DDT 3/19/23 Results

With Atsushi Onita now entrenched within the management structure of DDT (namely it’s Dropkick Bar & Restaurant), he launched his own Dramatic Dream Onita aka DDO sub-label today with an event featuring his signature death match as the main event.

Today’s event was held at Tsurumi Fruit & Vegetable Market in Kanagawa and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a later date. There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 282, a super full house/very near sellout.

Match 1: Yusuke Okada beat Keigo Nakamura.

Match 2: Yuki Iino & Danshoku Dieno beat Akito & Kazuma Sumi. Iino pinned Sumi.

Match 3: MJ Pawl & KANON beat Makoto Oishi & Shinichiro Kawamatsu. Pawl pinned Kawamatsu after a running body press.

Match 4: Yukio Sakaguchi, Hideki Okatani & Saki Akai beat Toru Owashi, Yukio Naya & Chie Koishikawa (Chocolate Pro Wrestling). Akai beat Koishikawa with an extreme arm triangle choke.

Match 5: Konosuke Takeshita, MAO & Hikaru Machida beat Chris Brookes, Sanshiro Takagi & Takeshi Masada. Takeshita pinned Masada.

Match 6: Kazusada Higuchi & Ryota Nakatsu beat Tetsuya Endo & Yuya Koroku. Nakatsu pinned Koroku.

Main Event: In a Current Blast Evil Missile Death match, Atsushi Onita, Shunma Katsumata & Toui Kojima beat HARASHIMA, Kazuki Hirata & Takao Soma. Katsumata pinned Hirata after an exploding bat full swing. Afterwards, Takagi demanded a 6-man exploding death match with Joey Janela & Masada as his teammates against Onita. That match will happen on 4/16 in Niigata.

The next event is the DDT 26th Anniversary Event Tuesday at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin at 2 AM ET/Monday at 11 PM PT. The promotion has also announced the first 3 matches will be streamed FOR FREE on YouTube. The event is being advertised as running 5 hours.

Sumo-March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 8 Results (Halfway Point) (3/19/23) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 8-the halfway point-of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, J-Juryo
Kinbozan (M14) beat Chiyoshoma (M16)
Daishoho (M13) beat Mitoryu (M17)
Hokuseiho (M15) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Oho (M15) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Bushozan (M14) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Ura (M8) beat Takanosho (M11)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Takayasu (M7)
Ichiyamamoto (M8) beat Sadanoumi (M7)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Midorifuji (M8) beat Aoiyama (M9)
Endo (M6) beat Onosho (M4)
Meisei (M4) beat Ryuden (M2)
Daieisho (K) beat Abi (M3)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Shodai (M1) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Wakatakakage (S) beat NIshikigi (M3)
Kiribayama (S) beat Tobizaru (K)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Leader: Midorifuji (8-0)
Of note: Terunowho? It’s not the Yokozuna of Isegahama Beya at the top at halfway, but his stablemate and the smallest rikishi in the top tier having the start of his career and the first to clinch promotion. The field thinned out a little today with now only Daieisho within a win of the lead at 7-1 as he pursues his second top tier championship. On the flip side, the honeymoon comes to a crashing halt for Azumaryu, as he follows up his first winning tournament in the top tier with a guaranteed demotion at 0-8, possibly back to Juryo if he doesn’t get some wins. 4 more could be demoted tomorrow including January runner-up Kotoshoho and also Ryuden, who would see a long winning run come to an end. Tamawashi is also in the 1-7 group, the efforts have been there for the ironman but not the results.
Also noteworthy is Hokuseiho winning with a rare technique, harimanage, a technique that hasn’t been seen in the top tier in roughly 3 years. It’s basically a rear belt lifting arm throw/liftout, something I’ve never seen before. But as the tallest rikishi in the top tier it was an impressive display of the rookie’s height advantages.
Key match tomorrow: Midorifuji-Ura. Ura has the hometown crowd behind him and is always tricky & unpredictable. If Midorifuji takes his first loss Daieisho can pull back even, he’s got Tamawashi.

