Tokyo Joshi Pro has just announced a last-minute change for today’s (Japan time) event: Rika Tatsumi is now off. The always-vague poor physical condition. She was to have faced Wakana Uehara. What was Arisu Endo vs. Hikari Noa & Kaya Toribami in a 3-way has now been changed to Noa & Uehara vs. Endo & Toribami as a result. No word on if Tatsumi may miss additional time although there is a week before the next event after today.
Sumo-May 2023 Opening Weekend Final Notes
With the May 2023 Tournament beginning late tomorrow, the first 2 days’ matches for the top tier have been announced, along with some final pre-tournament observations:
It’s official-Terunofuji is back. The Yokozuna returns after missing all or part of the last 4 tournaments due to injuries. His opening opponent is Shodai, who returns to Sanyaku at Komusubi for the first time since his demotion from Ozeki. Takakeisho, looking to avoid demotion from Ozeki after withdrawing during March because of injury, opens with Abi while March champion Kiribayama has Midorifuji. Asanoyama, returning to the top tier for the first time since 2021, opens with Chiyoshoma.
On Day 2 we’ll see our first Kinboshi (Gold Star Victory) chance in a while as Terunofuji faces Abi (Maegashira 1). A Kinboshi is whenever a Maegashira beats a Yokozuna in a tournament match (except when due to withdrawal). Other notable Day 2 matches are Takakeisho vs. Kotonowaka and Kiribayama vs. Endo. Asanoyama’s Day 2 for is Taurugisho, now (I believe) the biggest rikishi in the top tier without Ichinojo around.
So far the any only pre-tournament withdrawal at any level is Wakatakakage, which was expected as he is out anywhere from 6 months to 1 year due to injury. He was at Komusubi after withdrawing on Day 15 in March, demoting him from Sekiwake after over a year. Also Ichinojo retired, which is the only one so far.
Finally, the traditional pre-tournament ring purifying ceremony will be held later today. You can watch LIVE FOR FREE on the Nihon Sumo Kyokai Japanese YouTube channel beginning at 6 PM PT/9 PM ET below (the ceremony usually runs around 25 minutes, there is no commentary):
New Japan 5/12/23 Results
New Japan kicked off this year’s Best Of The Super Junior today, the 30th edition of the annual prestigious Jr. Heavyweight showcase (and my favorite tournament of the year). Both blocks made up today’s event.
Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on New Japan World FOR FREE! The event also streamed on ABEMA in Japan.
Click below to watch in Japanese:
https://njpwworld.com/p/s_00651_2_1
Click below to watch in English: https://njpwworld.com/p/s_00651_3_1
The announced paid attendance was 1401, a legit advance sellout. And a little more than recent Korakuen sellouts too (up about 100 from previous full capacity events).
All matches were Best Of The Super Junior matches, 30 minute time limit.
Match 1: Block B: Clark Connors beat Kevin Knight.
Match 2: Block A: Taiji Ishimori beat Ryusuke Taguchi by submission.
Match 3: Block B: Dan Moloney beat BUSHI.
Match 4: Block A: DOUKI beat KUSHIDA by submission.
Match 5: Block B: Master Wato beat Francesco Akira.
Match 6: Block A: Lio Rush beat Sho.
Match 7: Block B: Robbie Eagles beat Yoh.
Match 8: Block A: Titan beat TJP.
Match 9: Block B: Yoshinobu Kanemaru beat El Desperado by submission.
Main Event: Block A: Mike Bailey beat Hiromu Takahashi. SPEEDBALL V1!!! Perfect start for my pick to go all the way!
Day 2 is tomorrow at Nagano Prefectural Budokan in Nagano. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 1 AM PT/4 AM ET.
Dragon Gate 5/11/23 Results
Dragon Gate continued the Hopeful Gate 2023 Tour today with their monthly visit to Tokyo.
Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on DRAGONGATE NETWORK.
The announced paid attendance was 1101.
