TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE 3RD “FUTARI WA PRINCESS” MAX HEART TOURNAMENT”, 11/02/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall 657 Fans – Super No Vacancy
1. Wakana Uehara defeated HIMAWARI with a Sleeper Hold (6:26).
2. Yuki Kamifuku, Nao Kakuta & Mahiro Kiryu defeated Raku, Haruna Neko & Kaya Toribami when Kamifuku pinned Toribami with the Famouser (11:32).
3. Arisu Endo defeated Moka Miyamoto with the Camel Clutch (9:27).
4. Yuki Arai defeated Pom Harajuku with the Finally (6:40).
5. Hikari Noa & Janai Kai defeated Rika Tatsumi & Yuki Aino when Kai pinned Aino with the Tornado Kick (12:30).
6. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki defeated Miu Watanabe & Suzume when Sakazaki pinned Suzume after the Toy Story 4 (12:58).
7. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Final: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh defeated Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao when Itoh submitted Nakajima with the Itoh Deluxe (25:35).
The result of this Max Heart Tournament final is historic for two reasons. First, Maki Itoh is now the first woman to win both the Max Heart Tournament and Tokyo Princess Cup. And second, Miyu Yamashita has finally won a tournament after almost ten years of trying! 121000000 had to fight their biggest challenge in the end, Kyoraku Kyomei. Before the match began Hyper Misao got on the microphone and said she is happy these were the two teams in the final. Of course it was to set up a sneak attack and 121000000 saw it coming. They blocked the ambush and took control of the opening minutes. Misao briefly had her mask fall off during the match but she ignored it to hit Yamashita’s leg against the ring post. She put the mask back on and continued targeting the leg. Itoh tagged in but her momentum was cut off by Shoko Nakajima. Kyoraku Kyomei kept trying to isolate Itoh until Yamashita came to the rescue leading to all four wrestlers being falling down on the canvas. 121000000 got up first and fired each other up by headbutting each other. Yamashita countered the Hypami Returns with the Skull Kick to get rid of Misao. Nakajima was then given a Flying DDT/Wheelbarrow German Suplex combo. Itoh followed up by locking in the Itoh Deluxe, making Nakajima tap out!
Nakajima gave Itoh a nod of respect after the match before being helped to the back by Misao. 121000000 were then presented with the trophies and gave out a victory speech. Itoh said after seeing the look on Nakajima’s face, she understands how she feels. It makes her want to do her best for Nakajima and everyone else in Tokyo Joshi Pro. That leads to their next challenge. It is now up to 121000000 to take the Princess Tag Team Titles from The Wasteland War Party and it’s going to happen at Ariake Coliseum on 18th March! Yamashita said it was frustrating that her team with Itoh wasn’t able to produce good results for this long because they are so great together. It’s fun to work with Itoh and fight with Itoh so they are perfect business partners. No matter how long Yamashita lives for, Itoh will always be her partner business or otherwise. They then tried to close out the show by saying “One To…” “…Million!” expecting the fans to chant along. It didn’t really catch on so they spent their post-match interview backstage workshopping it in front of the reporters. The professional media did not join in.
Fresh off of her American expedition, Yuka Sakazaki reunited with Mizuki and you wouldn’t tell there is any tension between them as we get closer towards “GRAND PRINCESS ’23”. They were just as happy to be teaming together as The Magical Sugar Rabbits as they always are. Their teamwork was on par and led to them beating Miu Watanabe & Suzume with the Toy Story 4. Backstage Mizuki said she watched Sakazaki’s matches in America and saw how different they are compared to over here. The deal meant Mizuki was able to wrestle a lot of singles matches too so she is preparing for their Princess Of Princess Title match on 18th March. Sakazaki said she can tell TJPW is even better than before because everyone cherishes each and every match they take part in. She also wants MagiRabi to be the next wrestlers collaborating with Idolmaster Cinderella Girls because they just beat the current girls involved with the marketing campaign. Speaking of that franchise, Watanabe & Suzume were hoping to get a lot of Idolmaster fans supporting them today because there was an Idolmaster concert going on next door in the Tokyo Dome.
Welcome to TJPW, Janai Kai! Not everyone gave Kai a happy hello in her first match with the promotion. Rika Tatsumi pretty quickly tried to strangle her. Kai did get along with her tag partner Hikari Noa. Tatsumi missed a Hip Attack and hit Yuki Aino by mistake. Noa & Kai did their trademark moves alongside each other and Kai pinned Aino with the Tornado Kick. Backstage Kai said she’s been studying Watanabe’s matches and is ready to fight her for the International Princess Title on 18th February. Tatsumi now thinks she is friends with Kai. Aino didn’t believe her because she doesn’t choke people she wants to be friends with. Tatsumi explained her attempt to strangle Kai was just a baptism ceremony in order to establish friendship.
Before Yuki Arai gets to fight Aja Kong in Ariake she had to deal with another dangerous monster today… Pom Harajuku! Arai’s opponent today came out dressed in SKE48 merchandise and looked like she wanted to enjoy a concert rather than wrestle. Harajuku asked Arai to perform SKE48’s new single instead of doing the match. Arai agreed when the audience began clapping along so she danced to the song until Harajuku rolled her up for a nearfall. Harajuku targeted Arai’s shins but her tactics didn’t work. Arai was able to hit her with the Finally and get the win. She has two matches with Kong coming up and wants to make sure Kong sees how good she has become.
It was a day of firsts across the board. Yamashita won her first tournament, Kai had her first match in Japan, SKE48 had their new song played in the Kanto region for the first time and Arisu Endo earned her first ever singles win! She was able to beat Moka Miyamoto by trapping her in the Camel Clutch and keeping the pressure up until Miyamoto submitted. She said it was a big deal she was able to get her first win by herself. She wants to get stronger and win more often. She also promised to send an update about her big achievement over to Reika Saiki when she gets the chance. She inherited the Camel Clutch from Saiki which is why she is always so determined to win with it.
If you forgot that Yuki Kamifuku is a dog person she made it clear by stomping on Haruna Neko a lot. Neko recovered after Mahiro Kiryu’s Apology Knee Drop to tag in Raku. Neko returned later to take out both Kiryu & Nao Kakuta with a Double Neckbreaker Drop. She was stopped with a Big Boot from Kamifuku who then went on to give Kaya Toribami a Brainbuster. She then won with the Famouser.
Wakana Uehara gets her first ever wrestling win too! She caught HIMAWARI in a Sleeper Hold and kept it on to drag her opponent down into submission. The result makes Uehara really happy because whenever she trains with her seniors she feels like she is not ready yet. Today’s result makes her want to work even harder so she can compete against more of the TJPW roster. HIMAWARI said this loss is more frustrating than the others but she will treat it as a lesson she has to learn. She will now go train her mind to become so strong she will never give up to a Sleeper Hold again!
There were several announcements throughout the show, many of them related to “GRAND PRINCESS ’23”. One of them is the return of NEO Biishiki-gun! The team of Sakisama & Mei Saint-Michel will go against Yuki Kamifuku & Billie Starkz on the show.
Juria Nagano gave everyone an update on her finger injury. She fractured her left index finger during her most recent match on 29th January. There wasn’t a date given for her return but she promised the fans she is definitely coming back to the TJPW ring.
Watanabe & Suzume promoted their crossover merch with Idolmaster Cinderella Girls at the start of the show. They were then surprised with the unexpected appearance of Andreza Giant Panda! After the panda struggled to get into the ring it was then announced Andreza will be part of “GRAND PRINCESS ’23”.
Three trainees will make their pro wrestling debuts in March. Toga will have her first match in Shinjuku on 6th March. Haru and Momo will both make their debuts at “GRAND PRINCESS ’23”.
Last but not least a few new shows were added to the schedule, each of them being a homecoming show for a TJPW wrestler. Kamifuku is getting a show in Kanagawa on 27th May. Yamashita & Itoh are getting a show in Fukuoka on 25th June.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE 3RD “FUTARI WA PRINCESS” MAX HEART TOURNAMENT”, 11/02/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Wakana Uehara Vs HIMAWARI
2. Yuki Kamifuku, Nao Kakuta & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Raku, Haruna Neko & Kaya Toribami
3. Moka Miyamoto Vs Arisu Endo
4. Yuki Arai Vs Pom Harajuku
5. Rika Tatsumi & Yuki Aino Vs Hikari Noa & Janai Kai
6. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Miu Watanabe & Suzume
7. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Final: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao
Yuka Sakazaki is back in Japan after her latest AEW tour and Janai Kai is in the country as well. Julia Nagano will also be at the show despite being unable to wrestle because of her finger injury.
There will be three announcements happening before the show begins. We know there are still a few trainees that have not debuted yet (Shino, Haru, Momo and Toga). Also The Up Up Girls social media has been teasing new music involving the Pro Wrestling arm of the unit.
DDT “DDT YOKOHAMA UNLIMITED VOL. 1”, 11/02/2023 Yokohama Radiant Hall
0. Dark Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Toru Owashi & Antonio Honda
1. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Yuya Koroku (2) Vs Ilusion (0)
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Keigo Nakamura (2) Vs Toi Kojima (0)
3. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Yuki Ishida (0) Vs Takeshi Masada (0)
4. Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama, Yusuke Okada & Noriyuki Yoshida Vs Chris Brookes, Akito, Soma Takao & Kazuma Sumi
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: MAO, Yuki Ueno & Kazuki Hirata Vs Yukio Sakaguchi, Hideki Okatani & Hikaru Machida
6. Special Single Match: Shunma Katsumata Vs Sanshiro Takagi
7. Harimao Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Kazusada Higuchi & Ryota Nakatsu Vs MJ Paul & KANON
8. Special Tag Match: Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi Vs HARASHIMA & Yukio Naya
Noriyuki Yoshida usually only appears in DDT shows whenever they are in Sapporo. Getting the opportunity to team with BURNING is enough to make him travel to Yokohama.
