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Sumo-May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Final Standings & Thoughts (Updated)

With the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament now in the books, below is the final Hoshitori, the standings listed in order of the Banzuke (rankings, records are displayed as win-loss-absent) then some final thoughts…and first things first, no Kiribayama promotion to Ozeki announcement yet:

Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Terunofuji (14-1, Champion)
Ozeki-Takakeisho (8-7)
Sekiwake-Kiribayama (11-4, Technique Prize), Hoshoryu (11-4), Daieisho (10-5), Wakamotoharu (10-5, Technique Prize)
Komusubi-Kotonowaka (8-7), Shodai (6-9), Wakatakakage (Absent/0-0-15)
Maegashira 1-Abi (8-7), Midorifuji (6-9)
Maegashira 2-Takayasu (3-3-9), Endo (0-7-8)
Maegashira 3-Tobizaru (8-7), Nishikifuji (3-12)
Maegashira 4-Ura (7-8), Nishikigi (9-6)
Maegashira 5-Kinbozan (4-11), Kotoshoho (2-10-3)
Maegashira 6-Meisei (8-7), Mitakeumi (9-6)
Maegashira 7-Hokutofuji (6-9), Tamawashi (7-8)
Maegashira 8-Tasanoumi (7-8), Takanosho (7-8)
Maegashra 9-Onosho (8-7), Hiradoumi (9-6)
Maegashira 10-Ryuden (5-10), Takarafuji (5-10)
Maegashira 11-Hokuseiho (8-7), Daishoho (6-9)
Maegashira 12-Aoiyama (5-10), Kotoeko (8-7)
Maegashira 13-Chiyoshoma (8-7), Ichinojo (Retired)
Maegashira 14-Asanotyama (12-3), Myogiryu (9-6)
Maegashira 15-Ichiyamamoto (4-11), Tsurugisho (9-6)
Maegashira 16-Mitoryu (5-10), Oho (11-4)
Maegashira 17-Kagayaki (7-8)

Juryo:
Juryo 1-Gonoyama (14-1, Champion), Shonannoumi (11-4)
Juryo 2-Azumaryu (2-13), Tohakuryu (4-11)
Juryo 3-Bushozan (10-5), Enho (0-10-5)
Juryo 4-Oshoma (7-8), Roga (9-6)
Juryo 5-Tochinoshin (0-6, Retired), Akua (5-10)
Juryo 6-Hakuyozan (6-8-1), Shimazuumi (8-7)
Juryo 7-Takakento (6-9), Churanoumi (7-8)
Juryo 8-Atamifuji (13-2), Ochiai (14-1)
Juryo 9-Daiamami (7-8), Chiyonokuni (0-10-5)
Juryo 10-Chiyomaru (6-9), Kitanowaka I8-7)
Juryo 11-Hidenoumi (6-9), Tamashoho (9-6)
Juryo 12-Tomokaze (8-7), Chiyosakae (8-7)
Juryo 13-Fujiseiun (9-6), Shimanoumi (8-7)
Juryo 14-Tokihayate (6-9), Tsushimanada (8-7)

