Union Goes Back To School

September 21, 2011

UNION “SCHOOL FESTIVAL 2011”, 19/10/2011
Shinjuku FACE

1 SGP Jr. Heavyweight Title: Mio Shirai (c) Vs Cherry
2 BENTEN (w/ Miyako) Vs Onryo (w/ Masako Takanashi)
3 DDT Extreme Title Contendership Match – 3 Way: Sanshiro Takagi Vs Shuji Ishikawa Vs Kengo Ohka

The big story coming out of Union after their long day in Shinjuku revolves around the DDT Extreme Championship. El Generico left his mark on Union by defeating both Isami Kodaka and Shuji Ishikawa in seperate matches to leave Japan as the new DDT Extreme Champ. Since he will not return until November, a few potential challengers are left to scramble over who gets to fight him first. To decide the No. 1 Contender, a 3 Way match between Sanshiro Takagi, Shuji Ishikawa and Kengo Ohka will take place when Union returns to Shinjuku FACE on 19th October.

Also taking place during the doubleshot was the debut of kabuki wrestler BENTEN, along with his geisha girl valet Miyako. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to like being told to follow the rules as BENTEN was disqualified in both of his matches thanks to Miyako attacking the referee. Miyako has also caught the attention of Masako Takanashi, who is very upset that another Diva has come into Union and is taking attention away from him/her. Masako’s solution to this problem is bringing in the wrestling spectre Onryo to challenge BENTEN to a match while he/she keeps an eye on Miyako outside the ring.

Mio Shirai must be getting sick of beating up Ken Ohka on a regular basis, so she must be pleased to face someone different in October. Cherry has challenged her for a shot at the SGP Jr. Heavyweight Title. She will have a better shot at taking the belt off Mio than Ohka ever will.


UNION “ILLUSION ~VISION~” Results

September 19, 2011

UNION “ILLUSION ~VISION~”, 19/09/2011
Shinjuku FACE
489 Fans

1. Hiro Tsumaki & Hiroshi Fukuda defeatd Big Morohashi & Masao Orihara when Tsumaki pinned Morohashi with a Small Package (6:21).
2. Isami Kodaka defeated BENTEN (w/ Miyako) by DQ when Miyako attacked the referee (4:39).
3. 3 Way: Masako Takanashi & Cherry defeated Shigehiro Irie & Takao Soma and Kengo Ohka & Madoka when Takanashi pinned Madoka with the Bacchus (9:19).
4. Big China Unified Nakahara Tag Team Titles: Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa (c) defeated Ivan Markov & Ronnie Crimson when Takagi pinned Crimson with the Sit Down Himawari Bomb (13:00).
*V1 for Takagi & Sawa.
5. Yoshiaki Yago defeated Tsuyoshi Kikuchi with the Homicide Cobra Twist (11:15).
6. SGP Jr. Heavyweight Title – Chain Deathmatch: Mio Shirai (c) defeated Ken Ohka by Ref Stoppage with the Figure Four Necklock (5:07).
*V1 for Mio Shirai.
7. DDT Extreme Title: El Generico (c) defeated Shuji Ishikawa with a Sunset Flip (14:34).
*V1 for El Generico.

El Generico just barely defeated Shuji Ishikawa to quickly mark his first DDT Extreme Title defence just hours after winning it. The match had no extra stipulations involved, which is unusual for a DDT Extreme Title bout. Ishikawa was about to deliver the Splash Mountain but Generico used the momentum to escape Shuji’s grip and roll him over with a Sunset Flip for the three count. Generico said that Ishikawa has the strength of a wild animal. Generico also said he defeated Union’s two best wrestlers in one day, so who was next to face him? Sanshiro Takagi climbed into the ring and demanded to be Generico’s next opponent for 19th October. Generico said he will not be in Japan on that date, but he will return to the country on 22nd November and could defend the title there. They were then interruped by both Ishikawa and Kengo Ohka. Ishikawa wanted a rematch while Kengo wanted a title shot too. The decision was made that a 3 Way between Sanshiro Takagi, Shuji Ishikawa and Kengo Ohka will take place in October. The winner of that match will then face El Generico for the DDT Extreme Championship in November.

