DDT “DDT TV SHOW! #7”, 20/06/2020 Shinjuku FACE 127 Fans – Super No Vacancy
1. Keigo Nakamura Vs Hideki Okatani
2. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – Time Admission Battle Royal: Danshoku Dieno (c) Vs Shinya Aoki Vs Antonio Honda Vs Shunma Katsumata Vs MAO Vs Mizuki Watase Vs Yukio Naya
3. DISASTER BOX Vs ALL OUT!: Toru Owashi, Naomi Yoshimura & Kazuki Hirata Vs Konosuke Takeshita, Akito & Yuki Iino
4. Yuki Ueno Vs Mad Paulie
5. Jun Akiyama Vs Makoto Oishi
6. Daisuke Sasaki & Soma Takao Vs HARASHIMA & Chris Brookes
7. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo, T-Hawk & El Lindaman (c) Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai
DDT “MONEY IN THE BAG ~TOSOCHU~”, 19/06/2020 Tokyo Chateau Amoeba Studio 159,300 ABEMA Views
1. Chateau Amoeba 1F: Danshoku Dieno, Super Sasadango Machine & Makoto Oishi defeated Sanshiro Takagi, Shinya Aoki & Keigo Nakamura when Oishi pinned Nakamura with a Cradle (6:58).
2. Chateau Amoeba B2F: HARASHIMA, Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura defeated MAO, Mizuki Watase & Yukio Naya when HARASHIMA pinned Watase with the Somato (7:33).
3. Chateau Amoeba 4F: Konosuke Takeshita, Akito & Shunma Katsumata defeated Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Gota Ihashi when Takeshita pinned Ihashi after giving Higuchi a Vertical Drop Brainbuster onto Ihashi (12:20).
4. Chateau Amoeba 1F: Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki defeated Yuki Kamifuku & Mina Shirakawa when Sakazaki & Mizuki pinned Kamifuku & Shirakawa with Diving Body Attacks from a Ladder (7:31).
5. Chateau Amoeba 5F: Saki Sukeban, Yoshiko & Seigo Tachibana defeated Danshoku Dieno, Super Sasadango Machine & Makoto Oishi when Yoshiko pinned Sasadango with the Running Senton (6:15).
6. Chateau Amoeba 3F: Daisuke Sasaki, Tetsuya Endo & Soma Takao defeated HARASHIMA, Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura when Sasaki grabbed the bag (11:48).
7. Shibuya HARLEM: Atsushi Onita, Chris Brookes & Maki Itoh defeated Konosuke Takeshita, Shunma Katsumata & Yuki Iino when Onita pinned Katsumata after the Current Blast Full Swing (15:36).
Three teams entered the Chateau Amoeba Studio looking for Money In The Bag but only one would leave with it. At least that was supposed to be the plan. HARASHIMA, Konosuke Takeshita and Danshoku Dieno each captained a team and met up outside the studio. There they were met by CyberZ president and DDT director Takehiro Yamauchi along with comedian Shinji Saito. They explained the Money In The Bag was hidden somewhere inside the building but they also hired teams of hunters to protect it. If a team loses a match to the hunters they would be eliminated from the competition.
The first match took place on the 1st Floor. This is where DDT records episodes of TheNight on ABEBA. Dieno, Super Sasadango Machine & Makoto Oishi entered the room and found out Shinya Aoki was recording his own episode of TheNight with Sanshiro Takagi & Keigo Nakamura as his guests. There was a bag behind them but they attacked Dieno’s team to start the first match. The two teams fought out to the hallway where Dieno’s backside was sprayed with disinfectant. The fight then went through the studio where AbemaMix Friday was broadcasting a hip hop set. They went back to TheNight where Nakamura knocked out Dieno with a High Kick. Dieno slumped over the desk with his backside hanging out and Oishi threw Nakamura face first into him. Oishi then Cradled Nakamura for the three count. Dieno’s team grabbed the bag but found out it only contained signed copies of Takagi’s autobiography.
DISASTER BOX went to the 2nd Floor Basement where they found a sign on the dressing room door with “I Have A Bag” written on it. They went inside and saw a bag hanging from the ceiling. But Saito sprung three hunters on them! MAO, Mizuki Watase & Yukio Naya appeared for the 2nd match. Naya took out a mat covered in massage stones and his team removed HARASHIMA’s boots. HARASHIMA’s exposed feet hurt when he ran on the mat so he couldn’t do the Somato. Yuki Ueno found a pair of padded slippers that HARASHIMA could wear for protection. The plan worked and HARASHIMA hit Naya with the Somato to win. Naomi Yoshimura propped HARASHIMA up to grab the bag but they only contained sponges.
Over at the 4th Floor, ALL OUT bumped into Hisaya Imabayashi and found a bag hanging near the 7 Star Stage. When Takeshita went to get it he was ambushed by Gota Ihashi. Takeshita swatted him aside and went to climb it again only for Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Sakaguchi to appear for the next match. They fought through the studios where Midnight Bicycle Race and Shogi Battle Commentary were being recorded. The ABEMA staff told the wrestlers to get out so the match moved back out to the hall. Ihashi tried to hold one of the staff hostage but she ran away. Ihashi chased after her with a traffic cone and Akito came to the rescue, taking the cone to his stomach to protect the woman. Ihashi was then accidentally hit with the God’s Right Knee from Sakaguchi when it was meant to hit Takeshita. Higuchi tried to step in but Takeshita gave him a Brainbuster onto Ihashi. Takeshita pinned Ihashi then went to get the bag but Shunma Katsumata told him Akito was unconscious. ALL OUT are down a man but on the bright side they found a mysterious map inside the bag. Where would it lead them?
