Author: Admin

Injury Report: God’s Not Dead…Just Awaiting Reincarnation

DDT posted an injury update that’s a difficult one for me to take…Yoshihiko is going to be on the shelf for a while. Numerous injuries due to age-related deterioration and accumulated damage. Out indefinitely. No word on how long we will be without our God.

More as it becomes available.

(In other DDT news, it was also announced that O-MENZ Kumadori will be part of the 10/19 Korakuen Hall and 11/3 Ryogoku Kokugikan events. On 11/3, the full O-MENZ group will perform live as well)

(Disclaimer: This is not as bad as it sounds. Those like me who follow DDT closely know that Yoshihiko is really a life-size blow-up doll so when wrestlers face it they essentially are having a match with themselves which actually is a thing of beauty and the epitome of sports entertainment. So apparently it’s time to find a suitable replacement for the current incarnation so it will come back even stronger and more durable)

BREAKING: No More Go For NOAH (Updated)

In a statement just posted by parent company CyberFight Corporation, it was announced that Go Shiozaki appears to be done with Pro Wrestling NOAH. Contract expires today (9/30 Japan time) and will not be renewed. The promotion has also confirmed this on their website. No word yet on Shiozaki’s future plans (his last social media posts appear to be from 3 days ago) and he has not yet been removed from NOAH’s roster page on their website.

More as it becomes available.

UPDATE: A translation of comments by Shiozaki seem to indicate he will continue his career somewhere as there was no mention of retirement (he’s 43 with 20 years experience).

New Japan News: Full 10/13 Card Announced

At their traditional post-blowout event press conference today in Tokyo, New Japan announced the full 8 match card for KING OF PRO WRESTLING 2025, the likely last such event of the year, on 10/13 at Ryogoku Kokugikan. As expected, the main event will be IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the title as Takeshita is doing a Sabre from last year and cashing in his G1 CLIMAX winning prize of a title shot at Tokyo Dome early. It paid off for Sabre, will it happen again? The winner is all but going into 1/4 as champion.

Match 7 will be IWGP Global Champion Gabriel Kidd vs. Yota Tsuji for the title. History actually favors Tsuji slightly as he has an 11-10-2 record against Kidd in single matches.

Match 6 will be NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions OSKAR & Yuto Ice (Ice Baby) vs. Yuya Uemura & Shota Umino for the titles. The history here is when Yuto debuted in 2021 as Yuto Nakashima, his debut match against Uemura barely lasted a minute before he suffered an elbow injury that cost him most of his rookie year. I remember watching that match live on New Japan World, so devastating but an incredible comeback nonetheless.

Match 5 will be MEVER Openweight Champion Boltin Oleg vs. EVIL for the title. Because he is EVIL (…*bad sync-dubbing* INDEEEEEEEED!) and never far from those NEVER titles and will try to become a 4-tome champion.

Match 4 will be NJPW WORLD TV Champion El Phantasmo vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi for the title. This is a 20th Anniversary match for Phantasmo and probably Tanahashi’s last chance at a title before retirement at Tokyo Dome.

The first 3 matches in order are Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & Titan vs. David Finlay, Taiji Ishimori & Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney vs. SANADA and Yoh, YOSHI-HASHI & the returning Hirooki Goto vs. Ryohei Oiwa, Hartley Jackson & Kosei Fujita.

The event will be available live and on demand OUTSIDE JAPAN ONLY on New Japan World beginning on 10/13 at midnight PT/3 AM ET. It will be a live & exclusive TV Asahi broadcast in Japan.

Stardom 9/28/25 Results

After yesterday’s major event, Stardom was back in action today with a house show.

Today’s event was held at Sunrec Kitakami in Iwate and will be available on demand on Stardom World at a later date. There was no live broadcast.

The paid attendance has not yet been announced.

There were potential last-minute changes to the event due to both AZM & Saya Kamitani being pulled off the card. AZM-unspecified injury, also out tomorrow. Kamitani-unspecified reasons, will return tomorrow.

Match 1: Natsupoi, Aya Sakura & Sayaa Kurara beat Waka Tsukiyama, HANAKO & Rian. Sakura pinned HANAKO.

Match 2: Mei Seira beat Momo Kohgo & Kikyo Furusawa in a 3-way by pinning Furusawa.

Match 3: Hazuki & Ranna Yagami beat Koguma & Ema Maishima. Yagami pinned Maishima after Beat Master.

Match 4: Momo Watanabe & Rina beat Saya Iida & Yuria Hime. Rina pinned Hime after a diving double kneedrop.

