Gorgeous Star Elbow Goes Viral, Kawamatsu Gets A Motivating Call (Or Maybe Not Brother), An Illuminating Street Fight

July 14, 2023

DDT “ROAD TO PETER PAN 2023 IN AOMORI”, 15/07/2023
Aomori Hamanasu Hall

1. Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Yusuke Okada & Yuni
2. 3 Way Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino Vs Akito Vs Antonio Honda
3. Special Single Match: Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Yuki Ishida
4. Falls Count Anywhere Special 6-Man Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yuya Koroku Vs HARASHIMA, Hideki Okatani & Kazuma Sumi
5. Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & KANON Vs Yuki Ueno, Toy Kojima & Takeshi Masada
6. Special Tag Match: Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi Vs Chris Brookes & Kazusada Higuchi

This weekend are the last preview matches for Yuji Hino and Chris Brookes against each other before “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2023”.

Tomorrow will be the first time the main three wrestlers in DAMNATION T.A will be teaming with each other again since KANON came back from injury.

DDT “60TH BIRTHDAY & 20TH ANNIVERSARY ALL TOGETHER! ~ GORGEOUS NIGHT”, 16/07/2023
Fukushima Toyota Crown Arena Sub Arena

1. Kazuki Hirata & Yuni Vs Saki Akai & Hideki Okatani
2. 4 Way Match: Yuki Ueno Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino Vs Akito Vs Kazuma Sumi
3. Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & KANON Vs Yusuke Okada, Toy Kojima & Yuya Koroku
4. BURNING Vs Harimao!: Tetsuya Endo & Jun Akiyama Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida
5. Special Tag Match: Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi Vs Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada
6. Fukushima Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Gorgeous Matsuno, HARASHIMA & Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Toru Owashi, Danshoku Dieno & Antonio Honda

The story building up for the main event is can Gorgeous Matsuno hit the Gorgeous Star Elbow in front of his hometown audience? Clips of him doing the move have done good numbers on TikTok in the lead-up to the show.

DDT “SOYOKAZE PRO WRESTLING”, 17/07/2023
Tokyo Sumida Park Breeze Square

1. Tetsuya Endo, Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku Vs Hideki Okatani, Toy Kojima & Kazuma Sumi
2. DISASTER BOX Vs Pheromones!: HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno
3. Sumida Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Chris Brookes, Akito & Shinichiro Kawamatsu Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ishida & Makoto Oishi

Shinichiro Kawamatsu is feeling really motivated for Monday’s match after he got a chance to have a video call with Hulk Hogan this week. Looking through his Twitter I think a dinner he had with Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture set it all up. Kawamatsu wasn’t there to play hide the ball, dude.

Yukio Naya will be at the show to greet the fans.

GANBARE☆PRO “UNDER THE SILVER LAKE 2023”, 06/08/2023
Tokyo Takashimadaira Kumin Center

1. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles: Shuichiro Katsumura & Takuya Wada (c) Vs Hartley Jackson & HARUKAZE

At “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA II” we got both new Spirit Of Ganbare Tag Team Champions as well as the decision over who their first challengers will be. Ground Absolute defend the belts against big Hartley Jackson & little HARUKAZE!

Soma Takao and Shinichiro Tominaga will be on the show.

DDT “ROJO PRO WRESTLING IN IZUKOGEN GRANILLUMI”, 02/09/2023
Shizuoka Izu Granpal Park

1. Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toy Kojima (w/ Shunma Katsumata) Vs X, X & X

Eight years ago DDT held a wrestling show in Izu Granpal Park, an outdoor venue filled with many light-up displays of all kinds. They are finally returning to the place for a Falls Count Anywhere match that will begin in the evening as the sky gets dark. The 37KAMIINA are the first group of wrestlers confirmed to take part.


GANBARE☆PRO “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA II” Results

July 9, 2023

GANBARE☆PRO “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA II”, 09/07/2023
Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium
667 Fans

1. Masahiro Takanashi defeated Munetatsu Nakamura with the Hangover!! (8:38).
2. Takumi Iroha & Mio Momono defeated YuuRI & Tomoka Inaba when Iroha pinned YuuRI with the Running Three (16:43).
3. Sayaka Unagi defeated Riara with the Sliding U (6:08).
4. Miyuki Takase defeated Yoshiko Hasegawa with the Diving Guillotine Drop (11:24).
5. Keisuke Ishii, Shigehiro Irie & Soma Takao defeated Akito, Shota & Shinichiro Tominaga when Ishii pinned Shota with the Kneel Kick (10:30).
6. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles Next Challengers Decision Survival 4 Way Tag Match: Hartley Jackson & HARUKAZE defeated Ken Ohka & Kuma Arashi, Minoru Fujita & Daiki Shimomura and Tsuyoshi Okada & Yuki Kanzaki (14:57).
6a. Hartley Jackson & HARUKAZE eliminated Tsuyoshi Okada & Yuki Kanzaki when Jackson pinned Okada with the Piledriver (10:54).
6b. Hartley Jackson & HARUKAZE eliminated Minoru Fujita & Daiki Shimomura by Ring Out when HARUKAZE knocked Fujita out of the ring (12:25).
6c. Hartley Jackson & HARUKAZE eliminated Ken Ohka & Kuma Arashi when HARUKAZE pinned Ohka with the Fire Spear (14:57).
7. Special Single Match: El Lindaman defeated Yumehito Imanari with the German Suplex (16:33).
8. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles: Shuichiro Katsumura & Takuya Wada defeated Hikaru Sato & Tyson Maeguchi (c) when Katsumura submitted Maeguchi with the Triple Three 3 Lock (19:43).
*Hentai Punch Drunkers fails in V2. Ground Absolute become the 2nd Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Champions!
9. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Isami Kodaka defeated Mizuki Watase (c) with the Isamiashi Zan (17:30).
*Mizuki Watase fails in V5. Isami Kodaka becomes the 5th Spirit Of Ganbare World Champion!

