Author: Admin

RUMOR: Another Stardom Star Going For Bigger Stardom?

This is not entirely a done deal yet and, based on later fact-checking done weekly by the site that shares them is probably 55-60% accurate right now, but there are RUMORS another top Stardom name could be WWE-bound. This time it’s top foreigner Giulia. Here’s what is being said: Giulia is verbally committed to Stardom for next year. But talks are to the point that WWE has made an offer. What it may come down to is money and which brand-if it’s NXT (their developmental brand), owner Bushiroad Corporation and sibling company New Japan Pro Wrestling can probably match the offer and keep her. But if it’s main level (Raw or Smackdown), and money is more important, Goulia is probably following KAIRI (back in the latter’s case) to The E. Giulia is said to be a “priority acquisition” for WWE and her multi-racial background (she is mixed Japanese & Italian and was born in England) could help then worldwide. Again, just RUMORS for now but bears watching.

More as it becomes available.

Injury Report: The Juice Can’t Be Loose For Now

According to rumors today from various US news sites, AEW is short a Bullet Club member for a while as Juice Robinson was written off last week on Collision due to a legit injury. Back. Out indefinitely but reportedly at least the rest of the year. We’ll know for sure if we don’t see him on TV this week.

More as it becomes available.

Injury Report: NOAH Old Man Taking It Easy

Pro Wrestling NOAH just announced on the socials that Yoshinari Ogawa, likely their oldest wrestler at 57, will be off Friday’s Korakuen Hall event as a precaution. Dizziness. Not expected to miss much if any more time. He was to have teamed with LEONA to face HAYATA & Eita. Kai Fujimura is the replacement. This also resulted in the first match being changed to Junta Miyawaki vs. Taishi Ozawa.

Sumo-November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 9 Results (11/20/23) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 9 of the November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-asekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Kotoshoho (J1) beat Nishikifuji (J16)
Tsurugisho (M13) beat Kitanowaka (M17)
Takarafuji (J13) beat Tohakuryu (J15)
Ichiyamamoto (J14) beat Tamawashi (J12)
Oho (M12) beat Tomokaze (M14)
Hiradoumi (M11) beat Roga (M17)
Churanoumi (M15) beat Endo (M8)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Sadanoumi (M11)
Hokuseiho (M7) beat Kotoeko (M10)
Takanosho (M6) beat Ryuden (M10)
Shonannoumi (M6) beat Myogiryu (M9)
Mitakeumi (M9) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Atamifuji (M8) beat Onosho (M5)
Takayasu (M3) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Meisei (M3) beat Gonoyama (M4)
Shodai (M2) beat Hokutofuji (K)
Ura (M1) beat Abi (K)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Daieisho (S)
Kirishima (O) beat Asanoyama (M1)
Takakeosho (O) beat Noshikigi (M4)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Leader: Ichiyamamoto (8-1)
Of note: The field chasing the leader at one win back thinned from 9 to 4 as Ichiyamamoto is the first to clinch promotion this tournament. No Sanyaku in Janury for Asanoyama as he will be the first demotion after a very close loss, which was upheld on judges’ review. He now is the equivalent of 1-8 in his first losing tournament since returning from a 1 year suspension that saw him demoted from Ozeki to Sandanme. At the bottom, Roga is also one loss now from demotion back to Juryo at 2-7.
Yokozuna Watch: Takakeisho is still in it but his chances are near zero now as he remains 2 off the pace and can only finish with 12 wins.
Ozeki Watch: Kotonowaka’s win over Hoshoryu today was big. Probably still needs to win out to get to 13-2 and the unofficial 33-win bar but he remains one win off the lead.