Match 5: Starlight Kid & Miyu Amasaki beat Bozilla & Akira Kurogame. Amasaki pinned Kurogame after Tensei.

Main Event: Syuri, Ami Sohrei & Lady C beat Natsuko Tora, Ruaka & Konami. Syuri pinned Ruaka after White Tiger.

The next event is tomorrow at Tsugaru City General Gym in Aomori. There will be no live broadcast.

Sumo-September 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 15 Results (Final Day) (9/28/25)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 15-the Final Day-of the September 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (top tier):
Tobizaru (M15) beat Asakoryu (M14)
Hitoshi (M17) beat Meisei (M13)
Mitakuemi (M12) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Roga (M11) beat Ryuden (M17)
Shodai (M11) beat Shishi (M18)
Churanoumi (M10) beat Tomokaze (M16)
Tokihayate (M13) beat Fujinokawa (M9)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Sadanoumi (M14)
Kusano (M5) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Hiradoumi (M4) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Daieisho (M10) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Atamifuji (M3) beat Ichiyamamoto (M5)
Oho (M2) beat Oshoma (M7)
Hakuoho (M2) beat Ura (M8)
Onokatsu (M6) beat Abi (M1)
Tamawashi (M1) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Wakamotoharu (M4) beat Aonishiki (K)
Takayasu (K) beat Kirishima (S)
Takanosho (M7) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Onosato (Y). PLAYOFF!!!
Playoff: Onosato beat Hoshoryu. ONOSATO YUSHO!!! The 5th career Emperor’s Cup for Onosato!
CHAMPION: Onosato (13-2)
Of note: But it was close and a Mono-ii (judges conference) followed which upheld the referee’s call of Onosato winning as they both went out of the ring at the same time. That helped Onosato snap, including the regulation match, a 4-match losing streak to Hoshoryu, who comes up just painfully short of his 3rd Emperor’s Cup, but after withdrawals in 2 or 3 as a Yokozuna due to injury he showed that, when healthy, he’s going to win more. Or at least have more showdowns with Onosato like this for championships.

SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding Performance (winning record with most wins vs. Yokozuna & Ozeki): Hakuoho. Aonishiki would have also earned this had he won
Fighting Spirit (winning record with best display of fighting spirit): Takanosho
Technique (winning record with best display of winning technique): Aonishiki. 3rd straight tournament he has won it.

Juryo:
Goshima (Ms5) beat Kyokukaiyu (J13)
Wakanosho (Ms3) beat Takarafuji (J12)
Kamito (Ms4) beat Miyanokaze (J10)
Hidenoumi (J7) beat Shirokuma (J9)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Tohakuryu (J6)
Kayo (J5) beat Nishinoryu (J14)
Fujiseiun (J5) beat Kazekeno (J11)
Tochitaikai (J5) beat Tsuurgisho (J9)
Asanoyama (J13) beat Mita (J4)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Shiden (J14)
Asahakuryu (J11) beat Nishikifuji (J3). ASAHAKURYU JURYO YUSHO!!! 3rd career championship, 2nd straight, 1st Juryo in his debut tournament.
Chiyoshoma (J2) beat Kotokuzan (J8)
Kotoeiho (J2) beat Asasuiryu (J12)
Hatsuyama (J8) beat Oshomi (J1)
Daiseizan (J1) beat Tamashoho (J7)
CHAMPION: Asahakuryu (13-2)
Of note: Asanoyama did his part but when Asahakuryu won that ended any playoff hopes. And it would have been a 3-way with Nishikifuji trying to spoil an all-Takasago playoff. Now the question is will either be in the top tier in November? Asahakuryu is a very big maybe and it’s going to be a toss-up. Asanoyama almost certainly will not. At worst, I see them both being J1. I think Mita is now going to miss out on the top tier, after an 8-1 start he collapsed in the second week and finished 1-5, he’ll still be promoted but I think he’ll stay in Juryo. Despite the loss today Oshoumi is also going up to the top tier as he finished 9-6 and Chiyoshoma will have a chance with also 9-6 at J2. At the bottom, Shiden & Kyokukaiyu are probably being demoted and…I think it’s the end for Takarafuji. 5-10 at J12 almost certainly means he’ll lose the numbrs game and his salary despite the Isegahama clout. The last time he was below Juryo? Not counting before promotion, never. And he was promoted up in July 2010 so that means his run could end at over 15 years. I do think he’ll still try and hang on for one more tournament and then try to cash in his elder stock to possibly take over the stable if the current Isegahama-the former Yokozuna Terunofuji-follows through on reports he’ll leave in January to open his own stable.

