DDT “SUMMER VACATION 2023”, 30/07/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall 761 Fans
0. Dark Match: Yuni defeated Kazuma Sumi with the Phoenix Splash (5:22).
1. Minoru Fujita & MJ Paul defeated Soma Takao & Rukiya when Paul pinned Rukiya with the Death Valley Bomb (8:24).
2. Special Tag Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno defeated Akito & Naruki Doi when Iino pinned Akito after the Muscular Sexy Driver (12:15).
3. Yuji Hino, Makoto Oishi & Yukio Naya defeated Jun Akiyama, Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku when Hino pinned Koroku with the Fuckin’ BOMB (8:07).
4. Yukio Sakaguchi 50th Birthday Match ~ Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai & Hideki Okatani defeated Shuji Ishikawa, Thanomsak Toba & Masahiro Takanashi when Sakaguchi pinned Toba with the God’s Right Knee (11:26).
5. Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada defeated Kazusada Higuchi, Kotaro Suzuki & Yuki Ishida when Brookes pinned Ishida with the Praying Mantis Bomb (11:49).
6. DDT Extreme Title – Super Fierce Battle! Hirata’s Miraculous Allies Gather! No Touch Captain’s Fall & 2 Count Hall Handicap Death Match: Kazuki Hirata (C/c), Broom, Kokeshi Doll, Chair, Yakitori, Baby Doll, Watch Dog, Cold Spray & Toru Owashi Doll defeated HARASHIMA (C) when Hirata pinned HARASHIMA with the Miracle One Shot Cradle (13:21). *V1 for Kazuki Hirata.
7. Special 6-Man Tag Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA, Daisuke Sasaki & KANON defeated Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toy Kojima when Sasaki submitted Ueno with La Mistica Crossover Face Lock (17:44).
A new direction for Konosuke Takeshita now sees him stand across the ring from his friends in The 37KAMIINA. If that’s not weird enough, he decided to become an ally with Daisuke Sasaki and DAMNATION T.A to further his agenda. Takeshita got his moments to fight Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toy Kojima throughout the main event. Sasaki & KANON were there to back him up for a triple submission spot. Ueno & Kojima had Sasaki beaten with the My MADMAX but Takeshita came back with a big rally. He used a Double German Suplex to throw both MAO & Kojima at the same time then hit Ueno with the Zahi. Sasaki then lined Ueno up for La Mistica Crossover Face Lock to win the match.
Afterward Takeshita again advised Ueno to start following him if he really wants to carry DDT on his back. Even Sasaki agreed with him and said he would support anybody who has Takeshita’s approval. If Takeshita tells Ueno to do something like join DAMNATION T.A then Ueno should have no other choice but to do it. By this point Shunma Katsumata was in the ring using a crutch to move around. Sasaki suddenly attacked him and knocked the crutch away until MAO chased him out of the ring. MAO lost his temper at Takeshita for doing nothing to stop Sasaki and not helping Katsumata afterwards. He understands now that Takeshita is The 37KAMIINA’s enemy from this point forward! Takeshita said he is going back to America but will return to DDT for the Ota Ward Gymnasium show on 9th September. He expects to hear an answer from Ueno by then. Ueno said he wants to team up with MAO to take on Takeshita & Sasaki on the show.
It was a Handicap Match for the ages when Kazuki Hirata gathered together his own army of inanimate objects to fight against HARASHIMA. It was part of a collection of rule stipulations the DDT Extreme Champion came up with to ensure his defence was going to be a fair fight, otherwise HARASHIMA was going to destroy him without much effort. Another rule was Hirata only needed a 2 Count pin to win. First HARASHIMA fought a Kokeshi Doll and almost got outwrestled by it. A Chair somehow put HARASHIMA in a Cross Armbreaker submission. HARASHIMA hesitated trying to fight a Baby Doll because nobody wanted to see him attack something cute like that. He instead played a Watch Dog toy game that bit his finger, giving Hirata a 1 Count nearfall with a roll up. The next fighter to enter was a Yakitori chicken skewer. HARASHIMA ate it, causing Hirata to attack him with a Broom out of anger for his fallen comrade. Hirata climbed the top rope with the Broom to do a Kiki’s Delivery Service Dive but it was blocked by HARASHIMA’s boots. HARASHIMA did a Falcon Arrow onto a pile of the objects for a nearfall. He went for the Somato but Hirata blocked it with the Broom and used the Miracle One Shot Cradle to win with a 2 count pinfall.
When the match was over HARASHIMA congratulated Hirata for beating him by wrapping the Extreme Title around his waist. Hirata thanked him and said no matter what the rules were, today he was able to beat HARASHIMA! He now feels like he can beat anybody. As soon as he finished saying that, Yukio Sakaguchi appeared and entered the ring. Hirata immediately offered to give up and forfeit his title to Sakaguchi. It was declined because Sakaguchi didn’t want to look like he is bullying Hirata. He wants to challenge him instead because winning the Extreme Title for the first time in his career would be a good birthday present for himself. Hirata’s cries of refusal were ignored by Hisaya Imabayashi and the match was made for 13th August. Sakaguchi then told Hirata “What’s mine is mine, what’s Hirata’s is mine.”
Chris Brookes paid his first visit to Korakuen Hall since winning the KO-D Openweight Title. There was no Shigehiro Irie appearance on the show so the new champion was in a 6-Man Tag Match with two of his buddies Antonio Honda & Takeshi Masada. Their attempt to pull off a triple team pose on Kotaro Suzuki failed when Honda overshot his jump and fell onto the canvas. Suzuki then interruped the Gongitsune speech. Later in the match he tried to interrupt it again but his own partners Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida pleaded with him to let Honda proceed. The match continued from there and Brookes pinned Ishida with the Praying Mantis Bomb to win. Backstage Brookes acted like the Shukan Puroresu reporter was spreading rumours about Irie being scared of Brookes.
As mentioned a little bit earlier, Yukio Sakaguchi celebrated his birthday this week, turning 50 years old. Today he teamed with the rest of Eruption to take on a team of three opponents who all have ties to him. Shuji Ishikawa was a former rival, Thanomsak Toba trained with him and Masahiro Takanashi used to be his stablemate in Shuten-dōji. Speakin of that unit, KUDO was at ringside for the match too. He presented Sakaguchi with a gift of alcohol before the match. Sakaguchi picked up the win for Eruption by using the God’s Right Knee on Toba.
After the match everyone including KUDO raised each other’s hands in the ring. Then all of a sudden two unexpected guests appeared. It was Isami Kodaka & Yuko Miyamoto! The tag team known as Yankee Two Kenju were carrying bouquets and said they were here to wish Sakaguchi a happy birthday. Sakaguchi did not believe them and knew they had another reason for showing up. Kodaka dropped the facade asked if he and Miyamoto could get a shot at the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles? Sakaguchi was fine with the idea while Hideki Okatani was suddenly all fired up to pick a fight with Miyamoto. Yankee Two Kenju then revealed the third person on their team is going to be Ram Kaichow! Eruption accepted the challenge knowing full well they already have a title defence coming up in All Japan on 27th August. They are confident they will win that so their match against the Triple Six team on 9th September will have the titles on the line if they are still the champions by then.
It’s time for Ω to go take a fresh route and reevaluate their goals. Yuji Hino needed a bounce back win after losing the KO-D Title and found it here by teaming with Makoto Oishi & Yukio Naya. After defeating the BURNING team of Jun Akiyama, Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku their plans became more clear backstage. Oishi gets upset every time he sees Hino without a championship so he should go fight for the KO-D Tag Team Titles. Hino liked the idea and started to think about teaming with Naya again. However Oishi meant himself and Hino should be the team. Hino wasn’t sure because he thinks Oishi should take the rest of the summer off to be with his family. Oishi then said his eldest son sent him a message about wanting to see his dad win a championship. Hearing that cheered Hino up and he agreed to chase after the tag titles with Oishi. It was later confirmed Ω will face Sasaki & MJ Paul for the titles on 13th August.
Like many other people Naruki Doi wanted nothing to do with the Pheromones match. However Akito is desperate to build up momentum for his singles match against Yuki Iino so he was able to convince him to take part. Danshoku Dieno also taunted Doi by telling him his reputation would be tainted if he ran away from Pheromones. Doi picked up the courage to fight them head on but Akito ended up getting isolated and beaten two on one.
Saki Akai entered the ring after the match wanting to speak to Dieno. She reminded him of the singles match they had for the Extreme Title back in 2016. It’s a match that stuck with her ever since because Dieno taught her how wrestlers show their struggles with a human touch. However Akai still wonders if that lesson is true. She thinks pro wrestling is a dream job and wants Dieno to definitively prove her otherwise by facing her one more time before she retires this November. Dieno said Akai has a problem that hasn’t been solved yet and accepted her challenge. The match will take place on 27th August.
DAMNATION T.A overwhelmed Soma Takao & Rukiya in the opening match starting with a surprise attack. Takao found the energy to fight back against Minoru Fujita until the match switched over to Rukiya against Paul. Rukiya’s volley of Elbow Strikes were cut off with a Lariat and Paul pinned him with the Death Valley Bomb.
In the pre-show dark match Yuni defeated Kazuma Sumi one on one. He avoided the Lionsault, kicked out of a Brainbuster and pinned Sumi with the Phoenix Splash.
Shoko Nakajima was revealed to be Takumi Iroha & Rina Yamashita’s tag partner for the 6-Woman Tag Match against Akai, Asuka & Maya Yukihi on 13th August. The match is part of Akai’s retirement tour. She is teaming with her two recent rivals in DDT against a team of opponents who all debuted in 2013, the same year as her.
BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. SIX: THE ART OF SELF DESTRUCTION”, 04/07/2023 Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa ??? Fans
1. Special Tag Team Match: MAO & Chie Koishikawa Vs Takayuki Ueki & Mecha Mummy
2. Special Single Match: Minoru Fujita Vs Rina Yamashita
3. Antonio Honda Vs Shota
4. Special Single Match: Masahiro Takanashi Vs Asuka
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “SUMMER SUN PRINCESS ’23”, 08/07/2023 Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium
1. Juria Nagano Comeback Match: Suzume & Arisu Endo Vs Moka Miyamoto Vs Juria Nagano
2. Mahiro Kiryu, Haruna Neko, HIMAWARI & Shino Suzuki Vs Kaya Toribami, Toga, Haru Kazashiro & Runa Okubo
3. Ryo Mizunami & Nao Kakuta Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Asuka
4. DEFY Women’s Title: Vert Vixen (c) Vs Hikari Noa
5. 3 Way Tag Match: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao Vs Aja Kong & Raku Vs Max The Impaler & Pom Harajuku
6. Nyla Rose Vs Miu Watanabe
7. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Sawyer Wreck
8. Sakisama & Mei Saint-Michel Vs Yuki Arai & Wakana Uehara
9. International Princess Title: Rika Tatsumi (c) Vs Yuki Arai
10. Princess Of Princess Title: Mizuki (c) Vs Maki Itoh
Miyu Yamashita was in London this past weekend wrestling in EVE. She successfully defended the EVE Title against “The Unbreakable” Rhio (filling in for Yamashita’s original opponent Emersyn Jayne). After the show Yamashita recorded a video message telling Sawyer Wreck she wants to put the EVE Title on the line for their match at “SUMMER SUN PRINCESS ’23”.
GANBARE☆PRO “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA II”, 09/07/2023 Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium
1. Munetatsu Nakamura Vs Masahiro Takanashi
2. YuuRI & Tomoka Inaba Vs Takumi Iroha & Mio Momono
3. Riara Vs Sayaka Unagi
4. Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Miyuki Takase
5. Keisuke Ishii, Shigehiro Irie & Soma Takao Vs Akito, Shota & Shinichiro Tominaga
6. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles Next Challengers Decision Survival 4 Way Tag Match: Ken Ohka & Kuma Arashi Vs Hartley Jackson & HARUKAZE Vs Minoru Fujita & Daiki Shimomura Vs Tsuyoshi Okada & Yuki Kanzaki
7. Special Single Match: Yumehito Imanari Vs El Lindaman
8. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles: Hikaru Sato & Tyson Maeguchi (c) Vs Shuichiro Katsumura & Takuya Wada
9. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Mizuki Watase (c) Vs Isami Kodaka
The contracts for the two championship matches have been signed. Isami Kodaka said he wants to win the Spirit Of Ganbare Title so he can keep wrestling in Ganbare☆Pro. He respects Mizuki Watase for carrying GanPro after Ken Ohka’s position on top faded away. Watase said he can win any battle because of the support from the fans. If this match really is about GanPro Vs BASARA then Watase urges the BASARA fans to hurry up and buy tickets to the show.
Last year at the first “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA” there was a match between Shuichiro Katsumura and Minoru Suzuki. GanPro interviewed Takuya Wada as part of the promotion for the match and he went along to watch it. One year later and Wada cannot believe he is now wrestling on the show! Tyson Maeguchi is in a similar mindset because he only won his first match at last year’s show and now he is going into this year’s event as a champion. Meanwhile Hikaru Sato is wondering will the actual Spirit Of Ganbare Tag Team Title belts ever arrive? He is fine with carrying around the tournament trophies instead because he cannot imagine what Hentai Punch Drunkers would look like wearing championship belts.
There is history that already exists between Yumehito Imanari and El Lindaman. They both entered the 2020 Tenkaichi Jr. Tournament in ZERO1 and faced each other in a couple of tag matches in the same company a year later. Lindaman also invited Imanari to train with him in 2022 while Imanari was the SOG Champion preparing for the title defence against Shigehiro Irie. The two know each other’s feelings and Imanari knew he was destined to wrestle Imanari in a singles match some day. He does not know if there is anybody in wrestling as sincere as Lindaman so he promises to wrestle at 120% for him. Lindaman said the Imanari Vs Irie match changed his perception of pro wrestling and he’s been trying to rediscover it ever since. He does not know if this match with Imanari will give him the answer he’s looking for but it will bring him one step closer.
BASARA “BASARA 224 ~TAKAGARI 18~”, 17/07/2023 Tokyo Takashimadaira Kumin Center
1. Daiki Shimomura & Minoru Fujita Vs Lil’ Kraken & Leo Isaka
2. Takato Nakano Vs Fuminori Abe
3. FUMA & Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi Vs Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga
4. Isami Kodaka Vs Daichi Kazato
5. Takumi Tsukamoto & Yasu Urano Vs Ryota Nakatsu & SAGAT
There is one more BASARA show taking place before they return to Korakuen Hall. A few of the matches here builds up to what’s going to happen later in the month.
DDT “SOYOKAZE PRO WRESTLING”, 17/07/2023 Tokyo Sumida Park Breeze Square
1. X Vs X
2. X Vs X
3. X Vs X
DDT is holding a free outdoor show at the 14th annual Soyokaze Tsunagu Festival. There will be three matches held with Tetsuya Endo, Danshoku Dieno, HARASHIMA, Chris Brookes and Shinichiro Kawamatsu as the wrestlers advertised so far.
GANBARE☆PRO “MACHIDA KANSAI PRO WRESTLING FESTIVAL”, 22/07/2023 Tokyo Machida GION Stadium
1. Shuichiro Katsumura Vs Munetatsu Nakamura
2. Cherry & Riara Vs HARUKAZE & Yoshiko Hasegawa
3. Ken Ohka, Seiya Morohashi & HIROYA Vs Keisuke Ishii, Shota & Shinichiro Tominaga
GanPro gets to continue CyberFight’s relationship with FC Machida Zelvia. A wrestling ring will be set up outside the stadium on the day of Zelvia’s home game against JEF United Chiba. Matches will be held for free in front of spectators going to see the football match.
BASARA “BASARA 225 ~SENGUNBANBA~”, 23/07/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. FUMA & Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi Vs Lil’ Kraken & Akira Jo
2. 3 Way Match: Daichi Kazato Vs Gouma Ryu Vs Yasu Urano
3. IRON FIST Tag Team Titles Next Challengers 3 Way Match: Ryuichi Sekine & Ryota Nakatsu Vs Fuminori Abe & Takuya Nomura Vs Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga
4. Isami Kodaka Vs SHO
5. IRON FIST Tag Team Titles Unification Match: Takato Nakano & Masato Kamino (c) Vs Daiki Shimomura & Minoru Fujita (i/c)
6. Union MAX Title & CCW Canadian Heavyweight Title: Takumi Tsukamoto (M/c) Vs SAGAT (C/c)
Ryuichi Sekine accepted Ryota Nakatsu’s request to team up again. What sounded like a one time idea may end up lasting longer though because they are entering a No. 1 Contenders match for the IRON FIST Tag Team Titles. They have to take on two former champion teams Astronauts and Speed Of Sounds at the same time.
I haven’t paid attention to what Akira Jo has been doing since his days in DNA. That was seven years ago? Time sure does fly by.
DDT “SAKI AKAI 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR IN KORAKUEN!!”, 13/08/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Saki Akai Debut 10th Anniversary Match Vol. 2 ~ Special 6-Woman Tag Match: Saki Akai, Maya Yukihi & Asuka Vs Takumi Iroha, Rina Yamashita & X
There are several big matches planned for Saki Akai to celebrate her 10 years in wrestling. This one in August has Akai teaming with two of her most recent important opponents Maya Yukihi and Asuka. She spent 2022 in rivalries with both women in DDT. The other team consists of Takumi Iroha and Rina Yamashita along with a third partner yet to be revealed. Iroha and Yamashita’s connection to Akai is they all debuted in the same year. That might provide a clue as to who the third wrestler is going to be.
DDT “OSAKA BAYS BLUES SPECIAL 2023”, 20/08/2023 Osaka Edion Arena #2
1. Current Blast Death Match: Atsushi Onita Vs X
Last week Yukio Sakaguchi challenged Atsushi Onita to give him a shot at the All Asia Tag Team Titles. Onita would only agree if it took place in the exploding death match being planned for Osaka on 20th August. Makes sense because the other champion Yoshitatsu is advertised for the show. However the next day everyone found out that Onita broke his wrist during the Hardcore Tag Match after taking a kick from Sakaguchi. He is about to get surgery for the injury and intends not to miss next month’s Osaka show.
Shigehiro Irie, Kotaro Suzuki and Tsutenkakuka will also be on the show.
BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. SIX: THE ART OF SELF DESTRUCTION”, 04/07/2023 Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa ??? Fans
1. Special Tag Team Match: MAO & Chie Koishikawa defeated Takayuki Ueki & Mecha Mummy when MAO pinned Mummy with a Swanton Bomb (11:24).
2. Special Single Match: Minoru Fujita Vs Rina Yamashita ended in a Time Limit Draw (20:00).
3. Shota defeated Antonio Honda with a Cradle (6:11).
4. Special Single Match: Asuka defeated Masahiro Takanashi with a Michinoku Driver II (13:08).
No injury was going to keep Chris Brookes away from his own show! The latest adventures of Baka Gaijin + Friends placed Brookes in the ring announcer role, introducing all of the wrestlers and playing host to the crowd. He was also in good enough shape to get involved in the main event, interfering after a ref bump to help Masahiro Takanashi get the advantage on Asuka. The two on one attack by CDK caused MAO (in Drew Parker cosplay, more on that later) to run in and help Asuka even the odds. MAO and Brookes were soon out of the picture and the main event became a fair fight again. Asuka dropped Takanashi on the floor with a Michinoku Driver II to win the match.
