Tag: pro wrestling

2025 Hana Kimura Memorial Event “Hanabi” Results (5/23/25)

Today the 5th annual Hana Kimura Memorial Event, which has been held on this date the last 4 years, was held in Tokyo. The event, put on by wrestlers and supporters from throughout Japan with help from Hana’s mother, former longtime women’s wrestler Kyoko Kimura, helps keep Hana’s memory alive while raising funds for an organization started by Kimura to push for tougher punishment against cyberbullying/online harassment in Japan, which caused Hana to tragically take her own life in 2020 far too soon. Today marks the 5th anniversary of her death at only 22, so once again the wrestling community comes together to put on a special event to honor their friend’s memory and keep her spirit alive in a celebration of life. The theme of this year’s event is “Hanabi”.

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand worldwide as a PPV in Japanese. Outside Japan it is available on TrillerTV/FITE for $24.99. You get unlimited replays with purchase, considering all the prior events are still on the service it will probably be available forever as long as they have the rights to it.

The paid attendance has not been announced. Looks like it was on the low site, maybe 500-600 at most, possibly hurt by (among other things) sumo.

The broadcast began at least 20 minutes before the event began, at about 20 minutes in a couple of the wrestlers-one of which I believe is Menso-re Oyaji, came out for the opening greeting and perhaps explaining the battle royal rules for today. Then Kyoko Kimura came out to address the crowd.

The matches begin at the 39 minute mark of the broadcast. The GLEAT ring announcer handled the duties today.

Match 1: Tae Honma beat YUNA by submission.

Match 2: Kaori Yoneyama/Fukigen won a 12 person Hana Sports Day comedy battle royal. Order of elimination: Super Delfin, Yuki Miyazaki, Ram Kaichow, Banana Senga, Tsutomu Oosugi, Fuminori Abe, Sayaka Unagi, Yuko Miyamoto, Shuji Ishikawa, Munenori Sawa, Cherry.

Match 3: Aja Kong beat Seigo Tachibana. Squash. Which led to…
Match 3 (again): Aja Kong beat Seigo Tachibana. Squash (again). Which led to…
Match 3 (yet again): Aja Kong beat Seigo Tachibana. Slightly glorified squash (Tachibana actually hit a spear).

Match 4: Jaguar Yokota beat Sakura HIrota (dressed as Hana Kimura) & Menso-re Oyaji in a 3-way by pinning Oyaji. While Hirota had him in a Figure 4 too.

Match 5: Miyuki Takase & Mika Iwata vs. Sareee & Natsupoi and Dash Chisako & Hiroyo Matsumoto in a 3-way went to a 15 minute time limit draw.

Match 6: Minoru Suzuki & Konami beat Shotaro Ashino (All-Japan) & Chihiro Hashimoto. Suzuki pinned Ashino.

Main Event: Veny beat Rina.

After the two began their post-match promos, Kyoko Kimura took a framed picture of Hana and a stuffed animal from a table at ringside and joined them in the ring (as did Konami who cornered Rina for the match). Then the ring announcer did a memorial introduction for Hana Kimura and some fans threw streamers followed by Rina leading a shout of “Hanabi” before the final memorial video of Hana (lots of footage from her early Stardom days including when she was teaming with Rina well before she was the “Pink Devil” she is now, and her Tokyo Cyber Squad faction which also included Konami) and a reel of all the wrestlers saying “Hanabi” to end the event (also featuring former Stardom wrestler Giulia-now in WWE-and ending with Kyoko Kimura, her mother).

It was another event filled with lots of laughs and smiles and a few tears at times, especially at the end, because it’s very sad that such a bright talent with limitless potential was taken from us far too soon-she would have been 27 now and still with many great years ahead of her. I’m sure this tradition will continue every year as long as Kyoko Kimura can keep making it happen and I hope it does because it’s a chance for all of us to come together and celebrate her very full life and career in wrestling and while nothing will bring Hana back, we can keep working to prevent situations like this from happening again. Let us all be kind to each other and keep Hana close to our hearts and never forget her. We love her and miss her so very dearly.

Hanabi.

If the event is held next year we should find out details in early 2026.

