Tag: wrestling

AEW Dynamite 12/27/23 Results

Here are the quick results from tonight’s New Year’s Smash episode of AEW Dynamite in Orlando, FL:

Match 1: Continental Classic Gold Block Finals: Jon Moxley vs. Swerve Strickland & Jay White in a 3-way
Result: Jon Moxley beat Swerve Strickland & Jay White in a 3-way by pinning White. As a result, Moxley will face Eddie Kingston or Bryan Danielson in the Finals Saturday at the Worlds End PPV.

Strickland intervewed backstage. He will now face Keith Lee Saturday.

Mariah May interviewed. She plans to make her in-ring debut next week. Riho then interrupts and runs her off, Toni Storm tries to make the save but gets sent packing by Riho.

Top Flight & Action Andretti promo. Orange Casside interrupts with Trent Beretta & Rocky Romero. Trios match on Rampage. Andretti impressively chugs then crushes a small (12-16 oz) water bottle. Must-see.

Miro promo. He will face Andrade El Idolo Saturday.

The Callous Hand Of Don hosts a Boxing Week Celebration in the ring for his family, much to Tony Schiavone’s (hilarious) dismay. Sammy Guevara returns to try and crash the party and gets a beatdown until Chris Jericho makes the save, but then Ricky Starks & Big Bill hit the ring for a beatdown until the lights go out, but instead of House Of Black it was Darby Allin & Sting to make the save.

Match 2: Continental Classic Blue Block Finals: Bryan Danielson vs. Eddie Kingston
Result: Eddie Kingston beat Bryan Danielson

Match 3: Skye Blue beat Kris Statlander.

The Adam Copeland-Christian Cage interview started with Copeland no-showing, then storming in and it became a brawl.

Main Event: The Devil’s Masked Men beat ROH Tag Team Champions MJF & Samoa Joe (for Adam Cole) to become THE NEW ROH TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS! Essentially just MJF vs. both as Joe was taken out first thing. After The Devil appeared on screen post-match, Joe turned on MJF.

Due to receiving word of a death in my family I had to stop watching after Danielson-Kingston began, so everything from then on I was not able to watch live.

Friday on Rampage: Top Flight & Action Andretti vs. Best Friends and Ruby Soho vs. Marina Shafir.

No Collision this week because of the Worlds End PPV Saturday.

DEVELOPING: DDT Title Match In US This Weekend

Although MAO is scheduled to defend the DDT Universal Championship next month in Tokyo, he may not make it there as champion. US independent promotion Circle 6, in a post by MAO in Japanese and translated to English by DDT on the socials, has announced MAO will defend the title against Nate Webb on Sunday in Hollywood, CA. MAO will also participate in the promotion’s 12/30 event in Los Angeles. Tickets may still be available on Circle 6’s website (this will be a 10 PM PT/1 AM ET event with no TV/streaming scheduled).

Ganbare Pro 12/27/23 Results (Updated x2)

The final (and final annual) Ganbare Pro blowout event of the year, BAD COMMUNICATION ’23, is now in the books.

Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE.

The announced paid attendance was 603. They used a reduced capacity setup with the opposite-hard camera bleacher seating completely closed off and used as the entrance ramp area.

The opening start call was delivered by Moeka Haruhi, who is recovering from donating a kidney to her younger sister as life-saving treatment. Haruhi will return to competing when she is fully recovered acleared.

Match 1: KO-D Tag Team Champions Takao Soma & Shota beat Keisuke Ishii & Shigehiro Irie to retain the titles. Shota pinned Ishii with Gannosuke Clutch. V3 for the champs. Next up: Ken Ohka & HARASHIMA. That match may happen on 1/6.

Match 2: Makoto, HARUKAZE & Bunny Oikawa beat Sumire Natsu, YuuRI & Riara. HARUKAZE pinned Riara after Flame Spear.

Match 3: Yoshiko Hasegawa beat Arisu Endo (Tokyo Joshi Pro).

Match 4: Yuko Miyamoto beat Munetatsu Nakamura.

Match 5: In a GanPro vs. GLEAT elimination match with over the top rope elimination rules in effect, Yumehito Imanari, Takuya Wada, Mizuki Watase, Shinichiro Tominaga & Tyson Maeguchi beat Kaz Hayashi, Minoru Tanaka, Takanori Ito, Check Shimatani & Jun Tonsho. Order of elimination: Tominaga by Hayashi, Tonsho by Watase, Maeguchi by Ito, Ito by Imanari & Watase, Watase by Tanaka, Tanaka & Wada simultaneously, Shimatani by Imanari, Hayashi by Imanari. Imanari is the only one left, GanPro wins.

