Commentary At Wrestle Princess III, Iwasaki Leaving Ganpro, New Trainee Riara

October 3, 2022

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “WRESTLE PRINCESS III”, 09/10/2022
Tokyo Dome City Hall

1. Moka Miyamoto & Juria Nagano Vs Arisu Endo & Kaya Toribami
2. Yuki Kamifuku, Mahiro Kiryu & Haruna Neko Vs Nao Kakuta, Yuna Manase & Yoshiko Hasegawa
3. Suzume Vs Ryo Mizunami
4. Mizuki Vs Hyper Misao
5. Aja Kong, Raku & Pom Harajuku Vs Rika Tatsumi, Yuki Aino & Max The Impaler
6. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Riho & Hikari Noa
7. International Princess Title: Alex Windsor (c) Vs Miu Watanabe
8. Princess Tag Team Titles: Saki Akai & Yuki Arai (c) Vs Rhia O’Reilly & Nightshade
9. Princess Of Princess Title: Shoko Nakajima (c) Vs Yuka Sakazaki

Reika Saiki will be a guest commentator on the show. It will be her first appearance on a Tokyo Joshi Pro show since her retirement match in May. Chris Brookes & Baliyan Akki will be doing English commentary for the show.

TJPW “YUME PRO WRESTLING -DREAM ON THE RING-”, 14/10/2022
Shinjuku FACE

1. Exhibition Match: Wakana Uehara, Himari Manaka & Risako Vs X, X & X

Rhia O’Reilly and Max The Impaler will both be on the show.

GANBARE☆PRO “DIRTY HERO 2022”, 03/11/2022
Yokohama Radiant Hall

1. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Hartley Jackson (c) Vs Shuichiro Katsumura

It’s been proven that strength and passion on their own is not enough to beat Hartley Jackson. So now it is up to Shuichiro Katsumura to prove that a mixture of skill, speed, stamina and strategy can get the job done. The spotlight is on him as much as it can be because the match is taking place in his hometown. If he wins the Spirit Of Ganbare Title he has already said he wants to give Ken Ohka the first title shot. Katsumura considers Jackson to be a good friend so he offered to take him out for a meal after their match. Jackson loves the idea but is worried Katsumura will have a broken jaw and won’t be able to walk after he beats him. It would be rude if he has to spend the entire meal lying on the floor looking up at Jackson eating and drinking everything.

GANBARE☆PRO “GIRI GIRI CHOP! 2022”, 27/12/2022
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Kouki Iwasaki Ganbare☆Pro Wrestling Last Match: Keisuke Ishii Vs Kouki Iwasaki

Today it’s been announced that Kouki Iwasaki will terminate his contract with Ganbare☆Pro at the end of this year. He is leaving the promotion and will continue wrestling as a freelancer. It is a decision he was thinking about for over a year because he is at his most fulfilled both physically and mentally. He and his wife are also expecting their first child during the new year so he thinks now is the time to move on to fighting new opponents from the outside world. He does not have any specific places where he wants to work other than he wants to be in places where he can grow and step up. His final match as a member of Ganpro is against his friend Keisuke Ishii on 27th December.

Ganpro publicly introduced their current trainee, who comes from the cabaret world. Riara is said to be a “legendary cabaret club girl” from the No. 1 club in Kabukicho. Born in Kurihara City, Miyagi she discovered pro wrestling in 4th grade and once sent in a resume to LLPW. She began working at hostess clubs in Sendai at the age of 19 and moved to Tokyo after the 2011 earthquake. In Kabukicho she achieved many accomplishments within her field and became very popular. However she had always wanted to follow her dream to be a pro wrestler and met with Sanshiro Takagi through a mutual acquaintance. After their meeting, Riara graduated from the cabaret world and in June became a Ganpro trainee. Takagi said Riara has already shown the motivation and passion needed to reach to the top. She still has a way to go before she has a wrestling match but will be able to start doing ringside duties at Ganpro shows soon. Riara grew up as a fan of Atsushi Onita, nWo Japan and Hiroyoshi Tenzan. She would like to be in an Exploding Death Match with Onita. Takagi said he can recommend her to Onita if she debuts and shows she can do well in the ring.