Jonidan:
Playoff: Kaki (Jd44) beat Teraosho (Jd99). KAKI JONIDAN YUSHO!!! 2nd career championship, 1st Jonidan in second career tournament.

TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS:
Makuuchi-Onosato (5th Emperor’s Cup)
Juryo-Asahakuryu (2nd career, 1st Juryo)
Makushita-Shimazuumi (1st career, 1st Makushita)
Sandanme-Kazuma (2nd career, 1st Sandanme)
Jonidan-Kaki (3nd career, 1st Jonidan)
Jonokuchi-Tatsubayama (1st career)

The next tournament is November 9-23 at Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka. All tickets are already sold out. The tournament wrap-up post with final standings, post-event news and more will follow later this week after the post-tournament rankings meetings are held, which I believe are scheduled for Tuesday.

New Japan 9/28/25 Results

DESTRUCTION, New Japan’s annual September Kobe blowout event, is now in the books.

Today’s event was held at Kobe World Hall in Kobe and can be watched on demand OUTSIDE JAPAN ONLY on New Japan World. This event aired live in Japan as part of WORLD PRO WRESTLING LIVE 2025 exclusively on TV Asahi.

The announced paid attendance was 4672.

Match 1: Yoh, YOSHI-HASHI, El Desperado, YUya Uemura & Shota Umino beat Sho, DOUKI, SANADA, Dick Togo & EVIL. Uemura pinned Togo after a Frankensteiner.

Match 2: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Great-O-Khan. Afterwards, Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Kaito Kiyomiya appeared and asked Tanahashi to make one last appearance there before retirement, namely at their 10/11 event at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

Match 3: NEVER Openweight Champion Boltin Oleg beat Don Fale to retain the title. V2 for Oleg. Next up: EVIL.

Match 4: OSKAR & Yuto Ice beat IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii to win the titles. OSKAR & Ice become the 111th IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Ice pinned Taichi after K.O.B. Next up: Umino & Uemura. And we’d better get Ice coming out to “Ice Ice Baby” at least once.

Match 5: GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi beat Taiji Ishimori to retain the title. V1 for Takahashi. Afterwards, Eita appeared and attacked Takahashi. Eita gets the next title shot in NOAH on 10/11, which was announced before this match came together last week. It was originally against Takahashi but had Ishimori won he would have defended against Eita on that date.

Match 6: Yota Tsuji beat David Finlay.

Match 7: IWGP Global Champion Gabriel Kidd beat Shingo Takagi to retain the title. V2 for Kidd Next up: Tsuji.

Main Event: IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. beat Ren Narita to retain the title. V2 for Sabre. Next up: As previously announced, Konosuke Takeshita on 10/13 at Ryogoku Kokugikan. And given the rest of the year after that will be the annual fall/winter tag team tournaments (Super Junior Tag League and World Tag League) and some other special events, it’s all but guaranteed the 10/13 winner is going to Tokyo Dome as champion.

The next event is Saturday at Tokei Security Hiratsuka General Gym in Kanagawa to start the Road To KING OF PRO WRESTLING 2025 Tour. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 1 AM PT/4 AM ET. All 4 tour events are scheduled for live and on demand broadcasts.

DEVELOPING: New Japan Star Returning Soon

At today’s New Japan press conference ahead of DESTRUCTION tomorrow, Hirooki Goto appeared and announced that he will return on 10/13 at KING OF PRO WRESTLING at Ryogoku Kokugikan. He has been out the last few months due to injury that also forced him to miss the G1 CLIMAX 35. As far as a return match, details TBA. Goto was also away for a time filming the new “Street Fighter” movie in which he will play E. Honda alongside fellow wrestlers Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns from WWE.

More as it becomes available.

DDT Pro Wrestling 9/28/25 LIVE Results

DDT finishes up their September tour today with their monthly tentpole Tokyo event, and it’s a big one because of the main event. What could be the greatest KO-D Openweight Championship match ever is on tap as Kazuki Hirata, who has managed to hold on to the title and outwit the “Money In The Bank” title shot cash-ins to this point, often with his signature comedy, faces the ultimate test today…the GOD OF PRO WRESTLING, Yoshihiko. I could go on and on about my excitement level for this match and how epic it’s hopefully going to be. But keep in mind there are still 2 title shot rights out there so either Yukio Naya or Yuki Ueno could crash the party and cash in, assuming they still hold the rights at match time. And Ueno is in a match challenging for the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Championship right before the main event so if he takes a loss, whoever pins or submits him gets the rights. Same for Naya in a 3-way earlier on. The 6-Man title match also features the return of Kaisei Takechi for his first title shot in the promotion. And, as long as those title shot rights out there, “Card Subject To Change” must be emphasized.