GANBARE☆PRO “ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD 2023”, 25/02/2023 Takashimadaira Ward Community Center
1. Shota Vs Munetatsu Nakamura
2. Yumehito Imanari & Kabuto Mitomi Vs Soma Takao & Yuki Kanzaki
3. GanJo Special Tag Match: Moeka Haruhi & HARUKAZE Vs YuuRI & Yoshiko Hasegawa
4. Special Tag Match: Ken Ohka & Keisuke Ishii Vs Shuichiro Katsumura & Hartley Jackson
5. Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Title: Mizuki Watase (c) Vs Shinichiro Tominaga
Match #4 sounds like a nice, friendly kickabout on a Saturday night.
Does the name Kabuto Mitomi sound familiar? He used to appear regularly in Ganbare☆Pro and other places as Masayuki Mitomi. In 2019 he formed P.P.P Tokyo and changed his ring name to Kabuto Mitomi two years ago. His appearance here with Yumehito Imanari continues the growing relationship between GanPro and P.P.P.
The “Young Ganbare” wrestler takes on a member of the “Monthly Young Communication” generation when Munetatsu Nakamura faces Shota.
DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2023”, 26/02/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. D GENERATIONS CUP 6-Man Tag Match: X, X & X Vs X, X & X
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – Final: Winner Of A Block Vs Winner Of B Block
3. International Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuji Hino, Naruki Doi & Makoto Oishi Vs Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Ford), Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno
4. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Shishamo Power Vs Jun Akiyama & Unagi Mask
5. KO-D Tag Team Titles: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs X & X
6. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada (c) Vs Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Super Sasadango Machine
7. KO-D Openweight Title Next Challenger Decision Match: HARASHIMA Vs Yukio Naya
DDT is being sponsored by the Yamada Suisan seafood company again which means the return of the masked wrestlers Shishamo Power and Unagi Mask. The two of them were on the same team last time but now will be opponents the next time they step into the ring together. DDT will be doing a wrestling show with Yamada Suisan in April so don’t be surprised if some meat eating tough guys appear and provoke our seafood loving grapplers.
The international trio of Kip Sabian, Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno have another trios match together but this time they have the two big singles champions opposing them along with Makoto Oishi!
Everybody in the D GENERATIONS CUP who do not qualify for the final will take part in a 6-Man Tag Match.
GANBARE☆PRO “SHOOTING IN THE COLD RAIN, A GUN FOR PROMISE 2023”, 05/03/2023 Takashimadaira Ward Community Center
1. Munetatsu Nakamura Vs Takuya Wada
2. GanJo Special Single Match: YuuRI Vs Miyuki Takase
3. GanJo Special Tag Match: HARUKAZE & Yoshiko Hasegawa Vs Moeka Haruhi & Asahi
More preparation going into the Ganbare☆Joshi restart in April. Asahi and Miyuki Takase are here to take on the home team joshi. Also, what does Moeka Haruhi make of all of this? She remains freelance and can sit on the fence while YuuRI and Yoshiko Hasegawa try to figure out how to relaunch a division.
1. Jado Alert Issued! Current Blast Jado Missile 6-Man Tag Team Death Match: Atsushi Onita, Shunma Katsumata & Toi Kojima Vs HARASHIMA, Soma Takao & Kazuki Hirata
Warning! Warning! Jado alert! I’d be saying that if it referred to the pro wrestler but in this case Jado stands for “Japan-Danger-Onita”. It is an emergency system that will be installed into the wrestling ring for this exploding death match. When the system’s button is pressed, a countdown will begin warning the residents of Tsurumi that a missile is about to be launched into the ring! When the missile hits its target there will be a massive explosion.
DDT “DDT GOES HOLLYWOOD”, 30/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Special Tag Match: MAO & Shunma Katsumata Vs Chris Brookes & Yoshihiko
2. Special Single Match: Tetsuya Endo Vs Joey Janela
3. Special Single Match: Konosuke Takeshita Vs Yuki Ueno
Two new matches added to the card. First is ShunMao taking on the odd pairing of Chris Brookes & Yoshihiko. After that is a rematch from the D-Ou Grand Prix now set for Los Angeles. Joey Janela beat Tetsuya Endo in an upset last November.
DDT/GCW “GCW VS DDT”, 31/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Dark Sheik Vs Saki Akai
2. Blake Christian Vs Kazusada Higuchi
3. Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne Vs MAO & Mike Bailey
Freshly announced while I was typing this up is the next GCW Vs DDT match. Kazusada Higuchi takes on a man currently without any friends on the GCW side. Blake Christian has been undefeated in GCW singles matches so far this year. Beating Higuchi will be a big accomplishment to add to his momentum.
DDT “MEGA MAX BUMP 2023 IN YOKOHAMA”, 03/05/2023 Yokohama Budokan
1. DDT Universal Title: Naruki Doi (c) Vs X
2. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuji Hino (c) Vs X
There will be both a KO-D Openweight Title match and a DDT Universal Title match at the big Yokohama Budokan show.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT WINTER ~OSAKA PERFORMANCE~”, 04/02/2022 Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall
1. Suzume Vs Wakana Uehara
2. Kaya Toribami Vs HIMAWARI
3. Mizuki Vs Raku
4. Yuki Kamifuku, Mahiro Kiryu & Haruna Neko Vs Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Yoshiko Hasegawa
5. Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe Vs Yuki Aino & Pom Harajuku
6. Miyu Yamashita, Maki Itoh & Moka Miyamoto Vs Shoko Nakajima, Hyper Misao & Arisu Endo
The first Tokyo Joshi Pro show of the month happens tomorrow. It’s been a while since they were in Osaka too.
DDT “INTO THE FIGHT 2023 IN OSAKA”, 05/02/2023 Osaka Azalea Taisho Hall
1. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Yuya Koroku (0) Vs Kazuma Sumi (0)
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Hideki Okatani (2) Vs Ilusion (0)
3. Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Shunma Katsumata & Maku Donaruto
4. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Toi Kojima (0) Vs Yuki Ishida (0)
5. Osaka Specialty Special Tag Match: Naruki Doi & Toru Owashi Vs MJ Paul & KANON
6. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Chris Brookes Vs Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi
7. Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada Vs HARASHIMA, Yukio Sakaguchi & Kazuki Hirata
8. Special Tag Match: Yuki Ueno & MAO Vs Yukio Naya & Takeshi Masada
Sunday’s show has turned into a bigger test for Yukio Naya because his match is now the main event! Meanwhile Yuji Hino and Kazusada Higuchi face off again fresh off of their KO-D Openweight Title match.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “THE 3RD “FUTARI WA PRINCESS” MAX HEART TOURNAMENT”, 11/02/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. Moka Miyamoto Vs Arisu Endo
2. Wakana Uehara Vs HIMAWARI
3. Yuki Arai Vs Pom Harajuku
4. Rika Tatsumi & Yuki Aino Vs Hikari Noa & Janai Kai
5. Yuki Kamifuku, Nao Kakuta & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Raku, Haruna Neko & Kaya Toribami
6. Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Miu Watanabe & Suzume
7. “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Final: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh Vs Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao
Yuka Sakazaki returns from her latest American tour and is back teaming with Mizuki. Is the unbreakable bond between The Magical Sugar Rabbits still solid or will cracks begin to appear as we get closer to their Princess Of Princess Title match.
The TJPW debut of Janai Kai has her teaming with Hikari Noa.
Either Wakana Uehara or HIMAWARI will get their first singles win. Unless a draw somehow happens.
Juria Nagano will not be on the show because of a left finger injury.
0. Dark Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Toru Owashi & Antonio Honda
1. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Yuki Ishida (0) Vs Takeshi Masada (0)
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Keigo Nakamura (2) Vs Toi Kojima (0)
3. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Yuya Koroku (0) Vs Ilusion (0)
4. Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama, Yusuke Okada & Noriyuki Yoshida Vs Chris Brookes, Akito, Soma Takao & Kazuma Sumi
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: MAO, Yuki Ueno & Kazuki Hirata Vs Yukio Sakaguchi, Hideki Okatani & Hikaru Machida
6. Special Single Match: Shunma Katsumata Vs Sanshiro Takagi
7. Harimao Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Kazusada Higuchi & Ryota Nakatsu Vs MJ Paul
8. Special Tag Match: Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi Vs HARASHIMA & Yukio Naya
Higuchi invited an close friend of his to join Harimao and bolster up the unit while Naomi Yoshimura is out injured. Ryota Nakatsu from BASARA was Higuchi’s rival in DNA and is more than happy to give Harimao some reinforcement. He also doesn’t want people to think he is only filling in for Yoshimura because he is a fully fledged fourth member of the stable. Meanwhile DAMNATION T.A is still working out as a focused force even with Daisuke Sasaki still missing. Just like every other show that’s being advertised since his absence, the card can change if Sasaki appears at the show and is able to wrestle.
DDT “HEAT WAVE OVER FLOWERS 2 ~THE WORLD THAT EVERYONE DOES NOT KNOW~”, 14/02/2023 Shinjuku FACE
1. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Keigo Nakamura Vs Yuki Ishida
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Kazuma Sumi Vs Ilusion
3. ~The World Unknown To ShunMao~: MAO & Shunma Katsumata Vs Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi Vs Makoto Oishi & Shiori Asahi Vs Tsutomu Oosugi & Banana Senga (Special Referee: MEN’S Teioh)
4. ~The World Unknown To Toi~: Toi Kojima Vs Yasu Urano
5. ~The World Unknown To Yuki~: Yuki Ueno Vs Gorgeous Matsuno & X
6. Special Tag Match: Akito & Sakura Hirota Vs Tetsuya Endo & Kazuki Hirata
7. Final Set ~The World Unknown To The 37KAMIINA~: MAO, Shunma Katsumata, Yuki Ueno, Toi Kojima
DDT received a message from Gorgeous Matsuno earlier today about his singles match against Yuki Ueno. Matsuno warns there is another wrestler out there who wants to fight Ueno as much as he does so Matsuno is bringing him to the show. Matsuno also wants the match to turn into a 2 Vs 1 Handicap Match because of this. Ueno accepts the challenge, thinking Matsuno is so little of a threat that it may as well still be a singles match.
