News, results & more from Japanese Pro Wrestling & Sumo
All-Japan announced earlier today that Naoya Nomura, slated to be in the upcoming 2023 Champions Carnival tournament, is now out due to injury. Torn left knee ligament, possibly ACL. Out indefinitely but sounds like months. No replacement named yet.
More as it becomes available.
Because of AEW Rampage being bumped to Saturday night due to soccer on TNT (US Men’s National Team), this week’s Rampage results are posted below. Click below to read but only if you want SPOILERS! (This week’s episode airs Saturday at 10 PM ET/PT)
Continue reading “AEW Rampage 3/25/23 Results (SPOILERS!)”As promised on Twitter yesterday, GLEAT has now uploaded the full video of Tuesday’s G PROWRESTLING event to YouTube. Click below to watch:
(May appear as a link on desktop browsers. Video courtesy of GLEAT Official YouTube channel)
Here are the quick results from tonight’s AEW Dynamite in Independence, MO:
Darby Allin, Orange Cassidy & Sting beat Kip Sabian The Butcher & The Blade. Sting pinned Sabian after Scorpion Deathdrop.
AEW Tag Team Champions Gunn Club beat Top Flight to retain the titles. Austin Gunn pinned Dariua Martin after 3:10 To Yuma. The Kingdom interference set it up. Afterwards, FTR made a challenge for the titles with the stip that if they lose, they would leave AEW.
Jon Moxley beat Stu Grayson.
In a No DQ Match with The Firm banned from ringside, Hook beat Stokely Hathaway. Squash. Comedy match.
Toni Storm beat Skye Blue.
Kenny Omega beat El Hijo Del Vikingo. MOTY contender.
Average show overall excluding an A+ must-watch main event.
Saturday on Rampage (moved to Saturday at 10 PM ET because of soccer Friday night on TNT): Brody King vs. Jake Hager, Taya Valkyrie vs. Leila Grey, The Acclaimed vs. The Kingdom, AEW TNT Champion Powerhouse Hobbs vs. Penta El Zero M for the title and Ricky Starks appears.
Next week: Adam Cole vs. Daniel Garcia. More TBA on Rampage. AEW All-Access premieres after next week’s show.
Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Oshoma (J4) beat Tsurugisho (M16)
Daishoho (M13) beat Kinbozan (M14)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Takanosho (M11)
Mitoryu (M17) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Nishikifuji (M10)
Hokuseiho (M15) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Bushozan (M14)
Oho (M15) beat Aoiyama (M9)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Sadanoumi (M6)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Ryuden (M2)
Abi (M2) beat NIshikigi (M3)
Ura (M8) beat Shodai (M1)
Tamawashi (M1) beat MitakeumI (M3)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Daieisho (K) beat Takayasu (M7)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Tobizaru (K)
Kiribayama (S) beat Meisei (M4)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Endo (M6)
Leader: Midorifuji (10-1)
Of note: No 15-0. Midorifuji’s unbeaten run ended today against Wakamotoharu and while he still has the lead, the question of course is how will he respond tomorrow? This allowed Daieisho to get back to one win back while a crowded field remains 2 back. Midorifuji has to avoid the sweep by the Wakas now because he gets Wakatakakage tomorrow, who is fighting to stay at Sekiwake and is now 5-6 after starting 0-5. Daieisho gets Hokutofuji and a bunch of 8-3 key matches are headlined by the Sekiwake Showdown in the final bout, and it’s another Mongolian showdown between Hoshoryu, still with a chance at Ozeki contention, and Kiribayama, who will remain at Sekiwake in May.
Asanoyama returns to the top tier tomorrow for a second time as the Juryo man of the day and will face Oho in the first match.
Juryo:
Tomokaze (J13) beat Chiyonokuni (Ms5)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Hakuyozan (J9)
Tsushimanada (J9) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Tamashoho (J13) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Kotokuzan (J10) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Shimanoumi (J11) beat Akua (J7)
Takakento (J12) beat Enho (J5)
TochimusashI (J12) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Churanoumi (J10) beat Shonannoumi (J3)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Ochiai (J14)
Daiamami (J5) beat Tochinoshin (J2)
Tohakuryu (J1) beat Roga (J5)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Gonoyama (J6)
Leader: Asanoyama, Ichinojo (10-1)
Of note: It’s all but down to the top tier mainstays, both likely headed back there in May (Asanoyama definitely will, at this point Ichinojo probably will too). Both are now 2 wins clear and seemed headed for a playoff rematch for the championship. Only Ochiai and Kitanowaka seem to still have a chance to catch them although Gonoyama remains 2 back, but Ochiai and Gonoyama both lost today and Ochiai may be running out of steam and perhaps affected by that left elbow issue. And Ochiai faces Gonoyama tomorrow so the loser is probably out of it. Kitanowaka gets Shimazuumi (6-5) while Ichinojo gets Hakuyozan (7-4). Asanoyama is in the top tier. Tochinoshin seemed okay and competed today after another injury scare yesterday but took a demotion-sealing loss. No top tier return for the former Ozeki.
