DDT Around The World – February 2026

Phew! Finally made it through the month with a lot more clearer pictures to look at. Konosuke Takeshita has moved on from the Kazuchika Okada feud to become a focal point in the rivalry between The Don Callis Family and the Death Riders. Takeshita against Jon Moxley is the destination while bringing in a variety of wrestlers for some good trios bouts in the process. I’ve been happy watching this feud so far because the matches have been constantly good and highlighting some of the AEW wrestlers I really like. However Okada is still making moves in the background because he might have just stolen Takeshita’s tag partner! He only just formed ProtOkada with Kyle Fletcher this past week which should eventually add another layer to Takeshita’s story with The Family.

Next up we go to Tokyo Joshi Pro and their ever increasing international schedule. After a lot of hullabaloo that had driven me crazy, the return to Las Vegas was finally confirmed to be real. That can be added to the Texas tour, the Vancouver tour and also a show in Italy all coming up in the next couple of months (and maybe more). With that being said, the ticket sales for the Texas tour so far look dismal from what people can find online and the savvy marketing work done by Tokyo Story USA is almost nowhere to be seen this time around. We may be due some harsh lessons this time around, like how maybe last year’s success really did just come from holding the shows next to a big destination wrestling event.

Elsewhere this month some of the TJPW wrestlers have lost their championships. Shoko Nakajima and K!SS// went on their travels and came back home missing their titles. Things fared better for the DDT wrestlers when it comes to gaining or keeping their gold. Now heading into March we have Miyu Yamashita embarking on another excursion, WrestleMania Week all of a sudden getting stuffed with TJPW appearances to look forward to and Daisuke Sasaki is off to North America for a while.

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Videos

Konosuke Takeshita In AEW Playlist

AEW “DYNAMITE”, 04/02/2026
Pearl Theater At Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

1. Jon Moxley, PAC & Daniel Garcia (w/ Marina Shafir) Vs Konosuke Takeshita, Josh Alexander & El Clon

AEW “DYNAMITE”, 11/02/2026
Toyota Arena, Ontario, California, USA

1. Konosuke Takeshita, Josh Alexander & Mark Davis Vs Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & PAC (w/ Marina Shafir)

AEW “GRAND SLAM AUSTRALIA”, 14/02/2026
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

1. AEW Continental Title: Jon Moxley (c) Vs Konosuke Takeshita

SETUP “REAL GLOBAL IMPACT”, 21/02/2026
The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand

1. IWA Japan SETUP World Tag Team Titles: Miyu Yamashita & Kaya Toribami (c) Vs Monomoth & Matcha

2. IWA Japan SETUP World Title: Shivam (c) Vs Chris Brookes

AEW “COLLISION”, 21/02/2026
Frontwave Arena, Oceanside, California, USA

1. Konosuke Takeshita, Mark Davis & El Clon Vs Jon Moxley, PAC & Wheeler Yuta (w/ Marina Shafir)

NJPW “THE NEW BEGINNING”, 27/02/2026
CURE Insurance Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, USA
2,605 Fans

1. NJPW World TV Title: El Phantasmo (c) Vs KONOSUKE TAKESHITA

Jon Moxley and Konosuke Takeshita can’t wait until AEW Revolution! | AEW Collision, 2/28/26

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Results

AEW “DYNAMITE”, 04/02/2026
Pearl Theater At Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

1. Konosuke Takeshita, Josh Alexander & El Clon defeated Jon Moxley, PAC & Daniel Garcia (w/ Marina Shafir) when Takeshita pinned Garcia with the Raging Fire (13:18).

The current storyline Takeshita is in is a stable war going on between The Don Callis Family and the Death Riders that’s become the backbone of AEW’s mid-card on TV. He and Moxley had plenty of battles against each other this month in 6-Man Tags. Takeshita scored first blood when he teamed with Josh Alexander & El Clon (the evil doppelganger of Hologram) to beat Moxley, PAC & Daniel Garcia. Things could have gone the other way when Garcia put Takeshita in the Dragon Tamer (Sharpshooter) submission hold and Moxley then Curb Stomped him. But Alexander broke the pin and Takeshita got his wind back to slam Garcia. Tandem trios moves from The Family couldn’t keep Garcia down until Takeshita dropped him with the Raging Fire.

MLW “LUCHA APOCALYPTO”, 07/02/2026
Cicero Stadium, Cicero, Illinois, USA

1. MLW Women’s World Featherweight Title: Shotzi Blackheart defeated Shoko Nakajima (c) (?:??).
*Shoko Nakajima fails in V7. Shotzi Blackheart becomes the 6th MLW Women’s World Featherweight Champion!

By the time this is posted, all I know about this MLW taping is Shoko Nakajima lost the MLW Women’s World Featherweight Title to Shotzi Blackheart. Since then there hasn’t been a word about when the match will air. MLW are really taking their time putting their next batch of episodes together.

AEW “DYNAMITE”, 11/02/2026
Toyota Arena, Ontario, California, USA

1. Jon Moxley, Claudio Castagnoli & PAC (w/ Marina Shafir) defeated Konosuke Takeshita, Josh Alexander & Mark Davis when Moxley pinned Alexander with the Death Rider (15:05).

