GLEAT ran the first G PROWRESTLING event of the year today, continuing their primary series of wrestling events.
Today’s event was held at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo and can be watched on demand FOR FREE on YouTube.
The announced paid attendance was 295, a full house/near sellout.
Match 1: Check Shimatani beat Jun Tonsho.
Match 2: Yu Iizuka beat Keiichi Sato.
Match 3: Yutani beat Issei Onitsuka.
Match 4: Kyoko Inoue beat Michiko Miyagi.
Match 5: Masato Kamino & Yusuke Kodama beat Minoru Tanaka & Tetsuya Izuchi. Kodama pinned Tanaka with a grudge clutch.
Match 6: Kaito Ishida, Hartley Jackson & Kotaro Suzuki beat Hayato Tamura, Quiet Storm & KAZMA SAKAMOTO. Suzuki pinned Storm with a crucifix. Afterwards, KAZMA issued a challenge to Ishida for the G REX Championship. (The G REX Championship is the singles title in G PROWRESTLING)
Main Event: El Lindaman, T-Hawk & CIMA beat Kaz Hayashi, Soma Watanabe & Takanori Ito. T-Hawk pinned Watanabe. Afterwards, a one-day 6-Man Tag Team Tournament was announced for 2/15.
The next event is 2/12 at Osaka Azalea Taisho in Osaka with a G INFINITY (Tag Team) Championship match. As this is in Osaka, based on their recent event held there earlier this month there probably will be no live broadcast, but it should be available on demand on YouTube approximately 3 days after the event. If it were live, the broadcast would begin on 2/11 at 9 PM PT/midnight ET.
Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo: Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi. S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier): Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Oshoma (J3) Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Tsurugisho (M15) Mitoryu (M15) beat Hiradoumi (M10) Takarafuji (M16) beat Aoiyama (M10) Endo (M9) beat Azumaryu (M14) Chiyomaru (M16) beat Oho (M8) Onosho (M8) beat Kotoshoho (M13) Kagayaki (M12) beat Ura (M7) Kotoeko (M13) beat Myogiryu (M6) Takanosho (M9) beat Hokutofuji (M6) Tamawashi (M2) beat Nishikigi (M5) Ryuden (M5) beat Mitakeumi (M2) Tobizaru (M1) beat Abi (M3) Daieisho (M1) beat Wakamotoharu (K) Meisei (K) beat Midorifuji (M3) Shodai (S) beat Sadanoumi (M4) Hoshoryu (S) beat Nishikifuji (M4) Kiribayama (K) beat Wakatakakage (S) Kotonowaka (K) beat Takakeisho (O) Leader: Takakeisho, Onosho (9-2) Of note: It’s bot over yet as Takakeisho took only his second loss today. He still has a chance at Yokozuna but now has to go either 3-1 or 4-0 the rest of the way. Onosho is now ties for the lead with Kotoshoho & Tamawashi one off the pace. Hoshoryu fought through a sprained ankle to keep his Ozeki hopes alive, but he’a gotta tough it out and win his last 4 matches. Key matches tomorrow: Onosho-Tamawashi, Takakeisho-Kiribayama. One more win over the final 4 days should FINALLY get Kiribayama to Sekiwake in March. He’s just been blocked by the numbers game in front of him.
Juryo: Hakuyozan (J14) beat Tochikamiyama (Ms3) Terutsuyoshi (J10) beat Kaisho (J13) Tsushimanada (J14) beat Gonoyama (J10) Hidenoumi (J9) beat Takakento (J12) Roga (J9) beat Shimazuumi (J11) Shonannoumi (J13) beat Kitanowaka (J8) Daishoho (J6) beat Asanoyama (J12) Enho (J4) beat Chiyosakae (J11) Kinbozan (J5) beat Tohakuryu (J4) Shimanoumi (J8) beat Atamifuji (J3) by default/withdrawal Daiamami (J2) beat Kotokuzan (J5) Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Hokuseiho (J2) Bushozan (J1) beat Churanoumi (J8) Tochimusashi (J7) beat Akua (J1) Leader: Asanoyama, Kinbozan (10-1) WITHDRAWAL: Atamifuji (J3). Flu. Probably done for the tournament and now officially demoted so no return to the top tier in March. Of note: DENIED! No 15-0 for Asanoyama after Daishoho basically manhandled the former Ozeki. That means now virtually zero chance of a top tier return in March even with a 14-1 finish. But each of the last 2 tournaments Asanoyama lost right about now in the Makushita so perhaps he was due. The big winner there is Kinbozan, who once again goes into the final stretch tied for the lead. A couple more wins could make him the first rikishi from Kazakhstan to reach the top tier in March. Also right there is Bushozan, with 7 wins at J1 he needs just one more win to set up his top tier debut in March. Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Shonannoumi (first match), Kinbozan-Roga.