A musical performance by Antonio Honda in the middle of the show was interrupted by the unexpected appearance of Shota from Ganbare☆Pro. He walked into ARENA Shimokitazawa to promote “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA II” taking place this weekend. Honda at first allowed Shota to stand next to him but it was just to hit him with his guitar! Honda then took off his clothes revealing his wrestling gear underneath and challenged Shota to a match right away. Honda grabbed the show poster and gave Shota papercuts. However he ended up hurting his knee while charging the length of the room and tripping over the mat. He turned it into a Gongitsune attack but Shota turned the move back against him and rolled him up for the three count.
Normally Minoru Fujita and Rina Yamashita would both be up for a fight that would tear any room they are in apart. But the bar their match took place in today was very small and packed with people. They fought each other anyway but did so carefully through the crowd so they could get outside and have all the space they needed for a brawl. Given this is a Baka Gaijin show that means taking the fight up to the roof and standing over the glass ceiling. Thankfully they realized how dangerous that was and decided to arm wrestle over the glass before returning indoors. The match continued and they had a little bit of space to use a chair as a weapon. But the time limit eventually expired, ending the match in a draw. The two kept slapping, pushing and rolling into each other as they left the room in a huff.
The opening match was another chance for Chie Koishikawa to dress up as Brookes and pretend to wrestle like him. Her tag partner MAO took things one step further by showing up in full Drew Parker cosplay! He even had paper cutouts of darts that ended up getting jammed up his wig for a fake blood spot. Takayuki Ueki gave him a DDT afterwards for extra damage. However Ueki being the mad scientist he is made a mistake of feeding liquid to Mecha Mummy, causing the robot to malfunction and attack everybody with its Mecha Fist. Koishikawa stopped Mummy’s rampage with a Jumping Knee and then fired the Mecha Fist back at it. MAO then hit a Parker like Swanton Bomb to get the three count. However Ueki had the last laugh by revealing he collected some of MAO’s DNA during the match and will use it to modify Mecha Mummy into being more MAO-like in the future!
The next Baka Gaijin show will take place on 22nd August.
DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2023 TOUR IN ASAKUSA”, 13/06/2023 Tokyo Asakusa Hanayashi Theater
1. Daisuke Sasaki Vs Kazuma Sumi
2. Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Toru Owashi & Antonio Honda
3. Asakusa Specialty Special Tag Match: Yuki Ueno & MAO Vs Yoshihiko & Kazuki Hirata
4. Tetsuya Endo & Yuya Koroku Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Akito
5. Kazusada Higuchi, Ryota Nakatsu & Yuki Ishida Vs Jun Akiyama, Yusuke Okada & Rukiya
6. Special Single Match: MJ Paul Vs Toy Kojima
7. Yuji Hino, HARASHIMA & Makoto Oishi Vs Yukio Sakaguchi, Masahiro Takanashi & Hideki Okatani
A midweek show in Tokyo before DDT goes over to Hokkaido this weekend.
DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2023 TOUR IN HAKODATE”, 16/06/2023 Hakodate City General Wholesale Center Distribution Hall
1. Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Akito & Kazuma Sumi
2. HARASHIMA & Hideki Okatani Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yuya Koroku
3. Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul Vs Toy Kojima & Rukiya
4. Hakodate Specialty Special Single Match: Yuki Ishida Vs Akinori Ariji
5. SILVER QUEEN Infomercial Match: Sanshiro Takagi & Kazuki Hirata Vs MAO & Yoshihiko
6. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuji Hino, Makoto Oitshi & Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada
A local karate dojo will be holding a demonstration with their kid students to open the show.
GANBARE☆PRO “GHOST HUNTERS 2023”, 30/06/2023 Tokyo Takashimadaira Kumin Center
1. HARUKAZE & YuuRI Vs Yoshiko Hasegawa & Kaho Matsushita
2. Riara Vs Sayaka Unagi’s Recommended Wrestler
3. Special Just Before Ota Ward! Imanari-gun Vs Katsumura-gun All-Out Battle!!: X Vs X
4. Special Just Before Ota Ward! Imanari-gun Vs Katsumura-gun All-Out Battle!! Elimination 6-Man Tag Match: X, X & X Vs X, X & X
5. Special Tag Match: Ken Ohka & Kuma Arashi Vs Keisuke Ishii & Shota
The go home show for “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA II” pits the new tag team of Ken Ohka & Kuma Arashi against Keisuke Ishii & Shota. Ishii and Shota will be opponents at Ota Ward Gymnasium but any tension between them has to wait until then.
A mini-series between Yumehito Imanari and Shuichiro Katsumura takes up a chunk of the show. There will be a singles match and an Elimination Tag match featuring wrestlers from their teams.
A message was sent by Sayaka Unagi to Ganbare☆Pro today saying that Riara needs an appraisal from somebody else in order to get assessed by herself. Unagi will be sending a “minion” to face Riara in a match to see what the rookie is capable of.
Kaho Matsushita comes from Ice Ribbon.
BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. SIX: THE ART OF SELF DESTRUCTION”, 04/07/2023 Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa
1. Special Tag Team Match: MAO & Chie Koishikawa Vs Takayuki Ueki & Mecha Mummy
2. Special Single Match: Masahiro Takanashi Vs Asuka
3. Special Single Match: Minoru Fujita Vs Rina Yamashita
This will be the first Baka Gaijin + Friends show without either Chris Brookes or Drew Parker wrestling on it so it will by up to Masahiro Takanashi to keep an eye on things in their absence. Brookes is injured while Parker is taking time off to go back to the UK. Instead the regular crew are joined by Minoru Fujita and Asuka for the first time along with Rina Yamashita making her second appearance for the group.
MAO & Chie Koishikawa think their tag team is better suited for these shows than DDT. After all where else can they fight against Takayuki Ueki & Mecha Mummy together?
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “SUMMER SUN PRINCESS ’23”, 08/07/2023 Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium
1. Juria Nagano Comeback Match: Juria Nagano Vs X
2. Nyla Rose Vs X
3. Miyu Yamashita Vs Sawyer Wreck
4. Sakisama & Mei Saint-Michel Vs Yuki Arai & Wakana Uehara
5. International Princess Title: Rika Tatsumi (c) Vs Yuki Arai
6. Princess Of Princess Title: Mizuki (c) Vs Maki Itoh
Yesterday Yuki Arai became the No. 1 Contender for the International Princess Title. She and the champion Rika Tatsumi are looking forward to showing the world a great match between them.
The return of NEO Biishiki-gun will have first time opponents Yuki Arai & Wakana Uehara waiting for them. Arai thinks Sakisama kind of looks like Saki Akai. If the two of them are at similar skill level too then Arai is more prepared for the match than she thought.
Nyla Rose will be getting a new opponent now that Yuka Sakazaki has been pulled off the show. It will be announced as soon as her new opponent is decided.
It will be almost six months since Juria Nagano’s last match by the time she comes back. A broken finger kept her away from wrestling matches all year.
The shit has hit the fan now boys and girls because Konosuke Takeshita has turned heel! What looked like a quiet month of recovery for the guy after getting injured by the Blackpool Combat Club in AEW instead ending with a bang with him betraying The Elite and solidifying his alliance with Don Callis. The angle has sent AEW fantasy booking into overdrive with fans now hoping this will lead into Kota Ibushi making his long awaited entry into the company to join the storyline. Kenny Omega is fanning the flames somewhat by telling the audience after Sunday’s PPV that he has friends from outside AEW he’s thinking about bringing in to even the numbers. Whatever happens next, it should become a big step forward for Takeshita’s AEW career.
Meanwhile May was the second full month for Miyu Yamashita in America. She has named her excursion the Kick Rampage Tour and continues to experience wins and losses across the country. She even started the month with a very busy weekend in England. Title matches in particular have been the big challenges she’s had difficulty with this month. While she’s been busy with that, Maki Itoh begun her own training excursion in America to prepare for her big Princess Of Princess Title match in July. So far her appearances have all been for GCW and she’s been thick in the action over there. Both Yamashita and Itoh will be staying in America for most of June along with Yuka Sakazaki.
Sakazaki’s story for this article is a little odd. She is currently in America travelling with AEW but has not wrestled any matches yet, as of the time I write this. That’s what happens when you get rid of Dark and Elevation but I digress. She is going to be wrestling in June but her visit seems to be more about preparations for life in America after she graduates from Tokyo Joshi Pro at the end of the year. Also I want to remind everyone she is a playable character in AEW: Fight Forever coming out at the end of June. She’s even in a photo for one of the game achievements. By the time June ends Yamashita, Itoh and Sakazaki will all be back in Japan for TJPW again but that won’t be the end of their international bookings this year by a long shot.
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Videos
NEW TEXAS PRO “SUPER TEXAS CONTENDERS SERIES 1”, 11/05/2023 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. New Texas Pro Women’s Title: Hyan (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita
HOG “BEWARE THE FURY”, 19/05/2023 Amazura, Queens, New York, USA
1. HOG Women’s Title: The Ultra Violette (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita
GCW “I CAN’T SAVE YOU”, 21/05/2023 Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Ohio, USA
1. Steph De Lander Vs Maki Itoh
GLORY PRO “GO FOR BROKE”, 21/05/2023 South Broadway Athletic Club, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
1. Tootie Lynn Vs Miyu Yamashita
TITLE MATCH “LADIES NIGHT OUT: TRIPLE SHOT 2”, 26/05/2023 AML Wrestling Training Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
1. Ladies Night Out Title – 3 Way Match: Janai Kai (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita Vs Angélica Risk
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 31/05/2023 Viejas Arena, San Diego, California, USA
Don Callis and Konosuke Takeshita Get Booed Out Of San Diego
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Results
EVE “LUCKY 13 – NIGHT 1”, 05/05/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. EVE Title – Iron Woman Match: Miyu Yamashita (c) (4) defeated Millie McKenzie (3) (30:00).
