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New Japan 5/18/23 Results

New Japan ran Day 6 of Best Of The Super Junior 30 today, beginning the second half of the tournament.

Today’s event was held at Iwate Prefectural Gym in Iwate and can be watched on demand on New Japan World in Japanese and English.

The announced paid attendance was 1004.

All matches were Best Of The Super Junior matches, 30 minute time limit.

Match 1: Block A: Mike Bailey beat DOUKI.
Match 2: Block B: BUSHI beat Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
Match 3: Block A: TJP beat Ryusuke Taguchi by submission.
Match 4: Block B: Kevin Knight beat Dan Moloney.
Match 5: Block A: Sho beat Taiji Ishimori.
Match 6: Block B: El Desperado beat Clark Connors.
Match 7: Block A: Titan beat Lio Rush.
Match 8: Block B: Yoh beat Francesco Akira.
Match 9: Block A: Hiromu Takahashi beat KUSHIDA by countout.
Main Event: Block B: Master Wato beat Robbie Eagles.

Standings:
Block A:
1-Bailey, 5-1, 10 pts
2-Takahashi, 4-2, 8 pts
3-Titan, 4-2, 8 pts
4-TJP, 4-2, 8 pts
5-Rush, 4-2, 8 pts
6-Ishimori, 4-2, 8 pts
7-Sho, 2-4, 4 pts
8-DOUKI, 2-4, 4 pts
9-KUSHIDA, 1-5, 2 pts
10-Taguchi, 0-6, 0 pts (OUT)

Block B:
1-Desperado, 4-2, 8 pts
2-Yoh, 4-2, 8 pts
3-Eagles, 4-2, 8 pts
4-Wato, 4-2, 8 pts
5-Knight, 3-3, 6 pts
6-Akira, 3-3, 6 pts
7-Connors, 3-3, 6 pts
8-Moloney, 2-4, 4 pts
9-Kanemaru, 2-4, 4 pts
10-BUSHI, 1-5, 2 pts

The top 2 in each block advance to the Semifinals. Bailey remains in control in Block A while 5 remain tied for 2nd. Taguchi is now officially eliminated while KUSHIDA is all but out of it and Sho & DOUKI must win out and get a lot of help to have a chance. Block B looks to be going down to the wire with 4 ties at the top and nobody out thanks to a flash win by BUSHI today in under 2 minutes. But BUSHI is still on life support with only a tiebreaker keeping him alive.

Day 7 is tomorrow at New Aomori Prefecture Sports Park Maeda Arena Sub Arena in Aomori. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 3 AM PT/6 AM ET.

AEW Dynamite 5/17/23 Results

Here are the quick results from tonight’s AEW Dynamite in Houston, TX:

Just after the start of the second hour, commentary announced to the TV viewers breaking news-Superstar Billy Graham, a wrestling & WWF/E Hall Of Famer, has died at 79. He was dealing with multiple serious medical issues.

Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin beat Lee Moriarty & Big Bill. Allin pinned Moriarty.

The Young Bucks arrive as Blackpool Combat Club sneak attack them.

Sammy Guevara beat Exodus Prime. Squash.

Jeff Jarrett & crew call out FTR, leading to a beatdown and the AEW debut of Karen Jarrett, who low blows Cash Wheeler.

Euby Soho & Toni Storm beat Britt Baker & Hikaru Shida. Storm pinned Baker after Storm Zero. This was to have been Jamie Hayter, Baker & Shida vs. Saraya, Soho & Storm but Hayter was not medically cleared.

Tony Khan makes a follow-up announcement from today’s Collision announcement by TNT, which is the dates for the 2nd-7th episodes. Most in Canada with the 7/1 episode being TAPED (taping on 6/29) except for the 7th in Newark, NJ. Not announced: The location for the premiere, widely expected to be in Chicago. That will come next week. May have something to do with CM Punk.

