Tag: wrestling

Pro Wrestling NOAH 3/26/23 Results

Pro Wrestling NOAH continued the SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour today with the 3rd day of their 4-day northern Japan tour. Today’s event featured a GHC Jr. Heavyweight Championship match.

Today’s event was held at Mutsu Maeda Arena in Aomori and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a later date, probably Wednesday morning. There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 577.

Match 1: Yasutaku Yano beat Taishi Ozawa.

Match 2: Masa Kitamiya & Daiki Inaba beat Kinya Okada & Akitoshi Saito. Kitamiya pinned Okada after Saito Suplex.

Match 3: Ninja Mack & Aleandro beat Super Crazy & Extreme Tiger. Mack pinned Tiger after Ninja Bomb.

Match 4: Saxon Huxley beat Mohammed Yone.

Match 5: YO-HEY & Tadasuke beat Yoshinari Ogawa & HAYATA. YO-HEY pinned Ogawa after a dropkick.

Match 6: Kenoh, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Manabu Soya, Hajime Ohara & Hi69 beat Naomichi Marufuji, Takashi Sugiura, Shuhei Taniguchi, Atsushi Kotoge & Seiki Yoshioka. Nakajima pinned Kotoge after Vertical Spike.

Match 7: GHC Jr. Heavyweight Champion AMAKUSA beat Lancelot to retain the title. V3 for AMAKUSA.

Main Event: Jake Lee, Jack Morris & Anthony Greene beat Kaito Kiyomiya, Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. & Yoshiki Inamura. Morris pinned Wagner after a tiger driver.

The next event is tomorrow at Hachinohe Yutori 1F Multipurpose Large Hall in Aomori. Because of today’s events, some matches have been changed, most notably the main event is now a 10 Man Captains Fall Match between GLG & Kongo. It’s an elimination match but when/if the Captain is eliminated the match immediately ends. GLG will reveal their captain tomorrow. Kongo captain will be Hi69.
There will be no live broadcast.

In other news, the full card for ABEMA presents GREEN JOURNEY 2023 in SENDAI on 4/16 (the next major event) has been announced:
Yasutaka Yano vs. Taishi Ozawa
Hideki Suzuki, Timothy Thatcher & Saxon Huxley vs. Yoshiki Inamura, Kinya Okada & Sean Legacy
Maya Yukihi vs. Sumire Natsu
Naomichi Marufuji, Kaito Kiyomiya, Ninja Mac, Atsushi Kotoge & Seiki Yoshioka vs. Kenoh, Jinsei Shinzaki, Shuji Kondo, Hajime Ohara & Hi69
Dralistico, Dragon Bane & Alejandro vs. Extreme Tiger, Alpha Wolf & Lancelot
GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Masa Kitamiya & Daiki Inaba vs. Takashi Sugiura & Shuhei Taniguchi for the titles
GHC Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Yoshinari Ogawa & Eita vs. YO-HEY & Tadasuke for the titles
GHC National Champion Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. vs. Jack Morris for the title
GHC Jr. Heavyweight Champion AMAKUSA vs. HAYATA for the title
GHC Heavyweight Champion Jake Lee vs. Katsuhiko Nakajima for the title

At this time the event will be an ABEMA-only live broadcast. We should know closer to event time if WRESTLE UNIVERSE will have a live English-only broadcast. If not, it should be available on demand after the event.

