Category: Uncategorized

5/28/23-6/3/23 Events Schedule (Updated 6/1)

Here is the current events schedule for 5/28/23-6/4/23, which is subject to change (all times PT):
5/28:
1:30 AM-Pro Wrestling NOAH SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour, Bandaijima Multipurpose Hall Large Hall, Niigata, Japan. No live broadcast
2 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Hopeful Gate 2023 Tour, Osaka Prefectural Gym 2, Osaka, Japan. Live on DRAGONGATE NETWORK
2:30 AM-New Japan Pro Wrestling Best Of The Super Junior 30 Finals, Ota City General Gym, Tokyo, Japan. Live on New Japan World
4 PM-All Elite Wrestling “Double Or Nothing”, Las Vegas, NV. Live on PPV and Bleacher Report in US, select movie theaters and Dave & Buster’s in US, YouTube in select countries and FITE elsewhere

5/29:
2:30 AM-All-Japan Pro Wrestling Super Power Series, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Live on AJPW.TV
2:30 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Hopeful Gate 2023 Tour, Fukui Industrial Hall, Fukui, Japan. No live broadcast

5/31:
2:30 AM-Pro Wrestling NOAH SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour, Shinjuku Face, Tokyo, Japan. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE
5 PM-All Elite Wrestling “AEW Dynamite”, San Diego, CA. Live on TBS in US and FITE elsewhere

6/1:
2:30 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Rainbow Gate 2023 Tour, Korakuen Hall. Live on DRAGONGATE NETWORK
5 PM-Impact Wrestling “Impact Wrestling”, London, Ontario, Canada. TAPED on AXS TV. TAPED on YouTube at 5:30 PM

6/2:
2:30 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Rainbow Gate 2023 Tour, Korakuen Hall. Live on DRAGONGATE NETWORK
7 PM-All Elite Wrestling “AEW Rampage”. TAPED on TNT in US and FITE elsewhere
8:30 PM-Ganbare Pro Wrestling, Takashimadaira Community Center, Tokyo, Japan. No live broadcast
11 PM-All-Japan Pro Wrestling 51st Anniversary Event, Machida Gym, Tokyo, Japan. Live on AJPW.TV

6/3:
1 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Rainbow Gate 2023 Tour, Fujisan Messe, Shizuoka, Japan. No live broadcast
1 AM-DDT Pro Wrestling “Yokohama Unlimited Vol. 3”, Yokohama Radiant Hall, Yokohama, Japan. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE
8 PM-Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, Ryogoku KFC Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE. LIVE RESULTS SCHEDULED

6/1 UPDATE: All-Japan has announced their June broadcast schedule-the 6/3 event will be a live broadcast.

DDT 5/27/23 Results

DDT continued the WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2023 Tour today with a visit to Hiroshima.

Today’s event was held at JMS Aster Plaza Multipurpose Studio in Hiroshima and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a later date (probably Tuesday). There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 190, a legit sellout.

Match 1: Yuki Iino & Danshoku Dieno beat Kazuma Sumi & Rukiya. Iino beat Rukiya.

Match 2: Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida beat Sanshiro Takagi & Yusuke Okada. Higuchi pinned Okada after Brain Claw Slam.

Match 3: In a No DQ Match, MAO beat Hideki Okatani.

Match 4: Konno Kenshin (?) beat Kazuki Hirata.

Match 5: In a Lucha Libre Rules match, Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yuya Koroku beat HARASHIMA, Toru Owashi & Rey Paloma by giving up. Paloma gave up because he was scared of Akiyama’s Exploder.

Match 6: Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul beat Yuki Ueno & Toui Kojima. Paul pinned Kojima after Death Valley Bomb.

Main Event: Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada beat Yuji Hino & Makoto Oishi. Brookes beat Oishi with a ground octopus stretch.

The next event is tomorrow at Kumamoto Castle Hall Civic Hall in Kumamoto. There will be no live broadcast.

Tokyo Joshi Pro 5/27/23 Results

Tokyo Joshi Pro continued their spring house show tour today with a return visit to Yuki Kamifuku’s hometown of Fujisawa City. As was the case before, a portion of today’s event proceeds were donated to the city for a scholarship fund for students.

Today’s event was held at Fujisawa City Shonandai Cultural Center in Kanagawa and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a later date (likely Tuesday). There was no live broadcast. The event will also be aired in Japan on TV Kanagawa in June with commentary from Haruo Murata & Yuki Kamifuku.

The announced paid attendance was 361.

Match 1: Hikari Noa beat Haru Kazashiro.