FREE VIDEO: Stardom 4/27/25 Main Event (Full Match)

It was truly the end of an era for Stardom at their 4/27/25 STARDOM GRAND QUEENDOM 2025 PPV. Not only did their “icon” Mayu Iwatani leave the promotion after what would be her last match in the promotion (she followed old boss Rossy Ogawa to Marigold), but the career of Tam Nakano came to an end after she lost to Saya Kamitani in the main event where the winner would be World Of Stardom Champion and the loser had to retire. You almost couldn’t write a more emotional ending than they did. And if you haven’t seen it yet or don’t have Stardom World, you can now watch the full main event and the post-match farewell to Nakano (and it’s very emotional indeed between the two rivals) FOR FREE on YouTube or below (the video starts at the beginning of Nakano’s entrance, this version has Japanese commentary with Haruo Murata & Ami Sohrei):

News: A Clue To Future Destino?

He may no longer be with New Japan, but in a social media post in Japanese and Spanish today Tetsuya Naito possibly dropped a hint about his future plans. He mentioned an event with fellow ex-NJPW and LIJ member BUSHI on 6/22 somewhere in Tokyo, the title of which translates to “A Beginning”. This picture posted is the clue:

A separate Twitter account seemingly promoting the event and followed by Naito indicates it’s a talk show event at Tokyo Bay Washington Hotel Iris Hall in Tokyo, with tickets going on sale on 6/1 for 7110 Japanese yen (about $49 US). The account also posted a pic of Naito and a seemingly unmasked BUSHI that was taken outside Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka, their backs to the camera, seemingly taken 2 weeks ago (where they made their last NJPW appearances at WRESTLING DONTAKU 2025). The account, on Twitter at Jun_22_2025, promises more announcements about this event so it may be worth watching for clues along with Naito’s account. It also follows BUSHI’s account, BUSHI posts regularly and noted he had vocal cord surgery after leaving New Japan. His profile says his DMs are open for bookings & inquiries. This also may be connected to the other acc it follows, a “secret” online shop that may be in on the project as well as having an association with Alex Zayne, who makes occasional appearances in NJPW.

More as it becomes available.

Injury Report: Summer Starts Early & Painfully

Tokyo Joshi Pro has announced a late injury change to Saturday’s (tomorrow night) event in Shizuoka: Kira Summer is now off. Leg. In a social media post in both Japanese and English, Summer explained she had soft tissue damage in her thigh and while it was improving recent hot weather in Japan aggravated the condition and doctors recommended rest as a priority. Out indefinitely as a result. She was to have faced Rika Tatsumi. Pom Harajuku will now face Tatsumi-as a result, what had been a match of Harajuku & Raku vs. Ivy Steele & Mahiro Kiryu is now a 3-way. It’s not yet known how long Summer will be out.

More as it becomes available.

New Japan 5/22/25 Results

New Japan continued the Best Of The Super Junior today with Block B.

Today’s event was held at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka and can be watched on demand on New Japan World. This was a Samurai! TV broadcast in Japan.

The announced paid attendance was 967.

Match 1: Hartley Jackson & Kosei Fujita beat Shoma Kato & Dragon Dia. Jackson pinned Kato after Death Valley Bomb.

Match 2: Jacob Austin Young & Francesco Akira beat Gedo & Robbie X. Akira beat Gedo with a ground tarantula.

Match 3: Yota Tsuji & Hiromu Takagashi beat Yujiro Takahashi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru. Tsuji pinned Takahashi after Gene Blaster.

Match 4: Toru Yano, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Master Wato beat Katsuya Murashima, Yuya Uemura & KUSHIDA. Yano pinned Murashima after Demon Slayer.

Best Of The Super Junior Block B:
Match 5: MAO beat Ryusuke Taguchi.
Match 6: Kevin Knight beat Sho.
Match 7: Robbie Eagles beat Titan by submission.
Match 8: Taiji Ishimori beat Nick Wayne.
Main Event: Yoh beat El Desperado by submission.
Standings-wise, Wayne still leads the block at 4-2, 8 points, with everyone else at 3-3, 6 points except Sho who is 2-4, 6 points. The top 2 advance to the Semifinals.

The next event is Sunday at Atelier Himeji in Hypgo with both blocks and no non-tournament matches. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 1 AM PT/4 AM ET

News: Wrestler Name Change Announced

In a brief news post earlier today, Dragon Gate announced Takashi Yoshida, fka Cyber Kong, has changed his name and will compete as just his first name, Takashi, going forward. He has been competing more outside Dragon Gate recently, namely in All-Japan as now part of Hokuto Omori’s faction and occasional DDT participation.

