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2025 Hana Kimura Memorial Event “Hanabi” Results (5/23/25)

Today the 5th annual Hana Kimura Memorial Event, which has been held on this date the last 4 years, was held in Tokyo. The event, put on by wrestlers and supporters from throughout Japan with help from Hana’s mother, former longtime women’s wrestler Kyoko Kimura, helps keep Hana’s memory alive while raising funds for an organization started by Kimura to push for tougher punishment against cyberbullying/online harassment in Japan, which caused Hana to tragically take her own life in 2020 far too soon. Today marks the 5th anniversary of her death at only 22, so once again the wrestling community comes together to put on a special event to honor their friend’s memory and keep her spirit alive in a celebration of life. The theme of this year’s event is “Hanabi”.

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand worldwide as a PPV in Japanese. Outside Japan it is available on TrillerTV/FITE for $24.99. You get unlimited replays with purchase, considering all the prior events are still on the service it will probably be available forever as long as they have the rights to it.

The paid attendance has not been announced. Looks like it was on the low site, maybe 500-600 at most, possibly hurt by (among other things) sumo.

The broadcast began at least 20 minutes before the event began, at about 20 minutes in a couple of the wrestlers-one of which I believe is Menso-re Oyaji, came out for the opening greeting and perhaps explaining the battle royal rules for today. Then Kyoko Kimura came out to address the crowd.

The matches begin at the 39 minute mark of the broadcast. The GLEAT ring announcer handled the duties today.

Match 1: Tae Honma beat YUNA by submission.

Match 2: Kaori Yoneyama/Fukigen won a 12 person Hana Sports Day comedy battle royal. Order of elimination: Super Delfin, Yuki Miyazaki, Ram Kaichow, Banana Senga, Tsutomu Oosugi, Fuminori Abe, Sayaka Unagi, Yuko Miyamoto, Shuji Ishikawa, Munenori Sawa, Cherry.

Match 3: Aja Kong beat Seigo Tachibana. Squash. Which led to…
Match 3 (again): Aja Kong beat Seigo Tachibana. Squash (again). Which led to…
Match 3 (yet again): Aja Kong beat Seigo Tachibana. Slightly glorified squash (Tachibana actually hit a spear).

Match 4: Jaguar Yokota beat Sakura HIrota (dressed as Hana Kimura) & Menso-re Oyaji in a 3-way by pinning Oyaji. While Hirota had him in a Figure 4 too.

Match 5: Miyuki Takase & Mika Iwata vs. Sareee & Natsupoi and Dash Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto in a 3-way went to a 15 minute time limit draw.

Match 6: Minoru Suzuki & Konami beat Shotaro Ashino (All-Japan) & Chihiro Hashimoto. Suzuki pinned Ashino.

Main Event: Veny beat Rina.

After the two began their post-match promos, Kyoko Kimura took a framed picture of Hana and a stuffed animal from a table at ringside and joined them in the ring (as did Konami who cornered Rina for the match). Then the ring announcer did a memorial introduction for Hana Kimura and some fans threw streamers followed by Rina leading a shout of “Hanabi” before the final memorial video of Hana (lots of footage from her early Stardom days including when she was teaming with Rina well before she was the “Pink Devil” she is now, and her Tokyo Cyber Squad faction which also included Konami) and a reel of all the wrestlers saying “Hanabi” to end the event (also featuring former Stardom wrestler Giulia-now in WWE-and ending with Kyoko Kimura, her mother).

It was another event filled with lots of laughs and smiles and a few tears at times, especially at the end, because it’s very sad that such a bright talent with limitless potential was taken from us far too soon-she would have been 27 now and still with many great years ahead of her. I’m sure this tradition will continue every year as long as Kyoko Kimura can keep making it happen and I hope it does because it’s a chance for all of us to come together and celebrate her very full life and career in wrestling and while nothing will bring Hana back, we can keep working to prevent situations like this from happening again. Let us all be kind to each other and keep Hana close to our hearts and never forget her. We love her and miss her so very dearly.

Hanabi.

If the event is held next year we should find out details in early 2026.

