months? Sakazaki was back and her first AEW match in a long time was going to be against Serena Deeb. That was a matchup AEW were building up to anyway before Sakazaki got hurt so it seemed like whatever was planned back then was held aside all this time until Sakazaki was ready again. But first she introduced herself to Mariah May backstage and told her she is coming after the AEW Women’s Title. May didn’t take too kindly to that idea but her violent threats were no sold by Sakazaki. Later in the show Sakazaki went on to not only beat Deeb but also fend off a post-match attack from May. Sakazaki celebrated a good night by holding up the title belt.
MKW “CHAMPIONSHIP SUPERCARD FROM SHANGHAI”, 14/09/2024 Bandai Namco Shanghai Base, Shanghai, China
1. Queen Of Asia Title: Yuki Kamifuku (c) defeated Crystal (w/ Chairman Al) (?:??). *V3 for Yuki Kamifuku.
The reigning Queen Of Asia Champion travelled to China for her latest title defence. Kamifuku headlined a Middle Kingdom Wrestling show in Shanghai, beating Crystal to retain one of the Asian Double Crown belts. She gave a speech to the fans in both Chinese and English after the match.
GCW “BAD ONE”, 14/09/2024 Harpos Concert Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA
1. Maki Itoh defeated Kylie Rae with the Stunner (9:23).
Maki Itoh’s GCW dates in August got cut short due to injury but she was able to come back this month to get through the second half of her latest tour. Nobody was happier to see her than Kylie Rae because they were meant wrestle each other on one of Itoh’s cancelled dates. It didn’t take long for the fun and games to turn into slaps and strikes though. In fact Rae started losing her cool and started pulling cheap tricks to try and win like using the ropes to leverage a pin. The ref caught her doing it though and stopped his count. Itoh’s hard head gave her the defensive advantage and she was able to beat Rae with the Stunner. Itoh forgave Rae for playing dirty and the two made up after the match.
GCW “THA G-CODE”, 15/09/2024 Water Street Music Hall, Rochester, New York, USA
1. 4 Way Match: Sawyer Wreck defeated Maki Itoh, Brooke Havok and Dark Sheik when Wreck pinned Havok with a Neck Hanging Bomb (7:54).
The next night Itoh found herself in a 4 Way Match with opponents old and new. She’s been in the ring with both Sawyer Wreck and Dark Sheik a bunch of times while Brooke Havok was a new face for her to wrestle. Itoh was taken out by a Tornado Kick from Shiek, Havok dropped Sheik with a Pumphandle Drop and Wreck then pinned Sheik with a Neck Hanging Bomb. Itoh was too far away to break the pin before the three count.
DPW “CAROLINA CLASSIC”, 15/09/2024 Durham Convention Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
1. Battle Of The Best – Round 2: Shoko Nakajima defeated Jada Stone with the Diving Senton (?:??).
The Big Kaiju returned to Deadlock Pro to compete in the next round of the Battle Of The Best tournament. However plans had to change when her scheduled opponent Trish Adora was unable to compete. Jada Stone grabbed the opportunity to fill in for Adora by winning a pre-show match held to determine Nakajima’s new opponent. She put up a good fight but in the end Nakajima booked her place in the final using the Diving Senton to win.
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 18/09/2024 Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Yuka Sakazaki & Queen Aminata defeated Mariah May & Serena Deeb by Disqualification when May attacked Sakazaki with the AEW Women’s World Title Belt (7:57).
2. Will Ospreay, Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher defeated Kazuchika Okada, Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson when Fletcher pinned Matt Jackson after the Coriolis (21:05).
Things are getting a little more tense with Takeshita now. He had another chance to face Okada in the ring but had to team with other members of The Don Callis Family. There’s a little “family” rivalry brewing between him and Will Ospreay so some jealous looks during tags were hard to hide from everybody. Okada also had The Young Bucks backing him up to be a pain in everyone’s sides. Ospreay & Kyle Fletcher pulled out the win in the end but the aftermath only showed there are more signs of infighting between Takeshita and Ospreay.
It was now clear that Sakazaki will be facing May for the AEW Women’s Title near the end of the month. A preview tag had Sakazaki dealing with both May and Deeb again. Her tag partner Queen Aminata had also been spending the month so far in a similar position so they became a team with common enemies. Sakazaki had was about to beat Deeb with the Magical Girl Splash again for the second time in a row when May ran into the ring with her title belt and hit Sakazaki behind the head with it. The match ended in a DQ but May continued to attack Sakazaki with the title to get her own back for what happened a week earlier.
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 21/09/2024 (Aired 27/09/2024) MassMutual Center, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Angelico with the Raging Fire (9:09).
Due to AEW’s taping schedule this match was kept in the bag for a week and didn’t air until near the end of the month. Just like with the Andretti match, Angelico made the grave mistake of going high risk and jumping his way right into an Elbow Smash to the jaw. The Blue Thunder Bomb and then the Raging Fire ended Takeshita’s month with a win.
AEW “DYNAMITE – GRAND SLAM”, 25/09/2024 Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York City, New York, USA
1. AEW Women’s World Title: Mariah May (c) defeated Yuka Sakazaki with the Storm Zero (6:11). *V2 for Mariah May.
Sadly for Sakazaki her long delayed quest to win the AEW Women’s Title ended in failure over at Arthur Ashe Stadium. May beat her clean by blocking the Magical Girl Splash with her knees and then using the Storm Zero for the three count. May wanted to continue attacking Sakazaki after the match but Willow Nightingale ran down to make the save. Then in an interesting reunion Mina Shirakawa made her entrance with the intention of protecting her close friend by evening the odds. However her “incredible live show charisma” was such a distraction that Nightingale dropped her guard allowing May strike her from behind with the title belt. May ran off to celebrate with Shirakawa, Shirakawa was confused by her actions and Sakazaki tried to chase after May before stopping in front of her old workmate.
