Author: Admin

DEVELOPING: Sumo-Big Trouble For Former Legend (Updated x2)

Nikkan Sports reports on another troubling case of bullying/violence in sumo by more experienced rikishi towards younger and lower ranked subordinates…this is especially troubling as it involves Miyagino stable, now owned and operated by former Yokozuna Haluho, the greatest Yokozuna of all time. Specifically it involves his highest ranked wrestler Hokuseiho, who at 6’10” is maybe the tallest wrestler in all of sumo. Apparently Hokuseiho not only bullied and was physically violent towards subordinates, but also stole money from them.

Here’s what I’ve been able to figure out punishment-wise from translation, from the Compliance Committee of the Japan Sumo Association: Miyagino/Hakuho has been given a 2-level demotion in ranking among senior stablemasters/oyakata, which is a severe penalty that is just short of the only worse sanctions-dismissal and then forced retirement. Hokuseiho has been reportedly suspended since after the January tournament according to reliable YouTube reporter “Chris Sumo”, and at an extraordinary board meeting on Friday it probably will be recommended that Hokuseiho be forced to retire, meaning if true his career is over. Possibly also disciplined to a lesser extent, or at least mentioned in this, is the current Magaki Oyakata, the former wrestler Ishiura who was forced to retire this past year due to injury.

If this is the end for Hokuseiho, the 22-year-old from Hokkaido will be done after just short of 4 years with a career record of 134-72-44, 41-40-9 in 6 top tier tournaments, and a 2-4-9 (win-loss-absent) record in his final tournament in January, cut short due to injury. He withdrew after his second win on Day 5. His career highest rank was Maegashira 6, he was at Maegaahira 8 in January. He will mot be eligible for elder stock, a retirement ceremony at Ryoogku Kokugikan or other benefits (as well as staying on as a coach/oyakata) because he only had 2 years total in the top 2 tiers-you need 5 years (30 total tournaments) at Makuuchi or Juryo. Hokuseiho only appeared in 23 total tournaments.

More as it becomes available. The original article (in Japanese) is below:
https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202402210001519.html

UPDATE: Hokuseiho will retire. Nikkan Sports reports he gave notice ahead of tomorrow’s meeting to determine discipline. He was the highest ranked wrestler in the stable.

UPDATE 2: Miyagino/Hakuho will also lose his stablemaster role for a while. For the March Tournament and into April, an interim stablemaster from Isegahama stable will be appointed and the stable and association will assume oversight of Miyagino stable. As far as stablemaster rankings go the demotion puts him at the bottom pf the seniority list.

Injury Report: The Mighty Don’t Kosei

In a social media post I just came across, which was shared by New Japan World English announcer Walker Stewart, New Japan’s Kosei Fujita announced he will be having what appears to be nasal bone surgery tomorrow. Appears to be related to chronic conditions including rhinitis and more. It’s not known if he’ll miss significant time. He is not on this week’s Hokkaido doubleheader, after that New Japan is off until the annual Anniversary Event on 3/6 then the New Japan Cup on 3/7, so if he’s in the Cup he will have about 2 weeks to recover. My guess is, barring any complications, he’ll be back in time for at least part of the Cup seriesz

More as it becomes available. The original post is below, Fujita included an image of a pre-op x-ray:

All-Japan 2/20/24 Results (Updated x2)

All-Japan continued their February tour today with a major event in Tokyo.

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on AJPW.TV.

The announced paid attendance was 1269.

There was a change to the main event announced last week as Rei Saito was removed due to injury (shoulder). He was to have challenged Katsuhiko Nakajima for the Triple Crown. Jun Saito was the replacement. The Saitos also vacated the All-Japan World Tag Team Championship as a result.

There was a last-minute addition of an ActWres Girls pre-show match. Surprising given the promotion is on hiatus following the death of a roster member earlier this month (she was killed in a car accident en route to their last event).

Match 1: Suwama beat Hideki Suzuki.

Match 2: Shotaro Ashino, Kuroshio TOKYO Japan, Hikaru Sato & Hartley Jackson (Independent/Freelancer) beat Naruki Doi (Independent/Freelancer). Hokuto Omori, Ren Ayabe & Osamu Nishimura. Jackson pinned Ayabe after Falcon Arrow.

Match 3: Ryuki Honda & Yuma Anzai beat KONO & Toshizo. Honda pinned Toshizo after Final Vent.

Match 4: Kento Miyahara & Rising Hayato beat Yuma & Atsuki Aoyagi. Hayato pinned Atsuki Aoyagi after Overdose.