Juryo:
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Tenshoho (J10)
Akua (J10) beat Yuma (J13)
Shiden (J12) beat Takakento (J9)
Shimanoumi (J13) beat Tokihayate (J8)
Chiyomaru (J8) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Mitoryu (J4) beat Takahashi (J9)
Daiamami (J4) beat Asakoryu (J13)
Tamashoho (J7) beat Oshoma (J3)
Daoshoho (J7) beat Kagayaki (J3)
Shimazuumi (J2) beat Chiyoshoma (J6)
Bushozan (J2) beat Shishi (J5)
Onosato (J5) beat Aoiyama (J1)
Leader: Kotoshoho, Onosato, Shiden (7-2)
RE-ENTRY: Hidenouni (J11). Will return tomorrow. He will be the equivalent of 4-5 after missing 3 days.
Of note: Hitoshi is demoted after winning the Makushita Championship in September but can stay in Juryo if he can get some wins. The win today in return from a shoulder injury probably means Chiyomaru is safe despite demotion, but he needs one more to be sure, maybe 2. On the other side, a win in the top tier means Kotoshoho is just one away from a return in January.
Hidenoumi’s return means a Makushita man comes up again starting tomorrow, and he’ll face Tsushimanada, who will be going for a 4th win and promotion from Ms4.

Lower tier notes:
The Makushita saw 10 unbeatens left narrowed down to 4 at 5-0, so Day 11 should narrow it down to the championship match on Day 13. Former Sekiwake Wakatakakage picked up a second consecutive win to go to 3-2 (earlier versions of this post incorrectly said he was 3-3) and is now a win from promotion in his return from injury. The Sandanme currently has 5 at 5-0. The Jonidan currently has 6 at 5-0 while on the Jonokuchi, Aonishiki won the match of the 2 remaining unbeatens to go to 5-0 and now just needs to win his last 2 matches for the championship.

UPDATE: Makuuchi-Kotoeko has WITHDRAWN after Day 9. More to come as to why tomorrow. Nishikifuji gets the free win and avoids demotion for at least another day. It’s only the second time in his 13-year career he’s had to withdraw from a tournament. The first and only other time was July 2022 when he missed the last 4 days. He is 2-7 at M10 so he will be demoted, possibly to Juryo if he doesn’t return. If that happens it will end a 3 1/2 year run in the top tier following demotion after January 2020 (he was Juryo 5 in March 2020 and went 11-4 but had to wait until July 2020 to return because the May 2020 tournament was cancelled due to the pandemic).

New Japan 11/20/23 Results

New Japan kicked off the 2023 World Tag League today, their annual year-end tag team tournament, with Block A action. A new Young Lion also debuted today, beginning what hopefully will be a path to becoming a New Japan superstar.

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on New Japan World FOR FREE! No paid subscription or account required! This was an ABEMA simulcast in Japan.

Click below to watch (available in Japanese and English):
https://watch.njpwworld.com/details/38461?playlist_id=203

The announced paid attendance was 1133.

Pre-show Match: Shoma Kato Debut Match: Oskar Leube beat Shoma Kato.

Match 1: Soberano Jr. & Atlantis Jr. beat TAKA Michinoku & DOUKI. Atlantis pinned TAKA after Atlantida.

Match 2: Alex Zayne, Lance Archer, Minoru Suzuki & Yuji Nagata beat Gedo, Taiji Ishimori, Jack Bonza & Bad Luck Fale. Nagata beat Gedo with Nagata Lock 2.

Match 3: Yuya Uemura, Taichi & SANADA beat BUSHI, Zandokan Jr. & Yota Tsuji. Uemura pinned BUSHI with a kannuki suplex hold.

Match 4: Jado, El Phantasmo & Hikuleo beat Yoh, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto. Phantasmo pinned Yoh after CR2.

World Tag League:
Match 5: Shane Haste & Mikey Bicholls beat Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun. Haste pinned Laun after Tank Buster.
Match 6: Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL beat Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii. EVIL pinned Yano after EVIL.
Match 7: Ryohei Oiwa & Kaito Kiyomiya (Pro Wrestling NOAH) beat Gabriel Kidd & Alex Coughlin by countout. Kidd counted out.
Main Event: Ren Narita & Shota Umino beat HENARE & Great-O-Khan. Umino pinned Khan after Death Rider.

