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Sumo-March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 7 Results (3/18/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 7 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Oho (M15) beat Tsurugisho (M16)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Mitoryu (M17) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Bushozan (M14) beat Daishoho (M13)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Takanosho (M11) beat Hokuseiho (M15)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Ura (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M10)
Ichiyamamoto (M8) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Endo (M6) bat Aoiyama (M9)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Takayasu (M7)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Sadanoumi (M6)
Meisei (M4) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Shodai (M1) beat Abi (M2)
Tobizaru (K) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Kiribayama (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Ryuden (M2)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Onosho (M4)
Nishikigi (M3) beat Takakeisho (O) by default/withdrawal
WITHDRAWAL: Takakeisho (O). Meniscus/knee injury suffered a couple days ago. Out the rest of the tournament and should be back in May.
Of note: With Takakeisho officially out, it’s the first time in a VERY LONG time that a tournament will finish, let alone reach halfway, with no Yokozuna and no Ozeki in it. Takakeisho will go from Yokozuna candidate to kadoban status in May, needing a winning record to avoid demotion. At the top…well well, who had the littlest man in the top tier the only one at 7-0? That’s where Midorifuji is now all by himself, now one ahead of Takayasu & Daieisho. He’ll go for the first promotion of the tournament tomorrow and try and work his magic against Aoiyama. Kotoshoho & Ichiyamamoto are finally on the board with their first wins today and Wakatakakage now has consecutive wins as he tries to stay at Sekiwake for May, bur Azumaryu is now on the verge of a disappointing demotion after his first winning record in the top tier last time. He’ll try to avoid that against top-tier rookie Bushozan, who is 2-5.

Juryo:
Ochiai (J14) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Mineyaiba (Ms4)
Tomokaze (J13) beat Churanoumi (J10)
Tokushoryu (J14) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Tamashoho (J13)
Hidenoumi (J8) beat Takakento (J12)
Shimanoumi (J11) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Tsushimanada (J9) beat Akua (J7)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Daiamami (J6)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Ichinojo (J3)
Tochinoshin (J2) beat Enho (J5)
Chiyonokuni (J2) beat Roga (J5)
Tohakuryu (J1) beat Oshoma (J4)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Shonannoumi (J3)
Leader: 5 at 6-1
Of note: The last unbeaten went down today as Gonoyama upset Ichinojo, making it wide open heading to the halfway point. Although he won to share the lead there is concern about Ochiai as he potentially injured his elbow-possibly hyperextended as Tochimusashi was really pulling his arm hard as he went down. He was favoring his left elbow after the match. Hopefully he’ll be able to continue but at 6-1 in his Juryo debut he’s in great shape although missing more than a day would probably take him out of the yusho race. 2 more to go for Asanoyama as it now seems like he’ll be back in the top tier in May. Tochinoshin is almost back to .500 although he had it almost too easy against Enho, with what looked like a stiff forearm at the initial charge that put the popular small wrestler right on his butt hard. Ouch. Along with Tochimusashi, Daiamami is on the verge of demotion as he is also 0-7. No more Makushita man up in Juryo with the withdrawal of Takakeisho today unless a Juryo man withdraws.
None of the co-leaders face off on Day 8. If Ochiai is okay he has the most favorable draw in Shimanoumi.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage tomorrow morning at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET.

3/19/23-3/25/23 Events Schedule

Here is the current events schedule for 3/19/23-3/25/23, which is subject to change (all times PT):
3/19:
Midnight-Pro Wrestling NOAH GREAT VOYAGE 2023 in YOKOHAMA, Yokohama Budokan, Yokohama, Japan. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE in English only
Midnight-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Glorious Gate 2023 Tour, Nagoya Congress Center, Nagoya, Japan. No live broadcast
2:30 AM-New Japan Pro Wrestling New Japan Cup 2023 Tournament Semifinals, G Messe Gunma, Gunma, Japan. Live on New Japan World

3/20:
10 PM-DDT Pro Wrestling 26th Anniversary Event “Longest 5 Hour Special In Korakuen History”, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE
10 PM-GLEAT “G PROWRESTLING Ver. 47”, Gorilla Hall Osaka, Osaka, Japan. Broadcast plans TBA