Lower tier notes: The Makushita final is now set, it will be Ochiai in his debut tournament vs. Kazekeno in his 5th and going for his 2nd career championship (worth noting that in each of his first 4 tournaments Kazekeno finished 6-1). Ochiai could jump to Juryo if he wins the championship from Ms15 while Kazekeno would be looking at a jump to roughly Ms10 if he wins (he is currently at Ms40). In the Sandamne, a potential all-Sadogatake Beya final and/or playoff will not happen as all 3 of their 5-0 wrestlers lost today. That sets up a final of Wakanosho vs. Kaizen, both 6-0. The Jonidan has 3 at 6-0 and may need a playoff to determine the champion while in the Jonokuchi Okano is the only 6-0 and just needs to win his final match to claim the championship.
Terrible breaking news from Ring Of Honor owner Tony Khan: Jamin Pugh, known to fans worldwide as Jay Briscoe, one half of The Briscoes with brother Mark Briscoe, is dead. He was only 38. No details are known except there are rumors of a car accident.
The Briscoes rose to fame in Ring Of Honor and became one of the top tag teams in the world over the last 20 years, but they had their fair share of incredible singles success too.
More as it becomes available. RIP and GOD BLESS, until we meet again our dear brother…
UPDATE: New Japan’s English website has posted a brief obituary/tribute to Jay Briscoe that includes details of their time and successes in Japan in their career, which may not be known to many: https://www.njpw1972.com/141096
Additionally, tributes from throughout the wrestling world are flooding Twitter and social media as wrestlers, fans and promotions around the world remember Briscoe.
If you’re in the US and have money to spare, now is the time to get an HonorClub subscription and start binging all of the great Briscoes matches that are available, both singles and tag team. I know I’ll be looking to see if any of their old New Japan matches are on New Japan World.
UPDATE 2: According to this morning’s “Busted Open” radio show, Briscoe was killed in a car accident. His 2 daughters were in the car as well, one is hospitalized in stable condition and the other is going in for surgery this morning. I believe one or both are elementary school age.
UPDATE 3: A couple more details about the car accident-it occurred in Laurel, DE yesterday at about 5:30 PM ET and was multi-vehicle. At least one of the other drivers involved was killed. According to a Facebook post by Jay’s widow, one of his daughters was going into surgery earlier today for back/leg injuries (possible paralysis), another had unspecified serious injuries but is stable and resting and a third child either was not involved in the crash or has already been able to go home.
UPDATE 4: During the 1/18/23 AEW Dynamite, Tony Khan announced on Twitter that a tribute show will be taped that night after the live show. It will be available for free at a later date on HonorClub (no subscription required for this) and YouTube.
UPDATE 5: It’s now been confirmed the reason for no tribute on AEW Dynamite on 1/18/23 was WarnerMedia/WBD not allowing it. They had issues with past homophobic tweets by Briscoe from a decade ago and thus forbid The Briscoes from being on AEW TV. There will be two taped tribute specials-one on YouTube & HonorClub as mentioned above and then a second one with all Jay Briscoe matches will be put together. Finally, they will do something at Supercard Of Honor, ROH’s next PPV, at the end of March in Los Angeles.
