News, results & more from Japanese Pro Wrestling & Sumo
Pro Wrestling NOAH announced on Twitter a short time ago that Kinya Okada & Yasutaka Yano are leaving the promotion, presumably effective immediately. It seems to be by mutual agreement but no further details were released. An official statement has also been posted on NOAH’s website but that also said nothing further.
More as it becomes available.
On today’s episode of their weekly “CMLL Informa” news program, airing every Wednesday afternoon on YouTube, Mexico’s CMLL promotion announced they will host New Japan for a special edition of the FANTASTICAMANIA series on June 30 at Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico. 6 matches will make up the event as follows:
Hombre Bala Jr., El Runaz & Capitan Suicida vs. Okumura, Dark Magic & Akuma
Lluvia & Zeuxis vs. Jarochita & Stephanie Vaquer
El Satanico vs. Tiger Mask
El Desperado vs. Mascara Dorada 2.0
Titan, BUSHI & Tetsuya Naito vs. Mistico, Atantis Jr. & Soberano Jr.
CMLL Historic Welterweight Champion Rocky Romero vs. Volador Jr. for the title
Broadcast plans TBA but CMLL normally puts their Friday events on YouTube up 2-3 days after the events. (Live streams are possibly geoblocked outside of Mexico). The event is scheduled to start at 6:30 PM PT/8:30 PM CT/9:30 PM ET (Mexico City is in the US CT time zone) which means this would be a late Saturday morning event in Japan.
Here are the quick results from tonight’s AEW Dynamite in San Diego, CA:
Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta beat Lucha Bros & Bandido. Yuta pinned Bandido with a seatbelt hold. Bandido managed to hanging vertical suplex and hold Yuta for ONE FULL MINUTE during the match.
Swerve Strickland beat Trent Beretta & Big Bill in a 3-way by pinning Beretta.
Don Callis has turned Konosuke Takeshita full heel. A noteworthy Kazuchika Okada name drop here.
Orange Cassidy & Darby Allin beat Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona. Allin pinned Kaun after Coffin Drop. Sting returned post-match.
Tony Khan’s next major Collision Announcement was made…See I’m A Punk. Crowd reaction was very loud and, because they were not in Chicago, mostly negative.
AEW TBS Champion Kris Statlander beat Nyla Rose to retain the title. Already teasing Taya Valkyrie getting another chance.
Adam Cole & Britt Baker beat Chris Jericho & Saraya. Mixed tag rules meaning only the same sex was legal at all times, no intergender stuff. Cole pinned Jericho after BOOM.
While not as much PPV fallout as I hoped for (only a taped MJF promo again) this was a fine episode. Nothing must-see but nothing must-skip and I was entertained throughout.
Friday on Rampage: All Championship Edition! An AAA Mega Championship 3-way title match (El Hijo Del Vikingo vs. 2 others who I didn’t catch because they sped through announcements), New Japan STRONG Women’s Champion Willow Nightingale vs. Emi Sakura for the title, NJPW WORLD TV Champion Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Action Andretti for the title and ROH Pure Champion Katsuyori Shibata vs. Lee Moriarty for the title. Rampage is back at regular time (Fridays at 10 PM ET/PT) going forward with only one more potential NBA/NHL pre-emption this season: That could be in 2 weeks on 6/16 if the NHL Stanley Cup Finals needs a Game 6 (TNT has all Finals games this year).
Next week: AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy vs. Swerve Strickland for the title and Jay White vs. Ricky Starks with Juice Robinson and FTR banned from ringside. Also there are 2 more non-televised house shows this weekend. Toni Storm claimed she will be defending the AEW Women’s Championship at one or both events.
Pro Wrestling NOAH continued the SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour today with an event that promised a Stormy Voyage of a main event as a heated rivalry resumed.
Today’s event was held at Shinjuku Face in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE.
The announced paid attendance was 455. A legit advance sellout. No same-day tickets were sold.
Match 1: Manabu Soya beat Taishi Ozawa. Borderline squash, it went just 88 seconds.
Match 2: Yoshinari Ogawa, Chris Ridgeway & Daga beat Shuji Kondo, Hajime Ohara & Hi69. Daga pinned Hi69 after a piledriver. (Update: After this match/event Hi69 left Kongo)
Match 3: Sean Legacy beat Stallion Rogers.
Match 4: HAYATA & Eita beat Dante Leon & Junta Miyawaki. HAYATA pinned Miyawaki after 403 Impact.
Match 5: Go Shiozaki, Kaito Kiyomiya, Masa Kitamiya, Daiki Inaba & Yoshiki Inamura beat Naomichi Marufuji, Takashi Sugiura, Shuhei Taniguchi, Mohammed Yone & Akitoshi Saito. Kiyomiya pinned Saito after Shining Wizard.