3/21:
Midnight-All-Japan Pro Wrestling Dream Power Series 2023, Ota City General Gym, Tokyo, Japan. Live on AJPW.TV
1 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Glorious Gate 2023 Tour, Kobe Sambo Hall, Kobe, Japan. Live on DRAGONGATE NETWORK
1 AM-New Japan Pro Wrestling New Japan Cup 2023 Tournament Finals, Aore Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan. Live on New Japan World

3/22:
3 AM-Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, Shinjuku Face, Tokyo, Japan. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE
5 PM-All Elite Wrestling “AEW Dynamite”, Independence, MO. Live on TBS in US and FITE elsewhere

3/23:
5 PM-Impact Wrestling “Impact Wrestling”, Las Vegas, NV. TAPED on AXS TV

3/24:
1:30 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Glorious Gate Tour 2023, Yomiuri TV 1F 10plaza Special Ring, Tokyo, Japan. No live broadcast
2:30 AM-Pro Wrestling NOAH SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour, Akita Selion Plaza, Akita, Japan. No live broadcast
3 AM-DDT Pro Wrestling, Shinjuku Face. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE
5 PM-Impact Wrestling “Sacrifice”, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Live on Impact+, YouTube Ultimate Insider and FITE. LIVE RESULTS SCHEDULED
7:30 PM-Ganbare Pro Wrestling, Oji Basement MON*STAR, Tokyo, Japan (3 events. No live broadcasts

3/25:
1 AM-Pro Wrestling NOAH SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour, Morioka Gym, Iwate, Japan. No live broadcast
1 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Glorious Gate 2023 Tour, Okayama Sanyo Fureai Park General Gym, Okayama, Japan. No live broadcast
7 PM-All Elite Wrestling “AEW Rampage”. TAPED on TNT in US and FITE elsewhere. SPECIAL BROADCAST TIME SCHEDULED
8 PM-All-Japan Pro Wrestling Dream Power Series 2023, Shin-Kiba 1st Ring, Tokyo, Japan. Live on AJPW.TV. LIVE RESULTS SCHEDULED
830 PM-Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, Ryogoku KFC Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE. LIVE RESULTS SCHEDULED
11 PM-Pro Wrestling NOAH SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour, Mutsu Maeda Arena, Aomori, Japan. No live broadcast
TBA-Sumo-March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Final Day, Osaka, Japan. Live on NHK World Premium. Also live FOR FREE on NHK World Japan on 3/26 from 12:30-2 AM PT

New Japan 3/18/23 Results

New Japan continued the New Japan Cup today with the second half of the Quarterfinals, which would finish setting up the Final 4.

Today’s event was held at Act City Hamamatsu in Shizuoka and can be watched on demand on New Japan World.

The announced paid attendance was 1101.

Match 1: Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr. beat Oskar Leube & Ryohei Oiwa. Fujita pinned Oiwa.

Match 2: Aaron Henare & Kyle Fletcher beat Tomoaki Honma & YOSHI-HASHI. Henare pinned Honma after Streets Of Rage.

Match 3: Ren Narita, El Desperado & Minoru Suzuki beat El Phantasmo, Chase Owens & KENTA by DQ. KENTA DQ’d. Ref assault.

Match 4: Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb & Mark Davis beat Dick Togo, Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL. Khan beat Togo with Subaru Sheep Killer.

Match 5: Lio Rush, Yoh, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & tetsuya Naito. Ishii pinned BUSHI after a vertical drop brainbuster. BUSHI was a late replacement for SANADA, who was removed from this match due to events earlier this week when he left LIJ to join what is now Just Five Guys (Taichi’s new post-Suzuki-Gun faction).

Match 6: New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: David Finlay beat Shota Umino. As a result, Finlay advances to the Semifinals.

Main Event: New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: Tama Tonga beat Hirooki Goto. As a result, Tonga advances to the Semifinals.

As a result of today, the second Semifinal will be Finlay vs. Tonga. The promotion also announced that, as is tradition, the tournament winner will face IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada for the title at SAKURA GENESIS on 3/8 at Ryogoku Kokugikan. (The Cup winner always gets the next title match)

The Semifinals are tomorrow at G Messe Gunma in Gunma. The rest of the card beyond those matches (Finlay-Tonga and SANADA vs. Mark Davis) is TBA. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET.