Poor, poor Ken Ohka. Once again the Figure Four Necklock proved to be his undoing. Mio Shirai once and for all proved that she is Ohka’s master and that Ohka deserves to be treated like a dog. However, Mio now has a new challenger for the SGP Jr. Heavyweight Title to focus on. Cherry has demanded a title shot. Mio accepted and promised that Ohka would be in her corner for the match like the good little doggy he is.

BENTEN was disqualified again when Miyako got annoyed with the referee during the match and ended up attacking him. Despite their problems with the officials, BENTEN and Miyako are here to stay in Union for the time being. BENTEN will return on 19th October to take on Onryo, who will be accompanied by Masako Takanashi on the night.

Masao Orihara has been rejected by the Union Sekigun. Naomi Susan has described him as useless luggage after he was on the losing side in both of his matches today. Here in the second show, Orihara accidentaly clocked Big Morohashi over the head with a folding chair, allowing Hiro Tsumaki to catch Morohashi in a Small Package and win the match for himself and Hiroshi Fukuda.

Tsuyoshi Kikuchi Vs RG was announced for the 19th October Union show. Yeah…


UNION “ILLUSION ~DREAM~” Results

September 19, 2011

UNION “ILLUSION ~DREAM~”, 19/09/2011
Shinjuku FACE
378 Fans

1. Ivan Markov & Ronnie Crimson defeated Chou-un Shiryu & Hiroshi Fukuda when Crimson pinned Fukuda with the Sukhoi-27 (3:39).
2. Masao Orihara Union Assessment: Ken Ohka defeated Masao Orihara with a Small Package (9:21).
3. Shuji Ishikawa defeated BENTEN (w/ Miyako) by DQ when Miyako attacked the referee (4:38).
4. TKG48 Offer Match: Takao Soma & Shigehiro Irie defeated Sanshiro Takagi & Akito when Irie pinned Akito with the Vertical Drop Back Flip (9:32).
5. Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Big Morohashi & Hiro Tsumaki defeated Yoshiaki Yago, Kengo Ohka & Madoka when Kikuchi pinned Yago with the Ground Cobra Clutch (10:39).
6. Nanae Takahashi defeated Cherry with the One Second EX (14:31).
7. DDT Extreme Title – Hardcore Match: El Generico defeated Isami Kodaka (c) with the Brainbustaaaaahhhhh!!!!! (20:05).
*Isami Kodaka fails in V5. El Generico becomes the 16th DDT Extreme Champion!

El Generico claims his first championship in a Japanese wrestling organisation, defeating Isami Kodaka in a Hardcore Match for the DDT Extreme Championship. Chairs and tables were brought into play as both men fought their hearts out. But all hope was lost for the champ when he was driver into a chair with a Half Nelson Suplex and dropped on his head with the devastating Brainbuster. Generico bowed deeply to Isami as the former champion handed the belt over to the Generic Luchador. There was little time for El Generico to rest as he had to defend the belt later that evening against Union ace Shuji Ishikawa.

After winning the semi-main event, Nanae Takahashi said she was open to the idea of defending her Queen Of Stardom Title against Cherry in the future.

The TKG48 wrestlers spent their pre-match segment talking about their man-boobs for some reason. They even got the crowd to yell “Tits!” in unison at certain points of the match.


Union Doubleshot Preview

September 18, 2011

UNION “ILLUSION ~DREAM~”, 19/09/2011
Shinjuku FACE

1. Chou-un Shiryu & Hiroshi Fukuda Vs Ivan Markov & Ronnie Crimson
2. Masao Orihara Union Assessment: Ken Ohka Vs Masao Orihara
3. Shuji Ishikawa Vs BENTEN (w/ Miyako)
4. TKG48 Offer Match: Takao Soma & Shigehiro Irie Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Akito
5. Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Big Morohashi & Hiro Tsumaki Vs Yoshiaki Yago, Kengo Ohka & Madoka
6. Cherry Vs Nanae Takahashi
7. DDT Extreme Title: Isami Kodaka (c) Vs El Generico

Isami Kodaka has his toughest day yet as DDT Extreme Champion. His next challenger is The Generic Luchador, El Generico, and the winner will defend the title against Shuji Ishikawa just a few hours later. Kodaka has had a strong run as champion since winning the belt back in January but tomorrow sees a big risk in him dropping the belt.