The next trios match had Claudio Castagnoli replacing Garcia and Mark Davis switching in for El Clon. This time Moxley was in danger of losing the match to the teamwork of The Family until PAC came to the rescue. Castagnoli cut off Takeshita with a European Uppercut, giving Moxley the opening to catch Alexander in a Read Naked Choke, wearing him down enough to give him the Death Rider for the victory.

AEW “GRAND SLAM AUSTRALIA”, 14/02/2026
Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

1. AEW Continental Title: Jon Moxley (c) Vs Konosuke Takeshita ended in a Time Limit Draw (20:00).
*V1 for Jon Moxley.

When it was finally time for Moxley and Takeshita to settle their differences one on one in Australia, time wound up running out for them. With the AEW Continental Title on the line, rules were strictly in place to make sure no interference would be allowed. It ended up going to a stalemate. Moxley giving Takeshita a Curb Stomp onto the apron didn’t keep him out of the ring long enough to get counted out. Neither the Powerdrive Knee or the Wrist-Clutch Exploder Suplex was enough to pin Moxley for a three count. Takeshita kicked out of the Death Rider and the two continued throwing bombs at each other until the bell rang. Takeshita was seconds away from performing the Raging Fire so he went ahead and did it anyway after the match was over.

AEW “HOUSE RULES AUSTRALIA”, 15/02/2026
Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Boondall, Queensland, Australia

1. Konosuke Takeshita (w/ Don Callis) defeated Dalton Castle with the Powerdrive Knee (10:47).

Brisbane had extra action for Takeshita during his stay there. AEW ran a rare house show the next day and Takeshita was on it wrestling Dalton Castle for the first time ever. Before the match began Don Callis had Castle’s buddies The Outrunners sent away from ringside because they did not have a manager’s license recognized by the state of Australia. Callis got some cheap shots in on Castle at ringside while the crowds chanted bald jokes at him. Castle fought his way back to give Takeshita the Bangarang for a nearfall but a well timed Elbow Strike gave Takeshita the momentum needed to eventually win the match.

SETUP “REAL GLOBAL IMPACT”, 21/02/2026
The Circus Studio, G Village, Bangkok, Thailand

1. IWA Japan SETUP World Tag Team Titles: Monomoth & Matcha defeated Miyu Yamashita & Kaya Toribami (c) when Matcha pinned Toribami with the Saito Suplex (12:41).
*K!SS// fails in V2. Monomoth & Matcha become the 6th IWA Japan SETUP World Tag Team Champions!
2. IWA Japan SETUP World Title: Shivam (c) Vs Chris Brookes ended in a Time Limit Draw (20:00).
*V2 for Shivam.

There were two big title matches to follow over in Thailand for SETUP this month. Chris Brookes challenged Shivam for the IWA Japan SETUP World Title despite both men belonging to the same group, Real Global Threat. In a result that became something of a trend for a lot of title matches I’m writing about in this article, the match latest the full twenty minute time limit and went to a draw. Brookes demanded a restart and called Pumi Boonyatud into the ring to make it happen. But it was all a trap so Brookes could knock out Pumi with a slap! Shivam then got on the microphone to praise Brookes for caring about pro wrestlers like him before attacking Pumi some more until Monomoth ran them out of the ring.

Meanwhile Miyu Yamashita & Kaya Toribami’s reign as IWA Japan SETUP World Tag Team Champions has come to an end. K!SS// went to Thailand for a big title defence against SETUP’s other two singles champions Monomoth & Matcha. Both teams fought their hardest over the titles until it came down to Toribami against Matcha in the ring. Yamashita dealt with Monomoth by Skull Kicking him off the ring apron but Toribami’s attempt at the Sento Choryu was blocked by Matcha’s knees. Matcha then fought to give Toribami the Saito Suplex, pinning her while a dazed Monomoth held onto Yamashita long enough to prevent her from breaking the count. K!SS// accepted defeat and shook hands with the new champions after the match.

AEW “COLLISION”, 21/02/2026
Frontwave Arena, Oceanside, California, USA

1. Konosuke Takeshita, Mark Davis & El Clon defeated Jon Moxley, PAC & Wheeler Yuta (w/ Marina Shafir) when Takeshita pinned Yuta with the Raging Fire (14:33).

Since nothing was solved in Australia, the feud between The Family and the Death Riders continued with more 6-Man Tag Matches. Wheeler Yuta was now brought into the fold wrestling in a beanie hat because he recently lost his hair in a wager match. Also Marina Shafir was now getting into the thick of things. She’s been at ringside for most of the matches in this feud and got physically involved this time to stop Davis from using a chair. Yuta was enthusiastic to try and get the win on Takeshita until he was hit with a Pump Kick followed by the Elbow Strike. El Clon wiped out the rest of the Death Riders, allowing Takeshita to pin Yuta with the Raging Fire. Moxley confronted him after the match and thanks to others trying to get in the way, he caught Takeshita off guard and gave him the Paradigm Shift.

PPW/BZW “FRIDAY NIGHT BANGER”, 27/02/2026
PPW Training Facility, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England

1. BZW Tag Team Titles: MAO & Yoshihiko (c) defeated Liam Slater & HMD (?:??).
*V7 for MAO & Yoshihiko.

It’s been so long since I last heard about the BZW Tag Team Titles that I wasn’t sure if MAO & Yoshihiko were still the champions. Turns out they are and they travelled all the way to England for their latest defence. MAO was over there to take part in training seminars and brought Yoshihiko over so they could wrestle on a show co-promoted by BZW and Pursuit Pro Wrestling. They defeated Liam Slater & HMD to retain the gold.

