The Dreams Surrounding The Championships, Unbreakable Rhio Coming To TJPW

So how about Konosuke Takeshita and Maki Itoh on AEW Dynamite last night? Not bad, eh? Takeshita faced Hangman Page in a non-title barnburner of a match while Itoh was the “Joker” entry in the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament fighting against a previous ally Britt Baker. Both lost their matches unfortunately but their positions on the show was a great sign of the relationship between DDT/TJPW and AEW.

DDT “AUDIENCE 2022”, 22/05/2022
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Naomi Yoshimura Vs Yuki Ishida
2. Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno & Akito Vs HARASHIMA, Toru Owashi & Antonio Honda
3. Special Single Match: Yuki Ueno Vs Kazuki Hirata
4. Super Hardcore Girls Vs Prominence Full-Scale Battle ~ Special Hardcore Match: Carousel❤️Shun & Elizabeth❤️Toy Vs Suzu Suzuki & Akane Fujita
5. Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama, Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku Vs Yuji Hino, Yukio Naya, Ilusion & El Unicorn
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi (c) Vs MAO & Asuka
7. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles Tournament – Final: Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & KANON Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani

A press conference was held today featuring CDK, MAO and Asuka to promote both of their upcoming title matches. First up is the KO-D Tag Team Titles match involving all four wrestlers. Asuka thinks she and MAO have a deeper bond together than CDK does. She thinks their high flying skills will fuse together and she is looking forward to becoming the first female KO-D Tag Champion. MAO describes his team with Asuka is a challenging adventure and he wants to help her achieve her goal because as a former tag champion he has a special attachment for those belts.

Masahiro Takanashi appreciates the gesture because he once teamed with Emi Sakura for a KO-D Tag Title match. However he thinks the title are still better off belonging to CDK. Chris Brookes had just watched Takeshita on AEW so he is currently feeling emotional. This show might be the first DDT show AEW fans will watch so Brookes feels the pressure. However he is confident the other three wrestlers will show these fans how great DDT is.

BASARA “BASARA 191 ~GLITTER~”, 25/05/2022
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. SAGAT VS Takato Nakano
2. Tsutomu Oosugi, Banana Senga & Gouma Vs Fuminori Abe, Lil’ Kraken & Yasu Urano
3. Isami Kodaka & Daiki Shimomura Vs FUMA & Daichi Kazato
4. CCW Canadian Heavyweight Title: Takumi Tsukamoto (c) Vs Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi
5. Union MAX Title: Ryota Nakatsu (c) Vs Masato Kamino

A big run has been happening for Masato Kamino lately. He defeated Isami Kodaka last month and was the sole survivor of the 6-Man Tag Elimination match on the last show. He is the latest challenger to step up to Ryota Nakatsu’s impressive Union MAX Title reign.

The obscure CCW Canadian Heavyweight Title is being defended again. Takumi Tsukamoto was just about the better man against Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi in the Elimination tag match but now Hiroshi has a score to settle with him over it.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR ’22”, 29/05/2022
Tokyo Otemachi Mitsui Hall

1. 3 Way Match: Hyper Misao Vs Nao Kakuta & Mahiro Kiryu
2. Hikari Noa & Kaya Toribami Vs Raku & Pom Harajuku
3. Yuki Aino Vs “The Unbreakable” Rhio
4. 5 Vs 5 Singles Match: Red Corner X Vs Blue Corner X
5. 5 Vs 5 Singles Match: Red Corner X Vs Blue Corner X
6. 5 Vs 5 Singles Match: Red Corner X Vs Blue Corner X
7. 5 Vs 5 Singles Match: Red Corner X Vs Blue Corner X
8. 5 Vs 5 Singles Match: Red Corner X Vs Blue Corner X

Red Corner: Shoko Nakajima, Rika Tatsumi, Mizuki, Yuki Kamifuku & Miu Watanabe

Blue Corner: Yuki Arai, Suzume, Moka Miyamoto, Arisu Endo & Haruna Neko

The senpai squad are taking on the 1998 Class in a special series of singles matches. A lottery will be held soon to determine who faces who in the five matches. Each match will have a 10 minute time limit.

“The Unbreakable” Rhio makes her Tokyo Joshi Pro debut on this show against Yuki Aino. She will also be wrestling on the 4th June show. Rhio is from Lancashire, England and is coming over as part of the relationship between TJPW and Pro Wrestling: EVE. She is 25 years old, 163cm tall and weighs 70kg. The 25 year old has been wrestling for 7 years and also has a background in Karate and Taekwondo.

DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2022”, 01/06/2022
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. Dark Match: Yusuke Okada Vs Yuya Koroku
1. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – Battle Royal: Shinichiro Kawamatsu (c) (w/ Nobutatsu Suzuki) Vs Toru Owashi Vs Thanomusaku Toba Vs Antonio Honda Vs Kazuki Hirata Vs Gota Ihashi
2. Chris Brookes, Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai & Hideki Okatani Vs Yuji Hino, Yukio Naya, Maya Yukihi & Asuka
3. DAMNATION T.A Vs The 37KAMIINA!: Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & KANON Vs Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & Toi Kojima
4. Road To CyberFight Festival 2022! Special 6-Man Tag Match: Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno, Yumehito “Fantastic” Imanari & Akito Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Shinya Aoki & Yuki Ishida
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Kazusada Higuchi Vs HARASHIMA, Naomi Yoshimura & Soma Takao
6. DDT Extreme Title: Yuki “Sexy” Iino (c) Vs AKIRA
7. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) Vs Masahiro Takanashi

The press conference continued with MAO and Takanashi talking about the DDT Universal Title match. This will be Takanashi’s first singles championship match since the Union MAX Title defence in February 2020 when he got injured. Since coming back he wrestled the new generation of DDT wrestlers. He wants to win the Universal Title so he can defend it against those same wrestlers as well as the younger members of the BASARA roster. He also mentioned Kazusada Higuchi and Kota Umeda as potential opponents. There is also one more wrestler he would really want to defend the Universal Title against but he won’t say who it is.