Cherry is gunning for a shot at the Queen Of Stardom Title currently held by Nanae Takahashi. A victory here in Union could earn her that shot.

Akito has been offered an opportunity to join the TKG48. He gets to team with the producer Sanshiro Takagi against Takao Soma & Shigehiro Irie, a duo that has really gelled well together as a team lately.

If Masao Orihara does enough to impress the Union folks in his match against Ken Ohka, he will be accepted into Union. This doesn’t necessarily mean just beating Ohka in a match. They could also be looking to see if the first ever KO-D Openweight Champion acts mature and responsible with his actions during the match.

BENTEN will have his first match in Union against Shuji Ishikawa. The oriental newcomer (who is totally not GENTARO) has been completely silent in his official appearances. Miyako Matsumoto has been speaking on his behalf as a geisha girl the entire time. And yes, they are both aware of their gimmicks being compared to Kenzo Suzuki & Hiroko circa 2004 WWE.

UNION “ILLUSION ~VISION~”, 19/09/2011
Shinjuku FACE

1. Big Morohashi & X Vs Hiro Tsumaki & Hiroshi Fukuda
2. Loser of DDT Extreme Title Match Vs BENTEN (w/ Miyako)
3. 3 Way: Masako Takanashi & Cherry Vs Shigehiro Irie & Takao Soma Vs Kengo Ohka & Madoka
4. Big China Unified Nakahara Tag Team Titles: Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa (c) Vs Ivan Markov & Ronnie Crimson
5. Tsuyoshi Kikuchi Vs Yoshiaki Yago
6. SGP Jr. Heavyweight Title – Chain Deathmatch: Mio Shirai (c) Vs Ken Ohka
7. DDT Extreme Title: Isami Kodaka or El Generico (c) Vs Shuji Ishikawa

Who would have guessed that a series of misunderstandings that always ended in a man getting choked unconcious by a woman’s legs would lead to a Chain Deathmatch between those two people? Mio Shirai defends the SGP Jr. Heavyweight Title against previous champion Ken Ohka. Ohka’s kryptonite has been the Figure 4 Neck Lock, a move Shirai has used to great effect over the past few months.

Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa face a Russian threat in the form of Ivan Markov & Ronnie Crimson. Last time Takagi & Sawa were the Big China Unified Tag Champions, they lost them in their first defence. They will be trying to avoid the same fate here.

If Masao Orihara does get accepted into Union, he will team up with Big Morohashi in the opener for the evening show.


DDT48 General Election 2011 – The Speeches

September 14, 2011

Throughout the last seven days, every participant in the DDT48 General Election has recorded a video speech in an effort to win votes from the DDT and Union fans. DDT has collected all of the speeches and uploaded them onto Youtube. Here are the videos with a list of who is included in each one.

HARASHIMA, Hiro Tsumaki, Masa Takanashi, Hiro Tonai, Tanomusaku Toba, HERO!, Hiroshi Fukuda, Akito, Antonio Honda, Poison JULIE Sawada, MIKAMI and Hikaru Sato (once again impersonating Koji Kanemoto).

Cherry, Kazuki Hirata, Michael Nakazawa, Keisuke Ishii, Shigehiro Irie, Takao Soma, Daisuke Sasaki, Ryuichi Sekine, Toru Sugiura, Rion Mizuki, Yasu Urano and Kota Ibushi.

KUDO, Ken Ohka, Shuji Ishikawa, Batten Tamagawa, BENTEN (with Miyako Matsumoto speaking for him), Tomomitsu Matsunaga (with Emi Sakura), Yoshiaki Yago (footage of his band in concert performing “Should I Stay or Should I Go” by The Clash), Mitsuhiro Yoshida, Shota, Madoka, Chou-un Shiryu and Danshoku Dino.

Isami Kodaka, Gorgeous Matsuno, Hoshitango, DJ Nira, Kenny Omega (he wants you to vote for his friend Nakazawa), Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Sanshiro Takagi (or is it Masahiro Chono?), YOSHIHIKO, Mr. #6, Big Morohashi, Kengo Ohka and Makoto Oishi.


