Author: Admin

Sumo-March 2023 Banzuke Announced

It’s that exciting even-month time once again for sumo fans-the Nihon Sumo Kyokai (Japan Sumo Association) has announced the Banzuke (Rankings) for the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament. Here is the list for the top 2 tiers:

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Yokozuna-Terunofuji
Ozeki-Takakeisho
Sekiwake-Wakatakakage, Hoshoryu, Kiribayama
Komusubi-Wakamotoharu, Kotonowaka, Daieisho, Tobizaru
Maegashira 1-Tamawashi, Shodai
Maegashira 2-Abi, Ryuden
Maegashira 3-Mitakeumi, Nishikigi
Maegashira 4-Onosho, Meisei
Maegashira 5-Kotoshoho, Midorifuji
Maegashira 6-Endo, Sadanoumi
Maegashira 7-Hokutofuji, Takayasu
Maegashira 8-Ichiyamamoto, Ura
Maegashira 9-Aoiyama, Hiradoumi
Maegashira 10-Migoryu, Nishikifuji
Maegashira 11-Azumaryu, Takanosho
Maegashira 12-Kagayaki, Takarafuji
Maegashira 13-Daishoho, Kotoeko
Maegashira 14-Kinbozan, Bushozan
Maegashira 15-Hokuseiho, Oho
Maegashira 16-Chiyoshoma, Tsurugisho
Maehashira 17-Mitoryu

Juryo:
Juryo 1-Asanoyama, Tohakuryu
Juryo 2-Chiyonokuni, Tochinoshin
Juryo 3-Ichinojo, Shonannoumi
Juryo 4-Chiyomaru, Oshoma
Juryo 5-Roga, Enho
Juryo 6-Gonoyama, Daiamami
Juryo 7-Akua, Shimazuumi
Juryo 8-Hidenoumi, Atamifuji
Juryo 9-Tsushimanada, Hakuyozan
Juryo 10-Kotokuzan, Churanoumi
Juryo 11-Shimanoumi, Kitanowaka
Juryo 12-Tochimusashi, Takakento
Juryo 13-Tamashoho, Tomokaze
Juryo 14-Tokushoryu, Ochiai

Initial thoughts: At the top of the Banzuke are the two big things to watch-if Terunofuji can finally return from double knee surgery this time before the Kyokai starts the potential retirement pressures, and is this the time Takakeisho makes Yokozuna? The only Ozeki again, Takakeisho probably needs to win his second straight tournament to get there despite going runner-up/playoff loser/winner in his last three outings. Hoshoryu is still in Ozeki contention and can maybe get promotion if he can manage at least 11 wins while Wakatakakage, at Sekiwake a 7th straight tournament, has to win the tournament to have any chance. Shodai was demoted out of Sanyaku after a losing record post-Ozeki demotion while Takayasu’s plummeting was due to an early withdrawal in January due to injuries. Things get more interesting near the bottom-Kinbozan will make his top tier debut, the first rikishi from Kazakhstan to do so, while Azumaryu moved up to M11 after clinching his first top-tier winning record in January. Notably missing? Tochinoshin, who withdrew in the first week of January due to injury. The question now is will he compete at Juryo 2 or perhaps retire?
Juryo is going to be something else this tournament. The toss-up after going 14-1 on his status this time did not favor Asanoyama as the former Ozeki winds up at Juryo 1, so he’s 8 wins from a top tier return for May. That darned Daishoho probably denied top tier by handing Asanoyama his only loss. I was surprised Ichinojo plummeted to Juryo 3, a harsh penalty for a January suspension following conduct allegations. The July champion has not had a winning record since. At the bottom, Tamashoho and January Makushita champion Ochiai are Shin-Juryo, making their second-tier debuts with Ochiai doing so in record-matching time as this is only his second career tournament. Former top-tier champion Tokushoryu is Sai-Juryo, returning after a one-tournament demotion to Makushita. And there will be no epic salt throws in March anywhere-Terutsuyoshi was demoted to Makushita 1 so the only way he gets to do his pre-match ritual is if there are any top-tier or Juryo withdrawals. Recent Juryo regular Kaisho was also demoted to Makushita.
In the lower ranks, the Sandanme continues to remain at just 90 rankings instead of 100 while Jonidan slims down to 101 for March. The Jonokuchi will have 16 ranks with 31 entered wrestlers.