Sumo-March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 15 (Final Day) Results (3/26/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 15-the Final Day-of the March Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Takanosho (M11)
Azumaryu (M11) beat Daishoho (M13)
Nishikifuji (M10) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Bushozan (M14) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Hiradoumi (M9) beat Oho (M15)
Mitoryu (M17) beat Aoiyama (M9)
Ura (M8) beat Chiyoshoma (M16)
Hokuseiho (M15) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Nishikigi (M3) beat Kotoshoho (M5)
Ryuden (M2) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Abu (M2) beat Endo (M6)
Shodai (M1) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Meisei (M4) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Tobizaru (K) beat Sadanoumi (M6)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Takayasu (M7) beat Hoshoryu (S)
Kiribayama (S) beat Daieisho (K)
Daieisho & Kiribayama finish tied at 12-3…PLAYOFF!
Playoff: Kiribayama beat Daieisho, but it was very close…Mono-ii! Judges’ conference…trying to determine did they maybe go out at the same time…referee verdict…STANDS! KIRIBAYAMA YUSHO! It’s his first career Emperor’s Cup and the first time in some time-if not ever-a judges’ conference helped determine the champion. Also the 3rd overall championship for Kiribayama in his career.
Special Prizes:
Outstanding Performance (winning record with most wins against Yokozuna and Ozeki): None (only one Ozeki and a mid-tournament withdrawal so it couldn’t be awarded)
Fighting Spirit (Maegashira with best record that best displays fighting spirit, especially among lower ranked rikishi): Kinbozan. Midorifuji lost it today, had he beaten Shodai he would’ve won it too
Technique (winning record with most different winning techniques during tournament): Kiribayama, Daieisho

Final Thoughts: Forget Daieisho or Ryuden (who had the worst record this time at 2-13), the biggest loser undoubtedly is Midorifuji, who was 10-0 and in control with a 2 win lead then lost his last 5, potentially the championship AND a special prize. Kiribayama winning at Sekiwake will definitely raise some rumblings of Ozeki consideration even though he was just promoted (but he has had nothing but winning records for over a year now), the same happened this time last year when Wakatakakage won the championship. Hoshoryu will miss Ozeki by virtue of today’s loss, but even then it was a toss-up as he would’ve been right at 30 wins over the last 3 tournaments, the problem was the pattern-11 wins, 8 wins (this one hurts), 11 wins. I think he’ll need a championship or at least 12 wins in May now. Kiribayama probably needs to duplicate this effort in May to get there, although the Kyokai has pressure on them with Terunofuji’s uncertain health status and Takakeisho going into kadoban status in May due to injury this time-could there be no Yokozuna & Ozeki by July? Barring another unexpected setback Terunofuji should be back in May. Daieisho should return to Sekiwake in May while Wakatakakage will probably be demoted due to missing the last 2 days, leaving him the equivalent of 7-8. Wakamotoharu should be in Sekiwake consideration as well. A surprise Sanyaku return should also be Shodai, who was quite consistent this tournament and finished 10-5. Azumaryu and maybe Bushozan seem to be candidates for demotion to Juryo to make room for the returning Asanoyama & Ichinojo. We’ll have to wait for the Banzuke to find out.

Juryo:
Tsukahara (Ms1) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Chiyonoumi (Ms5) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Takakento (J12) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Daiamami (J6) beat Churanoumi (J10)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Enho (J5) beat Hakuyozan (J9)
Roga (J5) beat Tomokaze (J13)
Oshoma (J4) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Chiyomaru (J4) beat Tamashoho (J13)
Shonannoumi (J3) beat Akua (J7)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Tsushimanada (J9). ICHINOJO JURYO YUSHO! This meant Asanoyama had no chance of forcing a playoff regardless of his outcome.
Tochinoshin (J2) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Chiyonokuni (J2) beat Kitanowaka (J11)
Atamifuji (J8) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Ochiai (J14)
CHAMPION: Ichinojo (14-1). 2nd Juryo championship and 3rd overall
Final Thoughts: In the end, Ichinojo beating Asanoyama (13-2) earlier in the tournament was the difference and it clinched the championship for the massive Mongolian following a suspension for the January tournament. Both are now headed back to the top tier in May…we’ll see how the rankings shake out but I see them both landing at Maegashira 10. Despite a loss to the former Ozeki and finishing 2-4, partly due to a potential elbow injury, it was a great Juryo debut for Ochiai, one of the first Juryo debuts under the tutelage of former Yokozuna Hakuho (now stablemaster Miyagino) as he finishes 10-5 in just his second career tournament. He should be in championship contention again in May now that he has a full 15-day experience in the books. Tohakuryu will miss out on a top tier debut after taking his 8th loss today, while Shonannoumi has a chance at promotion following 9 wins at J3 but I think the numbers game (and 4-5 finish) works against him and he’ll be at J1 next time. On the lower end, I think this may be the end of the road for Tokushoryu (a disappointing 4-11 in his return to Juryo after one tournament in Makushita, he has one career Emperor’s Cup) and Tochinoshin (a second week rally got him to 5-10 but time and injuries have caught up to the former Ozeki). Should Tochinoshin return in May he’ll still be in Juryo but I think the safe money is on retirement. Also departing Juryo should be former champion Tochimusashi (4-11 at J12) and possibly Shimanoumi (5-10 at J11). But we should be welcoming back Chiyosakae (5-2 at Makushita 2) and possibly Shiden (6-1 at Makushita 6, his prior Juryo debut didn’t happen because he was absent) among perhaps others. Makushita Champion Ryuo will have a chance at Shin-Juryo, but it’s questionable because he was Makushita 26 even though the champion normally moves up about 30 spots in the rankings. I think he’ll be Ms1, again due to the numbers game.