FREE VIDEO: Stardom 4/27/25 Main Event (Full Match)

It was truly the end of an era for Stardom at their 4/27/25 STARDOM GRAND QUEENDOM 2025 PPV. Not only did their “icon” Mayu Iwatani leave the promotion after what would be her last match in the promotion (she followed old boss Rossy Ogawa to Marigold), but the career of Tam Nakano came to an end after she lost to Saya Kamitani in the main event where the winner would be World Of Stardom Champion and the loser had to retire. You almost couldn’t write a more emotional ending than they did. And if you haven’t seen it yet or don’t have Stardom World, you can now watch the full main event and the post-match farewell to Nakano (and it’s very emotional indeed between the two rivals) FOR FREE on YouTube or below (the video starts at the beginning of Nakano’s entrance, this version has Japanese commentary with Haruo Murata & Ami Sohrei):

Last-Minute News: Regarding 2025 Hana Kimura Memorial Event

In a few hours (2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET), the 5th annual Hana Kimura Memorial Event “Hanabi” will be held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, on what is now the annual date of the event (the only time it wasn’t held on this date was the first event in 2021, it was held the day before which was 5/22). Due to being away most of the month I wasn’t able to keep up with news and pre-order the event for streaming until just now, but tomorrow I will be watching a replay of the event on demand and will post results after I finish watching which should be sometime in the afternoon (PT). The event will be a PPV worldwide-outside of Japan it will be available on TrillerTV/FITE for $24.99, which includes the live broadcast and unlimited on demand replays. There will be commentary but I’m not sure if it will be in Japanese or English (there will be Japanese commentary at least in Japan).

News: A Clue To Future Destino?

He may no longer be with New Japan, but in a social media post in Japanese and Spanish today Tetsuya Naito possibly dropped a hint about his future plans. He mentioned an event with fellow ex-NJPW and LIJ member BUSHI on 6/22 somewhere in Tokyo, the title of which translates to “A Beginning”. This picture posted is the clue:

A separate Twitter account seemingly promoting the event and followed by Naito indicates it’s a talk show event at Tokyo Bay Washington Hotel Iris Hall in Tokyo, with tickets going on sale on 6/1 for 7110 Japanese yen (about $49 US). The account also posted a pic of Naito and a seemingly unmasked BUSHI that was taken outside Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka, their backs to the camera, seemingly taken 2 weeks ago (where they made their last NJPW appearances at WRESTLING DONTAKU 2025). The account, on Twitter at Jun_22_2025, promises more announcements about this event so it may be worth watching for clues along with Naito’s account. It also follows BUSHI’s account, BUSHI posts regularly and noted he had vocal cord surgery after leaving New Japan. His profile says his DMs are open for bookings & inquiries. This also may be connected to the other acc it follows, a “secret” online shop that may be in on the project as well as having an association with Alex Zayne, who makes occasional appearances in NJPW.

More as it becomes available.

Sumo-May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 12 Results (5/22/25) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 of the May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kotoshoho (M14) beat Tamashoho (M17)
Nishikigi (M16) beat Tokihayate (M13)
Asakoryu (M17) beat Atamifuji (M12)
Kayo (M16) beat Takanosho (M12)
Endo (M11) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Ryuden (M15) beat Shishi (M10)
Sadanoumi (M13) beat Meisei (M10)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Tochitaikai (M18)
Onokatsu (M8) beat Roga (M14)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Shodai (M10)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Tobizaru (M6)
Tamawashi (M3) beat Abi (M2)
Chiyoshoma (M5) beat Gonoyama (M2)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Ura (M5)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Oho (M1)
Takayasu (K) beat Takerufuji (M4)
Wakatakakage (K) beat Oshoma (M6)
Daieisho (S) beat Aonishiki (M9)
Onosato (O) beat Hakuoho (M7)
Kotozakura (O) beat Ichiyamamoto (M4)
Kirishima (S) beat Hoshoryu (Y)
Leader: Onosato (12-0)
Yokozuna Watch: It’s all but official now. With Hoshoryu losing and Onosato winning, Onosato now just needs to win just one of his last 3 matches for his second straight championship so it could end tomorrow. Worst-case now is a playoff so the basic performance criteria has been met. Ideally he’ll get that one win or more to make a stronger case but at this point I think he’s clinched promotion. If Onosato beats Kotozakura tomorrow, he is the champion.
Ozeki Watch: Onosato being promoted may hand Daieisho’s already-slim promotion chances another lifeline because that would leave only one Ozeki (Kotozakura protected his rank today with his 8th win), so if he can win his last 3 to get to 12-3 there is a chance, and he’s among 5 with still the faintest chance of forcing a playoff with Onosato. That being said, Daieisho must beat Hoshoryu tomorrow.
Of note: Tamashoho will probably be demoted to Juryo in July unless he can win out to finish 7-8, and we can wonder what could have been for Kotoshoho had he not been injured before the tournament began-he missed the first 5 days but is 6-1 since entering on Day 6. Nishikigi also stopped a losing streak that saw him fall to 5-6 after a 5-0 start. Shonannoumi is now becoming a demotion candidate too as 3-9 Shishi is not safe either at M11 if he winds up 2-13. from M15 could mean going down to Juryo. I can see Asakoryu being a Special Prize candidate now if he gets one more win (Fighting Spirit) and Sadanoumi may have clinched the the Technique Prize with those 2 wins by the fisherman’s throw. It’s also nice to see Kayo doing much better, after a bad 0-4 start to his top tier debut he has gone 6-2 since and won 4 straight to start that run. Finally, the Iron Man streak for Tamawashi reached 1700 today (career matches) and with a win although it won’t spare him from demotion.