Stardom 5/21/25 Results

Stardom ran their latest midweek Tokyo event today.

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on Stardom World. You can also watch the first 2 matches FOR FREE on YouTube.

The announced paid attendance was 1176.

Match 1: Emma Maishima Debut Match: AZM beat Emma Maishima.

Match 2: Kikyo Furusawa Debut Match: Hanan beat Kikyo Furusawa.

Match 3: Ranna Yagami, Tomoka Inaba, Saki Kashima & Kiyoka Kokatsu beat Hazuki, Koguma, Akira Kurogame & Yuria Hime. Inaba pinned Hime.

Match 4: Saya Kamitani, Natsuko Tora, Azusa Inaba & Fukigen beat Mei Seira, Miyu Amasaki, Saya Iida & Momo Kohgo. Tora pinned Amasaki after a diving body press

Match 5: Syuri, Hina & Lady C beat Yuna Mizumori, Aya Sakura & Sayaka Kurara. Hina pinned Kurara with Gedo Clutch.

Match 6: Natsupoi & Saori Anou beat Waka Tsukiyama & Rian. Natsupoi pinned Rian after Fairy Real Gift.

Match 7: Artist Of Stardom Championship Next Challenger Tournament Finals: Suzu Suzuki, Rina Yamashita & Itsuki Aoki vs. Konami, Rina & Ruaka went to a double countout. As a result, both get the next shot at the champions in a 3-way. That match will happen on Saturday.

Main Event: Wonder Of Stardom Champion Starlight Kid beat HANAKO by submission to retain the title. V4 for Kid.

The next event is Saturday at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka. Live streaming on Stardom World will begin Friday at 9 PM PT/midnight ET.

Additionally, if you missed it or don’t have Stardom World, you also can now watch the full 4/27 PPV main event (Saya Kamitani vs. Yam Nakano for the World Of Stardom Championship where the loser also had to retire) FOR FREE on YouTube.

New Japan 5/21/25 Results

New Japan continued the Best Of The Super Junior Tournament today with the 6th day of Block A.

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 842.

Match 1: Daiki Nagai & Nick Wayne beat Gedo & Taiji Ishimori. Wayne pinned Gedo after a double stunner.

Match 2: Katsuya Murashima, Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi & Yoh beat Masatora Yasuda, Shoma Kato, MAO & El Desperado. Murahsima beat Yasuda with a Boston Crab.

Match 3: Yota Tsuji & Titan beat Hartley Jackson & Robbie Eagles. Tsuji pinned Jackson after Gene Blaster.

Match 4: Yujiro Takahashi, Sho & SANADA beat Toru Yano, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kevin Knight by DQ. Yano DQ’d.

Best Of The Super Junior Block A:
Match 5: Hiromu Takahashi beat Ninja Mack.
Match 6: Yoshinobu Kanemaru beat Kosei Fujita.
Match 7: Clark Connors beat KUSHIDA.
Match 8: Francesco Akira beat Dragon Dia.
Main Event: Master Wato beat Robbie X.

Standings:
Block A:
1-Wato, 4-2, 8 pts
2-KUSHIDA, 3-3, 6 pts
3-Dia, 3-3, 6 pts
4-Takhaashi, 3-3, 6 pts
5-Fujita, 3-3, 6 pts
6-Akira, 3-3, 6 pts
7-Connors, 3-3, 6 pts
8-X, 3-3, 6 pts
9-Kanemaru, 3-3, 6 pts
10-Mack, 2-4, 4 pts

Block B:
1-Wayne, 4-1, 8 pts
2-Desperado, 3-2, 6 pts
3-Taguchi, 3-2, 6 pts
4-Titan, 3-2, 4 pts
5-Yoh, 2-3, 4 pts
6-Knight, 2-3, 4 pts
7-Eagles, 2-3, 4 pts
8-Ishimori, 2-3, 4 pts
9-Sho, 2-3, 4 pts
10-MAO, 2–3, 4 pts

The top 2 in each block advance to the Semifinals. Everyone is still in it although Wato & Wayne lead.

The next event is Thursday at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka with Block B. Live streaming on New Japan World will begin at 2 AM PT/5 AM ET.