GANBARE☆PRO “NERAWARETA GAKUEN 2022” Results

October 2, 2022

GANBARE☆PRO “NERAWARETA GAKUEN 2022”, 02/10/2022
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall
120 Fans – Super No Vacancy

1. Power Of Dream Class Reunion In Ganbare☆Pro Wrestling: Kouki Iwasaki defeated Yuki Kanzaki with a Texas Cloverleaf (8:45).
2. England x Makai x GanJo! Special 6-Woman Tag Match: Nightshade, Moeka Haruhi & HARUKAZE defeated Ram Kaichow, YuuRI & Yoshiko Hasegawa when Nightshade pinned YuuRI with the Lights Out (12:46).
3. Union Alumni Assocation In Ganbare☆Pro Wrestling: Ken Ohka defeated Daichi Kazato with the Flame Spear (9:08).
4. Nerawareta Gakuen 2022 Special Tag Match: Shuichiro Katsumura & Thanomsak Toba defeated Keisuke Ishii & Yumehito Imanari when Katsumura submitted Imanari with the Triple One 1 Lock (11:14).
5. Toyama & India Vs Ota Ward & Nakano All-Out Battle!: Soma Takao & Mizuki Watase defeated Shinichiro Tominaga & Baliyan Akki when Takao pinned Tominaga with the Official Endless Waltz (16:10).
6. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Hartley Jackson (c) defeated Yuna Manase with a Lariat (20:15).
*V1 for Hartley Jackson.

The Spirit Of Ganbare Title lived up to its name when Yuna Manase fought her best to try and win the belt from Hartley Jackson. She was outmatched in strength and size but still fought to the end, kicking out of a Senton and the Jumping Piledriver. Her gameplan was to tackle Jackson’s leg but her biggest chance came when she found a way to Power Bomb the champion from the corner. But the power difference was too much and Jackson kept up his attacks until Manase was finally pinned with a Lariat. After the match Jackson praised Manase for being full of fighting spirit and that true spirit comes from the heart. It’s just unfortunate that in the end it is the bad guy who wins and remains the champion. All Jackson needed to make this moment perfect was to have a beer…

Shuichiro Katsumura entered the ring with beer and gave a toast to Jackson for being a great champion. He doesn’t think he can beat him with strength and power. He also knows you can’t beat Jackson with passion alone. You need to use your brains, your skill and also be calm headed. Katsumura believes he has all of that and can beat Jackson to bring the championship back to Ganbare☆Pro! He challenged Jackson to a title match on 3rd November in Katsumura’s hometown of Yokohama. He also promised if he wins the title he will give Ken Ohka the first title shot.

Kouki Iwasaki encouraged Yuki Kanzaki to continue promoting himself and keep participating in Ganpro to improve his skills. Iwasaki himself is preparing for the birth of his first child in the new year so even though he feels like he is in his best condition both physically and mentally right now, he still has a lot of growing up to do in order to reach new heights.


GANBARE☆PRO “ENEMY OF AMERICA 2022” Results

September 23, 2022

GANBARE☆PRO “ENEMY OF AMERICA 2022”, 23/09/2022
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR
85 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Young Drama Generation Vs Reiwa Dramatic Generation: Keisuke Ishii defeated Toi Kojima with the Running Double Arm Clutch Driver (8:06).
2. GanPro Three Major Tag Match: Moeka Haruhi & HARUKAZE defeated Miyuki Takase & Yoshiko Hasegawa when HARUKAZE submitted Hasegawa with the Haru Ichiban (10:45).
3. YuuRI GanPro 1st Anniversary Match: Yuna Manase defeated YuuRI with the Lariat (10:36).
4. GanPro Three Major Tag Match: Kouki Iwasaki & Yuki Kanzaki defeated Shuichiro Katsumura & Shinichiro Tominaga when Iwasaki pinned Tominaga with the Back Drop Hold (16:08).
5. GanPro Three Major Tag Match: Ken Ohka & Yumehito Imanari defeated Soma Takao & Mizuki Watase when Ohka pinned Watase with the Flame Spear (20:32).

The connection between Kouki Iwasaki & Yuki Kanzaki is they both train in the same martial arts gym Power Of Dream run by Kenichi Yamamoto. Kanzaki told Iwasaki after their tag match that he wants to continue wrestling in Ganbare☆Pro. Iwasaki shook his hand and told him they both have to catch up with another member of their gym, Jake Lee! Maybe he can get in touch with Yamamoto and they can set up an all Power Of Dreams clash.

The match between Yuna Manase and YuuRI was important for various reasons. It was a rematch from YuuRI’s entry into Ganpro one year ago. It was also Manase’s last match before she challenges for the Spirit Of Ganbare Title on 2nd October. Manase said that YuuRI’s Ganbare fire made her own flame feel even hotter.

