Category: Uncategorized

Pro Wrestling NOAH 7/15/23 Results

Pro Wrestling NOAH held a special standalone event called One Night Dream today, headlined by a long-awaited match between former partners-turned-rivals Katsuhiko Nakajima & Kento Miyahara. Their careers are linked back to their beginnings under trainer Kensuke Sasaki in his now-defunct promotions from almost 20 years ago.

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE in Japanese and English. The live broadcast was in English only due to being an ABEMA exclusive.

The announced paid attendance was 1515, a legit advance sellout. It sold out way in advance too. It also may be the biggest Korakuen attendance since pandemic capacity limits were lifted.

Match 1: Yu Owada Debut Match: Kai Fujimura beat Yu Owada.

Match 2: Anthony Greene, YO-HEY & Tadasuke beat Jimmy Yang, Super Crazy & Stallion Rogers. YO-HEY pinned Crazy after Face G. Some WWE fans may also remember Yang as Jimmy Wang Yang.

Match 3: Jazzy Yang & Miyuki Takase beat Hibiscus Mii & Yuu. Yang pinned Mii after Moonsault Attack. Jazzy is Jimmy Yang’s daughter.

Match 4: Lance Anoa’i, Adam Brooks, Saxon Huxley & Jack Morris beat Masa Kitamiya, Manabu Soya, Daiki Inaba & Yoshiki Inamura. Anoa’i pinned Soya after Samoan Splash.

Match 5: Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. & Go Shiozaki beat Jake Lee & Kenoh. Shiizaki pinned Kenoh after Go Lariat.

Match 6: Dralistico, Ninja Mack & AMAKUSA beat HAYATA, Rey Escorpion & Dante Leon. Dralistico pinned Escorpion with La Mystica.

Main Event: Katsuhiko Nakajima beat Kento Miyahara. This was a No Time Limit match and went over 34 minutes.

The next event is Thursday at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET.

Post-event major news:

The Naomichi Marufuji 25th Anniversary Match on 9/17 is set-Marufuji vs. Will Ospreay (New Japan).

The 2024 schedule will open with ABEMA presents NOAH THE NEW YEAR 2024 on 1/2 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. More details TBA.

A new project for later this year called MONDAY MAGIC was announced. It will run every other Monday from 10/9-12/18 at Shinjuku Face and fans can attend live on person, plus every event will be streamed live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE beginning at 3 AM PT/6 AM ET.

Injury Report: All-Japan Star Backs Out Today

Ahead of today’s event in a few hours, All-Japan has to make an injury change because Masao Hanabata is now off. Back. Out indefinitely. He was to have teamed with Ryuki Honda to face Hikaru Sato & Hideki Suzuki. Kohei Sato is the replacement.

Also, while not injury-related, All-Japan announced that ring announcer Ryo Okuda has left the promotion as of 7/7. He was with the promotion for 10 years.

Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling “Tokyo Princess Cup” Results (7/15/23)

Tokyo Joshi Pro kicks off their annual Tokyo Princess Cup Tournament today, their yearly singles tournament to determine the top wrestler in the promotion. Not everyone will participate this year as the field is 16, with the most notable omission being Maki Itoh because the Finals would conflict with overseas participation that day. The first round will be spread over 3 consecutive days of events with two tournament matches today-first, and this one might decide it all, Miyu Yamashita faces Mizuki and the second match will be Hyper Misao vs. Moka Miyamoto. Non-tournament matches make up the rest of the event.

Today’s event will be held at Ryogoku KFC Hall in Tokyo and can be watched LIVE on WRESTLE UNIVERSE. There will be no commentary. I’m not sure what the time limit will be for the tournament matches but with 6 matches and otherwise all tag matches I anticipate this event will have a normal house show runtime of about 2 hours.

Today’s lineup (match order TBA…Update: This wound up being the actual match order):
Wakana Uehara & HIMAWARI vs. Haru Kazashiro & Runa Okubo
Kaya Toribami vs. Shino Suzuki
Yuki Kamifuki, Mahiro Kiryu & Toga vs. Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Arisu Endo
Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe, Neko Haruna & Suzume vs. Shoko Nakajima, Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku
Tokyo Princess Cup Round 1:
Hyper Misao vs. Moka Miyamoto
Miyu Yamashita vs. Mizuki

Refresh this page occasionally for the latest results.

Updates below will begin at 8:30 PM PT/11:30 PM ET.