Final thoughts: Although it didn’t earn him a Special Prize, big shoutout to Nishikigi for his finish. He started 1-6 and seemed headed for demotion, but then he won his last 8 matches and earned a promotion. Meisei was lucky to win Outstanding Performance as he was 8-1 after beating Terunofuji, then finished 0-6. Takakeisho managed to get out of kadoban status and will remain Ozeki, but opted to stay in for the final 2 days and lost his last two, the finale being a painful-looking spill in his loss to Terunofuji. In Sanyaku, Abi should be promoted back to Komusubi while Shodai will be demoted as will Wakatakakage due to being absent. At the bottom, based on finishes I see Asanoyama potentially jumping up to M5 for July, while Kinbozan’s sophmore slump will see him fall from M5, I could see him going back down to as low as M14 but more reasonably to M11. I forgot about Ichinojo’s retirement when guessing on if Ochiai will be promoted to the top tier, that means at least 4 top tier spots should be opening so Gonoyama and Shonannoumi take 2 with their promotions, that could also open the door for an Atamifuji potential return after he went 13-2 at J8. Or more likely Bushozan, who went 10-5 at J3, at worst he’ll go to J1. Chiyonokuni will be demoted to Makushita but likely will be absent in July.
As far as Ozeki Watch for July assuming Kiribayama is promoted, the magic number for the other Sekiwake to be promotion eligible is as follows (33 wins over the last 3 tournaments at Komusubi or Sekiwake or win 2 straight tournaments, the latter is not a requirement):
Hoshoryu-12 (had 21 wins between March & May)
Daieisho-11 (had 22 wins between March & May). He may have missed potential promotion this time by just one win
Wakamotoharu-12 (had 21 wins between March & May)
If Kotonowaka is promoted to Sekiwake after his 3rd straight winning record at Komusubi, his only hope for potential Ozeki promotion is a championship. He would otherwise need 16 wins to be eligible as his March/May total was only 17 wins. And if Kiribayama somehow does not reach Ozeki this time, his July magic number would be 9.
In the Makushita, look for Kawazoe and possibly Shishi to be shin-Juryo in July, and Shiden should be sai-Juryo. March champion Ryuo will take a big fall after going 1-7 at Ms3. A fun side note from the Sandanme-champion Sazanami has gained a lot of fans through his appearance on the “Sumo Prime Time” YouTube program as the assistant trainer in exercise-themed episodes with host Hiro Morita, and that was noted on the last episode so congrats again to to-be-Makushita man Sazanami.

The Banzuke for July will be announced on June 26.

UPDATE: The earliest potential Kiribayama promotion announcement could be Wednesday. That’s when the ranking committee will next meet to determine the July tournament rankings

All-Japan 5/29/23 Results

All-Japan wrapped up the Super Power Series today with a major event headlined by 3 title matches.

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on AJPW.TV.

The announced paid attendance was 834.

Match 1: Yuto Nakashima, Kosei Fujita & Ryohei Oiwa (New Japan) beat Hikaru Sato, Dan Tamura & Ryo Inoue. Fujita pinned Inoue with a German suplex hold.

Match 2: Satoshi Kojima, Yoshitatsu, Rising Hayato & Oji Shiiba beat Toru Yano (New Japan), Black Menso-re, Mitsuya Nagai (Dradition) & Kotaro Suzuki. Kojima pinned Menso-re after a lariat.

Match 3: Shuji Ishikawa, Ren Ayabe & Oskar Leube (New Japan) beat Jun Saito, KONO & Toshizo. Ishikawa pinned Toshizo after Fire Thunder.

Match 4: Yuma Anzai beat Ryuki Honda.

Match 5: Kento Miyahara & Yuma Aoyagi beat Minoru Suzuki & Hokuto Omori. Miyahara pinned Omori after Snake Limit.

Match 6: Atsuki Aoyagi beat All-Japan World Jr. Heavyweight Champion Naruki Doi to win the title. Aoyagi becomes the 65th All-Japan World Jr. Heavyweight Champion.

Match 7: All-Japan World Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Kenoh & Manabu Soya (Pro Wrestling NOAH) beat Suwama & Rei Saito to retain the titles. Kenoh pinned Suwama after PFS. V2 for the champs.

Main Event: All-Japan Triple Crown Champion Yuji Nagata (New Japan) beat T-Hawk (GLEAT) to retain the Triple Crown. V2 for Nagata.

The next event is the All-Japan 51st Anniversary event Saturday at Machida Gym in Tokyo. Broadcast plans TBA.

Dragon Gate 5/28/23 Results

Dragon Gate continued the Hopeful Gate 2023 Tour today with the penultimate event of the tour.

Today’s event was held at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka and can be watched on demand on DRAGONGATE NETWORK.

The announced paid attendance was 831, a super full house/very near sellout.

Match 1: Kzy, Jason Lee & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI beat Don Fujii, Genki Horiguchi & Kagetora. KAMEI pinned Horiguchi after “JACKY” Knife.

Match 2: Eita, Takashi Yoshida & Problem Dragon beat KAI, H-Y-O & ISHIN. Eita pinned H-Y-O after Imperial Uno. This was supposed to have been Yoshida & Dragon vs. KAI & ISHIN but Eita & H-Y-O were last-second impromptu additions.

Match 3: Ryoya Tanaka Debut Match: YAMATO beat Ryoya Tanaka.