MAO’s history of matches against Takanashi were mostly in NωA Vs Shuten-dōji 6-Man Tags. The fact that he and Takanashi are about to headline Korakuen Hall is like a tribute for wrestlers like KUDO and Makoto Oishi. MAO has his own dream opponent for a title defence. He definitely wants to defend the Universal Title against Mike Bailey!

Punch Drunk On REAL BLOOD, Naya Vs Hino, Nakajima Gunning For Double Gold

GANBARE☆PRO “CRAZY THUNDER ROAD 2022”, 26/05/2022
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Tiger Vs Dragon Part 2: Keisuke Ishii Vs Ryuya Matsufusa
2. Mr. SHOWTIME Vs Shivering Arm Locker: Shota Vs Tsuyoshi Okada
3. Highball & Punch Drunker Vs REAL BLOOD: Tatsuhito Takaiwa & Tyson Maeguchi Vs Naoya Nomura & Mizuki Watase
4. PocchaJo Vs GanJo Full-Scale Battle: Yuna Manase, Maika Ozaki & Yappy Vs Moeka Haruhi, HARUKAZE & YuuRI
5. Road To SEKIGAHARA Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yumehito Imanari, Soma Takao & Kouki Iwasaki Vs Ken Ohka, Shuichiro Katsumura & Shigehiro Irie

The REAL BLOOD tour of Ganbare☆Pro continues with the former Spirit Of Ganbare Champion now in their sights. The match is also a big learning session for Tyson Maeguchi since he will be in the ring with Tatsuhito Takaiwa, Naoya Nomura & Mizuki Watase.

Ryuya Matsufusa is back to take on another tiger. His Ganpro debut was against Watase so now he steps up to take on Keisuke Ishii.

DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2022 TOUR IN KUMAMOTO”, 29/05/2022
Kumamoto Castle Hall Civic Hall

1. MAO Vs Toi Kojima
2. 3 Way Tag Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Yuki Ueno & Soma Takao
3. Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & KANON Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Yuya Koroku
4. Shinya Aoki & Shunma Katsumata Vs Chris Brookes & Hideki Okatani
5. Special Single Match: Yuji Hino Vs Yukio Naya
6. Special Single Match: Saki Akai Vs Maya Yukihi
7. Kumamoto Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada Vs HARASHIMA, Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida

Over the weekend Yukio Naya asked his tag partner Yuji Hino for a singles match. It’s the latest step towards Naya wanting to get stronger. Just teaming with Hino is not enough. The challenge was accepted and a small change is made to the card. It replaces the Chris Brookes Vs Hideki Okatani match and those two are now in the tag match against Shinya Aoki & Shunma Katsumata.

DDT/ONLY WE “DRAMATIC DREAM TOUR 2022 IN CHIBA”, 05/06/2022
Chiba 2AW Square

1. Toi Kojima Vs Yuya Koroku
2. Toru Owashi & Antonio Honda Vs Soma Takao & Kazuki Hirata
3. MAO & Yusuke Okada Vs HARASHIMA & Chris Brookes
4. Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yuki Ishida Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani
5. Kaji Tomato & Naomi Yoshimura Vs Yuki Ueno & Shunma Katsumata
6. Special Single Match: Daisuke Sasaki Vs Hiroshi Yamato
7. ONLY WE x DDT Special 6-Man Tag Match – No DQ Match: Yuji Hino, Yukio Naya & Quiet Storm Vs Shogun Okamoto, Akira Raijin & Hoshitango

DDT hosts the next chapter of the ONLY WE Vs PERON GRANDES feud. In April a brawl that happened after a main event between the two units led to challenges for a No DQ Match to be held in June. Naya is backing up ONLY WE while PERON GRANDES seem to have recruited Hoshitango to their side.

Former DAMNATION allies Daisuke Sasaki and Hiroshi Yamato are pitted against each other. Yamato was the only person to stand up for Sasaki during the DAMNATION mutiny of 2020. I think this will be their first match of any kind together since the DAMNATION break up last year.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “ADDITIONAL ATTACK ’22”, 19/06/2022
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Princess Tag Team Titles: Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki (c) Vs Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao

The tag team of Kyoraku Kyomei is as powerful as they’ve ever been thanks to their Princess Of Princess Title match that took place this month. Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao are now even more of a united force and ready to take the Princess Tag Team Titles from The Magical Sugar Rabbits. This was Misao’s idea and Nakajima is going ahead with it confident she will end up as the first person in Tokyo Joshi Pro to hold two Princess Championships at the same time. Mizuki accepted the challenge without Yuka Sakazaki’s consent but Sakazaki quickly changed her opinion and is committed to the title defence.

Speaking of Sakazaki, it was announced today she will be wrestling Masha Slamovich at PWG in California on 3rd July! Konosuke Takeshita will be in a PWG World Title match against the champion Daniel Garcia on the same show.