Latest DDT48 Standings

September 12, 2011

The votes are still coming in thick and fast for the DDT48 Election. Everyone involved has been posting their videos saying why fans of DDT, Union, etc. should be voting for them to win the KO-D Openweight Title shot (or at least appear on the 23rd October show). The video messages will be posted on this site later in the week. Here are the current standings as of 10th September.

1. Hikaru Sato (240 Votes)
2. Kota Ibushi (176 Votes)
3. Danshoku Dino (150 Votes)
4. HARASHIMA (131 Votes)
5. Masa Takanashi (113 Votes)
6. MIKAMI (104 Votes)
7. KUDO (98 Votes)
8. Takao Soma (86 Votes)
9. Yasu Urano (84 Votes)
10. Keisuke Ishii (81 Votes)
– Antonio Honda (81 Votes)
12. Makoto Oishi (66 Votes)
13. Shigehiro Irie (63 Votes)
14. Sanshiro Takagi (56 Votes)
15. Mr. #6 (53 Votes)
16. Kenny Omega (45 Votes)
– Cherry (45 Votes)
18. Kazuki Hirata (44 Votes)
19. YOSHIHIKO (42 Votes)
20. DJ Nira (38 Votes)

Of course, the big story right now is Kota Ibushi’s injured shoulder. It is unknown how long Ibushi will be out for. However, he is still a part of the election and is still eligible for votes. DDT does have backup plans if Ibushi has not recovered by the time the October show takes place. If Ibushi wins the election but cannot compete, he will still win the prize money but the KO-D Title shot will be given to the runner-up. If Ibushi finishes in the top 18 but cannot compete, his spot on the card will be given to the wrestler who finished in 19th place.


Frantic Card Reshuffling, Ibushi’s Replacements

September 12, 2011

DDT “NON-FIX 9.18”, 18/09/2011
Chiba Blue Field

1. 3 Way: Darkside HERO! Vs Kazuki Hirata Vs Masa Takanashi
2. Poison JULIE Sawada & Keisuke Ishii Vs MIKAMI & Daisuke Sasaki
3. Yasu Urano Vs Hiro Tonai
4. HARASHIMA Vs HERO!
5. Shigehiro Irie & Takao Soma Vs Yuji Hino & Ryuichi Sekine
6. Danshoku Dino & YOSHIHIKO Vs Antonio Honda & Michael Nakazawa
7. KUDO Vs Makoto Oishi

With Kota Ibushi now out of action for the forseeable future, DDT has a big hole to fill on their cards. Well, desperate times call for desperate measures and DDT went searching for the only man they knew they could rely on to replace Ibushi. Luckily for them, he has accepted their offer and has come to the rescue. YOSHIHIKO will now be replacing Ibushi on the “NON-FIX 9.18” card in Chiba Blue Field. Like I said, desperate times, desperate measures.

DDT “DDT48 Election”, 25/09/2011
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Gorgeous Matsuno Vs YOSHIHIKO
2. Kazuki Hirata Vs Hiro Tsumaki
3. Isami Kodaka Vs Yasu Urano
4. Keisuke Ishii Vs Shigehiro Irie
5. Danshoku Dino & Makoto Oishi Vs El Generico & Hiroya Fukuda
6. DDT Vs Union: KUDO, HARASHIMA & MIKAMI Vs Shuji Ishikawa, Sanshiro Takagi & Kengo Ohka

However, DDT went and found another replacement for Ibushi this time at the “DDT48 Election” show in Korakuen Hall. El Generico comes back to DDT to team with Hiroya Fukuda from Union to fight Danshoku Dino & Makoto Oishi. That’s right, the dream match of Danshoku Dino Vs El Generico will now come true! I mean sure, it’s the kind of dream you get when you eat a lot of cheese at night before going to sleep, but it’s a dream match none the less!