NJPW “THE NEW BEGINNING”, 27/02/2026
CURE Insurance Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, USA
2,605 Fans

1. NJPW World TV Title: El Phantasmo (c) Vs KONOSUKE TAKESHITA (w/ Rocky Romero) ended in a Time Limit Draw (15:00).
1a. Overtime: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA defeated El Phantasmo (c) with the Raging Fire (2:43).
*El Phantasmo fails in V7. KONOSUKE TAKESHITA becomes the 10th NJPW World TV Champion!

Another title match and another time limit draw for Takeshita. Although this time he got a chance to make up for it. New Japan returned to America with a fresh attempt at running a big show in the country. Having El Phantasmo and Takeshita go at it with the NJPW World TV Title again was one of the big bouts of the show. They pretty much played the hits until ELP gave Takeshita a taste of his own medicine by using the Raging Fire on him! However the bell rang right afterwards to announce the match ended in a tie. ELP got on the microphone and talked about how much time limit draws suck and demanded the match to restart for another five minutes. Takeshita considered walking out with Rocky Romero next to him but turned around and got the match going again. This time Takeshita gave ELP the CR II, using the champion’s own finisher against him. ELP kicked out and snuck in a Crucifix Pin for a nearfall but Takeshita hit back and won the match with the Raging Fire. Now a champion in NJPW again, Takeshita thinks the company wants him to raise the value of the NJPW World TV Title.

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Upcoming Appearances

EVE “WOMEN BEHAVING BADLY #IWD2026”, 06/03/2026
Big Penny Social, London, England

1. Jamie Hayter Vs Miyu Yamashita

We’re at the time of year where Yamashita goes travelling everywhere. Europe is the next up for her with EVE as an important destination. Her first of two EVE bookings for March has her facing Jamie Hayter in a much anticipated singles match.

RCW SPAIN “HELL GIRLS DELUXE”, 07/03/2026
Casinet de Hostafrancs, Barcelona, Spain

1. Nightshade Vs Miyu Yamashita

Yamashita then goes over to Spain the next day for a return to RCW Spain. Her opponent Nightshade has done tours with TJPW in the past but this will be the first time these two will be in a match together.

EVE “WRESTLE QUEENDOM VIII”, 08/03/2026
Indigo At The O2, London, England

1. Sudden Death Sixteen: Alexxis Falcon Vs DASH Chisako Vs Jamie Hayter Vs Miyu Yamashita Vs Amale Vs X Vs X Vs X Vs X Vs X Vs X Vs X Vs X Vs X Vs X Vs X

Then the day after that Yamashita goes back to London for EVE’s most important show they’ve probably ever put on. She is entering a Sudden Death Sixteen match which seems to be the next step in promoters trying to make their own Royal Rumble. It’s the Casino Gauntlet match where the first fall crowns the winner outright but you can still be eliminated before then by going over the top rope to the floor. The winner gets to challenge for any of EVE’s championships.

PPW “HARDCORE FRIDAY THE 13TH”, 13/03/2026
TOKYO SQUARE In Itabashi

1. Chris Brookes Vs Gabriel Queen

Given all of the international work Brookes has been involved with lately, he is seeing the world like a wrestling buffet. Coming up soon on the menu is Gabriel Queen.

AEW “REVOLUTION”, 15/03/2026
Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California, USA

1. AEW Continental Title – No Time Limit: Jon Moxley (c) Vs Konosuke Takeshita

Not long to wait until Moxley and Takeshita go at it again. This time there will be no time limit in place so a winner should be guaranteed… unless we get a double countout or double knockout…

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW TEXAS STAMPEDE – AUSTIN DAY 1”, 17/03/2026
Palmer Events Center, Austin, Texas, USA

The wrestlers announced to appear on this tour are Miu Watanabe, Yuki Kamifuku, Wakana Uehara, Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima, Mizuki, Rika Tatsumi, Hyper Misao, Raku, Yuki Aino, Suzume, Pom Harajuku, Arisu Endo, Yuki Arai, Kaya Toribami, Shino Suzuki, Mifu Ashida and Uta Takami.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW TEXAS STAMPEDE – AUSTIN DAY 2”, 18/03/2026
Palmer Events Center, Austin, Texas, USA

The American and any other international talent for the tour have not been announced yet.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW TEXAS STAMPEDE – DALLAS”, 21/03/2026
College Park Center, Arlington, Texas, USA

They better start announcing stuff soon because the ticket seat map for this show is currently looking grim.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW TEXAS STAMPEDE – HOUSTON”, 22/03/2026
POST Houston, Houston, Texas, USA

It took a while but Tokyo Story USA confirmed the date and location of the Houston show. TJPW will be back at the POST Houston on 22nd March.

ROH/MLP “GLOBAL WARS”, 27/03/2026
St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

1. Daisuke Sasaki Vs X

There is a good chance Daisuke Sasaki will be bringing the DDT Universal Title with him to North America. We have to wait and see if he can defend it at DDT’s Anniversary show first before we find out what plans he has for this trip.