1a. Millie McKenzie (1) defeated Miyu Yamashita (0) with a German Suplex (5:05).
1b. Miyu Yamashita (1) defeated Millie McKenzie (1) with the Skull Kick (11:14).
1c. Millie McKenzie (2) defeated Miyu Yamashita (1) with an Inside Cradle (23:13).
1d. Miyu Yamashita (2) defeated Millie McKenzie (2) with a High Kick (23:20).
1e. Miyu Yamashita (3) defeated Millie McKenzie (2) with the Attitude Adjustment (24:34).
1f. Millie McKenzie (3) defeated Miyu Yamashita (3) with the Spear (26:20).
1g. Miyu Yamashita (4) defeated Millie McKenzie (3) with the Skull Kick (28:05). *V4 for Miyu Yamashita.
It’s the rivalry that went worldwide. Yamashita and Millie McKenzie have fought each other in Spain, England and Japan with a close win-loss record between them if you include their tag match in TJPW. McKenzie failed to win the EVE Title from Yamashita once before but she got a second chance on home soil. This time it was going to be a grueling 30 minute Iron Woman Match so there could be no question over who deserved to be champion. The battle left McKenzie as a bloody mess but she got the first pinfall early and was able to catch up when Yamashita took the lead. But the Skull Kick was the difference maker, giving Yamashita the winning fall and the two were left exhausted by the time the match reached its end.
EVE “LUCKY 13 – NIGHT 2”, 06/05/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) defeated Billie Starkz with the Skull Kick (12:00). *V5 for Miyu Yamashita.
With hardly even a good day’s rest, Yamashita defended the EVE Title again the next day against Billie Starkz. She and Starkz are going to have matches together in America soon enough but EVE also wanted to host one because they didn’t know if they would ever get another chance. That Yamashita was still the champion gave them the perfect opportunity to make it a title match too. The result here shows that even when Yamashita’s American excursion ends, she still has a second home with EVE in England. They haven’t seen the last of her at all.
NEW TEXAS PRO “SUPER TEXAS CONTENDERS SERIES 1”, 11/05/2023 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. New Texas Pro Women’s Title: Hyan (c) defeated Miyu Yamashita with the Beauty Sleep (15:05). *V4 for Hyan.
A big main event spot was given to Yamashita and Hyan over at New Texas Pro. Hyan successfully defended her Women’s Title in a back and forth match, withstanding a High Kick to give Yamashita her version of the Glam Slam for the victory.
MAW “VENDETTA”, 13/05/2023 2nd St. Depot, Hastings, Minnesota, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita defeated Sierra (?:??).
Even though Sierra holds Midwest All-Star Wrestling’s women’s title, her match with Yamashita turned out to be a non-title bout. It was in the main event however and Yamashita won it. Would have been nice if she added another belt to her collection during this tour. Two is not enough!
HOG “BEWARE THE FURY”, 19/05/2023 Amazura, Queens, New York, USA
1. HOG Women’s Title: The Ultra Violette (c) defeated Miyu Yamashita after a Chairshot (10:46). *V5 for Violette.
Yamashita has dealt with interference from a heel unit before but I don’t remember anyone from NEO Biishiki-gun ever smashing a chair over her head. That is what happened here when The Ultra Violette got help from The Bookers to defend the HOG Women’s Title. Yamashita did her best to fend off the cheaters, kicking The Bookers off of the ring apron and landing the Skull Kick on Violette. But the referee was pulled out of the ring during the pinfall, Yamashita got knocked out with a chairshot and Violette’s limp arm was placed over her to get the three count.
AIW “GAUNTLET FOR THE GOLD 16”, 20/05/2023 Force Sports, Eastlake, Ohio, USA
1. Joseline Navarro defeated Miyu Yamashita with a Low Cross Body (?:??).
A result like this sounds like a massive upset but looking at Joseline Navarro’s run of results in AIW, she has a pretty strong win-loss record for the company. Still, Yamashita looked to have underestimated her. She didn’t realise Navarro shook off a High Kick to the head and was German Suplexed over to the corner of the ring. Yamashita got some momentum back but missed the Skull Kick and was German Suplexed again, this time head first into the bottom turnbuckle. Navarro followed up with a Basement Cross Body into the corner and that kept Yamashita down for the three count.
GCW “THE WAY I AM”, 20/05/2023 Harpo’s Theatre, Detroit, Michigan, USA
1. GCW World Title – 5 Way Match: Masha Slamovich (c) defeated LuFisto, Shazza McKenzie, Maki Itoh and Allysin Kay when Slamovich submitted McKenzie with (12:25). *V6 for Masha Slamovich.
This was originally going to be just Itoh against Shazza McKenzie in a singles match but in the week leading up to the show GCW thankfully changed plans. It was changed to a 6 Way Match featuring Masha Slamovich defending the GCW World Title against 5 other women, Itoh included. Then it turned out to be a 5 Way Match when Allie Katch was unable to make it to the show. Unlike Yamashita, Itoh can take a chair to the head and proved it by grabbing a chair and repeatedly headbutting it. Sadly she wasn’t able to become champion in the end.
GCW “I CAN’T SAVE YOU”, 21/05/2023 Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Ohio, USA
1. Steph De Lander (w/ Matt Cardona) defeated Maki Itoh (w/ Nick Gage) with a Sit Out F5 (8:58).
The next night Itoh went face to face with a woman who is fast becoming her international nemesis, Steph De Lander. Both Nick Gage and Matt Cardona were there for their entrances but it was Cardona who ended up interfering when he stopped Itoh from using her pizza cutter. The distraction led to De Lander getting a cheap win.
GLORY PRO “GO FOR BROKE”, 21/05/2023 South Broadway Athletic Club, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita defeated Tootie Lynn with the Skull Kick (12:26).
After a poor run of results Yamashita got things back on track by beating Tootie Lynn in the main event of a Glory Pro show. She even acted a little cheeky after the match, pulling back on a handshake only to give Lynn a hug afterwards. I think she liked wrestling her.
1. Triple Threat Match: Masahiro Takanashi defeated Big T and John Day (?:??).
2. SPW Queen Of Asia Title: Alexis Lee (c) defeated Saki Akai (?:??).
*V? for Alexis Lee.
3. SPW Southeast Asia Title: Aiden Rex (c) defeated Yukio Sakaguchi (?:??).
*V? for Aiden Rex.
This one slipped past me when it was announced last month. Eruption members Yukio Sakaguchi and Saki Akai went over to Singapore Pro Wrestling to challenge some of their champions. Both of them failed to win the belts with Sakaguchi losing to Aiden Rex and Saki Akai losing to Alexis Lee. The only DDT related win on the show was Masahiro Takanashi getting his hand raised after the 3 Way Match.
TITLE MATCH “LADIES NIGHT OUT: TRIPLE SHOT 2”, 26/05/2023 AML Wrestling Training Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
1. Ladies Night Out Title – 3 Way Match: Angélica Risk defeated Janai Kai (c) and Miyu Yamashita when Risk pinned Yamashita after the Tornado Kick from Kai (?:??). *Janai Kai fails in V4. Angélica Risk becomes the 3rd Ladies Night Out Champion!
Janai Kai has become a favourite opponent for Yamashita during her tour and this time she had a chance to win a championship from her. But things got weird. Title Match were running three shows that day and promoted two matches for Yamashita. One against Kai and one against Angélica Risk. Then on the night it turned out to be just one match between all three wrestlers and it was the main event of the final show. Kai actually had Yamashita beat by hitting her with the Tornado Kick. But Risk got Kai out of the way and stole the pin to become the new champion.
GCW “LIFESTYLE”, 26/05/2023 Silver Nugget Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
1. Maki Itoh defeated Sandra Moone with the I.S.D. (9:18).
Itoh’s GCW adventure bounced back from last week’s losses by beating Sandra Moone in Las Vegas. She had no time to celebrate though because Cardona & De Lander attacked her immediately after the match. Gage ran down to the rescue, leading everyone to anticipate Maki Death Kill to team up again so they can cut their enemies apart!
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Upcoming Appearances
LLL “BEST WISHES WARMEST REGARDS”, 02/06/2023 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. 3 Way Match: Masha Slamovich Vs Heidi Howitzer Vs Miyu Yamashita
Two opponents Yamashita has gotten to know in the ring pretty well this year. Her versus Masha Slamovich should happen more often. Heidi Howitzer is showing how busy she is while she’s away from Max The Impaler.
BLACK LABEL PRO “FANCY WRESTLING 2”, 03/06/2023 RDS Gym, Crown Point, Indiana, USA
1. Rachel Armstrong Vs Miyu Yamashita
From what I could find about Rachel Armstrong, she has a deadly looking 450 Splash.
GCW “CAGE OF SURVIVAL 2”, 04/06/2023 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh’s not going to fight in a Cage Match, is she?
INSPIRE A.D. “KIDS OF THE BLACKHOLE”, 04/06/2023 Empire Control Room, Austin, Texas, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs Killa Kate
Yamashita says farewell to Texas by fighting “The Submission Musician” Killa Kate. The people at Inspire A.D. have such big expectations for this match they made their own instruction video teaching fans how to throw streamers into the ring.
ST. LOUIS ANARCHY “GIANT’S WOKE EYES OPEN”, 09/06/2023 The House of Anarchy, Alton, Illinois, USA
1. Billie Starkz Vs Miyu Yamashita
This is the US match between Yamashita and Starkz that I was talking about earlier.