Match 2: Yuki Aino & Pom Harajuku beat Toga & Runa Okubo. Aino pinned Toga after Venus DDT.

Match 3: Mizuki & Raku beat Hyper Misao & Shino Suzuki. Mizuki beat Suzuki with a facelock.

Match 4: Asuka (Veny) & Nao Kakuta beat Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami. Asuka beat Toribami after a moonsault press. For those unfamiliar with her, this Asuka competes as Veny outside Japan to avoid confusion with the Asuka (formerly Kana in Japan) currently in WWE.

Match 5: Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & HIMAWARI beat Suzume, Arisu Endo & Wakama Uehara. Watanabe pinned Uehara after Teardrop.

Main Event: Shoko Nakajima & Yuki Kamifuku beat Aja Kong & Mahiro Kiryu. Kamifuku pinned Kiryu after a diving Fameasser. Afterwards, Kong challenged Kamifuku to a match in her hometown. Will it happen? Who knows…

The next event is 6/4 at Ryogoku KFC Hall in Tokyo. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin on 6/3 at 8 PM PT/11 PM ET.

Sumo-May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 14 Results (5/27/23) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14-the penultimate day-of the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo

Makuuchi (top tier):
Kagayaki (M17) beat Oshoma (J4)
Oho (M16) beat Hokuseiho (M11)
Chiyoshoma (M13) beat Ryuden (M10)
Onosho (M9) beat Daishoho (M11)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Kotoeko (M12)
Sadanoumi (M8) beat Aoiyama (M12)
Takanosho (M8) beat Ichiyamamoto (M15)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Mitoryu (M16)
Myogiryu (M14) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Takarafuji (M10)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Mitakeumi (M6)
Takayasu (M2) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Nishikigi (M4) beat Abi (M1)
Midorifuji (M1) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Ura (M4)
Asanoyama (M14) beat Shodai (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Meisei (M6)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Takakeisho (O)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Kiribayama (S). TERUNOFUJI YUSHO! The Yokozuna wins the Emperor’s Cup for the 8th time.
Leader: Terunofuji (13-1). Nobody can catch him.
Now the final day is all about promotions, demotions and potential Special Prizes, to be followed by the award ceremony and champion’s interview. And in the following days hopefully news that Kiribayama will be promoted to Ozeki as he’s still at 34 wins (could be 35 with a win tomorrow) and a championship over the last 3 tournaments, so he seems to meet the criteria for promotion.

Juryo:
Kitanowaka (J10) beat Daiamami (J9)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Shimanoumi (J13)
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Churanoumi (J7(
Fujiseiun (J13) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Shimazuumi (J6) beat Chiyomaru (J10)
Akua (J5) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Ochiai (J8) beat Roga (J4)
Bushozan (J3) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Tomokaze (J12) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Takakento (J7) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Tamashoho (J11)
Shonannoumi (J1) beat Chiyosakae (J12)
Leader: Gonoyama, Ochiai (13-1)
Of note: This is gonna be a fun final day. First things first-Atamifuji still has a chance. If he beats Chiyosakae, he remains in it and can force a playoff. If Atamifuji loses, he is out. Then it’s Ochiai up, who faces Oshoma. If Ochiai wins, Atamifuji is out and Ochiai is the champion if Gonoyama loses to Kitanowaka. Similarly if Gonoyama wins and Ochiai loses, Atamifuji is out and Gonoyama is the champion. If both Ochiai and Gonoyama win or both lose, we have a playoff rematch. If both lose and Atamifuji wins, 3-WAY PLAYOFF! (In that case they have a draw to determine who fights first and who then fights the winner. I believe it’s first to win 2 matches is the champion). Then we can talk about if Ochiai will make the top tier in July-the odds are slightly better today but he may still need that 14th win.

Also tomorrow will be the playoff for the Jonidan championship.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of FREE LIVE top tier coverage, including the final matches, award ceremony and champion’s interview with Terunofuji, tomorrow beginning at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET. And for those planning summer trips to Japan, tickets for the July tournament in Nagoya are now on sale!

UPDATE: For Juryo tomorrow, Hokuseiho has WITHDRAWN. Unknown. Will have no effect on the standings or championship as he was already demoted.