Juryo:
Takakento (J12) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Ochiai (J14) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Tamashoho (J13)
Tochimusashi (J12) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Tomokaze (J13) at Tsushimanada (J9)
Churanoumi (J10) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Akua (J7) beat Hakuyozan (J9)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Enho (J5) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Shonannoumi (J3)
Daiamami (J6) beat Chiyonokuni (J2)
Roga (J5) beat Tochinoshin (J2)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Oshoma (J4)
Tohakuryu (J1) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Leader: 4 at 7-1
Of note: Just one to go…Asanoyama now is just one win over the final week from a top tier return in May. Ichinojo is trending towards a return as well following a suspension-induced demotion, as both remain in a logjam at the top of the leaderboard with Gonoyama and Ochiai, sporting a notably taped elbow/arm after yesterday’s injury concerns but he toughed it out and picked up a big win, now just one win from another promotion. But at this point even 7-8 may not send him back down to Makushita. Who won’t be moving back up is Chiyomaru, the first demotion in Juryo at 0-8 now.
No co-leader faceoffs tomorrow, on paper Ochiai has the toughest draw in Hakuyozan (6-2). Asanoyama goes for promotion in his first chance tomorrow against Roga (4-4). Gonoyama gets Atamifuji while Ichinojo draws fellow Mongolian Oshoma.

Lower tier notes at halfway:
In the Makushita, 8 have clinched promotions and share the lead at 4-0 with Kawazoe having the best chance to be promoted to Juryo in May at Makushita 3. That would also make 2 straight tournaments with promotions to Juryo for the former Yokozuna Hakuho following his taking over Miyagino Beya. Shiden has a chance from Makushita 6 depending on how he does, he’d love a second chance before what would’ve been his Juryo debut last year turned out to be a missed tournament. Former Makushita Champion Yoshii is also back in the mix and would have a slight chance at reaching Juryo if he prevailed again, this time from Makushita 19. At 26 & 27 Ryuo & Kayo could guarantee Nishonoseki Beya a championship if they keep winning.
In the Sandanme, 10 are 4-0 with promotions secured at the halfway point. In the Jonidan, 13 are tied at 4-0 with at least 2 or 3 of those likely moving up to the Sandanme in May. Finally, in the Jonokuchi there are two at 4-0 with one in action tomorrow, but not both.
The Makushita already has 2 withdrawals going into Day 9 while the Sandanme has one withdrawal and one return.

UPDATE: Onosho has WITHDRAWN on Day 9. More to come later. He was 4-4 coming in to Day 9. Hokutofuji gets a free win as a result and will be 5-4.

Pro Wrestling NOAH 3/19/23 Results (Updated)

GREAT VOYAGE 2023 in YOKOHAMA, the latest installment of Pro Wrestling NOAH’s signature blowout event series, is now in the books.

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

The announced paid attendance was 1308. The venue was at 50% capacity and only has a full max capacity of 3000, so this actually is much better than it sounds given the sellout would’ve been around 1500. Possibly a super full house as it’s near 90% full.

Match 1: Yasutaka Yano beat Taishi Ozawa.

Match 2: Atsushi Kotoge, YO-HEY, Seiki Yoshioka & Alejandro beat Shuji Kondo, Tadasuke, Hajime Ohara & Hi69. Kotoge pinned Tadasuke.

Match 3: Katsuhiko Nakajima beat Kinya Okada.

Match 4: Hideki Suzuki & Saxon Huxley beat Mohammed Yone & Yoshiki Inamura. Huxley pinned Yone after a neck hanging bomb.

Match 5: Shuhei Taniguchi beat Takashi Sugiura.

Match 6: Jake Morris & Anthony Greene beat Naomichi Marufuji & Hijo de. Dr. Wagner Jr. Morris pinned Wagner after Tiger Driver.

Match 7: Extreme Tiger & Lancelot beat AMAKUSA & Ninja Mack. Lancelot beat AMAKUSA after Broken Bomb.

Match 8: GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Masa Kitamiya & Daiki Inaba beat Kenoh & Manabu Soya to retain the titles. Kitamiya pinned Soya after a diving senton. V1 for the champs.

Match 9: GHC Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Yoshinari Ogawa & Eita beat HAYATA & Chris Ridgeway to retain the titles. Ogawa beat Ridgeway with a Figure 4. V2 for the champs.

Main Event: Jake Lee beat GHC Heavyweight Champion Kaito Kiyomiya to win the title. Lee becomes the 42nd GHC Heavyweight Chanpion. This went 35 1/2 minutes. Next up: Nakajima. That match will happen on 4/16 at Xebio Arena Sendai as will Wagner Jr. vs. Morris for the GHC National Championship. Kitamiya & Inaba will also defend the GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Championship against Sugiura & Taniguchi and women’s action returns to NOAH with Maya Yukihi vs. Sumire Natsu.

The next event is Friday at Akita Selion Plaza in Akita to start 4 straight days with events continuing the never-ending SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour. There will be no live broadcast (all 4 events will be available on demand next week).

UPDATE: GHC Jr. Heavyweight Champion AMAKUSA vs. Lancelot for the title has been added to 3/26 as fallout from this event.

New Japan 3/19/23 Results

New Japan ran the penultimate day of the New Japan Cup today with the Semifinals, which would set up a very unlikely Finals regardless of the matchup.

Today’s event was held at G Messe Gunma in Gunma and can be watched on demand on New Japan World.

The announced paid attendance was 1396.

Match 1; Oskar Leube & Shota Umino beat Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr. Umino beat Fujita with STF.

Match 2: El Phantasmo, Chase Owens & KENTA beat Ryohei Oiwa, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii. Phantasmo pinned Oiwa.

Match 3: Dick Togo, Sho, Yujiro Takahashi & RVIL beat Ryusuke Taguchi, Ren Narita, El Desperado & Minoru Suzuki. Sho pinned Taguchi.

Match 4: Jeff Cobb & Kyle Fletcher beat Tomoaki Honma & YOSHI-HASHI. Cobb pinned Honma after Tour of the Islands.

Match 5: Aaron Henare & Great-O-Khan beat BUSHI & Shingo Takagi. Henare beat BUSHI with Ultima. Afterwards, Henare made a KOPW 2023 Title challenge to Takagi.

Match 6: Hiromu Takahashi & Tetsuya Naito beat Lio Rush & Yoh. Naito pinned Yoh after Destino.

Match 7: New Japan Cup Semifinals: David Finlay beat Mark Davis.

Main Event: New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA beat Tama Tonga.

As a result, the Finals will be Finlay vs. SANADA with the winner facing IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada for the title at SAKURA GENESIS on 4/8.

The Final is Tuesday at Aore Nagaoka in Niigata. Also set for the event is IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi vs. Lio Rush for the title. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 1 AM PT/4 AM ET.

Sumo-March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 7 Results (3/18/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 7 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Oho (M15) beat Tsurugisho (M16)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Mitoryu (M17) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Bushozan (M14) beat Daishoho (M13)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Takanosho (M11) beat Hokuseiho (M15)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Ura (M8) beat Nishikifuji (M10)
Ichiyamamoto (M8) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Endo (M6) bat Aoiyama (M9)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Takayasu (M7)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Sadanoumi (M6)
Meisei (M4) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Shodai (M1) beat Abi (M2)
Tobizaru (K) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Kotonowaka (K) beat Kiribayama (S)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Ryuden (M2)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Onosho (M4)
Nishikigi (M3) beat Takakeisho (O) by default/withdrawal
WITHDRAWAL: Takakeisho (O). Meniscus/knee injury suffered a couple days ago. Out the rest of the tournament and should be back in May.
Of note: With Takakeisho officially out, it’s the first time in a VERY LONG time that a tournament will finish, let alone reach halfway, with no Yokozuna and no Ozeki in it. Takakeisho will go from Yokozuna candidate to kadoban status in May, needing a winning record to avoid demotion. At the top…well well, who had the littlest man in the top tier the only one at 7-0? That’s where Midorifuji is now all by himself, now one ahead of Takayasu & Daieisho. He’ll go for the first promotion of the tournament tomorrow and try and work his magic against Aoiyama. Kotoshoho & Ichiyamamoto are finally on the board with their first wins today and Wakatakakage now has consecutive wins as he tries to stay at Sekiwake for May, bur Azumaryu is now on the verge of a disappointing demotion after his first winning record in the top tier last time. He’ll try to avoid that against top-tier rookie Bushozan, who is 2-5.

Juryo:
Ochiai (J14) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Mineyaiba (Ms4)
Tomokaze (J13) beat Churanoumi (J10)
Tokushoryu (J14) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Tamashoho (J13)
Hidenoumi (J8) beat Takakento (J12)
Shimanoumi (J11) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Tsushimanada (J9) beat Akua (J7)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Daiamami (J6)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Ichinojo (J3)
Tochinoshin (J2) beat Enho (J5)
Chiyonokuni (J2) beat Roga (J5)
Tohakuryu (J1) beat Oshoma (J4)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Shonannoumi (J3)
Leader: 5 at 6-1
Of note: The last unbeaten went down today as Gonoyama upset Ichinojo, making it wide open heading to the halfway point. Although he won to share the lead there is concern about Ochiai as he potentially injured his elbow-possibly hyperextended as Tochimusashi was really pulling his arm hard as he went down. He was favoring his left elbow after the match. Hopefully he’ll be able to continue but at 6-1 in his Juryo debut he’s in great shape although missing more than a day would probably take him out of the yusho race. 2 more to go for Asanoyama as it now seems like he’ll be back in the top tier in May. Tochinoshin is almost back to .500 although he had it almost too easy against Enho, with what looked like a stiff forearm at the initial charge that put the popular small wrestler right on his butt hard. Ouch. Along with Tochimusashi, Daiamami is on the verge of demotion as he is also 0-7. No more Makushita man up in Juryo with the withdrawal of Takakeisho today unless a Juryo man withdraws.
None of the co-leaders face off on Day 8. If Ochiai is okay he has the most favorable draw in Shimanoumi.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage tomorrow morning at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET.

3/19/23-3/25/23 Events Schedule

Here is the current events schedule for 3/19/23-3/25/23, which is subject to change (all times PT):
3/19:
Midnight-Pro Wrestling NOAH GREAT VOYAGE 2023 in YOKOHAMA, Yokohama Budokan, Yokohama, Japan. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE in English only
Midnight-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Glorious Gate 2023 Tour, Nagoya Congress Center, Nagoya, Japan. No live broadcast
2:30 AM-New Japan Pro Wrestling New Japan Cup 2023 Tournament Semifinals, G Messe Gunma, Gunma, Japan. Live on New Japan World

3/20:
10 PM-DDT Pro Wrestling 26th Anniversary Event “Longest 5 Hour Special In Korakuen History”, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE
10 PM-GLEAT “G PROWRESTLING Ver. 47”, Gorilla Hall Osaka, Osaka, Japan. Broadcast plans TBA

3/21:
Midnight-All-Japan Pro Wrestling Dream Power Series 2023, Ota City General Gym, Tokyo, Japan. Live on AJPW.TV
1 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Glorious Gate 2023 Tour, Kobe Sambo Hall, Kobe, Japan. Live on DRAGONGATE NETWORK
1 AM-New Japan Pro Wrestling New Japan Cup 2023 Tournament Finals, Aore Nagaoka, Niigata, Japan. Live on New Japan World

3/22:
3 AM-Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, Shinjuku Face, Tokyo, Japan. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE
5 PM-All Elite Wrestling “AEW Dynamite”, Independence, MO. Live on TBS in US and FITE elsewhere

3/23:
5 PM-Impact Wrestling “Impact Wrestling”, Las Vegas, NV. TAPED on AXS TV

3/24:
1:30 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Glorious Gate Tour 2023, Yomiuri TV 1F 10plaza Special Ring, Tokyo, Japan. No live broadcast
2:30 AM-Pro Wrestling NOAH SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour, Akita Selion Plaza, Akita, Japan. No live broadcast
3 AM-DDT Pro Wrestling, Shinjuku Face. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE
5 PM-Impact Wrestling “Sacrifice”, Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Live on Impact+, YouTube Ultimate Insider and FITE. LIVE RESULTS SCHEDULED
7:30 PM-Ganbare Pro Wrestling, Oji Basement MON*STAR, Tokyo, Japan (3 events. No live broadcasts