In a Falls Count Anywhere match where Adam Cole and JAS were banned from the building, Roderick Strong beat Chris Jericho. It went outside the building at the end, meaning Cole could get involved and did.

Jungle Boy beat Rush.

Jay White beat Ricky Starks by DQ. Chair use. This was the main event.

Don Callis interview was interrupted almost immediately by Kenny Omega. BCC and The Elite came out for a big brawl and Adam Page joined in, siding with The Elite. He challenged BCC to Anarchy In The Arena at Double Or Nothing.

A good show overall but one’s view will ultimately be skewed by their expectations for the Khan follow-up announcement, namely no Punk.

Friday on Rampage at 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT: BCC vs. Best Friends & Bandido, The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn vs. CVarsity Athletes, Bishop Kaun vs. Dustin Rhodes, perhaps a Jade Cargill open challenge and The Hardys promo. Early air time is due to NBA Playoffs on TNT. Next week’s Rampage is likely to be pre-empted because of NHL Playoffs IF the Eastern Conference Finals is not a 4 game sweep (next Friday on TNT would be a Game 5 if needed).

Next week: ROH Tag Team Champions Lucha Bros vs. Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta for the titles. This is the followup from the Double Jeopardy match last week.

Confirmed for Double Or Nothing: AEW TNT Champion Wardlow vs. Christian Cage in a Ladder Match for the title, AEW Women’s Champion Jamie Hayter vs. Toni Storm for the title, a 21 Man Blackjack Battle Royal for the AEW International Championship (Orange Cassidy vs. 20 others) and more.

Sumo-May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 4 Results (5/17/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 4 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 Azumaryu (J2)
Ichiyamamoto (M15) beat Kagayaki (M17)
Asanoyama (M14) beat Oho (M16)
Tsurugisho (M15) beat Myogiryu (M14)
Chiyoshoma (M13) beat Aoiyama (M12)
Kotoeko (M12) beat Daishoho (M11)
Hokuseiho (M11) beat Ryuden (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Takarafuji (M10)
Sadanoumi (M8) beat Onosho (M9)
Takanosho (M8) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Meisei (M6) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Kinbozan (M5) beat Mitakeumi (M6)
Nishikigi (M4) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Ura (M4) beat Midorifuji (M1)
Daieisho (S) beat Shodai (K)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Abi (M1)
Kiribayama (S) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Takakeisho (O) beat Endo (M2)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Leader: 5 at 5-0
Of note: If you want fans to be disappointed, go for the big man HENKA!!! Takakeisho did just that to the crowd’s dismay, and it was more a half move due to his knees but it got him the easy win over Endo to go to 3-1, 5 wins from getting out of kadoban status. No such issues for Terunofuji as he showed hos upper body strength is still there-once his arms lovk in the opponent’s arms near the biceps, it’s simple lift and carry to victory for the yokozuna as demonstrated today against Tobizaru by his impressive kimedashi (arm barring force out). Terunofuji is in a group of 5 atop the leaderbord including 2 Sekiwake (Wakamotoharu & Daieisho), a resurgent Meisei and of course Asanoyama. On the other side, the biggest disappointment has to be Midorifuji, who started 10-0 in March. In May his start is now 0-4.
Watch for potential HENKA!!! again at the top tomorrow as Takakeisho gets The Flying Monkey Tobizaru tomorrow while Terunofuji’s opponent is the always-unpredictable Ura. Tohakuryu will be the Juryo man up for the day tomorrow from J2, drawing Tsurugisho.