SPARK “IGNITE EAST”, 11/06/2023 The Heart Ballroom, Newark, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs Brittany Blake
2. Spark Joshi World Title: Miyu Yamashita Vs Rachael Ellering
Yamashita is one of the two wrestlers chosen to fight for the new Spark Joshi World Title with Rachael Ellering being the other. If you ever wanted to know how those zombie championships that bounce around the Japanese indies get created, maybe give this thing a follow. Am I being too harsh with that assumption? Yep!
Itoh joins Yamashita for the first two Spark shows. She takes on Brittany Blake on the debut event.
SPARK “IGNITE WEST”, 16/06/2023 East San Gabriel Valley Japanese Cultural Center, West Covina, California, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
2. Miyu Yamashita Vs Delilah Doom
Delilah Doom is a well travelled veteran of the independents, wrestling for a similar length of time Yamashita has.
ENJOY “SOMETHING TO WRITE HOME ABOUT”, 17/06/2023 Mr. Smalls Theatre, Millvale, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs Ray Lyn
It appears that the Kick Rampage Tour will indeed end here. Yamashita’s first match back in TJPW will be on 24th June so unless something gets booked in the last week this will be it.
WRESTLING REVOLVER “RING OF DESTINY”, 17/06/2023 Calumet Center, Dayton, Ohio, USA
1. JT Dunn (w/ Allie Katch) Vs Konosuke Takeshita
JT Dunn has had a few chances now at trying to beat Takeshita but has yet to find success. Things in Wrestling REVOLVER have been going way lately though. He and Allie Katch got engaged at the last REVOLVER show and they have been causing chaos over there as part of The Unit. Is Katch the difference maker Dunn needed all along? Will this match even make sense by the time it happens? It could become heel versus heel depending on how Takeshita will start acting in AEW after his recent actions.
GCW “THANK ME LATER”, 17/06/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Rina Yamashita Vs Maki Itoh
If there is a joshi wrestler who has taken GCW even more by storm than Itoh, it is Rina Yamashita. She is the longest reigning GCW Ultraviolent Champion and also has the most defences in a single reign. Who will the GCW audience get behind more or will there be an audible split in support?
DPW “TAG FESTIVAL 2023”, 18/06/2023 Durham Armory, Durham, North Carolina, USA
1. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs X & X
Of course Deadlock Pro is the first place in America to book The Magical Sugar Rabbits outside of TJPW!
EVE “NMITB”, 02/07/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. Eve Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Rhio or Emersyn Jayne
Last week EVE held a taping that had a No. 1 Contender’s match to determine Yamashita’s next challenger for her title. Videos of the show won’t be uploaded to their paid Youtube channel until June and the promoters asked their audience not to put any spoilers out anywhere. Those fans obliged and no results from the show can be found online. So right now I don’t know if it is Rhio or Emersyn Jane who is getting the title shot. Or even both if their match ended in a draw.
WEST COAST PRO “CRUEL SUMMER 2023”, 08/07/2023 United Irish Cultural Center, San Francisco, California, USA
1. Bryan Keith Vs MAO
There’s still going to be international wrestling for me to talk about after the women go back to TJPW. MAO will be going to America in July and West Coast Pro are giving him a doozy of an opponent. Bryan Keith might have the tools needed to deal with MAO’s crazy energy.
IWTV “MARCUS MATHERS ALL I WANT 2”, 13/07/2023 H20 Wrestling Center, Williamstown, New Jersey, USA
1. Yoshihiko Vs X
2. MAO Vs X
Both MAO and Yoshihiko have been invited over to a show produced by Marcus Mathers for IWTV.
GCW “NOW AND FOREVER”, 14/07/2023 Melrose Ballroom, Queens, New York, USA
1. Yoshihiko Vs X
2. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh’s going to be doing more GCW appearances that TJPW appearances the way things are going. Yoshihiko also returns.
Itoh’s relationship with death match wrestling is no longer just confined to GCW. She’ll be going over to Canada to make her International Wrestling Syndicate debut in July!
BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. FOUR: WHEN GOOD DOGS DO BAD THINGS”, 18/04/2023 Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa 60 Fans – Super No Vacancy
1. Special Tag Team Match: Baliyan Akki & Sayaka Vs MAO & Chie Koishikawa
2. Special Single Match: Masashi Takeda Vs Death Worm
3. Special Tag Team Match: Rina Yamashita & Drew Parker Vs Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi
BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. FOUR: WHEN GOOD DOGS DO BAD THINGS”, 18/04/2023 Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa 60 Fans – Super No Vacancy
1. Special Tag Team Match: Baliyan Akki & Sayaka defeated MAO & Chie Koishikawa when Akki pinned Koishikawa with the Labyrinth (14:22).
2. Special Single Match: Masashi Takeda defeated Death Worm with a Big Scissors Choke (9:26).
3. Special Tag Team Match: Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi defeated Rina Yamashita & Drew Parker when Takanashi pinned Parker after the HOD (24:31).
Another month, another Baka Gaijin + Friends show that almost destroyed the venue. Drew Parker teamed up with Rina Yamashita to take on CDK in a main event that was not a death match but featured smashed plastic boxes and even firecrackers! Masahiro Takanashi set off the firecracker on top of a plastic box only to see Chris Brookes gets smashed through it instead of Parker. However Takanashi used his knees to block Parker’s Swanton Bomb from a stool. CDK then brought their opponents together and tied them up in The Hair Of The Dog to score the pinfall on Parker. After the match Parker asked Yamashita for a singles match some day down the line.
Death Worm’s opponent this month was Masashi Takeda. The death match wrestler attacked Worm with chairs and then took out his big pair of scissors. Right when he was about to use them, Takayuki Ueki interrupted the match telling Takeda he shouldn’t be fighting with Death Worm. Instead Ueki tried summoning the spirit of Death Worm to speak on its behalf. It took a few tries but Ueki got the message through, despite somehow sounding like Antonio Honda. Takeda and Worm hugged it out until Worm turned the hug into a Backslide Pin for a nearfall. Worm and Ueki teamed up to stab Takeda in the head with skewers. But Takeda rolled out of the way of Worm’s Body Press, attacked Ueki and pressed the scissors into Worm’s mouth until Worm gave up.
The opening match featured Chie Koishikawa, MAO dressed as Chie Koishikawa, Baliyan Akki dressed as Chie Koishikawa and Sayaka dressed as Chie Koishikawa.
The non-wrestling part of the show was a talent contest between Munenori Sawa and Antonio Honda. Sawa’s talent was drawing fruit while Honda sang a song. The fans couldn’t decide on a winner so the contest ended in a draw.
Welcome to the calm before the storm. I put together this month’s article earlier than usual because there are going to be separate posts covering all of the WrestleMania shows DDT and Tokyo Joshi Pro are involved with next week. It’s going to be nuts, maybe not on the level of the New York shows from four years ago but still plenty to look forward to. So much will have to be talked about once the dust settles. I will be writing up preview guides for both “DDT GOES HOLLYWOOD” and “TJPW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES” so look forward to them whenever they are finished.
While Konosuke Takeshita and Yuka Sakazaki are getting the higher profile appearances lately thanks to AEW/ROH, the amount of bookings Miyu Yamashita and Maki Itoh are getting in America means the focus will be more on them for the next couple of months. Yamashita in particular is going to have a crazy looking 2023 Career tab on her Cagematch profile by the time she’s done. Plus we get to add some new names to this series. Mizuki Watase is heading over to America too and Daisuke Sasaki found an excuse to go wrestling in Mexico.
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Videos
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 01/03/2023 Cow Palace, San Francisco, California, USA
1. Face Of The Revolution Match Ladder Match: Konosuke Takeshita Vs Ortiz Vs Komander Vs Action Andretti Vs Sammy Guevara Vs Powerhouse Hobbs Vs Eddie Kingston Vs AR Fox
AEW “DARK”, 07/03/2023 Cow Palace, San Francisco, California, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Jack Cartwheel
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 10/03/2023 Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Preston Vance (w/ José The Assistant)
NORTHEAST WRESTLING “WRESTLEFEST XXVII”, 11/03/2023 Crosby High School, Waterbury, Connecticut, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita Vs JT Dunn
Video starts at 2:36:23 for the match SETUP “SETUP EP.12”, 18/03/2023 The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand
1. SETUP Thailand Openweight Title: Monomoth (c) Vs Masahiro Takanashi
NEW “NEW 12”, 24/03/2023 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, Canada
1. NEW Women’s Title: Nicole Matthews (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita
2. Maki Itoh Vs Cat Power
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Results
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 01/03/2023 Cow Palace, San Francisco, California, USA
1. Face Of The Revolution Match Ladder Match: Powerhouse Hobbs defeated Konosuke Takeshita, Ortiz, Komander, Action Andretti, Sammy Guevara, Eddie Kingston and AR Fox when Hobbs grabbed the Brass Ring (13:46).
So close and yet so far. Takeshita almost won the Ladder match after giving Komander a crazy looking Blue Thunder Bomb from a bridged ladder onto the ring canvas. He also fought off interference from Daniel Garcia who was there to help out Sammy Guevara. But as he climbed up the ladder and reached out to grab the literal brass ring, here came Powerhouse Hobbs charging into the ladder to knock Takeshita out of the ring. Hobbs then went on to grab the giant ring and win.
A few days later on Rampage, Takeshita spoke about his recent lack of success in AEW and considered it was time for him to go back to Japan. Don Callis stepped in and continued his push to become Takeshita’s manager. The argument he made is if Takeshita left all of the behind the scenes logistics to him, then Takeshita could put his entire focus just on wrestling in the ring and finally get the results his talent deserves. Ever since then Callis has continued trying to convince Takeshita to take on his services.