MLP “UPRISING”, 28/03/2026
St. Clair College, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

1. Daisuke Sasaki Vs X

I haven’t really thought about what Maple Leaf Pro going to do with Sasaki for the ROH weekend.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “VANCOUVER PREMIERE – DAY 1”, 11/04/2026
Great Canadian Hastings Racecourse & Casino, Vancouver, BC, Canada

The wrestlers announced to appear on the Canada tour are Miu Watanabe, Yuki Kamifuku, Wakana Uehara, Miyu Yamashita, Yuki Arai, Suzume, Raku, Pom Harajuku, Kaya Toribami, HIMAWARI, Toga, Shino Suzuki and Uta Takami.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “VANCOUVER PREMIERE – DAY 2”, 12/04/2026
Great Canadian Hastings Racecourse & Casino, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Like with the Texas tour above, they best start announcing matches soon because tickets haven’t been flying off the shelves for either tour. I hope Sayuri Namba isn’t betting the house on this.

PODER~! “PODERMANIA~!”, 15/04/2026
Horseshoe, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

1. International Tag Team Match: Amira & Lil Marz Vs Toga & Jazzy Yang

The big clue this month that TJPW was going to Vegas came from Toga unexpectedly got booked for the eighth annual “PODER~!” show that is put together by Edward Loredo, aka “Ed In San Antonio” of F4W Board infamy. Toga is going to team with Jazzy Yang, the daughter of Jimmy Wang Yang. Together they will take on Amira from America and Lil Marz from Australia for an international tag showcase.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW LIVE IN LAS VEGAS 2026”, 16/04/2026
Pearl Theater At Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Ta-da! It was happening all along! TJPW adds even more to their growing international schedule by going back to Las Vegas for Mania Weekend. This time instead of working with The Collective, they have joined a new collection of shows called Slam Fest that is being put together by the Paragon Talent Agency. The move keeps the show at Palms Casino and now has TJPW siding with Stardom, CMLL, House Of Glory and MLP for the week. I doubt we’re going to see any significant crossovers but you never know when it comes to events like this.

The Japanese talent coming to Vegas are Miu Watanabe, Yuki Kamifuku, Wakana Uehara, Miyu Yamashita, Shoko Nakajima, Mizuki, Hyper Misao, Raku, Yuki Aino, Suzume, Pom Harajuku, Yuki Arai, Kaya Toribami, Shino Suzuki, HIMAWARI, Toga and Uta Takami.

“DEATH VEGAS INVITACIONAL”, 16/04/2026
Horseshoe, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

1. Daisuke Sasaki Vs X

This is the show I’m personally most looking forward to at Mania Week. El Desperado is hosting another “Invitacional” show, continuing the death match theme of the previous one and also bringing it to America for the first time. The first couple of wrestlers announced are from Japan, the latest of whom being Daisuke Sasaki! There’s also been a hint from Mizuki Watase that he might be on the card too because he recently said he will be travelling to USA in April to wrestle in a death match.

GCW “JOSH BARNETT’S BLOODSPORT XV”, 17/04/2026
Horseshoe, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

1. Miyu Yamashita Vs X

So far Yamashita is the only woman announced for Bloodsport and I’m not expecting an intergender fight to happen.

PRIDESTYLE “OUT OF THIS WORLD”, 17/04/2026
Bizarre Bar, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

1. Special Single Match: Taniya Vs Miu Watanabe

The week gives Miu Watanabe another chance to spread her wings a little and wrestle on an American indie show. This time she’s popping over to PrideStyle where she faces Taniya, the current holder of the PrideStyle New Wave World Title. So far it hasn’t been said if the championship will be on the line.

SAJ “SAJ X TJPW”, 26/04/2026
Centro Sport Cesate, Milan, Italy

More details have emerged for TJPW’s trip to Italy to join up with friends from SAJ Wrestling. The Japanese contingent will include Miyu Yamashita, Hyper Misao, Shoko Nakajima and Yuki Aino. There will be wrestlers not just from Italy but also across Europe taking part too.

DDT “MISSION IN BATTLE ~SHINSHUN KENRAN~” Results

DDT “MISSION IN BATTLE ~SHINSHUN KENRAN~”, 25/01/2026
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Special Single Match: Shinya Aoki Vs Junta Miyawaki ended in a Time Limit Draw (15:00).
2. Ryuma Tsukamoto, Daichi Sato, Yuki Ishida, Ilusion & Kazuma Sumi defeated Takeshi Masada, Yuya Koroku, Yuni, Rukiya & Hinata Kasai when Sato pinned Masada with the PL (6:10).
3. Naomi Yoshimura & Kumadori defeated Hideki Okatani & MJ Paul when Yoshimura pinned Paul with the Harai-goshi (7:59).
4. Special 6-Man Tag Match ~ Yoshihiko Return Match: Minoru Suzuki, Danshoku Dieno & Yoshihiko defeated Super Sasadango Machine, Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda when Dieno pinned Hirata with the Gaydo Clutch (0:06).
4a. Rematch: Minoru Suzuki, Danshoku Dieno & Yoshihiko defeated Super Sasadango Machine, Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda when Suzuki submitted Sasadango with an Arm Lock (0:05).
4b. Rematch: Minoru Suzuki, Danshoku Dieno & Yoshihiko defeated Super Sasadango Machine, Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda when Yoshihiko pinned Hirata with the Reincarnation (5:23).
5. Special Tag Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA & Jun Akiyama defeated HARASHIMA & To-y when Takeshita pinned To-y with the Wagamama (12:40).
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: MAO & KANON (c) (w/ KIMIHIRO) defeated Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya when KANON pinned Iino with the GURU-GURU Driver (15:35).
*V3 for STRANGE LOVE CONNECTION.
7. KO-D Openweight Title & DDT Universal Title – Irregular 3 Way Match: Yuki Ueno (c/c) Vs Daisuke Sasaki Vs Chris Brookes
7a. DDT Universal Title: Daisuke Sasaki defeated Yuki Ueno (c) and Chris Brookes when Sasaki submitted Brookes with the Crossface Lock (16:14).
*Yuki Ueno fails in V2. Daisuke Sasaki becomes the 20th DDT Universal Champion!
7b. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuki Ueno (c) defeated Daisuke Sasaki and Chris Brookes when Ueno pinned Sasaki with the WR (10:05).
*V5 for Yuki Ueno.