Back to Dieno’s team. They were still on the 1st Floor and walked in on two Tokyo Joshi Pro teams getting ready for a photoshoot. The Magical Sugar Rabbits and Pink Ready were arguing over who the shoot was supposed to be for. Dieno suggested they should wrestle for it. MagiRabi shoved Pink Ready onto some chairs and spun them around the room. Yuka Sakazaki found a fire extinguisher and sprayed it over Mina Shirakawa, freezing her face. The teams then fought over to the Reception Area where Shirakawa gave Mizuki the Romero Special on top of the reception desk while Yuki Kamifuku held Sakazaki in a Headscissors beside them. Back in the studio Dieno & Sasadango got caught up in the action. They got mixed up with Pink Ready, allowing MagiRabi to climb a nearby ladder and dive onto everyone below for the win. They told Dieno the bag he’s looking for is on the 5th Floor then went on to have their photoshoot.
Up Dieno’s team went to the 5th Floor. They found a bag but it was being guarded by Saki Sukeban, Yoshiko & Seigo Tachibana. These three were raring for a fight too. Saki attacked Oishi with her bamboo sword. Dieno tried to get on Yoshiko’s good side by wanting to film a TikTok video with her. Tachibana cycled into the room and placed his bike on a table. He spun the wheels on the spot so Saki could press Sasadango’s unmasked head into it. Yoshiko hit Sasadango with a Lariat then pinned him with a Running Senton. Dieno’s team were eliminated from the competition.
In the 3rd Floor, ALL OUT found DAMNATION drinking loads and loads of sake on their own. They also found a bag hanging above them. When Daisuke Sasaki found out about the contest he wanted to take it for himself. An impromptu Ladder Match broke out. Tetsuya Endo tried to climb the ladder but HARASHIMA pulled down the back of his shorts to stop him. Ueno tried to climb but Soma Takao did the same to him. Yoshimura Power Bombed Sasaki onto a table. HARASHIMA missed the Somato on Sasaki and landed on a chair, sliding himself away in the process. He turned this into a good idea by sliding the chair into his opponents. Endo threw Ueno onto the rest of DISASTER BOX, allowing Sasaki to climb the ladder and take the bag. Sasaki found 3,000 yen inside. Turns out it wasn’t the right bag, it in fact belonged to Hisaya Imabayashi. Whatever, DAMNATION went off to spend the money on more alcohol. DISASTER BOX lost the match so they were eliminated.
That left ALL OUT as the last team remaining. Katsumata was now in his Super Hardcore form. They also replaced Akito with Yuki Iino. The map brought ALL OUT over to Shibuya HARLEM where Saito was waiting for them. At last the remaining elite contestants had arrived for the final battle. The real bag was nearby but to get it they needed to win a Current Blast Death Match! Out came Atsushi Onita and the NEO Itoh Respect Army as the final hunters. Onita put Katsumata through a table with a Piledriver then fought with Iino inside a restroom. Maki Itoh knocked Takeshita off a ladder with a Headbutt. She then switched on the current for the blast bat. Takeshita grabbed the bat and swung it at Itoh but Chris Brookes jumped in to shield her and take the blast! Onita found another blast bat and hit Katsumata with it at full swing. He pinned him afterwards to win the match and eliminate ALL OUT.
Saito walked out feeling victorious. None of the teams could beat his challenge. However Onita then started to attack Saito, blaming him for never doing a Current Blast Deathmatch in Yoshimoto like he promised the last time they were together. Onita told him the next time they meet it should be in a pro wrestling match!
DDT “MONEY IN THE BAG ~TOSOCHU~”, 19/06/2020 Tokyo Chateau Amoeba Studio
1. Money In The Bag Match: HARASHIMA, Danshoku Dieno & Konosuke Takeshita Vs Atsushi Onita, Shinya Aoki, Yoshiko, Daisuke Sasaki, Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Ueno, Naomi Yoshimura, Akito, Shunma Katsumata, Yuki Iino, Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai, Chris Brookes, Sanshiro Takagi, Makoto Oishi, Super Sasadango Machine, MAO, Mizuki Watase, Yukio Naya, Keigo Nakamura, Gota Ihashi, Yuka Sakazaki, Mizuki, Maki Itoh, Yuki Kamifuku, Mina Shirakawa & Seigo Tachibana
This is not an accurate listing explaining what the Money In The Bag match is but I don’t know how else to write it. HARASHIMA, Danshoku Dieno & Konosuke Takeshita will be going through DDT’s version of a TV game show called Tosochu Run For Money. They will fight through multiple floors of the Chateau Amoeba Studio looking for a bag containing prize money. There are wrestlers located on every floor acting as hunters tasked with stopping the contestants. What I don’t know is if HARASHIMA, Dieno and Takeshita are teaming together, competing solo against each other or captaining their own teams. But if you’ve seen previous Street Wrestling shows held in corporate buildings then you know what to expect. Each floor will pretty much be a different match building up to the finale.