Today’s event will be held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched LIVE on WRESTLE UNIVERSE in Japanese. The show is being billed as a 3 hour event but there is a pre-show match scheduled prior, so factoring that in the event will probably run closer to 3 1/2 hours total (no intermission).

Today’s lineup:
Pre-show match: Takao Soma & Rukiya vs. Daichi Sato & Hinata Kasai
Shinya Aoki vs. Yuya Koroku
Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya vs. MAO & KANON and Akito & Kazuma Sumi in a 3-way
Kazusada Higuchi, Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida vs. Chris Brooks, Antonio Honda & Diego
Jun Akiyama & HARASHIMA vs. Evil Uno & Danshoku Dieno
Hideki Okatani, MJ Paul & Illusion vs. Yuki Ueno, To-y & Kaisei Takechi for the vacant KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Championship
DDT Universal Champion Minoru Suzuki vs. Takeshi Masada for the title
KO-D Openweight Champion Kazuki Hirata vs. Yoshihiko for the title

Refresh this page occasionally for the latest results.

Updates below will begin at 6:40 PM PT/9:40 PM ET. The main show begins at 7 PM PT/10 PM ET. The live stream is scheduled to begin 10 minutes before the pre-show match.

6:30 PM PT UPDATE: The live stream has begun. We should be going to the venue in 10 minutes.

6:40 PM PT UPDATE: Live updates begin now.

We are LIVE from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Your hosts are Satoshi Dairaku & Kagehiro Isano with special guest Miyuki Susuki.

The paid attendance will not be announced after the event, given Kaiser Takeuchi is featured a non-sellout soul shock me although there is sumo too.

The pre-show match should begin shortly.

The pre-show match begins 5 minutes later than planned.

Pre-show match: Takao Soma & Rukiya vs. Daichi Sato & Hinata Kasai. 15 minute time limit
Result: Takao Soma & Rukiya beat Dauchi Sato & Hinata Kasai. Rukiya pinned Kasai.

Updates will resume when the main show matches begin.

The matches begin at 7:05 PM PT/10:05 PM ET.

Match 1: Shinya Aoki vs. Yuya Koroku. 30 minute time limit
Result: Shinya Aoki beat Yuya Koroku

Match 2: Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya vs. MAO & KANON and Akito & Kazuma Sumi in a 3-way elimination match. 30 minute time limit
Result: Akito & Kazuma Sumi beat Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya and MAO & KANON in a 3-way. Iino & Naya eliminated by MAO & KANON (MAO pinned Naya). As a result, MAO wins Naya’s “Money In The Bank” title shot rights. MAO & KANON then eliminated by Akito & Sumi (Sumi pinned MAO). As a result, Sumi wins MAO’s title shot rights.

Match 3: Kazusada Higuchi, Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida vs. Chris Brooks, Antonio Honda & Diego. 30 minute time limit
Result: Kazusada Higuchi, Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida beat Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Diego. Ishida pinned Honda after Flame Palm.

Your new host is Haruo Murata.

Match 4: Jun Akiyama & HARASHIMA vs. Evil Uno (All Elite Wrestling) & Danshoku Dieno. 30 minute time limit
Result: Jun Akiyama & HARASHIMA beat Evil Uno & Danshoku Dieno in about 5 seconds before Uno even came out. HARASHIMA pinned Dieno. GM Imabayashi with microphone immediately in the ring afterwards. We know where this is going. Which led to…
Match 4 (again): Jun Akiyama & HARASHIMA vs. Evil Uno (All Elite Wrestling) & Danshoku Dieno. 30 minute time limit
Result: Jun Akiyama & HARASHIMA beat Evil Uno & Danshoku Dieno. HARASHIMA pinned Dieno after Blue Sword.

Match 5: Hideki Okatani, MJ Paul & Illusion (with Daisuke Sasaki) vs. Yuki Ueno, To-y & Kaisei Takechi for the vacant KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Championship. 1 Hour time limit
Result: Yuki Ueno, To-y & Kaisei Takechi beat Hideki Okatani, MJ Paul & Illusion to win the vacant KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Championship. Ueno, To-y & Takechi become the 59th KO-D Tag Team Champions. Takechi pinned Illusion. Much to all the ladies’ delight, Takechi with microphone afterwards. Just brief comments.