DDT “AUDIENCE 2022 TOUR IN HIROSHIMA” Results

DDT “AUDIENCE 2022 TOUR IN HIROSHIMA”, 15/05/2022
Hiroshima Industrial Hall East Exhibition Hall
195 Fans

1. Chris Brookes defeated Yuki Ishida with a Michinoku Driver II (8:47).
2. Yuji Hino & Yukio Naya defeated Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata when Naya pinned Hirata with a Big Boot (0:17).
2a. Rematch: Yuji Hino & Yukio Naya defeated Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata when Naya pinned Hirata with the Modified Torture Cobra Twist (9:20).
3. 4 Way Match: Saki Akai defeated Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Rey Paloma and Antonio Honda when Akai pinned Honda with the Rookie Award (9:04).
4. Special Tag Match: Hiroshi Yamato & Kenshin Chikano defeated MAO & Toi Kojima when Chikano pinned Kojima with the Buzzsaw Kick (11:50).
5. Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & KANON defeated HARASHIMA, Naomi Yoshimura & Yuya Koroku when Sasaki submitted Koroku with the Crossface Lock (12:51).
6. Hiroshima Specialty Special Single Match – “Raw Ass Close Call” Sexy Train Rule: Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Yuki Ueno ended in a No Contest (8:30).
6a. Rematch: Yuki Ueno defeated Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno with the BME (0:33).
7. BURNING Vs Eruption!: Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani defeated Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada when Higuchi pinned Okatani with the Brain Claw Slam (17:36).

Upcoming trios partners were opponents on today’s show. Kazusada Higuchi is still feeling cold towards Tetsuya Endo & Jun Akiyama and exchanged words with them after the main event. Higuchi got on the microphone and told the fans he can’t really say anything about the “CYBERFIGHT FESTIVAL 2022” match they’re in but he would rather beat the NOAH team using his own power instead of working with the two BURNING wrestler. Higuchi also wants Eruption to win the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles next week so both can move up. He explained more backstage about why he has tension with Endo & Akiyama. He said if you look at what DDT has done in the last year or two, you would understand why he isn’t thrilled about teaming with them.

This has the two BURNING wrestlers concerned about the tag match against NOAH. If they are not all on the same page then Akiyama thinks the only way they will win is if they target Atsushi Kotoge. Endo is not happy with that idea and will only be satisfied with winning if they can beat Naomichi Marufuji directly. They need to get the message across to Higuchi that this match against NOAH is a rivalry, not a friendly exhibition.

Before Yuki Ueno’s match with Danshoku Dieno began, Dieno walked over to Makoto Oishi and bribed him with some money to go do something over on the stage. He then told Ueno he will beat him in under 10 minutes and demanded their match be held under “Raw Ass Close Call” Sexy Train Rules! Hisaya Imabayashi encouraged Ueno to accept the challenge even though neither of them knew what the rule means. Yuki Iino then walked out on the stage carrying an unconscious Toi Kojima. Iino and Oishi taped Kojima to a chair and then Iino stood on a trolley across the stage with his bare backside pointed towards Kojima. The Sexy Train rule is Oishi will slowly push Iino towards Kojima as the match progresses until his butt meets Kojima’s face at the 10 minute mark! At the eight minute mark of the match, Dieno threatened to pull down the last of his tights causing Imabayashi to stop the match. However Ueno told him that Kojima hates it when things are done halfway so he convinced the GM to restart the match with one minute left. Ueno quickly pinned Dieno with the BME. Unfortunately by the time he got up to the stage to rescue his friend, Iino got his final push and Kojima got his face full of his backside.

Yukio Naya challenged Yuji Hino to a singles match. They’ve been a tag team together for months but their win-loss record is not great. Naya thinks in order to become stronger and start getting the results he wants he will have to fight Hino as well as team with him.

The Chris Brookes Vs Yuki Ishida match was almost like a tag match because Brookes dragged both Daisuke Kiso and Yukinori Matsui into getting physical. Brookes grabbed Kiso for leverage to block Ishida’s moves. He then used Matsui as a shield to take Ishida’s Sumo Slaps. One last disrespectful move was done when Brookes used the Michinoku Driver II (one of MAO’s finishers) to win the match.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR ’22” Results

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR ’22”, 15/05/2022
Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall
164 Fans

1. Maki Itoh defeate Kaya Toribami with the Itoh Punish (8:11).
2. Yuki Aino & Miu Watanabe defeated Suzume & Haruna Neko when Watanabe pinned Neko with the Tear Drop (11:36).
3. 3 Way Match: Raku defeated Hikari Noa and Mahiro Kiryu when Raku pinned Kiryu with the Hurricane Turn (6:29).
4. Yuki Kamifuku & Nao Kakuta defeated Miyu Yamashita & Pom Harajuku when Kamifuku pinned Harajuku with the Famouser (9:29).
5. Rika Tatsumi defeated Moka Miyamoto with the Twist Of Fate (10:02).
6. Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao defeated Mizuki & Arisu Endo when Misao pinned Endo with the Hypami Returns (13:42).

Today was a new chapter for Kyoraku Kyomei. It was their first time teaming together in three months and since then Shoko Nakajima defended the Princess Of Princess Title against Hyper Misao. They showed they are still on the same page by beating Mizuki & Arisu Endo in the main event. Misao said this new and improved version of Kyoraku Kyomei feels comfortable and she is convinced they are the best tag team in Tokyo Joshi Pro history! So without consulting Nakajima, Misao asked for a Princess Tag Team Titles match against the Magical Sugar Rabbits. Even though Yuka Sakazaki was absent, Mizuki accepted the challenged (Sakazaki watched the show live from America and her tweets quickly went from “Refuse!” to “I’ll do it!”). Nakajima asked for the match to take place at Korakuen Hall on 19th June, a week after “CYBERFIGHT FESTIVAL 2022”. She promised to become TJPW’s first Double Crown Princess Champion!

