Category: Uncategorized

Injury Report: Trio of Injuries & Effects (Updated x2)

It’s another pileup of injuries across the Japanese scene today, some with major effecrs:

DDT-Sanshiro Takagi suffered an undisclosed injury yesterday and is now off Thursday. He was to have been in a 6-man tag. Illusion is the replacement.

Dragon Gate-KAI reaggravated an arm injury over the weekend. Out indefinitely but at least the rest of the November tour.

Stardom-Both Tam Nakano & Natsupoi, who are already out indefinitely, will be out a long time. Because of this, both the World Of Stardom Championship held by Nakano and the Goddesses Of Stardom Championship they held are now VACANT.

More as it becomes available.

UPDATE: For the Goddesses Of Stardom Championship, determination match between Meghan Bahn & Maika and TBA is set for 12/2/2023 to crown new champions.

UPDATE 2 (11/21): For the World Of Stardom Championship, determination tournament to crown a new champion is set for 11/28. First will be Maika vs. Ami Seira then Mina Shirakawa vs. Momo Watanabe with the winners meeting for the title. The winner will first defend against either Suzu Suzuki (who holds a challenge contract) or Hazuki (if she beats Suzuki on 11/28 for the contract). Utami Hayashishita and Saya Kamitani will also return from injuries on 11/28.

Stardom 11/18/23 Results

Stardom ran their final Osaka big show of the year, STARDOM GOLD RUSH 2023, yesterday, loaded with major title matches and more.

Yesterday’s event was held at Osaka Prefectural Gym in Osaka and can be watched on demand as a PPV via Pia for 4000 yen (around $27 US) until Tuesday morning (purchase by 1 AM PT/4 AM ET Tuesday). It should be available on Stardom World at a later date.

The announced paid attendance was 1033. If the venue was configured for full capacity (5000 for sumo, maybe a little less for wrestling), that’s barely 20% full. Probably was smaller capacity, but on paper that still seems rather bad.

There were multiple late changes to the cards due to Mayu Iwatani and Saki Kashima being off the event (injured).

Match 1: It’s Fukigen (Kaori Yoneyama) won a 7 woman battle royal, last eliminating Miyu Amasaki.

Match 2: Moneyball Tournament: Hanan, Hazuki & Saya Iida beat HANAKO, Ami Sohrei & Konami. Hanan pinned HANAKO after 17.

Match 3: Moneyball Tournament: Mai Sakurai, Thekla & Giulia beat Momo Watanabe, Natsuko Tora & Ruaka. Sakurai pinned Ruaka with Mai Bread Roll.

Match 4: High Speed Champion Mei Seira beat Momoka Hanazono to retain the title. V1 for Seira.

Match 5; AZM beat Starlight Kid & Suzu Suzuki in a 3-way by pinning Kid.

Match 6: In a UWF Rules MMA Fight, Syuri beat Scandinavian Hurricane by TKO.

Match 7: Wonder Of Stardom Champion MIRAI vs. Saori Anou went to a 30 minute time limit draw. As a result, MIRAI retains the title. V3 for MIRAI.

Main Event: Moneyball Tournament Finals: Artist Of Stardom Champions Mai Sakurai, Thekla & Giulia beat Hazuki, Hanan & Saya Iida by retrieving the right chest hanging above the ring with the key to unlock the chest to retain the titles. Thekla made the winning retrieval. V3 for the champs. Afterwards, Thekla challenged Seira for the High Speed Championship. That match will likely happen on 12/2 at Aichi Prefectural Gym in Nagoya.

The next event is Thursday at Nagoya International Conference Center Event Hall in Nagoya. It should be available on Stardom World at a later date.

DDT 11/19/23 Results (Updated)

DDT ran an event in Osaka today as part of a doubleheader with Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling.

Today’s event was held at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a later date. There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 354, a full house/near sellout. They used a much smaller layout than TJPW, who wasn’t anywhere near capacity but still drew in the low 400s. (Back in the day the venue had a full capacity of 1500-1800, but since the pandemic they have downsized considerably. Osaka has always been stricter about capacity limits since the pandemic than most of Japan, but it’s their choice)

During the opening introductions and start call, MAO tried unsuccessfully to win the DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Championship from Kazuki Hirata.

Match 1: Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku beat Kazuma Sumi & Yuni. Okada pinned Sumi after Sudden Death.