The next event 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.

In other news, Stardom announced today that STRONG Women’s Champion Giulia will next defend the title on 12/2 in the promotion vs. AZM. 6th defense for Giulia. I would expect the winner to defend at the next US event on 1/13/24.

All-Japan 11/19/23 Results

All-Japan continued the Real World Tag League yesterday with Day 3.

Yesterday’s event was held at Nagoya Congress Center in Nagoya and can be watched on demand on AJPW.TV.

The announced paid attendance was 733.

Match 1: Jr. Battle Of Glory: Ryo Inoue beat Rising Hayato.

Match 2: Real World Tag League: Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani beat Shuji Ishikawa & Ren Atabe. Okatani pinned Ishikawa after Quetzalcoatl. A first win for our girl Saki Akai (that was one of her finishers).

Match 3: Katsuhiko Nakajima, Hokuto Onori & Naoki Tanisaki beat Yoshitatsu, Kuroshio TOKYO Japan & Black Menso-re. Nakajima pinned Menso-re after Vertical Spike.

Match 4: Real World Tag League: Jun & Rei Saito beat Hayato Tamura & Galeno Del Mal. Rei Saito pinned Mal after Drill-A-Hole piledriver.

Match 5: Jr. Battle Of Glory: Dan Tamura beat Atsuki Aoyagi.

Match 6: Real World Tag League: Cyrus & Ryan Danielson beat Suwama & Hideki Suzuki. Cyrus pinned Suzuki after a reverse splash.

Main Event: Real World Tag League: Kento Miyahara & Yuma Aoyagi vs. Ryuki Honda & Yuma Anzai went to a 30 minute time limit draw.

The next event is tomorrow at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Tokyo. Live streaming on AJPW.TV will begin at 1:30 AM PT/4:30 AM ET.

Injury Report: Trio of Injuries & Effects (Updated x2)

It’s another pileup of injuries across the Japanese scene today, some with major effecrs:

DDT-Sanshiro Takagi suffered an undisclosed injury yesterday and is now off Thursday. He was to have been in a 6-man tag. Illusion is the replacement.

Dragon Gate-KAI reaggravated an arm injury over the weekend. Out indefinitely but at least the rest of the November tour.

Stardom-Both Tam Nakano & Natsupoi, who are already out indefinitely, will be out a long time. Because of this, both the World Of Stardom Championship held by Nakano and the Goddesses Of Stardom Championship they held are now VACANT.

More as it becomes available.

UPDATE: For the Goddesses Of Stardom Championship, determination match between Meghan Bahn & Maika and TBA is set for 12/2/2023 to crown new champions.

UPDATE 2 (11/21): For the World Of Stardom Championship, determination tournament to crown a new champion is set for 11/28. First will be Maika vs. Ami Seira then Mina Shirakawa vs. Momo Watanabe with the winners meeting for the title. The winner will first defend against either Suzu Suzuki (who holds a challenge contract) or Hazuki (if she beats Suzuki on 11/28 for the contract). Utami Hayashishita and Saya Kamitani will also return from injuries on 11/28.

Stardom 11/18/23 Results

Stardom ran their final Osaka big show of the year, STARDOM GOLD RUSH 2023, yesterday, loaded with major title matches and more.

Yesterday’s event was held at Osaka Prefectural Gym in Osaka and can be watched on demand as a PPV via Pia for 4000 yen (around $27 US) until Tuesday morning (purchase by 1 AM PT/4 AM ET Tuesday). It should be available on Stardom World at a later date.

The announced paid attendance was 1033. If the venue was configured for full capacity (5000 for sumo, maybe a little less for wrestling), that’s barely 20% full. Probably was smaller capacity, but on paper that still seems rather bad.

There were multiple late changes to the cards due to Mayu Iwatani and Saki Kashima being off the event (injured).