Match 5: GAORA TV Champion Seigo Tachibana beat Ryo Inoue to retain the title. V1 for Tachibana.

Match 6: All-Japan World Jr. Heavyweight Champion Dan Tamura beat Fuminori Abe to retain the title. V3 for Tamura.

Main Event: All-Japan Triple Crown Champion Katsuhiko Nakajima beat Jun Saito to retain the Triple Crown. V4 for Nakajima.

The next event is Friday (Thursday night US time) at Okayama Convention Center in Okayama. There will be no live broadcast.

UPDATE: After the Jr. title match, MUSASHI made a surprise appearance and is aiming for Tamura and the title. MUSASHI, who has made some appearances in New Japan over the last few months thanks to relations/past partnerships with New Japan wrestler Yoh, is leaving home promotion Michinoku Pro in the coming weeks after his contract expires. It sounds like he will be participating in All-Japan going forward, but it’s not clear if he will sign with them or be doing so as a freelancerz.

UPDATE 2: Next up for Tamura: Not MUSASHI but Rising Hayato. That match will happen on 3/9 at Kotakuen.

Injury Report: And Yet Another One DDT’d

Still no breaks for DDT on the injury front as another one was added to the body count over the weekend-the latest casualty is young wrestler Kazuma Sumi. Left knee. Out at least this next week and will miss the next 2 events on Friday and Sunday, beyond that is uncertain.

More as it becomes available.

DEVELOPING: DDT Announcer/Commentator Fired

In a posy on their website in Japanese and English, DDT announced ring announcer/WRESTLE UNIVERSE commentator Ken Kato has been fired by the promotion effective today. Apparently he made what the promotion deemed inappropriate comments on social media/SNS (I have not seen these comments yet) and showed no remorse when approached about it. So his contract was terminated. Kato was heard on pre-show matches on WRESTLE UNIVERSE and occasionally relieved regular host/commentator Haruo Murata on longer DDT live broadcasts.

New Japan 2/19/24 Results

New Japan wrapped up CMLL FANTASTICAMANIA 2024 today, which was considered another successful event and likely set the table for another installment in 2025 (it has been annual since 2011 except for a couple times the last few years when it didn’t happen due to the pandemic).

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on New Japan World. This was a Samurai! TV broadcast in Japan.

The announced paid attendance was 1455, a legit sellout.

Before the event began, CMLL President Salvador Luterroth appeared to greet the crowd. Luterroth and the CMLL wrestlers also visited the Mexican embassy in Tokyo earlier in the day.

Match 1: Yoh, Ryusuke Taguchi & Brillante Jr. beat Francesco Akira, Pegasso & Stigma. Brillante pinned Pegasso after Senton Contornillo.

Match 2: BUSHI, KAMAITACHI, Tetsuya Naito & Titan beat Sho, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, DIfunto & Magnus. Titan pinned Difunto after Jade Immortal.

Match 3: OKUMURA beat Dark Panther.

Match 4: Atlantis Jr. beat Hechicero.

Match 5: MUSASHI (Michinoku Pro), El Desperado, Templario & Volador Jr. beat Tiger Mask, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Soberano Jr. & Rocky Romero. Desperado pinned TM 4 after El Es Cero.

Match 6: Mistico beat Ultimo Guerrero.

Main Event: Mascara Dorada beat Stuka Jr.

The next event is THE NEW BEGINNING in SAPPORO Friday & Saturday at Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center Hokkai Kita Yell in Hokkaido. Live streaming on New Japan World for both events will begin Friday at midnight PT/3 AM ET for the first event and at 9 PM PT/midnight ET for the second event. Both will be available OUTSIDE JAPAN ONLY, they will be TV Asahi live broadcasts in Japan.(Correction: The post initially said the next events were Saturday & Sunday in Japan. They are Friday and Saturday, both Friday in the US)

Dragon Gate 2/18/24 Results

Dragon Gate continued the Truth Gate 2024 Tour today with an event in Mie.

Today’s event was held at Heartful Mikuno in Mie. There is/was no live or on demand broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 346, a super full house/very near sellout.

Match 1; Kota Minoura & Ben-K beat Kzy & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI. Ben-K pinned KAMEI after a spear.

Match 2: Gianni Valetta beat Ho Ho Lun.

Match 3: Ultimo Dragon & Yasushi Kanda beat Masaaki Mochizuki & Punch Tominaga. Kanda pinned Tominaga after Ryu’s.