Match 2: In a No Submissions Match, Sanshiro Takagi & His Excellency Tsuten (a local) beat Danshoku Dieno & Illusion. Tsuten pinned Illusion after a Takagi Stunner.

Match 3: MJ Paul & KANON beat Akito & Rukiya. KANON pinned Rukiya after Vietnam Driver 2.

Match 4: Daisuke Sasaki beat Takeshi Masada by submission.

Match 5: In a Hardcore match, Great Nita, Great Koji & HARASHIMA beat Jun Akiyama, The Bodyguard & Makoto Oishi. Nita beat Oishi by chain hanging chokeout.

Match 6: DDT Universal Champion MAO beat Demus to retain the title. V1 for MAO.

Main Event: Yuki Ueno, Chris Brookes & Kazusada Higuchi beat Tetsuya Endo, Yukio Naya & DDT Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion Kazuki Hirata, with Ueno pinning Hirata after WR to win the title. Ueno becomes the 1594th Champion. The 37Kamiina stick around for the show-ending victory promo. Which led to…
MAO beat DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion Yuki Ueno to win the title. MAO becomes the 1595th Champion. Which led to…
Great Koji beat DDT Iron Man Heavymetalweight Champion MAO to win the title. Koji becomes the 1596th Champion. Guess it’s staying in Osaka for a while now.

The next event is Thursday at Yume Messe Miyagi West Building Hall in Miyagi. There will be no live broadcast.

UPDATE: There are now reports Great Koji is/was actually Toi Kojima. He denies that. It has been since determined that title changes can happen only if Great Koji is pinned or submitted.

Sumo-November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 8 (Halfway Point) Results (11/19/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the halfway point-of the November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Kitanowaka (M17) beat Aoiyama (J1)
Churanoumi (M15) beat Tomokaze (M14)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Takarafuji (M13)
Oho (M12) beat Roga (M16)
Tamawashi (M12) beat Tohakuryu (M15)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat NIshikifuji (M16)
Hiradoumi (M11) beat Tsurugisho (M13)
Endo (M8) beat Kotoeko (M10)
Ryuden (M10) beat Hokuseiho (M7)
Mitakeumi (M8) beat Shonannoumi (M6)
Atamifuji (M8) beat Takanosho (M6)
Kinnbozan (M7) beat Onosho (M5)
Mirodifuji (M5) beat Myogiryu (M9)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Meisei (M2)
Takayasu (M3) beat Ura (M1)
Abi (K) beat Daieisho (S)
Shodai (M2) beat Kotonowaka (S)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Asanoyama (M1) beat Takakeisho (O)
NIshikigi (M4) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Kirishima (O) beat Hokutofuji (K)
Leader: Ichiyamamoto (7-1)
Yokozuna Watch: It’s all but over this time for Takakeisho, who has now lost 2 straight after a close one today against the returning Asanoyama. He can only finish 12-3, which is currently 2 off the pace and probably isn’t ideal as a win total for the championship and promotion. We’ll see. But there is hope for Hakkaku (Chairman of the Japan Sumo Association) as both Kirishima & Hoshoryu are among NINE at 6-2, and a second championship for either one gives them a chance to earn promotion in the January tournament.
Ozeki Watch: Kotonowaka now needs to win out or win the tournament to have any real chance at promotion after 2 straight losses now.

Juryo:
Shimanoumi (J12) beat Fukai (Ms3)
Shiden (J12) beat Asakoryu (J13)
Yuma (J13) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Akua (J10) beat Tenshoho (J10)
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Takakento (J9)
Daiamami (J4) beat Takahashi (J9)
Mitoryu (J4) beat Tokihayate (J8)
Kagayaki (J3) beat Tamashoho (J7)
Oshoma (J3) beat Daishoho (J7)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Bushozan (J3)
Shimazuumi (J2) beat Shishi (J5)
Kotoshoho (J1) beat Onosato (J5)
Leader: Kotoshoho, Onosato, Shiden (6-2)
RE-ENTRY: Chiyomaru (J8). Will return tomorrow. Withdrawal on Day 4. Unfortunately for him demotion is already guaranteed as he is the equivalent of 0-8 (0-4-4). But he can save his salary and Juryo ranking with at least 2 or 3 wins.
Of note; That’s 6 straight wins for Kotoshoho after an 0-2 start as he handed Onosato only his second loss. Aoiyama was in the top tier and lost to fall one off the pace. At the bottom, it’s looking like one and done for September Makushita Champion Hitoshi as he is now one loss from demotion at 1-7. Also, Chiyoshoma managed to win his 3rd straight without a HENKA! (sidestep at initial charge. Not illegal but generally the fans hate it) today.