Lower tier notes: The Makushita Final is set, it’ll be Ryuo vs. Kaizen. Neither will be promoted to Juryo but Ryou may go up to Makushita 1 (he’s at 26) while Kaizen would probably jump to Makushita 20 as he’s at 50). The Sandanme may need a playoff with 3 currently at 6-0 and two are from Tamanoi Beya so an interesting potential scenario there. The Jonidan also has 3 currently at 6-0 and perhaps is playoff-bound too while Asahakuryu only needs to win his last match to be Jonokuchi Champion.
Tokyo Joshi Pro began the spring 2023 house show tour today with the first post-GRAND PRINCESS event ahead of some talent heading to the US for next week’s debut event.
Today’s event was held at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE.
The announced paid attendance was 207.
During opening announcements, US women’s independent wrestler Vertvixen was announced for 3 events in April. They also announced SKE48 member Shiori Aoki will make her debut as referee in a tag match featuring SKE48 teammate Yuki Arai. (Specifically it will be Arai & HIMAWARI vs. Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao)
Match 1: Suzume beat Shino Suzuki.
Match 2: Shoko Nakajima, Wakana Uehara & HIMAWARI beat Arisu Endo, Haru Fujo & Runa Okubo. Nakajima pinned Fujo.
Match 3: Max The Impaler & Heidi Howitzer beat Hyper Misao & Pom Harajuku. Impaler pinned Harajuku after a short range lariat.
Match 4: Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & Raku beat Yuki Kamifuku, Mahiro Kiryu & Toga. Tatsumi pinned Toga after Twost Of Fate.
Match 5: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh beat Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami. Yamashita pinned Toribami after a right high kick.
Main Event: Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Yuki Aino beat Mizuki, Yuka Sakazaki & Neko Haruna. Kakuta pinned Haruna after Shiden Kai. Afterwards, Kakuta made a challenge to Mizuki for the Princess Of Princess Championship. That match will happen on 4/15 at Korakuen Hall.
The next event is Sunday at Ryogoku KFC Hall in Tokyo. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin Saturday at 11:30 PM ET/8:30 PM PT. Live results are scheduled.
Dragon Gate continued the Glorious Gate 2023 Tour yesterday with a return home to Kobe for a televised event.
Yesterday’s event was held at Kobe Sambo Hall in Kobe and can be watched on demand on DRAGONGATE NETWORK.
The announced paid attendance was 387.
Match 1: Jason Lee, JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI & Ho Ho Lun beat Dragon Kid, Genki Horiguchi & Eita. Lee pinned Horiguchi after Maximum Driver.
Match 2: Punch Tominaga beat Minorita.
Match 3: Don fujii & Kaito Nagano beat BIGBOSS Shimizu & Daiki Yanagiuchi. Fujii pinned Yanagiuchi after a chokeslam.
Match 4: Kagetora, Takashi Yoshida, Shachihoko BOY & Ichikawa beat Masaaki Mochizuki, Susumu Mochizuki, Mochizuki Jr. & Yasushi Kanda. Kagetora pinned Masaaki Mochizuki after Kage-sewn.
Match 5: YAMATO & Shuji Kondo beat Kzy & Strong Machine J. Kondo pinned J after a King Kong lariat.
Main Event: Shun Skywalker, KAI & H-Y-O beat Kota Minoura, BxB Hulk & Ben-K and Yuki Yoshioka, Dragon Dia & Madoka Kikuta in a 3-way when Skywalker pinned Dia.
The next event is Friday at Yomiuri TV 1F 10plaza Special Ring in Tokyo. There will be no live broadcast.
Here are the quick results from today’s Day 10 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (Top Tier):
MItoryu (M17) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Oho (M15)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Bushozan (M14)
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Takanosho (M11)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Daishoho (M13) beat NIshikifuji (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Azumaryu (M11) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Hokuseiho (M15) beat Ura (M8)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Aoiyama (M9)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Takayasu (M7)
Sadanoumi (M6) beat NIshikigi (M3)
Tamawashi (M1) beat Ryuden (M2)
Endo (M6) beat Shodai (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Meisei (M4)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Tobizaru (K)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Abi (M2)
Kiribayama (S) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Daieisho (K)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Wakatakakage (S)
Leader: Midorifuji (10-0)
Of note: It may now be Midorifuji’s championship to lose. Thanks to his win and Hoshoryu, Midorifuji is now 2 wins ahead of the pack with 5 days left. Anything can happen but realistically it seems like only Daieisho and Kotonowaka still have a chance to stop him as well as Endo who is also 8-2.
Key match tomorrow: Midorifuji-Wakamotoharu. If Midorifuji wins and he gets a lot of help, he can all but clinch the championship with potentially a 3-win lead & only 4 days left. Also depends on how Endo (Hoshoryu), Daieisho (Takayasu) and Kotonowaka (Hokutofuji) fare. Also, thanks to Azumaryu getting his first win at last, nobody will go winless this tournament.