March Champions:
Makuuchi: Kiribayama (1st championship, 3rd overall)
Juryo: Ichinojo (2nd championship, 3rd overall)
Makushita: Ryuo (1st championship)
Sandanme: Toshunryu (1st championship). Won playoff
Jonidan: Suguro (1st championship)
Jonokuchi: Asahakuryu (1st championship). Debut tournament

The next tournament will be held from May 14-28 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Tickets will go on sale on April 8. The Banzuke will be announced on May 1.

Post-tournament news/updates to follow over the next few day, but then until May 1…Sayonara!

Dragon Gate 3/25/23 Results

Dragon Gate continued the Glorious Gate 2023 Tour today with a house show in Okayama.

Today’s event was held at Sanyo Fureai Park Gym in Okayama. There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 254.

Match 1: Yuki Yoshioka, Dragon Dia & Madoka Kikuta beat Kzy, Strong Machine J & JACKY “FUNKY” KAMEI. Kikuta pinned KAMEI after a rolling lariat.

Match 2: Ben-K beat Daiki Yanagiuchi.

Match 3: YAMATO, Dragon Kid, Kagetora & Kaito Nagano beat Masaaki Mochizuki, Susumu Mochizuki, Mochizuki Jr. & Yasushi Kanda. Kagetora pinned Jr. after Hisew.

Match 4: Shachihoko BOY & Takashi Yoshida beat BIGBOSS Shimizu & Jason Lee. BOY pinned Lee after Maximim Driver.

Main Event: Kota Minoura, BxB Hulk & Minorita beat Shun Skywalker, KAI & H-Y-O. Minoura pinned H-Y-O after R-301.

The next event is tomorrow at Kirameki Minatokan in Fukui. There will be no live broadcast.

Ganbare Pro 3/25/23 Results (3 Events)

Ganbare Pro ran what is now becoming a regular monthly tripleheader earlier today, consisting of a regular event, a wrestler-produced event (today it was Mizuki Watase’s turn) and a players association-produced event.

Today’s events were held at Oji Basement MON*STAR in Tokyo and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE at a later date. There was no live broadcast.

Event 1:
The announced paid attendance was 70.

Match 1: Takao Soma beat Sotatsu Nakamura.

Match 2: Moeka Haruhi beat YuuRI.

Match 3: Keisuke Ishii, Shota & Shinichiro Tominaga beat Hartley Jackson, Takuya Wada & Yumehito Imanari. Shota pinned Imanari with a jackknife.

Main Event: Spirit of Ganbare World Tag Team Championship Tournament: Hikaru Sato & Tyson Maeguchi beat Ken Ohka & Shuichiro Katsumura. Sato pinned Ohka.

Event 2:
The announced paid attendance was 79.

Match 1: Shuichiro Katsumura & Moeka Haruhi beat Shinichiro Tominaga & Sotatsu Nakamura. Katsumura pinned Nakamura.

Match 2: Takao Soma beat YuuRI & Ken Ohka in a 3-way by pinning YuuRI.

Match 3: Hartley Jackson beat HARUKAZE.

Main Event: Keisuke Ishii & Tyson Maeguchi beat Mizuki Watase & Yukio Sakaguchi (DDT). Ishii pinned Watase after a high-angle double arm DDT.

Event 3:
The announced paid attendance was 81.