Juryo:
Fujiseiun (J13) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Shimanoumi (J13) beat Kotokuzan (Ms2)
Chiyosakae (J12) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Chiyomaru (J10) beat Tomokaze (J12)
Kitanowaka (J10) beat Tamashoho (J11)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Chiyonokuni (J9)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Daiamami (J9)
Ochiai (J8) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Takakento (J7) beat Hakuyozan (J6)
Shimazuumi (J6) beat Akua (J5)
Oshoma (J4) beat Tochinoshin (J5)
Roga (J4) beat Enho (J3)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Bushozan (J3)
Shonannoumi (J1) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Leader: Gonoyama, Shimazuumi, Ochiai (4-0)
Of note: Ochiai has been competing with a heavily taped left shoulder/upper body, perhaps related to his apparent injury last tournament. Perhaps his performance with maybe one good arm should serve as a warning-when/if he gets fully healthy, look out as the former Hakuho could have a Yokozuna in his stable much sooner rather than later, very fitting for the greatest Yokozuna ever. Co-leader Gonoyama is now halfway to the top tier at J1, if he keeps this up he’ll be in Makuuchi in July.
Interesting side note tomorrow-Shishi, a favorite of who I get Makushita match videos from on YouTube-is tomorrow’s Makushita man in Juryo. He gets huge crowd reactions in part because he is from Ukraine, which makes for interesting backstories should he ever face Russian rikishi Roga. Shishi is 2-0 at Ms2 and will face 3-1 Fujiseiun.

Finally, during a live stream of his SUMO PRIME TIME show yesterday on YouTube, host/NHK announcer Hiro Morita seemingly confirmed that Takayasu, who withdrew on Day 1 due to a thigh injury suffered in practice that morning, is out for the tournament and will try to return in July. He’ll be in the top tier still but will be demoted from Maegashira 2, probably down to Maegashira 10 or 11. Also, former top tier mainstay Ishiura, who has fallen down to Jonidan, again pulled out due to a back injury that has kept him out for about a year now. He’ll maybe drop to Jonokuchi or even be unranked in July.

BREAKING: AEW Saturday Show Announced (Updated x4)

It’s now official-All Elite Wrestling announced their long-rumored Saturday show today. Specifically it was announced by Warner Bros Discovery at their annual upfronts today in New York City. Here is what we know (via Variety, link to source below):

It will premiere June 17 and be LIVE for 2 hours every Saturday. The premiere is expected to be in Chicago, IL with the only announced date so far being 7/8 in Canada.

Timeslot TBA but it will be on TNT. I’m thinking 6-8 PM as that was the WCW Saturday timeslot back in the days.

No mention of CM Punk yet.

More as it becomes available but expect more details tonight on Dynamite as part of Tony Khan’s latest promised major announcement.

Original source:
https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/aew-saturday-night-tnt-show-collison-premiere-date-1235615531/

UPDATE: As soon as I posted this, Variety deleted their original Twitter post with the above source link.

UPDATE 2: AEW has put out their own press release. The timeslot will be 8-10 PM ET Saturdays. No word on if west coast gets live or taped.

UPDATE 3: Now there are reports CM Punk was part of the press release originally but it was edited out and WBD now denies his involvement. An email sent out to media including to Sports Illustrated before the presentation included Punk, then another site was told Punk is not affiliated with Collision. The early thinking is his return will be a surprise/not surprise at the event.

UPDATE 4: It’s now been announced that AEW All Access will be moving to the former HBO Max (to be called just Max starting Tuesday) on 6/9. It’s not known if it will be the run of episodes that finished last week or more new episodes, or both. It previously aired on TBS after Dynamite.

New Japan 5/17/23 Results

New Japan ran Day 5 of Best Of The Super Junior 30 today as the tournament reaches the halfway point.

Today’s event was held at Sendai Sun Plaza in Sendai and can be watched on demand on New Japan World in Japanese and English.

The announced paid attendance was 1075.

All matches were Best Of The Super Junior Matches, 30 minute time limit.
Match 1: Block A: Hiromu Takahashi beat Ryusuke Taguchi.
Match 2: Block B: Kevin Knight beat BUSHI.
Match 3: Block A: TJP beat Sho.
Match 4: Block B: Clark Connors beat Francesco Akira.
Match 5: Block A: DOUKI beat Lio Rush by submission.
Match 6: Block B: Robbie Eagles beat Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
Match 7: Block A: Mike Bailey beat Titan.
Match 8: Block B: Master Wato beat Dan Moloney.
Match 9: Block A: Taiji Ishimori beat KUSHIDA.
Main Event: Block B: Yoh beat El Desperado.