Dragon Gate 3/18/23 Results

Dragon Gate ran MEMORIAL GATE 2023 today, a major event that was part of the current tour marking the halfway point of the series.

Today’s event was held at Wakayama Prefectural Gym in Wakayama and can be watched on demand on DRAGONGATE NETWORK.

The announced paid attendance was 454.

Match 1: Open The Triangle Gate Champions Kota Minoura, BxB Hulk & Ben-K beat Don Fujii, Kaito Nagano & Yoshiki Kato to retain the titles. Minoura pinned Nagano after R-301. V2 for the champs.

Match 2: Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda beat Shachihoko BOY & Takashi Yoshida. Kanda pinned BOY after a diving elbow drop.

Match 3: Jason Lee, JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI & Ho Ho Lun beat Shun Skywalker, KAI & H-Y-O. Lee pinned H-Y-O with a modified crucifix hold.

Match 4: Dragon Kid beat Strong Machine J.

Match 5: Yuki Yoshioka, Dragon Dia & Madoka Kikuta beat Naruki Doi, Shuji Kondo & Genki Horiguchi. Kikuta pinned Horiguchi after a rolling lariat.

Match 6: Ryukyu Dragon Champion YAMATO beat Teelan Shisa to retain the title. V3 for YAMATO.

Main Event: Open The Twin Gate Champions Kzy & BIGBOSS Shimizu beat Masaaki Mochizuki & Mochizuki Jr. to retain the titles. Kzy beat Mochizuki with a ground cobra twist. V6 for the champs.

The next event is tomorrow at Nagoya Congress Center in Nagoya. There will be no live broadcast.

Tokyo Joshi Pro 3/18/23 Results

After a successful debut last year, Tokyo Joshi Pro ran the second installment of GRAND PRINCESS, their new biggest event of the year from a venue and importance standpoint today, with a blockbuster card featuring a little bit of everything as they ran Tokyo’s new Olympic venue for the first time.

Today’s event was held at Ariake Arena in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE in Japanese and English. You can also watch the pre-show and the first 2 matches FOR FREE on YouTube.

The announced paid attendance was 1512. That’s not nearly as bad as it sounds because despite the easing of pandemic restrictions the venue was still limited to only 50% capacity and the layout reduced it even further. Also all but two levels of tickets sold out in advance. I did hope for more though.

Match 1: Suzume beat Arisu Endo.

Match 2: Haru Fujo & Runa Okubo Debut Match: Mahiro Kiryu, HIMAWARI, Wakana Uehara & Shino Suzuki beat Kaya Toribami, Touma, Haru Fujo & Runa Okubo. Kiryu pinned Toribami after a spinebuster. V1 for Suzuki in her young career!

Match 3: Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Ram Kaichow (666) beat Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku. Noa pinned Harajuku aftet 5G.

Match 4: Ryo Mizunami (Independent/Freelancer) beat Moka Miyamoto.

Match 5: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao beat Andre The Giant Panda & Neko Haruna. Nakajima pinned Haruna with a Northern Lights Suplex hold.

Match 6: Saki-Sama & May Saint-Michel (Saki Akai & Mei Suruga) beat Yuki Kamifuku & Billie Starkz. May pinned Kamifuku after La Revolution.

Match 7: Aja Kong beat Yuki Arai. Anticipated but still sad.

Match 8: Rika Tatsumi beat International Princess Champion Miu Watanabe by submission to win the title. Tatsumi becomes the 10th International Princess Champion. And what is believed to be the first to win all 3 TJPW titles at some point in her career (Miyu Yamashita & Yuka Sakazaki have never held this title and Maki Itoh has never been Princess Of Princess Champion). So maybe time to put Tatsumi in TJPW G.O.A.T. discussions.

Match 9: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh beat Princess Tag Team Champions Heidi Howitzer & Max The Impaler to win the titles. Yamashita & Itoh become the 12th Princess Tag Team Champions. Itoh pinned Howitzer after Flying Big Head. Well, at least the disaster that was the foreigners winning the title from AA Eye Candy has been somewhat resolved.