You can view the entire Banzuke at this link:
https://sumo.or.jp/EnHonbashoBanzuke/index/

Updates on early withdrawals, potential retirements, etc. will follow as the tournament gets closer.

The March Tournament will be held from 3/12-3/26 at Osaka Prefectural Gym in Osaka.

Dragon Gate 2/26/23 Results (Updated)

Dragon Gate ran the penultimate event of the Rey De Parejas 2023 today, likely setting up the Finals scheduled for next weekend.

Today’s event was held at Kobe Art Center in Kobe and can be watched on demand on DRAGONGATE NETWORK.

The announced paid attendance was 368.

Match 1: Rey De Parejas Block A: Yuki Yoshioka & Madoka Kikuta beat Masaaki Mochizuki & Mochizuki Jr. Kikuta pinned Mochizuki after a rolling lariat.

Match 2: Genki Horiguchi, Kagetora & Kaito Nagano beat Ben-K, Minorita & Ichikawa. Kagetora pinned Ichikawa.

Match 3: Takashi Yoshida beat Yoshiki Kato.

Match 4: Rey De Parejas Block B: Strong Machine J & F beat Shun Skywalker & KAI. J pinned Skywalker after Machine Suplex.

Match 5: JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI, Jason Lee & Ho Ho Lun beat Dragon Kid, Dragon Dia & Eita. Lee pinned Dia after Maximum Driver.

Match 6: Rey De Parejas Block B: YAMATO & Naruki Doi vs. Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda went to a double countout.

Main Event: Rey De Parejas Block A: Kota Minoura & BxB Hulk beat H-Y-O & ISHIN. Minoura pinned H-Y-O after Gang.

The final event is Thursday at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Live streaming on DRAGONGATE NETWORK will begin at 1:15 AM PT/4:15 AM ET.

UPDATE: The Semifinals and Finals for the tournament are now set for Thursday as the top 2 teams in each block ate official. The Semifinals are Madoka Kikuta & Yuki Yoshioka vs. Shun Skywalker & KAI and Kota Minoura & BxB Hulk vs. Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda. Winners meet in the Finals in the main event

New Japan 2/26/23 Results (Updated)

New Japan began the second half of CMLL FANTASTICAMANIA today after the lone off day of the tour, the 4th event of 6 concluding the mini-tag team tournament that began Friday.

Today’s event was held at Makuhari Messe International Conference Hall 11 in Chiba and can be watched on demand on New Japan World. This was a Samurai! TV simulcast in Japan.

The announced paid attendance was 1092.

Match 1: Sho & Hijo Del Villano 3 beat Ryohei Oiwa & Tiger Mask. Sho pinned Oiwa.

Match 2: Ryusuke Taguchi, Barbaro Cavernario & Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Master Wato, Yoh & OKUMURA. Cavernario pinned OKUMURA after Cavernaria.

Match 3: Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito beat Kosei Fujita & Capitan Suicida. Takahashi beat Fujita with a Boston Crab.

Match 4: DOUKI, Templario & Hechicero beat El Desperado, Soberano Jr. & Mistico. DOUKI beat Soberano with Jorge Rivera Special.

Match 5: Interfaction Tag Team Tournament 3rd Place Match: Magia Blanco & Volador Jr. beat Rey Cometa & Dulce Gardenia. Blanco pinned Cometa after Magia Driver.

Main Event: Interfaction Tag Team Tournament Finals: Atlantis Jr. & Ultimo Guerrero beat BUSHI & Titan to win the tournament. Atlantis pinned BUSHI after a diving body press.

The next event is tomorrow at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 1:30 AM PT/4:30 AM ET.

UPDATE: New Japan World has announced on YouTube that you can watch tomorrow’s full event on New Japan Word FOR FREE! It will be available in Japanese and Spanish.