Juryo:
Daiamami (J13) beat Dewanoryu (Ms2)
Mitoryu (J13) beat Miyanokaze (J13)
Mita (J14) beat Kazekeno (J11)
Nabatame (J12) beat Hatsuyama (J10)
Tsurugisho (J9) beat Mudoho (J14)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Nishikifuji (J5)
Wakaikari (J5) beat Oshoumi (J9)
Hakuyozan (J4) beat Shiden (J8)
Shimanoumi (J8) beat Takarafuji (J3)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Shirokuma (J3)
Hidenoumi (J2) beat Tomokaze (J7)
Fujiseiun (J2) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Mitakeumi (J1) beat Daiseizan (J6)
Kusano (J1) beat Kotoeiho (J7)
Leader: Kusano (10-2)
Of note: Because there are 2 left at 9-3 and they face each other tomorrow (Wakaikari & Tohakuryu), Kusano can’t clinch the championship until at least Day 14 now. Kusano already faced (and beat) Wakaikari so the likely last obstacle to a second straight Juryo title is Tohakuryu but that depends on tomorrow. Mitakeumi is now just one win from a top tier return in July while Takarafuji won’t be back, today’s loss means demotion again and more questions on if he’s going to retire and perhaps become the next Isegahama instead (he does have elder stock and it may be the Isegahama stock for taking over Isegahama Beya instead of it possibly going to now-retired Yokozuna Terunofuji, who is reportedly starting his own stable in 2026; there is less than zero chance of it going to Miyagino-the former Hakuho-more likely he gets his stable back eventually and they can break away from Isegahama). At the bottom, Mita has clinched promotion in his Juryo debut and will move up in July while Mudoho and Miyanokaze both must win out to avoid demotion back to Makushita. Wakanosho will be demoted as well due to early withdrawal. Those bottom spots will also depend on Malushita promotions, the only sure thing right now is Otsuji will return to Juryo in July (6-0 at Ms3, going for championship tomorrow), Kitanowaka gets back with a win in his last match but otherwise it also depends on Ishizaki & Kotokuzan who are both 4-2 at Ms4. They will both be promoted but a 5th win can maybe get them to Juryo. And while it won’t get him back to Juryo Asanoyama can finish 6-1 and set himself up for a September return (he is at Ms14).

UPDATE: Mita has WITHDRAWN from Juryo ahead of Day 13. Broken metacarpal bone. Tournament over. Fortunately he had just clinched promotion today but this will cost him his slim chances he still had of taking the championship from Kusano.

Injury Report: Summer Starts Early & Painfully

Tokyo Joshi Pro has announced a late injury change to Saturday’s (tomorrow night) event in Shizuoka: Kira Summer is now off. Leg. In a social media post in both Japanese and English, Summer explained she had soft tissue damage in her thigh and while it was improving recent hot weather in Japan aggravated the condition and doctors recommended rest as a priority. Out indefinitely as a result. She was to have faced Rika Tatsumi. Pom Harajuku will now face Tatsumi-as a result, what had been a match of Harajuku & Raku vs. Ivy Steele & Mahiro Kiryu is now a 3-way. It’s not yet known how long Summer will be out.