Ken Ohka gave Manase some motivating words at the end of the show. He told her beating Hartley Jackson will be like winning the entire world. Even though he is giving Manase his support, Ohka has his own goal to someday win the Spirit Of Ganbare Title and do it at the Tokyo Dome!


TGS Exhibition Matches, Abadon Off TJPW Show, This Is Not Meant To Be An AEW Blog I Swear

September 15, 2022

AEW “TOKYO GAME SHOW 2022 EXHIBITION MATCH”, 16/09/2022
Chiba Makuhari Messe Hall

1. AEW: Fight Forever Exhibition Match: Christopher Daniels Vs Chris Brookes
2. AEW: Fight Forever Exhibition Match: Ryo Mizunami Vs Hikari Noa
3. AEW: Fight Forever Exhibition Match: Konosuke Takeshita Vs Winner Of Match #1

There’s the confirmation over what I was talking about from yesterday’s post. AEW are holding exhibition matches at the Tokyo Game Show with DDT and Tokyo Joshi Pro also involved. There will be matches held over three days with a variety of wrestlers from the promotions already mentioned plus a few more names in store. On Day 1 the first two matches will be held at 1:00 pm. Match #3 will be at 3:00 pm.

Other names advertised to appear during the weekend are Riho, Michael Nakazawa, Yuka Sakazaki, Maki Itoh, Hagane Shinno and Yuki Ueno. Itoh I’m surprised by because she has a match in Canada on Friday and a match in America on Saturday. Does the time difference work out for her to make it back on Sunday? There are also a few big name omissions given who is also in the country this weekend. Earlier today Hikaru Shida starred in the latest Makai performance and Emi Sakura was running a Gatoh Move event. And of course there is all the talk surrounding Kenny Omega. He is currently suspended from AEW related business due to investigations over the incident that is now referred to online as “Brawl Out”.

The latest gossip is Omega will not be involved with the promotion for AEW’s video game at TGS. News has since come out that both Nakazawa and Christopher Daniels have been cleared of any wrongdoing so their suspensions have been lifted and they can go ahead with their duties. Omega however is over in Japan on his own volition working on personal projects with Sega and Capcom. He visited Sega’s office and posted pictures of himself getting scanned, presumably to become a character for one of the upcoming Yakuza/Like A Dragon games in production. The Capcom connection is an upcoming panel appearance to talk about Street Fighter 6. Oh yeah and he reunited with Kota Ibushi too. As much as that tugs on my heartstrings I won’t go any further with that unless The Golden Lovers reunion makes its way over to DDT. Don’t hold your breath with that one.

Once every match from all three days is completed I will gather them all together for a results post along with video links should they be filmed on any of THQ Nordic’s social channels. Normally I would save AEW results for my Around The World posts but this is all happening in Japan with more direct involvement from DDT and TJPW than usual. So I may as well give the results their own post.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW AUTUMN TOUR ’22”, 16/09/2022
Shinjuku FACE

1. 3 Way Match: Hyper Misao Vs Yuki Kamifuku Vs Haruna Neko
2. Moka Miyamoto Vs Mei Suruga
3. Rika Tatsumi Vs Mahiro Kiryu
4. Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Kaya Toribami Vs Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku
5. Shoko Nakajima & Arisu Endo Vs Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki
6. International Princess Title Next Challenger Match: Miu Watanabe Vs Suzume

Sadly Abadon could not get a visa ready in time to travel and cannot be in Japan this weekend. Their appearance at tomorrow’s TJPW show has been cancelled and Mei Suruga is being called in to be Moka Miyamoto’s new opponent. Abadon was meant to be at TGS first and foremost. The TJPW booking was made after the fact but visa troubles with the “event organiser” happened shortly afterwards. Attempts were made to solve the problem but the booking was cancelled in the end. This is not a problem exclusive to AEW contracted wrestlers (see Timothy Thatcher and NOAH last month) but I’m worried this happening so close to Willow Nightingale’s cancelled booking is revealing a trend.