Both Miyu Yamashita and Maki Itoh commented on their upcoming trip to America for Prestige Wrestling at the end of the month. Itoh will be defending the International Princess Title against Mia Yim on the 28th May show in Portland, Oregon. She said she wants to crush the former NXT wrestler to increase the value of her championship. The belt has been waiting for her so Itoh promises to do her best so she can come back to Japan with her heart held high. Yamashita’s opponent on the 28th is Masha Slamovich. Yamashita describes her as a ferocious opponent from Impact Wrestling so she wants to kick her ass. Yamashita and Itoh will face each other on the second Prestige show taking place the next night.

English wrestler “The Unbreakable” Rhio will begin her first tour of TJPW on 29th May as part of the company’s relationship with Pro Wrestling EVE. Rhio is 25 years old, born in Lancashire and been wrestling for seven years. She is 163cm tall, weighs 70kg and has a background in both Karate and Taekwondo. She will be the first foreign wrestler to enter TJPW in two and a half years.

Video – 2nd Half Of GANBARE☆PRO “A HOMANSU 2022”

GANBARE☆PRO “A HOMANSU 2022”, 14/05/2022
Chiba 2AW Square
118 Fans – No Vacancy

5. Shinichiro Tominaga 2nd Hometown Triumph Match: GENTARO & Yasu Urano Vs Shuichiro Katsumura & Shinichiro Tominaga
6. Special Tag Match: Shigehiro Irie & Kouki Iwasaki Vs Naoya Nomura & Mizuki Watase

GANBARE☆PRO “A HOMANSU 2022” Results

GANBARE☆PRO “A HOMANSU 2022”, 14/05/2022
Chiba 2AW Square
118 Fans – No Vacancy

1. Punch Drunker Vs Strong Zero Drunker: Soma Takao defeated Tyson Maeguchi with a Sleeper Hold Switchback (7:14).
2. GanJo Super Fight In Chiba: HARUKAZE & Ann Cham defeated Moeka Haruhi & YuuRI when HARUKAZE submitted YuuRI with the Haru Ichiban (9:26).
3. Nippon University Alumni Association In 2AW Square: Ken Ohka defeated Kyu Mogami with the Vertical Drop Brainbuster (8:26).
4. Yuna Manase Triumphant Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yumehito Imanari, Kaji Tomato & Yuna Manase defeated Keisuke Ishii, Shota & Ayame Sasamura when Imanari pinned Shota with the Lariat (12:02).
5. Shinichiro Tominaga 2nd Hometown Triumph Match: GENTARO & Yasu Urano defeated Shuichiro Katsumura & Shinichiro Tominaga when GENTARO submitted Tominaga with a Haragatame (14:37).
6. Special Tag Match: Shigehiro Irie & Kouki Iwasaki defeated Naoya Nomura & Mizuki Watase by TKO when Irie used Repeated Elbow Butts on Watase (21:21).

REAL BLOOD’s first appearance in Ganbare☆Pro ended in defeat to Shigehiro Irie & Kouki Iwasaki. Near the end Iwasaki and Naoya Nomura exchanged German Suplexes to take each other out of the match. Irie then held Mizuki Watase down and unleashed Elbow Strikes to his head until the referee called for the bell. Nomura expected the result, saying REAL BLOOD wouldn’t be as fun if they were successful from the beginning. They’re going to sneak around the wrestling world instead. Watase agrees, thinking it is great that he has something to fight for. Irie said Watase is working harder and Iwasaki is excited at the thought of fighting Nomura again.

Today was the first time in over four years Shinichiro Tominaga got to fight GENTARO. It was also five years since Tominaga was last in Chiba 2AW Square. Injuries and time spent away from wrestling prevented the two from wrestling each other until today. Tominaga thought he gained the experience he needed in that time to win today but was proven wrong when GENTARO stretched him into submission.

Yuna Manase was happy to wrestle in a match promoting her triumphant hometown return. She began wrestling when she was 25 and this year she will turn 35. She does not know if all of her dreams will come true but Ganpro has shown they can if she keeps thinking about them.

BASARA “BASARA 190 ~TAKAGARI 9~” Results

BASARA “BASARA 190 ~TAKAGARI 9~”, 14/05/2022
Takashimadaira Ward Community Center
??? Fans – Withheld

1. Banana Senga defeated Lil’ Kraken with a Super Kick (9:38).
2. Yasu Urano defeated Daichi Kazato with a Cradle (13:01).
3. Tsutomu Oosugi defeated Takato Nakano with the Tsuki no Ishi (10:51).
4. Isami Kodaka & Daiki Shimomura defeated SAGAT & Akiyori Takizawa when Kodaka pinned SAGAT with the Crunch Loop (18:46).
5. Elimination 6-Man Tag Match: Takumi Tsukamoto, Fuminori Abe & Masato Kamino defeated FUMA, Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi & Antonio Honda (23:38).
5a. Antonio Honda eliminated Fuminori Abe by Ring Out (14:47).
5b. Fuminori Abe was eliminated by Ring Out (14:59).
5c. Takumi Tsukamoto eliminated Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi with a School Boy (19:19).
5d. FUMA eliminated Takumi Tsukamoto by Ring Out (20:31).
5e. Masato Kamino eliminated FUMA by Ring Out (23:38).