All-Japan 2/26/23 Results

All-Japan ran the penultimate event of the February series today, beginning the build to their next major event in March.

Today’s event was held at Green Dome Maebashi Sub-Event Area in Gunma and will be available on demand on AJPW.TV later today if not already available. There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 658.

Match 1: MAZADA, Rising Hayato & Ryo Inoue beat Hikaru Sato, Dan Tamura & Oji Shiiba. Hayato pinned Tamura after Sid Vicious.

Match 2: Yoshitatsu, Choi Ryoji & FUMA beat Takao Omori, Kotaro Suzuki & Black Menso-re. Yoshitatsu pinned Menso-re after Cockroach Driver.

Match 3: Shuji Ishikawa & Ren Ayabe beat Shotaro Ashino & Ryuki Honda. Ishikawa pinned Honda after Splash Mountain.

Match 4: Yuma Aoyagi, Naoya Nomura & Atsuki Aoyagi beat Koji Doi, Kuma Arashi & Andy Wu. Yuma Aoyagi pinned Wu after Endgame.

Match 5: Kento Miyahara beat Hokuto Omori.

Main Event: Yuji Nagata (New Japan), Yutaka Yoshie (Independent/Freelancer) & Yuma Anzai beat Suwama, Jun & Rei Saito. Anzai pinned Jun Saito with a German suplex hold.

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.

Dragon Gate 2/25/23 Results

Dragon Gate continued the Rey Dr Parejas 2023 today as the tournament closes in on the finals.

Today’s event was held at Tsushima City Cultural Hall in Aichi. There was bo live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 362.

Match 1: Rey De Parejas Block B: YAMATO & Naruki Doi beat Ben-K & Minorita. Doi pinned Minorita after Bakatare Sliding Kick.

Match 2: Masaaki Mochizuki beat Ichikawa.

Match 3: Shun Skywalker & KAI beat Shachihoko BOY & Punch Tominaga. Skywalker pinned Tominaga after a moonsault double kneedrop.

Match 4: Susumu Mochizuki, Mochizuki Jr. & Yasushi Kanda beat Genki Horiguchi, Kagetora & Eita. Mochizuki pinned Horiguchi after Yokosuka Cutter.

Match 5: Rey De Parejas Block A: H-Y-O & ISHIN beat Jason Lee & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI. H-Y-O pinned KAMEI.

Main Event: Dragon Kid, Kota Minoura & BxB Hulk beat Yuki Yoshioka, Dragon Dia & Madoka Kikuta. Minoura pinned Dia after R-301.

The next event is tomorrow at Kobe Art Center in Hyogo. Live streaming on DRAGONGATE NETWORK will begin at midnight PT/3 AM ET.

TJPW News: GRAND PRINCESS ’23 Full Card Announced (Updated)

During today’s DDT event, Tokyo Joshi Pro announced the full card for GRAND PRINCESS ’23 on 3/18 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. The lineup is as follows (in order):
Suzume vs. Arisu Endo
4 new wrestlers Debut Match: Mahiro Kiryu, Wakana Uehara, HIMAWARI & Shino (name subject to change) vs. Kaya Toribami, Toga, Haru & Momo (names subject to change)
Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Ram Kaichow vs. Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku
Ryo Mizunami vs. Moka Miyamoto
Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao vs. Neko Haruna & Andre The Giant Panda
Saki-Sama & May Saint-Michel (Saki Akai & Mei Suruga) vs. Yuki Kamifuku & Billie Starkz
Yuki Arai vs. Aja Kong
International Princess Champion Miu Watanabe vs. Rika Tatsumi for the title
Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh vs. Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer (currently this is a NON-TITLE match with regards to the Princess Tag Team Championship)
Princess Of Princess Champion Yuka Sakazaki vs. Mizuki for the title

The event will be broadcast LIVE on WRESTLE UNIVERSE in Japanese beginning at 2 AM ET/11 PM PT. Natsuki Nakayama of J-Pop group OCHA NORMA will be a special guest on commentary.