Standings:
Block A:
1-Bailey, 4-1, 8 pts
2-Ishimori, 4-1, 8 pts
3-Rush, 4-1, 8 pts
4-Takahashi, 3-2, 6 pts
5-TJP, 3-2, 6 pts
6-Titan, 3-2, 6 pts
7-DOUKI, 2-3, 4 pts
8-Sho, 1-4, 2 pts
9-KUSHIDA, 1-4, 2 pts
10-Taguchi, 0-5, 0 pts

Block B:
1-Eagles, 4-1, 8 pts
2-Desperado, 3-2, 6 pts
3-Yoh, 3-2, 6 pts
4-Wato, 3-2, 6 pts
5-Akira, 3-2, 6 pts
6-Connors, 3-2, 6 pts
7-Knight, 2-3, 4 pts
8-Moloney, 2-3, 4 pts
9-Kanemaru, 2-3, 4 pts
10-BUSHI, 0-5, 0 pts

The top 2 in each block advance to the Semifinals. In Block A it’s now all but over for Taguchi and he can be officially eliminated tomorrow. The 3-way tie at the too may remain too. In Block B BUSHI can be all but eliminated tomorrow as a loss would leave potential tiebreakers as his only hope, but he would not have any right now. Eagles has a chance to pull 4 points clear of the field if all goes right.

Day 6 is tomorrow at Iwate Prefectural Gym in Iwate. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET.

Sumo-May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 3 Results (5/16/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 3 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):
Shonannoumi (J1) beat Oho (M16)
Kagayaki (M17) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Mitoryu (M16) beat Ichiyamamoto (M15)
Myogiryu (M14) beat Chiyoshoma (M13)
Asanoyama (M14) beat Kotoeko (M12)
Hokuseiho (M11) beat Aoiyama (M12)
Daishoho (M11) beat Takarafuji (M10)
Onosho (M9) beat Ryuden (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Takanosho (M8)
Sadanoumi (M8) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Mitakeumi (M6) beat Tamawashi (M7)
Meisei (M6) beat Kinbozan (M5)
Ura (M4) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Tobizaru (M3) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Abi (M1) beat Kiribayama (S)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Shodai (K)
Daieisho (S) beat Nishikigi (M4)
Takakeisho (O) beat Abi (M1)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Endo (M2)
Leader: 6 at 3-0
Of note: Although he won, Takakeisho looks worrisome still with his knees, clearly in discomfort stepping off the dohyo after his match and it showed on his face. Let’s just hope he can hold on long enough for 8 wins and getting out of kadoban status. On the flip side, no such issues for Terunofuji as he has looked strong in a 3-0 start so far. Asanoyama seemingly got lucky today, as his win over Kotoeko came via reversal after a Mono-ii (Judges conference) after the win first went to Kotoeko. Kiribayama took his first loss today but nothing to worry about in terms of Ozeki promotion chances yet, while Daieisho & Wakamotoharu continue strong starts to keep their chances alive as both went to 3-0. Hoshoryu fell victim to a HENKA! (Dodge) at the start by Tobizaru and took a flash loss to The Flying Monkey. Also of note-in the last 2 tournaments, including this one, Shonannoumi has now been up 3 times as a Juryo man and is 3-0 in those appearances with today’s win.