More as it becomes available.

New Japan 5/22/25 Results

New Japan continued the Best Of The Super Junior today with Block B.

Today’s event was held at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka and can be watched on demand on New Japan World. This was a Samurai! TV broadcast in Japan.

The announced paid attendance was 967.

Match 1: Hartley Jackson & Kosei Fujita beat Shoma Kato & Dragon Dia. Jackson pinned Kato after Death Valley Bomb.

Match 2: Jacob Austin Young & Francesco Akira beat Gedo & Robbie X. Akira beat Gedo with a ground tarantula.

Match 3: Yota Tsuji & Hiromu Takagashi beat Yujiro Takahashi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru. Tsuji pinned Takahashi after Gene Blaster.

Match 4: Toru Yano, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Master Wato beat Katsuya Murashima, Yuya Uemura & KUSHIDA. Yano pinned Murashima after Demon Slayer.

Best Of The Super Junior Block B:
Match 5: MAO beat Ryusuke Taguchi.
Match 6: Kevin Knight beat Sho.
Match 7: Robbie Eagles beat Titan by submission.
Match 8: Taiji Ishimori beat Nick Wayne.
Main Event: Yoh beat El Desperado by submission.
Standings-wise, Wayne still leads the block at 4-2, 8 points, with everyone else at 3-3, 6 points except Sho who is 2-4, 6 points. The top 2 advance to the Semifinals.

The next event is Sunday at Atelier Himeji in Hypgo with both blocks and no non-tournament matches. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 1 AM PT/4 AM ET

Sumo-May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 11 Results (5/21/25) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 11 of the May 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makiuchi (top tier):
Asakoryu (M17) beat Roga (M14)
Kotoshoho (M15) beat Ryuden (M15)
Kayo (M16) beat Sadanoumi (M13)
Takanosho (M12) beat Tochitaikai (M18)
Endo (M11) beat Tamashoho (M17)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Kinbozan (M8) beat Atamifuji (M12)
Onokatsu (M8) beat Nishikigi (M16)
Tokihayate (M13) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Tobizaru (M6) beat Shishi (M11)
Oshoma (M6) beat Meisei (M10)
Chiyoshoma (M5) beat Shodai (M10)
Abi (M2) beat Gonoyama (M2)
Oho (M1) beat Tamawashi (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M1) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Ura (M5) beat Takayasu (K)
Kirishima (S) beat Ichiyamamoto (M4)
Daieisho (S) beat Takerufuji (M4)
Kotozakura (O) beat Aonishiki (M9)
Onosato (O) beat Wakatakakage (K)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Hakuoho (M7)
Leader: Onosato (11-0)
Yokozuna Watch: At this point it’s safe to say the magic number for Onosato is 2. 13 wins would secure no worse than a runner-up finish and wins equivalent to the championship as that’s the most Hoshoryu can finish with (the Yokozuna is now alone in 2nd at 9-2 with 7 straight wins) so that would mean no worse than a playoff and, win or lose, that should mean promotion. Onosato faces Hakuoho tomorrow (who lost to Hoshoryu today). Hoshoryu has Kirishima (8-3).
Ozeki Watch: Daieisho has again protected his Sekiwake rank as he now is at 8 wins. Mathematically he is not out of championship contention yet so he still has a chance at promotion.
Of note: Tochitaikai will be demoted to make room for Kusano in July as 8 losses will end his top tier run for now while Asakoryu has clinched his first top-tier promotion in his 3rd try. Also RARE KIMARITE ALERT!!! Ura Ura! He did it AGAIN to Takayasu, beating him for the second time this year with a rare tsutaezori, under arm forward body drop. Don’t try to put Ura in a headlock because this is what happens! Also note that Hoshoryu beating Hakuoho was due to koshikudake, inadvertent collapse-considered a non-winning technique-as Hakuoho’s knee buckled and touched down on its own without any effort from Hoshoryu. Just one of those unfortunate “it happens” things and not an injury.