Match 1: It’s Fukigen (Kaori Yoneyama) won a 7 woman battle royal, last eliminating Miyu Amasaki.

Match 2: Moneyball Tournament: Hanan, Hazuki & Saya Iida beat HANAKO, Ami Sohrei & Konami. Hanan pinned HANAKO after 17.

Match 3: Moneyball Tournament: Mai Sakurai, Thekla & Giulia beat Momo Watanabe, Natsuko Tora & Ruaka. Sakurai pinned Ruaka with Mai Bread Roll.

Match 4: High Speed Champion Mei Seira beat Momoka Hanazono to retain the title. V1 for Seira.

Match 5; AZM beat Starlight Kid & Suzu Suzuki in a 3-way by pinning Kid.

Match 6: In a UWF Rules MMA Fight, Syuri beat Scandinavian Hurricane by TKO.

Match 7: Wonder Of Stardom Champion MIRAI vs. Saori Anou went to a 30 minute time limit draw. As a result, MIRAI retains the title. V3 for MIRAI.

Main Event: Moneyball Tournament Finals: Artist Of Stardom Champions Mai Sakurai, Thekla & Giulia beat Hazuki, Hanan & Saya Iida by retrieving the right chest hanging above the ring with the key to unlock the chest to retain the titles. Thekla made the winning retrieval. V3 for the champs. Afterwards, Thekla challenged Seira for the High Speed Championship. That match will likely happen on 12/2 at Aichi Prefectural Gym in Nagoya.

The next event is Thursday at Nagoya International Conference Center Event Hall in Nagoya. It should be available on Stardom World at a later date.

DDT 11/19/23 Results (Updated)

DDT ran an event in Osaka today as part of a doubleheader with Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling.

Today’s event was held at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a later date. There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 354, a full house/near sellout. They used a much smaller layout than TJPW, who wasn’t anywhere near capacity but still drew in the low 400s. (Back in the day the venue had a full capacity of 1500-1800, but since the pandemic they have downsized considerably. Osaka has always been stricter about capacity limits since the pandemic than most of Japan, but it’s their choice)

During the opening introductions and start call, MAO tried unsuccessfully to win the DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Championship from Kazuki Hirata.

Match 1: Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku beat Kazuma Sumi & Yuni. Okada pinned Sumi after Sudden Death.

Match 2: In a No Submissions Match, Sanshiro Takagi & His Excellency Tsuten (a local) beat Danshoku Dieno & Illusion. Tsuten pinned Illusion after a Takagi Stunner.

Match 3: MJ Paul & KANON beat Akito & Rukiya. KANON pinned Rukiya after Vietnam Driver 2.

Match 4: Daisuke Sasaki beat Takeshi Masada by submission.

Match 5: In a Hardcore match, Great Nita, Great Koji & HARASHIMA beat Jun Akiyama, The Bodyguard & Makoto Oishi. Nita beat Oishi by chain hanging chokeout.

Match 6: DDT Universal Champion MAO beat Demus to retain the title. V1 for MAO.

Main Event: Yuki Ueno, Chris Brookes & Kazusada Higuchi beat Tetsuya Endo, Yukio Naya & DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion Kazuki Hirata, with Ueno pinning Hirata after WR to win the title. Ueno becomes the 1594th Champion. The 37Kamiina stick around for the show-ending victory promo. Which led to…
MAO beat DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion Yuki Ueno to win the title. MAO becomes the 1595th Champion. Which led to…
Great Koji beat DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion MAO to win the title. Koji becomes the 1596th Champion. Guess it’s staying in Osaka for a while now.

The next event is Thursday at Yume Messe Miyagi West Building Hall in Miyagi. There will be no live broadcast.

UPDATE: There are now reports Great Koji is/was actually Toi Kojima. He denies that. It has been since determined that title changes can happen only if Great Koji is pinned or submitted.