Match 4: Dragon Kid, Naruki Doi & Shuji Kondo beat Masaaki Mochizuki, Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda. Kondo pinned Susumu Mochizuki with a jumping horizontal cross.

Match 5: Shun Skywalker & Diamante beat BIGBOSS Shimizu & Strong Machine J. Skywalker pinned J.

Main Event: Madoka Kikuta, Yuki Yoshioka & Dragon Dia beat BxB Hulk, Minorita & Ben-K. Kikuta pinned Ben-K after a rolling lariat.

The tour-ender is tomorrow at Fukui Industrial Hall in Fukui. There will be no broadcast.

In other news, Open The Dream Gate Champion Madoka Kikuta vs. Yuki Yoshioka for the title is official for Kobe Pro Wrestling Festival 2023, Dragon Gate’s biggest annual event, on 7/2 at Kobe World Hall in Kobe.

DDT 5/28/23 Results

DDT continued the WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2023 Tour today with a house show in Kumamoto.

Today’s event was held at Kumamoto Castle Hall Civic Hall in Kumamoto and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a alter date. There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 283, a super full house/very near sellout.

Match 1: Yuya Koroku beat Rukiya by submission.

Match 2: In a Handicap Match, Yuki Iino & Danshoku Dieno beat HARASHIMA, Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata. Iino beat Hirata with Pheromon Airport. That’s just one of their VERY NSFW finishes.

Match 3: In a Hardcore Match, Chris Brookes & Sanshiro Takagi beat Hideki Okatani & Kazuma Sumi. Brookes beat Sumi with a ground octopus stretch.

Match 4: Yuki Ueno & MAO beat Tetsuya Endo & Yusuke Okada. Ueno pinned Okada after BME.

Match 5; Jun Akiyama beat Toui Kojima by ref stoppage (TKO).

Match 6: Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida beat Kota Umeda & Takeshi Masada. Ishida pinned Masada after Flame Palm.

Main Event: Yuji Hino, Makoto Oishi & Dark Side HERO! beat Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & Shogun Okamoto. Hino pinned Paul after Fuckin’ BOMB. I can’t confirm this year but pictures I saw and past history leads me to believe HERO! actually was a masked HARASHIMA.

The next event is Yokohama Unlimited Vol. 3 Saturday at Yokohama Radiant Hall in Yokohama. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin at 1 AM PT/4 AM ET.

Ganbare Pro 5/28/23 Results (3 Events)

Ganbae Pro ran their monthly variety tripleheader in Tokyo today, this month it was Yumehito Imanari doing the middle wrestler-produced event among a regular event and wrestlers-produced finale.

All 3 events were held at Oji Basement MON*STAR in Tokyo and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a later date. There was no live broadcast.

Event 1:
The announced paid attendance was 62.
There were last-second changes to the event, namely the first match, due to no YuuRI. Sudden illness. Shota was the replacement.

Match 1: Moeka Haruhi & Reala beat Shota & Yoshiko Hasegawa. Haruhi pinned Hasegawa after a diving foot stomp.

Match 2: Keisuke Ishii & Takao Soma beat Hartley Jackson & Mitch Ryder. Soma pinned Ryder after Authorized Endless Waltz.

Match 3: Minoru Fujita & Daiki Shimomura beat Ken Ohka & Shota. Fujita beat Shota with a deformed Samson Clutch.

Main Event: Mizuki Watase, Shuichiro Katsumura & Yuki Kanzaki beat Yumehito Imanari, Tyson Maeguchi & Shinichiro Tominaga. Watase pinned Tominaga after Venetian.

Event 2 (Yumehito Imanari Produced):
The announced paid attendance was 81.
Match 1: Moeka Haruhi vs. Yumehito Imanari went to a 30 minute time limit draw. By producer’s decision, Haruhi wins.

Match 2: HARUKAZE won a Yumejin Poison Rumble battle royal, last eliminating both Takao Soma & Yuki Kanzaki.

Match 3: Shuichiro Katsumura & Shota beat Illusion & Sotatsu Nakamura. SShota pinned Nakamura.

Main Event: Yumehito Imanari Ganbare Pro 10th Anniversary Match: Ken Ohka & Keisuke Ishii beat Yumehito Imanari & Shinichiro Tominaga. Ishii pinned Imanari after a running double arm driver.