Here are the Special Prize winners so far:
Outstanding Performance (most wins vs. Yokozuna & Ozeki): Meisei (only one to beat Terunofuji so far)
Fighting Spirit: TBA
Technique (most different winning techniques used): Kiribayama (second straight), Wakamotoharu

Impact Wrestling “Under Siege” Results (5/26/23)

Impact Wrestling runs their live monthly major event, Under Siege, tonight. The full card currently consists of 10 matches headlined by Steve Maclin defending the Impact World Championship against PCO in what will now be a No DQ match. This plays off recent weeks of Impact when Maclin thought he injured PCO and Champagne Singh bought his way into an easy out for the champ, but PCO IS NOT HUMAN and showed up last night so the match remains so. Other title matches include a rematch between Deonna Purrazzo & Jordynne Grace for the Impact Knockouts Championship and it’s all or nothing for Grace-if she loses, she can’t get another chance at the title as long as Purrazzo is champion. Also on the line are the X Division and Tag Team Championships and there is a 6-way to determine the next challenger for the Impact World Championship in 2 weeks.

Today’s event will be held at Western Fair District Agriplex in London, Ontario, Canada and can be watched LIVE on Impact+ with a monthly or annual subscription ($7.99/month or $71.99/year), YouTube with an Ultimate Insider subscription ($4.99/month), and as a PPV on FITE ($9.99). If you buy the PPV on FITE you also get unlimited on demand replays (included with the other services). There is also a FREE pre-show on all the services beginning 30 minutes before the event. Due to work schedule conflicts I will be joining the pre-show in progress and watching from the beginning so at least initially I may be about 10 minutes behind live and catching up as I go. Including the pre-show the event should run the standard PPV/live window of about 3 1/2 hours.

Tonight’s current lineup:
Pre-show:
Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) vs. Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush) in a NON-TITLE match
Impact Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry vs. Dirty Dango for the title

PPV:
The Design (Angels, Deaner, Kon) vs. Sami Callihan, Rich Swann & TBA
Impact Tag Team Champions Ace Austin & Chris Bey vs. Subculture (Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster) for the titles
Impact X Division Champion Trey Miguel vs. Chris Sabin for the title
Moose vs. Eddie Edwards, Frankie Kazarian, Yuya Uemura, Jonathan Gresham & Alex Shelley in a 6-way #1 Contender Match for an Impact World Championship match at Against All Odds
Nick Aldis vs. Kenny King
Trinity vs. Gisele Shaw
Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace for the title. If Grace loses she can’t get another title match as long as Purrazzo is champion
Impact World Champion Steve Maclin vs. PCO in a No DQ match for the title

Refresh this page occasionally for the latest results.

Updates below will begin at or around 7:45 PM ET/4:45 PM PT. The pre-show begins at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT. PPV/main show begins at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT.

4:40 PM PT UPDATE: Live updates begin now.

We are LIVE from Western Fair District Agriplex in London, Ontario, Canada. Your hosts are Thom Hannifan & Matt Rehwoldt.

Pre-show:
Match 1: Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champions The Coven (Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King) vs. Death Dollz (Jessicka & Courtney Rush) in a NON-TITLE match
Result: Death Dollz beat The Coven. Rush beat Wilde with a sharpshooter.

At the start there are audio issues with commentary and some video frame rate issues on YouTube (watching in 1080p60 quality). Commentary can only be heard on one side of headphones/earbuds. Issues seem to have been resolved during the first match although the countdown clock/QR code for ordering the main card were partially cut off on my tablet (Fire HD 10 Plus).

Knockouts Title match promo.

Match 2: Impact Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry vs. Dirty Dango for the title
Result: Impact Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry beat Dirty Dango by DQ to retain the title. Low blow. Afterwards, Dango beat down Hendry until Santino Marella came out. Dango was the one that attacked Marella a few weeks ago on Impact Wrestling.

PPV/Main Show:
Mandatory FBI Warning right on time. (FYI, I am watching the YouTube version) Then opening promo video for main event.

Match 1: Nick Aldis vs. Kenny King
Result: Nick Aldis beat Kenny King by submission

As Aldis leaves, Killer Kelly & Masha Slamovich fight through the venue. Slamovich gets knocked over a railing, about a 6-7 foot drop, and they continue to fight through the crowd towards ringside. Soon it gets into the ring and Kelly chokes out Slamovich with a steel chain as refs and security finally break it up. Everyone bails as Kelly grabs and poses with the chain.

Jordynne Grace interviewed backstage.

Sami Callihan promo.

Match 2: The Design vs. Sami Callihan, Rich Swann & TBA. TBA is revealed to be Jake Crist.
Result: Sami Callihan, Rick Swann & Jake Crist beat The Design. Swann pinned Angels with a rollup.

Marella interviewed backstage. He teases a fight with Dango.