The guests showing up include Atsushi Onita, Shinya Aoki, Yoshiko (I hear she’s become big on TikTok) and Seigo Tachibana (still looking for a job).
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “KOKO NI IRUZEE!”, 20/06/2020 Shin-Kiba 1st RING
The card for Tokyo Joshi Pro’s return to Shin-Kiba 1st RING is being kept secret until the show takes place. Tokyo will be entering Step 3 in the roadmap to open up after COVID-19 which means they may be allowed to add an extra 42 seats on the day of the show. The current capacity limit in the venue is 100 fans.
DDT “DDT TV SHOW! #7”, 20/06/2020 Shinjuku FACE
1. Keigo Nakamura Vs Hideki Okatani
2. Yuki Ueno Vs Mad Paulie
3. DISASTER BOX Vs ALL OUT!: Toru Owashi, Naomi Yoshimura & Kazuki Hirata Vs Konosuke Takeshita, Akito & Yuki Ueno
4. Daisuke Sasaki & Soma Takao Vs HARASHIMA & Chris Brookes
5. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – Time Admission Battle Royal: Danshoku Dieno (c) Vs Shinya Aoki Vs Antonio Honda Vs Shunma Katsumata Vs MAO Vs Mizuki Watase Vs Yukio Naya
6. Jun Akiyama Vs Makoto Oishi
7. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo, T-Hawk & El Lindaman (c) Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai
Fans will be allowed in for this show.
DDT already have their big matches for the rest of June in place. The next episode of DDT TV SHOW sees #DAMNHEARTS put the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles on the line against Eruption. There is the added stipulation where if the champions win then Saki Akai will have to kneel down to El Lindaman, ask him how he got so big and then lick his boots.
It’s not just the youngsters who are interested in being coached by Jun Akiyama during his stay here. Makoto Oishi also wants to walk down the Royal Road. The only downside is he has to fight Akiyama when he originally wanted to team with him. It’s going to be more painful this way.
Chris Brookes has to make some unlikely short term alliances in order to fight DAMNATION for now.
1. Danshoku Dieno & Toru Owashi Vs Antonio Honda & Yukio Naya
2. I Will Win Today!: Mad Paulie Vs Hideki Okatani
3. I Will Win Today!: Makoto Oishi Vs Mizuki Watase
4. I Will Win Today!: MAO Vs Gota Ihashi
5. Eruption Vs ALL OUT!: Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Akito & Yuki Iino
6. 3 Way Tag Match: HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata Vs Konosuke Takeshita & Shunma Katsumata Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Keigo Nakamura
7. Good Town Tsurumi Special 6-Man Tag Team Match: Daisuke Sasaki, Tetsuya Endo & Soma Takao Vs Yuki Ueno, Naomi Yoshimura & Chris Brookes
The next day DDT goes over to the spacious indoor market in Tsurumi.
DDT “DDT TV SHOW! #8”, 27/06/2020 Shinjuku FACE
1. DDT UNIVERSAL Title: Daisuke Sasaki (c) Vs Chris Brookes
2. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo & Nobuhiro Shimatani
Then next week there is two more title matches. Yuki Ueno has become a thorn in Endo’s side recently and was seconds away from beating him in the trios main event a few days ago. However Endo defended the KO-D Openweight Title against him so it’s his turn to call the shots. Endo chose Nobuhiro Shimatani to team with him and take the KO-D Tag Team Titles away from Nautilus.
Sasaki’s attempt to ice the DDT UNIVERSAL Title backfired. He nominated Masahiro Takanashi as his next challenger knowing he is many months away from recovery. That way Sasaki wouldn’t have to defend the title any time soon. Takanashi eventually accepted but nominated his friend Brookes to wrestle in his place. This finally gets Brookes his singles rematch with the man who took the title from him.
Jun Akiyama will be on the show.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “STAND PROUD”, 04/07/2020 Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall
1. Princess Tag Team Titles: Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe (c) Vs Maki Itoh & Raku
Raku’s in-ring ability was progressing nicely before the lockdown. She added the Doctor Yellow to her arsenal and formed a winning team with Maki Itoh. They were supposed to get a Princess Tag Team Titles match against Daydream back in March but it got cancelled. Both teams agreed to do the match eventually but wanted it on an important show. The return to Ryogoku KFC Hall in July fits the bill.
DDT “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020 DAY 2”, 07/06/2020 DDT TV SHOW Studio 0 Fans
1. Super Sasadango Machine Remote Produce Match – Chop Up Challenge: Toru Owashi Vs Antonio Honda
2. Tokyo Joshi Pro 6-Woman Tag Match: Yuka Sakazaki, Miyu Yamashita & Shoko Nakajima Vs Rika Tatsumi, Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino
3. DDT Extreme Title – Celebration! Release Outdoor Restriction Rules: Shinya Aoki (c) Vs Yukio Naya
4. Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai Vs Chris Brookes & Maki Itoh
5. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Danshoku Dieno (c) Vs Makoto Oishi
6. HARASHIMA & Naomichi Marufuji Vs MAO & Asuka
7. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura (c) Vs T-Hawk & El Lindaman
8. KO-D Openweight Title: Masato Tanaka (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo
DDT “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020 DAY 2”, 07/06/2020 DDT TV SHOW Studio 0 Fans
1. Super Sasadango Machine Remote Produce Match – Chop Up Challenge: Toru Owashi Vs Antonio Honda ended in a Draw (72:45) (1,000 Chops Thrown).
