News, results & more from Japanese Pro Wrestling & Sumo
Dragon Gate has just announced an injury change to upcoming events, somewhat significant because Open The Brave Gate Champion Ryoya Tanaka is headed to the disabled list. Shoulder. Out indefinitely but will be at least a couple weeks because he is now off 11/22, meaning he is out of KING OF GATE and YAMATO will get a forfeit win and advance to the Quarterfinals as a result.
More as it becomes available.
Stardom continued the Goddess Of Stardom Tag League Tournament today in Sendai.
Today’s event was held at Sendai Pit in Sendai and can be watched on demand on Stardom World. You can also watch the first 3 matches FOR FREE on YouTube.
The paid attendance has not been announced
Match 1: Goddess Of Stardom Tournament Red Block: Natsupoi & Saori Anou beat Yuna Mizumori & Mei Seira. Natsupoi pinned Mizumori.
Match 2: Momo Kohgo & Ranna Yagami beat HANAKO & Rian. Yagami pinned Rian after Beat Master.
Match 3: Miyu Amasaki beat Waka Tsukiyama & Saya Kamitani in a 3-way by pinning Tsukiyama.
Match 4: Suzu Suzuki, Rina Yamashita, Bozilla & Akira Kurogame beat AZM, Aya Sakura, Sayaka Kurara & Kikyo Furusawa. Kurogame beat Furusawa with a crossface.
Goddesses Of Stardom Tournament:
Match 5: Red Block: Natsuko Yora & Ruaka beat Sareee & Miku Kanae. Ruaka pinned Kanae with a Dharma German suplex hold.
Match 6: Blue Block: Syuri & Saki Kashima beat Konami & Rina. Syuri pinned Rina after White Toiger.
Main Event: Ami Sohrei & Lady C beat Saya Iida & Bea Priestley. Sohrei pinned Iida.
Standings:
Red Block:
1-Natsupoi/Anou, 3-0, 6 pts
2-Tora/Ruaka, 2-0, 4 pts
3-Teotleco/Osita, 2-1, 4 pts
4-Bozilla/Kurogame, 1-1, 2 pts
5-Hina/Yagami, 1-2, 2 pts
6-Mizumori/Seira, 1-2, 2 pts
7-Sareee/Kanae, 1-3, 2 pts
8-Tsukiyama/Rian, 0-2, 0 pts
Blue Block:
1-Syuri/Kashima, 3-1, 6 pts
2-HANAKO/Megan Bayne, 2-0, 4 pts
3-Iida/Priestley, 2-1, 4 pts
4-Sohrei/C, 1-1, 2 pts
5-Konami/Rina, 1-1, 2 pts
6-AZM/Amasaki, 1-2, 2 pts
7-Suzuki/Yamashita, 0-2, 0 pts
8-Sakura/Kurara, 0-2, 0 pts
The top 3 in each block will advance with the winners going to the Semifinals.
The next event is tomorrow at Aomori Utori 1st Floor Multipurpose Large Hall in Aomori. Live streaming on Stardom World will begin at 2 AM PT/5 AM ET.
Here are the quick results from today’s Day 4 of the November 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo
Makuuchi (top tier):
Asahakuryu (J2) beat Oshoumi (M16)
Nishikifuji (M15) beat Chiyoshoma (M17)
Shonannoumi (M15) beat Asakoryu (M17)
Tokihayate (M14) beat Sadanoumi (M16)
Gonoyama (M13) beat Mitakeumi (M13)
Ryuden (M14) beat Tomokaze (M12)
Fujinokawa (M12) beat Shishi (M11)
Kotoshoho (M10) beat Roga (M11)
Daieisho (M10) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Tobizaru (M9) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Atamifuji (M6) beat Abi (M7)
Yoshinofuji (M5) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Oshoma (M4) beat Shodai (M5)
Tamawashi (M4) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Takayasu (K) beat Wakamotoharu (M2)
Aonishiki (S) beat Takanosho (K)
Ura (M3) beat Oho (S)
Kotozakura (O) beat Hakuoho (M1)
Onosato (Y) beat Kirishima (M2)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Wakatakakage (M1)
Leader: Onosato, Aonishiki, Fujinokawa (4-0)
Juryo:
Fujiryoga (J13) beat Himukamaru (J13)
Shiden (J14) beat Kitanowaka (J12)
Wakanosho (J14) beat Asasuiryu (J12)
Tsurugisho (J11) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
Nishinoryu (J9) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Kazekeno (J8) beat Kayo (J8)
Shirokuma (J7) beat Kotokuzan (J6)
Takerufuji (J7) beat Hatsuyama (J5)
Tochitaikai (J5) beat Nishikigi (J6)
Asanoyama (J4) beat Kotoeiho (J2)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Hitoshi (J1)
Fujiseiun (J1) beat Daiseizan (J3)
Leader: Shirokuma, Fujiryoga (4-0)
Of note: Fun fact for those superstitious ones today-all the Juryo wrestlers on the West side except for one won. The only East side winner? Wakanosho.