SETUP “CHAOPHRAYA VOYAGE: 12TH ANNIVERSARY OF THAI WRESTLING”, 28/09/2024 The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand
1. SETUP All Asia Women’s Title – 3 Way Match: Matcha (c) defeated Raku and Pom Harajuku when Matcha pinned Raku with the Stunner (?:??). *V3 for Matcha.
Both Raku and Harajuku made their way over to Thailand to be part of a big SETUP show. The event also included Kenoh as one of the headline stars but I’m not here to write about him. Raku got to perform for the crowd at the start of the show and then returned later to fight for a championship. Matcha put her SETUP All Asia Women’s Title on the line against her and Harajuku in a 3 Way Match. Raku took a bried nap in the middle of the ring, forcing Matcha and Harajuku to wrestle each other over her. Raku and Harajuku went on to have some fun at Matcha’s expense until the champion reached her limit and put a stop to it all. Harajuku gave Raku the Pom de Justice but Matcha then threw Harajuku out of the ring. She then gave Raku a Stunner and went for the pin. The ref stopped himself at two thinking there was a kickout (there clearly wasn’t) so Matcha gave Raku another Stunner and this time got the three count. Afterward Matcha and Harajuku got into an argument and began to fight, forcing the ringside officials to pull them apart. You read that right, Pom Harajuku was in a pull apart brawl!
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Upcoming Appearances
DEXCON “JAM OF THE JOSHIS”, 13/10/2024 Brawl Pit Bulusan, Manila, Philippines
1. Queen Of Asia Title: Yuki Kamifuku (c/c) Vs Chelsea Marie
If Kamifuku can successfully defend the Double Asian Crown against Xiz Zhao in TJPW then she will next bring the Queen Of Asia Title over to the Philippines. “The Pinay Vixen” Chelsea Marie won a match at the last DEXCON show to become Kamifuku’s challenger for this joshi themed event.
DPW “SUPER BATTLE”, 13/10/2024 Grady Cole Center, Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
1. Battle Of The Best – Final: Shoko Nakajima Vs Dani Luna
A future shot for the DPW Women’s World Title is within reach for Nakajima. All she has to do is beat Dani Luna in the Battle Of The Best final.
MAPLE LEAF PRO “FORGED IN EXCELLENCE – NIGHT 1”, 19/10/2024 St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs X
2. Mike Bailey Vs Konosuke Takeshita
A familiar friend and foe will be Takeshita’s first opponent at Maple Leaf Pro’s opening weekend. It will be the first time he wrestles Mike Bailey in Bailey’s home country of Canada.
MAPLE LEAF PRO “FORGED IN EXCELLENCE – NIGHT 2”, 20/10/2024 St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs X
2. Josh Alexander Vs Konosuke Takeshita
The Takeshita Vs Bailey match announcement also cleared up which night the Josh Alexander match would take place. It looks like it will be the main event of the entire weekend.
With Thailand checked off, Pom Harajuku’s next trip will be to Singapore Pro Wrestling for a match against Alexis Lee. She is going to try and avoid being bitten while Lee will try to avoid her shins getting kicked off.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO/DEFY “TJPW BRIGHT EYES”, 09/11/2024 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
I bet we’ll start getting some more announcements soon. TJPW are sending over Miu Watanabe, Suzume, Arisu Endo, Yuki Kamifuku, Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima, Rika Tatsumi, Mizuki, Maki Itoh, Yuki Aino, Moka Miyamoto and Wakana Uehara. The DEFY side will be using 6-8 local/American wrestlers and the card is expected to have 6 or 7 matches.
DDT/DEFY “DDT IN UTERO”, 09/11/2024 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
The DDT show later that day is advertising Konosuke Takeshita, Daisuke Sasaki, Dansoku Dieno, MAO, Gringo Loco, Shota, Yuni and Yoshihiko to all appear.
DDT/TOKYO JOSHI PRO/DEFY “TRIANGLER DTD”, 10/11/2024 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
The next day will bring everyone together for one big finale.
GCW “CHAOS IN KENTUCKY”, 14/11/2024 Headliners Music Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs X
Once the DEFY shows are over Yamashita will be sticking around in the US for one of GCW’s big tentpole weekends of the year.
GCW “GATEWAY TO THE DEATH”, 15/11/2024 Pop’s Nightclub, Sauget, Illinois, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs X
There was a piece of an interview with Yamashita from a Japanese site I saw during the month. She said something like this has been the first year in her career where she hasn’t worried about the pressure of being the company ace or the headline champion for another promotion. It allowed her to learn how to just enjoy wrestling without carrying the weight of a company on her shoulders (the interview was before she won the Princess Tag Team Titles with Itoh so so much for that break). That could explain why she’s drawn to GCW. She gets to do things she wouldn’t normally do in TJPW, like smack someone over the head with a steel chair.
GCW “NICK GAGE INVITATIONAL 9”, 16/11/2024 Level 13 Event Center, Orlando, Florida, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs X
Yamashita’s not going to enter the Nick Gage Invitational tournament, is she? There’s already another Yamashita taking part in it.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “AEX32 SANTIAGO 2025”, 09/02/2025 Mapocho Station Cultural Center, Santiago, Chile
Next February TJPW will be making its first mark in Chile. They are sending over a few wrestlers to have matches at the AEX Santiago anime convention. Yamashita and Itoh are the first names announced. The event graphics hints at least two other people from the roster will join them. Apparently Chiitan is going to be there too so 121000000 can have a reunion with the mascot.
Posted by JamieOD 
Dramatic DDT 