8:28 PM PT UPDATE: Live updates begin now…

We are LIVE from Ryogoku KFC Hall in Tokyo, Japan. There is no commentary.

The paid attendance will be announced after the event. Didn’t get a good long initial look before the lights were turned down and opening announcements began but it looks so far like an average crowd for the venue, so I’m initially estimating 200-225. The venue’s max capacity is about 500. (UPDATE: The announced paid attendance was 219)

The matches should begin in about 15 minutes.

The matches begin at 8:40 PM PT. Also, no time limit for the tournament matches. As is now often the case at this venue, hard-camera only view today.

Match 1: Wakana Uehara & HIMAWARI vs. Haru Kazashiro & Runa Okubo. 20 minute time limit
Result: Wakana Uehara & HIMAWARI beat Haru Kazashiro & Runa Okubo. Uehara beat Kazashiro with a sleeper hold.

Match 2: Kaya Toribami vs. Shino Suzuki. 15 minute time limit
Result: Kaya Toribami beat Shino Suzuki by submission

Match 3: Yuki Kamifuki, Mahiro Kiryu & Toga vs. Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Arisu Endo. 20 minute time limit
Result: Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Arisu Endo beat Yuki Kamifuku, Mahiro Kiryu & Toga. Noa pinned Toga.

Match 4: Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe, Neko Haruna & Suzume vs. Shoko Nakajima, Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku. 20 minute time limit
Match 4: Rika Tatsumi, Miu Waanabe, Neko Haruna & Suzume beat Shoko Nakajima, Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku. Tatsumi pinned Harajuku.

Match 5: Tokyo Princess Cup Round 1: Hyper Misao vs. Moka Miyamoto. No time limit
Result: Moka Miyamoto beat Hyper Misao. As a result, Miyamoto advances to the Quarterfinals and will face the Miyu Yamashita-Mizuki winner on 7/29.

Main Event: Tokyo Princess Cup Round 1: Miyu Yamashita vs. Mizuki. No time limit
Result: Miyu Yamashita beat Mizuki. As a result, Yamashita advances to the Quarterfinals and will face Moka Miyamoto on 7/29 and the eventual tournament winner is now all but guaranteed to get to face Mizuki for the Princess Of Princess Championship in the future. And hopefully it’ll be Yamashita and a repeat of today which for me would mean HAPPY HAPPY.

Unusually fast event tonight, the matches didn’t even go 90 minutes total and Yamashita kept the post-main event promo very short, saying she was going to win it all and that’s it.

The next event is tomorrow. Tomorrow’s tournament matches are scheduled to be Raku vs. Rika Tatsumi and Suzume vs. Shoko Nakajima with the rest of the card announced near-last-minute. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin at 8:30 PM PT/11:30 PM ET. Live results are scheduled.

Sumo-July 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 6 Results (7/14/23) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

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

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Endo (M16) beat Mitoryu (J2)
Takarafuji (M15) beat Aoiyama (M17)
Daishoho (M14) beat Bushozan (M16)
Hakuoho (M17) beat Gonoyama (M13)
Ryuden (M15) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Chiyoshoma (M12) beat Shonannoumi (M14)
Takanosho (M9) beat Tsurugisho (M11)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Kotoeko (M11)
Kinbozan (M10) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Myogiryu (M10) beat Nishikifuji (M8)
Tanawashi (M7) beat Hiradoumi (M5)
Onosho (M5) beat Takayasu (M7)
Asanoyama (M4) beat Oho (M6)
Ura (M4) beat Hokuseiho (M6)
Tobizaru (M1) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Nishikigi (M1) beat Abi (K)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Wakamotohru (S) beat Meisei (M3)
Kirishima (O) beat Shodai (M2)
Leader: Nishikigi (6-0)
Of note: That’s a zensho yusbo streak for Nishikigi, who has now won an astonishing 15 straight matches dating back to his 0-6 start in May. He is now the lone unbeaten left after Gonoyama & Takayasu lost today-Gonoyama also took his first career loss against Hakuoho/Ochiai in a rematch of their Juryo Championship playoff in May. Kirishima looked a little affected by his rib/back issue today although he easily dispatched Shodai for his second win and is 2-1 since missing the first 3 days. Mitakeumi’s loss was in particular disappointing for fans as a large contingent of children from his former elementary school in Nagano were on the crowd to cheer him on. On TV it was a very nice sight and the children loudly cheered for him throughout the match. Mitakeumi fell to 0-6 and faces Kirishima tomorrow. Nishikigi will go for 7-0 and 16 in a row against Kotonowaka
Ozeki Watch: Hoshoryu now is in the lead among the 3 Sekiwake at 5-1 with the magic number for him and Daieisho at 7 while Wakamotoharu is at 8, the latter two are both 4-2 after Wakamotoharu won but Daieisho lost. The tougher run of matches for all continues tomorrow with Wakamotoharu facing Abi, Daieisho facing the always-tricky Ura and Hoshoryu getting Asanoyama. That indicates the traditional Sekiwake Showdowns should come in the second weeks and could decide potential promotions.