Match 6: Ken Ohka beat Kuma Arashi.

Main Event: Shuichiro Katsumura beat Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Champion Isami Kodaka to win the title. Katsumura becomes the 6th Spirit Of Ganbare World Openweight Champion. Next up: Ohka. That may happen on 1/4 although that card has been finalized already. Then perhaps a KO-D Tag Team Championship match 2 days later. The Landlord looking for lots of gold.

The next event, their first of 2024, is 1/4 at Itabashi Green Hall. Broadcast plans TBA but note they will be running opposite Tokyo Dome.

UPDATE: After the event, Yuna Manase announced on the socials that she will return on 2/23. She has been out most of this year due to injury.

UPDATE 2: Both Ohka title matches hinted at above are now official.

FREE VIDEOS: Dragon Gate PRIME ZONE (Limited Time)

From 2012 until early 2020 when the pandemic put everything on hold, Dragon Gate ran a monthly series called PRIME ZONE that streamed on DRAGONGATE NETWORK. If you’ve never seen it before and want to check it out, you can now watch all 85 episodes FOR FREE on DRAGONGATE NETWORK, even if you are not a paying subscriber. Each episode ran for between 50-90 minutes and featured 2 or 3 matches and other content.

The free access is until 1/24/24 at 6:59 AM PT/9:59 AM ET. Click below to access the page:
https://dragongate.live/dragongate_studio/

This and much more content is part of DRAGONGATE NETWORK, available worldwide for 1650 yen/month (around $12 US).

Dragon Gate 12/26/23 Results (Updated x2)

Dragon Gate wrapped up their 2023 today with the final event of the Fantastic Gate 2023 Tour, a hometown event for the promotion.

Today’s event was held at Kobe Sambo Hall in Kobe and can be watched on demand on DRAGONGATE NETWORK.

The announced paid attendance was 726, which sounds like a legit sellout.

Match 1: Kzy, BIGBOSS Shimizu & U-T beat Dragon Dia, Ryoya Tanaka & Kaito Nagano. Shimizu pinned Tanaka after BIGBOSS Press.

Match 2: Takashi Yoshida beat Problem Dragon.

Match 3: BxB Hulk, Shachihoko BOY, Kagetora & Punch Tominaga beat Ultimo Dragon, Don Fujii, Genki Horiguchi & Shuji Kondo. Kagetora pinned Horiguchi.

Match 4: Masaaki Mochizuki, Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda vs. KAI, ISHIN & Yoshiki Kato went to a double countout.

Match 5: YAMATO & Naruki Doi beat Dragon Kid & Eita. YAMATO pinned Kid after Gallaria.

Main Event: Shun Skywalker won a 9 man battle royal, last eliminating JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI. Participants included NEW Open The Dream Gate Champion Luis Mante

The 2024 schedule begins with the New Year Gate 2024 Tour, starting on 1/6 at Kyoto KBS Hall in Kyoto. Live streaming on DRAGONGATE NETWORK will begin at midnight PT/3 AM ET.

Additionally, ahead of the coming return of the promotion’s old PRIME ZONE series all episodes of the prior iteration are available FOR FREE on DRAGONGATE NETWORK for a limited time, no registration required.

UPDATE; Apparently Skywalker got a nice reward for winning the battle royal today-the first shot at Mante for the Open The Dream Gate Championship. That match will happen at THE GATE OF BAYSIDE 2024 on 1/27 at Yokohama Budokan in Yokohama.

UPDATE 2: Also added to 1/27 is NEW Open The Twin Gate Champions Kaito Kiyomiya & Alejandro vs. Jason Lee & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI for the titles. On 1/11 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo will be NEW Open The Triangle Gate Champions KAI, ISHIN & Yoshiki Kato vs. Masaaki Mochizuki, Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda for the titles and Hyo vs. Shun Skywalker in a NON-TITLE matchz

All-Japan News: Wrestler Leaving Promotion

All-Japan announced today that Takao Omori will be leaving the promotion after the next event on 12/31. Contract expiring and will not be renewed. This was Omori’s second stint in All-Japan, which began at the start of 2012 and he also served as a director until 2014. No word yet on future plans for the 54-year-old Omori, who has been active for over 31 years.