UPDATE: THPW has announced on Twitter that if Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer are still Princess Tag Team Champions at match time, the match will be changed and it WILL be for the titles.

DDT Pro Wrestling “Into The Fight 2023” Results (2/26/23)

DDT wraps up February with their monthly major event today, which will go a long way towards setting up the likely main event for the marathon 26th Anniversary event next month. We already know KO-D Openweight Champion Yuji Hino will defend the title next month, but today we’ll find out if it’s against the legend HARASHIMA of the young rising Yukio Naya, who also is Hino’s partner in the (Omega) faction. There are also 2 title matches with the KO-D Tag Team Championship and 6-Man Tag Team Championship on the line, plus the D Generations Cup wraps up with either Yuya Koroku or Takeshi Masada going to the US next month as a prize for winning the tournament. And all the usual stuff that makes it DDT.

Today’s event will be held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched LIVE on WRESTLE UNIVERSE in Japanese. You can also watch all but the last 2 matches FOR FREE on YouTube. There will be 2 pre-show matches included as part of the broadcasts starting 30 minutes before scheduled event time. Including the pre-show matches I anticipate the event’s total running time being a little over 3 hours.

Today’s lineup:
Pre-show:
MJ Pawl & KANON vs. Masa Takanashi & Antonio Honda
Danshoku Dieno & Yuki Iino vs. Gota Ihashi & Toru Owashi, Saki Akai & Kazuki Hirata and Sanshiro Takagi & Fuminori Abe in a 4-way
Main show:
Hideki Okatani, Yuki Ishida & Illusion vs. Keigo Nakamura, Toui Kojima & Kazuma Sumi
Kazusada Higuchi & Shishamo Power vs. Jun Akiyama & Unagi Mask
Yuji Hino, Naruki Doi & Makoto Oishi vs. Kip Sabian, Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno
D Geenrations Cup Finals: Yuya Koroku vs. Takeshi Masada
KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champions Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada vs. Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Super Sasadango Machine for the titles
KO-D Tag Team Champions MAO & Shunma Katsumata vs. Yukio Sakaguchi & Hikaru Machida for the tites
HARASHIMA vs. Yukio Naya for the next KO-D Openweight Championship shot

Refresh this page occasionally for the latest results.

Updates below will begin at 9 PM ET/6 PM PT. You can watch the YouTube broadcast below (remember this will have only the first 7 matches, not the Tag Team Championship match and main event), scroll down further for updates.
If you’re watching on WRESTLE UNIVERSE, the live stream will begin at 8:45 PM ET/5:45 PM PT.

Live results/updates will begin below at start time.

8:45 PM ET UPDATE: The WRESTLE UNIVERSE broadcast has started. We should go to the venue in 15 minutes.

8:68 PM ET UPDATE: Live updates begin now…
We are LIVE from Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. Your hosts are Ken Kato & Kagehiro Osano.

Pre-show:
Match 1: MJ Pawl & KANON vs. Masa Takanashi & Antonio Honda. 10 minute time limit
Result: MJ Pawl & KANON beat Masa Takanashi & Antonio Honda. KANON beat Honda with a cobra twist.

Match 2: Danshoku Dieno & Yuki Iino vs. Gota Ihashi & Toru Owashi, Saki Akai & Kazuki Hirata and Sanshiro Takagi & Fuminori Abe in a 4-way. 10 minute time limit
Result: No Contest. GM Imabayashi Stoppage. But not in time to save Akai from the wrath of those deplorable Pheromons.

GM Imabayashi sticks around for the opening announcements as ring repairs are made. During these, new trainee Rukiya Ikeda is introduced. Debut Match will be on 4/9 at Korakuen vs. TBA.
Pre-Show ends at 9:25 PM ET.

Main Show:
Coming up shortly. The main TV broadcast, also a Samurai! TV simulcast in Japan, begins during opening announcements. Your hosts are Ken kato & Kagehiro Osano.

The paid attendance will be announced after the event. Not sure whether it’s 50% or full capacity but the opposite-hard camera middle bleachers are not quite full.

The matches begin at 9:40 PM ET.