Masato Kamino challenged Ryota Nakatsu for the Union MAX Title at the next Shin-Kiba 1st RING show. Nakatsu was not here today so BASARA needs his answer before making it official.

Takumi Tsukamoto agreed to defend the CCW Canadian Heavyweight Title against Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi on 25th May.

Sakazaki Still In AEW, Akito Infiltrating Pheromones, Everyone Warming Up For The Summer’s Big Shows

GANBARE☆PRO “A HOMANSU 2022”, 14/05/2022
Chiba 2AW Square

1. Punch Drunker Vs Strong Zero Drunker: Tyson Maeguchi Vs Soma Takao
2. GanJo Super Fight In Chiba: Moeka Haruhi & YuuRI Vs HARUKAZE & Ann Cham
3. Yuna Manase Triumphant Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yumehito Imanari, Kaji Tomato & Yuna Manase Vs Keisuke Ishii, Shota & Ayame Sasamura
4. Nippon University Alumni Association In 2AW Square: Ken Ohka Vs Kyu Mogami
5. Shinichiro Tominaga 2nd Hometown Triumph Match: GENTARO & Yasu Urano Vs Shuichiro Katsumura & Shinichiro Tominaga
6. Special Tag Match: Shigehiro Irie & Kouki Iwasaki Vs Naoya Nomura & Mizuki Watase

The entry of REAL BLOOD into Ganabre☆Pro headlines the show tomorrow.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW SPRING TOUR ’22”, 15/05/2022
Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall

1. Maki Itoh Vs Kaya Toribami
2. 3 Way Match: Hikari Noa Vs Raku Vs Mahiro Kiryu
3. Rika Tatsumi Vs Moka Miyamoto
4. Yuki Aino & Miu Watanabe VsSuzume & Haruna Neko
5. Miyu Yamashita & Pom Harajuku Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Nao Kakuta
6. Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao Vs Mizuki & Arisu Endo

All is well and good between Kyoraku Kyomei after the Princess Of Princess Title earlier this month. Yuka Sakazaki is staying in America for the rest of this month so it is up to Mizuki & Arisu Endo to fight Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao on her behalf.

This will be Miyu Yamashita and Maki Itoh’s last match in Japan this month before they go over to America for their bookings with Prestige Wrestling. Your guess is as good as mine if there are any suprise appearances either will make between now and then.

As mentioned above, Sakazaki’s excursion to AEW will last for the rest of the month so she will not be on this show. Her first match back in Tokyo Joshi Pro will be on 4th June. TJPW have said that more international bookings for their roster will happen after June and they will inform the fans about them when they happen.

DDT “AUDIENCE 2022”, 22/05/2022
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Naomi Yoshimura Vs Yuki Ishida
2. Yuki “Sexy” Iino, Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno & Akito Vs HARASHIMA, Toru Owashi & Antonio Honda
3. Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama, Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku Vs Yuji Hino, Yukio Naya, Ilusion & El Unicorn
4. Special Single Match: Yuki Ueno Vs Kazuki Hirata
5. Super Hardcore Girls Vs Prominence Full-Scale Battle ~ Special Hardcore Match: Carousel❤️Shun & Elizabeth❤️Toy Vs Suzu Suzuki & Akane Fujita
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi (c) Vs MAO & Asuka
7. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles Tournament – Final: Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & KANON Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani

Akito has been convinced to audition for Pheromones to keep the unit under control. The implication that doing this will earn Akito enough trust from CyberFight that he will then some day be promoted to company president is motivating him to go along with the plan. He promised to take it further by gaining Pheromones’ trust before destroying them from the inside. They are going to try out a few warm up tag team matches before fully committing to the big 8-Man Tag Match at “CYBERFIGHT FESTIVAL 2022”. This changes the first two matches on the card to accommodate this new plan.

GANBARE☆PRO “CRAZY THUNDER ROAD 2022”, 26/05/2022
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. PocchaJo Vs GanJo Full-Scale Battle: Yuna Manase, Maika Ozaki & Yappy Vs Moeka Haruhi, HARUKAZE & YuuRI
2. Road To SEKIGAHARA Special 6-Man Tag Match: Yumehito Imanari, Soma Takao & Kouki Iwasaki Vs Ken Ohka, Shuichiro Katsumura & Shigehiro Irie

The build up to “WRESTLE SEKIGAHARA” goes up a notch here. Yumehito Imanari and Ken Ohka are now wrestling in the same matches to prepare for the Spirit Of Ganbare Title bout.

Pocchari Joshi has a new lease of life with the new additions of Maika Ozaki & Yappy to the brand. Yuna Manase now wants to gather together with them and test what they are made of against the regular Ganbare☆Joshi group.

Wrestlers advertised to appear include Tatsuhito Takaiwa, Tsuyoshi Okada, Naoya Nomura, Tyson Maeguchi and Ryuya Matsufusa.

DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2022 TOUR IN FUKUOKA”, 28/05/2022
Fukuoka Nishitetsu Hall

1. MJ Paul Vs Yuya Koroku
2. Chris Brookes, Naomi Yoshimura & Saki Akai Vs Soma Takao, Yukio Naya & Maya Yukihi
3. Daisuke Sasaki & KANON Vs Yuji Hino & Yuki Ishida
4. MAO & Toru Owashi Vs Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno
5. Special Single Match: Azul Dragon Vs Kazuki Hirata
6. BURNING Vs Eruption!: Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Hideki Okatani
7. Fukuoka Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Atsushi Onita, HARASHIMA & Shinya Aoki Vs Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & Toui Kojima

Fukuoka is getting the unusual trio of Atsushi Onita, HARASHIMA & Shinya Aoki teaming together to take on The 37KAMIINA.

The DDT Universal Champion and the DDT Extreme Champion are against each other in Match #4.

DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2022 TOUR IN KUMAMOTO”, 29/05/2022
Kumamoto Castle Hall Civic Hall

1. MAO Vs Toi Kojima
2. Chris Brookes Vs Hideki Okatani
3. 3 Way Tag Match: Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno Vs Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata Vs Yuki Ueno & Soma Takao
4. Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & KANON Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yukio Sakaguchi & Yuya Koroku
5. Special Tag Match: Shinya Aoki & Shunma Katsumata Vs Yuji Hino & Yukio Naya
6. Special Single Match: Saki Akai Vs Maya Yukihi
7. Kumamoto Specialty Special 6-Man Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada Vs HARASHIMA, Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida

Yuki Ishida gets to be the homecoming hero taking on the might of BURNING. He has HARASHIMA & Naomi Yoshimura backing him up so it won’t be a hopeless challenge for the youngster.

DDT “WHAT ARE YOU DOING 2022”, 01/06/2022
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. Dark Match: Yusuke Okada Vs Yuya Koroku
1. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – Battle Royal: Shinichiro Kawamatsu (c) (w/ Nobutatsu Suzuki) Vs Toru Owashi Vs Thanomusaku Toba Vs Antonio Honda Vs Kazuki Hirata Vs Gota Ihashi
2. Chris Brookes, Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai & Hideki Okatani Vs Yuji Hino, Yukio Naya, Maya Yukihi & Asuka
3. DAMNATION T.A Vs The 37KAMIINA!: Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & KANON Vs Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & Toi Kojima
4. Road To CyberFight Festival 2022! Special 6-Man Tag Match: Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno, Yumehito “Fantastic” Imanari & Akito Vs Sanshiro Takagi, Shinya Aoki & Yuki Ishida
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Kazusada Higuchi Vs HARASHIMA, Naomi Yoshimura & Soma Takao
6. DDT Extreme Title: Yuki “Sexy” Iino (c) Vs AKIRA
7. DDT Universal Title: MAO (c) Vs Masahiro Takanashi

A warm up tag match for Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Kazusada Higuchi before “CYBERFIGHT FESTIVAL 2022”. Higuchi’s comments on their match against the NOAH team shows he isn’t on the same page with BURNING at the moment. It’s not out of skill level or opinions on each other. More that he has his own idea of beating NOAH that doesn’t mix with how the other two think they can win.

DDT “DDT FREE -MAY-” Results

DDT “DDT FREE -MAY-”, 11/05/2022
Shinjuku FACE
349 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

1. Saki Akai & Soma Takao defeated Maya Yukihi & Kazuki Hirata when Akai pinned Hirata with the Rookie Award (9:45).
2. Yuki “Sexy” Iino & Danshoku “Dandy” Dieno (w/ Yumehito “Fantastic” Imanari) defeated Toru Owashi & Akito when Iino pinned Akito with the Yoropean Clutch (10:25).
3. HARASHIMA & Naomi Yoshimura defeated Yuji Hino & Toi Kojima when Yoshimura pinned Kojima with the Harai Goshi (10:15).
4. Special Single Match: Yuki Ueno defeated Yukio Naya with an Inverted Hurricanrana (11:08).
5. Daisuke Sasaki, MJ Paul & KANON defeated Kazusada Higuchi, Hideki Okatani & Yuki Ishida when Paul pinned Ishida with the Death Valley Bomb (11:35).
6. Special Tag Match: Tetsuya Endo & Jun Akiyama defeated Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku when Akiyama pinned Koroku with the Exploder Suplex (15:38).
7. Road To Audience 2022! Special 6-Man Tag Match: MAO, Asuka & Shunma Katsumata defeated Chris Brookes, Masahiro Takanashi & Antonio Honda when MAO pinned Honda with the Michinoku Driver II (21:11).

The spotlight currently shines brightly on the scenario involving CDK, MAO, Asuka, the KO-D Tag Team Titles and the DDT Universal Title. It draws in more people because Shunma Katsumata and Antonio Honda joined in the fun too. ShunMao gave Honda a Double Stunner and then got Asuka to get involved in a Triple Miracle Ecstasy. CDK broke the count but both were taken out with dives from Katsumata & Asuka. Honda got his second wind by doing a Lou Thesz Press and Super Kick to MAO. But MAO cut him off and grabbed the win with the Michinoku Driver II. MAO said this match is an example of DDT being on the cutting edge because they do not use any divided weight class or big name guest today.

Backstage ShunMao described the match like it was a sauna. Asuka says she can’t go to saunas because she has a tattoo. Katsumata invited her to go visit his business the Sea Sauna Shack where that wouldn’t be a problem. Asuka talked about how Chris Brookes pissed her off during the match. Katsumata warned her he can be dangerous so the best way to deal with him is to accuse him of making violent threats so his Twitter account gets banned. Asuka said she would rather take the KO-D Tag Titles from him. She then started asking Katsumata questions about Carousel❤️Shun. Over on the other side, Masahiro Takanashi admitted CDK weren’t prepared for how strong and aggressive Asuka is.