Match 4: Madoka Kikuta, Dragon Dia & Ryoya Tanaka beat BIGBOSS Shimizu, Strong Machine J & Jason Lee. Dia pinned Lee.

Match 5; Luis Mante & Hyo beat Susumu Mochizuki & Takashi Yoshida. Mante pinned Yoshida after Super Tigre.

Main Event: Don Fujii, YAMATO & Dragon Kid beat Shun Skywalker, KAI & ISHIN. YAMATO pinned ISHIN after Gallaria.

The next event is Friday at Juroku Plaza in Gifu. There will be no live or on demand broadcast.

Stardom 2/18/24 Results

Stardom followed up their big Tokyo doubleheader with a house show today.

Today’s event was held at Belle Salle Shibuya 1 in Tokyo and will be available on demand on Stardom World at a later date.

The announced paid attendance was 356, a full house/near sellout.

Match 1: Rina & Ruaka beat HANAKO & Waka Tsukiyama. Rina pinned HANAKO.

Match 2; Mei Seira beat Mai Sakurai & Hanan in a 3-way by pinning Sakurai.

Match 3: Momo Watanabe, Starlight Kid & Natsuko Tora beat Sayaka Kurara, Yunz Mizumori & Tam Nakano. Kid beat Kurara.

Match 4; Suzu Suzumi & Giulia beat Koguma & Hazuki. Suzuki pinned Koguma with a German suplex hold.

Match 5: Miyu Amasaki, Lady C, AZM, Saya Kamitani & Utami Hayashishita beat Ranna Yagami, Saki Kashima, Ami Sohrei, MIRAI & Syuri. Amasaki pinned Yagami after Tensei.

Main Event: Hina, Mina Shirakawa & Maika beat Yuzuki, Saya Iida & Mayu Iwatani. SHirakawa beat Yuzuki with a figure 4.

The next event is Saturday at G Messe Gunma in Gunma. It will be available on demand on Stardom World at a later date.

New Japan 2/18/24 Results

New Japan ran the penultimate event of CMLL FANTASTICAMANIA 2024 today as the first half of a Tokyo doubleheader.

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on New Japan World. This was a Samurai! TV broadcast in Japan.

The announced paid attendance was 1455, a legit sellout.

Match 1: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Pegasso & Ryusuke Taguchi beat Yoh, Tiger Mask & Kokeshi Machine 2 (Tomoaki Honma). Tanahashi pinned Machine 2.

Match 2: BUSHI, KAMAITACHI, Yota Tsuji & Tetsuya Naito beat Sho, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Yujiro Takahashi & Magnus. Tsuji pinned Magnus after reversing Campana.

Match 3: Titan beat Brillante Jr.

Match 4: MUSASHI (Michinoku Pro), Dark Panther & Atlantis Jr. beat DOUKI, OKUMURA & Hechicero. Panther pinned OKUMURA after Rudo Ragnarok.

Match 5: El Desperado, Stigma, Mascara Dorada & Mistico beat Difunto, Francesco Akira, Stuka Jr. & Ultimo Guerrero. Stigma pinned Difunto after Scandalo Driver.

Match 6: Soberano Jr. beat Templario.

Main Event: Volador Jr. beat Rocky Romero.

The tour-ender is tomorrow. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 1:30 AM PT/4:30 AM ET. This will be a Samurai! TV broadcast in Japan.

DDT 2/18/24 Results

DDT continued the Into The Fight 2024 Tour today with their half of a weekend doubleheader with Tokyo Joshi Pro.

Today’s event was held at Duo Cerezo in Niigata and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a later date. There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 230.

Match 1: Toru Owashi beat Kazuma Sumi.

Match 2: To-y (Toi Kojima) beat Kazuki Hirata.

Match 3: Daisuke Sasaki & LANON beat Yuki Iino & Rukiya. KANON beat Rukiya with Just Cobra Twist.

Match 4: Jun Akiyama & Yoshitatsu beat Tetsuya Endo & Makoto Oishi. Akiyama pinned Oishi after Deformed Sternness Dust Alpha.

Match 5: Danshoku Dieno vs. Super Sasadango Machine went to a Double Fall. Both fell asleep.

Match 6: HARASHIMA & Akito beat Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada. HARASHIMA pinned Masada after Blue Sword.

Main Event: Yuki Ueno, MAO & Shunma Katusmata beat Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Naya & Hideki Okatani. Katusmata pinned Okatani after Our Mad Max.

The next event is Friday at Yokohama Radiant Hall in Yokohama. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin at midnight PT/3 AM ET.