The teams have been chosen for the DDT Vs Union 6-Man Tag Team main event. DDT will be represented by the Caps Lock squad of KUDO, HARASHIMA & MIKAMI. Union has a mix of three seperate factions, Union ace Shuji Ishikawa, Sanshiro Takagi of the TKG48 and Kengo Ohka from the Susan Guard.

Another match to watch out for is Keisuke Ishii Vs Shigehiro Irie. I have become a big fan of both wrestlers over the year. Their matches against each other has lead to an entertaining generation rivalry between the two. Ishii is coming off of a loss to KUDO over the KO-D Openweight Title, but has grown into a confident wrestler who still has a bright future ahead of him. Irie is the lovable big brute of both DDT and Union. With a KO-D Tag Team Title reign and pinfalls over Kota Ibushi and Shuji Ishikawa listed under his recent accomplishments, Irie is quickly climbing the ranks of both brands. He will be looking to avenge his defeat to Ishii at “RYOGOKU PETER PAN 2011”.

There are plenty more matches to come for this show. This is because every wrestler involved in this year’s DDT48 Election (except for Ibushi) will compete and get one last chance to campaign for votes from the fans. In order to fit everyone in, every match except the main event will have a ten minute time limit.

DDT “CAMPING-GROUND PRO-WRESTLING OM”, 26/09/2011
Yamanashi Natureland Om

1. Kazuki Hirata Vs Hiroshi Fukuda
2. 4 Way: HARASHIMA & KUDO Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa Vs Hikaru Sato & Michael Nakazawa Vs Isami Kodaka & Ken Ohka

HARASHIMA will now take Ibushi’s place on the Campsite show.

DDT “PRO WRESTLING FESTIVAL IN SAPPORO”, 10/10/2011
Sapporo Teisen Hall

1. MIKAMI Vs Masa Takanashi
2. KUDO & Hikaru Sato Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa
3. KO-D Tag Team Title Decision Match: Danshoku Dino & Makoto Oishi Vs X & X

The KO-D Tag Team Championship has now been vacated. Danshoku Dino will have a chance to win back the belts with his other Homoiro Clover Z partner Makoto Oishi in Sapporo. Their opponents will be determined in a mini tournament to be held before then.


Shuji Battles Mashimo In K-DOJO

September 7, 2011

K-DOJO “CLUB-K SUPER downtown ~ MICHINOKU TOGETHER EAST JAPAN GREAT EARTHQUAKE REVIVAL CHARITY PRO-WRESTLING”, 04/09/2011
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
776 Fans

Champion of STRONGEST-K Title: Kengo Mashimo (c) defeated Shuji Ishikawa with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster (24:04).
*V2 for Mashimo.

Union’s Shuji Ishikawa was in the main event of a special KAIENTAI DOJO charity event in Korakuen Hall during the week. Shuji fought Kengo Mashimo (aka Kengo Ohka in Union) for the Champion of STRONGEST-K Title and was one second away from winning the championship. But Kengo kicked out of Shuji’s Splash Mountain finisher to fight back and defeat the Union leader with a Brainbuster.

With that out of the way, Shuji now has BENTEN and either Isami Kodaka or El Generico to look forward to on Union’s 19th September doubleshot at Shinjuku FACE.


Ibushi At “ALL TOGETHER”, Extra Campsite Match, Union Vs Russia

August 30, 2011

NJPW/AJPW/NOAH “ALL TOGETHER”, 27/08/11
Tokyo Nippon Budokan
17,000 Fans

ALL TOGETHER Opening Match ~ SUNRISE OF J: Kota Ibushi, Taiji Ishimori, Hiroshi Yamato & BUSHI defeated Tiger Mask, Kaz Hayashi, Shuji Kondo & Ricky Marvin when Ishimori pinned Marvin with the 450 Splash (10:05).

Kota Ibushi was on the winning team for the opening match of the “ALL TOGETHER” charity show held in Nippon Budokan. Despite the positive atmosphere that surrounded the event, Ibushi and Shuji Kondo had to be pulled apart outside the ring after the match ended. Could this lead to Kondo challenging Ibushi for the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Title somewhere down the line? Meanwhile Ibushi had support from Sanshiro Takagi, Yukinori Matsui & Michael Nakazawa who all attended the show to see him compete while also checking out the venue in the run up to DDT’s 15th Anniversary show next year.