Match 1: Hideki Okatani, Yuki Ishida & Illusion vs. Keigo Nakamura, Toui Kojima & Kazuma Sumi. 30 minute time limit
Result: Keigo Nakamura, Toui Kojima & Kazuma Sumi beat Hideki Okatani, Yuki Ishida & Illusion. Nakamura pinned Illusion after a diving headbutt.

Match 2: Kazusada Higuchi & Shishamo Power vs. Jun Akiyama & Unagi Mask. 30 minute time limit
Result: Kazusada Higuchi & Shishamo Power beat Jun Akiyama & Unagi Mask. Power pinned Mask with a rollup. A lot of buffering/stuttering issues with the feed here.

Quick break for an announcement from GM Imabayashi. He brings Saki Akai out. Imabayashi announces the Saki Akai 10th Anniversary Tour for 8/13 at Korakuen and 9/31 at Kyoto KBS Hall, and her first 10th Anniversary Match on 3/21 vs. Masa Takanashi.

Your new host is Haruo Murata.

Match 3: Yuji Hino, Naruki Doi & Makoto Oishi vs. Kip Sabian, Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno. 30 minute time limit
Result: Kip Sabian, Chris Brookes & Hagane Shinno beat Yuji Hino, Naruki Doi & Makoto Oishi. Sabian pinned Oishi. Which led to…
Kip Sabian beat DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion Penelope Ford to win the title. Sabian becomes the 1558th DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion.

GM Imabayashi brings out El Unicorn & Illusion for more announcements. They will be on opposite sides in a tag team DDTeeeeen! Graduation match on 3/21.

Sanshiro Takagi joins commentary for the next match.

Match 4: D Generations Cup Finals: D Geenrations Cup Finals: Yuya Koroku vs. Takeshi Masada. No time limit
Result: Takeshi Masada beat Yuya Koroku to win the tournament. As a results, Masada is likely headed to the US for the 3/31 event. But first…GM Imabayashi announces Masada now gets to face Jun Akiyama on 3/12.

Match 5: KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champions Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada vs. Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Super Sasadango Machine for the titles. 1 Hour time limit
Result: Shinya Aoki, Yuki Ueno & Super Sasadango Machine beat KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champions Tetsuya Endo, Kotaro Suzuki & Yusuke Okada to win the titles. Aoki, Ueno & Machine become the 50th KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champions. Aoki pinned Okada with a rollup after Machine was unmasked and his mask placed on Okada.

The YouTube broadcast ends here.

Sabian & Ford argue backstage then Sabian claims he’ll be the longest-raining champion ever right before he gets a locker opened in his face from inside. Which led to…
Yoshihiko beat DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion Kip Sabian by submission to win the title. Yoshihiko becomes the 1559th DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion.

Match 6: KO-D Tag Team Champions MAO & Shunma Katsumata vs. Yukio Sakaguchi & Hikaru Machida for the titles. 1 Hour time limit
Result: KO-D Tag Team Champions MAO & Shunma Katsumata beat Yukio Sakaguchi & Hikaru Machida to retain the titles. MAO pinned Machida. V3 for the champs.

Main Event: HARASHIMA vs. Yukio Naya. The winner will face KO-D Openweight Champion Yuji Hino for the title on 3/21. 30 minute time limit
Result: Yukio Naya beat HARASHIMA. As a result, Naya will face KO-D Openweight Champion Yuji Hino for the title on 3/21.

The next event is 3/4 at Yokohama Radiant Hall in Yokohama. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin at midnight PT/3 AM ET.

UPDATE: The announced paid attendance was 580, a super full house/very near sellout. That means it was reduced capacity.