Match 6: DDT Universal Champion Minoru Suzuki vs. Takeshi Masada for the title. 1 Hour time limit
Result: DDT Universal Champion Minoru Suzuki beat Takeshi Masada by submission to retain the title. V5 for Suzuki. Afterwards, Masada seemingly wanted more so Suzuki laid him out with a forearm shot.

Main Event: KO-D Openweight Champion Kazuki Hirata vs. Yoshihiko for the title. 1 Hour time limit
Result: KO-D Openweight Champion Kazuki Hirata beat Yoshihiko to retain the title. V2 for Hirata. Afterwards, Yoshihiko’s “handler” presented Hirata a gift…but it turned out to be Yuki Ueno who choked out Hirata. And cashed in! Which led to…
Impromptu Match: KO-D Openweight Champion Kazuki Hirata vs. Yuki Ueno for the title. 1 Hour time limit
Result: Yuki Ueno beat KO-D Openweight Champion Kazuki Hirata to win the title. Ueno becomes the 88th KO-D Openweight Champion. Well…it was fun while it lasted. But wait…Kazuma Sumi ambush! And he cashes in the last shot! Which led to…
Impromptu Match 2: KO-D Openweight Champion Yuki Ueno vs. Kazuma Sumi for the title. 1 Hour time limit
Result: KO-D Openweight Champion Yuki Ueno beat Kazuma Sumi to retain the title. V1 for Ueno. And that’ll do it for DDT’s version of “Money In The Bank” 2025. But after Sumi left to well-deserved applause…next up…Minoru Suzuki?!? And perhaps DOUBLE TITLE? But GM Imabayashi interrupts. Just long enough to say…it’s now official. 11/3 at Ryogoku Kokugikan for BOTH titles! So Ueno could well leave with THREE championships!

The next event is CHARISMANIAxMANIAxMANIA, a Daisuke Sasaki Produced event, Thursday. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET.

Correction: The original post above listed 10/13 as the date for the double title match. The correct date is 11/3.

Tokyo Joshi Pro 9/27/25 Results (Updated)

Tokyo Joshi Pro began their fall house show tour today in Tokyo, which was changed this last week to include a retirement ceremony for Neko Haruna, the popular catgirl wrestler who has left the promotion and retired due to injuries.

Today’s event was held at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE.

The announced paid attendance was 284, a legit advance sellout.

There were last-minute changes to the card due to Toga being pulled off the event. The always-vague poor health.

During the opening announcements, it was announced that Yuki Kamifuku, who unbeknownst to us was actually competing as a freelancer these last several years, has officially joined the promotion.

Match 1: Mizuki beat Chika Nanase by submission.

Match 2: In a match where the winner was the first to answer a question about a certain country then find if on a globe within 10 second of a pinfall or rope escape wins, Hyper Misao beat Shino Suzuki.

Match 3: Yuki Kamifuku & Wakana Uheara beat Raku & Ren Konatsu. Uehara pinned Konatsu after Sushi Tornado.

Match 5: Shoko Nakajima, Miyu Yamashita & Kaya Toribami beat Yuki Arai, HIMAWARI & Mifu Ashida. Nakajima pinned Ashida with a Northern Lights suplex hold.

Main Event: Miu Watanabe, Arisu Endo & Uta Takami beat Yuki Aino, Haru Kazashiro & Kira Summer. Watanabe pinned Summer after Reverse Paradox.

Special Post-Main Event Match: Neko Haruna Retirement Match: Suzume & Mahiro Kiryu beat Rika Tatsumi & Pom Harajuku. Kiryu pinned Harajuku after a spinebuster. Neko Haruna was in the winners’ corner. Which led to…
Neko Haruna beat DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion Mahiro Kiryu to win the title. Haruna becomes the 1769th Champion. Which would allow her to be a champion for the first time in her career. Which led to…
Mahiro Kiryu beat DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion Neko Haruna to win the title. Kiryu becomes the 1770th Champion. Well, at least Haruna was champion for a couple minutes. This was followed by a retirement ceremony, 10 bell salute and final call for Neko Haruna, bringing her 7 year career to a close that unfortunately became derailed over the last 2-3 years due to a pair of serious knee injuries.