For the second time Ganbare☆Pro was at Ota Ward Gymnasium to establish “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA” as their premier supercard for the year. By the end of the show the promotion suffered a big defeat against Pro Wrestling BASARA when Mizuki Watase lost the Spirit Of Ganbare Title to Isami Kodaka! The result comes as a major blow to Watase who was on the run of his life both as GanPro’s champion and a leading contestant in the Fire Festival tournament in ZERO1. His fight with Kodaka came close to ending in a knockout several times with both wrestlers avoiding the 10 count. Watase’s reliable Elbow Strikes could only take him so far until he was caught with a Rabbit Punch, a Buzzsaw Kick and then the Isamiashi Zan for the title change.

After the match Kodaka called the SOG Title his passport that will let him continue wrestling in GanPro. He praised Watase for being strong and admitted there were times he reached breaking point against him. But the SOG Title is proof of who can survive the toughest of endurance contests. Now the GanPro ring belongs to Sento Minzoku! Kodaka then promoted his upcoming BASARA match against SHO from New Japan on 23rd July before leaving to celebrate with his unit. The rest of the GanPro roster came out to console Watase as he was apologising for losing. Shuichiro Katsumura said Watase showed his strength last year when he won the title and wrestled across the indies as GanPro’s champion. He has given everyone else courage so many times so they will be fine. It’s time to regroup and get the belt back. Watase promised to regain the title because Shinjiro Otani taught him to never give up!

It looks like Shuichiro Katsumura & Takuya Wada are calling their tag team Ground Absolute. Katsumura’s been tweeting that name every time he talks about preparations for today’s match against Hentai Punch Drunkers. It’s probably going to stick because Katsumura & Wada are the new Spirit Of Ganbare Tag Team Champions! Wada had to handle Hikaru Sato while Katsumura fought off Tyson Maeguchi. Katsumura kicked out of the Tyson Splash and was saved by Wada after taking Buzzsaw Kicks. He recovered and caught Maeguchi in a submission, making him give up to the Triple Three 3 Lock. Wada pointed out this is the first time in pro wrestling where a champion tag team is made up of a former Shooto champion and a former Pancrase champion. Backstage Maeguchi tried to deny to Sato that he gave up but eventually admitted defeat. The Punch Drunkers agree they can win back the titles and would have their rematch tomorrow if they could.

Even though Yumehito Imanari lost to El Lindaman in a close match, he got what he wanted out of it. He now understands why Lindaman is the Strong Heart of GLEAT because a strong heart keeps you alive no matter what. Imanari thinks his own heart is weak. However Lindaman doesn’t agree. The feelings they experienced today is something only they and Shigehiro Irie (who was at ringside for the bout) will understand. It was the kind of match Lindaman always wanted and he shared a toast with Imanari backstage to celebrate it. He hopes to do a rematch on a bigger stage someday.

The new SOG Tag Champions already have their first challengers lined up. The mixed gender team of Hartley Jackson & HARUKAZE made a clean sweep of the 4 Way Elimination match although it came with a bit of luck. They eliminated Tsuyoshi Okada & Yuki Kanzaki first when Jackson pinned Kazaki with the Piledriver. Then HARUKAZE was able to knock Minoru Fujita over the top rope and out of the ring to eliminate him & Daiki Shimomura. Finally HARUKAZE pinned Ken Ohka with the Flame Spear to win the match. However the reason that happened was because Ohka was betrayed by Kuma Arashi!

Ohka & Arashi seemed to be doing well as a team and could have won the match. But when they got themselves hyped up for the finish, Arashi gave Ohka a Lariat and left him to get beaten by HARUKAZE! If that wasn’t enough, after the match Koji Doi suddenly ran into the ring and joined in on Arashi’s attack on Ohka! Arashi explained backstage that nobody wants to team with Ohka. Today is the start of DoiKuma’s revolutionary invasion of GanPro! They are going to rebuild the promotion in their image in order to make it the best wrestling company.

Team Drift defeated Young Communication in a same-generation 6-Man Tag Match. It came down to Keisuke Ishii and Shota with the Frog Splash and Tiger Suplex giving both wrestlers nearfalls. Ishii kicked out of the Gannosuke Clutch and scored the victory by striking Shota with the Kneel Kick. Shota said the match shows that their generation is the one to watch. Akito said he would like to do these matches more and more because it breaks up his trend of having to fight Pheromones over and over. He also wants to have as much ring time with Irie he can get before their careers end. Shinichiro Tominaga described pro wrestling like a lover you only get to see once or twice a month. Soma Takao said he wants to follow Irie’s lead and show that everybody in Team Drift still has a lot to do.

The early portion of the card was mostly made up of matches from the Ganbare☆Joshi division. Yoshiko Hasegawa was given a big task of taking on Miyuki Takase, losing to her in a competitive effort. She was able to kicked out of an Ace Crusher and Lariat, then scored a nearfall using the Tornado Clutch. She then made the mistake of rushing to make her next move, leading to her charging into a Power Slam. With Takase back in control, she ended up beating Hasegawa with the Diving Guillotine Drop. Although Hasegawa lost, she isn’t treating the result as a negative. It shows she has more room to grow. Takase praised her for showing determination and looks forward to the next time they face each other.