2/26/23-3/4/23 Events Schedule (Updated 3/1)

Here is the current events schedule for 2/26/23-3/4/23, which is subject to change (all times PT):
2/26:
Midnight-All-Japan Pro Wrestling Green Dome Maebashi Sub-event Area, Gunma, Japan. No live broadcast
Midnight-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Rey De Parejas 2023, Kobe Art Center, Kobe, Japan. Live on DRAGONGATE NETWORK
1:30 AM-New Japan Pro Wrestling CMLL FANTASTICAMANIA 2023, Makuhari Messe Industrial Exhibition Hall 11, Chiba, Japan. Live on New Japan World
TBA-Nihon Sumo Kyokai March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Banzuke Announcement (expected late afternoon/early evening)

2/27:
1:30 AM-New Japan Pro Wrestling CMLL FANTASTICAMANIA 2023, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Live on New Japan World
1:30 AM-All-Japan Pro Wrestling, Shin-Kiba 1st Ring, Tokyo, Japan. Live on AJPW.TV

2/28:
1:30 AM-New Japan Pro Wrestling CMLL FANTASTICAMANIA 2023, Korakuen Hall. Live on New Japan World

3/1:
12:40 AM-All-Star Jr. Festival 2023, Korakuen Hall. Live via PPV on New Japan World (around $27)
5 PM-All Elite Wrestling “AEW Dynamite”, Daly City, CA. Live on TBS in US and FITE elsewhere

3/2:
1:30 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Rey De Parejas 2023 Finals, Korakuen Hall. Live on DRAGONGATE NETWORK
4 PM-Ring Of Honor “HonorClub TV”. TAPED on HonorClub subscription service
5 PM-Impact Wrestling “IMPACT Wrestling”, Las Vegas, NV. TAPED on AXS TV. Available on Impact+ & YouTube (subscription required) at 5:30 PM

3/3:
7 PM-All Elite Wrestling “AEW Rampage”. LIVE on TNT in US and FITE elsewhere
7 PM-Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling CITY CIRCUIT Tour, Yokohama Radiant Hall, Yokohama, Japan. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE

3/4:
Midnight-DDT Pro Wrestling “Yokohama Unlimited Vol. 2”, Yokohama Radiant Hall. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE
1 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Glorious Gate 2023 Tour, Osaka Prefectural Gym 2, Osaka, Japan. Live on DRAGONGATE NETWORK
8 PM-DDT Pro Wrestling “Judgement 2023 Tour in NAGANO”, Nagano City Arts Center Act Space, Nagano, Japan. No live broadcast
10 PM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Glorious Gate 2023 Tour, Osaka Prefectural Gym 2. Live on DRAGONGATE NETWORK

2/27 UPDATE: Added the new Ring Of Honor weekly TV show to the schedule, which premieres this week and will be available Thursdays at 4 PM PT/7 PM ET in HonorClub (subscription required, currently $9.99/month).

3/1 UPDATE: Live results plans for 3/3 Tokyo Joshi Pro and future WRESTLE UNIVERSE broadcasts are temporarily on hold because of a potential billing/payment issue with WRESTLE UNIVERSE. Maybe because it’s a non-leap year and it’s February but usually my credit card payment automatically goes through the last day of the month for the next month. That didn’t happen this month (I’ve subscribed since 2020 without an issue like this). I had no such issues with New Japan World and AJPW.TV recurring billing, so unless it’s because I have multiple streaming services that annually recur at the same time right now I’ll either have to cancel and re-subscribe in a couple days or just cancel WRESTLE UNIVERSE altogether (which I absolutely do not want to do).

3/1 UPDATE 2: Due to apparent unresolved issues with the payment system for WRESTLE UNIVERSE (it’s not accepting credit cards for some reason), there will be no live results for NOAH, DDT & TJPW events effective immediately until further notice. If the situation does not resolve itself within the next 2 weeks I will have to cancel my monthly subscription. Attempts at a workaround so far have been unsuccessful.

Tokyo Joshi Pro 2/25/23 Results (Updated 2/26)

Tokyo Joshi Pro continued the CITY CIRCUIT Tour today with a stop in the Ota City section of Tokyo for a house show event.

Today’s event was held at Ota City Industrial Plaza PIO Small Exhibition Hall in Tokyo and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a later date (probably Tuesday or Wednesday). There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 237, a super full house/very near sellout.

During pre-event announcements, it was revealed that Toga (provisional/name subject to change) will face Miyu Yamashita in her Debut Match on 3/6 at Shinjuku Face.