BURNING Vs BURNING had the expected result of BURNING beating BURNING. Did you get all of that? Jun Akiyama pinned Yuya Koroku and along with Tetsuya Endo praised him for the hard work he’s been doing. His advice to him is to think for himself more and more. Think about how he can rise to the top. It doesn’t need to be as massive as Koroku imagining himself carrying the company on his back. He just needs to imagine how he will move up the ladder. If he can do that then DDT will move up with him. Yusuke Okada thinks he has always been stuck in the same position Koroku is in now so he knows he has to continue working hard too.

Hideki Okatani and KANON targeted each other a lot in their match and kept fighting after it was over. Daisuke Sasaki mocked Okatani for thinking he can beat KANON and had threats aimed towards Yukio Sakaguchi, who wasn’t there today. Okatani called DAMNATION T.A goofy and undeserving of the KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles. His growing attitude is approved by Kazusada Higuchi, who himself is confident that Eruption will win the vacant titles on 22nd May.

Even though Yuki Ueno won his match against Yukio Naya, he thought Naya showed more growth and it is only a matter of time before Naya breaks out in DDT. Ueno’s current position means he can’t afford to let other wrestlers use him as a springboard. There are no weight divisions in DDT so no matter how big his opponents are, Ueno can’t lose to them if he wants to be champion.

Danshoku Dieno asked if Akito wants to join Pheromones because they will be all teaming together at “CYBERFIGHT FESTIVAL 2022”. Akito refused, calling them the most vile unit in DDT. His point was proven when Pheromones found ways to make Akito do lewd things to Toru Owashi before Yuki Iino pinned him with the Yoropean Clutch. After the match Dieno complained about Akito sending mixed signals. He doesn’t want to join Pheromones but he still joins in on their fun? They left the ring and Akito demanded to be pulled out of the match. Sanshiro Takagi apologised for putting the CyberFight VP into the match without his permission. He explained the reason is somebody has to team with them to make sure they don’t cross the line during the live broadcast of a mega show like “CYBERFIGHT FESTIVAL”. Akito asked why couldn’t Takagi team with them and Takagi’s answer was Pheromones would figure out it is a trap right away. Takagi has grudges with them but Akito is a neutral who gets along with everybody. Takagi then talked about having a shoulder problem that could prevent him from doing his job as CyberFight President. If Akito does a good job keeping Pheromones under control then maybe he could replace Takagi as President! Akito suddenly had a change of heart and offered to team with Pheromones for a few warm up matches before “CYBERFIGHT FESTIVAL”. He will trick Pheromones into letting him join the unit and destroy them from within!

Maya Yukihi continues to fit in with DDT, even when she doesn’t want to. She declined Kazuki Hirata’s offer to wear the Hirata GO! glasses so he knocked her out with the Tegatana Chop and placed the glasses on her face anyway. That backfired when Yukihi’s dancing attacks targeted him as well as their opponents. Soma Takao gave Hirata the Perfect Driver and Saki Akai then pinned him with the Rookie Award. Akai can see Yukihi is having fun in DDT but she worries she is not taking full advantage of her surroundings. She hopes their upcoming rematch will set Yukihi back on track. Yukihi promised to avenge the singles loss to Akai and conquer more of DDT.

Midway through the show five new trainees were introduced to the fans. A tryout was held by DDT in March looking for new recruits aged 18 to 23 years old. They new trainees are Kazuma Sumi from Mie, Yuya Takaki from Shiga, Rukiya Ikeda from Osaka, Shogo Hamaguchi from Aichi and Takeshi Masada from Osaka.

DDT Around The World – Spring 2022

There are more and more announcements coming out involving DDT and Tokyo Joshi Pro wrestlers getting bookings outside of Japan. I haven’t been posting about them here, just retweeting the news from the official accounts as they happen. I figured I should gather them together for posts every once in a while. So if this keeps up there will be catch up posts maybe once a month.

A lot of this is going to be about Konosuke Takeshita in AEW along with his US indie appearances. However we’re already seeing some TJPW related bookings in America and Europe happening too. Hopefully it won’t get repetitive.

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Results

AEW “DARK ELEVATION”, 20/04/2022
Petersen Events Center, Pittsburgh, USA

1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Brandon Cutler with the Jumping Knee Strike (4:57).

Takeshita’s US excursion began with a win over Brandon Cutler on the higher tier of AEW’s two Youtube wrestling shows. Notable moments include a nasty looking Elbow Strike from Takeshita, Cutler’ overly animated elbow drop and the commentary team of Paul Wight & Mark Henry heaping piles of praise towards the newcomer.

EVE “GLOBAL WOMEN STRIKE 3”, 23/04/2022
229 The Venue, London, England

1. Shoko Nakajima defeated Alex Windsor with the Diving Senton (14:17).

Over to England where Shoko Nakajima began her long goal to wrestle in 100 countries other than Japan. England brings her current number to three (along with USA and Mexico) and she left with a victory against Alex Windsor. The match had a 15 minute time limit so the Diving Senton in the final minute was what made the difference.

AEW “DARK ELEVATION”, 27/04/2022
Liacouras Center, Philadelphia, USA

1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Rhett Titus with the Jumping Knee Strike (4:40).