Lower tier notes: Enho won today to start Makushita 2-0 for the fourth time in his last 5 tournaments. 3 of those 4 starts resulted in promotion, one ended with a demotion. His 3rd match will be tomorrow instead of Day 6.
Once again New Japan was convinced to let Taiji Ishimori pretend to be a reckless superhuman today and put on his own event so we got “Superhuman Taiji Ishimori Is Reckless Once Again”.
Today’s event was held at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo and can be watched on demand as a PPV on New Japan World for about 3000 Japanese yen in Japan or $21.99 in the US. You can also watch the pre-show FOR FREE on YouTube.
The announced paid attendance was 465, a legit advance sellout. That’s 93% max capacity for the venue (500 for wrestling).
Pre-show match: Taiji Ishimori beat Daiki Nagai by submission.
Match 1: Taiji Ishimori beat Brahman Shu in 7 seconds by DQ. Which led to…
Match 1 (again): Taiji Ishimori & KAGETORA beat Brahmans Shu & Kei in 11 seconds by DQ. Shu DQ’d. Which led to…
Match 1 (yet again): Taro Nohashi, KAGETORA & Taiji Ishimori beat Brahmans Shu, Kei & Ryusuke (Ryusuke Taguchi) in 25 seconds hy DQ. Shu DQ’d. Which led to…
Match 1 (Take 4): In a Tornado match, Brahmans Yuji (Yuji Nagata), Ryusuke, Shu & Kei beat Yuko Miyamoto, Taro Nohashi, KAGETORA & Taiji Ishimori. Yuji beat Nohashi with a white eyed armbar (presumably Nagata Lock 2).
Match 2: Hiroshi Tanahashi beat Taiji Ishimori by submission.
Match 3: In a handicap match, Shuji Ishikawa beat Black Menso-re & Taiji Ishimori by pinning Menso-re.
Match 4: Masato Tanaka won a 10 man battle royal, last eliminating Mammoth Sasaki.
Main Event: Taiji Ishimori beat Dragon Kid (Dragon Gate).
The next event is SHIMONOSEKI IMPACT Sunday at J:COM Arena Shimonoseki in Yamaguchi. And surprisingly, despite promises New Japan seemingly made on social media for all events through Tokyo Dome, apparently there will be no live or on demand broadcast. They made it sound like every event until and including Tokyo Dome will be live & on demand, along with another PPV next week.
Here are the quick results from today’s Day 3 of the November Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Asakoryu (M17) beat Chiyoshoma (M17)
Kotoeiho (J2) beat Sadanoumi (M16)
Nishikifuji (M15) beat Oshoumi (M16)
Shonannoumi (M15) beat Tokihayate (M14)
Ryuden (M14) beat Gonoyama (M13)
Mitakeumi (M13) beat Tomokaze (M12)
Kotoshoho (M10) beat Shishi (M11)
Fujinokawa (M12) beat Daieisho (M10)
Roga (M11) beat Tobizaru (M9)
Ichiyamamoto (M8) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Midorifuji (M9) beat Abi (M7)
Atamifuji (M6) beat Onokatsu (M6)
Shodai (M5) beat Churanoumi (M7)
Tamawashi (M4) beat Oshoma (M4)
Yoshinofuji (M5) beat Ura (M3)
Wakamotoharu (M2) beat Takanosho (K)
Hiradoumi (M3) beat Oho (S)
Aonishiki (S) beat Hakuoho (M1)
Takayasu (K) beat Kotozakura (O)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Kirishima (Y)
Onosato (Y) beat Wakataakage (Y)
Juryo:
Fujiryoga (J13) beat Otsuji (Ms2)
Asasuiryu (J12) beat Shiden (J14)
Tsurugisho (J11) beat Wakanosho (J14)
Himukamaru (J13) beat Tamashoho (J11)
Kitanowaka (J12) beat Tohakuryu (J10)
Nishinoryu (J9) beat Hidenoumi (J9)
Hakuyozan (J10) beat Kazekeno (J8)
Shirokuma (J7) beat Takerufuji (J7)
Nishikigi (J6) beat Kayo (J8)
Hatsuyama (J5) beat Tochitaikai (J5)
Asanoyama (J4) beat Kotokuzan (J6)
Daisizen (J3) beat Mita (J3) by default/withdrawal
Kagayaki (J4) beat Asahakuryu (J2)
Fujiseiun (J1) beat HItoshi (J1)
WITHDRAWAL: Mita (J3). Right knee (ACL). Tournament over. Out about 3 months but may depend on if surgery is needed. Will be demoted to Makushita either after this tournament or after January. Injury happened in loss to Kagayaki yesterday. Daiseizen got the fusen as a result.