Match 1: Arisu Endo beat HIMAWARI by submission.

Match 2: Moka Miyamoto beat Wakana Uehara by submission.

Match 3: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao beat Yuki Kamifuku & Pom Harajuku. Misao pinned Harajuku after Hypami Returns.

Match 4: Miyu yamashita & Maki Itoh beat Hikari Noa & Neko Haruna. Yamashita pinned Haruna after Attitude Adjustment.

Match 5: Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki beat Nao Kakuta & Kaya Toribami. Mizuki pinned Toribami with Cutie Special.

Main Event: Miu Watanabe, Yuki Aino & Raku beat Rika Tatsumi, Suzume & Mahiro Kiryu. Watanabe pinned Kiryu after Teardrop.

The next event is 3/4 at Yokohama Radiant Hall in Yokohama. Maki Itoh will miss this event due to an overseas excursion. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin Friday at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT.

UPDATE: On Twitter the promotion noted Heidi Howitzer & Max The Impaler successfully defended the Princess Tag Team Championships in the US yesterday. V1 for the champs. They will defend again today (2/26) at an independent appearance.

3/1/23 All-Star Jr. Festival Card Announced

New Japan today announced, as promised, the full card for the special All-Star Jr. Festival event on 3/1 at Korakuen Hall. Originally proposed by Hiromu Takahashi, the event brings together 20 Jr. Heavyweights from promotions throughout Japan, both the Big 3 (NJPW, All-Japan, Pro Wrestling NOAH) and smaller independent promotions.

Here is the main card, there will be at least one pre-show match which has not been announced, with order to be determined by entrance music at match time:
Hiromu Takahashi, Fujita “Jr.” Hayato (Michinoku Pro) & AMAKUSA (Pro Wrestling NOAH) vs. HAYATA (NOAH), YAMATO (Dragon Gate) & Kazuki Hashimoto (Big Japan)
Isami Kodaka (BASARA) & MAO (DDT) vs. Onryo (666) & Sho
Shinjiro Otani Support Match: Tatsuhito Takaiwa (Independent/Freelancer), Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Jun Kasai (Freedoms), Minoru Tanaka (GLEAT) & TAKA Mchinoku vs. MUSASHI (Michinoku Pro), Shoki Kitamura (ZERO1), LEONA (Dradition), Chicharito Shoki (2AW) & Kota Sekifuda (Big Japan)
Ryusuke Taguchi, Hikaru Sato (Pancrase Mission) & Yumehito Imanari (DDT/Ganbare Pro) vs. The Great Sasuke (Michinoku Pro), Tigers Mask (Osaka Pro) & Batten Burabura (Kyushu Pro)
El Desperado & Volador Jr. (CMLL/Mexico) vs. El Lindaman (GLEAT) & Yuki Ueno (DDT) and DOUKI & HANAOKA (Secret Base) in a 3-way
Mistico (CMLL), Billy Ken Kid (Osaka Pro), Alejandro (NOAH) & Gurukun Mask (Ryukyu Dragon) vs. BUSHI, Atlantis Jr. (CMLL), Dragon Kid (Dragon Gate) & Black Menso-re (All-Japan)
Taiji Ishimori vs. Soberano Jr. (CMLL), Shun Skywalker (Dragon Gate), Ninja Mack (NOAH) & another NOAH star in a 5-way. There is some confusion on the second NOAH star because the graphic shows it’s YO-HEY but the text/preview says it’s Junta Miyawaki. But since Miyawaki just returned to Mexico after Tuesday’s Keiji Muto Retirement Event I’d plan on it being YO-HEY
Main Event: Master Wato vs. Atsuki Aoyagi (All-Japan)

The event will be on Wednesday at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and is available as a PPV on New Japan World for about $27. The advertised start time is 12:40 AM PT/3:40 AM ET. New Japan’s English website says no subscription is required for purchase but New Japan World’s site says an account is required, which costs about $8/month. If you purchase the PPV you also get on demand replays until June 1. After that it should be available to all monthly New Japan World subscribers without additional fees.