DDT “FRIENDSHIP, EFFORT, VICTORY IN NAGOYA 2023”, 18/02/2023 Aichi Nagoya International Conference Center Event Hall
1. D GENERATIONS CUP – B Block: Toi Kojima (0) Vs Takeshi Masada (0)
2. D GENERATIONS CUP – A Block: Hideki Okatani (2) Vs Yuya Koroku (0)
3. 4 Way Tag Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai Vs Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Antonio Honda & Keigo Nakamura
4. Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada Vs Yuji Hino, Makoto Oishi & Kazuma Sumi
5. Nagoya Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: MAO, Shunma Katsumata & Yukio Naya Vs HARASHIMA, Soma Takao & Shinya Ishida
6. International Special 6-Man Tag Match: Kip Sabian (w/ Penelope Ford), Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ueno & Yuki Ishida
7. DDT Universal Title: Naruki Doi (c) Vs KANON
8. DDT Extreme Title – Master Of Environment Match: Jun Akiyama (c) Vs Akito
Once again Jun Akiyama is allowing his challenger to come up with the match stipulation for a DDT Extreme Title defence. This time it is Akito as the opponent and he came up with the Master Of Environment Match. All four corner turnbuckle pads will be removed and two green straps will criss cross the ring. Akiyama and Akito will fight under normal rules with the ring in this state. The green straps do not count as rope breaks. Akito was inspired by Gaia’s fight against Sikorsky in Baki The Grappler to come up with the match idea. That fight was all about how to use the environment as a weapon and Akito thinks he has a much better chance of beating Akiyama under a similar scenario. The concept might backfire though because Akiyama himself admits he does not move a lot in his matches. The restrictions caused by the extra ropes across the ring may not even matter in the end. Akito wants to return the Extreme Title belt back to purple if he wins it but accepts that it is the champion who gets to make that decision.
Proof of DAMNATION T.A still being a well oiled machine can be seen from how KANON is dealing with Naruki Doi. KANON & MJ Paul attacked Doi backstage after his match last weekend. Today at a press conference KANON approached Doi and apologised for his behaviour. Doi wanted to make sure if the DDT Universal Title defence against KANON is only going to involve those two and no one else. That means no Sasaki and no Paul in KANON’s corner while Doi will not have Kazuki Hirata in his. Doi then hesitantly shook KANON’s hand until KANON gave him a low blow! He told Doi his title reign won’t make it past its first defence in Nagoya!
Let’s see how this AEW relationship works out. Kip Sabian makes his DDT debut and Penelope Ford is by his side for extra danger. His first match here has him teaming with both Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno as an international trio. Shinno recently had his own little excursion in AEW over the winter.
BASARA “BASARA 211 ~OJI NI KITSUNE 24~”, 18/02/2023 Tokyo Oji BASEMENT MONSTAR
1. IRON FIST Tag Titles: Isami Kodaka & Daiki Shimomura (c) Vs Takato Nakano & Masato Kamino
The new IRON FIST Tag Champions are going up against former champions in their first defence. Isami Kodaka is now a double BASARA champion and Daiki Shimomura wants to hold the tag titles long enough for the “ALL STAR JR FESTIVAL 2023”. That’s if he is chosen as BASARA’s representative of course. He may have jumped the gun on that. Aijin Tag lost the belts to the previous champions and had already planned to challenge them to a rematch. Now that Sento Minzoku have the titles, Aijin Tag had to change their target.
DDT/GCW “GCW VS DDT”, 31/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Dark Sheik Vs Saki Akai
2. Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne Vs MAO & Mike Bailey
We have our first two matches for the GCW Vs DDT show! The Moonlight Express reunite to take on The East West Express. The show will also pit GCW’s Dark Sheik against DDT’s own Saki Akai.
A partial lineup of other wrestlers have been announced. Team DDT so far consists of Kazusada Higuchi, Jun Akiyama and Yoshihiko. The first crop of GCW wrestlers showing up are Joey Janela, Blake Christian, EFFY and Allie Katch. The last two are being advertised together as Bussy (adding that to the taglist is going to be a dangerous game) so that means we have at least one other tag match happening.
The first month of 2023 felt like DDT’s international plans have jumped up a gear. Konosuke Takeshita now finds himself orbiting the current AEW World Title storyline and Yuka Sakazaki has her sights set on a Ring Of Honor championship, making a new enemy (maybe her first?) in the process. Maki Itoh is getting further entrenched into GCW while Miyu Yamashita is also out there growing her stock across America. Things are going to ramp up even further in the coming months as we approach WrestleMania weekend.
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Videos
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 11/01/2023 KIA Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Bryan Danielson Vs Konosuke Takeshita
PRESTIGE “VENDETTA”, 21/01/2023 The Glass House, Pomona, California, USA
1. Kevin Blackwood Vs MAO
Video starts at 2:20:10 for the match ROH “JAY BRISCOE TRIBUTE AND CELEBRATION OF LIFE”, 25/01/2023 Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, USA
1. Yuka Sakazaki Vs Sandra Moone
Video starts at 2:03:40 for the match SETUP “SETUP EP.11”, 28/01/2023 The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand
1. International Single Match: Matcha Vs Yuki Kamifuku
Video starts at 22:05 for the match. Go to 39:55 for The Dark Order segment. AEW “DARK ELEVATION”, 30/01/2023 Rupp Arena, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
1. Athena & Diamante Vs Yuka Sakazaki & Skye Blue (w/ Madison Rayne)
Video starts at 31:48 for Match #1. Go to 41:03 for Match #2. AEW “DARK”, 31/01/2023 Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, USA
1. Yuka Sakazaki Vs Avery Breaux
2. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Angelico
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Results
GCW “56 NIGHTS”, 01/01/2023 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. 4 Way Match: Maki Itoh defeated Dark Sheik, Billie Starkz and Sawyer Wreck when Itoh pinned Sheik with the I.S.D (8:01).
I think Itoh is fitting in with GCW a little too well. During her last trip their she became firmly established as a member of Nick Gage’s gang, adopting the pizza cutter as her new weapon of choice and even entering to Gage’s theme music “For Whom The Bell Tolls” by Metallica! It’s been working out for her because she was the last woman standing in a 4 Way against Dark Sheik, Billie Starkz and Sawyer Wreck! She even got a piggy back ride from Gage back to the locker room after the match. Being MDK all day has its benefits.
PWG “BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES 2023 – FIRST STAGE”, 07/01/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Battle Of Los Angeles 2023 – Round 1: Konosuke Takeshita defeated Michael Oku with the Zahi (17:17).
Takeshita’s hectic month began with the Battle Of Los Angeles tournament in PWG. It is one of the most high profile events on the American indies even though it takes about 6 months for official videos of the event to actually surface. Takeshita only had one match on the first night but it was an intense fight against Michael Oku, who is an English wrestler you should be paying attention to. Countering the Blue Thunder Bomb with a Reverse Hurricanrana is no easy feat.
PWG “BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES 2023 – FINAL STAGE”, 08/01/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Battle Of Los Angeles 2023 – Round 2: Konosuke Takeshita defeated Titus Alexander with the Jumping Knee (9:38).
2. Battle Of Los Angeles 2023 – Semi Final: Konosuke Takeshita defeated Komander with a Backslide Pin (5:43).
3. Battle Of Los Angeles 2023 – Final: Mike Bailey defeated Konosuke Takeshita with the Flamingo Driver (27:22).
Night two was an even busier night for Takeshita. He went through three rounds to reach the BOLA final, beating the west coast’s own Titus Alexander and luchador Komander. The only man who had an even busier night in the ring was Takeshita’s opponent in the final. It was his good old friend Mike Bailey! Speedball fought four matches in one night due to a busy weekend schedule and won them all. That’s right, Bailey beat Takeshita in the final and he used the Flamingo Driver to do it. It was the very move Bailey first created to beat Takeshita in 2018.
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 11/01/2023 KIA Forum, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Bryan Danielson defeated Konosuke Takeshita by Referee Stoppage with the Regal Stretch (14:47).
No rest for the wicked because a few days later Takeshita stepped up to face the one and only Bryan Danielson in AEW! There was more than just a wrestling match to pay attention to because MJF entered the ring after Takeshita to run down everybody on the microphone, Takeshita included. Takeshita responded to the AEW World Champion first in Japanese and then told MJF in English to kiss his ass. Once that was out of the way Takeshita and Danielson put on one hell of a match that ended with Takeshita passing out to the Regal Stretch. Danielson had nothing but the highest of praise for Takeshita afterwards.
ROH “JAY BRISCOE TRIBUTE AND CELEBRATION OF LIFE”, 18/01/2023 (Aired 25/01/2023) Save Mart Center, Fresno, California, USA
1. Yuka Sakazaki defeated Sandra Moone with the Magical Magical Girl Splash (3:02)
The January tour for Sakazaki began with what you could say is her debut for Ring Of Honor. It was under sad circumstances because the taping was held in tribute for the late Jay Briscoe, who tragically lost his life in a car crash the previous day. Sakazaki beat Sandra Moone in one of the matches taped for the show and showed good sportsmanship to her opponent afterwards. Oh and there was that one guy in the crowd who was having the time of his life dancing to Sakazaki’s theme song after the match.
WARRIOR “WARRIOR WRESTLING 27”, 21/01/2023 Bendix Arena, South Bend, Indiana, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Zachary Wentz with the Zahi (14:21).
Takeshita was back to winning ways on the indies. His first visit to Warrior Wrestling put him in the ring with Zachary Wentz of The Rascalz. It was a back and forth match that ended with Takeshita hitting the Jumping Knee followed by the Zahi for the three count.
PRESTIGE “VENDETTA”, 21/01/2023 The Glass House, Pomona, California, USA
1. Anything Goes Match: Sonico defeated Shunma Katsumata with the BMF through the Lego covered door (16:53).
2. MAO defeated Kevin Blackwood with a Screw High Kick (13:21).
3. ROH Women’s Title: Athena (c) defeated Miyu Yamashita with a Title Belt Attack (20:59). *V4 for Athena.
Yamashita’s plan to become a triple crown champion had already fallen apart by the time she travelled to California for her latest Prestige appearance. Now thanks to Athena’s cheating she is also no longer undefeated in the promotion. Athena tricked the referee into thinking Yamashita had hit her with the ROH Women’s Title belt. Then when the ref’s back was turned, Athena grabbed the belt and whacked it over Yamashita’s head for the three count!