Double the danger, double the fun. Yuki Ueno had two potential challengers gunning him down for his championships so he decided to put the DDT Universal Title and the KO-D Openweight Title on the line one at a time in an unusual main event. It was a 3 Way Match consisting of two falls. The first had Ueno defending the Universal Title. Daisuke Sasaki wanted to form an alliance with Chris Brookes but it was short lived. Ueno was still at a disadvantage because his injured left leg was targeted by both challengers. Sasaki also had DAMNATION T.A in his corner and despite the other’s attempts to wipe them all out, they became a key factor for how the first fall ended. Sasaki got Brookes trapped in the Crossface Lock and DAMNATION T.A all grabbed onto Ueno to stop him from breaking the hold. Brookes had no choice but to tap out and Sasaki became the new Universal Champion!

Sasaki wasted no time when the second fall began and the KO-D Title became up for grabs. He immediately Speared Ueno through the ropes to the floor then returned to the ring to put Brookes back into the Crossface Lock. Brookes was able to escape and wound up double teaming Ueno with Sasaki by giving the KO-D Champ the Doomsday Device/Double Impact. Ueno got Brookes into the Blackout Sleeper but Ilusion distracted the ref so Sasaki could break the hold with a chair. Ueno got his own back when he turned Sasaki’s standing Crossface attempt on Brookes into the WR that flipped over both men. Ueno’s leg injury almost cost him the KO-D Title because he slipped while climbing the top turnbuckle. Brookes tried to pin Sasaki but both then got squashed by a Frog Splash from Ueno. Brookes was thrown out of the ring and Ueno had no one to stop him from pinning Sasaki with the WR to win the fall and remain KO-D Champion.

Ueno placed the Universal Title in front of Sasaki after the match and admitted he was disappointed overall because he lost one of his championships. He is now even more determined to keep defending the KO-D Title to make up for it. His next defence will be at DDT’s 29th Anniversary show on 22nd March. KIMIHIRO walked out to interrupt Ueno but it was just so he could introduce the man who wants to take DDT’s top spot, KANON! After he entered the ring, KANON explained he’s been with DDT for four years now and every day his love for the company grows. He understands Ueno is feeling a little heartbroken at the moment but he wants to be his next challenger. Ueno accepted the challenge because KANON still sees him as the pinnacle of DDT. However Ueno still remembers everything KANON did to him when he was a member of DAMNATION T.A so he expects KANON to bring everything he’s learned over the last four years into the match. They shook hands until KANON suddenly Clotheslined Ueno! His final message today is he is just that little bit stronger than Ueno. Backstage KANON explained to reporters that the first opponent to beat him after he joined DDT was Ueno so this challenge is going to be his revenge for what happened four years ago!

The show turned out to be a significant one for Strange Love Connection as a whole. They were able to defend the KO-D Tag Team Titles against The Apex and then absorbed the team into their group! Yuki Iino’s recent obsession over MAO couldn’t give him the extra edge in the end. He was able to Spear MAO after seeing Yukio Naya take the Michinoku Driver II but KANON knocked him down with a Lariat and then pinned him with the GURU-GURU Driver. KIMIHIRO and Yuzuki Hoshimoto were both there to congratulate the champs for a job well done after the match.

After the match, KANON told everyone that both teams have been acting like idiots for the last month in order to try and out-do each other. What he learned from this is that idiots are strong people and for that The Apex have earned his respect. Iino called that the ultimate compliment and even though he lost the match, he has now grown to love MAO & KANON! He then asked Naya if they could join SLC? MAO instantly agreed and started to wonder if Iino & Naya should now be called The Apex from STRANGE LOVE CONNECTION (just like THE RAMPAGE from EXILE TRIBE)? Even if they just remain as The Apex, SLC has now upgraded into becoming a unit and they now all want it to become the strongest not only in DDT but the entire pro wrestling world! That’s not all, MAO revealed backstage that he was already planning on introducing a new SLC member next month. He didn’t expect to add two new members today but now SLC is going to become a 5-Man unit! The fifth man will be revealed on 22nd February.