Back in AEW Takeshita’s second week saw him defeat Rhett Titus, the former ROH TV Champion. The Jumping Knee Strike was the key to victory again although this time it was more of a sudden flash win rather than a decisive knockout. Jun Akiyama requested to Tony Khan on Twitter for commentary to correctly call it the Jumping Knee instead of the Flying Knee.

PWG “DELIVERING THE GOODS”, 01/05/2022
Globe Theatre, Los Angeles, USA

1. Konosuke Takeshita defeated Aramis by Pinfall (10:02).

Takeshita’s American road trip next took him over to Southern California to wrestle on the big show when it comes to the US indies. He watched a lot of PWG growing up so now it’s time to wrestle there! Takeshita impressed the hardcore crowd with his win against the luchador Aramis. The two wrestlers had money thrown at them by fans afterwards for a job well done. That was not the end of his night. During the show’s conclusion the new PWG World Champion and fellow AEW wrestler Daniel Garcia called him out. Garcia decided he will defend the PWG Title against Takeshita at their next show, which does not have a date announced yet.

AEW “RAMPAGE”, 04/05/2022
Chesapeake Employers Insurance Arena, Baltimore, USA

1. Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament – Qualifier: Riho defeated Yuka Sakazaki with the Gannosuke Clutch (9:18).
2. Jay Lethal (w/ Satnam Singh & Sonjay Dutt) defeated Konosuke Takeshita with the Lethal Injection (9:38).

Then it was back to AEW for Takeshita’s first appearance on national TV. In the week leading up to the match Jay Lethal showed jealousy towards all the welcoming attention Takeshita received so he challenged him to a match. Takeshita came close to winning but Sonjay Dutt distracted the referee so the pin count was delayed long enough for Lethal to kick out. Lethal regained his positioning to hit the Lethal Injection and hand Takeshita his first singles loss in AEW. On the bright side at least Akiyama was happy to hear his move called correctly on commentary.

Yuka Sakazaki’s sudden invite back to AEW was for a qualifying match in the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament. Her match was against Riho who was also returning to AEW after taking time off with an injury. Sakazaki was building up a head of steam when Riho suddenly caught her in the Gannosuke Clutch for the three count out of nowhere. It is currently unknown when Sakazaki will return to Japan but don’t be surprised if she sticks around AEW for another week to wrestle on Elevation before going home.

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Upcoming Appearances

DPW “FIRE VOL. 3”, 15/05/2022
Sheraton Raleigh Hotel, Raleigh, USA

1. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Adam Brooks

The boys are back in town! North Carolina’s Deadlock Pro Wrestling is Takeshita’s next date on the indies. He takes on Australia’s Adam Brooks, a man who kept himself busy in his home country during the pandemic and is chomping at the bit to have his breakout moment overseas.

PRESTIGE “ROSELAND 3 – NIGHT 1”, 28/05/2022
Roseland Theater, Portland, USA

1. Miyu Yamashita Vs Masha Slamovich
2. Interational Princess Title: Maki Itoh (c) Vs Mia Yim

TJPW’s new partnership with Prestige Wrestling begins with Miyu Yamashita and Maki Itoh heading over to Portland. Their matches have now become TJPW Vs Impact bouts even if that wasn’t the case when they were first put together. Yamashita’s opponent on night one is against Masha Slamovich in what promises to be hard hitting from bell to bell. Itoh gets a big challenge against Impact’s newest signing Mia Yim.

EDIT: A few hours after I posted this, Prestige announced on Twitter that Itoh Vs Yim is now for the International Princess Title. The championship is finally being used for its original purpose!

PRESTIGE “ROSELAND 3 – NIGHT 2”, 29/05/2022
Roseland Theater, Portland, USA

1. Maki Itoh Vs Miyu Yamashita

Night two of Prestige pits Yamashita and Itoh against each other.

WEST COAST PRO “’93 TIL INFINITY”, 10/06/2022
The State Room, South San Francisco, USA

1. Mike Bailey Vs Konosuke Takeshita

Takeshita and Mike Bailey together again! Oh I think I’m going to cry, it’s been so long. West Coast Pro has been running shows since 2018 and has some sort of partnership with Prestige if their co-promoted doubleheader from March is anything to go by.

PRESTIGE “THE NEW REALITY”, 18/06/2022
The Glass House, Pomona, USA

1. Lee Moriarty Vs Konosuke Takeshita

Takeshita makes his Prestige debut although this show is in California instead of Oregon. His match is keeping it AEW with the talented Lee Moriarty and his “TAIGASTYLE” standing across the ring from him.

RCW “MIYUMAMI”, 02/07/2022
Casinet d’Hostafrancs, Barcelona, Spain

1. Miyu Yamashita Vs X

Yamashita returns to Europe for the first time since 2019 when she goes to Spain for RCW. She is the only announced wrestler for the show so far.

GARDEN STATE PRO “WELCOME TO EDEN”, 23/07/2022
The Heart Ballroom, Newark, USA

1. 3 Way Match: Billie Starkz Vs Miyu Yamashita Vs Janai Kai
2. Konosuke Takeshita Vs Josh Alexander

The debut show of Garden State Pro Wrestling in New Jersey features both Takeshita and Yamashita. Takeshita is already reaching the point where his indie bookings are more exciting than his AEW bookings because he is taking on the Impact World Champion himself Josh Alexander!

Yamashita finds herself in a 3 Way Match against two of the most recognizable fresh faces in the scene since the US indies came out of the pandemic. Billie Starkz and Janai Kai are two women who would benefit greatly by touring Japan someday so maybe this match will open some opportunities in the future.