MAO had the breakout performance of the show with his win against Kevin Blackwood. The one moment in particular that went viral was MAO giving Blackwood a Springboard Hurricanrana off the corner and then following up with a Swan Dive Phoenix Splash, aka the Marines Tornado Splash!
Shunma Katsumata also had a crazy match with Sonico. It had to be because he was asking fans to bring Lego and other items to the show so they could use them as weapons! The chaotic match ended with Sonico spitting Poison Mist in Katsumata’s eyes and then crashing him through a lego covered door from the top rope. The two showed respect to each other after the match.
1. Yuka Sakazaki & Skye Blue (w/ Madison Rayne) defeated Athena & Diamante when Sakazaki pinned Diamante with the Magical Merry-Go-Round (7:11).
Sakazaki’s return to AEW actually began earlier in the month when she started a program with Athena. For weeks Athena has been winning matches and beating up her opponents afterwards. Sakazaki ran down to put a stop to it, sending Athena out of the ring. Sakazaki noticed the ROH Women’s Title belt and showed an interest in taking it. The following week the two women met up backstage and got into a fight, causing them to be pulled apart. That all led to the match on this show. Sakazaki teamed with her usual AEW tag partner Skye Blue while Athena struck a deal with Diamante to tag with her. Sakazaki scored the win after sending Athena out of the ring with a Hurricanrana and then pinning Diamante with the Magical Merry-Go-Round.
That wasn’t the end of Sakazaki’s night though. She was approached by The Dark Order later backstage with an offer to join their group. She kept telling them “Hai!” but they misunderstood and thought she was just saying hello. They left her alone, convinced they were being rejected. She made the Dark Order pose with her hand anyway. So maybe she’s in (or maybe she’s not, brother)?
SPW “CHAMPIONS NEVER YIELD”, 27/01/2023 Foochow Building, Singapore
1. Queen Of Asia Title: Alexis Lee (c) defeated Yuki Kamifuku with the Shotgun Double Knees (?:??). *V1 for Alexis Lee.
In travels much closer to home Yuki Kamifuku took a mini-tour of southeast Asia after her team was eliminated from the Max Heart Tournament. Her first stop was in Singapore Pro Wrestling where she challenged Alexis Lee for the Queen Of Asia Title. Lee successfully defended her title by pinning Kamifuku with the Shotgun Double Knees.
SETUP “SETUP EP.11”, 28/01/2023 The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand
1. International Single Match: Yuki Kamifuku defeated Matcha with the Famouser (9:43).
The next day Kamifuku was in Thailand to take on Matcha at a SETUP show. Things got better for her here… sort of. Kamifuku pinned Matcha with the Famouser but for some reason the bell never rang and the two of them decided to continue wrestling. Kamifuku had climbed up to the second rope ready to do a flying Famouser when the bell finally rang and the referee tried to explain to a confused audience that the match had ended with Kamifuku as the winner.
1. Yuka Sakazaki defeated Avery Breaux with the Magical Girl Splash (4:15)
2. Konosuke Takeshita defeated EJ Nduka with the Zahi (4:15).
3. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Bronson with the Zahi (6:37).
The month for Takeshita and Sakazaki ends with an AEW Dark taping in Universal Studios. Sakazaki’s match with Avery Breaux has already been shown on the most recent episode as I type this. Takeshita’s matches with EJ Nduka and Bronson will be show in February. The EJ Nduka match got some attention online because it is Nduka’s first appearance in the ring since leaving MLW a few weeks earlier.
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Upcoming Appearances
AEW “DYNAMITE”, 01/02/2023 Nutter Center, Dayton, Ohio, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Brian Cage (w/ Prince Nana)
So now Takeshita has found himself playing a part in the MJF Vs Danielson feud. In the weeks since his Danielson match, Takeshita has called MJF an asshole in interviews and saved Danielson in the ring from an attack from MJF and Brian Cage. The next part of the story happens tonight when Takeshita faces Cage one on one.
DPW “YOU ALREADY KNOW”, 25/02/2023 NC State Fairgrounds, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
1. Princess Tag Team Titles: Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer (c) Vs Raychell Rose & Hyan
The Princess Tag Team Titles are heading over to America thanks to The Wasteland War Party. The new champions have set Deadlock Pro Wrestling as their next target and agreed to defend the titles against Raychell Rose & Hyan. It will be the first time the Princess Tag Titles will be defended outside of Japan. Rose is an established part of DPW’s roster, being the young company’s first women’s champion. Hyan is a talent from the Texas scene who is well travelled around the US indies.
GCW “HOLY SMOKES”, 04/03/2023 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
2. Joey Janela Vs VENY
Itoh will have a lot to do with GCW in March and she won’t be alone for any of it. Asuka/VENY will be travelling over to Atlantic City alongside her. They’ll be wrestling together on the second show but first, VENY is getting a GCW welcoming party from Joey Janela.
GCW “RANSOM”, 05/03/2023 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh, Rina Yamashita & VENY Vs Sawyer Wreck, Billie Starkz & Janai Kai
Itoh is familiar with all three of her opponents Wreck, Starkz & Janai Kai at this point. Rina Yamashita is joining in the fun and will surely make the match turn out way more violent than anticipated.
EVE “WOMEN BEHAVING BADLY”, 08/03/2023 229 The Venue, London, England
1. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Lizzy Evo
Yamashita’s scheduled EVE Title defence against Lizzy Evo was delayed due to the concussion Yamashita suffered in Tokyo Joshi Pro a few days earlier. She was unable to travel abroad safely because of it. The match will now take place at EVE’s next event in March.
SETUP “SETUP EP.12”, 18/03/2023 The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand
1. SETUP Thailand Openweight Title: Monomoth (c) Vs Masahiro Takanashi
Masahiro Takanashi is getting a title match when he returns to Thailand in March. Monomoth is the current SETUP Openweight Champion and is now counting down the days for his defence against Takanashi to happen.
NEW “NEW 12”, 24/03/2023 Commodore Ballroom, Vancouver, Canada
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
2. Miyu Yamashita Vs X
YYamashita makes her Canadian debut with Nation Extreme Wrestling. Itoh joins her and cannot wait to eat poutine again.
PANDEMONIUM PRO “NEW 12”, 29/03/2023 Don Quixote, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Maki Itoh & Kidd Bandit Vs Taya Valkyrie & Heather Monroe
Damn it this was announced while I was in the middle of finishing this post. Itoh makes her debut for Pandemonium Pro Wrestling teaming with Kidd Bandit. Together they take on Taya Valkyrie & Heather Monroe! Bandit once cosplayed as Itoh and got her approval so will they be showing up in matching costumes on the night?
DDT “DDT GOES HOLLYWOOD”, 30/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
DDT are sending 16 wrestlers over to Los Angeles for the company’s big return to America. They are Kazusada Higuchi, Jun Akiyama, MAO, Shunma Katsumata, Sanshiro Takagi, Konosuke Takeshita, Tetsuya Endo, Yuki Ueno, Chris Brookes, Saki Akai, KANON, Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno, Michael Nakazawa, Yoshihiko and the winner of the D GENERATIONS CUP. This will be Takeshita’s only DDT match during the week.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES”, 31/03/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
The report from The Wrestling Observer last November was true. TJPW is travelling along with DDT to America this March! Here’s the interesting wrinkle. The TJPW show is being held under the Wrestlecon umbrella ran by Highspots while DDT is with GCW and The Collective. Now that’s playing both sides! Somewhere between 12 and 15 members of the TJPW roster will be part of the show along with some international guest wrestlers.
DDT/GCW “GCW VS DDT”, 31/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne Vs MAO & Mike Bailey
The first GCW Vs DDT match announced is sure to be a barn burner. MAO & Mike Bailey are back together as The Moonlight Express for the first time in three years. Their opponents are two of GCW’s most talked about prospects. Together Jordan Oliver & Nick Wayne are The East West Express.
Other DDT wrestlers so far confirmed to appear are Higuchi, Akiyama and Yoshihiko. As already mentioned, Takeshita will not be part of the GCW Vs DDT show. ROH have their PPV happening around the same time so maybe he shows up there?
PRESTIGE “NERVOUS BREAKDOWN”, 31/03/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Taya Valkyrie Vs Miyu Yamashita
Another match that got announced right after I finished this post. You’re killing me here lads. Yamashita faces Valkyrie for the first time ever.
GCW “JOEY JANELA’S SPRING BREAK 7”, 31/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Maki Itoh Vs X
Here me out. The payoff to the Itoh and Gage interactions has to be the two of them in the same match together, right? They’re both MDK so Itoh & Gage teaming together makes sense. But “JOEY JANELA’S SPRING BREAK” has the reputation of being one of the craziest booked shows to happen anywhere every year. Gage is the GCW World Champion so why not have him defend it against Itoh on this show! Or how about Itoh versus Kota Ibushi now that he’s been announced for the show?
LLL “MONSTER ISLAND”, 07/04/2023 The Oriental Theater, Denver, Colorado, USA
1. Heidi Howitzer Vs Maki Itoh
Heidi Howitzer got the chance to pick any opponent she wanted for the next Lucha Libre & Laughs show in April. She wants to fight Itoh and made her challenge in words Itoh can understand: “Hey Maki, fuck you!”
WEST COAST PRO “HOME OF THE KILLERS”, 07/04/2023 The State Room, South San Francisco, California, USA
1. West Coast Pro Women’s Title: X (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita
Another promotion debut for Yamashita is happening while she is in America this Spring. West Coast Pro will be crowning their first Women’s Champion in March. Whoever it is, her first defence will be against Yamashita in April.