Match 3: Trinity vs. Gisele Shaw
Result: Trinity beat Gisele Shaw by submission

Subculture interviewed backstage. The Good hands interrupt and claim they’re next after Subculture win the titles. Dani Luna agrees to it.

Match 4: Impact Tag Team Champions Ace Austin & Chris Bey vs. Subculture for the titles
Result: Impact Tag Team Champions Ace Austin & Chris Bey beat Subculture to retain the titles. Austin pinned Flash Morgan Webster after The Fold.

Trey Miguel-Chris Sabin promo.

Match 5: Impact X Division Champion Trey Miguel vs. Chris Sabin for the title
Result: Impact X Division Champion Trey Miguel beat Chris Sabin to retain the title.

Match 6: Moose vs. Eddie Edwards, Frankie Kazarian, Yuya Uemura, Jonathan Gresham & Alex Shelley in a 6-way #1 Contender Match for an Impact World Championship match at Against All Odds
Result: Alex Shelley beat Moose, Eddie Edwards, Frankie Kazarian, Yuya Uemura & Jonathan Gresham in a 6-way by pinning Uemura. As a result, Shelley will face the Impact World Champion at Against All Odds.

Miguel interviewed backstage. Sabin went after Miguel and was quickly restrained by security.

Match 7: Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace for the title. If Grace loses she can’t get another title match as long as Purrazzo is champion
Result: Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo beat Jordynne Grace to retain the title. As a result, Grace can’t get another title shot as long as Purrazzo is champion.

The next live event is Against All Odds on 6/9 in Columbus, OH followed by Slammiversary on 7/15 (which will be available on DAZN outside the US in addition to FITE). Victory Road will be 9/8 in White Plains, NY and then the taping of the 1000th episode of Impact on 9/9.

Main Event: Impact World Champion Steve Maclin vs. PCO in a No DQ Match for the title
Result: Impact World Champion Steve Maclin beat PCO to retain the title. That means next up is Alex Shelley. Afterwards, Maclin with microphone. He immediately demands Scott D’Amore live up to his word and come out to put the title belt around Maclin’s waist. D’Amore comes out. He obliges and straps the title belt on Maclin and offers a handshake, which Maclin refuses. We hear camera picking up Maclin telling D’Amore whatever happens, he’s still his boss. During this time, Bully Ray sneaks into the ring and chokes out D’Amore with a strap. Camera catches Ray telling Maclin “Get The Table”. Bully produces a can of lighter fluid as Rehwoldt leaves commentary and hits the ring. Bully sprays lighter fluid all over Rehwoldt and lays him out. PCO then returns to the ring. Bully shoves PCO and it’s on. PCO shoves Bully back but Maclin lays out PCO with the title belt. Outside the ring the beatdown is on as Motor City Machine Guns hit the ring but get sent packing quickly.Bully prepares the flaming table as Maclin teases putting D’Amore through it. Table lit and…POWERBOMB THROUGH THE TABLE! FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! Bully taunts D’Amore, saying he will never get rid of Bully, ever, he’s here forever and he’s taking Impact down. Bully raises Maclin’s hand to end the show.

End Show. Live post-show coming up shortly on Impact+ & YouTube.

Final thoughts: As usual it was a solid live event although a couple of finishes felt like letdowns and the very end was a bit of overkill. Still worth the money as the matches ranged from good to outstanding.

Overall show grade: B+. Take out the couple finishes I didn’t like and it was A-.

The next TV tapings are tomorrow which will cover the fallout and the next 2 weeks of Impact to get them to Against All Odds.