All-Japan News: WWE Wrestler Challenging For Triple Crown

In a story getting a lot of attention because it breaks from their tradition of just about never working with other promotions, WWE is sending a wrestler to All-Japan to start 2024, specifically NXT wrestler Charlie Dempsey who will challenge for the All-Japan Triple Crown on 1/3. Who is champion at that time will be determined on 12/31 when Katsuhiko Nakajima defends against Kento Miyahara.

This is actually the second time this year WWE has allowed a wrestler to go to Japan, the first was for Pro Wrestling NOAH’s 1/1 event when Shinsuke Nakamura was allowed to go back for a special match against Keiji Muto. It seems that William Regal, who returned to WWE Earlier this year after a couple years with All Elite Wrestling, played a part in making this happen…and he revealed for the first time in this announcement that Dempsey is his real-life son, so the pedigree should definitely be there. Dempsey will also participate in All-Japan’s 1/1 event..

Sumo-January 2024 Banzuke Announced (Updated)

It’s Christmas Day in Japan and sumo fans just got their gift-the Japan Sumo Association has announced the Banzuke (Rankings) for the January 2024 Tournament. Here are the top 2 tiers and other notes:

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Yokozuna-Terunofuji
Ozeki-Kirishima (November Tournament Champion), Hoshoryu, Takakeisho
Sekiwake-Kotonowaka, Daieisho
Komusubi-Takayasu, Ura
Maegashira 1-Wakamotoharu, Atamifuji
Maegashira 2-Midorifuji, Abi
Maegashira 3-Gonoyama, Hokutofuji
Maegashira 4-Tobizaru, Shodai
Maegashira 5-Ryuden, Nishikigi
Maegashira 6-Kinbozan, Shonannoumi
Maegashira 7-Ichiyamamoto, Asanoyama
Maegashira 8-Hokuseiho, Hiradoumi
Maegashira 9-Mitakeumi, Meisei
Maegashira 10-Tamawashi, Sadanoumi
Maegashira 11-Tsurugisho, Oho
Maegashira 12-Takanosho, Myogiryu
Maegashira 13-Churanoumi, Endo
Maegashira 14-Kotoshoho (November Juryo Champion), Onosho
Maegashira 15-Tomokaze, Onosato
Maegashira 16-Takarafuji, Bushozan
Maegashira 17-Shimazuumi, Aoiyama

Juryo:
Juryo 1-Daiamami, Mitoryu
Juryo 2-NIshikifuji, Tohakuryu
Juryo 3-Roga, Kitanowaka
Juryo 4-Tamashoho, Kotoeko
Juryo 5-Chiyoshoma, Oshoma
Juryo 6-Tokihayate, Shirokuma
Juryo 7-Kagayaki, Shishi
Juryo 8-Shimanoumi, Shiden
Juryo 9-Asakoryu, Daishoho
Juryo 10-Takerufuji, Hakuyozan
Juryo 11-Akua, Hidenoumi
Juryo 12-Chiyomaru, Tenshoho
Juryo 13-Yuma, Oshoumi
Juryo 14-Chiyosakae, Tochimusashi