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Cancelled Appearances
EVE “EVE 100”, 07/01/2023 229 The Venue, London, England
1. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Lizzy Evo
As mentioned above, the title match was pushed back to March because of Yamashita’s concussion preventing her from travelling overseas.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT WINTER ~OKAYAMA PERFORMANCE~”, 08/01/2023 Okayama Convention Center 284 Fans
1. Moka Miyamoto defeated HIMAWARI with the Rashomon (5:33).
2. Mizuki defeated Kaya Toribami with the Diving Foot Stomp (6:39).
3. Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta defeated Raku & Pom Harajuku when Noa pinned Raku with the Blizzard Suplex (10:30).
4. Trish Adora defeated Hyper Misao with a Short-Range Lariat (6:50).
5. Miu Watanabe & Suzume defeated Maki Itoh & Mahiro Kiryu when Watanabe pinned Kiryu with the Tear Drop (13:38).
6. Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer defeated Yuka Sakazaki & Arisu Endo when Max pinned Endo after the Master Blaster (9:46).
7. Shoko Nakajima & Yuki Aino defeated Rika Tatsumi & Yuki Kamifuku when Aino pinned Kamifuku with the Venus DDT (14:03).
Yuki Aino’s home of Okayama was the next stop for Tokyo Joshi Pro this weekend. She was the big winner of the show, scoring the pinfall in the main event. After the match Aino spoke about how much she loves her family and TJPW is just as important to her. Shoko Nakajima said that Aino is the strongest, her sister Nodoka Tenma (who was in attendance) is the strongest farmer in the mountains and TJPW is the strongest too. Altogether that makes them the strongest family. Their opponents Rika Tatsumi & Yuki Kamifuku weren’t as kind with their post-match comments. They blame losing today on not being able to eat Tenma’s rice before the match. They threatened to burn her rice field in retaliation next time they come to Okayama.
The Wasteland War Party are taking the Princess Tag Team Titles with them away from Japan. Heidi Howitzer even said she & Max The Impaler are looking forward to defending them overseas before they come back. Howitzer called Yuka Sakazaki strong but not as strong as The Wasteland War Party. Sakazaki’s impromptu team with Arisu Endo couldn’t beat them today but she is confident there is a team in TJPW that can bring the Tag Titles back.
Maki Itoh may have caught a cold because her voice was raspy today. She still shouted out her catchphrases during her match though.
In an unusual start to her match Hyper Misao shook Trish Adora’s hand, promised to fight fair and did not attack her with any cheap shots. She kept to the promise until it was clear that Adora was a stronger wrestler than her in every way. That was when she finally pulled out her spray can and sprayed it in Adora’s face. Adora countered the Vanitas though and pinned Misao with a Short-Range Lariat to win her final match on this tour. According to Misao they made peace backstage after the match and exchanged T-shirts.
According to Nao Kakuta, Okayama is a hotspot for Free WiFi! This was the same place where they won their 1st Round match in last year’s Max Heart Tournament. They won their match today as well with Hikari Noa pinning Raku to avenge yesterday’s loss to her.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT WINTER ~KOBE PERFORMANCE~”, 07/01/2023 Kobe Art Center 237 Fans – No Vacancy
1. Nao Kakuta defeated HIMAWARI with the Shiden Kai (7:05).
2. Yuki Kamifuku defeated Kaya Toribami with the Famouser (6:15).
3. Yuki Aino & Raku defeated Maki Itoh & Hikari Noa when Raku pinned Noa with the Doctor Yellow (11:30).
4. Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao defeated Yuka Sakazaki & Mahiro Kiryu when Nakajima pinned Kiryu with the Northern Lights Suplex (10:42).
5. Max The Impaler, Heidi Howitzer & Trish Adora defeated Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & Pom Harajuku when Max pinned Harajuku after the Master Blaster (13:59).
6. Suzume & Arisu Endo defeated Mizuki & Moka Miyamoto when Suzume pinned Miyamoto with the Ring A Bell (13:40).
The latest homecoming for Mizuki was spoiled by Daisy Monkey. In the main event Suzume scored the win for her team by pinning Moka Miyamoto. She was happy to see so many people turn up for the show. Arisu Endo said she was able to do her very best because of the fans cheering. Suzume later said her courage boosts up to 200% whenever she teams with Endo. With the Max Heart Tournament coming around the corner, Daisy Monkey have their eyes on the prize. According to them, 2023 won’t be the year of the rabbit. It’s going to be the year of Daisy Monkey! Miyamoto was upset over the result and blamed the loss on herself. Mizuki encouraged her, saying she is tough enough to rely on whenever the match comes down to her.
Today was a nightmare for Pom Harajuku. She had to face her fears once more and be in the ring with Max The Impaler. When the match began she kept trying to escape until Daydream physically put her back into the ring. The match finish had Heidi Howitzer & Trish Adora hold back Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe while Max destroyed Harajuku. After the match Max picked up Harajuku’s prone body and carried her away. Backstage Howitzer told Max to let her go because The Wasteland War Party are here to win matches, not kidnap people.
Hyper Misao gave Mahiro Kiryu some treats before their match as a new year’s gift. When Kiryu said she did not have any gifts to give back, Misao attacked her. The incident forced Kiryu to apologize while kneeling on top of both Misao & Shoko Nakajima. Meanwhile Yuka Sakazaki stood in the corner eating all of the treats by herself. She ended up choking on them which briefly took her out of the match. Nakajima took some of the treats back after winning the match so as far as she’s concerned everyone is even. Misao decided that winning the match today is Kyoraku Kyomei’s gift for the new year.
Raku missing the Princess Tag Team Titles match last month due to illness is still on her mind. She & Yuki Aino ended up getting the win on today’s show when the pair beat Maki Itoh & Hikari Noa in an upset. Raku hopes that by itself will make Aino happy going into tomorrow’s show in Aino’s home region of Okayama. Aino reminded her that their 1st Round opponents in the Max Heart Tournament are Reiwa AA Cannon, the team they were supposed to fight for the Tag Titles.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT WINTER ~KOBE PERFORMANCE~”, 07/01/2023 Kobe Art Center
1. Nao Kakuta Vs HIMAWARI
2. Yuki Kamifuku Vs Kaya Toribami
3. Maki Itoh & Hikari Noa Vs Yuki Aino & Raku
4. Mizuki & Moka Miyamoto Vs Suzume & Arisu Endo
5. Yuka Sakazaki & Mahiro Kiryu Vs Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao
6. Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & Pom Harajuku Vs Max The Impaler, Heidi Howitzer & Trish Adora
Some injury news heading into the weekend shows. Miyu Yamashita was diagnosed with a mild concussion coming out of the Ittenyon main event. She was meant to wrestle in London for EVE tomorrow but that trip is now cancelled for safety concerns. EVE will announce their decision on her next appearance as soon as possible. It sounds like she is at least going to remain the EVE Champion for now.
Haruna Neko has a shoulder injury and will be out of action until 19th January.
Due to scheduling conflicts, Wakana Uehara will not have her next wrestling match until after 15th January. However she in the process of adjusting her schedule to become a regular on Tokyo Joshi Pro shows from that point onwards.
DDT “NEW YEAR’S CURRENT EXPLOSION!”, 07/01/2023 Kanagawa Tsurumi Fruit & Vegetable Market
1. Yukio Naya Vs Takeshi Masada
2. Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Hideki Okatani & Kazuma Sumi
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match: HARASHIMA, Saori Anou & Yusuke Okada Vs Kazuki Hirata, Saki Akai & Gota Ihashi
4. Chain Death Match: Chris Brookes Vs Demonio Uno
5. The 37KAMIINA Vs BURNING!: Yuki Ueno & MAO Vs Tetsuya Endo & Yuya Koroku
6. Harimao Vs DAMNATION T.A!: Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida Vs Daisuke Sasaki & KANON
7. “Current Blast” Trademark Rights & Position Battle ~ Legend Resurrected! New Year Aerial Time Bomb & Current Blast Bat Death Match: Atsushi Onita, Shunma Katsumata & Toi Kojima Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Akito & Soma Takao
Here I was thinking the biggest corporate story in wrestling this week would be either DDT taking the trademark for exploding death matches from Atsushi Onita or Toi Kojima unseating Sanshiro Takagi as the president of CyberFight. It all sounds so quiet and peaceful compared to what’s happening in WWE the last 24 hours.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW CITY CIRCUIT WINTER ~OKAYAMA PERFORMANCE~”, 08/01/2023 Okayama Convention Center
1. Moka Miyamoto Vs HIMAWARI
2. Mizuki Vs Kaya Toribami
3. Hyper Misao Vs Trish Adora
4. Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta Vs Raku & Pom Harajuku
5. Miu Watanabe & Suzume Vs Maki Itoh & Mahiro Kiryu
6. Yuka Sakazaki & Arisu Endo Vs Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer
7. Shoko Nakajima & Yuki Aino Vs Rika Tatsumi & Yuki Kamifuku
The Wasteland War Party are now the team to beat in TJPW. Yuka Sakazaki & Arisu Endo have the unenviable task of being the first opponents for the new Princess Tag Team Champions. Other teams like Kyoraku Kyomei, Free WiFi, Daisy Monkey and Yuki Aino/Raku have warm up matches to take them through the weekend.
Hyper Misao is celebrating her “23rd” birthday by having a match against Trish Adora.
DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2023 TOUR IN SHINJUKU ~FIRE!~”, 13/01/2023 Shinjuku FACE
1. Keigo Nakamura Comeback Match: Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada Vs HARASHIMA, Hideki Okatani & Keigo Nakamura
2. MJ Paul & KANON Vs Antonio Honda & Kazuma Sumi
3. MAO & Toi Kojima Vs Makoto Oishi & Shiori Asahi
4. Shunma Katsumata Pheromones One Day Experience Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno & Shunma Katsumata Vs Akito, Kazuki Hirata & Yuya Koroku
5. Special Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi & Fuminori Abe Vs Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada
6. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida Vs Yuji Hino & Yukio Naya
7. Special Single Match: Kotaro Suzuki Vs Soma Takao
8. DDT Universal Title – Survival 3 Way Match: Yuki Ueno (c) Vs Naruki Doi Vs Daisuke Sasaki
A time limit draw has resulted in Naruki Doi and Daisuke Sasaki both getting a DDT Universal Title match against Yuki Ueno. The three of them agreed to do a Survival 3 Way Match, meaning it is elimination rules. Everyone in the match is convinced they can beat the other two in under 60 minutes.