Lower tier notes: With Promotion Day 1 wrapped up, the Makushita has 7 tied for the lead at 4-0, including Hakuyozan who will return to Juryo in January from Ms1 and September Sandanme Champion Kitaharima with a chance as well if he wins the championship (he is at Ms11). After his win today, former Sekiwake Wakatakakage is currently 2-2 at Ms6, probably won’t make it back up to Juryo even if he finishes 5-2. In the Sandanme, 11 are 4-0 and there is a slight chance of stablemates facing off for the championship as 2 of the co-leaders are from Sakaigawa Beya (Asonoyama at Sd1 and Katsunofuji at Sd85). In the Jonidan, 12 are tied at 4-0 with 2 Beyas having 2 co-leaders (Onoe & Musashigawa). Finally, in the Jonokuchi there are 2 at 4-0 who are heading for a final face-off if they keep winning.

New Japan 11/19/23 Results (Updated)

New Japan wrapped up the 2-event New Japan Road tour today with a non-televised event featuring warm-ups for most of the World Tag League participants.

Today’s event was held at Light Cube Utsunomiya in Tochigi. There is/was no live or on demand broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 1076.

Match 1; Satoshi Kojima, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Minoru Suzuki & Yuji Nagata beat Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe, Soberano Jr. & Atlantis Jr. Suzuki pinned TM 4 after a Gotch-style piledriver.

Match 2: Taiji Ishimori, Jack Bonza & Bad Luck Fale beat Ryusuke Taguchi, Alex Zayne & lace Archer. Fale pinned Taguchi after Grenade.

Match 3: Kosei Fujita, Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls beat Yuto Nakashima, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun. Fujita pinned Nakashima after Abandon Hope.

Match 4: Yoh, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat Dick Togo, Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL. Yano pinned Togo.

Match 5: Ren Narita, Master Wato & Shota Umino beat Callum Newman, HENARE & Great-O-Khan. Umino pinned Newman after Blaze Blade.

Match 6: HAYATA (Pro Wrestling NOAH), Ryohei Oiwa & Kaito Kiyomiya (Pro Wrestling NOAH) beat Gedo, Gabriel Kidd & Alex Coughlin. HAYATA pinned Gedo after Hedeck.

Match 7: Tomoaki Honma, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto beat Jado, El Phantasmo & Hikuleo. YOSHI-HASHI beat Jado with Butterfly Lock.

Main Event: BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Zandokan Jr., Yota Tsuji & Shingo Takagi beat TAKA Michinoku, DOUKI, Taichi, Yuya Uemura & SANADA. Tsuji pinned TAKA after Ankler. This was originally to have been an 8-man tag match but TAKA and Zandokan were late adds.

Next up is the World Tag League, the annual year-ending Heavyweight tag team tournament, beginning tomorrow at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 1:30 AM PT/4:30 AM ET, and even better, you will be able to watch the event live and on demand FOR FREE! No account or payment required! This will be an ABEMA simulcast in Japan.

UPDATE: Updated main event result to add Zandokan Jr., who is Yota Tsuji’s mystery partner in the World Tag League.

Tokyo Joshi Pro 11/19/23 Results

Tokyo Joshi Pro returned to Osaka today for “The Mountain Top 2023”., which just wrapped up.

Today’s event was held at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a later date (probably Wednesday). There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 413.

In pre-event announcements, they announced the return date will be 2/24. Also, Hyper Misao is crowdfunding for a new bicycle.

Match 1: Nextgen Tournament Semifinals: HIMAWARI beat Shino Suzuki.

Match 2: Nextgen Tournament Semifinals: Wakana Uehara beat Toga by submission.

Match 3: Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku beat Hyper Misao, Mahiro Kiryu & Haru Kazashiro. Taku pinned Kazashiro after Doctor Yellow.

Match 4: Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta beat Yuki Kamifuku & Runa Okubo. Noa pinned Okubo after a running neckbreaker drop.

Match 5: Yuki Arai, Suzume & Arisu Endo beat Moka Miyamoto, Juria Nagano & Kaya Toribami. Arai pinned Toribami after Finally.