Sumo-May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 13 Results (5/26/23) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13-Championship Day 1-of the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (top tier):
Oho (M16) beat Aoiyama (M12)
Myogiryu (M14) beat Takarafuji (M10)
Ryuden (M10) beat Ichiyamamoto (M15)
Onosho (M9) beat Kagayaki (M17)
Takanosho (M8) beat Myogiryu (M16)
Chiyoshoma (M13) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Ura (M4) beat Daishoho (M11)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Kotoeko (M12)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Takayasu (M2)
Midorifuji (M1) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Abi (M1) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Nishikigi (M4) beat Shodai (K)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Mitakeumi (M6) beat Daieisho (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Kiribayama (S) beat Hokuseiho (M11)
Takakeisho (O) beat Meisei (M6)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Asanoyama (M14)
Leader: Terunofuji (12-1)
Of note: It all comes down to Terunofuji-Kiribayama tomorrow. If Terunofuji beats Kiribayama, he is the champion. If Kiribayama wins, it goes down to the Final Day and could set up a playoff rematch. Asanoyama can stay in it as well with a Kiribayama win assuming he also beats Shodai. But including today, Asanoyama is now 0-6 all time against Terunofuji so history does not favor him. For tomorrow, history favors Terunofuji as he is 3-0 against Kiribayama.
Kiribayama was almost gifted a win against Hokuseiho when during a close stalemate Hokuseiho lost focus and reached to adjust the sagari on his mawashi. When his hand moved, Kiribayama took advantage of that loss of focus with a sotogake (outside leg trip) for victory.
Ozeki Watch: Meisei didn’t withdraw but Takakeisho’s win means 8 and a winning record, so he is out of kadoban status and will remain Ozeki in July. Expect a withdrawal at this point to begin rest and treatment for knee injuries. Too early to think about July but worst case if Takakeisho has to sit out is back to kadoban in September. Kiribayama getting win 11 today should guarantee Ozeki promotion at this point if he doesn’t win the championship as that’s now 34 wins in the last 3 tournaments. If Takakeisho does withdraw, Wakamotoharu gets the free win tomorrow.
Also, according to the Absent Rikishi Info, Kotoshoho will return tomorrow after withdrawing on Day 10. He will face Takarafuji and will look to pick up another win or two to soften the blow of another demotion as he is currently the equivalent of 1-12. He’ll likely stay in the top tier but his drop from M5 right now would be probably to M14 or M15. A huge fall since nearly winning the January championship. Finally, a big shoutout to Nishikigi, a week ago he was 1-6 and seemingly headed for demotion. But he has now won 6 straight and can get promotion with one more win, with the first try tomorrow against Abi.
We’re also going to see Kagayaki & Mitoryu demoted to Juryo at this point. That’s probably going to be it for demotions with Gonoyama promoted from Juryo for sure (Wakatakakage will miss July with injuries but his next demotion is from Komusubi so he’ll stay top tier).
We’ll find out more late tomorrow but if he can get one more win, I can see Tsurugisho being on position for a Special Prize, namely the Fighting Spirit Prize as he could have 10 or 11 wins at Ms15. I wouldn’t rule out Ura for the Technique Prize, but he first needs one more win as a winning record is required for a Special Prize.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage, including Terunofuji-Kiribayama, tomorrow beginning at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET. You can watch FOR FREE online or on their smart TV/mobile app.

Juryo:
Kawazoe (Ms1) beat Tomokaze (J12)
Chiyomaru (J10) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Daiamami (J9)
Chiyosakae (J12) beat Takakento (J7)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Churanoumi (J7) beat Akua (J5)
Roga (J4) beat Fujiseiun (J13)
Shimanoumi (J13) beat Oshoma (J4)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Bushozan (J3)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Ochiai (J8) beat Shonannoumi (J1)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Shimazuumi (J6)
Leader: Gonoyama, Ochiai (12-1)
Of note: Still seems like we’re headed for a playoff rematch as Gonoyama and Ochiai remain tied and only Atamifuji has a chance to join or pass them. Atamifuji is up first and gets Shimanoumi, who today clinched his first promotion in over a year. Ochiai draws Roga and Gonoyama has Tamashoho, both now promoted as well. The other real question pending his last 2 matches is will Ochiai reach the top tier in July? He could still finish 14-1 at J8, and if Asanoyama could go 14-1 at a lower rank and get to J1 (albeit with a championship) it’s possible. The argument against it probably will be numbers-the top tier is capped at 42 wrestlers total, 2 will be demoted but 2 Juryos will be promoted so far (Gonoyama & Shonannoumi). Ultimately I think Ochiai’s fate will be in the hands of Ichiyamamoto, who is 4-9 at M15. Ochiai really needs Ichiyamamto to lose one or ideally both his remaining matches and Ochiai win his last two, excluding a potential playoff. The good for tomorrow is Ichiyamamoto is 0-2 career against his foe, Takanosho.
As far as leaders go, Ochiai-Roga & Gonoyama-Tamashoho are first time meetings. Atamifuji-Shimanoumi is 1-1 but Shimanoumi’s win was a freebie due to an Atamifuji withdrawal.