Plans had to change when Kaisei Takechi got a case of pink eye and was unable to wrestle on this show. His role in the big tag match now had to be filled by To-y. He took on the challenge with gusto, bringing the fight to both Konosuke Takeshita & Jun Akiyama while having HARASHIMA help out as his tag partner. Takeshita & Akiyama didn’t shy away from giving him a bashing but that led to To-y finding his inner fire and fighting back, scoring a nearfall on Takeshita with the Kojima Impact. Takeshita put a stop to that with the Last Ride counter of the Kojima In Wonderland followed by a Double Knee Strike with Akiyama. To-y kicked out of that along with the big Elbow Strike afterwards so Takeshita had to hit him with the Wagamama to put To-y away. Later To-y said he wants to keep on fighting even if he may never get another chance to face Takeshita again. But if it does happen he knows he can beat him! Takeshita told him that meeting Akiyama played a role in his current success and he wouldn’t be where he is today without him. So he understands how important it was for To-y to fight him today. He believes To-y will one day inherit his strength just like how he inherited Akiyama’s.

I regret to inform everyone that the “Suzuki Incident” of 2021 was repeated today. While Minoru Suzuki was making his entrance for his match, Danshoku Dieno and Kazuki Hirata jumped the gun and began to wrestle. Dieno then immediately pinned Hirata with the Gaydo Clutch to end the match before Suzuki could even make it to the ring apron. Hisaya Imabayashi was understandably mad because the fans couldn’t sing along to “Kaze Ni Nare”. Suzuki was also annoyed because his entrance was going to take up 80% of the match anyway. The match restarted so Suzuki could do his entrance but this time Super Sasadango Machine tried to jump him. Suzuki immediately pulled him into an Arm Lock to make Sasadango tap out. Now Imabayashi was upset the match ended before Yoshihiko could make it to the ring. He even dared to get into an argument with Suzuki over it without backing down! Another restart took place so Yoshihiko could make an entrance and it even stopped Suzuki from immediately beating Antonio Honda. The match then continued with Dieno and Honda’s usual comedy until Yoshihiko pinned Hirata with the Reincarnation. Suzuki then dragged Yoshihiko along the floor as he left ringside. He remembers beating this thing half to death in Las Vegas almost a year ago. Dieno explained that Suzuki and Yoshihiko are linked together because they understand each other so well. Suzuki doesn’t believe him.

Meanwhile Imabayashi wanted Hirata to stay behind in the ring because he had an announcement to make. Hirata is going to have a singles match with Takeshita on 22nd March! Hirata was not happy with the announcement but talked himself into taking the match. If Takeshita the worldwide star wants to wrestle him then Hirata from Adachi Ward will be ready! He is sure Takeshita will beat him many times over but he promises he will make it hard for Takeshita to do so.

Although Kumadori has settled his feud with Ilusion, he is back in DDT to wrestle DAMNATION T.A some more. Ilusion was still there to give Hideki Okatani & MJ Paul a helping hand. Okatani also attacked Naomi Yoshimura with his bamboo stick until Kumadori came to save the day. With the coast clear, Yoshimura recovered to throw Paul over with the Harai-goshi to put the cheaters back in their place.

To-y being bumped up to the Special Tag Match meant the 10-Man tag was slightly changed. Ryoma Tsukamoto took his place to keep it within the D GENERATIONS scope. The match also featured Irish referee Niall Fox as the official for the match. What’s he doing over there? Anyway the match had NωA Jr. members Kazuma Sumi and Yuni face off against each other, Yuki Ishida pushing others around with his sumo moves, Rukiya trying to give Ilusion the Protobomb, Ilusion attacking Hinata Kasai with a chair and Yuya Koroku then knocking out Ilusion with an Elbow Strike. The match came down to Takeshi Masada and Daichi Sato where Sato caught Masada with the Fire Thunder and then pin him out of nowhere with a Penalty Kick. Backstage Tsukamoto predicted Sato will go on to win the D GENERATIONS CUP completely undefeated.

Not only did Junta Miyawaki got to wrestle his idol Shinya Aoki but he went the distance against him too. They fought to a 15 minute draw in the opening match that was built around joint locks and pinning attempts. After a few close calls, Miyawaki hit a dive out of the ring and got to counter a Sleeper Hold into a Modified Sunshine Driver. Aoki turned the pinfall over though to continue the back and forth action until he was put in a Crab Hold and had to fight to reach the ropes. The two then fought over the Aoki Clutch for the final moments of the match before the bell rang. Miyawaki said he was able to absorb a lot from Aoki today and he still looks up to him despite slapping away Aoki’s handshake in frustration after the match. Aoki praised him for having incredible spirit and determination. He wonders why wrestlers as good as they are were put in the opener? They need to aim higher because he thinks they’re not the kind of wrestlers to be curtain jerking.

Catching Up On DDT

I’m mostly back on track with everything. A show report here and there still needs to be written about. The big lesson I’ve learned from my Japan trip is not to go on holiday if I come back needing to catch up on fifteen different shows.

DDT “DRAMATIC DREAM TAMAGAWA IN BOAT RACE TAMAGAWA”, 15/01/2026
Tokyo BOAT RACE Tamagawa

1. Sanshiro Takagi & Junta Miyawaki Vs Tomomitsu Matsunaga & Hinata Kasai
2. Chris Brookes, HARASHIMA & Kazuki Hirata Vs Danshoku Dieno, Akito & Pokotan
3. Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling Offer Match: Aja Kong & Yuki Kamifuku Vs Shoko Nakajima & Chika Nanase
4. MAO, KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) & Kazuma Sumi Vs Naomi Yoshimura, Takeshi Masada & Yuki Ishida
5. Jun Akiyama, To-y & Yuya Koroku Vs Yuki Iino, Yukio Naya & Rukiya

Pro wrestling is really getting into boat racing lately, huh? DDT (with a little bit of Tokyo Joshi Pro) is the latest promotion to spend a day at a lake holding wrestling matches and throwing in some other activities to keep the crowd occupied in between the races.