Match 1: Dragon Dia & La Estrella beat Kzy & Jason Lee. Estrella pinned Lee.
Match 2: BIGBOSS Shimizu, U-T & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI beat Minorita, Kaito Nagano & Daiki Yanagiuchi. Shimizu pinned Yanagiuchi after Liger Bomb.
Match 3: Takashi Yoshida & Punch Tominaga beat Shachihoko BOY & Problem Dragon. Yoshida pinned Dragon after Pineapple Bomber.
Match 4: KAI, Diamante, H-Y-O & ISHIN beat Ultimo Dragon, Dragon Kid, Kagetora & Eita. Diamante pinned Dragon during attempted mask ripping off.
Match 5: Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda beat Naruki Doi & Shuji Kondo. Mochizuki pinned Doi.
Match 6: Don Fujii 26th Anniversary Match: Masaaki Mochizuki & Don Fujii beat YAMATO & BxB Hulk. Fujii beat YAMATO with Gedo Clutch.
Main Event: Madoka Kikuta, Kota Minoura & Shun Skywalker beat Ben-K, Yuki Yoshioka & Strong Machine J. Kikuta pinned J after a rolling lariat.
The next event is Saturday at Kariya City Industrial Promotion Center Aioi Hall in Aichi. There will be no live broadcast.
Impact Wrestling 5/11/23 Results
Here are the quick results from tonight’s Impact Wrestling in Chicago, IL:
This episode was taped during the 4/28-4/29 TV tapings.
The YouTube pre-show match was Ace Austin vs. Zicky Dice.
Match 1: Masha Slamovich beat Killer Kelly.
Trinity interviewed backstage. She will make her Impact in-ring debut at Under Siege with an open challenge match. Jai Vidal interrupts for a selfie with her.
Kenny King joins commentary.
Match 2: Nick Aldis beat Sheldon Jean by submission.
Dirty Dango & Joe Hendry interrogate Johnny Swinger & Zicky Dice as part of the investigation into who attacked Santino Marella. Dango calls Santino and asks him to make Dango vs. Swinger for tonight.
Part 3 of the Frankie Kazarian sit-down interview.
Match 3: The Good Hands beat Decay. John Skyler pinned Black Taurus.
Heath beatdown backstage.
Match 4: Impact World Champion Steve Maclin beat Rhino to retain the title.
Joe Hendry promo. He introduces Dirty Dango for the next match.
Match 5: Dirty Dango beat JOhnny Swinger. Squash.
The Design promo. His “army” from last week starts fighting amongst themselves.
For those who missed it, Mike Bailey will be away from Impact for the next few weeks for the New Japan Pro Wrestling Best Of The Super Junior Tournament beginning tomorrow.
Main Event: Impact Knockouts Tag Team Champions KiLynn King & Taylor Wilde beat Jordynne Grace & Deonna Purrazzo to retain the titles. Wilde pinned Grace after a double-team King high kick. Afterwards, the champs beat down Grace until Trinity made the save. Grace & Trinity shook hands to end the show.
Next week: Trey Miguel vs. Laredo Kid and Moose/Eddie Edwards/Frankie Kazarian vs. Alex Shelley/Jonathan Gresham/Yuya Uemura.
AEW Rampage 5/13/23 Results (SPOILERS!)
Click below for the quick results for this Saturday’s AEW Rampage, airing at 10 PM ET/PT on TNT (SPOILERS!):
Continue reading “AEW Rampage 5/13/23 Results (SPOILERS!)”AEW Dynamite 5/10/23 Results
Here are the quick results from tonight’s AEW Dynamite in Detroit, MI:
Claudio Castagnoli beat Rey Fenix in a Double Jeopardy Match. As a result, Castagnoli and a partner of his choice get a future match against Lucha Bros for the ROH Tag Team Titles. Had Fenix won, he would’ve gotten a rematch later for the ROH World Title.
AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy beat Daniel Garcia to retain the title.
MIRO IS HERE! And so is Thunder Rosa!