Match 1: Daiki Shimomura beat Sotatsu Nakamura.

Match 2: Rina Amikura & YuuRI beat Moeka Haruhi & Yoshiko Hasegawa. Amikura pinned Hasegawa after a diving senton.

Match 3: In an Elimination Match, Ken Ohka, Shuichiro Katsumura & Keisuke Ishii beat Mizuki Watase, Shinichiro Tominaga & Yuki Kanzaki. Ohka was the only winner left.

Main Event: Spirit Of Ganbare World Tag Team Championship Tournament: Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Yumehito Imanari beat Shota & Takao Soma. Takaiwa pinned Shota after an avalanche Death Valley Bomb. As a result, Takawiwa & Imanari will face Sato & Maeguchi at an upcoming event for the titles and the winners will be the inaugural champions.

The next event is 4/1 at Yokohama Radiant Hall in Yokohama for the Ganbare Joshi Relaunch. Live streaming on WRESTLE UNIVERSE will begin Friday at 11:30 PM ET/8:30 PM PT.

Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling 3/26/23 Results (Updated)

Tokyo Joshi Pro continues their spring house show tour today with a sendoff event for about half the roster before they head to the US for their debut event next week, except for Miyu Yamashita and Maki Itoh who are already in Canada and thus will miss this event (Yamashita may be part of today’s Impact Wrestling TV tapings). There won’t be much build to anything really except perhaps in the main event now that we know NEW Princess Of Princess Champion Mizuki’s first challenger will be Nao Kakuta, to happen at the monthly Korakuen Hall event next month. But with the recent influx of new debuting talent they’ll all get more chances to gain experience today and perhaps victories as well.

Today’s event will be held at Ryogoku KFC Hall in Tokyo and can be watched LIVE on WRESTLE UNIVERSE. There will be no commentary. With no matches having more than a 20 minute time limit this will be a standard short house show that should have a total runtime of just under 2 hours.

Today’s lineup:
Wakana Uehara vs. Toga
Raku vs. Shino Suzuki
Yuka Sakazaki, Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami vs. Yuki Kamifuku, Haru Fujo & Runa Okubo
Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe vs. Pom Harajuku & HIMAWARI
Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao vs. Yuki Aino & Neko Haruna
Mizuki, Suzume & Arisu Endo vs. Nao Kakuta, Hikari Noa & Mahiro Kiryu

Refresh this page occasionally for the latest results.

Updates below will begin at 11:30 PM ET/8:30 PM PT. The live stream is scheduled to launch 30 minutes before the event.

11:30 PM ET UPDATE: Live updates start now.

We are LIVE from Ryogoku KFC Hall in Tokyo, Japan. There is no commentary.

The paid attendance will be announced after the event. It’s full capacity for the first time since pre-pandemic but not a total sellout from the opening shots. I may revise this if I see zoomed-out shots but based on what they usually did at 50% my initial guess is it’ll be 250-300.

The matches begin at 11:45 PM ET/8:45 PM PT.

Match 1: Wakana Uehara vs. Toga. 15 minute time limit
Result: Wakana Uehara beat Toga

Match 2: .Raku vs. Shino Suzuki. 15 minute time limit
Result: Raku beat Shino Suzuki by submission

Match 3: Yuka Sakazaki, Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami vs. Yuki Kamifuku, Haru Fujo & Runa Okubo. 20 minute time limit
Result: Yuka Sakazaki, Moka Miyamoto & Kaya Toribami beat Yuki Kamifuku, Haru Fuji & Runa Okubo. Sakazaki pinned Okubo after Tea Time.

Match 4: Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe vs. Pom Harajuku & HIMAWARI. 20 minute time limit
Result: Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe beat Pom Harajuku & HIMAWARI. Tatsumi beat HIMAWARI with a dragon sleeper.

Match 5: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao vs. Yuki Aino & Neko Haruna. 20 minute time limit
Result: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao beat Yuki Aino & Neko Haruna. Misao pinned Haruna after Hypami Returns.

Main Event: Mizuki, Suzume & Arisu Endo vs. Nao Kakuta, Hikari Noa & Mahiro Kiryu. 20 minute time limit
Result: Mizuki, Suzume & Ariu Endo beat Nao Kakuta, Hikari Noa & Mahiro Kiryu. Mizuki pinned Jiryu after a diving double footstomp.