Of note: On a side note to Mita, the injury led his stablemaster Futagoyama to have his head shaved for the first time in 30 years in a show of support for his prized fast-rising wrestler, the second-highest ranked in the stable behind Roga. Mita was fast-tracked on debut (Makushita debut) and despite late struggles in recent tournaments was on pace to reach the top tier anytime now. If he can return in March which seems best-case, he should still be in Makushita.
Lower tier notes: No match for Enho today as expected given he’s on the even-day schedule for now. His second match will be tomorrow.
As a longtime fan and reader of Pro Wrestling Illustrated magazine, I was excited to get my digital new issue today because it features the second list of their ranking season, the PWI Women’s 250. Whereas the prior PWI 500 features all wrestlers but focuses on men (women are ranked though), this one is just for the ladies. As with the 500, this post focuses on spotlighting where women from and who compete mainly in Japan are ranked, plus the overall top 10.
Because the print edition does not come out for another 3 weeks, be advised that if you are waiting for that version and if you want to avoid SPOILERS until then DO NOT click below! (Be careful browsing online and on Zinio as the cover gives away the top 2)
Continue reading “News: PWI Women’s 250 Announced”According to widely reported news in the Japanese media today, Nippon Television Network (NTV) announcer Daisuke Sugaya, whose career included announcing pro wrestling, died today due to potential complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 53. He was hospitalized on 11/7 after work due to not feeling well because of digestive issues.
Sugaya’s work with NTV included being a TV announcer for Pro Wrestling NOAH when the promotion had a partnership with NTV, with some events airing on NTV’s G+ network for the first decade-plus. Several NOAH wrestlers who were in the promotion at that time, including KENTA, have posted memories and messages of condolences on social media. Sugaya also did a wide variety of other programming work including news, sports, management and more.
Here are the quick results from today’s Day 2 of the November 2025 Grand Sumo Tournament in Fukuoka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, O-Ozeki, Y-Yokozuna, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita
Makuuchi (top tier):
Chiyoshoma (M17) beat Fujiseiun (J1)
Asakoryu (M17) beat Oshoumi (M16)
Sadanoumi (M16) beat Shonannoumi (M15)
Nishikifuji (M15) beat Ryuden (M14)
Tokihayate (M14) beat Mitakeumi (M13)
Fujinokawa (M12) beat Gonoyama (M13)
Roga (M11) beat Tomokaze (M12)
Kotoshoho (M10) beat Daieisho (M10)
Shishi (M11) beat Tobizaru (M9)
Ichiyamamoto (M8) beat Midorifuji (M9)
Abi (M7) beat Kinbozan (M8)
Churanoumi (M7) beat Atamifuji (M6)
Onokatsu (M6) beat Shodai (M5)
Tamawashi (M4) beat Yoshinofuji (M5)
Oshoma (M4) beat Ura (M3)
Takayasu (K) beat Hiradoumi (M3)
Aonishiki (S) beat Wakamotoharu (M2)
Oho (S) beat Wakatakakage (M1)
Kirishima (M2) beat Kotozakura (O)
Onosato (Y) beat Hakuoho (M1)
Hoshoryu (Y) beat Takanosho (K)
Juryo:
Shiden (J14) beat Takakento (Ms1)
Himukamaru (J13) beat Wakanosho (J14)
Fujiryoga (J13) beat Asasuiryu (J12)
Tamashoho (J11) beat Kitanowaka (J12)
Tohakuryu (J10) beat Tsurugisho (J11)
Hidenoumi (J9) beat Hakuyozan (J10)
Kazekeno (J8) beat Nishinoryu (J9)
Takerufuji (J7) beat Kayo (J8)
Shirokuma (J7) beat Nishikigi (J6)
Koyokuzan (J6) beat Hatsuyama (J5)
Tochitaikai (J5) beat Asanoyama (J4)
Kagayaki (J4) beat Mita (J3)
Daiseizan (J3) beat Asahakuryu (J2)
Hitoshi (J1) beat Kotoeiho (J2)
Of note: There are reports that Mita possibly suffered a knee injury in his loss today. He had to be taken out on a wheelchair and was hospitalized immediately but may have been able to walk from the wheelchair to the ambulance on his own. Updates to follow.