Notes:
As expected, no changes in Sanyaku except Wakamotoharu was demoted to M1 while the new Komusubi this time are Ura for the first time in his career and Takayasu. If Kirishima wins this tournament, he will probably earn promotion to Yokozuna (or will at least be recommended)-he hopes it can happen this time or next time because his stablemaster, the current Michinoku, must retire after the March Tournament (he turns 65 in April, which means he’ll reach the mandatory retirement age in sumo). Terunofuji will be back this tournament after being out the last 3 tournaments according to stablemaster Isegahama, and if he doesn’t return the Yokozuna Deliberation Council will take the first step in a 3-step process that ends with pretty much forcing retirement (Yokozuna can never be demoted but they can be forced to retire for continued poor performance or, in this case, numerous absences). Kotonowaka will be on Ozeki Watch again as he can earn promotion by winning the championship or finishing with at least 13 wins. Daieisho also has a chance at promotion again but he’ll need a championship or to go 14-1 or 15-0. The only real big surprise in the rankings is perhaps Atamifuji making it to M1, I had him a couple ranks lower after another runner-up finish. If he keeps this up we’ll be taking about Ozeki promotion for him by the end of 2024. Also making his top tier debut will be Onosato after losing the Juryo Championship playoff to Kotoshoho, making a huge jump from Juryo 5. He’ll open at M15 against..possibly .Kotoshoho! Normally on the first day wrestlers face the other wrestler who shares their rank but Onosato and Tomokaze at M15 are both from Nishonoseki Beya so that won’t happen. Shimazuumi also sneaks in at M17 which means he’ll also make his top tier debut, possibly against the returning Aoiyama who gets back to the top tier after winning his final November match to finish 8-7 at Juryo 1. Ichiyamamoto was another big winner as 11-4 and a Fighting Spirit Prize took him up to M7 alongside the biggest loser, Asanoyama. His gamble of coming back after missing the first week in November to try and save promotion to Sanyaku backfired and a 4-11 equivalent drops him from M1 to M7.
Nishikifuj, Roga, Kotoeko, Kitanowaka and Tohakuryu all were demoted to Juryo with Kotoeko going down for the first time in 3 years (largely due to injury).
Don’t recognize Shirokuma? I didn’t either. Turns out it’s the former Takahashi with a new Shikona, or name change. He will no longer use his real last name as his ring name.
Takerufuji & Oshoumi are Shin-Juryo this tournament, making their second tier (pro) debuts, while Hakuyozan & Tochimusashi are Sai-Juryo, returning after demotions to Makushita. Tochimusashi will try to have a winning Juryo record for the first time since winning the championship.

In the Makushita, former Sekiwake Wakatakakage just missed promotion to Juryo after a 5-2 effort in his return from injury, and moves up to Ms1 from Ms6. The big question is if Hakuoho will be able to return from injury this time, which is possible-if so, he’ll be at Ms5 but should be back up in no time. Best-case for a top-tier return for the super-rookie seems to be July. September champion Hitoshi was demoted to Ms7 after a disastrous Juryo debut in November, while November Champion Satorufuji got a bigger than expected, and no doubt Isegahama-influenced bump up from Ms42 all the way to Ms3 (normally the Makushita Champion gains 30 spots if they are in the lower half of the 60-rank division).

The Sandanme has the new-usual 90 ranks with 180 wrestlers, with the biggest story being Enho possibly beginning his comeback from a major back injury. He may try to return this tournament and if so he will be at Sd83. He doesn’t plan to retire anytime soon and is no doubt motivated by needing to get back to Juryo one more time to qualify for elder stock upon retirement (you need to have been in Makuuchi and Juryo for at least 5 years-30 tournaments-in your career to qualify to become an Oyakata, and eventually a coach or stablemaster-after retirement. It doesn’t have to be consecutive. Enho has 29 such tournaments, really he missed it by just one win in his last appearance). The Jonidan ranks are a bit thinner this time with just 98 ranks and 196 wrestlers, down from the usual triple digit ranks, while the Jonokuchi will have 17 ranks and 33 wrestlers. In Jonidan, watch November Jonokuchi Champion Aonishiki at Jd10, looking to eventually become the second rikishi from Ukraine to reach the top 2 tiers alongside countryman Shishi (they are not in the same stable).

The January Tournament begins on 1/14 in Tokyo.

UPDATE: Azumaryu, who was demoted from Juryo after November, has now retired after the Banzuke announcement. He was to have been at Makushita 13 in January. His final career record will be 588-522-47 (win-loss-absent), 62-88-15 in the top tier with one Juryo championship and a highest rank of Maegashira 11. In November he was a withdrawal on Day 2 due to injury and didn’t return, finishing the equivalent of 0-15. He had 5 straight demotions and only earned 2 promotions in the last 10 tournaments. Nikkan Sports reports he will have a hair cutting ceremony in September at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo and it sounds like he will not become an elder/oyakata and may return to his native Mongolia (he spent over 10 years in the top 2 tiers, more than double the time needed to qualify for elder stock).

Tokyo Joshi Pro 12/24/23 Results

Tokyo Joshi Pro wrapped up their 2023 with their annual Christmas event, “Se-No, Merry Christmas!”

Today’s event was held at Ryogoku KFC Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE.

The announced paid attendance was 365, a legit advance sellout.

There were last-minute changes to the card due to Hikari Noa being off the event (illness). Nao Kakuta also missed the event due to a scheduled stage performance.

During the opening announcements, it was announced that Runa Okubo will be temporarily leaving the promotion after the 1/4 event. High school entrance exams (students in Japan have to take and pass exams before they can begin high school, which typically is at age 15 or 16. Okubo is 15). She plans to return in March.