Main Event: Mizuki beat Princess Of Princess Champion Yuka Sakazaki to win the title. Mizuki becomes the 12th Princess Of Princess Champion. Boooo..(there are only two TJPW wrestlers I do not like and passionately root against. Mizuki is one. The other who I will NEVER root/simp/etc for is Maki Itoh)

Among major announcements during the event were upcoming major events later this year: 7/8 at Ota City General Gym for what should be SUMMER SUN PRINCESS ’23 (the summer blowout event), 10/8 (not sure where) for what probably will be WRESTLE PRINCESS 3 (typically TJPW’s biggest/most important event of the year but I think GRAND PRINCESS has surpassed it), and 12/1 at Korakuen Hall for the TJPW 10th Anniversary event. Also announced before the event was Yuki Arai’s May & June participation schedule, which is subject to change-5/5 (Korakuen Hall), 5/13 (Act City Hamamatsu, Shizuoka), 5/20 (Otemachi Mitsui Hall, Tokyo), 6/11 (Korakuen), 6/24 (Kobe Art Center, Kobe), 6/25 Nishitetsu Hall, Fukuoka).

The next event is Wednesday at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo to begin the Spring 2023 house show tour. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin at 3 AM PT/6 AM ET.

Sumo-March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 6 Results (3/17/23) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 6 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Mitoryu (M17) beat Oho (M15)
Shonannoumi (J3) beat Bushozan (M15)
Daishoho (M13) beat Hokuseiho (M15)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Kinbozan (M14)
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Myogiryu (M10) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Aoiyama (M9) beat Nishikifuji (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Takanosho (M11)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Ura (M8)
Takayasu (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Endo (M6)
Meisei (M4) beat Sadanoumi (M6)
Abi (M2) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Shodai (M1) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Tobizaru (K)
Daieisho (K) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Onosho (M4)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Ryuden (M2)
Kiribayama (S) beat NIshikigi (M3)
Mitakeumi (M3) beat Takakeisho (O)
Leader: Takayasu, Midorifuji, Daieisho (6-0)
Of note: We can say with 99% certainty it’s over for Takakeisho. He will not be promoted to Yokozuna after this tournament-at this point to have even the slightest chance he must win out. The tweaked knee a couple days ago was the end, it’s affecting him too much. Also of concern is Kirabayama potentially suffering an elbow injury in his win-after taking Nishikigi down with a sotogake (inside leg trip), Nishikigi was holding Kiribayama’s arm going down and twisted his elbow awkwardly as he went down. Not intentional by any means but Kiribayama stayed down on his knees for several moments and was clearly favoring his left elbow. For now he’s likely going to give it a go on Day 7. The only change at the top was Nishikifuji falling from the unbeatens, but tomorrow somebody’s 0 Has Got To Go because Takayasu faces Midorifuji. Daieisho gets Wakamotoharu. Chiyomaru is the Juryo man up tomorrow but he’s 0-6 and badly slumping, which could be good news for opponent Kinbozan. Elsewhere Wakatakakage finally got on the board with his first win and Hoshoryu got a needed victory albeit unpopular because of the HENKA! Kotoshoho & Azumaryu remain a disappointing winless, both 0-6. Azumaryu may have forgotten to show up after his first winning record in the top tier last time out, he could be headed back to Juryo without wins.