Lower tier notes: Enho won his opening Makushita match today and is off to a 1-0 start as he has a very slim chance at promotion back to Juryo if he can win the championship. No match tomorrow so for now he’ll likely be competing on even numbered days.
UPDATE: Mita has WITHDRAWN. Right ACL tear per Nikkan Sports. Tournament over. Out about 3 months. That would put him out of January and mean demotion back to Makushita in March. Daiseizan will get the fusen tomorrow as a result.
There were reports in GLEAT lately about VINA leaving the promotion recently but staying until the end of the year while potential contract extension talks took place, but those were subject to change due to injury among other things. That unfortunately just happened. Multiple left shoulder and left biceps issues. Out indefinitely but surgery is needed so it may be a long time. As a result, the G INFINITY Championship he held with Kuroshio TOKYO Japan is now VACANT. Future title plans TBA.
More as it becomes available.
Ganbare Pro held a major event today in Tokyo, but since there was no live broadcast and results don’t seem to be posted yet anywhere I will post them as soon as I can find them. Worst-case is they will be up Tuesday as the event is scheduled to be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE Monday at 11 PM PT/Tuesday at 2 AM ET. (It sounds like the main event result may be out there based on social media posts from Yuna Manase & Masaaki Mochizuki, who faced off for the Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Championship held by Mochizuki)
UPDATE: Here are the results:
Today’s event was held at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Tokyo and should be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE tomorrow at 11 PM PT/Tuesday at 2 AM ET.
The announced paid attendance was 202.
Match 1: Shota Kawakami beat Sentaro Motojima.
Match 2: YuuRI & Sumika Nakagawa beat Haruka Umesaki & Soy. YuuRI beat Soy with a spiral dragon sleeper.
Match 3: Shuichiro Katsumura, Takuya Wada & Jonathan Johnson beat Yumehito Imanari, Shinichiro Tominaga & Mizuki Watase. Johnson pinned Tominaga after The Jackknife.
Match 4: Keisuke Ishii beat Munetatsu Nakamura.
Match 5: Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Champions Yumehito Nakatsu & Takumi Tsukamoto beat Ken Ohka & Chou-un Shiryu to retain the titles. Nakatsu beat Shiryu with a rear naked choke. V2 for the champs.
Main Event: Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Champion Masaaki Mochizuki beat Yuna Manase to retain the title. V2 for Mochizuki. Manase comes up just short in her bid to become the first woman to hold the promotion’s top title…or virtually any major non-women’s title in Japan for that matter (excluding DDT’s various tag team titles and All-Japan’s 6-man tag team title which both were held by Saki Akai at one time). Next up: Ohka. That match may happen on 11/29 but that depends on scheduling because Dragon Gate also has an event that day in Okinawa (match card TBA) while Ganbare will be in Tokyo. I would think they would hold it for their year-ender on 12/27 when they go back to Korakuen Hall but we’ll see.
The next event is 11/29 at Takashimadaira Community Center. It will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE a few days after the event.
UPDATE 2: Next up for the tag champs-Katsumura & YuuRi. That match will happen on 11/29. Also announced for 12/27 at Korakuen was a YuuRI 5th Anniversary match which will be YuuRI vs. Sareee.
UPDATE 3 (11/13/25): It’s now official. Mochizuki vs. Ohka will happen on 11/29.