Match 6: GHC Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champions YO-HEY & Tadasuke beat Atsushi Kotoge & Seiki Yoshioka to retain the titles. Tadasuke pinned Kotoge after Good Looking Piledriver. V2 for the champs. Next up: Chris Ridgeway & Daga. That match will happen on 6/22 at Korakuen Hall.
Main Event: Kenoh vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima went to a 45 minute time limit draw.
The next event is ALL TOGETHER AGAIN, a New Japan/All-Japan/NOAH crossover event for charity, on 6/9 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Live streaming on New Japan World as a PPV will begin at 2 AM PT/5 AM ET.
The next NOAH standalone event is 6/10 at Yokohama Radiant Hall in Yokohama. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET.
Breaking sumo news via the Nihon Sumo Kyokai Japanese Twitter account…it’s official: Kiribayama has been promoted to Ozeki! Widely expected anytime now, the promotion to the second-highest rank comes after the Sekiwake managed 34 wins over the last 3 tournaments and also his first top tier championship in March. The vote was unanimous for promotion according to Nikkan Sports. Kiribayama also may have undergone a shikona, or name change after the announcement. It appears his new name will be Kirishima. He is the 6th Mongolian wrestler in the last 15 years to reach Ozeki and history is in his favor…they all eventually were promoted to Yokozuna, the highest rank, most recently Terunofuji. To be eligible for promotion to Grand Champion, Kirishima now must win consecutive tournaments or finish 2 straight tournaments with wins equal to victory.
In other news, the Shin-Juryo & Sai-Juryo rikishi were announced. Promoted to Makushita are Yuma, Shishi-the first rikishi from Ukraine to reach the second tier, and Kawazoe, who also has undergone a shikona and will now be known as Kiho. The returning Juryo riksihi are Shiden (who was absent for what would have been his Juryo debut in 2022) and Chiyonoumi.
While we wait to find out where he will be ranked, May Juryo runner-up Ochiai has also undergone a shikona, changing his name to Hakuoho, It’s a combination of part of his hometown and paying homage to his stablemaster, the former Yokozuna Hakuho (now Miyagino). He went 14-1 this tournament at Juryo 8 and lost the championship to Gonoyama in a playoff.
6/1 UPDATE: Reliable YouTube insider source “Chris Sumo” reports former top tier wrestler Ishiura has retired due to injury (which I have confirmed via the Association’s English website) and will become Oyakata Magaki. Ishiura last competed in the March 2022 Tournament before being sidelined bu what is believed to be a back injury. The former Magaki has left the Japan Sumo Association earlier than expected, his name was briefly taken by former Yokozuna Hakuko upon retirement last year and he is now Miyagino following taking over the Miyagino Beya where Ishiura will remain and train/mentor subordinates & fellow rikishi. Ishiura reached a highest rank of Maegashira 5 and finishes his career with a record of 350-321-108 (win-loss-absent), 161-186-43 in the top tier, 2 championships (1 Jonidan, 1 Jonokuchi) and 1 Special Prize (Fighting Spirit).
Injuries have been hitting tournament winners and especially DDT hard recently. The latest one to go down is recent KING OF DDT winner Chris Brookes. Dislocated right shoulder suffered this past weekend. Out at least 3 weeks but no return date set. Changes for this weekend’s events have been made.
More as it becomes available.
Dragon Gate wrapped up the Hopeful Gate 2023 Tour today with the final event of the month.
Today’s event was held at Fukui Industrial Hall in Fukui. There was no broadcast.
The announced paid attendance was 228.
Match 1: YAMATO & Dragon Kid beat Diamante & H-Y-O. YAMATO pinned H-Y-O after Omniscient & Omnipotent Frankensteiner.
Match 2: BIGBOSS Shimizu beat Daiki Yanagiuchi.
Match 3: Jason Lee & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI beat Takashi Yoshida & Ho Ho Lun. KAMEI pinned Lun after “JACKY” Knife.
Match 4: Shun Skywalker, KAI & ISHIN beat Kzy, Strong Machine J & U-T by DQ. J DQ’d. Ref assault.
Match 5: susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda beat BxB Hulk & Kagetora. Kanda pinned Kagetora after Candy Magic.
Main Event: Madoka Kikuta, Yuki Yoshioka & Dragon Dia beat Kota Minoura, Ben-K & Minorita. Kikuta pinned Minorita after a rolling lariat.
Next up is the Rainbow Gate 2023 Tour, the promotion’s June series, starting Thursday at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, the first half of a doubleheader there. Live streaming on DRAGONGATE NETWORK will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET.