Event 3 (Wrestler group produced):
The announced paid attendance was 82.
Match 1: Shinichiro Tomianga & HARUKAZE beat Shota & Yoshiko Hasgawa. Shota pinned Tominaga after a moonsault press.

Match 2: Hong Kong International Policewoman beat Hong Kong International Policeman by ref stoppage (TKO).

Match 3: In an Elimination Match, Ken Ohka, Keisuke Ishii & Shuichiro Katsumura beat Mizuki Watase, Takao Soma & Yumehito Imanari. Clean sweep, no winners eliminated.

Main Event: Isami Kodaka beat Sotatsu Nakamura. As a result, Kodaka will challenge Spirit Of Ganbare Openweight Champion Mizuki Watase for the title on 7/9 at Ota City General Gym in Tokyo.

The next event is Saturday (Friday US time) at Takashimadaira Community Center in Tokyo. Streamers thrown by fans will be allowed only for Moeka Haruhi, a hint this might be her final event before she leaves wrestling to donate a kidney to her sister. Haruhi intends to return to wrestling after recovering from the process. There will be no live broadcast.

All Elite Wrestling “Double Or Nothing” Results (5/28/23) (Updated)

AEW runs their second quarterly PPV of the year, Double Or Nothing today, back in Las Vegas for the casino-themed event. The build on TV hasn’t been the most impressive and the card seems rather underwhelming, even for the main event featuring the so-called Four Pillars of AEW (not including the “female pillar” Britt Baker) in a 4-way match for MJF’s AEW World Championship with the leading angle being a potential laying-down original plan when MJF tried to pay off original challenger Sammy Guevara, then it soon became a 4-way with Darby Allin & Jungle Boy added. Elsewhere, every AEW title is on the line with maybe the biggest question being will Taya Valkyrie end Jade Cargill’s unbeaten streak in a straight-up match? Also featured is Anarchy In The Arena as The Elite & Blackpool Combat Club will fight all over the venue, Chris Jericho vs. Adam Cole in an Unsanctioned Match and much more.

Today’s event will be held at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV and can be watched LIVE in the US on PPV via cable/satellite providers, Bleacher Report, at select participating movie theaters and Dave & Buster’s restaurants. Elsewhere it will be available on YouTube in Canada and select countries and FITE elsewhere. There will be a FREE 1 hour pre-show on YouTube. Presumably the post-event press conference will stream free on YouTube after the event, which including the pre-show should run 4-5 hours.

Today’s current lineup:
Pre-show:
The Hardys & Hook vs. Gunn Club & Ethan Page

PPV:
AEW Trios Champions House Of Black vs. TBA (possibly The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn) for the titles
Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho in an Unsanctioned Match (doesn’t count towards records, title shots, etc.). Sabu will second Cole
AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill vs. Taya Valkyrie for the title
AEW Tag Team Champions FTR vs. Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal for the titles
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy vs. 20 others in a Blackjack Battle Royal for the title
AEW TNT Champion Wardlow vs. Christian Cage in a Ladder Match for the title
AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter vs. Toni Storm for the title
The Elite vs. Blackpool Combat Club in Anarchy In The Arena
AEW World Champion MJF vs. Sammy Guevara, Jungle Boy & Darby Allin in a 4-way for the title

Refresh this page occasionally for the latest results.

Updates below will begin at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT. You can watch the pre-show FOR FREE below beginning at that time:

Updates begin below.

Pre-show:
The Hardys & Hook vs. Gunn Club & Ethan Page
Result: The Hardys & Hook beat Gunn Club & Ethan Page. Hook beat Page with Redrum.

Blackjack Battle Royal participants come out. That’s what’s going to open the PPV.

PPV:
Blackjack Battle Royal for the AEW International Championship (Champion Orange Cassidy defending)
Result: AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy wins to retain the title. The final 4 were Cassidy, Penta El Zero M, Big Bill & Swerve Strickland. Cassidy won by last eliminating Strickland.

Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho in an Unsanctioned Match. Sabu is special enforcer. Match does not count towards records, title shots, etc.
Result: Adam Cole beat Chris Jericho by ref stoppage.

AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR vs. Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal for the titles. Mark Briscoe is guest referee
Result: AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR beat Jeff Jarrett & Jay Lethal to retain the titles.