DDT “STERNNESS 30TH ANNIVERSARY ~JUN AKIYAMA 30TH ANNIVERSARY~”, 18/09/2022
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Yusuke Okada Vs Yuya Koroku
2. Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno, Yumehito “Fantastic” Imanari & Koju “Shining Ball” Takeda Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Toru Owashi, Antonio Honda & Kazuki Hirata
3. HARASHIMA & Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani & Soma Takao & Yukio Naya
4. Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ishida, Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi Vs Daisuke Sasaki, Minoru Fujita, MJ Paul & KANON
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toi Kojima Vs Cara Noir, Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi
6. Naomi Yoshimura Vs Takeshi Masada
7. Jun Akiyama Debut 30th Anniversary Match – Special 6-Man Tag Match: Jun Akiyama, Tetsuya Endo & Yoshinobu Kanemaru Vs Yuji Nagata, Konosuke Takeshita & Shunma Katsumata

Jun Akiyama gave a few comments on the card for DDT’s website. He made some DDT to All Japan comparisons, saying Sanshiro Takagi is DDT’s Giant Baba. He also named Konosuke Takeshita, Tetsuya Endo, Kazusada Higuchi and Naomi Yoshimura as DDT’s Four Pillars. Because Takagi is like Baba, Akiyama describes Takagi’s tag match against Pheromones as something like the Family Gundan Vs Akuyaku Shokai comedy bouts that AJPW held throughout the 90s. Does that make Antonio Honda this generation’s Rusher Kimura?

Kenta Kobashi will be a special guest commentator on the show. He was Akiyama’s debut opponent.

GANBARE☆PRO “NERAWARETA GAKUEN 2022”, 02/10/2022
Tokyo Itabashi Green Hall

1. England x Makai x GanJo! Special 6-Woman Tag Match: Nightshade, Moeka Haruhi & HARUKAZE Vs Ram Kaichow, YuuRI & Yoshiko Hasegawa
2. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Hartley Jackson (c) Vs Yuna Manase

A big shift in Ganbare☆Pro’s main event scene was made after Hartley Jackson won the Spirit Of Ganbare Title from Yumehito Imanari. The first person to challenge him for the belt is Yuna Manase! The two have been in the ring together before over at ZERO1. Manase thinks Jackson does not know the meaning of Ganbare so she won’t let him extinguish its flame.

Nightshade won’t just be working with TJPW when she returns to Japan next month. She will be at Ganpro for the first time in 3 years too. Her match is a chaotic mix of joshi talent including the Ganpro debut of Ram Kaichow!

DDT “GET ALIVE 2022”, 12/10/2022
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. 4 Way Tag Match: Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Yumehito “Fantastic” Imanari Vs Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku Vs Yukio Naya & Hideki Okatani
2. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yuji Hino Vs HARASHIMA, Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi
3. Get Alive 4 Major Single Match! Yuki Ishida 1st Anniversary Match ~ Playfulness Series Act 4: Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Yuki Ishida
4. Get Alive 4 Major Single Match!: Koju “Shining Ball” Takeda Vs Toi Kojima
5. Get Alive 4 Major Single Match!: Toru Owashi Vs Kazuki Hirata
6. Get Alive 4 Major Single Match!: Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Takeshi Masada
7. Makoto Oishi 20th Anniversary Match ~ Men’s Club Vs The 37KAMIINA: Makoto Oishi, MEN’S Teoih & Shiori Asahi Vs Yuki Ueno, MAO & Shunma Katsumata
8. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Kazusada Higuchi & Naomi Yoshimura (c) Vs Daisuke Sasaki & KANON

The midcard is filled up with four significant singles matches. Yukio Sakaguchi is the latest veteran to put the super rookie Takeshi Masada to the test, Toru Owashi and Kazuki Hirata are finally facing each other in a regular one on one match, Koju Takeda has his first singles bout in DDT since joining Pheromones and Yuki Ishida celebrates his 1 year anniversary.


Video – GANBARE☆PRO “PUNCH DRUNK LOVE 2022” 2nd Half

September 4, 2022

GANBARE☆PRO “PUNCH DRUNK LOVE 2022”, 03/09/2022
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall
118 Fans

1. GanPro Special 6-Man Tag Match: Ken Ohka, Shuichiro Katsumura & Kouki Iwasaki Vs Soma Takao, Shinichiro Tominaga & Jun Masaoka
2. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Yumehito Imanari (c) Vs Hartley Jackson


GANBARE☆PRO “TOKOROZAWA PARK TOWN SHOPPING STREET 2022” Results

August 27, 2022

GANBARE☆PRO “TOKOROZAWA PARK TOWN SHOPPING STREET 2022”, 27/08/2022
Saitama Tokorozawa Park Town Shopping Street Special
389 Fans

1. Eternal Rebellious Period And Late Rebellious Period vs Ishii’s Allied Tag Team: Yumehito Imanari & Tyson Maeguchi defeated Gota Ihashi & Kouki Iwasaki when Imanari pinned Ihashi with the Lariat (10:54).
2. GanJo Special 6-Woman Tag Match In Park Town Shopping District: Cherry, Moeka Haruhi & HARUKAZE defeated Yuna Manase, Kakeru Sekiguchi & Yoshiko Hasegawa when Haruhi submitted Hasegawa with the 79.5MHz (11:34).
3. ROMANCE DAWN Vs Super Beast Of The World & Hentai Of Toyama: Aja Kong & Shinichiro Tominaga defeated Shota & Soma Takao when Kong pinned Shota with the Uraken (15:49).
4. Fresh Ariyama Presents Special 6-Man Tag Match: Ken Ohka, Shuichiro Katsumura & Keisuke Ishii defeated Tatsuhito Takaiwa, Mizuki Watase & SAGAT when Ishii pinned Watase with the Kneel Kick (18:36).