UPDATE 6: On 1/23 AEW & ROH released a Jay Briscoe memorial short for sale on prowrestlingtees.com starting at $24.99. All proceeds will go to support the Briscoe family.
UPDATE 7: AEW has added Mark Briscoe (Jay’s brother) vs. Jay Lethal to the 1/25 AEW Dynamite. It would have been Jay’s 39th birthday. It’s also been confirmed that Warner Bros Discovery/WarnerMedia relented on their stance to never allow the Briscoes on AEW/ROH TV so Tony Khan will be able to do televised Jay Briscoe tributes on this week’s programming.
UPDATE 8: More details about when the upcoming HonorClub/YouTube tribute special will be available will be announced tonight (1/25) on AEW Dynamite. It will be 3 hours and feature matches taped last week in Fresno, CA, some of Jay’s best matches and interviews.
UPDATE 9: The video will premiere on YouTube TONIGHT at 10 PM PT/1 AM ET. You can watch below:
In a Twitter post from US independent promotion Deadlock Pro Wrestling (DPW), they announced Tokyo Joshi Pro Princess Tag Team Champions Heidi Howitzer & Max The Impaler will defend the titles on 2/25 in Raleigh, NC vs. Raychell Rose & Hyan. In a retweet in Japanese, TJPW confirmed this match is official. No word yet on if this match will be available live online or later on WRESTLE UNIVERSE.
More as it becomes available. See the original Twitter post below:
🚨 DPW YAK UPDATE 🚨
WASTELAND WAR PARTY vs RAYCHELL ROSE & HYAN for the TJPW PRINCESS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP is scheduled for DPW You Already Know on February 25th in Raleigh, NC!
A few minutes ago on their English Twitter New Japan announced an event for WrestleCon 2023, taking place in Los Angeles, CA over WWE WrestleMania Weekend. The event will be held on March 30 at 8 PM PT. That’s a Thursday night but in California March 31 is a holiday.
More as it becomes available. See the original post below:
Earlier today, GLEAT announced that tomorrow’s G PROWRESTLING Ver. 42 event will stream LIVE FOR FREE on YouTube. The video will be available below courtesy of the GLEAT official YouTube channel and is scheduled to begin tomorrow at 1;30 AM PT/4:30 AM ET. If you miss the livestream, it will be available on demand after the event concludes. The event will be held at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo.
In news first reported in the Japanese media the other day and now confirmed by the promotion, New Japan has announced that Antonio Inoki (real name Kanji Inoki) will be honored posthumously by Japan with the Order of the Rising Sun and Junior Fourth Rank in the Japanese Court. The Japanese Cabinet voted to bestow these honors on Inoki last year in recognition of both his achievements in wrestling and MMA as well as his work as a politician, diplomat and social activist.
A ceremony is scheduled for January 23 with Inoki’s younger brother, Yoshinari Inoki, scheduled to receive the awards on behalf of Antonio Inoki.
Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo: Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier): Azumaryu (M14) beat Daiamami (J2) Kotoeko (M13) beat Kagayaki (M12) Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Mitoryu (M15) Hiradoumi (M10) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14) Endo (M9) beat Takarafuji (M16) Taurugisho (M15) beat Oho (M8) Kotoshoho (M13) beat Ura (M7) Hokutofuji (M6) beat Aoiyama (M10) Myogiryu (M6) beat Chiyomaru (M16) Nishikigi (M5) beat Takanosho (M9) Onosho (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M4) Abi (M3) beat Ryuden (M5) Tamawashi (M2) beat Daieisho (M1) Wakamotoharu (K) beat Tobizaru (M1) Mitakeumi (M2) beat Kotonowaka (K) Kiribayama (K) beat Hoshoryu (S) by default/withdrawal Sadanoumi (M4) beat Wakatakakage (S) Shodai (S) beat Midorifuji (M3) Takakeisho (O) beat Meisei (K) Leader: Takakeisho (9-1) WITHDRAWAL: Hoshoryu (S). Sprained ankle suffered yesterday. Will return tomorrow. Of note: With Hoshoryu out today but back tomorrow, he still has a chance at Ozeki promotion in March but he must go 5-0 the rest of the way. Wakatakakage can’t make Ozeki again now as 10 wins is the best he can do and he needed at least 11. Could there be no Ozeki in March? If Takakeisho keeps winning that is possible as each win now moves him ever so closer to Yokozuna consideration. Elsewhere, Kotoshoho and Onosho clinched promotions today and remain one win off the lead. While Chiyomaru will be demoted to Juryo unless he maybe wins out as he took his 8th loss. Oho dropped to a shocking 1-9 today but compared to recent demotions one win and being at M8 is probably enough to keep him in the top tier but not a guarantee. I’d say he needs at least two more wins to be safe. Daiamami’s loss means he will remain a Juryo man in March. Key matches tomorrow: Onosho-Kotoshoho, Takakeisho-Kotonowaka. The first could all but drop the loser out of yusho contention while Takakeisho needs to win to maintain the lead. Hoshoryu is scheduled to face Nishikifuji.