We’re getting a preview for Kazusada Higuchi and Yuji Hino with their buddies Yuki Ishida and Yukio Naya coming along for the ride.
A decade ago Sanshiro Takagi teamed with Munenori Sawa as Hentai Dai Shacho. Now he is forming a new team with Sawa’s protege Fuminori Abe called Bonno Dai Shacho. It’s another path Takagi is taking in 2023 to bring himself back to his peak pro wrestling form.
DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2023 TOUR IN SENDAI”, 14/01/2023 Sendai City Miyagino Ward Bunka Center
1. Daisuke Sasaki & KANON (w/ MJ Paul) Vs Yusuke Okada & Keigo Nakamura
2. Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Kazuki Hirata & Kazuma Sumi
3. Jun Akiyama & Toru Owashi Vs Yukio Naya & Takeshi Masada
4. Special Challenge Match: Tetsuya Endo Vs Yuya Koroku
5. Sendai Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Toi Kojima Vs HARASHIMA, Chris Brookes & Hideki Okatani
6. Special Single Match: Shunma Katsumata Vs Makoto Oishi
7. Special Tag Match: Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida Vs Yuji Hino & Akito
Being back in the main event must feel like a breath of fresh air for Akito after the last few months he’s had.
The upcoming KO-D Tag Team Titles match is getting a warm up too with Shunma Katsumata and Makoto Oishi facing off in a singles match.
DDT “SWEET DREAMS! 2023”, 29/01/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada (c) Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno & Koju “Shining Ball” Takeda
2. KO-D Tag Team Titles: MAO & Shunma Katsumata (c) Vs Makoto Oishi & Shiori Asahi
3. KO-D Openweight Title: Kazusada Higuchi (c) Vs Yuji Hino
In some ways ShunMao both look up to Oishi & Shiori Asahi. In other ways they just see them as a grandpa tag team. The two wrestlers from Ω are looking to win the KO-D Tag Titles on the same show where Hino wins the KO-D Openweight Title from Higuchi.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “GRAND PRINCESS ’23”, 18/03/2023 Ariake Coliseum
1. Princess Of Princess Title: Yuka Sakazaki (c) Vs Mizuki
Will Mizuki win the Princess Of Princess Title during the year of the rabbit? The main event of TJPW’s biggest show ever will be The Magical Sugar Rabbits against each other for the first time since November 2020.
DDT “JUDGEMENT 2023 ~LONGEST 5 HOUR SPECIAL IN KORAKUEN HISTORY~”, 21/03/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall
1. DDT 26th Anniversary Special Single Match: Sanshiro Takagi Vs Konosuke Takeshita
2. KO-D Openweight Title: Kazusada Higuchi (c) Vs X
When Konosuke Takeshita returns to DDT in March it will be for a first time singles match he’s always wanted. He will fight his own boss Sanshiro Takagi!
Samuray Del Sol will be on the show. The luchador formerly known as Kalisto in WWE does not have a match booked yet but showed interest in fighting Yuki Ueno for the Universal Title.
TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TOKYO JOSHI PRO ’23”, 04/01/2023 Tokyo Korakuen Hall 1,111 Fans – Super No Vacancy
1. HIMAWARI Debut Match: Yuki Aino defeated HIMAWARI with the Venus DDT (6:05).
2. Wakana Uehara Debut Match: Moka Miyamoto & Juria Nagano defeated Arisu Endo & Wakana Uehara when Miyamoto submitted Uehara with the Rashomon (9:15).
3. Nao Kakuta, Mahiro Kiryu & Kaya Toribami defeated Raku, Pom Harajuku & Haruna Neko when Kakuta pinned Neko with the Shiden Kai (8:36).
4. New Year Special Match: Shoko Nakajima and Hyper Misao both win when they grabbed the “Hit” (14:53).
5. Princess Of Princess Title Next Challenger Decision Battle Royal: Mizuki defeated Rika Tatsumi, Maki Itoh, Yuki Kamifuku, Hikari Noa and Suzume (16:58).
5a. Yuki Kamifuku eliminated Hikari Noa by Ring Out (4:52).
5b. Maki Itoh eliminated Yuki Kamifuku by Ring Out (6:20).
5c. Mizuki eliminated Rika Tatsumi with an Assisted School Boy (8:02).
5d. Maki Itoh eliminated Suzume with the Itoh Punish (10:40).
5e. Mizuki eliminated Maki Itoh with the Cutie Special (16:58).
6. International Princess Title: Miu Watanabe (c) defeated Trish Adora with the Tear Drop (10:34). *V2 for Miu Watanabe.
7. Princess Tag Team Titles: Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer defeated Saki Akai & Yuki Arai (c) when Max pinned Arai after the Master Blaster (11:29). *Reiwa AA Cannon fails in V4. The Wasteland War Party becomes the 11th Princess Tag Team Champions!
8. Princess Of Princess Title: Yuka Sakazaki (c) defeated Miyu Yamashita with the Magical Girl Chicken Dude (16:08). *V2 for Yuka Sakazaki.
On this date three years ago, Yuka Sakazaki successfully defended the Princess Of Princess Title against Miyu Yamashita at the annual 4th January Korakuen Hall show. Three years later and the result repeated itself. Sakazaki had to pull out her most dangerous moves to beat her most dangerous opponent and expect the same to be given to her. She did a Brainbuster outside the ring only for Yamashita to fire back with a German Suplex on the floor. Yamashita also did the Avalanche Attitude Adjustment and hit the Skull Kick clean. Sakazaki kicked out though and also survived the Crash Rabbit Heat aimed at the back of her head. She fought back using the Magical Merry-Go-Round. A strike exchange caused Yamashita’s kick and Sakazaki’s elbow strike to clash with each other. Sakazaki got the upper hand by using a Rolling Elbow, keeping Yamashita down long enough for the Magical Girl Chicken Dude to find its target and end the match.
While Yamashita was being taken out of the ring with Maki Itoh’s help, Sakazaki said she can do the match again. Yamashita responded by bowing and sticking her fist out with a scream before leaving. Sakazaki then thanked everyone for coming to see the show on a busy 4th January. She now has to talk to her next challenger. It’s the other Magical Sugar Rabbit and her closest friend Mizuki! It’s a match that Sakazaki admits she does not want to do. Mizuki said she felt like she was being left behind while watching Sakazaki get stronger. But she spent the last year working hard and gaining confidence in herself. She is emotional about the match but wants to surpass Sakazaki and be the one who wins the Princess Championship from her. Sakazaki accepts her challenge and wants the match to happen at “GRAND PRINCESS ’23” in Ariake Coliseum on 18th March!
A monster team have defeated Reiwa AA Cannon and taken the Princess Tag Team Titles for themselves! Max The Impaler left a big impact when they invaded Tokyo Joshi Pro last year. Their returning presence is now further strengthened with Heidi Howitzer joining along and together The Wasteland War Party can call themselves champions in Japan! The champions found their usual attacks ineffective with Saki Akai’s Triangle Choke not being strong enough along with the Double Rookie Award not being enough to put down the challengers. The most dread filled moment came when Yuki Arai’s Finally kick was caught by Max and the SKE48 idol was blown away with a Lariat. The end came when the War Party joined up and hit a combined body press called the Master Blaster to get the pinfall. There is still hope left for Reiwa AA Cannon. Akai said shen she looked into Arai’s eyes after the match she could see the fire was not gone from her. Arai said she wants to do her best with Akai in the Max Heart Tournament so they can challenge for the titles again. Backstage Howitzer said the result went exactly how she expected. She also thinks the pink belts look good on her & Max. They will look forward to seeing who TJPW throws their way to try and get their championship back.
Things went better for Miu Watanabe in her title defence. She was able to beat Trish Adora to retain the International Princess Title. Adora twisted the champion several ways including with a Cattle Mutilation. But Watanabe powered out of it and found a way to use the Giant Swing. Adora caught a second wind until it was knocked out of her with a Double Sledgehammer strike and the Laserbeam. The Tear Drop came afterwards and Watanabe achieved her second title defence. She was happy to win against a foreign opponent who is unlike anyone she has fought before. As long as she has the championship, she thinks it will be her ticket towards wrestling in America. Now she just has to learn English. Adora praised Watanabe for being a wonderful champion and the better fighter today. She is confident she will return to TJPW someday.
Mizuki earned her No. 1 Contendership by beating five opponents in a mini Rumble. Hikari Noa and Maki Itoh started off slow until Yuki Kamifuku entered the ring. The three of them stopped fighting each other and all ganged up on Rika Tatsumi after she joined the match. That alliance ended when Noa climbed the top rope and was Dropkicked out of the ring by Kamifuku for the first elimination. Tatsumi finally got some help when Mizuki made her way into the fight but again it was a short lived pairing. Kamifuku then turned on Itoh but made the mistake of charging her near the ropes. Itoh made sure that Kamifuku went over the top rope to the floor to knock her out of the match. Suzume was the last entrant and she helped Mizuki and Itoh pin Tatsumi by piling on top of them. Itoh dodged the Ring A Bell from Suzume and trapped her in the Itoh Punish for the next elimination. That left Itoh and Mizuki as the final two. They went back and forth until Mizuki hit Itoh with a Spinning Back Elbow. That allowed her to do the Cutie Special, pinning Itoh and making Mizuki the next in line for a Princess Title shot.