The show was deemed a success by Ken Ohka and Keisuke Ishii. Ohka sees it as Ganbare☆Pro taking another step towards becoming a major sport promotion. It made Ishii feel glad he is a pro wrestler and happy to be a part of Ganpro.

Yumehito Imanari held a beer tasting “practice” at the end of the show to prepare for his Spirit Of Ganbare Title defence against Hartley Jackson. He did a blind taste test but ended it after he got the first beer wrong. Imanari was left worried that his failure today will lead to dark clouds forming over his title match on 3rd September. Even if it does, he promised the fans he will beat Jackson for them.


GANBARE☆PRO “SANGERIA 2022” Results

August 21, 2022

GANBARE☆PRO “SANGERIA 2022”, 21/08/2022
Takashimadaira Ward Community Center
114 Fans

1. GanPro Specialty Special Mixed Tag Match: MAO & HARUKAZE defeated Onryo & YuuRI when HARUKAZE pinned YuuRI with the Flame Spear (11:27).
2. GanJo Special Tag Match: Yuna Manase & Moeka Haruhi defeated Nao Kakuta & Yoshiko Hasegawa when Manase submitted Hasegawa with a Crab Hold (10:34).
3. Australia Vs Toyama Full-Scale Battle: Hartley Jackson defeated Shinichiro Tominaga with the Jumping Piledriver (9:34).
4. Sangeria 2022 Special Single Match: Keisuke Ishii defeated Shota with the Kneel Kick (13:55).
5. GanPro Special 6-Man Tag Match: Ken Ohka, Shuichiro Katsumura & Soma Takao defeated Kouki Iwasaki, Mizuki Watase & Nobuihiro Shimatani when Ohka pinned Shimatani with the Flame Spear (18:55).

The show began with a contract signing for the Spirit Of Ganbare Title match on 3rd September. Yumehito Imanari signed the contract first after Hartley Jackson warned him the neck injury he is currently recovering from should not be taken lightly. When Jackson added his signature, the two of them exchanged words. Imanari said he’s been listening to “Lose Yourself” by Eminem everyday to find inspiration to beat his challenger. Jackson may have become a bad guy in order to get the title shot but if he pushes Imanari too far, Imanari’s bad side might show itself in the match too. The two of them then started arguing about beer and who is going to be celebrating their victory with drinks. Jackson then warned Imanari about Shinichiro Tominaga, telling him in action movies the hero’s best friend usually dies first.

Jackson went on to beat Tominaga later in the show while Imanari was standing in his friend’s corner. Jackson reminded Imanari after the match that sometimes you have to become the bad guy to get what you want. Jackson would have liked to be a well behaved foreign wrestler in Japan but screw that! Now he just wants to win the Spirit Of Ganbare Title and drink all of Imanari’s beer! Imanari admits that this match will be nothing like his title defence against Shigehiro Irie. He can sense a weakness in Jackson, perhaps he is self-conscious that he isn’t on the level of Stan Hansen or Brusier Brody.

Shota’s final match in Ganbare☆Pro before his American excursion will happen on 27th August. He’s been spending his time polishing up his abilities here in Ganpro as well as in other indie promotions. He now feels confident he is ready to go on his excursion and show everyone he will take multiple steps forward as a pro wrestler.


Kakuta Replacing Takase At Ganpro, Takeshita 10th Anniversary Full Card

August 18, 2022

I didn’t think I would have time this week to write up a preview for “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2022”. Turns out I did after all so it will be posted in a few hours time. I was going to hold out until tomorrow morning if there are any last minute changes but I can go back and edit it if that happens. The preview should be posted in the next hour or so.