AEW “DARK”, 03/03/2023 (Aired 07/03/2023) Cow Palace, San Francisco, California, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Jack Cartwheel with the Zahi (3:56).
An impressive performance from Jack Cartwheel made this match one to watch if you’re unfamiliar with him.
GCW “HOLY SMOKES”, 04/03/2023 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. GCW Extreme Title: Joey Janela (c) defeated VENY with an Avalanche Brainbuster (16:33). *V2 for Joey Janela.
2. Maki Itoh defeated LuFisto with the I.S.D (10:44).
Itoh’s further run into GCW continued with her beating LuFisto, an inductee of The Indie Wrestling Hall Of Fame that the promotion is associated with. LuFisto wanted to give Itoh a Superplex but a bite to the face stopped her. Itoh gave her a Top Rope DDT and then got back up the ropes to do the I.S.D for the win. Itoh got to celebrate with Nick Gage after the match.
Joey Janela and VENY ended up going buck wild fighting around ringside for a lot of their match. Janela threw VENY into rows of seats, sending a lot of the GCW fans fleeing. VENY fought back with a Moonsault to the floor. Janela VENY in midair when she tried another Moonsault inside the ring and he countered it into a Tombstone. VENY went back to the Moonsault again and landed one onto Janela while he was laying on top of a door. That wasnt enough for Janela or the door so he smashed it to pieces and the two attacked each other with the remains. More big bomb moves were dropped and it took an Avalance Brainbuster for Janela to finally get the three count.
ENJOY “RITES OF SPRING”, 04/03/2023 Mr. Smalls Theatre, Millvale, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Princess Tag Team Titles: Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer (c) defeated Trish Adora & Jordan Blade (?:??). *V3 for The Wasteland War Party.
The Wasteland War Party scored their third and what turned out to be their last successful defence of the Princess Tag Team Titles by beating Trish Adora & Jordan Blade at an Enjoy Wrestling show.
GCW “RANSOM”, 05/03/2023 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh, Rina Yamashita & VENY defeated Sawyer Wreck, Billie Starkz & Janai Kai when Yamashita pinned Kai with the Splash Mountain (18:56).
Itoh & VENY got to have some fun with Rina Yamashita by faking out their opponents on a triple dive. Sawyer Wreck, Billie Starkz & Janai Kai all flinched and were left bracing for impact outside while Itoh and her team danced inside the ring. Yamashita went on to pin Kai with the Splash Mountain.
EVE “WOMEN BEHAVING BADLY”, 08/03/2023 229 The Venue, London, England
1. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) defeated Lizzy Evo with the Skull Kick (14:42). *V3 for Miyu Yamashita.
A fully determined Lizzy Evo was ready to become the new EVE Champion on this night. But her hot streak came to an end thanks to the Skull Kick.
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 08/03/2023 (Aired 10/03/2023) Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Preston Vance (w/ José The Assistant) with La Espalda (7:52).
Takeshita took out a trick from the Osaka Pro book to beat Preston Vance. La Espalda is the tricky looking Twisting Backslide Pin that Billy Ken Kid likes to use a lot.
EVE “RIOT! AT THE YARD THEATRE”, 09/03/2023 The Yard Theatre, London, England
1. Miyu Yamashita defeated Miyuki Takase with the Skull Kick (14:46).
Apparently this will be the last time Yamashita and Miyuki Takase will face each other one on one. If that’s true then Yamashita ends the series with a 2-0 winning record.
NORTHEAST WRESTLING “WRESTLEFEST XXVII”, 11/03/2023 Crosby High School, Waterbury, Connecticut, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated JT Dunn with the Zahi (12:18).
A Rolling Elbow was used by JT Dunn to counter the Jumping Knee and the match also built up to how the Tombstone Piledriver was used. Takeshita kicked out of the move the first and and reversed a second attempt into a Reverse Implant. Takeshita held onto Dunn after that and threw him over with a Wheelbarrow German Suplex. Dunn was left in a heap after that so Takeshita got to finish him off with the Zahi.
SETUP “SETUP EP.12”, 18/03/2023 The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand
1. SETUP Thailand Openweight Title: Masahiro Takanashi defeated Monomoth (c) with the Takatonic (?:??). *Monomoth fails in V?. Masahiro Takanashi becomes the ??th SETUP Thailand Openweight Champion!
Masahiro Takanashi adds another Asian championship to his collection after he took the SETUP Thailand Openweight Title from Monomoth. Takanashi didn’t do it clean either because Baliyan Akki was there to interfere on his behalf. Monomoth did what he could to fight against the 2-on-1 disadvantage, including diving onto both of them outside the ring. He had Takanashi beaten with a Northern Lights Suplex but Akki pulled the referee out of the ring to stop the pin count. Members of the SETUP roster had enough of the cheating and came to Monomoth’s aid. However Takanashi kicked out of a Tornado DDT and threw the ref towards Monomoth while the champion was standing on the top rope. Monomoth jumped over the ref but landed into a Thrust Kick, causing him to get pinned with the Takatonic.
AEW “DARK”, 24/03/2023 (Aired ??/??/2023) Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, USA
1. Michael Nakazawa defeated Baliyan Akki (?:??).
I don’t usually include Michael Nakazawa’s matches in AEW for these articles because he is a full time employee for them. But I bet somebody reading this will get a kick out of hearing he fought and beat Akki on Dark.
NEW “NEW 12”, 24/03/2023 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, Canada
1. NEW Women’s Title: Nicole Matthews (c) defeated Miyu Yamashita by Referee Stoppage with a Dragon Sleeper (?:??). *V5 for Nicole Matthews.
2. Maki Itoh defeated Cat Power with the I.S.D (?:??).
Mixed fortunes for 121000000 on the first night of their North American trip. Itoh was able to beat Cat Power but Yamashita got choked out by Nicole Matthews with a Dragon Sleeper. It’s a reminder that this three month expedition is not going to be a cake walk for Yamashita.
1. Miyu Yamashita defeated Killer Kelly with the Skull Kick (10:14).
I didn’t expect Yamashita to show up in Impact. There’s more to talk about it below but her first match with the promotion was a win against Killer Kelly. I think it was taped for TV too.
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Upcoming Appearances – WrestleMania Week
PANDEMONIUM PRO “BEST DAMN THING”, 29/03/2023 Don Quixote, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Maki Itoh & Kidd Bandit Vs Steph De Lander & Heather Monroe
Taya Valkyrie had to pull out of the show due to a change in schedule. That this show is taking place on a Wednesday and Valkyrie recently signed a deal with AEW, it’s easy to figure out what her priority is. Replacing her is Steph De Lander who has really stepped up and increased her presence around the indies recently.
WRESTLECON “THE MARK HITCHCOCK MEMORIAL SUPERSHOW”, 30/03/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. TJPW 10-Woman Tag Showcase: X, X, X, X & X Vs X, X, X, X & X
The lineup for the TJPW 10-Woman Tag is being kept secret until the show, Mystery Vortex style. Are all ten going to be from the regular TJPW roster or will a few guests be included?
DDT “DDT GOES HOLLYWOOD”, 30/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Saki Akai Vs Vert Vixen
2. Pheromones Vs Takagi Army All Out Battle In HOLLYWOOD: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Michael Nakazawa
3. Special Tag Match: MAO & Shunma Katsumata Vs Chris Brookes & Yoshihiko
4. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Takeshi Masada Vs Andrew “The Giant” Everett & Nick Wayne
5. Special Single Match: Tetsuya Endo Vs Joey Janela
6. Dramatic Dream Tag Match: Jun Akiyama & Eddie Kingston Vs Daisuke Sasaki & KANON
7. Special Single Match: Konosuke Takeshita Vs Yuki Ueno
Some of the guests being booked for the show now make more sense given recent announcements. Both Nick Wayne and Vert Vixen are heading to Japan for DDT and TJPW respectively in the next couple of months.
IMPACT/NJPW “MULTIVERSE UNITED”, 30/03/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Masha Slamovich Vs Deonna Purrazzo Vs Gisele Shaw Vs Miyu Yamashita
So not only is Yamashita wrestling for Impact but she is also technically getting a New Japan appearance out of it too, which is completely bizarre seeing a TJPW wrestler under that banner instead of somebody from Stardom. Originally this 4 Way Match was supposed to include Mickie James and her Knockouts Title was going to be on the line. But just a few days ago Impact announced that James is unable to wrestle because of a rib injury. So now the 4 Way Match has Masha Slamovich added to it and whoever wins will get to face Jordynne Grace in Toronto next month with the Knockouts Title on the line. If James is cleared to wrestle she will also be in that match as the defending champion, otherwise she will have to vacate it before the match begins.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES”, 31/03/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Yuki Kamifuku Vs Janai Kai
2. Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta Vs Suzume & Arisu Endo
3. Hyper Misao & Trish Adora Vs Yuki Aino & Raku
4. Shoko Nakajima & Miu Watanabe Vs Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer
5. International Princess Title: Rika Tatsumi (c) Vs Billie Starkz
6. Princess Tag Team Titles: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh (c) Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki
Two of the matches are now title matches thanks to the results that happened at “GRAND PRINCESS ’23” earlier this month. The main event has the Princess Tag Titles on the line when the new champions 121000000 face The Magical Sugar Rabbits. There is also now an International Princess Title match between Rika Tatsumi (embracing a new “AmeRika” personality) and Billie Starkz.