Chris Jericho/Saraya promo. They challenged Cole & Britt Baker to a mixed tag team match on this week’s Dynamite.

AEW TNT Champion Wardlow vs. Christian Cage in a Ladder Match for the title
Result: AEW TNT Champion Wardlow beat Christian Cage to retain the title.

AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter vs. Toni Storm for the title
Result: Toni Storm beat AEW Women’s World Champion Jamie Hayter to become THE NEW AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION!

AEW Trios Champions House Of Black vs. TBA in an Open House Challenge for the titles. TBA is The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn
Result: AEW Trios Champions House Of Black beat The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn to retain the titles.

AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill vs. Taya Valkyrie for the title
Result: AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill beat Taya Valkyrie to retain the title. 60-0. Then Cargill got cocky and laid out another apparent open challenge. Which led to…
Kris Statlander beat AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill to become THE NEW AEW TBS CHAMPION! 60-1. SHE’S BACK! And FINALLY has a title!

AEW World Champion MJF vs. Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara & Jungle Boy in a 4-way for the title (that means Anarchy In The Arena likely will be the main event)
Result: AEW World Champion MJF beat Darby Allin, Sammy Guevara & Jungle Boy in a 4-way by pinning Allin to retain the title.

Main Event: Anarchy In The Arena (The Elite-The Young Bucks, Kenny Omega & Adam Page vs. Blackpool Combat Club-Jon Moxley, Wheeler Yuta, Claudio Castagnoli & Bryan Danielson)
Result: Blackpool Combat Club beat The Elite. Yuta pinned Omega. The end was set up by Konosuke Takeshita interference where he attacked Omega.

End Show. The post-event media scrum (video below) will begin shortly (as of 8:55 PM PT/11:55 PM ET).

After the event ends, click below to watch the post-event media scrum, currently scheduled to begin at or shortly after midnight ET/9 PM PT:

UPDATE: During the media scrum, Tony Khan confirmed the mixed tag match for Dynamite this week. And when asked if a See I’m A Punk may be in Chicago for the Collision premiere, Khan sidestepped the question. The guest lineup was MJF right at the start (impromptu and being MJF), Kris Statlander, Orange Cassidy, Toni Storm & Bryan Danielson (very much not in character).
When asked about All In in England, Khan said the latest estimate on ticket sales so far is 65,000 with a UK record $9 million live gate.

Pro Wrestling NOAH 5/28/23 Results

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

Today’s event was held at Bandaijima Multipurpose Hall Large Hall in Niigata and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a later date (likely Wednesday). There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 582.

Match 1: Hajime Ohara beat Taishi Ozawa.

Match 2: Dante Leon & Super Crazy beat HAYATA & Lancelot. Leon pinned Lancelot after Dante Driver.

Match 3: Kenoh, Manabu Soya & Hi69 beat Sean Legacy, Extreme Tiger & Stallion Rogers. Hi69 pinned Tiger after Stuka Splash.

Match 4: Masa Kitamiya & Yoshiki Inamura beat Naomichi Marufuji & Mohammed Yone. Inamura pinned Yone after Unrivaled.

Match 5: Yoshinari Ogawa, Chris Ridgeway & Daga beat AMAKUSA, Junta Miyawaki & Alejandro. Ridgeway beat Miyawaki with a sleeper hold.

Match 6: Takashi Sugiura, Shuhei Taniguchi, Atsushi Kotovge & Seiki Yoshioka beat Jake Lee, Anthony Greene, YO-HEY & Tadasuke. Sugiura beat Greene with a front neck lock.

Main Event: Go Shiozaki & Katsuhiko Nakajima beat Kaito Kiyomiya & Daiki Inaba. Shiozaki pinned Inaba after Go Lariat.

The next event is Wednesday at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo and includes a GHC Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match. The event is a legit advance sellout. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET.

New Japan 5/28/23 Results

New Japan wrapped up Best Of The Super Junior 30 today, bringing the curtain down on another exciting chapter of the prestigious Jr. Heavyweight showcase.

Today’s event was held at Ota City General Gym in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on New Japan World in Japanese and English. This event aired as part of WORLD PRO WRESTLING LIVE ’23 on TV Asahi in Japan.

The announced paid attendance was 3132.