Juryo:
Kawazoe (Ms1) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Shimanoumi (J13) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Fujiseiun (J13) beat Tomokaze (J12)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Chiyosakae (J12)
Hidenoumi (J11) beat Kitanowaka (J10)
Daiamami (J9) beat Chiyomaru (J10)
Ochiai (J8) beat Chiyonokuni (J9)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Takakento (J7)
Shimazuumi (J6) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Hakuyozan (J6) beat Tochinoshin (J5)
Roga (J4) beat Akua (J5)
Bushozan (J3) beat Enho (J3)
Tohakuryu (J2) beat Oshoma (J4)
Gonoyama (J1) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Leader: 5 at 3-0

FREE VIDEO: GLEAT 5/14/23 Full Event

As is usually the case when they can’t broadcast their non-PPV events live, GLEAT has made the full G PROWRESTLING event from Sunday available on demand FOR FREE on YouTube. You can watch the event below (running time is just over 2 hours. Video courtesy of the GLEAT Official YouTube Channel):

New Japan 5/16/23 Results

New Japan ran Day 4 of Best Of The Super Junior today as the leaders looked to keep the upsets coming.

Today’s event was held at Akita Prefectural Budokan in Akita and can be watched on demand on New Japan World in Japanese and English.

The announced paid attendance was 762.

All matches were Best Of The Super Junior matches, 30 minute time limit.
Match 1: Block B: Yoh beat Clark Connors.
Match 2: Block A: Titan beat Ryusuke Taguchi.
Match 3: Block B: Robbie Eagles beat BUSHI.
Match 4: Block A: TJP beat DOUKI.
Match 5: Block B: Francesco Akira beat Dan Moloney.
Match 6: Block A: KUSHIDA beat Mike Bailey by submission.
Match 7: Block B: El Desperado beat Kevin Knight.
Match 8: Block A: Hiromu Takahashi beat Sho.
Match 9: Block B: Master Wato beat Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
Main Event: Block A: Lio Rush beat Taiji Ishimori.

Stanidngs:
Block A:
1-Rush, 4-0, 8 pts
2-Bailey, 3-1, 6 pts
3-Ishimori, 3-1, 6 pts
4-Titan, 3-1, 6 pts
5-Takahashi, 2-2, 4 pts
6-TJP, 2-2, 4 pts
7-KUSHIDA, 1-3, 2 pts
8-DOUKI, 1-3, 2 pts
9-Sho, 1-3, 2 pts
10-Taguchi, 0-4, 0 pts

Block B:
1-Desperado, 3-1, 6 pts
2-Akira, 3-1, 6 pts
3-Eagles, 3-1, 6 pts
4-Yoh, 2-2, 4 pts
5-Wato, 2-2, 4 pts
6-Kanemaru, 2-2, 4 pts
7-Moloney, 2-2, 4 pts
8-Connors, 2-2, 4 pts
9-Knight, 1-3, 2 pts
10-BUSHI, 0-4, 0 pts

The top 2 in each block advance to the Semifinals. Already all but over for Taguchi & BUSHI.

Day 5 is Wednesday at Sendai Sub Plaza in Sendai. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET.

DEVELOPING: TJPW Excursion End Dates Set, Injury

Tokyo Joshi Pro announced on Twitter that Miyu Yamashita’s current overseas excursion will end on 6/24, and she will return to the promotion that day. Yuka Sakazaki, currently overseas as well, and Maki Itoh, who is also heading overseas for a month, will both return on that date as well and all will participate in a 6/25 event in Fukuoka.

In unfortunate news, SKE48 announced in a press release that Yuki Arai will miss some upcoming performances and that includes TJPW’s Saturday event in Tokyo. Hospitalized for a leg injury. Based on SKE48’s release, out at least 2 weeks. That means she would miss the 5/26 Yokohama Radiant Hall event if scheduled and maybe 6/3 at Ryogoku KFC Hall, and would be questionable for 6/10 at Korakuen Hall due to still being scheduled for an SKE48 event.

More as it becomes available.