Lower tiers:
Kiryuko (Ms26) beat Daishomaru (Ms42). KIRYUKO MAKUSHITA YUSHO! That’s the first career championship for Kiryuko in his 12th career tournament and he finishes a perfect 7-0. Based on March, when the champion was at about the same rank, his rank means he’ll probably be in Makushita again in July but at a personal best ranking. I’ll slot him in at Ms3, right on the verge of Juryo. (Normally the Makushita champion moves up 30 spots in the rankings)
Sazanami (Sd42) beat Yutakasho (Sd30). SAZANAMI SANDANME YUSHO! That’s the first career championship for Sazanami in his 49th career tournament and he’ll be a Makushita man again in July, with a chance to improve on his career best rank of Ms48.
Satorufuji (Jd60) beat Mogamizakura (Jd40)
Oshoryu (Jd7) beat Hidano (Jd43). PLAYOFF! That means the last 2 7-0 Jonidan wrestlers will have a playoff on Day 14 or Day 15 for the championship.
Haruyama (Jk22) beat Reonmaru (Jk8). HARUYAMA JONOKUCHI YUSHO! He takes the title in his Debut tournament and will be promoted to Jonidan.

UPDATE: One Juryo update for the final day: Hakuyozan (J6) has WITHDRAWN. No freebies. He took his 8th loss today meaning demotion. Looks like this means Yuma gets another Juryo appearance as the 3rd Makushita man up on the final day along with Shishi (5-1 at Ms2) and Ryuo, the March Makishita champion who is 1-6 and could be demoted back to his prior rank. A win pretty much guarantees Shishi is Juryo in July. Yuma will have a chance with a win and a 6-1 finish at Ms5, but a very slim chance.

New Japan 5/26/23 Results

New Japan ran the Semifinals of Best Of The Super Junior 30 today, which would determine who advances to this weekend’s Finals.

Today’s event was held at Yoyogi National Stadium Gym 2 in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on New Japan World in Japanese and English FOR FREE!

Click below to watch in Japanese:
https://njpwworld.com/p/s_00651_22_1

Click below to watch in English:
https://njpwworld.com/p/s_00651_23_1

The announced paid attendance was 1330.

Match 1: Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles beat Gedo & Clark Connors. Fujita pinned Gedo with O’Connor Bridge.

Match 2: Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan beat Tomoaki Honma & Toru Yano. Khan pinned Honma after Imperial Drop.

Match 3: Dan Moloney, Francesco Akira & TJP beat Ryusuke Taguchi, Kevin Knight & KUSHIDA. Akita pinned Taguchi after 2/2.

Match 4: Lio Rush, Yoh, YOSHI-HASHI & Hirooki Goto beat Dick Togo, Sho, Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL. YOSHI-HASHI pinned Togo after Shoto. Afterwards, Khan & Henare made an IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championship challenge for DOMINION.

Match 5: Tomohiro Ishii, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kazuchika Okada beat Boltin Oleg, Oskar Leube & Shota Umino. Ishii pinned Leube.

Match 6: DOUKI, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Taichi & SANADA beat BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito. SANADA beat BUSHI with Skull End.

Match 7: Best Of The Super Junior Semifinals: Master Wato beat Mike Bailey.

Main Event: Best Of The Super Junior Semifinals: Titan beat El Desperado.

As a result, the Final is Wato vs. Titan.

The Final is Sunday at Ota City General Gym in Tokyo. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET.

DDT News: Extreme Title Match Announced, More

As they promised to do a few minutes ago at Noon JST, DDT just announced the determination match for the next DDT Extteme Champion after Shunma Katsumata had to vacate the title due to injury after his successful defense last weekend. Perhaps not surprisingly one of the participants will be MAO, Katsumata’s The37Kamiina factionmate. Surprisingly is the other-Kazuki Hirata. Match type TBA and it will be on 6/25 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. There also will be a KO-D Tag Team Championship match to determine new champions after MAO & Katsumata had to vacate the titles.

More as it becomes available.

Impact Wrestling 5/25/23 Results

Here are the quick results from tonight’s Impact Wrestling in Chicago, IL:

This episode was taped on 4/29 and is the final event before tomorrow’s live Under Siege event.

The YouTube pre-show match was Sami Callihan vs. Shogun.

Match 1: Chris Sabin beat Mike Bailey. H-O-T opener.

Trinity promo for Under Siege.

Steve Maclin-PCO video package for Under Siege. Afterwards, Maclin says he’ll name his challenger for tomorrow later thinking PCO is out.

Nick Aldis joins commentary for the next match.

Match 2: Kenny King & Sheldon Jean beat Decay. King pinned Crazzy Steve after Royal Flush. Afterwards, King with microphone. He taunted Aldis ahead of their match tomorrow. Aldis with microphone at commentary to respond. King sends Jean after Aldis and Jean quickly gets laid out. Aldis gets in the ring but King bails immediately, saying it’ll have to wait until tomorrow.