2. Tokyo Joshi Pro 6-Woman Tag Match: Yuka Sakazaki, Miyu Yamashita & Shoko Nakajima defeated Rika Tatsumi, Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino when Sakazaki pinned Aino with the Magical Magical Girl Splash (15:31).
3. DDT Extreme Title – Celebration! Release Outdoor Restriction Rules: Shinya Aoki (c) defeated Yukio Naya with a European Clutch (10:49). *V3 for Shinya Aoki.
4. Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai defeated Chris Brookes & Maki Itoh when Sakaguchi pinned Itoh with the PK (12:01).
5. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Danshoku Dieno (c) Vs Makoto Oishi was a No Contest.
6. HARASHIMA & Naomichi Marufuji defeated MAO & Asuka when HARASHIMA pinned Asuka with the Somato (17:24).
7. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura defeated T-Hawk & El Lindaman when Ueno pinned Lindaman with the WR (22:13). *V4 for Nautilus.
8. KO-D Openweight Title: Tetsuya Endo defeated Masato Tanaka (c) with two Shooting Star Presses (26:19). *Masato Tanaka fails in V5. Tetsuya Endo becomes the 75th KO-D Openweight Champion!
Tetsuya Endo’s path to reclaim the KO-D Openweight Title ends with success and maybe a few extra scars. Masato Tanaka put him through a table twice in their match, bringing back memories of their D-Ou Grand Prix final last December. The first table crash had Tanaka throw Endo through one from the turnbuckles. But the second happened when Endo used his knees to block the Diving Body Press. Damage to Endo’s leg prevented him from doing the Handspring Overhead Kick until late in the match. He could barely stand after kicking out of the Super Fly but Tanaka dared him into doing so. Tanaka hit the short range Sliding D after Endo missed the Shooting Star Press but Endo was close enough to grab the ropes for a pin break. Tanaka ran to the ropes for another Sliding D but Endo countered it with Testuya In The Sky. He hit a Package Canadian Destroyer for a two count then dragged Tanaka to the corner. Endo hit the Shooting Star Press not once but twice to get the three count and become the new KO-D Champion!
Tanaka grabbed the title belt from Yukinori Matsui after the match but it was just so he was the one to hand it to Endo. Tanaka left the ring when Endo called out to him. Endo promised to hold onto the title long enough for them to have a rematch at Saitama Super Arena! He looks forward to standing across the ring from him again. For now there is no No. 1 Contender set in place so Endo wants all potential challengers to know he is the one who beat Masato Tanaka when nobody else in DDT could. He then gathered DAMNATION together for a their first group pose in months. Together they are the symbol of strength in DDT and they have most of the championships to prove it. Not just DAMNATION but all of #DAMNHEARTS too!
The only miss on #DAMNHEARTS’s record this weekend was in the KO-D Tag Team Titles match. The challengers T-Hawk & El Lindaman failed to beat the champions Nautilus. At points the #STRONGHEARTS team ran circles over their opponents, cutting Yuki Ueno away from Naomi Yoshimura. But the tables turned when Ueno used a Hurricanrana to throw T-Hawk into Lindaman, knocking him off the top rope. Ueno gave Lindaman an Avalanche Uranage and then the Osaka Trad for a nearfall. Ueno then hit the Frog Splash but didn’t go for the pin. Instead he used a new finisher, a forward flipping DDT called the WR to win the match. Ueno said he was happy to have a title match like this today. They twice couldn’t win the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles from #DAMNHEARTS but today’s win shows how much progress Nautilus has made because of those matches. Maybe they’ll have another match and this time do it in OWE.
This wasn’t their original match for the show but HarashiMarufuji reunited for the first time in ages. MAO & Asuka proved to be a lot for them to handle. They hit Double Moonsaults out of the ring and Asuka threw both HARASHIMA & Naomichi Marufuji around with German Suplexes. The momentum shifted when HARASHIMA blocked Asuka’s Moonsault with his knees. Marufuji got rid of MAO with the Tiger King knee strike then stunned Asuka with a Trace Kick. HARASHIMA then crushed Asuka with the Somato to win. After the match they offered handshakes but Asuka slapped Marufuji across the face before leaving the ring. HARASHIMA told Marufuji he isn’t satisfied by today’s match. He wants to team with him again and go against the pair they were originally meant to fight: CIMA & Soma Takao!
All throughout the week, Danshoku Dieno and Makoto Oishi tried to have their Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title match over at the Ochanomizu Dojo. However one setback after another prevented the match from happening. Either Dieno forgot to turn off his stove, the referee never turned up, Oishi was busy babysitting or both wrestlers forgot their gear and weren’t allowed wrestle in the nude. After so many cancellations today was finally the day. Dieno waited in the ring for his opponent but Oishi never appeared. A text message came saying Oishi had to mind his baby again but he promised he would still make it. Yukinori Matsui and Hisaya Imabayashi couldn’t wait and wanted to cancel the match because it was eating into their ABEMA broadcast time. Dieno begged them not to. All he needed was three minutes and Oishi will be here. Memories of Dieno and Oishi together filled the screen when suddenly Oishi appears at the entrance! He sprints down to the ring but tripped over the steps, knocking himself out. Matsui then called off the match as Dieno looked on stunned.