The next event is TJPW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES Friday at the Globe Theater in Los Angeles, CA. This will be a PPV available ONLY ON FITE for $19.99. IT WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE ON WRESTLE UNIVERSE. Live streaming will begin at 3 PM ET/Noon PT.

UPDATE: The announced paid attendance was 251.

All-Japan Pro Wrestling 3/26/23 Results (Updated)

All-Japan wraps up the Dream Power Series tour today with the final event of the month and the last house show before the annual Champions Carnival tournament begins. Not much in the way of tournament buildup if any is expected and it’s a lean card with just 6 matches today, mostly tag matches except a couple of Jr. Heavyweight single matches. The main event is scheduled to be Kento Miyahara, Yuma Aoyagi & Shuji Ishikawa vs. Jun & Rei Saito & Suwama.

Today’s event will be held at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Tokyo and can be watched LIVE on AJPW.TV. It is not known if there will be any commentary. With none of the matches having more than a 30 minute time limit this probably will be a short event, I anticipate the total running time being no more than 2 hours so everyone can be done and hopefully home in time for the Sumo tournament final matches.

Today’s lineup:
Takao Omori, Yoshitatsu & Black Menso-re vs. Ren Ayabe, Mizuki Watase & Oji Shiiba
Rising Hayato vs. Kotaro Suzuki
Ryo Inoue vs. Kaito Ishida
Atsuki Aoyagi & Yuma Anzai vs. Naruki Doi & Hokuto Omori
Shotaro Ashino, Ryuki Honda, Yusuke Kodama & Masao Hanabata vs. Yuji Nagata, Hikaru Sato, Dan Tamura & Rey Paloma
Kento Miyahara, Yuma Aoyagi & Shuji Ishikawa vs. Suwama, Jun & Rei Saito

Refresh this page occasionally for the latest results.

Updates below will begin at 11 PM ET/8 PM PT.

11 PM ET UPDATE: Live updates begin now.

We are LIVE from Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Tokyo, Japan. As usual audio starts muted until opening announcements finish. There is no commentary.

The paid attendance will be announced after the event, looks like close to a sellout not not quite, so likely around 450.

Match 1: Takao Omori, Yoshitatsu & Black Menso-re vs. Ren Ayabe, Mizuki Watase & Oji Shiiba. 15 minute time limit
Result: Ren Ayabe, Mizuki Watase & Oji Shiiba beat Takao Omori, Yoshitatsu & Black Menso-re. Shiiba pinned Menso-re.

Match 2: Rising Hayato vs. Kotaro Suzuki. 15 minute time limit
Result: Kotaro Suzuki beat Rising Hayato

Match 3: Ryo Inoue vs. Kaito Ishida (GLEAT). 15 minute time limit
Result: Kaito Ishida beat Ryo Inoue. (Inoue has a new look since I last saw him)

Match 4: Atsuki Aoyagi & Yuma Anzai vs. Naruki Doi & Hokuto Omori. 20 minute time limit
Result: Time Limit Draw

Intermission.

The matches resume at 12:25 AM ET/9:25 PM PT after about a 10 minute break.

Match 5: Shotaro Ashino, Ryuki Honda, Yusuke Kodama & Masao Hanabata vs. Yuji Nagata, Hikaru Sato, Dan Tamura & Rey Paloma. 30 minute time limit
Result: Yuji Nagata, Hikaru Sato, Dan Tamura & Rey Paloma beat Shotaro Ashino, Ryuki Honda, Yusuke Kodama & Masao Hanabata. Nagata pinned Hanabata after a backdrop.

Main Event: Kento Miyahara, Yuma Aoyagi & Shuji Ishikawa vs. Suwama, Jun & Rei Saito. 30 minute time limit
Result: Suwama, Jun & Rei Saito beat Kento Miyahara, Yuma Aoyagi & Shuji Ishikawa. Suwama pinned Ishikawa after a backdrop.