DDT “SATURDAY CHINATOWN”, 17/01/2026
Yokohama Radiant Hall

1. Danshoku Dieno, Antonio Honda & Akito Vs Kazuki Hirata, Takeshi Masada & Rukiya
2. D GENERATIONS CUP 2026 – A Block: Daichi Sato (2) Vs Ilusion (0)
3. D GENERATIONS CUP 2026 – A Block: To-y (2) Vs Yuki Ishida (2)
4. Special 8-Man Tag Match: Sanshiro Takagi, Jun Akiyama, Shinya Aoki & Tomomitsu Matsunaga Vs Naomi Yoshimura, Ryoma Tsukamoto, Kazuma Sumi & Hinata Kasai
5. Special 6-Man Tag Match: MAO, KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) & Junta Miyawaki Vs Yuki Iino, Yukio Naya & Yuya Koroku
6. DAMNATION T.A Vs FANTÔMES DRAMATIC!: Daisuke Sasaki & Hideki Okatani Vs Chris Brookes & HARASHIMA

Some of the upcoming DDT shows have to change their lineups a little bit because Yuki Ueno has a calf injury and cannot wrestle. He is still appearing at the events but isn’t allowed to do much physically. He should be good to go for Korakuen Hall at the end of the month but DDT aren’t going to take any chances on him right now.

DDT “MISSION IN BATTLE ~SHINSHUN KENRAN~”, 25/01/2026
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Hideki Okatani & MJ Paul Vs Naomi Yoshimura & Kumadori
2. D GENERATIONS CUP 2006 Special 10-Man Tag Match: To-y, Daichi Sato, Yuki Ishida, Ilusion & Kazuma Sumi Vs Takeshi Masada, Yuya Koroku, Yuni, Rukiya & Hinata Kasai
3. Special 6-Man Tag Match ~ Yoshihiko Return Match: Minoru Suzuki, Danshoku Dieno & Yoshihiko Vs Super Sasadango Machine, Kazuki Hirata & Antonio Honda
4. Special Single Match: Shinya Aoki Vs Junta Miyawaki
5. Special Tag Match: KONOSUKE TAKESHITA & Jun Akiyama Vs HARASHIMA & Kaisei Takechi
6. KO-D Tag Team Titles: MAO & KANON (c) (w/ KIMIHIRO) Vs Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya
7. KO-D Openweight Title & DDT Universal Title – Irregular 3 Way Match: Yuki Ueno (c/c) Vs Daisuke Sasaki Vs Chris Brookes

Big plans are in store for Kaisei Takechi’s next couple of matches in DDT. First up he and HARASHIMA will be teaming up to face the mighty team of Konosuke Takeshita & Jun Akiyama! This is the strongest pair of wrestlers DDT could find for Takechi and he appreciates being given such a tough challenge.

The newcomer Junta Miyawaki is quickly getting the kind of matches he’s been looking for in DDT. Someone he always wanted to wrestle is Shinya Aoki after being a fan of his since his middle school days. He has studied many of Aoki’s fighting techniques and just making the challenge has impressed Aoki with his ambition.

After a four month absence to deal with injuries, Yoshihiko returns to the ring hopefully feeling refreshed and having a new lease on life. Good thing it will be teaming with Minoru Suzuki and not against him.

DDT “HYBRID PERFORMER 2026 ~KAISEI TAKECHI 2ND ANNIVERSARY~”, 22/02/2026
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. D GENERATIONS CUP 2026 – Final: Winner Of Block A Vs Winner Of Block B
2. Kaisei Takechi 2nd Anniversary Match: Yuki Ueno Vs Kaisei Takechi

Takechi’s other big match coming up will celebrate the 2nd Anniversary of his debut. He wants to wrestle Yuki Ueno and gets that wish in February.

DDT “DRAMATIC INFINITY 2025 ~3 HOUR SPECIAL~” Results

DDT “DRAMATIC INFINITY 2025 ~3 HOUR SPECIAL~”, 28/09/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
??? Fans – Unannounced