Eruption defeated the NEO Itoh Respect Army in the intergender tag match. Maki Itoh avoided getting into the ring with Yukio Sakaguchi unless she was certain she had the advantage. Chris Brookes tried to help out but was met with a short range God’s Right Knee. Saki Akai then got rid of him with the Quetzalcoatl. Itoh showed one last act of defiance by giving Sakaguchi the middle finger. She got a Penalty Kick for her troubles before getting pinned.
The DDT Extreme Title match had no countouts to celebrate the relaxation of Tokyo’s outdoor restrictions. Shinya Aoki and Yukio Naya fought around the hallways of Shinjuku FACE, dragging Keigo Nakamura along for the ride. At one point they all moved past Maki Itoh who was warming up for her singing entrance. Aoki, Naya and Nakamura ended up back in the ring with Nakamura getting most of the beating. Aoki countered Naya’s Back Drop into a European Clutch to score his third successful defence.
The Tokyo Joshi Pro offer match saw Yuka Sakazaki, Miyu Yamashita & Shoko Nakajima defeat Rika Tatsumi, Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino. The result was almost the opposite when Tenma & Aino gave Sakazaki the Bakuretsu Bulldog. Nakajima came in to even the numbers and with Sakazaki did a Double 619 to Aino. Yamashita knocked Aino silly with the Backspin Kick and Sakazaki got the three count right afterwards with the Magical Magical Girl Splash.
The longest match of the show by far was the opening contest between Antonio Honda and Toru Owashi. Before the match, Super Sasadango Machine sent a video message from Niigata announcing he would donate 100 yen to a medical workers charity for every Chop that happens in the match. Both Honda and Owashi promised to put their power and soul into their Chops for such a noble cause. They then spent the match lightly chopping and slapping each other’s chests while Shota kept count. The left the venue still chopping so the show moved on to Match #2. When that was over we saw Honda & Oishi chopping each other in the locker room. They decided to go get something to eat. After Match #4 they made it to Ebisuko Tavern but Ken Ohka refused to give them entry over social distancing guidelines. The Tavern is doing everything it can to run business safely so the last thing they want to do is let in two sweaty naked men slapping each other. Honda and Owashi agreed to get a take out meal but they also dragged Ohka along with them back to the venue. After Match #5 Honda and Owashi ate their take out meal in the locker room with a captive Ohka bound and gagged behind them. KUDO entered the room demanding money because nobody paid the 3,100 yen bill! KUDO agreed to chop Ohka 31 times instead, bringing the total number of Chops thrown to 1,000! Everyone agreed to end the match there resulting in 100,000 yen being donated to charity in Sasadango’s name.
I hope everybody out there is feeling well and finding ways to cope with the sad news about Hana Kimura. Dylan from the Eastern Lariat podcast tweeted a magazine photo of the time when an 8 year old Kimura won the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title, which I think was her only connection to DDT. There would have been a working relationship between her and Sanshiro Takagi in WRESTLE-1 as well back when Takagi was part of its management.
There’s a quick story I want to tell. When I last went to Tokyo in 2016 I got to see a Sendai Girls show with a group of friends in Korakuen (the 8th April one). Kyoko Kimura was wrestling in the opener and Hana was there as her ringside attendant. This was only a few weeks after her pro debut and it was her only role on the show. I didn’t think anything of it at the time. The next day I spoke to an American expat and talked about the show. Before I even finished a sentence he cut me off and asked “Was Kyoko Kimura’s daughter there? She is going to be a star!”
DDT “DDT TV SHOW! #5”, 30/05/2020 DDT TV SHOW Studio
1. Jun Akiyama Vs Hideki Okatani
2. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Danshoku Dieno (c) Vs Antonio Honda
3. DAMNATION VS ALL OUT!: Daisuke Sasaki & Soma Takao Vs Shunma Katsumata & Yuki Iino
4. Yoshihiko & Akihiro Vs Konosuke Takeshita & Akito
5. #DAMNHEARTS Vs DISASTER BOX!: Tetsuya Endo, T-Hawk & El Lindaman Vs HARASHIMA, Yuki Ueno & Naomi Yoshimura
Figures from past and present are returning as Japan opens up again. The #STRONGHEARTS pair of T-Hawk & El Lindaman rejoin Tetsuya Endo to protect him from losing before his big title match. Yuki Ueno has spent all of this time during the pandemic looking after the Dropkick Bar. He gets to wrestle again for the first time in almost two months.
The second battle doll Akihiro came back in Yoshihiko’s time of need to defeat ALL OUT. The feud isn’t over yet when revenge is on offer.
Third time’s the charm for Danshoku Dieno Vs Antonio Honda.
Two thirds of the next DDT UNIVERSAL Title match face off in tag action.
Hideki Okatani showed his stuff by fighting Seigo Tachibana to a time limit draw in the match that took place after the last episode ended. Jun Akiyama should have lots to teach him.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW PPV SHOW ~ZENRYOKU YELL~”, 31/05/2020 OPENREC.tv
1. Hikari Noa Vs Sena Shiori
2. Hyper Misao Vs Mahiro Kiryu
3. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Shoko Nakajima & Suzume
The main event is confirmed to be The Magical Sugar Rabbits against Shoko Nakajima & Suzume.