Juryo:
Tokushoryu (J14) beat Kaisho (Ms4)
Churanoumi (J10) beat Tamashoho (J13)
Shimanoumi (J11) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Hukyozan (J9) beat Takakento (J12)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Ochiai (J14)
Shimazuumi (J7) beat Tomokaze (J13)
Tochimusashi (J12) beat Daiamami (J6)
Kotokuzan (J10) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Roga (J5)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Shonannoumi (J3)
Oshoma (J4) beat Tochinoshin (J2)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Enho (J5)
Leader: Asanoyama, Ichinojo (9-1)
Of note: Is this the end for Tochinoshin? He appeared to suffer another injury, maybe a left shoulder issue, as he was clutching his upper chest area during his match and took a loss by voluntary rear step out, a non-winning technique. So far he does not appear to have withdrawn on Day 11 but we’ll wait and see. He’ll be demoted again unless he can win out. Ochiai saw his 7-match winning streak snapped today-he’s not out of the championship race yet but he will e tomorrow if he loses to Ichinojo. And Tochimusashi has suddenly decided to try and fight off demotion-that’s 3 straight wins now after an 0-7 start.
Key matches tomorrow: Asanoyama-Gonoyama, Ichinojo-Ochiai. Winners have the yusho advantage. If Ichinojo wins this or one more match the rest of the way, he’ll probably return to the top tier in May.
In the lower tiers, the Makushita is down to the final 4 at 5-0 and both stablemates Ryuo & Kayo remain in it along with Shiden & Kaizen. Kaizen faces Kayo tomorrow and Shiden has Ryuo. If both Ryuo & Kayo win, they’ll have to face each other for the championship. That would guarantee Nishonoseki Beya the title but maybe it’s not the most ideal scenario.
The Sandanme has 5 left at 5-0 which could mean a playoff would be required to determine the champion.
The Jonidan could have the same scenario at 6 are 5-0 so there could be 2 or more unbeatens left at the end.
In the Jonokuchi, two remained at 5-0 but in early Day 12 matches Asahakuryu beat Wakaikari in their match so Asahakuryu will be the champion if he wins his final match.
Dragon Gate announced today that current wrestler Eita has signed a new contract with the promotion, while terms were not announced it suggests Eita will have more freedom to compete elsewhere outside the promotion including continuing in Pro Wrestling NOAH, where he has made regular appearances over the last couple years (Alejandro, formerly Aleja before apparently leaving Dragon Gate for NOAH, seemed to also have such an arrangement). He will continue to be a regular in Dragon Gate as well.
GLEAT ran the latest G PROWRESTLING event today, returning to Osaka for a major event with 3 title matches.
Today’s event was held at Gorilla Hall Osaka in Osaka and will be available on demand on YouTube at a later date. There was no live broadcast.
The announced paid attendance was 372, a legit sellout.
Match 1: Takanori Ito, Masato Kanno, Yusuke Kodama & Issei Onitsuka beat Kaz Hayashi, Jun Tonsho, Keiichi Sato & Tetsuya Goto. Kodama pinned Goto after Tenku Drop.
Match 2: GAORA TV Champion Minoru Tanaka beat Quiet Storm to retain the title. V1 for Tanaka. This title was created by and is usually contested for in All-Japan Pro Wrestling (GAORA TV is their primary broadcast partner in Japan).
Match 3: Sayaka Unagi & Itsuki Aoki beat Michiko Miyagi & Yukari Hosokawa. Unagi pinned Hosokawa. Afterwards, Unagi demanded a match with Miyagi for 4/12 at Korakuen Hall with the stip that Miyagi must leave GLEAT if she loses.
Match 3: Lidet UWF Double Bout: Shinya Aoki & Yu Iizuka beat Seihi Ikemoto & Teusyua Izuchi by submission. Iizuka beat Izuchi with an armbar.
Match 4: T-Hawk, Komander & CIMA beat Violento Jack, Yutani & Hartley Jackson. T-Hawk pinned Yutani after Night Ride.
Match 5: G-INFINITY Champions Check Shimatani & Hayato Tamura beat El Lindaman & Soma Watanabe to retain the titles. Shinatani pinned Watanabe after a reverse strike. V4 for the champs.
Main Event: G-REX Champion Kaito Ishida beat KAZMA SAKAMOTO by ref stoppage to retain the title. V1 for Ishida. Next up: T-Hawk. That match will happen on 4/12 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
The next event is 4/2 at Naha City Bunka Tenbuskan Tenbus Hall in Okinawa. Broadcast plans TBD.
UPDATE: The full video from this event will be available Thursday (3/23/23) on YouTube beginning at 4 AM PT/7 AM ET.
UPDATE 2: CIMA was injured during his match. Dislocated shoulder. Out indefinitely but will miss some events.