In a No Holds Barred Match, Julia Hart beat Anna Jay.A.S.
AEW Trios Champions House Of Black beat Best Friends & Bandido to retain the titles. Brody King pinned Chuck Taylor after Dante’s Inferno. The champs have what are called House Rules for title matches now-20 counts outside the ring are enforced, no rope breaks, DQs are enforced, and the challengers can choose one rule. They chose witches are banned from ringside, meaning no Julia Hart. After the match, Orange Cassidy was seen laid out backstage at the hands of Kyle Fletcher (New Japan), who seems to be the next International Championship challenger.
In a Steel Cage Match, Jon Moxley beat Kenny Omega. Don Callis turned on Omega at the end to set up the result.
A better show than in recent weeks but a little short of PPV quality. Nothing terrible though, main event is must-see and it sets up next week. But seeing Miro back had me very excited.
This week on Rampage airing Saturday at 10 PM ET/PT: The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn vs. The Butcher, The Blade & Kip Sabian, Toni Storm vs. Allysin Kay, Kyle Fletcher vs. Action Andretti and Swerve Strickland & Brian Cage vs. John Silver & Alex Reynolds.
Next week: Ricky Starks vs. Jay White, Toni Storm/Ruby Soho/Saraya vs. Britt Baker/Jamie Hayter/Hikaru Shida, Roderick Strong vs. Chris Jericho with Adam Cole & JAS banned from ringside and Tony Khan’s next major announcement. Given WBD Upfronts (media previews of the coming TV season) are that morning it’s all but guaranteed to relate to TV, possibly confirming the long-rumored new Saturday TV show called Collision.
Injury Report: Crippled Champions Carnival Winner (Updated x2)
All-Japan announced potentially major injury news today-Champions Carnival winner Shotaro Ashino, who is scheduled to face Yuji Nagata for the Triple Crown in a few weeks, is in danger of losing his chance because of injury suffered in the Finals. Left ulna fracture. Out indefinitely. The title match is in just over 2 weeks so status is uncertain. This may also cause Ashino to miss the Hana Kimura Memorial Event on 5/23.
More as it becomes available.
UPDATE: An UNOFFICIAL French-language All-Japan Twitter account is saying Ashino is off 5/29, when the Triple Crown match will happen. T-Hawk, who lost to Ashino in the Champions Carnival Finals, is the replacement.
Official confirmation to come.
UPDATE 2: On 5/12 (Japan time), All-Japan announced a determination match between Ryuki Honda & T-Hawk for the 5/29 title match will happen on 5/18 at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Tokyo. The winner will face Nagata for the Triple Crown on 5/29 while the loser will face Yuma Anzai on 5/29.
News: Upcoming New Japan TAMASHII Events Postponed, Impact Replacing
In a press release today, Impact Wrestling announced they are headed to Australia in June & July for the first time. The events will be held on 6/30 & 7/1 Australia time as part of a 4-day tour from 6/29-7/2, with the events being held in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales. The press release notes the events will be broadcast worldwide on FITE, Impact broadcast partners, digital and social media which suggests they should also be available for Impact+ and YouTube Ultimate Insider subscribers and also AXS TV in the US. Tickets go on sale Saturday (Sunday in Australia).
These events replace planned New Japan TAMASHII events and Oceania Cup, the latter of which is postponed due to NJPW scheduling & talent availability issues. While there are no NjPW events during this time and no press release has been put out from New Japan about this, the events would be less than a week after the Forbidden Door 2 joint event with All Elite Wrestling in Canada. The TAMASHII dates had not yet been announced.
More as it becomes available.
FREE VIDEO: The Firm Deletion Full Match (5/5/23)
While AEW taped and aired The Firm Deletion Match this past Friday on Rampage, what did air on Rampage was edited for time and not the full match. Although it was uploaded to Bleacher Report before, AEW has now uploaded the whole match, which went about 20 minutes, to YouTube. Check it out below: