Some TJPW news on what is traditionally a slow week for Japanese pro wrestling (after Ittenyon is typically when contracts are/are not renewed and everyone takes a break for a few days before the new year gets going, it’s also a more active tine for sumo with final January Tournament preps):
The full field for the upcoming annual Max Heart Tournament, the promotion’s annual tag team tournament, has been officially announced. It’s a 12-team field this year and today’s announcement of the last 4 teams features the most important addition: Wasteland Pom Party aka Max The Impaler & Pom Harajuku (wrestling’s best & most lovable odd couple) which made me very happy. They were runners-up last year The other 3 teams announced were Mizuki & Uta Takami, Raku & Ren Konatsu and Kira Summer & Chika Nanase. The 8 previously announced teams were current Princess Tag Team Champions Yuki Kamifuku & Wakana Uehara, Miu Watanabe & Rika Tatsumi (always a heavy favorite to win), Arisu Endo & Suzune (likewise a favorite), Yuki Aino & Haru Kazaahiro, Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao (defending tournament winners), HIMAWARI & Shino Suzuki, Miyu Yamashita & Kaya Toribami, Yuki Arai & Mifu Ashida (who I most want to win aside from Max & Pom).
The tournament is single-elimination bracket format with 4 teams directly advancing to the Quarterfinals and the rest competing in first round matches on 1/17 at Yokohama Radiant Hall in Yokohama. The Quarterfinals are on 1/25 at Ryogoku KFC Hall in Tokyo, the Semifinals are on 1/31 at Shinjuku Face and the Finals are on 2/14 at Korakuen Hall. If Kamifujku/Uehara do not win, the winning team will get a Princess Tag Team Championship match/rematch against Ober Eats-while not yet confirmed it likely will be at GRAND PRINCESS ‘26 on 3/29 at Ryoogku Kokugikan…unless Tatsumi/Watanabe win because Watanabe will defend the Princess Of Princess Championship that day.