Match 1: Suzume beat Toga.

Match 2: Mahiro Kiryu beat Haru Kazashiro & Arisu Endo in a 3-way by pinning Kazashiro.

Match 3: Maki Itoh & Yuki Kamifuku beat Wakana Uehara & Shino Suzuki. Itoh beat Suzuki with Itoh Deluxe.

Match 4: In a Holy Night Miracle Rules Match, a comedy match with special rules requested from Santa in advance, Hyper Misao, Yuki Aino & Pom Harajuku beat Mizuki, HIMAWARI & Runa Okubo. Aino pinned HIMAWARI after Venus DDT. The special rules were a bell in a sock was placed in a corner and if it was rung during a Christmas song being played, those rules were lifted. The rules chosen by the teams were 2 count falls only for Mizuki’s team and no Mizuki participation for Misao’s team.

Main Event: Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe, Raku & Moka Miyamoto beat Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima, Yuki Arai & Kaya Toribami. Miyamoto pinned Toribami after Korokan. Afterwards, all of today’s participants gathered in the ring for the final send-off and to wish all the fans a Merry Christmas.

This concludes 2023 for Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, a year in which, just a few weeks ago, they celebrated their 10th Anniversary and successfully continued their expansion efforts outside Japan, including returns to the USA and other parts of Asia, which will continue into 2024 and beyond as they move into a brighter post-pandemic future.

The next event is “Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling ’24”, their 2024 opening event, on 1/4 at Korakuen Hall. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE in Japanese and English will begin on 1/3 at 5:45 PM PT/8:45 PM ET and live results will be posted. Despite more matches and a longer running time than planned, the event will be over in plenty of time for fans to get to, or prepare to watch, New Japan’s Tokyo Dome blowout event (starting at 11:30 PM PT/2:30 AM ET).

Dragon Gate 12/24/23 Results (Updated)

Dragon Gate’s final blowout event of 2023, THE FINAL GATE 2023, is now in the books.

Today’s event was held at Fukuoka International Center in Fukuoka and will be available on demand on DRAGONGATE NETWORK tomorrow at 5 PM PT/8 PM ET. The event was streamed live on the service but on demand availability is delayed due to broadcast rights.

The paid attendance has not yet been announced. (UPDATE: The announced paid attendance was 2286)

Match 1: Jason Lee, U-T & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI beat Ryoya Tanaka, Kaito Nagano & Shachihoko BOY. KAMEI pinned Tanaka after “JACKY” Knife. BOY was a late replacement for the absent Daiki Yanagiuchi (illness).

Match 2: Open The Brave Gate Champion Hyo beat Genki Horiguchi to retain the title. V2 for Hyo.

Match 3: Masaaki Mochizuki, Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda beat Don Fujii, Kagetora & Problem Dragon. Masaaki Mochizuki pinned Dragon after Twister.

Match 4: Kzy, BIGBOSS Shimizu, Strong Machine J & Naruki Doi beat Ultimo Dragon, BxB Hulk, Dragon Dia & Shuji Kondo. J pinned Hulk with Machine Suplex. The teams for this match were determined by random draw at the event.

Match 5: KAI, ISHIN & Yoshiki Kato beat Open The Triangle Gate Champions YAMATO, Dragon Kid & Punch Tominaga to win the titles. KAI, ISHIN & Kato become the 88th Open The Triangle Gate Champions. Kato pinned Tominaga after Cadere Luna.

Match 6: Kaito Kiyomiya & Alejandro (Pro Wrestling NOAH) beat Open The Twin Gate Champions Ben-K & Kota Minoura to win the titles. Kiyomiya & Alejandro become the 65th Open The Twin Gate Champions. Kiyomiya pinned Minoura after Transformed Shining Wizard.

Main Event: Luis Mante beat Open The Dream Gate Champion Madoka Kikuta & Shun Skywalker in a 3-way elimination match to win the title. Mante becomes the 38th Open The Dream Gate Champion. Skywalker DQ’d first then Mante pinned Kikuta. What a turnaround for Mante, who began the year as Diamante then left for several months after losing his mask this summer, returned under a new unmasked identity and now has won the top title in the promotion.

The next event, their final event of the year, is Tuesday at Kobe Sambo Hall in Kobe. Live streaming on DRAGONGATE NETWORK will begin at 1 AM PT/4 AM ET.