DDT/GCW “GCW VS DDT”, 31/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Ciclope, Miedo Extremo, Gringo Loco & Alec Price Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Daisuke Sasaki, KANON & Takeshi Masada
2. Matthew Justice, Mance Warner & 1 Called Manders Vs Chris Brookes, Shunma Katsumata & Mizuki Watase
3. Effy & Allie Katch Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno
4. Dark Sheik Vs Saki Akai
5. Cole Radrick Vs Yoshihiko
6. Homicide & Tony Deppen Vs Jun Akiyama & Tetsuya Endo
7. Blake Christian Vs Kazusada Higuchi
8. Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne Vs MAO & Mike Bailey
9. Joey Janela Vs Yuki Ueno
Nine matches on the card now. The latest addition is an 8-Man Tag Match mixing together a lot of people. DDT is relying on DAMNATION T.A to play ball with Sanshiro Takagi & Takeshi Masada. GCW are going the lucha route by letting Gringo Loco put together a squad. He chose Alec Price and Los Macizos. Prince is an up and coming name on the indies while Ciclope & Miedo Extremo are former GCW Tag Team Champions.
No idea what the match order is going to be for the GCW Vs DDT show. This might be the last of DDT’s involvement in shows for the week. Unless Takeshita shows up in ROH or Pheromones crash “Effy’s Big Gay Brunch” on Saturday.
ROH “SUPERCARD OF HONOR 2023”, 31/03/2023 Galen Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. ROH Women’s World Title: Athena (c) Vs Yuka Sakazaki
After weeks and weeks of tension building up between Athena and Yuka Sakazaki, things finally blew up and Athena sent Sakazaki back to Japan with an injury. However when Athena found out Sakazaki was able to continue wrestling no problem, it only made her even madder. The grudge is going to get settled in LA with Sakazaki getting a shot at the ROH Women’s World Title.
PRESTIGE “NERVOUS BREAKDOWN”, 31/03/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Taya Valkyrie Vs Miyu Yamashita
Valkyrie will be in LA on the Friday evening for her Prestige match against Yamashita.
GCW “JOEY JANELA’S SPRING BREAK 7”, 31/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Nick Gage & Maki Itoh Vs X & X
Well Nick Gage is no longer the GCW World Champion so my idea of him against Itoh has gone up in smoke. However they are going ahead with the next best idea and that is Maki Death Kill teaming up for one night only!
Well Mizuki Watase did say he was going on an American excursion so he had to be somewhere other than a DDT show. He’s ended up going somewhere even weirder. Wrestling Pro Wrestling is a comedy promotion and is home to Cerealman, a pro wrestler with a box of cereal for a head. Would it surprise you to find out a lot of Hoodslam guys also work here? Let’s see how Watase can handle himself when he’s in the ring with Gregory Sharpe and Eli Everfly.
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Upcoming Appearances – Everywhere Else After WrestleMania
WRESTLING REVOLVER “REVOLVER THURSDAY”, 06/04/2023 Calumet Center, Dayton, Ohio, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs Allie Katch
Looks like there’s going to be a week off for Yamashita to get over the WrestleMania hangover. After that it’s time to hit the road with her first stop being a match with Allie Katch at Wrestling REVOLVER.
LLL “MONSTER ISLAND”, 07/04/2023 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. Heidi Howitzer Vs Maki Itoh
One of the former Princess Tag Champions has a chance at revenge. Heidi Howitzer was already looking forward to kicking Itoh’s ass. Now there’s going to be some more hatred behind it after Itoh pinned Howitzer to cause the title change.
WEST COAST PRO “HOME OF THE KILLERS”, 07/04/2023 The State Room, South San Francisco, California, USA
1. West Coast Pro Women’s Title: Masha Slamovich (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita
The last West Coast Pro show crowned their first Women’s Champion. Masha Slamovich defeated Sandra Moone to win the title and now gets Yamashita for her first defence.
HOODSLAM “FALLEN IDOLS”, 08/04/2023 Continental Club, Oakland, California, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs Vipress
Itoh has fought Dark Sheik a bunch of times already so when she arrives in Hoodslam it will be Sheik’s current tag team partner Vipress waiting for her. Earlier this month Sheik & Vipress won the Intergalactic Tag Team Titles together.
DEFY “THE REALEST”, 08/04/2023 Washington Hall, Seattle, Washington, USA
1. DEFY Women’s Title: Vert Vixen Vs Miyu Yamashita
Before Vixen travels to Japan for TJPW, she defends the DEFY Women’s Title against Yamashita. Heck of a warm up match to get ready for that tour.
CCW “DEAD-ZONE”, 15/04/2023 Houston Volunteer Fire Department, Houston, Delaware, USA
1. CCW Title & CCW Title Match Network Title – 4 Corner Survival Match: Kilynn King (c) Vs Killer Kelly Vs Steph De Lander Vs Miyu Yamashita
What was first advertised as a 3 Way Match is now a 4 Corner Survival with Steph De Lander added to the mix. Which makes me wonder did certain people signing contracts recently lead to a situation where nobody in the 3 Way politically can take the fall and a fourth person had to be used as a solution? Kilynn King is now signed to Impact and Killer Kelly is under contract to them too. Maybe I’m overthinking it.
LUCHA MEMES “???”, 15/04/2023 Arena Solis, Cuautlacingo, Puebla, Mexico
1. Raider Boy, Tormento & Fantasmin Vs Osiris, Garrobo Punk & Daisuke Sasaki
Alright we’re getting to talk about Mexico again. About time. Daisuke Sasaki will be making his Lucha Memes debut in April. The promotion is fond of bringing in independent talent from America. As far as I could find I think Ultimo Dragon and Satoshi Kojima are the only other Japanese wrestlers to have previously worked there. Lucha Memes is also running Arena Solis in Puebla for the first time.
DPW “DPW LIVE 2”, 16/04/2023 Phil Sheridan Building, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs X
Is Yamashita still owed a title match in Deadlock Pro or did I misunderstand the stipulation of her previous match there? Also did you hear that news today about DPW going to Japan to do joint shows with Gatoh Move soon?
RIW “FIGHT UNTIL WE DIED”, 16/04/2023 Gimnasio Coliseo Arena, Toluca, Mexico
1. Daisuke Sasaki Vs X
The next day in Mexico, Sasaki is heading over to Revolution Indy Wrestling.
UWE “DAWN OF A NEW ERA”, 22/04/2023 Dauphin County Tech School, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Dani Mo Vs Miyu Yamashita
I was able to find more social media pages for Ultimate Wrestling Empire so it is indeed an actual show taking place.
PRESTIGE “ROSELAND 5”, 29/04/2023 Roseland Theater, Portland, Oregon, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs Queen Aminata
Will Yamashita still be undefeated in Prestige by the time her match with Queen Aminata takes place?
REPUBLIC OF LUCHA “ROL IV”, 30/04/2023 Republic Of Lucha, South Pasadena, California, USA
1. Kidd Bandit Vs Miyu Yamashita
2. Daga Vs Konosuke Takeshita
Not sure if Takeshita’s match with Daga will still happen. Daga suffered a left knee injury at a show co-promoted by NWA and AAA at the start of the month. According to Konnan the injury is a fractured fibula and a torn miniscus that will take him out of action for two months. If that’s true then the timing could make this turn out to be Daga’s return match if his recovery goes better than anticipated.
EVE “LUCKY 13”, 05/05/2023 The Dome, Tufnell Park, London, England
1. EVE Title – Iron Woman Match: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Millie McKenzie
Yamashita’s international series with Millie McKenzie continues with McKenzie putting up a big challenge in the hopes of finally winning the EVE Title. Given the back and forth results the two wrestlers produce against each other, they will now face off in an Iron Woman match. Whoever scores the most falls within the 30 minute time limit will be the champion at the end.
MAW “VENDETTA”, 13/05/2023 2nd St. Depot, Hastings, Minnesota, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs Sierra
Can’t find confirmation but it would make sense if this is a MAW Women’s Title match with Sierra putting the belt on the line.
AIW “GAUNTLET FOR THE GOLD 16”, 20/05/2023 Force Sports, Eastlake, Ohio, USA
1. Miyu Yamashita Vs X
Just have to wait and see what her match is going to be.
GCW “THE WAY I AM”, 20/05/2023 Harpo’s Theatre, Detroit, Michigan, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh’s next appearance for GCW after Mania week will be in Detroit.
GCW “I CAN’T SAVE YOU”, 21/05/2023 Valley Dale Ballroom, Columbus, Ohio, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Itoh will be in Ohio too.
ST. LOUIS ANARCHY “GIANTS WOKE, EYES OPEN”, 09/06/2023 The House of Anarchy, Alton, Illinois, USA
1. Billie Starkz Vs Miyu Yamashita
Yamashita was bound to get a match with Starkz somewhere during the tour. This also isn’t the last show on Yamashita’s schedule anymore.
ENJOY “???”, 17/06/2023 Mr. Smalls Theatre, Millvale, Pennsylvania, USA
1. Ray Lyn Vs Miyu Yamashita
The final booking of Yamashita’s tour seems to be her match with Rey Lyn at Enjoy Wrestling. Her first match back in Japan won’t be until 25th June so she can squeeze in at least one more match if she wanted to.
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Corrections
NORTHEAST WRESTLING “MARCH MAYHEM”, 18/03/2023 NEW Arena, Bethany, Connecticut, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita Vs X
From what I could find online Takeshita was only on the show for a meet and greet, not to wrestle a match.