Match 6: Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki vs. Ruka Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe went to a 20 minute time limit draw.

Main Event: International Princess Champion Max The Impaler beat Shoko Nakajima to retain the title. V2 for Impaler.

The next event is Thursday at Tsurumi Fruit & Vegetable Market in Kanagawa. There will be no live broadcast.

Pro Wrestling NOAH 11/18/23 Results

Pro Wrestling NOAH continued the SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour today with a house show in Nagano.

Today’s event was held at Uematsucho Community Center in Nagano and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE Tuesday. There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 414.

Match 1: Taishi Ozawa beat Yu Owada.

Match 2: Dragon Bane, Alpha Wolf & Extreme Tiger beat Ninja Mack, Alejandro & Terry Yaki. Bane pinned Yaki after Twister Bane.

Match 3: Ryohei Oiwa beat Kai Fujimura.

Match 4: Manabu Soya & Hajime Ohara beat Kenoh & Super Crazy. Soya pinned Crazy after Trajectory.

Match 5: Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr., Masa Kitamiya, Daiki Inaba, Shuji Kondo & Junta Miyawaki beat Jack Morris, Anthony Greene, LJ Cleary, YO-HEY & Tadasuke. Kitamiya pinned Greene after a diving senton.

Main Event: Kaito Kiyomiya, HAYATA & Eita beat Daga, Yoshinari Ogawa & LEONA (Dradition) by DQ in 58 seconds. Ogawa DQ’d. Ref assault. Which led to…
Main Event (again): Kaito Kiyomita, HAYATA & Eita beat Daga, Yoshinari Ogawa & LEONA. Eita pinned Ogawa after Imperial Uno. They went almost 35 minutes.

The next event is Friday at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo for this month’s STAR NAVIGATION 2023 Tour event. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE in English only will begin at 1:30 AM PT/4:30 AM ET. This is an ABEMA-exclusive broadcast in Japan (Japanese commentary version will be available on demand after the event).

AEW Full Gear 2023 Results (11/18/2023)

Here are the quick results from tonight’s AEW Full Gear PPV in Los Angeles, CA:

Pre-show:
ROH World Champion Eddie Kingston beat Jay Lethal to retain the title.
Claudio Castagnoli beat Buddy Matthews by submission.
ROH Tag Team Champions MJF & Samoa Joe beat Gunn Club to retain the titles. Adam Cole returned during the match.

PPV:
Darby Allin, Adam Copeland & Sting beat Christian Cage, Luchasaurus & Nick Wayne.

MJF is not medically cleared for the main event. Adam Cole will defend the AEW World Championship for him.

AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy beat Jon Moxley to retain the title. (To my dismay this probably means he’s never losing it)

Toni Storm beat AEW Women’s World Cahampion Hikaru Shida to become THE NEW AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION! Cheated of course.

In a Ladder Match, AEW Tag Team Champions Ricky Starks & Big Bill beat FTR, LFI and Malakai Black & Brody King to retain the titles.

Julia Hart beat AEW TBS Champion Kris Statlander & Skye Blue in a 3-way by pinning Blue to become THE NEW AEW TBS CHAMPION! The House (Pretty Much) Always Wins.

Tony Khan promised a huge free agent signing would be announced and that person would sign their AEW contract tonight. It was revealed to be Will Ospreay. But he won’t be in AEW for a while as his New Japan contract is not up until February. Then he’ll be coming over. Well, at least it wasn’t Iceberg (Bill Goldberg) but some will be disappointed with it not being Mercedes Mone. I was thinking maybe it could be Mickie James.

The Continental Classic Tournament begins Wednesday and they are making ANOTHER new title that will go to the winner-the AEW Continental Champion. AND whoever wins will hold an AEW Triple Crown because Eddie Kingston will be defending both the ROH World Championship and the New Japan STRONG Openweight Championship in every match he’s in. I didn’t care for the tournament before and now I care even less. And AEW doesn’t need more titles unless Tony Khan is trying to sweeten WBD into a new and better TV deal. There are 4 entrants so far after this announcement: Bryan Danielson, Kingston, Andrade El Idolo, Mark Briscoe. (Triple Crown suggests the eventual winner will probably be Kingston). Tournament ends on 12/30 at the Worlds’ End PPV.

In a Texas Death Match (no pinfalls, submissions, DQs, countouts, only win by 10 count down), Swerve Strickland beat Adam Page.