GANBARE☆WRESTLING “HIMITSU 2020”, 03/06/2020 ???
1. 4 Vs 4 Survival Tag Match: Keisuke Ishii, Yumehito Imanari, Shinichiro Tominaga & Kouki Iwasaki Vs Shuichiro Katsumura, Shota, Washi Sakurai & X
At last Ganbare☆Wrestling gets to have a go at an empty arena match. Here’s a neat concept for the match. We have two teams with 4 wrestlers each. When the match begins two wrestlers from each side are selected to wrestle a tag team match. When a wrestler is defeated by normal means they are replaced by a new teammate and the tag match continues. To win the match, a team must eliminate three of their opponents.
As you can see, one team has a mystery wrestler advertised. I’m surprised to see Ken Ohka or Moeka Haruhi aren’t involved. Haruhi being there would have meant all members of THE HALFEE were in the match on the same side. This is the only match of the show too.
DDT “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020 DAY 1”, 06/06/2020 DDT TV SHOW Studio
1. Soma Takao & Mad Paulie Vs Keigo Nakamura & Hideki Okatani
2. Keisuke Ishii & HARUKAZE Vs Hiroshi Yamato & Saori Anou
3. DDT Yuru-chara No. 1 Battle In Niigata: Super Sasadango Machine Vs Pokotan
4. DDT UNIVERSAL Title – Hardcore 3 Way Match: Daisuke Sasaki (c) Vs Isami Kodaka Vs Shunma Katsumata
The new plan for “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020” is to hold it under the DDT TV SHOW format across two days. It’s not the mega show it is going to be but under the current circumstances it keeps DDT chugging along as light appears at the end of the tunnel.
Daisuke Sasaki wanted his next title defence to be easy and violent. That is why he nominated Shunma Katsumata to be his next challenger. The twist is the sudden appearance of Isami Kodaka getting involved. Kodaka heard about DDT’s new UNIVERSAL Title and wanted to add it to his ever growing list of accomplishments.
I bet the DDT roster are happy to see Saori Anou again.
DDT “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020 DAY 2”, 07/06/2020 DDT TV SHOW Studio
1. Tokyo Joshi Pro 6-Woman Tag Match: Yuka Sakazaki, Miyu Yamashita & Shoko Nakajima Vs Rika Tatsumi, Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino
2. Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai Vs Chris Brookes & Maki Itoh
3. Super Sasadango Machine Remote Produce Match: Toru Owashi Vs Antonio Honda
4. DDT Extreme Title – Celebration! Release Restriction Rules: Shinya Aoki (c) Vs Yukio Naya
5. KO-D Openweight Title: Masato Tanaka (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo
Endo is so close to his final goal. He tripped up once before but reclaimed the KO-D Challenger Sword and just has to avoid a direct defeat one more time. Once he does that, Masato Tanaka will be there waiting for him with the KO-D Openweight Title held tightly in his grip.
The state of emergency in Tokyo has been lifted and the restrictions across Japan are easing off. Shinya Aoki will use the uplifting news as inspiration for his next DDT Extreme Title defence. Yukio Naya is stepping up as the challenger.
This show is taking place on Nodoka Tenma’s birthday! She is happy to spend the day fighting against the three strongest wrestlers in Tokyo Joshi Pro. Her team with Yuki Aino & Rika Tatsumi is called Bakuretsu Dragon.
BASARA “BASARA 129 ~BANQUET~”, 14/07/2020 Shin-Kiba 1st RING
1. IRON FIST Tag Titles: Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga (c) Vs Gouma Ryu & Ryuji Ito
2. Union MAX Title: Fuminori Abe (c) Vs Isami Kodaka
BASARA are playing it safe and have cancelled their last remaining show in June. Instead their first show back will be in July at Shin-Kiba 1st RING. Normally this is the Banquet all you can drink show but that system will be suspended and the seating rearranged to accommodate social distancing. For now they are numbering the show #129. The last BASARA show that took place was #126 (I’m amazed I’ve been able to keep track of the chapter numbers for so long). If that sticks then it means #127 & #128 are forever lost to the cancellations.
The two title matches that were originally going to take place in April are now finally going to happen in July. Fuminori Abe must be chomping at the bit to prove his worth as Union MAX Champion by now.
DDT “DDT TV SHOW! #4”, 23/05/2020 DDT TV SHOW Studio 0 Fans
1. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Danshoku Dieno (c) Vs Antonio Honda
2. Akito & Yuki Iino Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya
3. Jun Akiyama Vs Mizuki Watase
4. DDT UNIVERSAL Title – 3 Way Match: Daisuke Sasaki (c) Vs Chris Brookes Vs Naomi Yoshimura
5. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Yoshihiko
6. Special Tag Match: Masato Tanaka & HARASHIMA Vs Tetsuya Endo & Soma Takao
-. KO-D Openweight Title: Masato Tanaka (c) Vs Shinya Aoki
DDT “DDT TV SHOW! #4”, 23/05/2020 DDT TV SHOW Studio 0 Fans
1. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Danshoku Dieno (c) Vs Antonio Honda ended in a No Contest (10:19). *No successful defence for Danshoku Dieno.
2. Akito & Yuki Iino defeated Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya when Akito submitted Naya with the Figure 4 Leg Lock (9:35).