Sayaka Unagi has assessed Riara and taught her a good lesson about being a wrestler. Wrestling is painful but it is also very fun! The proof can be seen when Unagi Body Slammed Riara on the floor and Riara Body Slammed her back on the entrance stage! Back in the ring Unagi used her own version of the Sliding D called the Sliding U to pick up the win. She told Riara after the match that she should learn to enjoy wrestling more before worrying about getting her first win. Once you get to have fun in the ring then the wins and championships will follow. Unagi then called out to Yuna Manase over at the commentary table. No matter how long it takes, Unagi will wait for Manase to recover from injury so they will wrestle again! And one more thing, Unagi said Watase owes her a debt from the Fire Festival. He beat her by Knockout in their tournament match and Unagi wants revenge! She even confronted Watase after the show forcing him to promise she will be his first challenger when he regains the SOG Title!

Wrestlers from JTO and Marvelous joined up with YuuRI in Match #2. YuuRI got to team with JTO’s Tomoka Inaba to take on Takumi Iroha & Mio Momono. Inaba used High Kicks on both opponents to set the table for YuuRI. Unfortunately YuuRI missed the Swanton Bomb, giving Iroha the chance to land the move on her instead. YuuRI kept in the fight though so Iroha had to use the Running Three to win the match. Momono said she enjoyed wrestling in a big venue like Ota Ward Gym and would like to come back to GanPro. Iroha noticed YuuRI crying after the match and understands how she feels. Her advice to YuuRI is to be strong and keep her Ganbare Spirit while Manase is out injured. Facing this kind of pressure regularly will only help YuuRI grow. She put it out there that she would like to wrestle YuuRI in a singles match. YuuRI said she has to improve but would like to wrestle everybody she was in the ring with again, even Inaba. She has a title match coming up in Ice Ribbon soon so her next focus is to win that.

The show began with the rookie Munetatsu Nakamura taking on Masahiro Takanashi. Nakamura hit a dive to the outside and even blocked the Takatonic. But Takanashi started catching him in different pinning holds until he got the three count with the Hangover!! Nakamura promised to work on his technique and add to his wrestling style. Takanashi wonders if today’s match is a turning point for Nakamura. He thinks it would be nice for Nakamura to come over to his wrestling place as a representative of GanPro. Now does he mean DDT or somewhere else?

Yuna Manase greeted the fans at the start of the show and thanked them for their support while she is recovering from injury.


Ota Ward Title Match Talk, BASARA On The Road Back To Korakuen, Akai’s Rivals Vs Akai’s Classmates

July 4, 2023

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.


Ill Ishida Off This Weekend’s Shows, GanPro Survival 4 Way, Year’s Worth Of Tequila

June 9, 2023

I’ll get to the Yuka Sakazaki news in a seperate post. God damn injury bug.

DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2023 TOUR IN OSAKA”, 10/06/2023
Osaka Suminoe Maikon Hall

1. 2 Vs 1 Handicap Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Akito
2. Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai & Hideki Okatani Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Makoto Oishi & Rukiya
3. Yuki Ueno Vs Kazuma Sumi
4. Tetsuya Endo & Jun Akiyama Vs Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku
5. Special Tag Match: Toru Owashi & “brother” YASSHI Vs Naruki Doi & Kazuki Hirata
6. DAMNATION T.A Vs The 37KAMIINA!: Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul Vs MAO & Toy Kojima
7. Maikon no Kohara Presents Special Tag Match: Yuji Hino & HARASHIMA Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Takeshi Masada

Yuki Ishida has been pulled from this weekend’s shows after coming up with a fever and being diagnosed with a stomach bug. The early section of the card has been changed as a result. Poor Akito really got the short end of the stick here. He was supposed to fight Pheromones in a 3 Vs 2 Handicap match on the team with the numbers advantage and now he has to fight them on his own!

DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2023 TOUR IN MATSUYAMA”, 11/06/2023
Ehime Matsuyama City Comprehensive Community Center Exhibition Hall

1. 2 Vs 3 Handicap Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Toru Owashi, Kazuki Hirata & Rukiya
2. Special Tag Match: Akito & Char Vs Yusuke Okada & Tsuru Himeka
3. Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul Vs Kazusada Higuchi & Takeshi Masada
4. Matsuyama Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi (w/ Cutie Elly The Ehime), Imabari Taoru Mascaras & Tsutenkakka Vs HARASHIMA, Saki Akai & Kazuma Sumi
5. Ω Vs Eruption!: Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi Vs Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani
6. BURNING Vs The 37KAMIINA!: Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yuya Koroku Vs MAO, Yuki Ueno & Toy Kojima

Ishida was in a singles match with Rukiya so DDT’s solution was easy. Rukiya is moved to the opener and there is now one less match on the card.

GANBARE☆JOSHI “GANJO MILON’S SECRET CASTLE ’23”, 17/06/2023
Tokyo GEN Sports Palace

1. Miyako Matsumoto & Alex Lee Vs Marika Kobashi & Echika Miyabi
2. Gatoh Move Offer Match: Makoto Vs Tokiko Kirihara
2. Riara Vs Ancham
3. GanJo Vs JUST TAP OUT! Special Tag Match: YuuRI & Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Sumika Yanagawa & Misa Kagura

Gatoh Move are sending over former kickboxer turned pro wrestler Tokiko Kirihara to Ganbare☆Joshi for a match against Makoto.