Sumo-November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 8 (Halfway Point) Results (11/19/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the halfway point-of the November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Kitanowaka (M17) beat Aoiyama (J1)
Churanoumi (M15) beat Tomokaze (M14)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Takarafuji (M13)
Oho (M12) beat Roga (M16)
Tamawashi (M12) beat Tohakuryu (M15)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat NIshikifuji (M16)
Hiradoumi (M11) beat Tsurugisho (M13)
Endo (M8) beat Kotoeko (M10)
Ryuden (M10) beat Hokuseiho (M7)
Mitakeumi (M8) beat Shonannoumi (M6)
Atamifuji (M8) beat Takanosho (M6)
Kinnbozan (M7) beat Onosho (M5)
Mirodifuji (M5) beat Myogiryu (M9)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Meisei (M2)
Takayasu (M3) beat Ura (M1)
Abi (K) beat Daieisho (S)
Shodai (M2) beat Kotonowaka (S)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Takakeisho (O)
NIshikigi (M4) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Kirishima (O) beat Hokutofuji (K)
Leader: Ichiyamamoto (7-1)
Yokozuna Watch: It’s all but over this time for Takakeisho, who has now lost 2 straight after a close one today against the returning Asanoyama. He can only finish 12-3, which is currently 2 off the pace and probably isn’t ideal as a win total for the championship and promotion. We’ll see. But there is hope for Hakkaku (Chairman of the Japan Sumo Association) as both Kirishima & Hoshoryu are among NINE at 6-2, and a second championship for either one gives them a chance to earn promotion in the January tournament.
Ozeki Watch: Kotonowaka now needs to win out or win the tournament to have any real chance at promotion after 2 straight losses now.

Juryo:
Shimanoumi (J12) beat Fukai (Ms3)
Shiden (J12) beat Asakoryu (J13)
Yuma (J13) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Akua (J10) beat Tenshoho (J10)
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Takakento (J9)
Daiamami (J4) beat Takahashi (J9)
Mitoryu (J4) beat Tokihayate (J8)
Kagayaki (J3) beat Tamashoho (J7)
Oshoma (J3) beat Daishoho (J7)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Bushozan (J3)
Shimazuumi (J2) beat Shishi (J5)
Kotoshoho (J1) beat Onosato (J5)
Leader: Kotoshoho, Onosato, Shiden (6-2)
RE-ENTRY: Chiyomaru (J8). Will return tomorrow. Withdrawal on Day 4. Unfortunately for him demotion is already guaranteed as he is the equivalent of 0-8 (0-4-4). But he can save his salary and Juryo ranking with at least 2 or 3 wins.
Of note; That’s 6 straight wins for Kotoshoho after an 0-2 start as he handed Onosato only his second loss. Aoiyama was in the top tier and lost to fall one off the pace. At the bottom, it’s looking like one and done for September Makushita Champion Hitoshi as he is now one loss from demotion at 1-7. Also, Chiyoshoma managed to win his 3rd straight without a HENKA! (sidestep at initial charge. Not illegal but generally the fans hate it) today.

Lower tier notes: With Promotion Day 1 wrapped up, the Makushita has 7 tied for the lead at 4-0, including Hakuyozan who will return to Juryo in January from Ms1 and September Sandanme Champion Kitaharima with a chance as well if he wins the championship (he is at Ms11). After his win today, former Sekiwake Wakatakakage is currently 2-2 at Ms6, probably won’t make it back up to Juryo even if he finishes 5-2. In the Sandanme, 11 are 4-0 and there is a slight chance of stablemates facing off for the championship as 2 of the co-leaders are from Sakaigawa Beya (Asonoyama at Sd1 and Katsunofuji at Sd85). In the Jonidan, 12 are tied at 4-0 with 2 Beyas having 2 co-leaders (Onoe & Musashigawa). Finally, in the Jonokuchi there are 2 at 4-0 who are heading for a final face-off if they keep winning.