DDT “JUDGEMENT 2023 ~LONGEST 5 HOUR SPECIAL IN KORAKUEN HISTORY~”, 21/03/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
0. Ilusion & El Unicorn DDTeeeen!! Graduation Match: Ilusion & Munetatsu Nakamura Vs El Unicorn & Raimu Imai
1. Yuya Koroku & Yuki Ishida Vs Toi Kojima & Kazuma Sumi
2. Kazuki Hirata Debut 13th Anniversary Match: Kazuki Hirata & Yoshihiko Vs Keisuke Ishii & Soma Takao
3. O-40 Title – 3 Way Match: Makoto Oishi Vs Gorgeous Matsuno Vs Shinichiro Kawamatsu
4. Pheromones Vs Pheromones Subjugation Army All Out Battle: Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno, Yumehito “Fantastic” Imanari & Koju “Shining Ball” Takeda Vs Akito, Toru Owashi, Hiroshi Yamato & Yusuke Okada
5. Special Tag Match: Super Sasadango Machine & Antonio Honda Vs Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer
6. Saki Akai Debut 10th Anniversary Match Vol 1.: Masahiro Takanashi Vs Saki Akai
7. HARASHIMA & Keigo Nakamura Vs Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani
8. Special Single Match: Hikaru Machida Vs Takeshi Masada
9. Special 6-Man Tag Match ~ CHARISMA RETURNS!: Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & KANON Vs Chris Brookes, Drew Parker & Hagane Shinno
10. DDT Extreme Title – Regular Pro Wrestling Rules: Jun Akiyama (c) Vs Kotaro Suzuki
11. DDT 26th Anniversary Special Single Match: Sanshiro Takagi Vs Konosuke Takeshita
12. International Special Single Match: Samuray Del Sol Vs Yuki Ueno
13. DDT Universal Title: Naruki Doi (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo
14. KO-D Tag Team Titles – Falls Count Anywhere Match: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Ryota Nakatsu
15. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuji Hino (c) Vs Yukio Naya
A press conference was held in Shinjuku today for some of the matches on the show. Yuki Ueno said he feels honored that an international superstar has come to Japan wanting to fight him. Samuray Del Sol said the one place he has not conquered is Japan. He first learned of DDT by seeing footage of El Generico wrestling Kota Ibushi there. He’s been watching and studying Ueno’s matches so is excited to be wrestling the best.
Konosuke Takeshita reminded everyone that he’s been with DDT for over ten years and the only person he hasn’t wrestled one on one is his boss Sanshiro Takagi. They have no choice but to finally do this match now. He has gratitude for Takagi and sees this as a match between a parent and their child. Takagi’s been a great father figure but the time has come to surpass him. Takagi said he wants to be in the best shape he can for the match. Some injuries have gotten in his way but he isn’t letting that be any excuse. He won’t let Takeshita move past him so easily and will do his best to crush him! Takeshita also said his experience in AEW has given him a hunger he couldn’t get in Japan because spots on their shows are so limited.
The “Super Powerhouse Tag Team” made themselves known while Super Sasadango Machine & Antonio Honda were being interviewed. The two men thought they were going to get Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima until they worked out that TenKoji’s schedule wouldn’t make it possible. Instead they are getting The Wasteland War Party! Both Sasadango & Honda were terrified by the appearance of Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer. The War Party left them laying on the floor with Headbutts. When Honda regained consciousness he began to cry. He thought he was getting a dream match but instead it’s going to be a nightmare!
Away from the press conference in a separate interview, Saki Akai talked about her upcoming match against Masahiro Takanashi. They had one previous singles match together in the 1st Round of the King Of DDT 2018. Takanashi won that match but for the rematch Akai warns there is a part of her that he does not know about. If she can tap into it tomorrow she can find a way to beat him. Then when that match is done Akai wants to focus on Eruption winning the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles in order to push Hideki Okatani up to the next level. She has other plans to celebrate her 10 year anniversary later in the year. Yukio Sakaguchi taught her how to fight in the ring so she would like to face him in a match. She hopes Yoshiko will come back from her break some day for another match. Danshoku Dieno is another past opponent she wants to do a big match with again. She also suggested Takumi Iroha, Rina Yamashita and Sumire Natsu as potential future opponents for her in a DDT ring.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE TOUR IN SPRING ’23”, 22/03/2023 Shinjuku FACE
1. Suzume Vs Shino Suzuki
2. Shoko Nakajima, Wakana Uehara & HIMAWARI Vs Arisu Endo, Haru Kazashiro & Runa Okubo
3. Hyper Misao & Pom Harajuku Vs Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer
4. Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & Raku Vs Yuya Koroku, Mahiro Kiryu & Toga
5. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami
6. Mizuki, Yuka Sakazaki & Haruna Neko Vs Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Yuki Aino
We have come out of “GRAND PRINCESS ’23” with brand new champions holding all of the titles in Tokyo Joshi Pro. We also have some wrestlers refreshing their looks while the new generation of debuts have landed and taken their first steps. Where we go from here is towards Los Angeles.
It wouldn’t be right if The Wasteland War Party went home without getting a chance to say goodbye to Pom Harajuku. I’m sure she appreciates it.
Shino Suzuki is having her first ever singles match. Suzume is her opponent.
DDT “DRAMATIC DREAM TOUR IN SHINJUKU 2023”, 24/03/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & KANON Vs Toru Owashi, Kazuki Hirata & Kazuma Sumi
2. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Akito (c) Vs Yusuke Okada
3. International Special Tag Match: Konosuke Takeshita & Samuray Del Sol Vs Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada
It’s rare to see promotion for an Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title singles match in advance. Akito Vs Yusuke Okada will go ahead even if Akito loses the belt before it happens.
The lineup for the King Of DDT 2023 will be revealed during this show.
BASARA “BASARA 214 ~KOO~”, 28/03/2023 Shin-Kiba 1st RING
1. Lil’ Kraken Vs Leo Isaka
2. Basara Strange Style Jacket Match: Gouma Ryu Vs Ryota Nakatsu
3. Ryuichi Sekine & Daiki Shimomura Vs FUMA & KUBITO
4. Takato Nakao, Masato Kamino & Yasu Urano Vs Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi, Daichi Kazato & Tsutomu Oosugi
5. CCW Canadian Heavyweight Title: Takumi Tsukamoto (c) Vs SAGAT
6. Union MAX Title: Isami Kodaka (c) Vs Banana Senga
The super obscure CCW Canadian Heavyweight Title held by Takumi Tsukamoto is being defended again in BASARA. Tsukamoto brought the belt into the company at the end of 2021. He’s defended it twice here but usually saves his title matches for other indies. SAGAT is his next challenger.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES”, 31/03/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Yuki Kamifuku Vs Janai Kai
2. Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta Vs Suzume & Arisu Endo
3. Hyper Misao & Trish Adora Vs Yuki Aino & Raku
4. Shoko Nakajima & Miu Watanabe Vs Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer
5. International Princess Title: Rika Tatsumi (c) Vs Billie Starkz
6. Princess Tag Team Titles: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh (c) Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki
Some of the new champions making their first defences on the USA show. 121000000 Vs The Magical Sugar Rabbits in the main event now has the Princess Tag Team Titles on the line. Yuka Sakazaki wants to show everyone how much MagiRabi has powered up from fighting each other. Mizuki has the least experience wrestling overseas of the four but now she is the Princess Of Princess Champion she is not scared of any challenge. She’s also excited by the possibility of becoming the only person in TJPW to hold two Princess Titles at the same time. Miyu Yamashita believes the timing is right for 121000000 to beat MagiRabi on TJPW’s first USA show. Maki Itoh wants her American simps to know they are getting to see her TJPW form instead of the usual version they see from her previous appearances in the country.
Billie Starkz claims she was going to challenge the International Princess Champion no matter who it was coming out “GRAND PRINCESS ’23”. That it happens to be her already scheduled opponent Rika Tatsumi made it a lot easier for her to get the title shot. With the match happening in America, Starkz will get to fight for the championship in front of her friends and family. The new champion Tatsumi has already begun changing her look to be more America-like (or “AmeRika”) in order to truly act like an international champion. She went to this press conference wearing sunglasses and drinking a cola. She isn’t worried about fighting Starkz in her home country because it is still happening on a TJPW show. That means Tatsumi still has the home field advantage.
DDT “DRAMATIC EXPLOSION IN NIIGATA”, 16/04/2023 Niigata Bandaijima Multi-Purpose Plaza
1. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Super Sasadango Machine (c) Vs Jun Akiyama, Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku
2. Current Blast 6-Man Tag Death Match: Atsushi Onita, Shunma Katsumata & Toi Kojima Vs Joey Janela, Sanshiro Takagi & Takeshi Masada
According to Atsushi Onita he paid 400,000 yen to trademark the Current Blast Death Match. Rather than trying to buy it off him, Sanshiro Takagi would rather take it by force. He still wants DDT to take ownership of the trademark and is joining forces with Joey Janela to do it. Janela has made it his number one goal during his latest tour of Japan to destroy his hero Onita in an exploding death match. Takagi also picked Takeshi Masada to be their tag partner, thinking this kind of dangerous atmosphere is just what the super rookie has been missing. Onita has his DDO allies Shunma Katsumata & Toi Kojima backing him up. If their winning ways continue then Onita has promised to create a new Current Blast 6-Man Tag Team Championhip as something new for them to fight for!
BAKA GAIJIN + FRIENDS “VOL. FOUR: WHEN GOOD DOGS DO BAD THINGS”, 18/04/2023 Tokyo ARENA Shimokitazawa
1. Special Single Match: Masashi Takeda Vs Death Worm
2. Special Tag Team Match: Sayaka & Baliyan Akki Vs MAO & Chie Koishikawa
3. Special Tag Team Match: Rina Yamashita & Drew Parker Vs Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi
Rina Yamashita and Masashi Takeda are the next guests to join in the Baka Gaijin party. Also Baliyan Akki & Sayaka will together wrestle their first match on one of these shows. It’s about time Akki wrestled on one of them. Maybe Chris Brookes & Drew Parker will do the camera work and commentary for his match.
Posted by JamieOD 
Dramatic DDT 