GANBARE☆PRO “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA II”, 09/07/2023
Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium

1. Munetatsu Nakamura Vs Masahiro Takanashi
2. Keisuke Ishii, Shigehiro Irie & Soma Takao Vs Akito, Shota & Shinichiro Tominaga
3. Riara Vs Sayaka Unagi
4. Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Miyuki Takase
5. YuuRI & Tomoka Inaba Vs Takumi Iroha & Mio Momono
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. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles: Hikaru Sato & Tyson Maeguchi (c) Vs Shuichiro Katsumura & Takuya Wada
8. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Mizuki Watase (c) Vs Isami Kodaka

A big 4 Way Elimination Tag match will determine who gets a future shot for the Spirit Of Ganbare Tag Team Titles. The new addition Kuma Arashi gets to team with Ken Ohka as requested but they have to survive together against three other teams. Hartley Jackson & HARUKAZE have become a favorite mixed tag team on Ganbare☆Pro shows over the last few months, Sento Minzoku are a thorn in Ohka’s side thanks to his promotion’s rivalry with BASARA and there is a wild card team in the form of Tsuyoshi Okada & Yuki Kanzaki.

The rookie Munetatsu Nakamura gets to face Masahiro Takanashi one on one.

DDT “WRESTLE PETER PAN 2023”, 23/07/2023
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan

1. Special Tag Match: Chiitan☆ & Pokotan Vs Andreza Giant Panda & Super Sasadango Machine
2. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Kazusada Higuchi, Ryota Nakatsu & Yuki Ishida (c) Vs Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai & Hideki Okatani
3. Mexico Kanko Presents Dramatic Dream Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs El Desperado
4. DDT Universal Title: Tetsuya Endo (c) Vs Matt Cardona (w/ Steph De Lander)
5. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuji Hino (c) Vs Chris Brookes

The Daisuke Sasaki Vs El Desperado match is now sponsored by a travel agency called Mexico Kanko. The company specializes in holidays to Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. They are aware that both Sasaki and Desperado really love tequila so now the prize for the match is a year’s supply of Mexican tequila! After finding out about the prize, Sasaki is confident he will win and get to drink three bottles a day. Desperado admits what counts as one year’s supply for Sasaki is probably the same as a five year supply for himself.


New Up Up Girls Show, IP Title No. 1 Contender Match, SILVER QUEEN, Time To Get Assessed

June 5, 2023

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “UP UP GIRLS (PRO WRESTLING) 2ND SHOW GRAB IT! THE HIGHEST STAGE!”, 10/06/2023
Shinjuku FACE

1. Moka Miyamoto & Toga Vs Arisu Endo & Shino Suzuki
2. Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta Vs Wakana Uehara & Haru Kazashiro
3. Miu Watanabe & Suzume Vs Raku & HIMAWARI

For the first time in four and a half years The Up Up Girls (Pro Wrestling) are holding their own show featuring music performances as well as wrestling matches. The first show was a milestone for the unit because it was where each member revealed their pro wrestling names as well debuting their song “Upper Chop!” Shino Suzuki already has her ring name. Unless at the show she decides to change it to Susususu Suzuki?

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “STICK OUT ’23”, 11/06/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Pom Harajuku Vs HIMAWARI
2. Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta Vs Toga & Runa Okubo
3. Shoko Nakajima & Moka Miyamoto Vs Suzume & Haru Kazashiro
4. Yuki Kamifuku, Kaya Toribami & Wakane Uehara Vs Yuki Arai, Raku & Shino Suzuki
5. Hyper Misao Vs Mahiro Kiryu
6. International Princess Title Next Challenger Match: Yuki Aino Vs Arisu Endo
7. Princess Tag Team Titles: Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki (c) Vs Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe

Two wrestlers have stepped forward asking for a shot at the International Princess Title for different reasons. Yuki Aino wants to win the championship after seeing there are women all over the world coming to Tokyo Joshi Pro to fight for it. Arisu Endo was inspired to ask for a shot after standing in her friend Suzume’s corner during last month’s title match. The two will face off in a singles match with the winner getting to challenge Rika Tatsumi somewhere down the road.

A few weeks ago Hyper Misao made Mahiro Kiryu the hero of her own story at the “HYPE!” event. Now they have to be opponents. Misao didn’t see this match coming but understands she will have to beat her friend, even if it ends Kiryu’s momentum coming out of “HYPE!”

Yuki Arai is cleared to return to wrestling on this show. Her return match is also the first time she will be teaming with Raku & Shino Suzuki. That fact is making her look forward to returning even more.

English commentary for the show will be provided by Chris Brookes, Drew Parker and Baliyan Akki.

DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2023 TOUR IN HAKODATE”, 16/06/2023
Hakodate City General Wholesale Center Distribution Hall

1. SILVER QUEEN Infomercial Match: Sanshiro Takagi & Kazuki Hirata Vs MAO & Yoshihiko

DDT is bringing back the Infomercial Match. It is a wrestling match purposefully put together to promote a local sponsor. For example the sponsor for this show is SILVER QUEEN, a restaurant marketed towards fans of the singer Eikichi Yazawa (the inspiration for Antonio Honda’s alter ego A.YAZAWA).