The annual Shoko Nakajima Vs Hyper Misao match is always an oddity but this time it may have gotten its oddest finish yet. Three toy rabbits were left hanging above the ring with a piece of paper included in each of them. Only one of them was the correct rabbit and grabbing that would win the match. The other two included stipulations that would come into effect if either wrestler grabbed them. Nakajima placed a ladder on top of Misao and climbed up to grab a rabbit. She picked the wrong one and the match turned into Rabbit Lumberjack Rules. Several wrestlers came down to the ring wearing rabbit ears and armed with hammers to attack anyone who left the ring. Both Nakajima and Misao felt their wrath. Misao then climbed the ladder but the rabbit she grabbed turned the match into Hardcore rules where dangerous weapons are now allowed. Nakajima brought in a box of kaiju toys and emptied it in the ring. She later paid the price when Misao slammed her on top of the pile of toys. Misao also crashed her Hyper Bike into her outside the ring. Both of them climbed back up the ladder and grabbed the one rabbit left at the same time. Yukinori Matsui couldn’t decide who won the match so instead of calling it a tie he declared both of them the winners! Misao couldn’t understand if that was possible until Nakajima explained they got three cute rabbit toys out of it. Both of them are happy to win their first match of the year before the Max Heart Tournament begins. Too bad they spent the rest of the day being chased after by the Rabbit Lumberjacks.
Raku began her new year leading Pom Harajuku & Haruna Neko in the Goodnight Express on their opponents. Harajuku tried to continue that momentum by hitting Mahiro Kiryu 108 times only to lose count, allowing Kiryu to escape. Raku & Harajuku cleared the ring of Kiryu & Kaya Toribami. It was all up to Haruna Neko but victory slipped away from her paws. Nao Kakuta got the win for her team after pinning Neko with the Shiden Kai.
Two wrestlers made their pro debuts on the show. Idol Wakana Uehara had already wrestled before on the Yume Pro Wrestling show last year. She decided to go pro and teamed with Arisu Endo on the 2nd anniversary of Endo’s debut. Uehara used Body Slams, Sleeper Holds and Dropkicks during her time in the ring. Moka Miyamoto & Juria Nagano used double team kicks to get rid of Endo. Miyamoto then put Uehara in the Rashomon to make the rookie give up. Miyamoto praised both of her opponents for their growth while Nagano said Uehara showed great guts. Uehara said she admires Shoko Nakajima the most and hopes to have a high flying battle against her someday.
The other debut was HIMAWARI who took on Yuki Aino in the opener. HIMAWARI repeatedly tried to knock down her opponent with Shoulder Blocks. Her momentum was stopped with a Side Suplex and Aino then finished her off with the Venus DDT. Aino hadn’t seen HIMAWARI train before this match so did not know what to expect from her. But she saw HIMAWARI has passion and enjoyed doing the back and forth Shoulder Blocks with her. HIMAWARI said her debut felt special because it happened at the start of TJPW’s 10th year. She wants to help the company grow from here on out by being a wrestler who makes fans laugh and feel moved.
Five announcements were given out by Sayuri Namba at the beginning of the show. The biggest one is that TJPW will be going to America this Spring! “TJPW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES” will take place at the Globe Theater in LA on 31st March as part of the WrestleCon end of the week’s festivities. Around 12 to 15 women from the roster along with foreign talent will be taking part on the show. TJPW was originally meant to have their US debut in Florida back in 2020 but the trip was cancelled because of the Covid pandemic.
The second biggest announcement was the introduction of a new trainee. Toga is a 19 year old from Kanagawa. She promised to do her best and make her debut in a TJPW ring.
All four members of The Up Up Girls performed a musical number together before the opening match. They announced the unit will be holding another audition for new members this year.
The other two announcements were merchandise related. Miu Watanabe and Suzume are the next two wrestlers to collaborate with Idolmaster Cinderella Girls. Watanabe’s costume will be given to Aya Kirino and Suzume’s costume will be given to Aki Yamato. The other merch announcement is the publication of a TJPW fan book releasing nationwide in Japan on 30th March. Early copies will be available to buy at “GRAND PRINCESS ’23”.
The annual vote for the best matches in Tokyo Joshi Pro was completed over the holidays and the results were announced today. This year TJPW received over 350 votes on Twitter including an increase of responses from fans overseas. Only matches held on TJPW shows and “CYBERFIGHT FESTIVAL 2022” were eligible for votes. In the end more than 110 matches received votes and two tied for 20th place.
TJPW Best Bouts 2022
1. Tokyo Princess Cup – Semi Final: Miyu Yamashita Vs Miu Watanabe 13th August @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
195 pts
2. Princess Of Princess Title: Shoko Nakajima (c) Vs Yuka Sakazaki 9th October @ Tokyo Dome City Hall
162 pts
3. Princess Tag Team Titles: Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki (c) Vs Saki Akai & Yuki Arai 9th July @ Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium
153 pts
4. Princess Of Princess Title: Shoko Nakajima (c) Vs Rika Tatsumi 9th July @ Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium
143 pts
5. Tokyo Princess Cup – Final: Yuka Sakazaki Vs Miu Watanabe 14th August @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
119 pts
6. Princess Of Princess Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Mizuki 4th January @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
111 pts
7. Princess Tag Team Titles: Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki (c) Vs Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe 19th March @ Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
105 pts
8. Pom Harajuku Vs Max The Impaler 13th August @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
88 pts
9. Princess Of Princess Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Shoko Nakajima 19th March @ Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
86 pts
10. Mizuki Vs Arisu Endo 27th November @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
62 pts
11. Princess Tag Team Titles: Saki Akai & Yuki Arai (c) Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu 4th September @ Aichi Nagoya Congress Center Event Hall
52 pts
12. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Shoko Nakajima Vs Miu Watanabe 31st August @ Tokyo Otemachi Mitsui Hall
50 pts
13. Tokyo Princess Cup – Quarter Final: Rika Tatsumi Vs Suzume 31st August @ Tokyo Otemachi Mitsui Hall
47 pts
14. Falls Count Anywhere Match: Hyper Misao Vs Sanshiro Takagi 19th March @ Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
44 pts
15. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Millie McKenzie 27th November @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
38 pts
16. Nodoka Tenma Vs Yuki Aino 19th March @ Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
35 pts
17. Sakisama, Mei Saint-Michel, Martha & Yukio Saint Laurent Vs Marika Kobashi, Raku, Pom Harajuku & Ram Kaichow 19th March @ Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
pts
18. Falls Count Anywhere 5 Way Tag Match – Special Rules: Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki Vs Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe Vs Hyper Misao & Nodoka Tenma Vs Marika Kobashi & Raku Vs Hikari Noa & Yuki Arai 28th February @ WRESTLE UNIVERSE
31 pts
19. Princess Tag Team Titles: Saki Akai & Yuki Arai (c) Vs Yuki Aino & Pom Harajuku 27th November @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
30 pts
20. International Princess Title: Maki Itoh (c) Vs Yuki Arai 19th March @ Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
22 pts
20. Suzume Vs Ryo Mizunami 9th October @ Tokyo Dome City Hall
22 pts
Honorable Mentions
These four matches just missed out on making the Top 20.
22. 2nd “Futari wa Princess” Max Heart Tournament – Final: Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe Vs Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino 11th February @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
23. Suzume Vs Yuki Arai 11th February @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
23. Princess Tag Team Titles: Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki (c) Vs Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta 3rd May @ Tokyo Korakuen Hall
23. International Princess Title: Alex Windsor (c) Vs Miu Watanabe 9th October @ Tokyo Dome City Hall
It’s all over for Shota’s American adventure. He’s now back in Japan wrestling for Ganbare☆Pro with a fresh pep in his step. For me it’s going to make writing these articles a lot more easier now I’m no longer searching for some of the most obscure wrestling shows on the US indies. Although looking at where the winds are blowing, I’ll have to start learning Asian geography next year.
January has a few eventful things lined up. Getting out worldwide is a priority for DDT this Spring. The yen is weak so any chance to make a lot of American dollars at wrestling shows will be taken. A few DDT wrestlers are going over Stateside. Yuka Sakazaki will be going back too but whether or not it is just for a few AEW matches in unknown right now. Miyu Yamashita has a chance to add more international gold to her collection, Maki Itoh is starting to treat America as a second home and Yuki Kamifuku is beginning to spread her wings more.
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Videos
Video starts at 45:25 for the match PWL “PRO WRESTLING LEGACY”, 02/12/2022 Toma Gallery, El Paso, Texas, USA
1. Cosmo Orion Vs Shota
GRAPPLE MAX “GOLD STANDARD”, 03/12/2022 GymKraft, Tampines Street, Singapore
1. Hotshot Wilson Vs Masahiro Takanashi
Video starts at 47:16 for Match #1. Go to 1:39:01 for the Premier Rumble and 1:57:20 for Shota’s entrance PWF “PREMIER RUMBLE”, 03/12/2022 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. Caine Carter Vs Shota
2. Premier Rumble: Shota enters at #9
Video starts at 55:39 for the match AEW “DARK ELEVATION”, 06/12/2022 Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Aaron Solo
Video starts at 1:12:40 for Match #1. Go to 1:50:06 for Match #2 NEW TEXAS PRO “TEXAS CONTENDERS SERIES 9”, 08/12/2022 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. Shota Vs Shawn Hendrix
2. Mysterious Q Vs Shota
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 09/12/2022 H-E-B Center, Cedar Park, Texas, USA
1. Jon Moxley Vs Konosuke Takeshita
Video starts at 8:35 for the match GLORY PRO “DECEMBER 2 RIZZMEMBER”, 18/12/2022 South Broadway Athletic Club, St. Louis, USA
1. Shota Vs Ethan Price
Video starts at 10:27 for the match AEW “DARK ELEVATION”, 19/12/2022 Curtis Cullwell Center, Garland, Texas, USA
1. Ethan Page, Matt Hardy, Isiah Kassidy, Dante Martin, Darius Martin & Konosuke Takeshita Vs Sonny Kiss, Slim J, Jeeves Kay, Peter Avalon, Cezar Bononi & Ryan Nemeth
Video starts at 10:08 for the match AEW “DARK ELEVATION”, 26/12/2022 Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Frankie Kazarian
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Results
PWL “PRO WRESTLING LEGACY”, 02/12/2022 Toma Gallery, El Paso, Texas, USA
1. Shota defeated Cosmo Orion with the Frog Splash (?:??).
Shota had already visited El Paso on his travels but didn’t get to wrestle there until the final weeks of his excursion. It was an emotional match for him. Not only did he win but he did so using his hero Eddie Guerrero’s finisher in Eddie’s hometown. He also gave a speech thanking Eddie after the match for making his dream come true.