GANBARE☆PRO “SANGERIA 2022”, 21/08/2022
Takashimadaira Ward Community Center

1. Sangeria 2022 Special Single Match: Keisuke Ishii Vs Shota
2. Australia Vs Toyama Full-Scale Battle: Hartley Jackson Vs Shinichiro Tominaga
3. GanPro Specialty Special Mixed Tag Match: Onryo & YuuRI Vs MAO & HARUKAZE
4. GanJo Special Tag Match: Yuna Manase & Moeka Haruhi Vs Nao Kakuta & Yoshiko Hasegawa
5. GanPro Special 6-Man Tag Match: Ken Ohka, Shuichiro Katsumura & Soma Takao Vs Kouki Iwasaki, Mizuki Watase & Nobuihiro Shimatani

The main event now has Ken Ohka added to it as the replacement for the injured Yumehito Imanari. A contract signing for the upcoming Spirit Of Ganbare Title defence will still go ahead before the show with Hartley Jackson in attendance.

Miyuki Takase tested positive for covid and is off the show. Nao Kakuta hops over from Tokyo Joshi Pro to take her place. MAO is also added to Match #3 to take the spot Ohka left open.

DDT “JAPAN BAKERY MARKETING PRESENTS KONOSUKE TAKESHITA 10TH ANNIVERSARY ~NISHINARI BAY BLUES~”, 10/09/2022
Osaka Nishinari Kumin Center

1. MJ Paul & KANON Vs Hideki Okatani & Takeshi Masada
2. Yasu Urano, Antonio Honda & Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi Vs Masahiro Takanashi, Super Sasadango Machine & X
3. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – Staggered Entre Battle Royal: Toru Owashi (c) Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino Vs Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Yumehito “Fantastic” Imanari Vs Yusuke Okada Vs Yuya Korku Vs Akito Vs Makoto Oishi Vs Soma Takao Vs Kazuki Hirata Vs Saki Akai Vs Yuki Ishida Vs Ilusion Vs El Unicorn
4. The 37KAMIINA Vs Brahmin Brothers: MAO, Shunma Katsumata & Toi Kojima Vs Brahman Shu, Brahman Kei & Brahman Sanshiro
5. Tokyo Joshi Pro 3 Way Tag Offer Match: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao Vs Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Miu Watanabe & Arisu Endo
6. Nobuyuki Onizawa’s Ochakan Radio Presents Special Tag Match: Minoru Suzuki & Yukio Sakaguchi Vs HARASHIMA & Shinya Aoki
7. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi, Naomi Yoshimura & Yukio Naya Vs Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yuji Hino
8. Japan Bakery Marketing Co., Ltd. Presents Special Single Match: Konosuke Takeshita Vs Daisuke Sasaki

The 10th Anniversary celebration for Konosuke Takeshita is bringing in a large 6-Man Tag Match of the heavyweight variety, a bonus match from TJPW, a Battle Royal for the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title and the return of the Brahman Brothers with a new member… Brahman Sanshiro?


LiLiCo Has News At Wrestle Peter Pan, Imanari Injured, Go Girl 3 Card

August 17, 2022

DDT “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2022”, 20/08/2022
Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium

1. Yusuke Okada, Yuya Koroku & Ilusion Vs Toi Kojima, Yuki Ishida & Takeshi Masada
2. 3 Way 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno & Koju “Shining Ball” Takeda (w/ Yumehito “Fantastic” Imanari) Vs Yuji Hino, Yukio Naya & Super Sasadango Machine Vs Toru Owashi, Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Naomi Yoshimura, Kota Umeda & Keisuke Okuda Vs HARASHIMA, Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani
4. Shinichiro Kawamatsu Debut Match ~ Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Member Vs Bunkyo Ward Assembly Member: Shinichiro Kawamatsu, Sanshiro Takagi & Soma Takao Vs Osamu Nishimura, Makoto Oishi & Akito
5. Special Mixed Tag Match: Jun Akiyama & Saki Akai Vs Chris Brookes & Asuka
6. DDT Extreme Title – Special Hardcore Match: Joey Janela (c) Vs Shunma Katsumata
7. DDT Universal Title: Masahiro Takanashi (c) Vs Yuki Ueno
8. DDT 25th Anniversary Special 6-Man Tag Match: Dick Togo, Daisuke Sasaki & KANON (w/ MJ Paul) Vs Konosuke Takeshita, MAO & Yasu Urano
9. KO-D Openweight Title: Kazusada Higuchi (c) Vs Tetsuya Endo

Another special guest will be showing up at Ota Ward Gymnasium this weekend. LiLiCo retired from pro wrestling five months ago and admits her body is itching to be near the action again. She has news she wants to tell everyone that will be a surprise to all.