Jessicka leaves the hourglass counting down to Rosemary’s return backstage for her match. No entry for Taylor Wilde & KiLynn King as we return from commercial but Jessicka gets hers.

Match 3: Taylor Wilde beat Jessicka. Squash. Wilde & King further beat down Jessicka afterwards but the hourglass runs out and when it does, Rosemary doesn’t emerge…but Courtney Rush does. Rush sends King packing and puts Wilde in a sharpshooter until King pulls her out of the ring.

Jessicka & Rush backstage after commercial. Rush tells Jessicka technically she is Rosemary, so it looks like a name/gimmick change for Rush/Rosemary. Either way, Rush is now part of Death Dollz.

Match 4: Rich Swann beat Angels. Immediately afterwards, Kon & Deaner beat down Swann until Sami Callihan made the save with a baseball bat. But Kon & Angels recovered and held Callihan while Deaner turned the tables and laid out Callihan with the bat. They face off tomorrow in a 6-man tag but we still don’t know who will team with Callihan & Swann.

Deonna Purrazzo interviewed backstage. She talks about Jordynne Grace until Alisha Edwards cuts in.

Masha Slamovich & Killer Kelly are fighting backstage in the kitchen area of the venue when we return from commercial. They brawl all over the place until Slamovich chokes out Kelly with an electrical cord. Too short but pretty darn good.

Match 5: Jordynne Grace beat Alisha Edwards. Squash.

Dirty Dango promo.

#1 contender 6-way match promo for tomorrow. The winner is next for the Impact World Champion after tomorrow at Against All Odds.

Match 6: Chris Bey beat John Skyler.

Steve Maclin comes out for the main event segment. With microphone. He says PCO is out of tomorrow’s title match so he’s introducing a new challenger-Champagne Singh. Singh & Shera come out. Shera with microphone. He starts to put himself over in a comedy bit until Scott D’Amore comes out. He says that match won’t happen. Maclin thinks D’Amore is stacking the deck against him and doesn’t want him as Impact World Champion. But D’Amore says he’s fine with it as long as Maclin proves himself worthy of it. Maclin took issue with D’Amore throwing the title in his face at Rebellion. So D’Amore says he Maclin retains tomorrow, he will respectfully hand Maclin the title and shake his hand. Maclin says no. And what D’Amore will do after tomorrow is show Maclin the respect he deserves because as long as he’s champion, that means Maclin is D’Amore’s boss. And D’Amore straps the belt on Maclin after he wins tomorrow. D’Amore agrees to that. But Maclin brings up the replacement for PCO because is hasn’t been named. D’Amore says that’s because there is none, it’s still Maclin-PCO. And then PCO’s video plays and when the lights come on…HE’S ALIVE! AND HERE! And it’s on in the ring! PCO fights off Singh & Shera then rips the belt out of Maclin’s hands. Maclin bails as Sing & Shera try again to attack PCO but it backfires. Maclin dives for the belt but PCO foils that. After all, PCO IS NOT HUMAN.

Next up is Under Siege, the monthly live major event, tomorrow in London, Ontario, Canada. The event is available on Impact+ for subscribers ($7:99/month or $71.99/year) and YouTube for Ultimate Insider subscribers ($4.99/month) and as a PPV on FITE for $9.99. The event begins at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT with a FREE pre-show on YouTube beginning at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT (scheduled to have 2 matches). NEAR LIVE results will be posted beginning around PPV time (I will be a few minutes behind as I’ll start with the pre-show matches). The next TV tapings will be Saturday and should cover the next 2 weeks to take us to June’s live monthly event, Against All Odds on 6/9 in Columbus, OH.
Tomorrow’s Under Siege lineup:
Pre-show: The Coven vs. Death Dollz and Impact Digital Media Champion Joe Hendry vs. Dirty Dango for the title.
PPV: Trinity vs. Gisele Shaw, Kenny King vs. Nick Aldis, The Design vs. Sami Callihan/Rich Swann/TBA, Impact Tag Team Champions Ace Austin & Chris Bey vs. Subculture for the titles, Impact X Division Champion Trey Miguel vs. Chris Sabin for the title, Moose/Eddie Edwards/Jonathan Gresham/Alex Shelley/Yuya Uemura in a 6-way #1 contender match, Impact Knockouts Champion Deonna Purrazzo vs. Jordynne Grace for the title (if Grace loses she can’t get another title match as long as Purrazzo is champion) and Impact World Champion Steve Maclin vs. PCO for the title.