The next event is the 2023 Champions Carnival Tournament opener on 4/8 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Live streaming on AJPW.TV will begin at 2:30 AM PT/5:30 AM ET.

UPDATE: The announced paid attendance was 240.

Pro Wrestling NOAH 3/25/23 Results

Pro Wrestling NOAH continued the SUNNY VOYAGE 2023 Tour today with the second day of their 4-day tour of northern Japan.

Today’s event was held at Morioka Gym in Iwate and will be available on demand on WRESTLE UNIVERSE Tuesday at 2 AM PT/5 AM ET. There was no live broadcast.

The announced paid attendance was 297.

Match 1: Kinya Okada beat Taishi Ozawa.

Match 2: Atsushi Kotoge, Seiki Yoshioka & Alejandro beat Yoshinari Ogawa, HAYATA & Yasutaka Yano. Kotoge pinned Yano after Kill Switch.

Match 3: Naomichi Marufuji & Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. beat Mohammed Yone & Akitoshi Saito. Wagner pinned Saito after Wagner Driver.

Match 4: Takashi Sugiura, Shuhei Taniguchi & Saxon Huxley beat Masa Kitamiya, Daiki Inaba & Yoshiki Inamura. Taniguchi pinned Inaba after a face kick.

Match 5: Lancelot, Extreme Tiger & Super Crazy beat Kaito Kiyomiya, AMAKUSA & Ninja Mack. Lancelot beat AMAKUSA with Samson Clutch.

Main Event: In a 3 Falls Match, Kenoh, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Manabu Soya, Hajime Ohara & Hi69 beat Jake Lee, Jack Morris, Anthony Greene, YO-HEY & Tadasuke.
Fall 1: Lee pinned Ohara.
Fall 2: Hi69 pinned YO-HEY.
Fall 3: Kenoh pinned Tadasuke.
Kongo wins 2-1.

The next event is tomorrow at Mutsu Maeda Arena in Aomori with AMAKUSA vs. Lancelot for the GHC Jr. Heavyweight Championship. There will be no live broadcast.

Sumo-March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 14 Results (3/25/23) (Top 2 Tiers)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 14 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashita, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiawke, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita

Makuuchi )Top Tier):
Shonannoumi (J3) beat Mitoryu (M17)
Oho (M15) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Nishikifuji (M10) beat Tsurugisho (M16)
Aoiyama (M9) beat Bushozan (M14)
Hokuseiho (M15) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Ura (M8) beat Azumaryu (M11)
Chiyoshoma (M16) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Takayasu (M7) beat Kotoeko (M13)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Kagayaki (M9)
Takanosho (M11) beat MItakeumi (M3)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Abi (M2)
NIshikigi (M3) beat Ryuden (M2)
Sadanoumi (M6) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Shodai (M1) beat Daishoho (M13)
Tobizaru (K) beat Mesei (M4)
Daieisho (K) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Endo (M6) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Kiribayama (S) beat Wakatakakage (S) by default/withdrawal
Hoshoryu (S) beat Wakamotoharu (K)
Leader: Daieisho (12-2)
WITHDRAWAL: Wakatakakage (S). Right leg injury. Out the Final Day, meaning there is a real chance he will be demoted after over a year at Sekiwake as his final record will be the equivalent of 7-8 (7-7-1).
Of note: Another Isegahama collapse officially complete. It’s over for Midorifuji after his 4th straight loss takes him from 10-0 and a 2 win lead to 10-4 and now out of it. It’s down to Daieisho vs. Kiribayama tomorrow. If Daieisho wins, he is the champion for the second time. If Kiribayama wins, there will be a playoff and immediate rematch for the championship. A Kiribayama win in his Sekiwake debut would jump-start his Ozeki hopes and could get him there after May if he can duplicate this performance. Hoshoryu still has a chance at Ozeki contention if he can win his final match (Takayasu) as that would be 30 wins over the last 3 tournaments. Today’s win also gives Kinbozan a chance at a Special Prize, likely Fighting Spirit, and a win over Takanosho tomorrow should lock it up as he would finish 11-4 with that win.