I’ve been swamped with real life stuff this week so I’m not sure if I can write up a preview for the show in time.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW PERFECTION”, 21/08/2022
Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall

1. Hyper Misao Vs Moka Miyamoto
2. Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Yuki Aino & Raku
3. Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta Vs Suzume & Haruna Neko
4. Rika Tatsumi Vs Kaya Toribami
5. Miu Watanabe Vs Pom Harajuku
6. Shoko Nakajima, Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Yuka Sakazaki, Mizuki & Arisu Endo

The road to “WRESTLE PRINCESS III” begins with a 6-Woman Tag match previewing the big Princess Of Princess Title match between Shoko Nakajima and Yuka Sakazaki. It’s also a big spot for Toyo Mates as they prepare for their Princess Tag Team Title shot next month.

GANBARE☆PRO “SANGERIA 2022”, 21/08/2022
Takashimadaira Ward Community Center

1. Sangeria 2022 Special Single Match: Keisuke Ishii Vs Shota
2. GanJo Special Tag Match: Yuna Manase & Moeka Haruhi Vs Miyuki Takase & Yoshiko Hasegawa
3. GanPro Specialty Special Mixed Tag Match: Onryo & YuuRI Vs Ken Ohka & HARUKAZE
4. GanPro Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yumehito Imanari, Shuichiro Katsumura & Soma Takao Vs Kouki Iwasaki, Mizuki Watase & Nobuihiro Shimatani
5. Australia Vs Toyama Full-Scale Battle: Hartley Jackson Vs Shinichiro Tominaga

Yumehito Imanari felt neck pain after his match with Shigehiro Irie last Saturday and went to the hospital for an examination. He was diagnosed with a cervical sprain and will not be able to wrestle on this weekend’s show. The above card will be changed and the new matches will be made as soon as they are decided on. Imanari will still be in attendance to give an update. He is also expected to recover in time to wrestle on the next Ganbare☆Pro show after this, which is on 27th August.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “GO GIRL 3 ~WOMEN ONLY BOX OFFICE~”, 28/08/2022
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Suzume & Arisu Endo Vs Pom Harajuku & Haruna Neko
2. Nao Kakuta & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Moka Miyamoto & Jurina Nagano
3. 「Go Girl」 4 Major Singles Match: Hyper Misao Vs Raku
4. 「Go Girl」 4 Major Singles Match: Maki Itoh Vs Yuki Aino
5. 「Go Girl」 4 Major Singles Match: Saki Akai Vs Hikari Noa
6. 「Go Girl」 4 Major Singles Match: Yuki Arai Vs Yuki Kamifuku
7. TJPW THE BEST Special 6-Woman Tag Match: Shoko Nakajima, Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe Vs Yuka Sakazaki, Mizuki & Miyu Yamashita

The all female audience show in Korakuen Hall is getting some heavy hitters in the match department. The main event is Shoko Nakajima teaming with Daydream against The Magical Sugar Rabbits & Miyu Yamashita. Also four singles matches including the Yuki Arai Vs Yuki Kamifuku bout that was originally supposed to take place one year ago. That match was cancelled when Arai had a close contact situation with covid and couldn’t attend the show.

Kaya Toribami will not be on the show due to a scheduling conflict.

GANBARE☆PRO “PUNCH DRUNK LOVE 2022”, 03/09/2022
Tokyo Narimasu Act Hall

1. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Yumehito Imanari (c) Vs Hartley Jackson

Imanari doesn’t remember Hartley Jackson entering the ring after Saturday’s main event to challenge him for the Spirit Of Ganbare Title. However he is determined to answer that challenge and will be ready in time for 3rd September. Imanari heard that Jackson loves Japanese beer. But he won’t be able to drink any after their match because only Imanari will be drinking to celebrate his victory!


GANBARE☆PRO “ULTRA SOUL 2022” Results

August 13, 2022

GANBARE☆PRO “ULTRA SOUL 2022”, 13/08/2022
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
313 Fans

1. Yoshiko Hasegawa Re-Debut Match: Moeka Haruhi & YuuRI defeated Yuna Manase & Yoshiko Hasegawa when Haruhi submitted Hasegawa with the 79.5MHz (14:07).
2. Black Ships Attack! Non-Standard Tag Vs Tenori Drunkers: Hartley Jackson & Max The Impaler defeated Mizuki Watase & Tyson Maeguchi when Jackson pinned Maeguchi with the Jumping Piledriver (11:02).
3. HARUKAZE 5th Anniversary Match: Makoto defeated HARUKAZE with the Seien no Uneri (10:02)
4. ROMANCE DAWN for the new world: Soma Takao defeated Shota with the Gin And Tonic (11:21).
5. Tatsuhito Takaiwa 30th Anniversary Match: Tatsuhito Takaiwa, Ken Ohka & Shuichiro Katsumura defeated Keisuke Ishii, Kouki Iwasaki & Shinichiro Tominaga when Takaiwa pinned Tominaga with the Death Valley Bomb (12:59).
6. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Yumehito Imanari (c) defeated Shigehiro Irie with a Sleeper Hold (27:44).
*V2 for Yumehito Imanari.