BASARA “BASARA 222 ~OENSOGURA~”, 17/06/2023
Miyagi-no Cultural Center

1. Lil’ Kraken Vs Yasu Urano
2. FUMA & Daichi Kazato Vs Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & SAGAT
3. Daiki Shimomura & Takato Nakano Vs Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga
4. Isami Kodaka Vs MUSASHI
5. Chouten ~Itadaki~ 2023 – Round 2 B Block: Ryota Nakatsu Vs Minoru Fujita
6. Chouten ~Itadaki~ 2023 – Round 2 B Block: Takumi Tsukamoto Vs Fuminori Abe

Three of the four remaining wrestlers in the B Block are former Chouten ~Itadaki~ winners. Takumi Tsukamoto has never won the tournament but he is the current Union MAX Champion. Meanwhile Ryota Nakatsu is a two time winner while Minoru Fujita and Fuminori Abe are the two most recent tournament champions.

Isami Kodaka being knocked out of the tournament early frees him up for a first time singles match against MUSASHI from Michinoku Pro.

DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2023”, 25/06/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai, Hideki Okatani & Sanshiro Takagi Vs Ryota Nakatsu, Yuki Ishida, Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku
2. International Special Single Match: Tetsuya Endo Vs Nick Wayne
3. DDT Extreme Title: MAO Vs Kazuki Hirata
4. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul Vs Yuki Ueno & Toy Kojima

This past weekend saw Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul attack Toy Kojima with chairs before throwing their names in for the vacant KO-D Tag Team Titles match. DAMNATION T.A are entering the match thinking the championship is as good as theirs. Kojima has Yuki Ueno backing him up and will be fighting to bring the belts back to The 37KAMIINA on Shunma Katsumata’s behalf.

MAO has threatened to kick Kazuki Hirata to death in order to win the vacant DDT Extreme Title. However Hirata is always ready and expecting to be kicked to death in his matches so MAO will have to think about doing something else!

BASARA “BASARA 223 ~KOO~”, 27/06/2023
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Chouten ~Itadaki~ 2023 – A Block Final: Daiki Shimomura Vs SAGAT
2. Chouten ~Itadaki~ 2023 – B Block Final: X Vs X
3. Chouten ~Itadaki~ 2023 – Final: X Vs X

Daiki Shimomura joins SAGAT in the semi-finals. Shimomura had to beat Kodaka to get hear while SAGAT had a much more peaceful route thanks to a bye sending him past the previous round without him having to wrestle.

GANBARE☆PRO “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA II”, 09/07/2023
Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium

1. Riara Vs Sayaka Unagi
2. Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Miyuki Takase
3. YuuRI & Tomoka Inaba Vs Takumi Iroha & Mio Momono
4. Keisuke Ishii, Shigehiro Irie & Soma Takao Vs Akito, Shota & Shinichiro Tominaga
5. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles: Hikaru Sato & Tyson Maeguchi (c) Vs Shuichiro Katsumura & Takuya Wada
6. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Mizuki Watase (c) Vs Isami Kodaka

Friends, training partners, wrestling rivals and now a tag team. That describes the relationship between Shuichiro Katsumura & Takuya Wada. They’ve never been able to fight each other in MMA due to being in different weight classes and also different companies. But they are joining forces believing they are the only two fighters who can defeat Hentai Punch Drunkers for the Spirit Of Ganbare Tag Team Titles. Their challenge was accepted by Tyson Maeguchi before Hikaru Sato could give his thoughts on the matter.

It will soon be time for Riara to get assessed by Sayaka Unagi. Apparently that’s a thing a lot of joshi has to go through these days. Unagi offered to wrestle on Ganbare☆Pro’s biggest show of the year again as a favour to her friend Yuna Manase. Since Manase is currently injured, Riara was chosen to be Unagi’s opponent. The two already knew each other while Riara was training to be a pro wrestler. Unagi’s lesson for her is it takes more than just having the “ganbare” spirit to succeed in wrestling.

The 6-Man Tag Match is a reunion on both sides. Akito, Shota & Shinichiro Tominaga represent the Young Communication Generation while Keisuke Ishii, Shigehiro Irie & Soma Takao are back together as Team Drift.


GANBARE☆PRO “YUUSEI KARA NO BUUTAI X 2023” Results

June 3, 2023

GANBARE☆PRO “YUUSEI KARA NO BUUTAI X 2023”, 03/06/2023
Tokyo Takashimadaira Kumin Center
131 Fans

1. Ken Ohka defeated Yuki Kanzaki with the Flame Spear (7:59).
2. Hikaru Sato defeated Shinichiro Tominaga with a Wakikatame (12:07).
3. Moeka Haruhi’s Last Match Before Her Break: Moeka Haruhi, HARUKAZE & Yoshiko Hasegawa defeated Rina Amikura, YuuRI & Riara when Haruhi pinned YuuRI with the Diving Foot Stomp (11:31).
3a. Emergency Decision Moeka Haruhi Send-Off Battle Royal: Moeka Haruhi defeated Riara with a Cradle (5:27).
Order Of Elimination: YuuRI, Shuichiro Katsumura, Yoshiko Hasegawa, Tyson Maeguchi, Keisuke Ishii, Yumehito Imanari, Yuki Kanzaki, Ken Ohka, Soma Takao, HARUKAZE, Mizuki Watase, Shota, Shinichiro Tominaga and Riara.
4. Special Tag Match: Soma Takao & Takuya Wada defeated Shuichiro Katsumura & Shota when Wada pinned Katsumura with a Cradle (11:44).
5. Mizuki Watase, Tsuyoshi Okada & Tyson Maeguchi defeated Keisuke Ishii, Yumehito Imanari & Ilusion when Maeguchi pinned Imanari with a Flying Knee Kick (14:54).