Juryo:
Tomokaze (M13) beat Tamashoho (J13)
Kawazoe (Ms3) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Takakento (J12) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Ochiai (J14) beat Churanoumi (J10)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Akua (J7) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Hidenoumi (J8) beat Daiamami (J6)
Enho (J5) beat Roga (J5)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Oshoma (J5)
Tochinoshin (J2) beat Chiyonokuni (J4)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Leader: Ichinojo (6-0)
Of note: Looks like it’s Ichinojo’s to lose now. He is in control as the only unbeaten but if he stumbles, 5 including Asanoyama are right there at 5-1, also including Juryo newcomer Ochiai who is having an excellent debut. Kawazoe, the human slinky in Makushita, earned his 4th win today making him the first rikishi in any tier this tournament to clinch a promotion and winning record. He’ll probably get a couple days’ rest now as the rest of Makushita just finished its 3rd round. One more win and he should be Juryo in May, potentially replacing (among others) Tochimusashi, who has gone from Juryo champion last summer to likely demotion at 0-6 now. And Ochiai could put him on the brink at 0-7 tomorrow. Mineyaiba will be the Makushita man up tomorrow from Ms4, he is currently 1-2 and gets Kitanowaka. For those curious about Terutsuyoshi, he is 1-2 at Ms1 and needs to finish 4-1 or 5-0 to return to Juryo.
In the Makushita, 14 go into the halfway days at 3-0 and looking to join Kawazoe as co-leaders and earn promotions at first chance. In the Sandanme, 21 are currently 3-0 and looking to earn promotions, some possibly to Makushita, as well as staying atop the leaderboard. The Jonidan has 25 currently at 3-0 while the Jonokuchi has 3 sharing the lead at 3-0.

For the night owls, a reminder that NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage on Day 8 beginning Sunday at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET. The network is available online and on tablet/smartphone/smart TV apps and is COMPLETELY FREE to watch. No account creation or cable/satellite TV provider is necessary.

UPDATE: Potential nightmare future scenario for the Nihon Sumo Kyokai at the top of the rankings…it is officially over for Takakeisho. He is OUT going into Day 7. Left meniscus (knee). Likely done for the tournament. Said nightmare scenario is because of the continued absence of Terunofuji-if worst-case happens and he is forced to retire, there would be ZERO YOKOZUNA active. And potentially zero Ozeki depending on what happens with Takakeisho. If he can’t return by Day 11 he goes into kadoban status (8+ losses as Ozeki) in May, meaning he must get at least 8 wins or be demoted. Nishikigi gets the free win today as a result.

Ring Of Honor TV 3/16/23 Results

Here are the quick results from this week’s episode of Ring Of Honor TV from Orlando, FL:

Claudio Castagnoli beat Willie Mack.

Metalik & Blake Christian beat Ari Daivari & Slim J.

Eddie Kingston beat Jeeves Kay by submission.

Athena beat Hyan by submission.

Silas Young beat Marcus Kross.

ROH 6-Man Tag Team Champions The Embassy beat Dalton Castle & The Boys to retain the titles.

Trish Adora beat Madison Rayne.

Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal beat Outrunners.

ROH Pure Champion Wheeler Yuta beat Clark Connors to retain the title.

Possible rumored additions to the Supercard Of Honor PPV on 3/31 coming out of this episode are ROH TV Champion Samoa Joe vs. Mark Briscoe for the title and ROH Women’s Champion Athena vs. Yuka Sakazaki for the title. The former seems likely, the latter would prob depend on what happens after tomorrow’s (late tonight US time) Tokyo Joshi Pro event. But Sakazaki will be in Los Angeles for TJPW’s US debut on 3/30 (ROH is there too) so it probably depends on both sides making it work.

New Japan 3/17/23 Results (Updated)

New Japan continued the New Japan Cup today with the beginning of the Quarterfinals.

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on New Japan World. This was a Samurai! TV broadcast in Japan.

The announced paid attendance was 1351, a legit sellout.

Match 1: Sho & Yujiro Takahashi beat Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr. Takahashi pinned Fujita after Pimp Juice.

Match 2: Aaron Henare, Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan & Kyle Fletcher beat Oskar Leube, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe. Fletcher pinned Leube after Grimstone.

Match 3: Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto beat Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Tama Tonga. Yano pinned Tenzan.

Match 4: Lio Rush, Yoh & Tomohiro Ishii beat BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi. Rush pinned BUSHI.

Match 5: Shota Umino, Ren Narita, El Desperado & Minoru Suzuki beat El Phantasmo, Chase Owens, KENTA & David Finlay. Suzuki pinned KENTA after a Gotch-style piledriver.

Match 6: New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: Mark Davis beat EVIL. As a result, Davis advances to the Semifinals. UPSET ALERT!!!

Main Event: New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: SANADA beat Tetsuya Naito. As a result, SANADA advances to the Semifinals. Afterwards, SANADA left LIJ and joined Just Four Guys (Taichi’s new post-Suzuki-Gun faction) and they now become Just Five Guys.