3/25:
1 AM-Pro Wrestling NOAH SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour, Morioka Gym, Iwate, Japan. No live broadcast
1 AM-Dragon Gate Pro Wrestling Glorious Gate 2023 Tour, Okayama Sanyo Fureai Park General Gym, Okayama, Japan. No live broadcast
7 PM-All Elite Wrestling “AEW Rampage”. TAPED on TNT in US and FITE elsewhere. SPECIAL BROADCAST TIME SCHEDULED
8 PM-All-Japan Pro Wrestling Dream Power Series 2023, Shin-Kiba 1st Ring, Tokyo, Japan. Live on AJPW.TV. LIVE RESULTS SCHEDULED
830 PM-Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, Ryogoku KFC Hall, Tokyo, Japan. Live on WRESTLE UNIVERSE. LIVE RESULTS SCHEDULED
11 PM-Pro Wrestling NOAH SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour, Mutsu Maeda Arena, Aomori, Japan. No live broadcast
TBA-Sumo-March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Final Day, Osaka, Japan. Live on NHK World Premium. Also live FOR FREE on NHK World Japan on 3/26 from 12:30-2 AM PT

New Japan 3/18/23 Results

New Japan continued the New Japan Cup today with the second half of the Quarterfinals, which would finish setting up the Final 4.

Today’s event was held at Act City Hamamatsu in Shizuoka and can be watched on demand on New Japan World.

The announced paid attendance was 1101.

Match 1: Kosei Fujita & Zack Sabre Jr. beat Oskar Leube & Ryohei Oiwa. Fujita pinned Oiwa.

Match 2: Aaron Henare & Kyle Fletcher beat Tomoaki Honma & YOSHI-HASHI. Henare pinned Honma after Streets Of Rage.

Match 3: Ren Narita, El Desperado & Minoru Suzuki beat El Phantasmo, Chase Owens & KENTA by DQ. KENTA DQ’d. Ref assault.

Match 4: Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb & Mark Davis beat Dick Togo, Yujiro Takahashi & EVIL. Khan beat Togo with Subaru Sheep Killer.

Match 5: Lio Rush, Yoh, Toru Yano & Tomohiro Ishii beat BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi & tetsuya Naito. Ishii pinned BUSHI after a vertical drop brainbuster. BUSHI was a late replacement for SANADA, who was removed from this match due to events earlier this week when he left LIJ to join what is now Just Five Guys (Taichi’s new post-Suzuki-Gun faction).

Match 6: New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: David Finlay beat Shota Umino. As a result, Finlay advances to the Semifinals.

Main Event: New Japan Cup Quarterfinals: Tama Tonga beat Hirooki Goto. As a result, Tonga advances to the Semifinals.

As a result of today, the second Semifinal will be Finlay vs. Tonga. The promotion also announced that, as is tradition, the tournament winner will face IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada for the title at SAKURA GENESIS on 3/8 at Ryogoku Kokugikan. (The Cup winner always gets the next title match)

The Semifinals are tomorrow at G Messe Gunma in Gunma. The rest of the card beyond those matches (Finlay-Tonga and SANADA vs. Mark Davis) is TBA. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET.

Dragon Gate 3/18/23 Results

Dragon Gate ran MEMORIAL GATE 2023 today, a major event that was part of the current tour marking the halfway point of the series.

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

The announced paid attendance was 454.

Match 1: Open The Triangle Gate Champions Kota Minoura, BxB Hulk & Ben-K beat Don Fujii, Kaito Nagano & Yoshiki Kato to retain the titles. Minoura pinned Nagano after R-301. V2 for the champs.

Match 2: Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda beat Shachihoko BOY & Takashi Yoshida. Kanda pinned BOY after a diving elbow drop.

Match 3: Jason Lee, JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI & Ho Ho Lun beat Shun Skywalker, KAI & H-Y-O. Lee pinned H-Y-O with a modified crucifix hold.

Match 4: Dragon Kid beat Strong Machine J.

Match 5: Yuki Yoshioka, Dragon Dia & Madoka Kikuta beat Naruki Doi, Shuji Kondo & Genki Horiguchi. Kikuta pinned Horiguchi after a rolling lariat.

Match 6: Ryukyu Dragon Champion YAMATO beat Teelan Shisa to retain the title. V3 for YAMATO.

Main Event: Open The Twin Gate Champions Kzy & BIGBOSS Shimizu beat Masaaki Mochizuki & Mochizuki Jr. to retain the titles. Kzy beat Mochizuki with a ground cobra twist. V6 for the champs.

The next event is tomorrow at Nagoya Congress Center in Nagoya. There will be no live broadcast.