Juryo:
Shiden (J13) beat Kiryuko (Ms2)
Tsushimanada (J11) beat Chiyonoumi (J14)
Chiyosakae (J10) beat Shishi (J12)
Shimanoumi (J10) beat Yuma (J14)
Daiamami (J9) beat Hidenoumi (J12)
Tomokaze (J9) beat Kiho (J13)
Chiyomaru (J14) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Azumaryu (J6) beat Akua (J8)
Tanashoho (J5) beat Hakuyozan (J7)
Kitanowaka (J5) beat Takakento (J8)
Tohakuryu (J4) beat Roga (J2)
Kagayaki (J1) beat Oshoma (J4)
Atamufuji (J1) beat Shimazuumi (J3)
Leader: 6 at 5-1
WITHDRAWAL: Ichiyamamoto (J3), who pulled out yesterday on Day 5. Knee. Out 2 weeks. Probably done for the tournament and would finish the equivalent of 0-15. Potential demotion to Makushita coming but based on Enho being demoted for 0-15 at J4 to Ms1 after May it’s a toss-up (Enho is out of this tournament too).

UPDATE: According to the Nihon Sumo Kyokai Official English App, Ichiyamamoto will return on Day 8. However, because he will be the equivalent of 0-7 he will need to win

Dragon Gate 7/14/23 Results

Dragon Gate resumed the KING OF GATE Tournament today after a nearly week long break., wrapping up Round 1 of the tournament with today’s matches.

Today’s event was held at Robashi Sports Center in Nagoya. There is/was no live or on demand broadcast.

The paid attendance has not yet been announced

Match 1: KING OF GATE Round 1: ISHIN beat Minorita.

Match 2: Shun Skywalker & KAI beat Ryu Fuda & Kaito Nagano. KAI pinned Nagano after a lariat.

Match 3: KING OF GATE Round 1: Yasushi Kanda beat Strong Machine J. J was questionable for this match due to injury.

Match 4: KING OF GATE Round 1: Yuki Yoshioka beat JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI.

Match 5: Kota Minoura, BxB Hulk & Ben-K beat Masaaki Mochizuki, Susumu Mochizuki & Mochizuki Jr. Minoura pinned Jr. afger Golden Rose.

Match 6: Ultimo Dragon, Dragon Kid, Dragon Dia & Madoka Kikuta beat Kzy, BIGBOSS Shomizu, Jason Lee & Shachihoko BOY. Dia pinned BOY after DDDDT.

Main Event: KING OF GATE Round 1: H-Y-O beat U-T.

The next event is tomorrow at Kyoto KBS Hall in Kyoto with the start of Round 2. Live streaming on DRAGONGATE NETWORK will begin at 2 AM PT/5 AM ET.

DEVELOPING: NJPW Legend Possibly At AEW Tomorrow

There are reports on the net, confirmed via his Twitter, that New Japan legend Jushin Thunder Liger apparently will be at tomorrow’s AEW Collision in Calgary, Canada. A translation of the original Japanese notes Liger was invited to be a guest for the Owen Hart Cup Finals tomorrow and is flying from Tokyo to San Francisco, CA then to Calgary. Liger had some history with the late Owen Hart in their early careers in the 1980s & 1990s, both in New Japan and Calgary’s legendary Stampede Wrestling. It’s not known yet if Liger will appear on the broadcast or not. Considering he is also a WWE Hall Of Famer, it makes things interesting there although AEW has a partnership with New Japan. I imagine there would be no WWE mention. We’ll see tomorrow.