As a result of today, the first half of the Semifinals will be SANADA vs. Davis.

The next event is tomorrow at Act City Hamamatsu in Shizuoka with the remaining Quarterfinals-Umino vs. Finlay & Goto vs. Tonga. Because of SANADA defecting from LIJ there may be a change to Match 5 as he was supposed to be in an 8-man tag with LIJ. Most likely he and someone on the other side (Rush, Yoh, Yano, Tomohiro Ishii) get pulled to make it a 6-man tag but we’ll see. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET.

In other news today, the 30th installment of Best Of The Super Junior, the annual prestigious showcase for Jr. Heavyweights worldwide, was announced for its traditional May spot on the calendar. This year it will run over 12 events from May 12-May 28. The full schedule:
5/12-Korakuen Hall
5/13-Nagano Prefectural Budokan, Nagano
5/14-Nagoya International Conference Center Event Hall, Nagoya
5/16-Akita Prefectural Budokan, Akita
5/17-Sendai Sun Plaza, Sendai
5/18-Iwate Prefectural Gym, Iwate
5/19-Maeda Sub Arena, Aomori
5/21-Korakuen Hall
5/23-Osaka Prefectural Gym, Osaka
5/24-Osaka Prefectural Gym Sub-Arena
5/26-Yoyogi National Gym 2, Tokyo
5/28-Ota City General Gym, Tokyo

UPDATE: A change has indeed been made for tomorrow as suggested above-SANADA is now out of the aforementioned 8-man tag. BUSHI is the replacement.

Impact Wrestling 3/16/23 Results

Here are the quick results from tonight’s TAPED Impact Wrestling from Las Vegas, NV:

The YouTube pre-show match was Zicky Dice vs. Champagne Singh.

Match 1: Mike Bailey & Jonathan Gresham beat Decay. Bailey pinned Black Taurus after Ultima Weapon.

Match 2: Steve Maclin beat Heath.

The PCO-Eddie Edwards cinematic story continues with PCO walking past the iconic Las Vegas sign.

Match 3: Jai Vidal beat Johnny Swinger. Right before the end Gisele Shaw & Savannah Evans got ejected for interfering, then Deonna Purrazzo came out to attack Shaw before Evans tossed her away. Security separated them as the match ended.

Deaner & Sami Callihan discuss “punishment”.

PCO continues walking through Vegas at night looking for Edwards as he arrives at Sam’s Town Live.

Mickie James is concerned about Tommy Dreamer getting them a mixed tag match next week and so is Jordynne Grace.

Eddie Edwards is here and alive! During his promo PCO enters but Kenny King attacks PCo frmo behind with a shovel and the beatdown is on.But PCO quickly comes back to life and fights back until Edwards tries a chair shot as PCO tries to chokeslam King. They keep beating down PCO and use the ring stairs to pin him against the corner before he comes to life again. King gets choketossed across the ring before a Singapors cane shot from Edwards allows King to come off the top and take PCO down and the beatdown resumes until they finally seem to keep PCO down.

At his request, Impact Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry will defend the title against Brian Myers at Sacrifice per Santino Marella, who makes it official. And they’re partners in a tag match next week.

Match 4: KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde beat Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champions Taya Valkyrie & Rosemary to become THE NEW IMPACT KNOCKOUTS TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! King pinned Valkyrie.

Main Event: Ace Austin, Chris Bey & KENTA beat Josh Alexander, Frankie Kazarian & Rich Swann. Bey pinned Swann after 1, 2 Sweet. Steve Maclin distracted Alexander late to set up the finish.

Next week: Tommy Dreamer & Mickie James vs. Bully Ray & Masha Slamovich, Deonna Purrazzo vs. Savannah Evans, Design vs. Time Machine and Hendry & Dirty Dango vs. Moose & Myers. This is the last Las Vegas episode and last one before Sacrifice on Impact+, YouTube Ultimate Insider and FITE next Friday.

Added to Sacrifice on 3/24: Jonathan Gresham vs. Mike Bailey 2 and Impact Tag Team Champions Ace Austin & Chris Bey vs. Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito for the titles..