Kenny Omega & Chris Jericho beat The Young Bucks. As a result, The Bucks lose their guaranteed anytime, anywhere AEW Tag Team Championship shot to The Winnipeg Jets.

MJF showed up in an ambulance as Adan Cole was coming out for the main event. Which led to…
AEW World Champion MJF beat Jay White to retain the title.

End Show.

The post-event media scrum will begin shortly (just after midnight ET/9 PM PT) and can be watched LIVE FOR FREE on YouTube.

Sumo-November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 7 Results (11/18/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

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

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Tomokaze (M14) beat Roga (M16)
Tsurugisho (M13) beat Churanoumi (M15)
Takarafuji (M13) beat Kitanowaka (M17)
Oho (M12) beat Nishikifuji (M16)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Ichiyamamoto (M14)
Ryuden (M10) beat Kotoeko (M10)
Mitakeumi (M9) beat Tohakuryu (M15)
Tamawashi (M12) beat Myogiryu (M9)
Hiradoumi (M11) beat Atamifuji (M8)
Shonannoumi (M6) beat Takanosho (M6)
Hokuseiho (M7) beat Midorifuji (M5). This match went almost 7 MINUTES! Long enough they had to take a water break
Endo (M8) beat Onosho (M5)
NIshikigi (M4) beat Kinbozan (M7)
Takayasu *M3( beat Meisei (M2)
Ura (M1) beat Kotonowaka (S)
Shodai (M2) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Daieisho (S) beat Hokutofuji (K)
Hoshoryu (O) beat Abi (K)
Kirishima (O) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Takakeisho (O)
Leader: Hoshoryu, Kotonowaka, Ichiyamamoto (6-1)
RE-ENTRY: Asanouama (M1). Will return tomorrow. Missed first week due to a torn calf muscle suffered in the October tour. Will be the equivalent of 0-7, meaning either he wins out and gets promoted to Komusubi in January or will be demoted, although a 7-1 finish may keep him at M1 (he would be 7-1-7 or the equivalent of 7-8)..That could be a VERY BIG if because guess who he gets first tomorrow? Takakeisho.
Of note: That’s 2 of 3 Ozeki beaten by Gonoyama, making him an Oustanding Performance Prize candidate if he can get to promotion before it’s over (he’s currently 3-4). Hokuseiho-Midorifuji may have been one of the longest matches ever, only the second time I’ve seen a mid-match water break necessary (usually if a match goes 3 1/2-4 minutes or longer. They use salt to mark the wrestler’s positions before they break and then resume a couple minutes later). It’s worth noting they are the largest and maybe smallest rikishi in the top tier, respectively, in terms of height (Midorifuji is also the smallest currently in terms of weight. Hokuseiho is about a foot taller too, standing roughly 6’10”).
Yokozuna Watch: Takakeisho still has a chance but that loss today hurts. He’s still very much in it at 5-2 but probably has to win out. If Hoshoryu can win out or go 7-1 and win another championship now, he’ll be on the radar in January.
Ozeki Watch: Kotonowaka took his first loss today but still is very much alive if he can finish 7-1 or better or win the tournament.
Because of withdrawals & returns we’ll have a Juryo man up again starting tomorrow, and first it’ll be the recently demoted Aoiyama, who is 5-2 at J1 with a good chance right now at a January return. His demotion meant this tournament does not have a top tier rikishi from Kasugano Beya in 56 years, which was the 2nd-longest active streak in sumo. The longest active streak? Sadogatake Beya at now 59 years (since November 1964), and it’s not stopping anytime soon given their highest-ranked rikishi is now at Sekiwake (Kotonowaka) and they also have Kotoeko plus the recently-demoted Kotoshoho (we might see him up on Day 9 now). The new #2 is Tokitsukaze Beya at 28 1/2 years (May 1995).

Juryo:
Asakoryu (J13) beat Yuma (J13)
Shiden (J12) beat Kitadaichi (Ms3)
Takahashi (J9) beat Chiyosakae (J14)
Tokihayate (J8) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Tamashoho (J7) beat Hidenoumi (J11) by default/withdrawal
Shimanoumi (J12) beat Daishoho (J7)
Chiyoshoma (J6) beat Tenshoho (J10)
Shishi (J5) beat Akua (J10)
Onosato (J5) beat Takakento (J9)
Oshoma (J3) beat Shimazuumi (J2)
Bushozan (J2) beat Kagayaki (J3)
Kotoshoho (J1) beat Mitoryu (J4)
Aoiyama (J1) beat Daiamami (J4)
Leader: Onosato (6-1)
WITHDRAWAL: Hidenoumi (J11). Torn left calf muscle suffered yesterday. Out 2 weeks. Tournament over. Will finish the equivalent of 4-11 (4-3-8), tough break because he was 4-2 after a win yesterday. Very borderline on demotion to Makushita as a result but I think that will send him down, but only to Ms1 or 2, making for a chance to return in March. But he MIGHT-emphasis on might-get pity taken on him and only fall to J14.