Tokyo Joshi Pro 3/18/23 Results

After a successful debut last year, Tokyo Joshi Pro ran the second installment of GRAND PRINCESS, their new biggest event of the year from a venue and importance standpoint today, with a blockbuster card featuring a little bit of everything as they ran Tokyo’s new Olympic venue for the first time.

Today’s event was held at Ariake Arena in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE in Japanese and English. You can also watch the pre-show and the first 2 matches FOR FREE on YouTube.

The announced paid attendance was 1512. That’s not nearly as bad as it sounds because despite the easing of pandemic restrictions the venue was still limited to only 50% capacity and the layout reduced it even further. Also all but two levels of tickets sold out in advance. I did hope for more though.

Match 1: Suzume beat Arisu Endo.

Match 2: Haru Fujo & Runa Okubo Debut Match: Mahiro Kiryu, HIMAWARI, Wakana Uehara & Shino Suzuki beat Kaya Toribami, Touma, Haru Fujo & Runa Okubo. Kiryu pinned Toribami after a spinebuster. V1 for Suzuki in her young career!

Match 3: Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Ram Kaichow (666) beat Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku. Noa pinned Harajuku aftet 5G.

Match 4: Ryo Mizunami (Independent/Freelancer) beat Moka Miyamoto.

Match 5: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao beat Andre The Giant Panda & Neko Haruna. Nakajima pinned Haruna with a Northern Lights Suplex hold.

Match 6: Saki-Sama & May Saint-Michel (Saki Akai & Mei Suruga) beat Yuki Kamifuku & Billie Starkz. May pinned Kamifuku after La Revolution.

Match 7: Aja Kong beat Yuki Arai. Anticipated but still sad.

Match 8: Rika Tatsumi beat International Princess Champion Miu Watanabe by submission to win the title. Tatsumi becomes the 10th International Princess Champion. And what is believed to be the first to win all 3 TJPW titles at some point in her career (Miyu Yamashita & Yuka Sakazaki have never held this title and Maki Itoh has never been Princess Of Princess Champion). So maybe time to put Tatsumi in TJPW G.O.A.T. discussions.

Match 9: Miyu Yamashita & Maki Itoh beat Princess Tag Team Champions Heidi Howitzer & Max The Impaler to win the titles. Yamashita & Itoh become the 12th Princess Tag Team Champions. Itoh pinned Howitzer after Flying Big Head. Well, at least the disaster that was the foreigners winning the title from AA Eye Candy has been somewhat resolved.

Main Event: Mizuki beat Princess Of Princess Champion Yuka Sakazaki to win the title. Mizuki becomes the 12th Princess Of Princess Champion. Boooo..(there are only two TJPW wrestlers I do not like and passionately root against. Mizuki is one. The other who I will NEVER root/simp/etc for is Maki Itoh)

Among major announcements during the event were upcoming major events later this year: 7/8 at Ota City General Gym for what should be SUMMER SUN PRINCESS ’23 (the summer blowout event), 10/8 (not sure where) for what probably will be WRESTLE PRINCESS 3 (typically TJPW’s biggest/most important event of the year but I think GRAND PRINCESS has surpassed it), and 12/1 at Korakuen Hall for the TJPW 10th Anniversary event. Also announced before the event was Yuki Arai’s May & June participation schedule, which is subject to change-5/5 (Korakuen Hall), 5/13 (Act City Hamamatsu, Shizuoka), 5/20 (Otemachi Mitsui Hall, Tokyo), 6/11 (Korakuen), 6/24 (Kobe Art Center, Kobe), 6/25 Nishitetsu Hall, Fukuoka).

The next event is Wednesday at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo to begin the Spring 2023 house show tour. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin at 3 AM PT/6 AM ET.