After the main event Takuya Wada entered the ring. He said “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA II” next month is happening in his hometown of Ota Ward and he noticed the Spirit Of Ganbare Tag Team Titles are not on the card yet. He wants to challenge Hentai Punch Drunkers for the belts and he even found a tag partner. It’s Shuichiro Katsumura! The two fighters have been regular opponents in Ganbare☆Pro but in MMA they are training buddies from different weight classes. Katsumura agreed to team with Wada because he believes they are the only team who can beat the combination of Hikaru Sato & Tyson Maeguchi. Sato already left the building after his match so only Maeguchi was around to answer the challenge. He accepted it because he hasn’t been able to beat either Katsumura or Wada yet. However Michiyoshi Mishima decided not to book the match just yet in order to let Sato give his thoughts on the idea whenever he is able to.

A big sendoff was given to Moeka Haruhi for her final appearance in GanPro before going into surgery to donate a kidney to her sister. She scored the pinfall in the Ganbare☆Joshi match and then the ring started to fill up with the GanPro roster. Mizuki Watase said all of the men wanted to be a part of her final match too so they’re doing an impromptu Battle Royal with everyone involved right now! Haruhi ended up winning the Battle Royal too. She told the fans that GanPro has passion, intensity, even betrayal but GanPro also has kindness too. It is where wrestlers can cry tears for others. She is going to step away from the ring for a while and become a tag team partner for her ill sister. Together they will win the championship that says “Healthy” on the belts and then she will come back to wrestling.

Yuna Manase appeared before the semi-main event to announce a special GanJo match for “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA II”. She called Riara down to the ring and then introduced her to her opponent at the show… Sayaka Unagi! Manase was having a hard time being away from the ring because of her injury so Unagi reached out to her and offered to help out GanPro. She asked Riara what did she want to do when she joined GanPro? Riara said she wanted to live out a dream she’s had since she was a little girl. She also told the fans that when she started out as a trainee, Unagi was the first person to give her encouragement. Unagi warned her that having a Ganbare spirit by itself is not enough for pro wrestling. She then slapped Riara across the face. On 9th July Unagi is going to assess Riara!


GANBARE☆PRO “INHERENT VICE 2023” Results

May 6, 2023

GANBARE☆PRO “INHERENT VICE 2023”, 06/05/2023
Takashimadaira Ward Community Center
68 Fans

1. 3 Way Match: Hong Kong Domestic Policewoman defeated Hong Kong International Policeman and Itabashi Dangerous Policeman when Domestic pinned Dangerous with a Crucifix Pin (13:51).
2. GanJo Special Tag Match: Moeka Haruhi & HARUKAZE defeated YuuRI & Riara when Haruhi pinned Riara with the Diving Foot Stomp (15:44).
3. AFTER THE LOVE PHANTOM 2023 Elimination 8-Man Tag Match: Mizuki Watase, Ken Ohka, Keisuke Ishii & Shinichiro Tominaga defeated Tatsuhito Takaiwa, Yumehito Imanari, Soma Takao & Munetatsu Nakamura (18:14).
3a. Ken Ohka eliminated Tatsuhito Takaiwa by Ring Out (7:32).
3b. Shinichiro Tominaga eliminated Soma Takao by Ring Out (9:48).
3c. Mizuki Watase and Munetatsu Nakamura eliminated each other by Double Ring Out (12:01).
3d. Keisuke Ishii eliminated Yumehito Imanari by Ring Out (18:14).
4. Special Single Match: Shuichiro Katsumura defeated Takuya Wada with a Hold Down Pin (16:35).
5. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles: Hikaru Sato & Tyson Maeguchi (c) defeated Dan The Dad & Kody Lane when Maeguchi pinned Lane with the Buzzsaw Kick (14:29).
*V1 for Hentai Punch Drunkers.

The newly crowned Spirit Of Ganbare Tag Team Champions went through their first defence less than 24 hours after they won the titles. The belts still have not arrived yet so Hentai Punch Drunkers had to carry around the stand-in trophies they were given yesterday. Hikaru Sato & Tyson Maeguchi were both puzzled by Dan The Dad’s behaviour, particularly Dan’s insistence to wrestle while holding a mug of coffee. Maeguchi ended up winning with the Buzzsaw Kick for the second match in a row, this time using the move on Kody Lane. After the match he said his dream now is for Ganbare☆Pro to run the Tokyo Dome and he will do his part to make it come true!

Shuichiro Katsumura was able to beat Takuya Wada by putting him in a Triangle Choke. Wada defended himself from the move but ended up having his shoulders pinned to the mat. He was annoyed by the result and left the ring without shaking Katsumura’s hand when it was offered to him. Leaving that bit of awkwardness aside, Katsumura was happy with how the match went and wants to continue fighting Wada even more.

Keisuke Ishii bounced back from yesterday’s big loss by leading his team to victory in the Elimination Tag match. Ishii told the fans after the match that is proof he isn’t depressed over his failure to win the Spirit Of Ganbare Title. Instead today shows that he wants the belt even more so until the time is right for him to challenge again he will build up his momentum.

The opening match had to be changed because Yoshiko Hasegawa, Choun-Shiryu and Shota were all absent from today’s show. They were “replaced” with Hong Kong Domestic Policewoman, Hong Kong International Policeman and Itabashi Dangerous Policeman respectively. Their 3 Way match involved a lot of cops threatening each other at gunpoint.

The No. 1 Contender match between Isami Kodaka and Munetatsu Nakamura has been confirmed for 28th May. It will be on the third show of the day’s tripleshot.


GANBARE☆PRO “LOVE PHANTOM 2023” Results

May 5, 2023

GANBARE☆PRO “LOVE PHANTOM 2023”, 05/05/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
489 Fans

1. Ganbare☆Pro Vs Sento Minzoku: Ken Ohka, Shinichiro Tominaga & Munetatsu Nakamura defeated Isami Kodaka, Minoru Fujita & Daiki Shimomura when Nakamura pinned Kodaka with a Hold Down Pin (12:41).
2. Riara Debut Match: YuuRI defeated Riara with a Missile Kick (7:43).
3. Shuichiro Katsumura & Moeka Haruhi defeated Hartley Jackson & HARUKAZE when Haruhi pinned HARUKAZE with the Diving Foot Stomp (15:21).
4. Nao Kakuta defeated Yoshiko Hasegawa with the Shiden Kai (12:09).
5. Special Tag Match: Dan The Dad & Kody Lane defeated Shota & Soma Takao when Dan pinned Shota with the You’re Grounded (11:48).
6. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles Tournament – Final: Hikaru Sato & Tyson Maeguchi defeated Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Yumehito Imanari when Maeguchi pinned Takaiwa with a Buzzsaw Kick (18:41).
*Hentai Punch Drunkers become the 1st Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Champions!
7. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Mizuki Watase (c) defeated Keisuke Ishii with the Elbow Butt (22:31).
*V4 for Mizuki Watase.

Mizuki Watase was given his toughest test yet for the Spirit Of Ganbare Title, one that took his body to the limit. Keisuke Ishii spent the match trying to find the biggest ways to slam or strike Watase into defeat. He used a Tiger Suplex and the Double Arm Driver inside the ring and also used the latter move from the apron onto the floor outside. Watase countered the Kneel Kick by catching Ishii in midair and using the momentum to Back Drop him aside. However Ishii was able to hit the Kneel Kick later but he was too hurt to make the pin in time. Elbow Strikes became the key for Watase to win and when Ishii was left staggering, Watase charged in for one more big Elbow Butt to score the victory.

After the match Isami Kodaka unexpectedly entered the ring along with the other members of Sento Minzoku. He asked Watase if he would like to take on his challenge with the SOG Title on the line. However Michiyoshi Mishima stepped in and reminded Kodaka that he was pinned by Munetatsu Nakamura in the opening match so even though he is worthy of a title shot, he is in no position to ask for one right now. Watase is interested in defending the title against Kodaka in a Ganbare☆Pro Vs BASARA battle. He thinks a match like that is perfect for “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA II” in Ota Ward Gymnasium on 9th July! So he came up with an idea. If Kodaka can beat Nakamura in a singles match then he will give Kodaka a title shot. But if Nakamura wins then Nakamura will get the big title match at Ota Ward instead!

The Spirit Of Ganbare Tag Team Title belts were not delivered to Ganpro in time for today’s show so they had to use a pair of trophies to represent the championship instead. Hentai Punch Drunkers became the first champions by beating the All-Star Junior All-Stars in the tournament final. Tyson Maeguchi showed his toughness by kicking out of Tatsuhito Takaiwa’s Death Valley Bomb. Hikaru Sato then cut off Takaiwa at the ropes allowing Maeguchi to take control of the match. He kept giving Takaiwa Penalty Kicks and Buzzsaw Kicks while Sato cut Yumehito Imanari off from making a save. The kicks were too much for Takaiwa to handle and he was eventually pinned after one more Buzzsaw Kick.

The new champions received their trophies but their celebration was interrupted by Dan The Dad & Kody Lane. The two American wrestlers want to be the first challengers for the SOG Tag Titles but there’s one small problem. They will be travelling home very soon and the only way they can do the match is if it happens on tomorrow’s Ganpro show. Sato was in the middle of telling them it won’t be able to happen when Maeguchi cut him off and agreed to do the match. Hentai Punch Drunkers will defend the belts tomorrow!

Dan & Lane could argue they earned their title shot by beating ROMANCE DAWN in the previous match. For Shota & Soma Takao the loss is another setback preventing them from becoming tag champions. Takao wants to get revenge but the problem according to Shota is they will have to follow the Americans back to St. Louis in order to get it.

It wasn’t that long ago when Yoshiko Hasegawa and Nao Kakuta were both in Actwres girl’Z together. They’ve had a few interactions in Tokyo Joshi Pro recently but their singles match today was a chance for the two to reconnect. Kakuta got Hasegawa to reach the ropes in order to break a Front Neck Lock but that just set Kakuta up to charge in for a kick and then get the win with the Shiden Kai. Kakuta said Hasegawa has changed because she no longer cries and is now showing confidence. Hasegawa said she learned everything from Kakuta because she is her senpai.

This weekend is Moeka Haruhi’s last GanPro matches before she goes on to donate a kidney to her sister. Since she was teaming with Shuichiro Katsumura the occasion called for Shu Sakurai to also appear for one big reunion of THE HALFEE! Fun times aside they were still in for a fight, especially when Hartley Jackson decided to Gorilla Press Haruhi and then HARUKAZE from the ring onto Katsumura outside. Katsumura & Haruhi worked together to get rid of Jackson, leaving HARUKAZE on her own. Haruhi went on to fight HARUKAZE by herself and earned the victory with the Double Foot Stomp. Afterward Haruhi said she realized life can be so painful but it can also be so happy. Katsumura praised her for giving a lot of people energy and the hope to live.

The legendary cabaret girl Riara had her debut wrestling match after months of training and preparation. She looked to be outmatched against YuuRI from the start when it came to strikes. She tried to switch over to submissions with a Crab Hold but YuuRI easily reversed it into a Half Crab and forced the rookie to crawl for a rope break. A Backslide Pin got Riara a two count but YuuRI regained control and won with a Missile Kick. Riara was happy to have her debut be against the senpai who took care of her the most. YuuRI is happy too, not just for Riara but also because Ganbare☆Joshi has now increased their roster from five women to six!