Match 1: Boltin Oleg & Togi Makabe beat Oskar Leube & Yuto Nakashima. Makabe pinned Nakashima after a King Kong kneedrop.

Match 2: Clark Connors beat Ryohei Oiwa.

Match 3: Lio Rush & Yoh beat Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles. Rush pinned Fujita after Final Hour.

Match 4: Dan Moloney, Francesco Akira, TJP, Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan beat Kevin Knight, KUSHIDA, Yuji Nagata, Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan. Henare pinned Tenzan after Streets Of Rage.

Match 5: Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto vs. Sho, Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL went to a no contest. Out of control. Henare & Khan involvement.

Match 6: Mike Bailey, El Desperado, Ren Narita & Shota Umino beat Ryusuke Taguchi, Tomohiro Ishii, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kazuchika Okada. Narita beat Taguchi with a cobra twist. Afterards, Umino made a NEVER 6-Man Tag Team Championship challenge with Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli (All Elite Wrestling) as his partners.

Main Event: Best Of The Super Junior Finals: Master Wato beat Titan to win the tournament. It’s the first win for Wato and he becomes the youngest winner in history. As a result, Wato will face IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi for the title next week.

The next event is DOMINION, the annual early June blowout event, on 6/4 at Osaka-jo Hall in Osaka. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at midnight PT/3 AM ET.

Sumo-May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 15 Results (Final Day) (5/28/2023) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 15-the Final Day-of the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (top tier):
Mitoryu (M16) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Asanoyama (M14) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Kagayaki (M17) beat Hokuseiho (M17)
Takarafuji (M10) beat Ichiyamamoto (M15)
Kotoeko (M12) beat Ryuden (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Chiyoshoma (M13)
Takanosho (M8) beat Myogiryu (M14)
Aoiyama (M12) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Daishoho (M11) beat Kinbozan (M5)
NIshikigi (M4) beat Onosho (M9)
Sadanoumi (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Tamawashi (M8)
Takayasu (M2) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Oho (M16) beat Midorifuji (M1)
Abi (M1) beat Ura (M4)
Mitakeumi (M6) beat Shodai (K)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Meisei (M6)
Daieisho (S) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Kiribayama (S)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Takakeisho (O)
CHAMPION: Terunofuji (14-1). 8th Emperor’s Cup and 11th overall championship. Clinched title yesterday.

SPECIAL PRIZES:
Outstanding Performance (winning record with most wins vs. Yokozuna/Ozeki): Meisei (only one to beat Terunofuji, however he barely got it as after beating Terunofuji to go to 8-1 he then lost his last 6)
Fighting Spirit (lower ranked wrestler with best record who best displayed fighting spirit): None
Technique (winning record with most different winning techniques used): Kiribayama (second straight), Wakamotoharu

Juryo:
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Yuma (Ms5)
Shishi (Ms2) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Daiamami (J9) beat Ryuo (Ms3)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Chiyosakae (J12)
Tomokaze (J12) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Shimazuumi (J6)
Fujiseiun (J13) beat Akua (J5)
Roga (J4) beat Shimanoumi (J13)
Ochiai (J8) beat Oshoma (J4). Atamifuji is OUT of contention…
Bushozan (J3) beat Takakento (J7)
Chiyomaru (J10) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Shonannoumi (J11) beat Tamashoho (J10)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Kitanowaka (J10). PLAYOFF!
Playoff: Gonoyama beat Ochiai. GONOYAMA JURYO YUSHO! The second career championship for Gonoyama, he previously won Makushita as Nishikawa, his real last name.
CHAMPION: Gonoyama (14-1)
Now the question is will 14-1 also get Ochiai to the top tier from J8? Ichiyamamoto (4-11 at M15) should be going down as should be Kagayaki (despite rallying to finish 7-8) and Mitoryu )5-10 at J-16), Gonoyama is going up from J1 as is Shonannoumi (11-4 at J1). Toss-up but leaning/hoping yes. This would mean the biggest loser in the numbers game is Atamifuji, who went 13-2 at J8. He might have to try again from J1 in July to return to the top tier.