Lower tier notes: With a 4-0 record so far at Ms1 and promotion secured (one of 4 tied atop Makushita so far), Hakuyozan will return to Juryo in January after being demoted this time. That stops a 3 tournament losing streak that saw him demoted from J6 in May. Also still with a chance at a Juryo return is Kitaharima, the September Sandamne Champion who is also 4-0 at Ms11 (he’s had a cup of sake in the top tier, reaching M15 for one tournament in his 21-year career).

Reminder: Because tomorrow is the halfway point-Day 8-NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top-tier coverage in English tomorrow beginning at 12:10 AM PT/3:10 AM ET.

Sumo-November 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 6 Results (11/17/23) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

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

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Tomokaze (M14) beat Kitanowaka (M17)
Ichiyamamoto (M14) beat Nishikifuji (M16)
Roga (M16) beat Takarafuji (M13)
Tsurugisho (M13) beat Tohakuryu (M15)
Churanoumi (M15) beat Tamawashi (M12)
Ryuden (M10) beat Oho (M12)
Myogiryu (M9) beat Kotoeko (M10)
Hiradoumi (M11) beat Mitakeumi (M8)
Sadanoumi (M11) beat Atamifuji (M8)
Kinbozan (M7) beat Shonannoumi (M6)
Takanosho (M6) beat Onosho (M5)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Endo (M8)
Noshikigi (M4) beat Hokuseiho (M7)
Ura (M1) beat Meisei (M2)
Abi (K) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Shodai (M2) beat Daieisho (S)
Kotonowaka (S) beat Hokutofuji (K)
Gonoyama (M4) beat Kirishima (O)
Takakeisho (O) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Takayasu (M3) beat Hoshoryu (O)
Leader: Kotonowaka, Ichiyamamoto (6-0)

Juryo:
Tochimusashi (Ms3) beat Yuma (J13)
Shiden (J12) beat Hitoshi (J11)
Chiyosakae (J14) beat Akua (J10)
Asakoryu (J13) beat Tenshoho (J10)
Takakento (J9) beat Shimanoumi (J12)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Daishoho (J7)
Choyoshoma (J6) beat Tamashoho (J7)
Onosato (J5) beat Tokihayate (J8)
Takahashi (J9) beat Shishi (J5)
Oshoma (J3) beat Bushozan (J2)
Shimazzuumi (J2) beat Kagayaki (J3)
Aoiyama (J1) beat Mitoryu (J4)
Kotoshoho (J1) beat Daiamami (M4)
Leader: Onosato (5-1)

Lower tier notes: Going into the Leader Promotion Days starting tomorrow (Day 4 of 7), 14 are ties for the Makushita lead at 3-0 so any who win tomorrow or Sunday will be promoted. Not among them is Wakatakakage, and it probably means the former Sekiwake now has no chance to get back to Juryo in January from Ms6. He lost today and is now 1-2. 5-2 won’t do it. We’re also down to half the Wakas in Makushita as older brother Wakatakamoto was a withdrawal on Day 5. In the Sandanme, 22 are tied for the lead at 3-0. In the Jonidan, 23 are tied at 3-0 while the Jonokuchi has 4 at 3-0.

UPDATE: Hidenoumi has WITHDRAWN ahead of Day 7. Unknown why but more when I find out, hopefully tomorrow. Tamashoho will get the freebie tomorrow. Hidenoumi was 4-2 after beating Daishoho yesterday. He was at Juryo 11 for this tournament so if he can’t return, it’s probably demotion to Makushita.
Also, Nikkan Sports reports Asanoyama, who is at Maegashira 1 but missed the first week due to a torn calf muscle, will return on Day 8. That means he’s in the equivalent of an 0-7 hole and must win out to reach Sanyaku in January. Just one loss the rest of the way means demotion.