As mentioned earlier there was a massive upset when Munetatsu Nakamura pinned Isami Kodaka in the opening 6-Man Tag! The win came when Ken Ohka hit Kodaka with the Flame Spear and Nakamura went for the cover. Kodaka kicked out at first but Nakamura kept pinning him down until he surprised everyone by getting the three count. Ohka congratulated the rookie for doing something that Ohka couldn’t do for 20 years. It made Nakamura glad because he’s been watching Kodaka wrestle since he was in primary school!


Haruhi Taking Time Off, Love Phantom Full Card

April 13, 2023

GANBARE☆PRO “LOVE PHANTOM 2023”, 05/05/2023
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Riara Debut Match: YuuRI Vs Riara
2. Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs X
3. Shuichiro Katsumura & Moeka Haruhi Vs Hartley Jackson & HARUKAZE
4. Ganbare☆Pro Vs Senton Minzoku: Ken Ohka, Shinichiro Tominaga & Munetatsu Nakamura Vs Isami Kodaka, Minoru Fujita & Daiki Shimomura
5. Special Tag Match: Shota & Soma Takao Vs Dan The Dad & Kody Lane
6. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles Tournament – Final: Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Yumehito Imanari Vs Hikaru Sato & Tyson Maeguchi
7. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Mizuki Watase (c) Vs Keisuke Ishii

Keisuke Ishii had some trivia for his big match like he always does. In the 15 years he’s been in wrestling he has headlined Korakuen Hall in singles matches 5 times. His goal ever since his debut was to become the main character in a big match. He wants this to be that match and thought of Mizuki Watase as the perfect opponent ever since Watase jumped from DDT to Ganbare☆Pro. Watase warns Ishii that the more they get along, the more ruthless Watase will be against him in the ring!

Everyone in the Spirit Of Ganbare Tag Titles match is somebody Yumehito Imanari has a lot of attachment to. He spent a lot of last year feuding with Tatsuhito Takaiwa, crediting him for his growth as a wrestler. Imanari has spent the last decade filming many of Hikaru Sato’s matches. And he’s been a fan of Tyson Maeguchi ever since he got drunk at a drinking party Maeguchi hosted. Unfortunately Sato does not share the same memories with Imanari. All he remembers was that one time a senior director in DDT gave Imanari a Yakuza Kick inside the DDT office. Maeguchi remembers the drinking party but can’t recall if he already fought Imanari at all (they’ve been in several matches together). He is instead focused on showing his evolution from kickboxer to pro wrestler.

An important announcement came from Moeka Haruhi today. She will be taking a break from pro wrestling after 5th May so she can donate a kidney to her sister. Haruhi’s sister has severe renal failure and her condition got worse over the last year. The time came when she had to make a decision to either take a kidney transplant or go through dialysis. Haruhi offered to donate a kidney when she found out about it. The transplant surgery is scheduled for June and her doctor reckons it will take around 3 months until she is able to wrestle again. Although she is freelance, she is considered part of the GanPro family. Haruhi said she is not quitting pro wrestling but when she comes back she may have to change her style depending on what her physical strength and body shape is like.

The performance Riara put out for her exhibition match on 1st April was good enough to convince Ganpro to set up her pro debut. Ken Ohka told Riara this is not her goal but only the start of her journey. Her opponent will be YuuRI who has been with her for every day of practice. Riara wants to repay YuuRI for always standing by her. That means she will do her best to win even if YuuRI is her opponent!

The match order has not been fully determined yet. Only the main event and semi-main event are in their guaranteed spots.


Videos – Ganpro March Tripleshot

March 28, 2023

GANBARE☆PRO “HERO NEVER DIE 2023”, 25/03/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR
70 Fans

1. Soma Takao Vs Munetatsu Nakamura
2. Moeka Haruhi Vs YuuRI
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Keisuke Ishii, Shota & Shinichiro Tominaga Vs Hartley Jackson, Takuya Wada & Yumehito Imanari
4. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles Tournament – Round 1: Ken Ohka & Shuichiro Katsumura Vs Hikaru Sato & Tyson Maeguchi

GANBARE☆PRO “MIZUKI WATASE PRODUCE 2023”, 25/03/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR
79 Fans

1. Shuichiro Katsumura & Moeka Haruhi Vs Shinichiro Tominaga & Munetatsu Nakamura
2. DDT Foods 3 Army Battle ~Ebisuko Tavern Vs Drop Kick Vs Swan Dive~: Ken Ohka Vs Soma Takao Vs YuuRI
3. Hartley Jackson Vs HARUKAZE
4. Special Tag Match: Mizuki Watase & Yukio Sakaguchi Vs Keisuke Ishii & Tyson Maeguchi

GANBARE☆PRO “GANBARE☆PRO WRESTLING PLAYERS ASSOCIATION PERFORMANCE”, 25/03/2023
Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MON☆STAR
81 Fans

1. Munetatsu Nakamura Vs Daiki Shimomura
2. Moeka Haruhi & Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Rina Amikura & YuuRI
3. Elimination 6-Man Tag Match: Mizuki Watase, Shinichiro Tominaga & Yuki Kanzaki Vs Ken Ohka, Shuichiro Katsumura & Keisuke Ishii
4. Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Titles Tournament – Round 1: Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Yumehito Imanari Vs Shota & Soma Takao