GRAPPLE MAX “GOLD STANDARD”, 03/12/2022 GymKraft, Tampines Street, Singapore
1. Masahiro Takanashi defeated Hotshot Wilson with a Cradle (12:27).
The master of roll-ups was at risk of losing to such a move. Hotshot Wilson kept trying to find ways to pin Masahiro Takanashi’s shoulders to the mat, turning to a reliance on using La Magistral Cradle. Takanashi found a way to counter the move, roll on top of Wilson and keep him pinned down to take the victory.
PWF “PREMIER RUMBLE”, 03/12/2022 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. Shota defeated Caine Carter with the Frog Splash (?:??).
2. Premier Rumble: Chris Carter defeated AWOL and Shota by Ring Out (?:??).
The fruits of Shota’s labour was on show with his performance at his last Premier Wrestling Federation event. First he defeated Caine Carter then he entered the 30-Man Premier Rumble at #9. He lasted until the final three and finished in 3rd place (no way am I writing out all 30 entrants for the result).
AEW “RAMPAGE”, 07/12/2022 (Aired 09/12/2022) H-E-B Center, Cedar Park, Texas, USA
1. Jon Moxley defeated Konosuke Takeshita with the Bully Choke (14:30).
Takeshita’s second crack at Jon Moxley ended much like the first. A well fought match that ended in defeat thanks to the Bully Choke. The one difference this time around is Takeshita did not submit, instead he passed out to the hold.
NEW TEXAS PRO “TEXAS CONTENDERS SERIES 9”, 08/12/2022 Houston Premier Arena, Houston, Texas, USA
1. Shota defeated Shawn Hendrix with a Backstabber (?:??).
2. Shota defeated Mysterious Q with the Gannosuke Clutch (?:??).
Shota’s final appearance in the Houston Premier Arena was probably his most eventful. First he was unexpectedly called out by Shawn Hendrix for eliminating him at the Premier Rumble. Shota wasn’t aware of who Hendrix was because Hendrix wears a mask in PWF but wrestles unmasked in New Texas Pro, so he didn’t recognise him. An impromptu match began and Shota won it in seconds, ending the disupute before it ever really got started.
Perhaps the second match was Shota’s biggest win of his entire stay. Mysterious Q is one of the big boys of the Texas scene and he took Shota for a beating. Shota was able to kick out of everything Q could do to him but he hadn’t a hope of winning. That was until Q was distracted by the entrance music of Rudy Garza. Nothing came of it so Q turned his attention back to Shota. His finisher was then countered into the Gannosuke Clutch giving Shota the upset win! Q figured out that Shota was not on Garza’s side (Garza cheated to beat Shota a month earlier) and congratulated Shota on the win.
APAC “RISE – DAY 1”, 10/12/2022 Spacerubix, Puchong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1. APAC Women’s Title Tournament – Round 1: Steph De Lander defeated Maki Itoh (?:??).
2. APAC Women’s Title Tournament – Round 1: Nor “Phoenix” Diana defeated Yuki Kamifuku (?:??).
Both Maki Itoh and Yuki Kamifuku lost their 1st Round matches in the APAC Women’s Title Tournament. I can’t find much info on what happened other than that.
DFW ALL PRO “SEASONS BEATINGS”, 10/12/2022 Haltom Theater, Haltom City, Texas, USA
1. Triple Threat Match: Shota Vs Rook Tyler Vs Eddie Martinez
Shota’s penultimate match of his excursion took place in DFW All Pro against some of the promotion’s alumni Rook Tyler and Eddie Martinez.
DPW “1ST ANNIVERSARY”, 10/12/2022 Winston-Salem Fairgrounds, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Colby Corino with the Zahi (14:22).
Now we’re cooking! Takeshita came back to Deadlock Pro and had a fight on his hands against Colby Corino. It was a match that got “That shit fucked!” chants after it ended. It was one of Corino’s last matches before news came out that he is WWE bound.
APAC “RISE – DAY 2”, 11/12/2022 Spacerubix, Puchong, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1. Maki Itoh Vs Yuki Kamifuku
I was able to find out Itoh and Kamifuku had a match against each other on the second day of APAC’s weekend. Other than that I don’t know the result. Nor “Phoenix” Diana beat Steph De Lander in the final to win the championship.
AEW “DARK ELEVATION”, 14/12/2022 (Aired 19/12/2022) Curtis Cullwell Center, Garland, Texas, USA
1. Ethan Page, Matt Hardy, Isiah Kassidy, Dante Martin, Darius Martin & Konosuke Takeshita defeated Sonny Kiss, Slim J, Jeeves Kay, Peter Avalon, Cezar Bononi & Ryan Nemeth when Page pinned Avalon with the Twist Of Fate (7:45).
So Takeshita, The Firm, Top Flight, The Trustbusters and The Wingmen all walk into a bar. Stop me if you heard this one before.
AEW “DARK”, 17/12/2022 (Aired 31/01/2022) Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Angelico with the Zahi (7:39).
This match hasn’t aired yet. Did Angelico get any help from the other members of the Spanish Announce Project? Did the SAT crash the match in an angry shoot? Would Angelico even want Luther & Serpentico to help him in this case?
GLORY PRO “DECEMBER 2 RIZZMEMBER”, 18/12/2022 South Broadway Athletic Club, St. Louis, USA
1. Ethan Price defeated Shota with the Package DDT (?:??).
And he we are at Shota’s final match in America. He couldn’t end it with a win unfortunately. Ethan Price rolled out of a Sunset Flip, hooked Shota in the Fisherman Suplex position and dropped him with a Package DDT to win the match.
AEW “DARK ELEVATION”, 21/12/2022 (Aired 26/12/2022) Freeman Coliseum, San Antonio, Texas, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Frankie Kazarian with the German Suplex (5:01).
Takeshita’s biggest win in AEW so far happens here. Beating Frankie Kazarian is a small step up the ladder.
GCW “TIL INFINITY 2022”, 31/12/2022 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. Maki Itoh defeated Allie Katch with the I.S.D (11:36).
Hikari Noa is going to be so jealous when she finds out that Itoh got to do death match spots before her. Just like last month Itoh confronted Nick Gage in the middle of the ring to ask him “Where’s my fucking gang at?!?” Then during her match against Allie Katch, Itoh grabbed a pizza slicer and sliced it across Katch’s forehead! If that wasn’t enough, Itoh blased a lighttube over Katch’s head before pinning her with the I.S.D flying DDT.
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Upcoming Appearances
GCW “56 NIGHTS”, 01/01/2023 The Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
1. 4 Way Match: Dark Sheik Vs Maki Itoh Vs Billie Starkz Vs Sawyer Wreck
The match will be happening hours after I posted this. Too bad, I’m leaving the result out until next month. Itoh has been in the ring with Dark Sheik and Billie Starkz before. Sawyer Wreck though is a new one and she’s just as bloodthirsty as Itoh if not more.
EVE “EVE 100”, 07/01/2023 229 The Venue, London, England
1. EVE Title: Miyu Yamashita (c) Vs Lizzy Evo
Yamashita’s new year goal is to become an international Triple Crown holder. If she can win the Princess Of Princess Title from Sakazaki in Tokyo on 4th January then the next step is to defend the EVE Title against Lizzy Evo in London. EVE picked Evo as the next contender because she has beaten multiple former EVE champions including the woman Yamashita dethroned, Alex Windsor.
PWG “BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES 2023”, 07/01/2023 Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, California, USA
1. Battle Of Los Angeles 2023 – Round 1: Michael Oku Vs Konosuke Takeshita
One to scratch off the bucket list. The Battle Of Los Angeles is the premier pro wrestling tournament on the American indies. Simply being included in one is often considered to be a career highlight. Takeshita’s appearance in the 2023 edition was expected and there is excitement brewing over his 1st Round opponent Michael Oku. It will be months before the show will be watched by people who didn’t attend so we all need an ungodly amount of patience to see how he fares. Also fingers cross Sakazaki makes a surprise appearance for a non-tournament match.
WARRIOR “WARRIOR WRESTLING 27”, 21/01/2023 Bendix Arena, South Bend, Indiana, USA
1. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Zachary Wentz
Takeshita’s debut for Warrior Wrestling has him facing Zachary Wentz of The Rascalz. Strength versus agility will be happening here for sure.
PRESTIGE “VENDETTA”, 21/01/2023 The Glass House, Pomona, California, USA
1. Anything Goes: Shunma Katsumata Vs Sonico
2. Kevin Blackwood Vs MAO
3. ROH Women’s Title: Athena (c) Vs Miyu Yamashita
The third and final part of Yamashita’s plan is to take the ROH Women’s Title from Athena in California. Prestige was able to get permission from ROH/AEW/Tony Khan to make the already announced match for the championship.
SPW “CHAMPIONS NEVER YIELD”, 27/01/2023 Foochow Building, Singapore
1. Queen Of Asia Title: Alexis Lee (c) Vs Yuki Kamifuku
The Queen Of Asia Title that Alexis Lee currently holds previously belonged to Riho for four years. Lee won it in a 3 Way Match last month and her first defence is against Kamifuku.
SETUP “SETUP EP.11”, 30/01/2023 The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand
1. International Single Match: Matcha Vs TJPW X
The next day a wrestler from TJPW will be at a SETUP show to face Matcha, Thailand’s first female pro wrestler. She is also known online as the fan artist Tapla. Who TJPW is sending over will be decided on short notice because the show is happening during the Max Heart Tournament. They won’t be able to send someone over if they are still in the tournament. Is Kamifuku’s Singapore booking just a coincidence?
DDT “DDT GOES HOLLYWOOD”, 30/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA
Latest update with this show is the winner of the D GENERATIONS CUP will be booked for it. So Takeshi Masada still has a chance!
DDT/GCW “GCW VS DDT”, 31/03/2023 Ukrainian Cultural Center, Los Angeles, California, USA