Juryo:
Shimanoumi (J11) beat Kawazoe (Ms3)
Ochiai (J14) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Tamashoho (J13) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Tomokaze (J13) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Akua (J7) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Gonoyama (J6) beat Takakento (J12)
Roga (J5) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Daiamami (J6) beat Chiyomaru (J4)
Oshoma (J4) beat Kitanowaka (J11)
Ichinojo (J3) beat Enho (J5)
Churanoumi (J5) beat Chiyonokuni (J2)
Tochinoshin (J2) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Shimazuumi (J7)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Tohakuryu (J1)
Leader: Ichinojo (13-1)
Of note: It all depends on Ichinojo. If he wins his match tomorrow, or if he loses but Asanoyama also loses, Ichinojo is the champion. If Ichinojo loses and Asanoyama wins, playoff rematch. On paper tomorrow, very heavy advantage Ichinojo because he draws Tsushimanada (4-10). Asanoyama will know his fate before the final match and he has the much tougher draw in Ochiai (10-4), who seems to have recovered from an earlier elbow injury that led to a 3-match losing streak after an 8-1 start and is finishing strong with 2 straight wins. And Kawazoe, the Makushita Human Slinky, was just that again in a very tough loss to Shimanoumi that will probably keep him in Makushita in May despite a promotion already clinched (he’ll finish 4-3 but from Ms3 that probably only gets him so Ms1). He certainly gained a lot more fans in replicating his career debut performance against Asanoyama. The way he can bend so far back before going down is just unhuman! He deserved the loud cheers and applause from the fans.
Nobody in the top tier tomorrow due to another withdrawal but as is tradition a couple of Makushita men near the top rankings get to come up for bouts tomorrow-Tsukahara (Ms1 but already demoted at 2-5) and Chiyonoumi (Ms5 and going for promotion at 3-3).

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 90 minutes of LIVE top tier coverage tomorrow FOR FREE, including the final matches, awards ceremony and champion’s interview, beginning tomorow at 12:30 AM PT/3:30 AM ET.

Dragon Gate 3/24/23 Results

Dragon Gate held a special mini-event today as part of Yomiuri TV Castle Town Festival 2023 with 3 matches.

Today’s event was held at Yomiuri TV 1F 10plaza Special Ring in Osaka. There was no live broadcast.

The attendance was not announced.

Match 1: BxB Hulk & Ben-K beat Don Fujii & Genki Horiguchi. Ben-K pinned Horiguchi.

Match 2: Takashi Yoshida beat Ichikawa.

Main Event: Yuki Yoshioka, Dragon Dia & Madoka Kikuta beat Shun Skywalker, KAI & H-Y-O. Yoshioka pinned H-Y-O after a frog splash.

The next event is tomorrow at Sanyo Fureai Park General Gym in Okayama. There will be no live broadcast.

Sumo-March 2023 Grand Sumo Tournament Day 13 Results (Lower Tier Championships) (Updated)

Here are the quick results from today’s Day 13 of the March 2023 Grand Sumo Tourbament in Osaka:
Key: M-Maegashira, K-Komusubi, S-Sekiwake, J-Juryo, Ms-Makushita, Sd-Sandanme, Jd-Jonidan, Jk-Jonokuchi