Juryo: Takakento (J12) beat Chiyonoo (Ms3) Hakuyozan (J14) beat Chiyosakae (J11) Shonannoumi (J13) beat Roga (J9) Hidenoumi (J9) beat Tsushimanada (J14) Shimanoumi (J8) beat Kaisho (J13) Kitanowaka (J8) beat Terutsuyoshi (J10) Chiyonokuni (J7) beat Gonoyama (J10) Asanoyama (J12) beat Tohakuryu (J4) Enho (J4) beat Tochimusashi (J7) Shinazuumi (J11) beat Atamifuji (J3) Kinbozan (J5) beat Oshoma (J3) Daishoho (J6) beat Hokuseiho (J2) Akua (J1) beat Churanoumi (J6) Bushozan (J1) beat Kotokuzan (J5) Leader: Asanoyama (10-0) Of note: 5 to go for the former Ozeki as Asanoyama is 2/3 of the way to a perfect tournament. At this point he would likely move up to J6 in March if he finished with 10 wins. Kinbozan at 9-1 is on the brink of reaching the top tier based on his performance so far-if he manages 1 more win, ideally at least 2 more, he may be there in March. On the flip side, Terutsuyoshi saw his win overturned on judge’s conference after a spectacular looking close call victory, but replays show it was the right call as his elbow touched down first so unfortunately that’s another demotion. He probably needs at least 3 more wins to stay in Juryo and continue his epic salt throws in March. Another big winner today was Shonannoumi, who clinched a winning record and promotion in his Juryo debut. Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Daishoho, Kinbozan-Tohakuryu. Daishoho is now 8-2.
Lower tier notes: The Makushita has 4 remaining at 5-0 headed into the final 2 rounds, including newcomer Ochiai. As is common, tomorrow’s matches have the unbeatens face each other to set up the championship match for Day 13. The Sandanme is getting interesting as they have 5 at 5-0 but more because 3 of the 5 are from Sadogatake Beya. That means if at least 2 of those 3 win there is a potential of having to face each other in a playoff for the championship, the only scenario in which stablemates face each other in a tournament (they can face off in special touring events that feature informal exhibition matches-one between the last few tournaments saw an only-there exhibition between brothers Wakamotoharu & Wakatakakage). The Sandanme could still have 3 unbeatens going into the final day because of this and if that includes all 3 of the stablemates, odds of a playoff between them are high. The Jonidan has 6 at 5-0. In Jonokuchi Okano is the only 5-0 left and is the sole leader.
Developing-GLEAT has just announced a change for the G PROWRESTLING EVENT on Wednesday (1/18)-Oji Shiba is now off the event. Precautionary due to possibly being a coronavirus close contact. He was to have faced Yu Iizuka. Keiichi Sato is the replacement.
Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the January 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo: Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier): Chiyomaru (M16) beat Mitoryu (M15) Tsurugisho (M15) beat Atamifuji (J3) Kagayaki (M12) beat Azumaryu (M14) Chiyoshoma (M11) beat Takarafuji (M16) Hiradoumi (M10) beat Kotoshoho (M13) Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Aoiyama (M10) Endo (M9) beat Kotoeko (M13) Myogiryu (M6) beat Takanosho (M9) Onosho (M8) beat Hokutofuji (M6) Nishikigi (M5) beat Oho (M8) Ura (M7) beat Nishikifuji (M4) Midorifuji (M3) beat Abi (M3) Tamawashi (M2) beat Tobizaru (M1) Mitakeumi (M2) beat Meisei (K) Kotonowaka (K) beat Daieisho (M1) Wakatakakage (S) beat Ryuden (M5) Shodai (S) beat Kiribayama (K) Wakamotoharu (K) beat Hoshoryu (S) Takakeisho (O) beat Sadanoumi (M4) Leader: Takakeisho (8-1) Of note: The most immediate concern is Hoshoryu, who appeared to suffer a leg/foot injury and was notably limping after his loss. If he has to withdraw and misses more than 1 day, his Ozeki hopes are over for now (he is at 6-3 and must finish with at least 11 to meet the criteria) and he’ll have to start over. Wakatakakage has kept his Ozeki hopes alive this time but still needs to finish 6-0. On the flip side, Oho becomes the first demotion after an unlikely 1-8 start so far, opposite of what he’s done so far while Kotonowaka seems to be shaking off the Shin Komusubi struggles-he’s now 4-1 after an 0-4 start to improve to 4-5. January Champion Abi is falling out of contention as he has dropped to 5-4 after a fast start. As for Takakeisho, if he can manage at least 5 more wins Yokozuna should be in reach for March. 4 more for 12 total may be enough too if it results in a championship or another runner-up finish. He showed no ill effects from another bloody nose suffered in a physical match yesterday and had an easy victory today. At worst he will maintain his Ozeki standing with another winning record. Key matches tomorrow: Takakeisho-Meisei, Onosho-NIshikifuji, Kotoshoho-Ura
Juryo: Shonannoumi (J13) beat Tokushoryu (Ms2) Terutsuyoshi (J10) beat Tsushimanada (J14) Gonoyama (J10) beat Kaisho (J13) Hakuyozan (J14) beat Hidenoumi (J9) Roga (J9) beat Takakento (J12) Asanoyama (J12) beat Kitanowaka (J8) Chiyosakae (J11) beat Shimanoumi (J8) Shimazuumi (J11) beat Chiyonokuni (J7) Tohakuryu (J4) beat Tochimusashi (J7) Daishoho (J6) beat Oshoma (J3) Churanoumi (J6) beat Daiamami (J2) Kotokuzan (J5) beat Hokuseiho (J2) Kinbozan (J5) beat Bushozan (J1) Akua (J1) beat Enho (J4) Leader: Asanoyama (9-0) Of note: 6 to go for the former Ozeki as Asanoyama ran his opening win streak to 9, every win he gets now will move him further up the rankings. Kinbozan became the second to clinch promotion this time around with his 8th win, staying one off the pace. Although already demoted, Akua got his first win today, not a popular one because he handed Enho a 4th straight loss-he is now 4-5 after a hot 4-1 start. Also on the verge of demotion is Daiamami after a 7th straight loss and, for the second straight time, Tochimusashi. After winning the Juryo championship in his debut in September, he is now 2-7. Last time he maintained his rank despite a 7-8 November. Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Tohakuryu, Kinbozan-Oshoma. It should be noted the last couple tournaments 11 wins was either enough for the championship or one off the pace and resulted in a roughly 9-10 spot jump in the rankings, so with a win tomorrow Asanoyama is looking at a move up to, at worst, J5 in March. If he can get to a minimum of 13, the top tier is in reach but I still think it’s a longshot and 15-0 would still only get him to perhaps J1 but we’ll see what happens.
UPDATE: Hoshoryu has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 10. His quest to earn promotion to Ozeki this tournament is over. If he misses more than 4 of the 6 days remaining he will also likely be demoted, meaning he would have to start over by getting back to Sekiwake then getting the 30+ wins or 2 championships over 3 consecutive tournaments. This means Kiribayma will get a free victory today.