Other Champions:
Makushita: Kiryuko (Ms26). 1st career championship
Sandanme: Sazanami (Sd42). 1st career championship
Jonidan: Satorufuji (Jd60). 1st career championship (that’s 2 for Isegahama Beya this tournament). Won playoff
Jonokuchi: Haruyama (Kj22). 1str career championship. Debut tournament

Next up is the July Tournament from 7/9-7/23 at Aichi Prefectural Gym in Nagoya. Tickets are now on sale. Final recap and standings post coming tomorrow, then until July…sayonara!

Dragon Gate 5/22/23-5/27/23 Results

Dragon Gate continued the Hopeful Gate 2023 Tour this week with 4 non-televised events.

Results from each event are below. There were no broadcasts.

Monday at Hakodate Arena in Hokkaido:
The announced paid attendance was 356, a super full house/very near sellout.

Match 1: Jason Lee & Strong Machine J beat Dragon Dia & La Estrella. Lee pinned Estrella after Maximum Driver.

Match 2: Diamante beat Minorita.

:Match 3: Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda beat Dragon Kid & U-T. Kanda pinned U-T after Ryu’s.

Match 4: Madoka Kikuta & Yuki Yoshioka beat BIGBOSS Shimizu & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI. Kikuta pinned KAMEI after a rolling lariat.

Match 5: Masaaki Mochizuki, Don Fujii & Bonito beat YAMATO, Kzy & Punch Tominaga. Bonito pinned Tominaga after a diving body press.

Main Event: Kota Minoura, BxB Hulk & Ben-K beat Shun Skywalker, KAI & H-Y-O. Hulk pinned H-Y-O after First Flash.

Tuesday at Morioka Gym in Iwate:
The announced paid attendance was 215.

Match 1: Results are not available due to Dragon Gate’s results description being incorrect.

Match 2: KAI beat Daiki Yanagiuchi.

Match 3: Kota MInoura & Ben-K beat Genki Horiguchi & La Estrella. Minoura pinned Horiguchi after R-301.

Match 4: Don Fujii & Yuki Yoshioka beat Dragon Kid & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI. Yoshioka pinned KAMEI after Inferno.

Match 5: Jason Lee & Strong Machine J beat BxB Hulk & Minorita. Lee pinned Minorita after Maximum Driver.

Main Event: Madoka Kikuta, Dragon Dia & YAMATO beat Shun Skywalker, KAI & H-Y-O. YAMATO pinned H-Y-O after Omniscient & Omnipotent Frankensteiner.

Wednesday at Aore Nagaoka in Niigata:
The announced paid attendance was 256.

Match 1: Masaaki Mochizuki, Yasushi Kanda & Don Fujii beat Jason Lee, Strong Machine J & U-T. Kanda pinned U-T after Ryu’s.

Match 2: Ben-K & Minorita beat Genki Horiguchi & Punch Tominaga. Ben-K pinned Tominaga.

Match 3: Susumu Mochizuki beat Daiki Yanagiuchi by submission.

Match 4: Kota Minoura & BxB Hulk beat KAI & H-Y-O. Minoura pinned H-Y-O after R-301.

Match 5: Shun Skywalker & Diamante beat Dragon Kid & La Estrella. Diamante pinned Estrella after Cielo Finale.

Main Event: Madoka Kikuta, Yuki Yoshioka & Dragon Dia beat Kzy, BIGBOSS Shimizu & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI. Kikuta pinned KAMEI after a rolling lariat.

Today at Wake City Gym in Okayama:
The announced paid attendance was 251.

Match 1: Shun Skywalker, KAI & Diamante beat BIGBOSS Shimizu, Jason Lee & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI. Diamante pinned KAMEI.

Match 2: Kagetora beat Genki Horiguchi.

Match 3: Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda beat Dragon Kid & Ho Ho Lun. Kanda pinned Lun after a diving elbow drop.

Match 4: BxB Hulk & Ben-K beat H-Y-O & ISHIN. Ben-K pinned H-Y-O after a spear.

Match 5: Masaaki Mochizuki & Shachihoko BOY beat Kota Minoura & Minorita. BOY pinned Minorita.

Main Event: Madoka Kikuta, Yuki Yoshioka & Dragon Dia beat Kzy, U-T & Strong Machine J. Kikuta pinned U-T after a rolling lariat.

The next event is tomorrow at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka. Live streaming on DRAGONGATE NETWORK will begin at 2 AM PT/5 AM ET.