Sumo-March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 6 Results (3/17/23) (Top 2 Tiers) (Updated)

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

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Mitoryu (M17) beat Oho (M15)
Shonannoumi (J3) beat Bushozan (M15)
Daishoho (M13) beat Hokuseiho (M15)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Kinbozan (M14)
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Takarafuji (M12)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Myogiryu (M10) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Aoiyama (M9) beat Nishikifuji (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Takanosho (M11)
Hokutofuji (M7) beat Ura (M8)
Takayasu (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Midorifuji (M5) beat Endo (M6)
Meisei (M4) beat Sadanoumi (M6)
Abi (M2) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Shodai (M1) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Tobizaru (K)
Daieisho (K) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Onosho (M4)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Ryuden (M2)
Kiribayama (S) beat NIshikigi (M3)
Mitakeumi (M3) beat Takakeisho (O)
Leader: Takayasu, Midorifuji, Daieisho (6-0)
Of note: We can say with 99% certainty it’s over for Takakeisho. He will not be promoted to Yokozuna after this tournament-at this point to have even the slightest chance he must win out. The tweaked knee a couple days ago was the end, it’s affecting him too much. Also of concern is Kirabayama potentially suffering an elbow injury in his win-after taking Nishikigi down with a sotogake (inside leg trip), Nishikigi was holding Kiribayama’s arm going down and twisted his elbow awkwardly as he went down. Not intentional by any means but Kiribayama stayed down on his knees for several moments and was clearly favoring his left elbow. For now he’s likely going to give it a go on Day 7. The only change at the top was Nishikifuji falling from the unbeatens, but tomorrow somebody’s 0 Has Got To Go because Takayasu faces Midorifuji. Daieisho gets Wakamotoharu. Chiyomaru is the Juryo man up tomorrow but he’s 0-6 and badly slumping, which could be good news for opponent Kinbozan. Elsewhere Wakatakakage finally got on the board with his first win and Hoshoryu got a needed victory albeit unpopular because of the HENKA! Kotoshoho & Azumaryu remain a disappointing winless, both 0-6. Azumaryu may have forgotten to show up after his first winning record in the top tier last time out, he could be headed back to Juryo without wins.

Juryo:
Tomokaze (M13) beat Tamashoho (J13)
Kawazoe (Ms3) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Takakento (J12) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Kitanowaka (J11) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Ochiai (J14) beat Churanoumi (J10)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Akua (J7) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Hidenoumi (J8) beat Daiamami (J6)
Enho (J5) beat Roga (J5)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Oshoma (J5)
Tochinoshin (J2) beat Chiyonokuni (J4)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Leader: Ichinojo (6-0)
Of note: Looks like it’s Ichinojo’s to lose now. He is in control as the only unbeaten but if he stumbles, 5 including Asanoyama are right there at 5-1, also including Juryo newcomer Ochiai who is having an excellent debut. Kawazoe, the human slinky in Makushita, earned his 4th win today making him the first rikishi in any tier this tournament to clinch a promotion and winning record. He’ll probably get a couple days’ rest now as the rest of Makushita just finished its 3rd round. One more win and he should be Juryo in May, potentially replacing (among others) Tochimusashi, who has gone from Juryo champion last summer to likely demotion at 0-6 now. And Ochiai could put him on the brink at 0-7 tomorrow. Mineyaiba will be the Makushita man up tomorrow from Ms4, he is currently 1-2 and gets Kitanowaka. For those curious about Terutsuyoshi, he is 1-2 at Ms1 and needs to finish 4-1 or 5-0 to return to Juryo.
In the Makushita, 14 go into the halfway days at 3-0 and looking to join Kawazoe as co-leaders and earn promotions at first chance. In the Sandanme, 21 are currently 3-0 and looking to earn promotions, some possibly to Makushita, as well as staying atop the leaderboard. The Jonidan has 25 currently at 3-0 while the Jonokuchi has 3 sharing the lead at 3-0.

For the night owls, a reminder that NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage on Day 8 beginning Sunday at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET. The network is available online and on tablet/smartphone/smart TV apps and is COMPLETELY FREE to watch. No account creation or cable/satellite TV provider is necessary.

UPDATE: Potential nightmare future scenario for the Nihon Sumo Kyokai at the top of the rankings…it is officially over for Takakeisho. He is OUT going into Day 7. Left meniscus (knee). Likely done for the tournament. Said nightmare scenario is because of the continued absence of Terunofuji-if worst-case happens and he is forced to retire, there would be ZERO YOKOZUNA active. And potentially zero Ozeki depending on what happens with Takakeisho. If he can’t return by Day 11 he goes into kadoban status (8+ losses as Ozeki) in May, meaning he must get at least 8 wins or be demoted. Nishikigi gets the free win today as a result.