3. Jun Akiyama defeated Mizuki Watase with the Exploder Suplex (11:21).
4. DDT UNIVERSAL Title – 3 Way Match: Daisuke Sasaki (c) defeated Chris Brookes and Naomi Yoshimura when Sasaki pinned Yoshimura after the Praying Mantis Bomb from Brookes (11:47). *V2 for Daisuke Sasaki.
5. Yoshihiko defeated Konosuke Takeshita with the Reincarnation (22:21).
6. Special Tag Match: Masato Tanaka & HARASHIMA defeated Tetsuya Endo & Soma Takao when Tanaka pinned Takao with the Sliding D (15:07).
-. KO-D Openweight Title: Masato Tanaka (c) defeated Shinya Aoki with the Sliding D (8:26). *V4 for Masato Tanaka.
Busy day for Masato Tanaka. He went into today’s episode of DDT TV SHOW focused on meeting his closest challenger Tetsuya Endo in a tag match. With the help of a Reverse Hurricanrana from HARASHIMA, Tanaka knocked out Endo with the Sliding D. The duo then picked apart Soma Takao until the inevitable victory.
A revived Endo tried to confront Tanaka after the match but he was suddenly interrupted by Shinya Aoki! He came out to cash in his Right To Challenge Gauntlet for a KO-D Openweight Title shot right away! From the start Aoki targeted Tanaka’s arm and used a Key Lock to put his opponent in immediate danger. Tanaka escaped the ring after a rope break and challenged Aoki to come fight him outside. Aoki avoided being ambushed with a chair and again went after Tanaka’s left arm. It was a valuable tactic that cut off Tanaka whenever he tried to fight back. It took one opening for Tanaka to beat Aoki. He used a pin to break out of a Cross Armbreaker and then struck Aoki with the Sliding D. The surprise was enough to keep Aoki down for the three count! The two bowed to each other after the match.
Another Right To Challenge Gauntlet has been vanquished. One more is left but there is also the KO-D Challenger Sword held by Endo. It was decided by Hisaya Imabayashi that Endo’s title shot will take place at “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020 DAY 2” on 7th June! Endo said he does not care about MAO being the last remaining Gauntlet holder, he is entirely focused on hunting Tanaka to win the KO-D Title! Tanaka said whether it is Endo or MAO kneeling in front of him, he will continue to hold the KO-D Title until he goes to Saitama Super Arena!
Yoshihiko has made a clean sweep through ALL OUT! The final battle in the “ALL OUT, All Dead” campaign saw the doll defeat Konosuke Takeshita in a mighty conflict. Takeshita swung Yoshihiko round in circles, Yoshihiko did the Styles Clash, Takeshita did an Avalanche Brainbuster to the outside. There was nothing either wrestler wouldn’t do to win. That includes relying on others. The other ALL OUT members interfered to help out their partner. They then ganged up on Yoshihiko after the referee got accidentally knocked out. All looked lost when suddenly the lights went out. When they came back on Yoshihiko was joined by another battle doll. It was the return of Akihiro! Together they sent ALL OUT packing and left Takeshita begging for mercy. They gave him a Double Canadian Destroyer. Yoshihiko had the match won but it picked Takeshita back up and gave him the Reincarnation to win with authority. The lights went out again as the two dolls stared down at their defeated enemy.
MAO was pulled from the show at the last minute because of an injury so the DDT UNIVERSAL Title was now being defended in a 3 Way Match. At first Daisuke Sasaki and Chris Brookes only wanted to fight each other so Naomi Yoshimura couldn’t get a look in. From there it was a scramble to get the win. Brookes gave Yoshimura the Praying Mantis Bomb but Sasaki threw him out of the ring and stole the three count to remain as champion.
Brookes called the result a load of shit. Sasaki taunted him by saying he will never get the UNIVERSAL Title back. He then gave Brookes a Low Blow and threw him out again. Sasaki announced his next challenger will be Shunma Katsumata because he wants to have a Hardcore Match and also Katsumata is the weakest member of ALL OUT. Katsumata came out carrying a baseball bat covered in toy blocks. He admitted he has never beaten Sasaki but if “Super Hardcore Shunma” even has a 1% chance of winning, he will take it. Suddenly Isami Kodaka made his return to DDT and entered the ring. He has won all of DDT’s main championships but this UNIVERSAL Title is new to him. Sasaki accepted Kodaka’s challenge and told Katsumata he had no need for him anymore. Katsumata struck Sasaki with the bat causing a fight to break out between the three of them. Imabayashi calmed everyone down and decided they will have a Hardcore 3 Way Match for the title. Sasaki wasn’t conscious at this point so everyone assumed he’d be okay with it. Meanwhile Brookes is pissed off he can’t get a one on one match with Sasaki for the title.
Ambushing Jun Akiyama with his own Jumping Knee Attack is a good way to show you’re taking a match seriously so well done Mizuki Watase. Trying to beat him with a Front Necklock also takes some balls. In the end though Akiyama hit his own Knee Strikes and won with the Exploder Suplex. It will take some time but Akiyama hopes to train the DDT wrestlers to put more weight and soul into their Elbow Smash exchanges.