TJPW News: Impossible-to-fill Shoes Filled

At their spring tour event this past Saturday in Tokyo, Tokyo Joshi Pro made a noteworthy announcement at the start of the event: They have found someone to do the impossible-fill the shoes of departing ring announcer Sayuri Namba when she leaves the promotion next month. They introduced Rise Shirai as the new ring announcer-to-be, she will train over the next few weeks before taking over full-time once Namba departs next month, with her debut coming this Saturday. Also of note, Namba will reprise one of her prior roles as a ring card girl on 6/14 (what may be her farewell event) for a special rounds rules match between Kazuki Hirata & Hideki Sekine.

I certainly hope Shirai does well and will support her but let’s be honest, Namba is irreplaceable with all she has contributed to the growth of TJPW over the last 5+ years, much of that from just her natural personality & enthusiasm (and it doesn’t help she can speak decent English). She isn’t closing the door to an eventual return or maybe at least connecting when TJPW returns to North America (which next happens in July in Texas), so hopefully this won’t be goodbye and just a see you later.

All-Japan 5/18/25 Results (Updated 5/19/25)

All-Japan wrapped up the 2025 Champions Carnival Tournament today with the Finals.

Today’s event was held at Ota City General Gym in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on AJPW.TV. This was also a Samurai! TV broadcast in Japan.

The announced paid attendance was 2280.

Pre-show match: Taishin Nagao beat Shouta Kofuji. First career single win for Nagao.

Match 1: Champions Carnival Semifinals: Kento Miyahara beat Ryuki Honda.

Match 2: Champions Carnival Semifinals: Rei Saito beat Hideki Suzuki by KO.

Match 3: Kengo Mashimo, Madoka Kikuta, Shuji Kondo & Seigo Tachibana beat Davey Boy Smith Jr., Ren Ayabe, Atsuki Aoyagi & Ryo Inoue. Kikuta pinned Inoue after a rolling lariat.

Match 4: Fuminori Abe 10th Anniversary Match-Hokuto Omoro, Kumaarashi & Takashi Yoshida beat All-Japan 6-Man Tag Team Champions Fuminori Abe, Yuma Aoyagi & Hikaru Sato to win the titles. Omori, Kumaarashi & Yoshida become the 11th All-Japan 6-Man Tag Team Champions. Onori pinned Aoyagi after Narcissist Press,

Match 5: Shotaro Ashino, Xyon & Dan Tamura beat Jun Saito, Naruki Doi & Senor Saito. Xyon pinned Senor Saito after Xyon Spear.

Match 6: All-Asia Tag Team Champions Rising Hayato & Yuma Anzai beat Mike D. Vecchio & Aigle Blanc to retain the titles.. Hayato pinned Blanc after Sid Vicious. V6 for the champs. Next up: The Aoyagis.

Match 7: Seiki Yoshioka beat All-Japan World Junior Heavyweight Champion MUSASHI to win the title. Yoshioka becomes the 71st All-Japan World Junior Heavyweight Champion. Next up: Tamura.

Main Event: Champions Carnival Finals: Rei Saito beat Kento Miyahara to win the tournament. As a result, Saito gets the next Triple Crown shot against…none other than his brother, Jun Saito. Which means one thing is certain coming out of it besides me being happy either way…DOOM!!! If they have their way, that match will happen at the next event on 6/1. Also I’m happy to see Rei Saito’s beard/goatee returning after he went clean-shaven the last couple months.

The next event is 6/1 at Sendai Sun Plaza in Sendai to start the Super Power Series 2025 Tour. Live streaming on AJPW.TV will begin on 5/31 at 10 PM PT/1 AM ET. The event will also be taped for broadcast on GAORA SPORTS in Japan at a later date.

5/19/25 UPDATE: It’s now official. Saitos face off for the Triple Crown on 6/1. Yoshioka-Tamura is also official for that date. In fact, most if not all the 6/1 card is official, here is what else was announced:
All-Japan World Tag Team Champions Kento Miyahara & Yuma Aoyagi vs. Shotaro Ashino & Xyon for the titles
Hokuto Omori, Kumaarashi & TBA (billed as XXL) vs. Ryuki Honda, Yuma Anzai & Ren Ayabe
Atsuki Aoyagi, Fuminori Abe & Seigo Tachibana vs. MUSASHI, Rising Hayato & Ryo Inoue
Taishin Nagao vs. Hideki Suzuki
Jack Kennedy & Aizawa No. 1 vs. Davey Boy Smith Jr. & Kuroshio TOKYO Japan