Quite possibly Ganbare☆Pro’s match of the year took place in the main event. Yumehito Imanari wanted to earn Shigehiro Irie’s respect the hard way and by God he definitely did in the end. For almost half an hour the two beat the hell out of each other as hard as they could. Irie gave Imanari a Piledriver on the floor, a Cannonball Attack into Imanari’s spine while he was leaning on the ropes as well as Beast Bombers and heavy Elbow Strikes. Imanari kept his resolve by hitting his own Lariats as well as getting nearfalls with the Tiger Driver and Lou Thesz Press. When all else failed, Imanari locked in a Sleeper Hold and would not let go no matter how hard Irie fought. The Back Flip looked like it would free him but Imanari took the blow and reapplied the hold, forcing Irie to finally give up.

An exhausted Imanari thanked Irie after the match but his next challenger then immediately stepped forward. Hartley Jackson stepped into the ring and praised Imanari for becoming the soul of Ganpro. However Hartley thinks it is now his time to be in the spotlight and he challenged Imanari for the Spirit Of Ganbare Title. When he left, Ken Ohka complained about not understanding English at all. He congratulated Imanari and promoted Ganpro’s next show in Korakuen Hall taking place this December. Imanari had to be helped out of the ring so the rest of the roster closed out the show without him. Backstage Hartley said sometimes in life you have to be the bad guy to get what you want. He does not mind being the bad guy in order to get that championship.

Ganpro got to host Tatsuhito Takaiwa’s 30th Anniversary Match with a large chunk of the roster also involved. Takaiwa got to spend in-ring time against previous opponents Kouki Iwasaki and Shuichiro Katsumura. But it is Keisuke Ishii in particular he was most interested in because they’ve not had a singles match against each other yet. He told the audience he still has 35 or 40 years left in his career so don’t call him a legend yet. He is still aiming to reach the top as a mid-level wrestler. Both Ohka and Shuichiro Katsumura said they were honored to team with him for the special occasion.

The two wrestlers making up ROMANCE DAWN fought each other as they are about to go their separate ways. Shota will be moving to America soon so he took on Soma Takao as part of his farewell series of matches in Ganpro. Takao kicked out of the Gannosuke Clutch and won with the Gin And Tonic. Backstage Shota said a new chapter is beginning for both of them. Takao agreed and added that the team is not breaking up. Their friendship will never disappear and some day they will reunite for another romantic battle as a team.

For a match this important, HARUKAZE went all out against Makoto. Unfortunately her best was not good enough and Makoto got the better of her in the end. Afterwards Makoto said she is really happy that HARUKAZE nominated her for her 5th Anniversary match. In return HARUKAZE thanked her for being the impetus for her return to wrestling five years ago. She wants to continue wrestling and also wants to fight Makoto again in the future.

Jackson showed how much of a dominant force he is along with Max The Impaler earlier in the show. Together the two of them defeated Mizuki Watase & Tyson Maeguchi. Jackson got the pin on Maeguchi and he bragged about destroying Ganpro’s spirit. Watase was so amazed by the power of his opponents today that he is inspired to follow them back to America. He thinks it is a waste if today was the only time he could fight them.

The re-debut of Yoshiko Hasegawa saw the newest signing of Ganbare☆Joshi team up with Yuna Manase to take on Moeka Haruhi & YuuRI. Just because Hasegawa’s return was a cause for celebration did not mean her opponents would go easy on her. Instead she was put through a tough fight that ended with Haruhi making her submit. Once the match was over though, Haruhi was much nicer and had plenty of advice to give. She told Hasegawa that Ganpro is about doing your best in every single match. It is about always trying harder to surpass yourself. And it is about being a pro wrestler that people cannot take their eyes off. Hasegawa said she will become stronger and promised to aim for the top of the Ganjo division. Backstage Manase said her ring boots were damaged so she had to borrow Ken Ohka’s boots for the match. In a way that meant the two of them were fighting together to carry Ganpro! That was her lesson she wanted Hasegawa to learn today.