With the May 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament now in the books, below is the final Hoshitori, the standings listed in order of the Banzuke (rankings, records are displayed as win-loss-absent) then some final thoughts…and first things first, no Kiribayama promotion to Ozeki announcement yet:
Makuuchi (top tier):
Yokozuna-Terunofuji (14-1, Champion)
Ozeki-Takakeisho (8-7)
Sekiwake-Kiribayama (11-4, Technique Prize), Hoshoryu (11-4), Daieisho (10-5), Wakamotoharu (10-5, Technique Prize)
Komusubi-Kotonowaka (8-7), Shodai (6-9), Wakatakakage (Absent/0-0-15)
Maegashira 1-Abi (8-7), Midorifuji (6-9)
Maegashira 2-Takayasu (3-3-9), Endo (0-7-8)
Maegashira 3-Tobizaru (8-7), Nishikifuji (3-12)
Maegashira 4-Ura (7-8), Nishikigi (9-6)
Maegashira 5-Kinbozan (4-11), Kotoshoho (2-10-3)
Maegashira 6-Meisei (8-7), Mitakeumi (9-6)
Maegashira 7-Hokutofuji (6-9), Tamawashi (7-8)
Maegashira 8-Tasanoumi (7-8), Takanosho (7-8)
Maegashra 9-Onosho (8-7), Hiradoumi (9-6)
Maegashira 10-Ryuden (5-10), Takarafuji (5-10)
Maegashira 11-Hokuseiho (8-7), Daishoho (6-9)
Maegashira 12-Aoiyama (5-10), Kotoeko (8-7)
Maegashira 13-Chiyoshoma (8-7), Ichinojo (Retired)
Maegashira 14-Asanotyama (12-3), Myogiryu (9-6)
Maegashira 15-Ichiyamamoto (4-11), Tsurugisho (9-6)
Maegashira 16-Mitoryu (5-10), Oho (11-4)
Maegashira 17-Kagayaki (7-8)
Juryo:
Juryo 1-Gonoyama (14-1, Champion), Shonannoumi (11-4)
Juryo 2-Azumaryu (2-13), Tohakuryu (4-11)
Juryo 3-Bushozan (10-5), Enho (0-10-5)
Juryo 4-Oshoma (7-8), Roga (9-6)
Juryo 5-Tochinoshin (0-6, Retired), Akua (5-10)
Juryo 6-Hakuyozan (6-8-1), Shimazuumi (8-7)
Juryo 7-Takakento (6-9), Churanoumi (7-8)
Juryo 8-Atamifuji (13-2), Ochiai (14-1)
Juryo 9-Daiamami (7-8), Chiyonokuni (0-10-5)
Juryo 10-Chiyomaru (6-9), Kitanowaka I8-7)
Juryo 11-Hidenoumi (6-9), Tamashoho (9-6)
Juryo 12-Tomokaze (8-7), Chiyosakae (8-7)
Juryo 13-Fujiseiun (9-6), Shimanoumi (8-7)
Juryo 14-Tokihayate (6-9), Tsushimanada (8-7)
Final thoughts: Although it didn’t earn him a Special Prize, big shoutout to Nishikigi for his finish. He started 1-6 and seemed headed for demotion, but then he won his last 8 matches and earned a promotion. Meisei was lucky to win Outstanding Performance as he was 8-1 after beating Terunofuji, then finished 0-6. Takakeisho managed to get out of kadoban status and will remain Ozeki, but opted to stay in for the final 2 days and lost his last two, the finale being a painful-looking spill in his loss to Terunofuji. In Sanyaku, Abi should be promoted back to Komusubi while Shodai will be demoted as will Wakatakakage due to being absent. At the bottom, based on finishes I see Asanoyama potentially jumping up to M5 for July, while Kinbozan’s sophmore slump will see him fall from M5, I could see him going back down to as low as M14 but more reasonably to M11. I forgot about Ichinojo’s retirement when guessing on if Ochiai will be promoted to the top tier, that means at least 4 top tier spots should be opening so Gonoyama and Shonannoumi take 2 with their promotions, that could also open the door for an Atamifuji potential return after he went 13-2 at J8. Or more likely Bushozan, who went 10-5 at J3, at worst he’ll go to J1. Chiyonokuni will be demoted to Makushita but likely will be absent in July.