Makuuchi (Top Tier):
Ichinojo (J3) beat Bushozan (M14)
Mitoryu (M17) beat Takanosho (M11)
Azumaryu (M11) beat Oho (M15)
Nishikifuji (M10) beat Hokuseiho (M15)
Takarafuji (M12) beat Myogiryu (M10)
Kinbozan (M14) beat Hiradoumi (M9)
Tsurugisho (M16) beat Aoiyama (M9)
Ura (M8) beat Daishoho (M13)
Kotoeko (M13) beat Ichiyamamoto (M8)
Takayasu (M7) beat Chiyoshoma (M16)
Nishikigi (M3) beat Kagayaki (M12)
Sadanoumi (M6) beat Mitakeumi (M3)
Shodai (M1) beat Ryuden (M2)
Kotoshoho (M5) beat Tamawashi (M1)
Abi (M2) beat Tobizaru (K)
Daieisho (K) beat Meisei (M2)
Wakamotoharu (K) beat Hokutofuji (M7)
Kiribayama (S) beat Endo (M6)
Hoshoryu (S) beat Midorifuji (M5)
Wakatakakage (S) beat Kotonowaka (K)
Leader: Daieisho (11-2)
Of note: Another Isegahama collapse complete. A few tournaments ago it was Hokutofuji unbeaten and in control going into the final stretch before he collapsed over the final 5 days. Now it’s Midorifuji who has now lost 3 straight and the lead to Daieisho. And history indicated he was the heavy favorite against Hoshoryu, having won 5 of their 6 prior meetings. Of all with a chance still, Daieisho is the only former champion as he is perhaps 2 days away from his second Emperor’s Cup and almost certainly a return to Sekiwake. Snayaku will be roadblocked again outside of Komusubi because all the 4th highest ranked wrestlers except To izaru have winning records but are looking at not being promoted just because of numbers unless Hoshoru is promoted to Ozeki-slim chances but still possible with an 11-4 finish. Ichinojo keeps the Juryo lead with his win as it’s now down to him and Asanoyama before both return to the top tier in May.
Key match tomorrow: Daieisho-Midorifuji. If Daieisho wins, then Kiribayama loses (Wakatakakage) and Wakamotoharu loses (Hosboryu), Daieisho is the champion. If Midorifuji wins, that potentially all but guarantees a playoff on the Final Day.

Juryo:
Tokihayate (Ms3) beat Tochimusashi (J12)
Tamashoho (J14) beat Kotokuzan (J10)
Hakuyozan (J9) beat Tomokaze (J13)
Ochiai (J14) beat Tsushimanada (J9)
Takakento (J13) beat Atamifuji (J8)
Daiamami (J6) beat Kitanowaka (J11)
Roga (J5) beat Shimanoumi (J11)
Churanoumi (J1) beat Oshoma (J4)
Chiyomaru (J4) beat Tokushoryu (J14)
Shonannoumi (J3) beat Hidenoumi (J8)
Shinazuumi (J7) beat Tochinoshin (J2)
Enho (J5) beat Chiyonokuni (J2)
Tohakuryu (J1) beat Gonoyama (J6)
Asanoyama (J1) beat Akua (J7)
Leader: Ichinojo (12-1)
Of note: It’s down to two. If Ichinojo wins tomorrow (Enho) and Asanoyama loses tomorrow (Shimazuumi), Ichinojo is the champion. One of them takes a second tier title with them back to the top tier in May.

Makushita:
Ryuo (Ms26) beat Kaizen (Ms50). RYUO MAKUSHITA YUSHO! It’s his first championship at any level in his 11-year career. This will vault him right to the top of Makushita as usually the champion moves up 30 spots in the rankings. Could that mean Shin Juryo? We’ll see but I’m leaning no. Kaizen was looking for his second straight championship after winning the Sandanme in January.

Sandanme:
Kiyonoumi (Sd80) beat Amakaze (Sd56)
Toshunryu (Sd25) beat Shosei (Sd35). PLAYOFF! That means with two at 7-0, Kiyonoumi vs. Toshunryu will happen as a playoff to determine the champion. AND it’s stablemate vs. stablemate! Both are from Tamanoi Beya and this is the only situation in which stablemates face each other in a tournament.

Jonidan:
Suguro (Jd60) beat Mishima (Jd40). SUGURO JONIDAN YUSHO! It’s his first championship and comes after he missed the last 3 tournaments, which dropped him from Makushita to Honidan. He should be back in the Sandanme in May.
Asahakuryu (Jk11) beat Takashoki (Jd87). ASAHAKURYU JONOKUCHI YUSHO! He wins the title in his Debut tournament.

Reminder: NHK World Japan will have 50 minutes of LIVE Day 14 top-tier coverage beginning tomorrow at 1:10 AM PT/4:10 AM ET. Tune in FOR FREE to see if Daieisho will win the Emperor’s Cup for the second time or if it goes to the Final Day!

UPDATE: Breaking…Sanyaju shakeup coming because Wakatakakage has WITHDRAWN going into Day 14. If he misses the Final Day that means he will be demoted from Sekiwake after over a year. More as it becomes available/. That means Kiribayama gets the free win and goes to 11-3.