Speaking of Ibushi, he has joined Danshoku Dino and Makoto Oishi in DDT to form the new faction Homoiro Clover Z.

DDT “CAMPING-GROUND PRO-WRESTLING OM”, 04/09/2011
Yamanashi Natureland Om

1. Kazuki Hirata Vs Hiroshi Fukuda
2. 4 Way: Kota Ibushi & KUDO Vs Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa Vs Hikaru Sato & Michael Nakazawa Vs Isami Kodaka & Ken Ohka

A battle of rookies has been added to the Campsite Pro Wrestling show. Kazuki Hirata and Hiroshi Fukuda will face each other in the great outdoors, an important learning experience for any wrestler in DDT.

Union will be welcoming two wrestlers from Russian promotion Independent Wrestling Federation to the brand in September. The two wrestlers will be teaming with each other on both Shinjuku FACE shows on 19th September. First off we have Ivan Markov, a cornerstone of the IWF and head trainer of its wrestling school. Joining him is Ronnie Crimson, a former IWF Champion. Together they will go after the Big China Tag Team Titles on the second Union show. Will Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa be prepared for the Russian attack?

UNION “ILLUSION ~DREAM~”, 19/09/2011
Shinjuku FACE

1. Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Big Morohashi & Hiro Tsumaki Vs Yoshiaki Yago, Kengo Ohka & Madoka
2. Chou-un Shiryu & Hiroshi Fukuda Vs Ivan Markov & Ronnie Crimson
3. Cherry Vs Masako Takanashi
4. TKG48 Offer Match: Featuring Sanshiro Takagi, Shigehiro Irie, Takao Soma and others
5. Shuji Ishikawa Vs BENTEN (w/ Miyako)
6. Ken Ohka Vs Masao Orihara
7. DDT Extreme Title: Isami Kodaka (c) Vs El Generico

UNION “ILLUSION ~VISION~”, 19/09/2011
Shinjuku FACE

1. 3 Way: Masako Takanashi & Cherry Vs Shigehiro Irie & Takao Soma Vs Kengo Ohka & Madoka
2. Loser of DDT Extreme Title Match Vs BENTEN (w/ Miyako)
3. Big Morohashi & X Vs Hiro Tsumaki & Hiroshi Fukuda
4. Big China Unified Nakahara Tag Team Titles: Sanshiro Takagi & Munenori Sawa (c) Vs Ivan Markov & Ronnie Crimson
5. SGP Jr. Heavyweight Title – Chain Deathmatch: Mio Shirai (c) Vs Ken Ohka
6. Tsuyoshi Kikuchi Vs Yoshiaki Yago
7. DDT Extreme Title: Isami Kodaka or El Generico (c) Vs Shuji Ishikawa


Current DDT48 Top 20

August 28, 2011

With the first week of voting now complete, here is the current Top 20 for the DDT48 Election 2011:

1. Kota Ibushi (56 Votes)
2. Shigehiro Irie (36 Votes)
3. HARASHIMA (35 Votes)
4. Hikaru Sato (30 Votes)
5. Antonio Honda (22 Votes)
6. Danshoku Dino (20 Votes)
7. Masa Takanshi (19 Votes)
8. Takao Soma (17 Votes)
9. Makoto Oishi (14 Votes)
– MIKAMI (14 Votes)
11. YOSHIHIKO (12 Votes)
– KUDO (12 Votes)
– Yasu Urano (12 Votes)
14. Keisuke Ishii (8 Votes)
15. Kenny Omega (7 Votes)
– Mr. #6 (7 Votes)
17. Michael Nakazawa (6 Votes)
– Tsuyoshi Kikuchi (6 Votes)
19. Cherry (5 Votes)
20. Daisuke Sasaki (4 Votes)
– Ken Ohka (4 Votes)
– HERO! (4 Votes)
– Ryuichi Sekine (4 Votes)

The final result of the DDT48 Election will take place at a free show held in Shinjuku FACE on 29th September. Remember, the winner of the election will be given a KO-D Title shot at Korakuen Hall on 23rd October. The rest of that card will be filled with the top 18 candidates.