Juryo:
Kitanowaka (Ms1) beat Mita (J14)
Mitoryu (J12) beat Nabatame (J12)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Kazekeno (J11)
Oshoumi (J9) beat Mudoho (J14)
Daiamami (J13) beat Shiden (J8)
Kotoeiho (J7) beat Miyanokaze (J13)
Hatsuyama (J10) beat Nishikifuji (J5)
Tsurugisho (J9) beat Hakuyozan (J4)
Shirokuma (J3) beat Shimanoumi (J8)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Takarafuji (J3)
Daiseizan (J6) beat Fujiseiun (J2)
Wakaikari (J5) beat Hidenoumi (J2)
Tomokaze (J7) beat Kusano (J1)
Mitakeumi (J1) beat Hitoshi (J6)
Leader: Kusano (9-2)
Of note: No consecutive 14-1s for Kusano as his 9-match winning streak ended today. Good news for the 5 others who won and clinched promotions because their 8-4 records now have them only one win behind. Elsewhere, Nishikifuji will continue his recent fall as demotion was clinched putting him farther away from the top tier, and while not demoted yet Takarafuji all but won’t return to the top tier in July as the best he can do is 8-7, which at J3 is a toss-up for moving up. With his win today to get to 3-3, Kitanowaka will return to Juryo in July if he wins his final Makushita match, but fellow Ms1 Akua (who Hoshoryu has chosen for closing ceremony duty this tournament as it normally is a Malushita man from the current Yokozuna’s stable-Tatsunami in this case) will not as he took demotion today.

Lower tier notes: The Makushita Championship is set for Friday and will be Otsuji vs. Fukuzaki. This guarantees Otsuji will return to Juryo in July from Ms3. Fukuzaki is at Ms39 so no promotion to Juryo even if he wins. Enho is 2-3 and needs to win both his remaining matches or he will be deleted. Asanoyama is 4-1 and has clinched promotion so he will have a chance at a Juryo return in September. The Sandanme Championship match will be Hatooka vs. Kotohaguro. The Jonidan has 3 left at 6-0 and may need a playoff, and 2 of the 3 are Shikoroyama Beya wrestlers so that will impact final matches (Tenrosei-Hoshoryu’s younger cousin-and Mineyaiba, they will not face each other unless it’s in a playoff). In the Jonokuchi, Kazuma is the only 6-0 and should only need to win his final match for the championship, but that will depend in part on tomorrow’s results.

News: Wrestler Name Change Announced

In a brief news post earlier today, Dragon Gate announced Takashi Yoshida, fka Cyber Kong, has changed his name and will compete as just his first name, Takashi, going forward. He has been competing more outside Dragon Gate recently, namely in All-Japan as now part of Hokuto Omori’s faction and occasional DDT participation.

Stardom 5/21/25 Results

Stardom ran their latest midweek Tokyo event today.

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on Stardom World. You can also watch the first 2 matches FOR FREE on YouTube.

The announced paid attendance was 1176.

Match 1: Emma Maishima Debut Match: AZM beat Emma Maishima.

Match 2: Kikyo Furusawa Debut Match: Hanan beat Kikyo Furusawa.

Match 3: Ranna Yagami, Tomoka Inaba, Saki Kashima & Kiyoka Kokatsu beat Hazuki, Koguma, Akira Kurogame & Yuria Hime. Inaba pinned Hime.

Match 4: Saya Kamitani, Natsuko Tora, Azusa Inaba & Fukigen beat Mei Seira, Miyu Amasaki, Saya Iida & Momo Kohgo. Tora pinned Amasaki after a diving body press

Match 5: Syuri, Hina & Lady C beat Yuna Mizumori, Aya Sakura & Sayaka Kurara. Hina pinned Kurara with Gedo Clutch.

Match 6: Natsupoi & Saori Anou beat Waka Tsukiyama & Rian. Natsupoi pinned Rian after Fairy Real Gift.

Match 7: Artist Of Stardom Championship Next Challenger Tournament Finals: Suzu Suzuki, Rina Yamashita & Itsuki Aoki vs. Konami, Rina & Ruaka went to a double countout. As a result, both get the next shot at the champions in a 3-way. That match will happen on Saturday.

Main Event: Wonder Of Stardom Champion Starlight Kid beat HANAKO by submission to retain the title. V4 for Kid.

The next event is Saturday at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka. Live streaming on Stardom World will begin Friday at 9 PM PT/midnight ET.

Additionally, if you missed it or don’t have Stardom World, you also can now watch the full 4/27 PPV main event (Saya Kamitani vs. Yam Nakano for the World Of Stardom Championship where the loser also had to retire) FOR FREE on YouTube.