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

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 2 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):
Gonoyama (J1) beat Kagayaki (M17)
Mitoryu (M16) beat Oho (M16)
Ichiyamamoto (M15) beat Tsurugisho (M15)
Asanoyama (M14) beat Myogiryu (M14)
Kotoeko (M12) beat Chiyoshoma (M13)
Aoiyama (M13) beat Daishoho (M11)
Takarafuji (M10) beat Hokuseiho (M11)
Ryuden (M10) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Onosho (M9) beat Takanosho (M8)
Tamawashi (M7) beat Sadanoumi (M8)
Mitakeumi (M6) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Meisei (M6) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Kinbozan (M5) beat Nishikigi (M4)
Shodai (K) beat Nishikifuji (M3)
Kiribayama (S) beat Endo (M2)
Wakamotoharu (S) beat Tobizaru (M3)
Daieisho (S) beat Ura (M4)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Midorifuji (M1)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Takakeisho (O)
Terunofuji (Y) beat Abi (M1)
Leader: 10 at 2-0
Of note: Takakeisho concerns raised today as his knees were tightly taped and it clearly affected him against Kotonowaka. It may be a struggle just to get out of kadoban status with 8 wins. The good news for the Kyokai is Kiribayama, who needs 10 wins to meet criteria for Ozeki promotion (or another championship, the criteria is 2 straight championships or 33 wins over 3 consecutive tournaments in Sanyaku, meaning at Komusubi and Sekiwake) is off to a perfect 2-0 start and now only sits 8 wins from potential promotion. Wakamotoharu is also in Ozeki consideration but probably needs a championship unless he can manage 13 wins, but all the Sekiwake are 2-0 which is a good sign. Also 2-0 is Asanoyama after another easy win, and Terunofuji who maybe caught a break when Abi had his right knee/leg go out in their match. Hopefully not an injury, it looked to me like Abi just slipped and lost his footing. For now Abi is still in the tournament but we’ll see. No Takayasu return yet, NHK World Japan made it sound like he’s out for the tournament after his Opening Day last-minute withdrawal. After Gonoyama won today, Shonannoumi gets the Juryo man spot tomorrow and will face Oho. Shonannoumi is currently 1-1 at Juryo 1.

Juryo:
Shiden (Ms1) beat Tsushimanada (J14)
Shimanoumi (J13) beat Tokihayate (J14)
Chiyosakae (J12) beat Fujiseiun (J13)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Tomokaze (J12)
Chiyomaru (J10) beat Hidenoumi (J11)
Kitanowaka (J10) beat Chiyonokuni (J9)
Ochiai (J8) beat Daiamami (J9)
Atamifuji (J9) beat Churanoumi (J7)
Shimazuumi (J6) beat Takakento (J7)
Hakuyozan (J6) beat Akua (J5)
Roga (J4) beat Tochinoshin (J5)
Oshoma (J4) beat Enho (J3)
Bushozan (J3) beat Tohakuryu (J2)
Shonannoumi (J1) beat Azumaryu (J2)
Leader: 7 at 2-0
Of note: Shiden, looking to get a second chance at Juryo after being forced to miss his debut tournament, is halfway there as he picked up the Makushita man win to go to 2-0 and probably get a couple days off bow as the lower tiers just finished their first matches today. Gonoyama was in the top tier and won tiday. Azumaryu is an early struggler again as he’s a quick 0-2 after his latest demotion from the top tier and Enho is also 0-2, but his pattern the last year has been alternating winning and losing tournaments. Unfortunately that means’s he’a due for a demotion. And despite strong fan support for the former Ozeki it’s another 0-2 start for Tochinoshin.
Kawazoe, the fan-favorite human slinky at Ms1, gets to be the Makushita man tomorrow for his first chance in Juryo. He lost his first match and will try to get to 1-1 against Tokihayate.

All the lower tiers have finished their first matches but in Makushita Shiden is the early 2-0 leader because of an early second match today. The lower tiers also had their usual slate of Day 1 withdrawals, only one in Makushita, among the notable names is Kironofuji in the Sandanme. He reportedly has been forced to retire due to involvement in a bullying scandal that engulfed Isegahama Beya earlier this year that also caused stablemaster Isegahama to resign from his position as chief judge. Apparently not involved was Terunofuji, a member of the stable.