A special first-time-ever LIVE Impact will air on 3/30 from Anthem Studios at LA Live in Los Angeles, CA.

Sumo-March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 5 Results (3/16/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 5 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Ichinojo (J3) beat Hokuseiho (M15)
Mitoryu (M17) beat Bushozan (M14)
Konbozan (M14) beat Hokuseiho (M16)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Chiyoshoma (M16)
Oho (M15) beat Daishoho (M13)
Takanosho (M11) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Kagayaki (M12) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Nishikifuji (M10) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Apiyama (M9) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Takayasu (M7) beat Ura (M8)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Sadanoumi (M6)
Endo (M6) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Abi (M2) beat Meisei (M4)
Daieisho (K) beat Shodai (M1)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Onosho (M4) beat Kiribayama (S)
Nishikigi (M3) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Takakeisho (O) beat Ryuden (M2)
Leader: Daieisho, Midorifuji, Takayasu, Nishikifuji (5-0)
Of note: Ryuden made it very easy for Takakeisho, suspiciously offering no resistance and letting the Ozeki have an easy win and not go too hard on his potentially injured knee. That gets Takakeisho to 3-2 and still in yokozuna contention. Surprises at the top as two Isegahama rikishi join Daieisho and a resurgent Takayasu at 5-0. Takayasu continues to look like his old strong self clming back from injury, if he keeps this up he could finally claim his first Emperor’s Cup after being so close so many times. On the flip side several are in real trouble-among the 0-5 starters are Kotoshoho, Azumaryu and Wakatakakage, who now has a very uphill climb just to stay at Sekiwake a year after winning this tournament. Hoshoryu struggled again today to fall to 2-3, meaning his Ozeki hopes are probably gone if he doesn’t win out. This could open the door to promotion for Kotonowaka to the 3rd highest rank if he continues to build on a solid 4-1 start.
Takakeisho draws Mitakeumi tomorrow, who if he shows up unmotivated could be another important win for Takakeisho. At the top, Daieisho gets the tough draw for 6-0 as he faces Kotonowaka while Midorifuji also has a tough one against 4-1 Endo. Takayasu gets a badly struggling Ichiyamamoto (0-5) while Nishikifuji gets Aoiyama (3-2).
Shonannoumi is the Juryo man up for the day tomorrow and draws Bushozan. The Juryo man is 4-1 and a win could help catapult him into the top tier in May if he keeps winning.

Juryo:
Ochiai (J14) beat Tomokaze (J13)
Takakento (J12) beat Tokihayate (Ms3)
Tokushoryu (J14) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Tamashoho (J13) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Churanoumi (J10) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Akua (J7) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Gokoyama (J6) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Roga (J5) beat Daiamami (J6)
Enho (J5) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Chiyonokuni (J2) beat Oshoma (J4)
Tohakuryu (J1) beat Shonannoumi (J3)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Tochinoshin (J2)
Leader: Ichinojo (5-0)
Of note: Asanoyama quickly bounced back from a loss to Ichinojo yesterday in easily winning the former Ozeki showdown with Tochinoshin, dropping the Georgian to 1-4 after his first win yesterday. He may not admit it but sadly it’s all over with him-he all but needs to retire after the tournament as his lower body has nothing left after recent injuries. Asanoyama is now halfway to promotion back to Makuuchi and has a very favorable match tomorrow against 0-5 Chiyomaru. Ichinojo was back in the top tier today and won to become the only unbeaten left in Juryo after Shonannoumi lost today and seems well on his way to a top tier return in May. He’ll go for 6-0 against Tohakuryu who is 2-3. Shonannoumi gets the top tier appearance tomorrow and it’s a favorable one on paper against Bushozan, who is 1-4.
Rising star Kawazoe, the human slinky who greatly impressed in his career debut despite a loss to Asanoyama in September and is in only his 4th career tournament, slowly moving up after debuting at Makushita 15, is the Makushita man coming up tomorrow. Because he is 3-0 in Makushita, a win tomorrow against the likely Makushita-bound Tochimusashi (0-5) will clinch a promotion and gives him a chance at a Juryo debut in May, but he probably will need at least 2 more wins to clinch it. 4-3 will likely only get him to Makushita 1.