Injury Report: Pain Before Dishonor

AEW/Ring Of Honor owner Tony Khan took to Twitter a short time ago to announce a major change to ROH’s Death Before Dishonor PPV next Friday-Mark Briscoe, who was to have faced Claudio Castagnoli for the ROH World Championship, is now off. Not medically cleared due to injury-knee according to non-AEW/ROH sources, who also say it will likely require surgery. Out indefinitely but surgery means months if that happens. No potential replacement named yet but changes will be announced after next week’s AEW Dynamite, likely meaning at the next TV tapings which now seem to be before & after Collision on Saturdays.

More as it becomes available.

Sumo-July 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 4 Results (7/12/23) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 4 of the July 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Nagoya:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Aoiyama (M17) beat Endo (M16)
Hakuoho (M17) beat Bushozan (M16)
Takarafuji (M15) beat Daishoho (M14)
Gonoyama (M13) beat Ryuden (M15)
Shonannoumi (M14) beat Kotoshoho (M13)
Kotoeko (M11) beat Chiyoshoma (M12)
Tsurugisho (M11) beat Kinbozan (M10)
Hokutofuji (M9) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Takaysu (M7) beat Takanosho (M9)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Nishikifuji (M8)
Oho (M6) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Hokuseiho (M6) beat Hiradoumi (M5)
Asanoyama (M4) beat Onosho (M5)
Ura (M4) beat Meisei (M3)
Abi (K) beat Tobizaru (M1)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Midorifuji (M3)
Nishikigi (M1) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Mitakeumi (M2)
Kirishima (O) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Shodai (M2) beat Terunofuji (Y) by default/withdrawal
Leader: Gonoyama, Takayasu, Nishikigi (4-0)
WITHDRAWAL: Terunofuji (Y). Lower back (hernia/lumbar disc). Out 4 weeks. Done for the tournament. Because the win today was by withdrawal and thus thr match didn’t actually happen, no Kinboshi for Shodai.

Of note: No apparent injury issues for Kirishima in his Ozeki debut today in a fairly quick win against Kotoshoho. He still has plenty of time to get to 8 wins to avoid kadoban status in September and can still manage 12 if he wins out. He’s now the highest-ranked wrestler left after Terunofuji pulled out, he is expected to miss a month but should be on the August tour circuit and back for September in Tokyo.
Ozeki Watch: 2 out of 3 Sekiwake won today but Daieisho lost so all are at 3-1. Daieisho’s magic number for potential promotion remains 8 while Hoshoryu & Wakamotoharu drop their numbers down to 9. It gets tougher tomorrow-Hoshoryu has Abi, Wakamotoharu draws Nishikigi (who now has won 13 straight matches) and Daieisho draws Meisei. Kirishima goes for win #2 against Tobizaru.
Roga, the rikishi from Russia, will make his top tier debut tomorrow as the Juryo man of the day and faces Bushozan. Roga is currently 1-3 at J2.
On a fun historical side note, Nikkan Sports reports Tamawashi competed in his 886th straight match today without being absent due to injury or suspension (he only missed a couple days last year due to coronavirus protocols and apparently those don’t count), now ranking him 9th all time. The all-time record is 1231, meaning Tamawashi would have to compete every day for 6 more years to get there. The current active Iron Man leader is Takarafuji, whose streak is now at 934, meaning he could get the mark in November 2026 if he keeps going.

Juryo:
Tochimusashi (Ms2) beat Yuma (J14)
Kiho (J13) beat Chiyonoumi (J14)
Shishi (J13) beat Shiden (J13)
Hidenoumi (J12) beat Tsushimanada (J11)
Daiamami (J9) beat Chiyomaru (J11)
Tomokaze (J9) beat Shimanoumi (J10)
Akua (J8) beat Chiyosakae (J10)
Hakuyozan (J7) beat Takakento (J8)
Tamashoho (J5) beat Azumaryu (J6)
Kitanowaka (J6) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Oshoma (J4) beat Tohakuryu (J4)
Roga (J2) beat Shimazuumi (J3)
Kagayaki (J1) beat Ichiyamamoto (J3)
Mitoryu (J2) beat Atamifuji (J1)
Leader: Tomokaze (4-0)

UPDATE: Ichiyamamoto has WITHDRAWN from Juryo ahead of Day 5. Left knee issue per Nikkan Sports. Out about 2 weeks so he is probably done for the tournament with the equivalent of 0-15. He was at Juryo 3, based on what happened to Enho that might see him get demoted to Makushita, best case may be Juryo 14 in September (the bottom). Potential freebie for Atamifuji.