Sumo-May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 12 Results (5/24/23) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 12 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):
Ichiyamamoto (M15) beat Chiyoshoma (M13)
Myogiryu (M14) beat Daishoho (M11)
Takarafuji (M10) beat Myogiryu (M16)
Oho (M16) beat Onosho (M9)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Kotoeko (M12) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Ryuden (M10)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Aoiyama (M12)
Mitakeumi (M6) beat Kagayaki (M17)
Ura (M4) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Nishikifuji (M3) beat Takanosho (M8)
Abi (M1) beat Meisei (M6)
Midorifuji (M1) beat Takayasu (M2)
Nishikigi (M4) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Shodai (K) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Daieisho (S) beat Asanoyama (M14)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Hokuseiho (M11)
Korobayama (S) beat Takakeisho (O)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Wakamotoharu (S)
Leader: Terunofuji (11-1)
Of note: ULTRA RARE PULL! As he has been known to do on occasion, Ura dazzled the crowd with an incredibly rare winning technique today-zubineri (head pivot throw). It must be seen to be believed, but it hasn’t been used to win in a match in over 25 years! Par for the course between the fan favorite and The Flying Monkey. Elsewhere, Asanoyama took his second loss as he allowed Daieisho to get his signature pusher/thruster offense going and then it was over quickly. That gave Terunofuji the sole lead but he seemed to land rough on his knees as both he and Wakamotoharu landed awkwardly at the end of their match. Monitor this going forward given his history of knee issues.
Ozeki Watch: Promotion? It seems to now be all but official for Kiribayama as he beat Takakeisho for what is now 33 wins over the last 3 tournaments at Sanyaku. That is a minimum criteria for Ozeki promotion consideration (the other is win 2 consecutive tournaments at Komusubi and/or Sekiwake, which Kiribayama can still do this time). Any more wins should be insurance and he’s still in championship contention. Takakeisho again missed an 8th win chance as a result and remains kadoban, but he may have caught the break he needed…his Day 13 opponent is Meisei, who has now lost 3 straight since beating Terunofuji. And there is concern about Meisei possibly suffering a knee injury in his loss today, leading to thoughts Takakeisho could get a freebie tomorrow with a potential Meisei withdrawal. If that happens, Takakeisho is safe at Ozeki and could withdraw himself to get treatment/rest for his knees and likely means 2 Ozeki again in July (again dependent on Kiribayama promotion, which seems a formality now).
While their Ozeki hopes for July are now gone, all the other Sekiwake have protected their rank with 8 wins so far and any further wins can help their post-July promotion chances, especially if they can get to 11 wins. Hoshoryu may be dealing with a thigh injury so that 8th win today was a big one. Elsewhere, a sophomore slump continues for Kinbozan as he will be demoted after his 8th loss today, but he’ll hopefully bounce back on July. One potential Sanyaku change is on the verge of happening too as Kotonowaka will be demoted from Komusubi if he loses again after his 7th loss today.
Key match tomorrow: Terunofuji-Asanoyama. The yusho race could be all but over if Terunofuji wins, but it also depends on Kiribayama who faces Hokuseiho. And if it happens, Takakeisho-Meisei.

Juryo:
Fujiseiun (J13) beat Shiden (Ms1)
Tsushimanada (J14) beat Tonokaze (J12)
Daiamami (J9) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Ochiai (J8) beat Tamashoho (J11)
Shimanoumi (J13) beat Takakento (J7)
Akua (J5) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Oshoma (J4) beat Chiyosakae (J12)
Kitanowaka (J10) beat Roga (J4)
Bushozan (J3) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Shimazuumi (J6) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Chiyomaru (J10) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Shonannoumi (J1)
Leader: Gonoyama, Ochiai (11-1)
Of note: Rematch anyone? If Gonoyama & Ochiai keep winning, they’re on track for a playoff rematch for the championship even after Gonoyama won their match yesterday. And if Ochiai does win out, he’ll be in top tier contention. The only thing in the way of the playoff, besides themselves, is Atamifuji at 10-2.
Key matches tomorrow: Ochiai-Shonannoumi, Gonoyama-Shimazuumi, Atamifuji-Hakuyozan. Shonannoumi is 9-3 and, like Gonoyama, is headed to the top tier in July. Shimazuumi is 7-5 and going for promotion. In the latter, history favors Gonoyama as he leads the series vs. Shimazuumi 3-0. Ochiai-Shonannoumi is a first-time meeting. Hakuyozan is 6-6 and Atamifuji won their only prior meeting in March.

UPDATE: As of the start of Day 13 matches Meisei remains in the tournament. No withdrawal yet.