Yuki Iino threw his weight around in Match #2. He hit a Double Spear to Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya. Then when Akito put Naya in the Figure 4 Leg Lock, Iino hit him with a low level Spear leading to Naya tapping out.
Lately whenever Danshoku Dieno and Antonio Honda fight over the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title their matches just seem to fall apart. This time Honda channeled the power of Gongitsune to possess other people. Dieno could resist it by putting his hands over his ears but for people like Hideki Okatani, Keigo Nakamura, Daisuke Kiso and Hisaya Imabayashi they could not be as fortunate. Honda’s plan backfired when the Gongitsune group turned on him, forcing him to be possessed by his own power! Together they all ganged up on Dieno until the room went dark. Dieno woke up in his own home. It was just a nightmare. Or was it? When he left the room we found out Okatani was hiding underneath the covers, still possessed by Gongitsune…
DDT “DDT EXTREME TITLE MATCH ONE MATCH DISTRIBUTION”, 23/05/2020 DDT Official YouTube Channel 0 Fans
1. DDT Extreme Title – Studio Commentary And Recording Rules: Shinya Aoki (c) defeated Keigo Nakamura with a European Clutch (3:59). *V2 for Shinya Aoki.
Today’s DDT Extreme Title match did not take place at the DDT TV SHOW. Instead it was held inside the studio at DDT’s office where commentary for TV SHOW was in the middle of being recorded. It was a brief match with Keigo Nakamura giving his best including a Bombs Away Knee Drop from a table and then a Moonsault. But Shinya Aoki held his nerve and countered a German Suplex with a European Clutch to win. Aoki praised the rookie for pushing him one step further today. Nakamura’s Headlock may have been the strongest one Aoki ever felt in DDT. Aoki wants his next defence to be held under GENOME rules!
DDT “DDT TV SHOW! #4”, 23/05/2020 DDT TV SHOW Studio
1. Akito & Yuki Iino Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yukio Naya
2. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title: Danshoku Dieno (c) Vs Antonio Jonda
3. Special Tag Match: Masato Tanaka & HARASHIMA Vs Tetsuya Endo & Soma Takao
4. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Yoshihiko
5. Jun Akiyama Vs Mizuki Watase
6. DDT Extreme Title: Shinya Aoki (c) Vs Keigo Nakamura
7. DDT UNIVERSAL Title – 4 Way Match: Daisuke Sasaki (c) Vs Chris Brookes Vs Naomi Yoshimura Vs MAO
The DDT TV SHOW is now established on the schedule with more weekly episodes taking place until at least 20th June. Daisuke Sasaki has to defend the DDT UNIVERSAL Title against three wrestlers who all want to take the belt from him. Shinya Aoki versus Keigo Nakamura for the DDT Extreme Title finally takes place. Mizuki Watase dug up the courage to challenge Jun Akiyama. After last week’s calamity of a match, Danshoku Dieno and Antonio Honda get a re-do for their Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title bout.
Next, let’s move over to the KO-D Openweight Title scene. Tetsuya Endo regained the KO-D Challenger Sword and can now challenge Masato Tanaka for the title whenever he wants. Tanaka is coming in to face Endo in a tag match. One bad result for Endo will dash his plans for a second time and whether it is Tanaka or HARASHIMA who pins him it will be another wild twist in the title scene. Or maybe Soma Takao throws a wrench in and beats Tanaka himself?
And let’s not forget about Yoshihiko’s blood feud with ALL OUT. The doll has checked off every member from its list, except for Konosuke Takeshita. This is the last stand for ALL OUT. Either Takeshita banished the threat or it’s a total party kill.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW PPV SHOW ~ZENRYOKU YELL~”, 31/05/2020 OPENREC.tv
The return of Tokyo Joshi Pro after a two month absence will be a special PPV event broadcasting on the OPENREC streaming service. Seven matches will be on offer with the regular roster taking part. The stream is available in three tiers, each includes live viewing and VOD until 16th June. The show will be added to WRESTLE UNIVERSE after that date.
The Regular Tier costs ¥1650. You get 100 Yell Points which briefly posts a message of support for the wrestlers on screen during matches. The Special Tier costs ¥3300. You get 100 Yell Points, a 10 second video message from a wrestler of your choosing and a poster signed by all the wrestlers. The Premium Tier costs ¥5500. You get everything already mentioned as well as sponsoring a paper tape thrown during an entrance and also a chance to participate in a Zoom party after the show.
GAKE NO FUCHI JOSHI PRO “MUJIN PRO WRESTLING 2020 ~NOBODY SHOW~”, 05/06/2020 ???
1. Miyako Matsumoto Vs Cypress Ueno
Miyako Matsumoto’s plan to do an unmanned pro wrestling show is going ahead after all. No wrestlers, no referees, no fans but there are commentators. Shota and Munenori Sawa will be somewhere to call play by play for whatever it is Matsumoto and hip hop artist Cypress Ueno are doing.
DDT “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020 DAY 1”, 06/06/2020 DDT TV SHOW Studio
DDT “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020 DAY 2”, 07/06/2020 DDT TV SHOW Studio
Clap your hands so “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2020” can live! Everyone is doing two shows for their biggest event of the year now so DDT is doing the same. Day 1 will be exclusively on WRESTLE UNIVERSE. Day 2 will be on both WRESTLE UNIVERSE and ABEMA.
Posted by JamieOD 
Dramatic DDT 