The next event is 10/4 at Club eX in Shinagawa Prince Hotel. Broadcast plans TBA but as of right now there may be no live broadcast.

UPDATE: The 10/4 event will be LIVE FOR FREE on YouTube, but only with an iPad so it may not go well (the first time they attempted this it actually had very few issues). No on demand. Live broadcast Friday at 7:30 PM PT/10:30 PM ET.

Sumo-September 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 14 Results (9/27/25) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-of the September 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Shonannoumi (M15) beat Hitoshi (M17)
Nishikifuji (J3) beat Asakoryu (M14)
Tobizaru (M15) beat Mitakeumi (M12)
Nishikigi (M16) beat Roga (M11)
Shishi (M18) beat Daieisho (M10)
Sadanoumi (M14) beat Churanoumi (M10)
Tomokaze (M16) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Ura (M8) beat Ryuden (M17)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Tokihayate (M13)
Oshoma (M7) beat Shodai (M11)
Meisei (M13) beat Atamifuji (M3)
Fujinokawa (M9) beat Gonoyama (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M4) beat Hakuoho (M2)
Oho (M2) beat Kusano (M6)
Onokatsu (M6) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Ichiyamamoto (M5) beat Abi (M1)
Takayasu (K) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Aonishiki (K) beat Hiradoumi (M4)
Takanosho (M7) beat Kirishima (S)
Onosato (Y) beat Kotozakura (O) by default/withdrawal
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Leader: Onosato (13-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Kotozakura (O). Right knee injury suffered yesterday. Tournament over. Will finish with 9 wins and maintain his Ozeki rank.
Of note: The unexpected Kotozakura withdrawal almost handed the championship to Onosato. But Hoshoryu did exactly what I figured he would do in his match…HENKA!!! It worked, so the first new-era Yokozuna Showdown tomorrow is for the championship. If Onosato wins, he is the champion for the 5th time in the top tier. If Hoshoryu wins, there will be an immediate playoff rematch which would give Hoshoryu a chance for his 3rd Emperor’s Cup. Not sure how the Kotozakura injury happened but it’s another disappointing finish as he had a chance for 11 wins and to beat both Yokozuna, but having beaten one is still important and hopefully will give him momentum towards another promotion push in 2026. 9 wins is still an improvement over the 8 he had in each of the last 3. Elsewhere, Aonishiki hit his magic number today-4 top tier tournament, and in all 4 he’s managed 11 wins. The latest Sanyaku shakeup should see him promoted to Sekiwake in November because both Kirishima & Wakatakakage will be demoted. At the bottom, Nishikifuji almost certainly clinched promotion back to the top tier with now 11 wins in Juryo and one match left.

Juryo:
Shiden (J14) beat Otsuji (Ms3)
Nagamura (Ms2) beat Miyanokaze (J10)
Shirokuma (J9) beat Asasuiryu (J12)
Nishinoryu (J14) beat Tamashoho (J7)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Hidenoumi (J7)
Kayo (J6) beat Takarafuji (J12)
Kuokukaiyu (J13) beat Tochitaikai (J5)
Asanoyama (J13) beat Fujiseiun (J5)
Asahakuryu (J11) beat Kagayaki (J4)
Mita (J4) beat Kazekeno (J11)
Kotoeiho (J2) beat Kotokuzan (J8)
Hatsuyama (J8) beat Chiyoshoma (J2)
Daiseizan (J1) beat Tohakuryu (J6)
Tsurugisho (J9) beat Oshoumi (J1)
Leader: Asahakuryu (12-2)
Of note: A Takasago Asa is likely going to be the champion, but unsettled is which one. If Asahakuryu wins tomorrow, he is the champion. But if he loses to Nishikifuji there will be a playoff, and if Asanoyama beats Mita it will be a 3-way playoff with 2 Takasago men and they would possibly have to face each other at least once. At the bottom, Nagamura has probably clinched promotion to make his Juryo debut in November as today’s win leaves him 5-2 at Ms2.

Lower tier notes: Enho will have his final Makushita match tomorrow and will be going for 5-2 and a bigger promotion than a 4-3 would result in. Also tomorrow will be the Jonidan playoff for that championship.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage FOR FREE tomorrow, including the Yokozuna Showdown, playoff rematch if necessary, awards ceremony and champion’s interview, beginning at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET.

UPDATE: Here are the Special Prize winners as announced during early Day 15 action:
Outstanding Performance: IF THEY WIN-Aonishiki, Hakuoho
Fighting Spirit: Takanosho
Technique: Aonishiki