As far as Ozeki Watch for July assuming Kiribayama is promoted, the magic number for the other Sekiwake to be promotion eligible is as follows (33 wins over the last 3 tournaments at Komusubi or Sekiwake or win 2 straight tournaments, the latter is not a requirement):
Hoshoryu-12 (had 21 wins between March & May)
Daieisho-11 (had 22 wins between March & May). He may have missed potential promotion this time by just one win
Wakamotoharu-12 (had 21 wins between March & May)
If Kotonowaka is promoted to Sekiwake after his 3rd straight winning record at Komusubi, his only hope for potential Ozeki promotion is a championship. He would otherwise need 16 wins to be eligible as his March/May total was only 17 wins. And if Kiribayama somehow does not reach Ozeki this time, his July magic number would be 9.
In the Makushita, look for Kawazoe and possibly Shishi to be shin-Juryo in July, and Shiden should be sai-Juryo. March champion Ryuo will take a big fall after going 1-7 at Ms3. A fun side note from the Sandanme-champion Sazanami has gained a lot of fans through his appearance on the “Sumo Prime Time” YouTube program as the assistant trainer in exercise-themed episodes with host Hiro Morita, and that was noted on the last episode so congrats again to to-be-Makushita man Sazanami.
The Banzuke for July will be announced on June 26.
UPDATE: The earliest potential Kiribayama promotion announcement could be Wednesday. That’s when the ranking committee will next meet to determine the July tournament rankings
All-Japan wrapped up the Super Power Series today with a major event headlined by 3 title matches.
Today’s event was held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo and can be watched on demand on AJPW.TV.
The announced paid attendance was 834.
Match 1: Yuto Nakashima, Kosei Fujita & Ryohei Oiwa (New Japan) beat Hikaru Sato, Dan Tamura & Ryo Inoue. Fujita pinned Inoue with a German suplex hold.
Match 2: Satoshi Kojima, Yoshitatsu, Rising Hayato & Oji Shiiba beat Toru Yano (New Japan), Black Menso-re, Mitsuya Nagai (Dradition) & Kotaro Suzuki. Kojima pinned Menso-re after a lariat.
Match 3: Shuji Ishikawa, Ren Ayabe & Oskar Leube (New Japan) beat Jun Saito, KONO & Toshizo. Ishikawa pinned Toshizo after Fire Thunder.
Match 4: Yuma Anzai beat Ryuki Honda.
Match 5: Kento Miyahara & Yuma Aoyagi beat Minoru Suzuki & Hokuto Omori. Miyahara pinned Omori after Snake Limit.
Match 6: Atsuki Aoyagi beat All-Japan World Jr. Heavyweight Champion Naruki Doi to win the title. Aoyagi becomes the 65th All-Japan World Jr. Heavyweight Champion.
Match 7: All-Japan World Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Kenoh & Manabu Soya (Pro Wrestling NOAH) beat Suwama & Rei Saito to retain the titles. Kenoh pinned Suwama after PFS. V2 for the champs.
Main Event: All-Japan Triple Crown Champion Yuji Nagata (New Japan) beat T-Hawk (GLEAT) to retain the Triple Crown. V2 for Nagata.
The next event is the All-Japan 51st Anniversary event Saturday at Machida Gym in Tokyo. Broadcast plans TBA.
Dragon Gate continued the Hopeful Gate 2023 Tour today with the penultimate event of the tour.
Today’s event was held at Osaka Prefectural Gym 2 in Osaka and can be watched on demand on DRAGONGATE NETWORK.
The announced paid attendance was 831, a super full house/very near sellout.
Match 1: Kzy, Jason Lee & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI beat Don Fujii, Genki Horiguchi & Kagetora. KAMEI pinned Horiguchi after “JACKY” Knife.
Match 2: Eita, Takashi Yoshida & Problem Dragon beat KAI, H-Y-O & ISHIN. Eita pinned H-Y-O after Imperial Uno. This was supposed to have been Yoshida & Dragon vs. KAI & ISHIN but Eita & H-Y-O were last-second impromptu additions.
Match 3: Ryoya Tanaka Debut Match: YAMATO beat Ryoya Tanaka.
Match 4: Dragon Kid, Naruki Doi & Shuji Kondo beat Masaaki Mochizuki, Susumu Mochizuki & Yasushi Kanda. Kondo pinned Susumu Mochizuki with a jumping horizontal cross.
Match 5: Shun Skywalker & Diamante beat BIGBOSS Shimizu & Strong Machine J. Skywalker pinned J.
Main Event: Madoka Kikuta, Yuki Yoshioka & Dragon Dia beat BxB Hulk, Minorita & Ben-K. Kikuta pinned Ben-K after a rolling lariat.
The tour-ender is tomorrow at Fukui Industrial Hall in Fukui. There will be no broadcast.
In other news, Open The Dream Gate Champion Madoka Kikuta vs. Yuki Yoshioka for the title is official for Kobe Pro Wrestling Festival 2023, Dragon Gate’s biggest annual event, on 7/2 at Kobe World Hall in Kobe.