0. Dark Match: Soma Takao & Rukiya defeated Daichi Sato & Hinata Kasai when Rukiya pinned Kasai with the Proto Bomb (4:47).
1. Special Single Match: Shinya Aoki defeated Yuya Koroku with a Triangle Lancer Counter (8:04).
2. Survival 3 Way Tag Match: Akito & Kazuma Sumi defeated Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya and MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) (8:32).
2a. MAO & KANON eliminated Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya when MAO pinned Naya with a Japanese Leg Roll Clutch (6:55).
*MAO wins Yukio Naya’s Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Arm Cover.
2b. Akito & Kazuma Sumi eliminated MAO & KANON when Sumi pinned MAO with the School Boy (8:32).
*Kazuma Sumi wins MAO’s Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Arm Cover.
3. Kazusada Higuchi, Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida defeated Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Diego when Ishida pinned Honda with the Flame Palm (11:20).
4. Special Tag Match: Jun Akiyama & HARASHIMA defeated Evil Uno & Danshoku Dieno when HARASHIMA pinned Dieno with a Jackknife Pin (0:08).
4a. Rematch: Jun Akiyama & HARASHIMA defeated Evil Uno & Danshoku Dieno when HARASHIMA pinned Dieno with the Somato (5:43).
5. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Yuki Ueno, To-y & Kaisei Takechi defeated Hideki Okatani, MJ Paul & Ilusion when Takechi pinned Ilusion with a Swan Dive Forearm (18:47).
*Yuki Ueno, To-y & Kaisei Takechi become the 59th KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Champions!
6. DDT Universal Title: Minoru Suzuki (c) defeated Takeshi Masada with the Sleeper Hold (13:06).
*V5 for Minoru Suzuki.
7. KO-D Openweight Title: Kazuki Hirata (c) defeated Yoshihiko with an Avalanche Rolling Power Bomb (15:42).
*V2 for Kazuki Hirata.
-. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuki Ueno defeated Kazuki Hirata (c) with the WR (6:47).
*Kazuki Hirata fails in V3. Yuki Ueno cashes in his Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Arm Cover. Yuki Ueno becomes the 88th KO-D Openweight Champion!
-. KO-D Openweight Title: Yuki Ueno (c) defeated Kazuma Sumi with the WR (12:02).
*V1 for Yuki Ueno. Kazuma Sumi cashes in his Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Arm Cover.

From this point on no matter what happens with DDT, we will always have the September of Kazuki Hirata. He had it all going for him today. He was headlining a packed Korakuen Hall show in a KO-D Openweight Title defence against his most unique rival Yoshihiko. The battle doll used multiple German Suplexes to throw the champion around and also strategically targeted his arm with submissions. But Hirata held on and started using Power Bombs to beat Yoshihiko to a pulp, putting an end to the match with a Somersault Power Bomb from the top rope as some over the top tribute to the Kobe World Liner spot. Things could not have been going better for our good pal Hirata. Yoshihiko even applauded his victory and brought a gift to congratulate Hirata on his victory.

Hirata was handed over a cardboard box and inside it was a special bag made out of Haribo packaging. Hirata grabbed a bag inside a pulled it out, slowly revealing the Blue Right To Challenge Arm Cover was attached to it. As Hirata started to realize what was happening, behind him the black shadow that normally accompanies Yoshihiko placed the doll out of the ring and unmasked himself to reveal it was Yuki Ueno and this was him cashing in his title shot! Ueno grabbed Hirata in a Sleeper Hold and then confirmed he was getting his title match right now. Hirata did his best to survive and was able to kick out of Ueno’s moves. He also pulled out the Miracle One Shot Cradle but this time Ueno kicked out of it. Hirata tried using the move again and again but each repeated use became less effective until he reached the point of exhaustion. Ueno held up Hirata in something of a hug before using the WR to pin him and win back the KO-D Title.

And yet it didn’t end there. While Ueno and Hirata were patching things over, Kazuma Sumi suddenly ran down to the ring and launched a Missile Dropkick towards Ueno. He was armed with the last remaining Right To Challenge sleeve and was cashing it in so everyone in attendance was getting a second bonus KO-D Title match! Sumi came close to winning with a Canadian Destroyer followed by the School Boy. He also used an Imploding 450 Splash but Ueno kicked out of that too. Ueno halted Sumi’s drive with Dropkicks to the face along with the Himawari Bomb. It took the WR for him to put Sumi away and already score his first title defence right after he just won the belt. Ueno said this match made him feel just as happy as any of the other opponents he has defended the KO-D Title against in the past. Sumi explained it’s been three years since he debuted and he always wants to immediately take any opportunity that presents itself. So today his body felt like it moved on its own and he poured everything he had into this chance to become the champion.

So that’s it for this year’s Right To Challenge series. All four arm sleeves have been used and in the end Ueno is the last man standing with the KO-D Title. However a new challenger did make himself known. Minoru Suzuki entered the ring carrying the DDT Universal Title. He doesn’t have any automatic title shots but he still wants to take the KO-D Title for himself! Ueno told him this must be a coincidence going on because he also wants to take back the Universal Title from Suzuki! The two talked about having a match straight away until Hisaya Imabayashi interrupted them. The GM told them the show was running out of time but if they really want to do this match then it should be a double title bout at Sumo Hall on 3rd November! Suzuki gave a warning that he is close to completely dominating DDT. Ueno spoke about his mistake of inviting Suzuki to DDT in the first place and ever since then one of his goals has been to avenge that loss. He’ll make sure Suzuki won’t dominate DDT and will be driven out empty handed.

Suzuki’s path of domination through DDT happened in the semi-main event (which at this point was now three matches ago) when he put Takeshi Masada through misery. Suzuki brushed off the challenger’s early attacks and knocked him dizzy with a steel post attack outside the ring. He also attacked Masada with chairs and even a wrench before Masada made a comeback which included using moves from the other members of SCHADENFREUDE International. However Suzuki grabbed him in a Sleeper Hold to drain the energy out of his opponent until Masada gave up. Suzuki added insult to injury after the match by telling Masada he better put his life on the line if he’s ever going to pick a fight with him. A beaten Masada tried to get back at Suzuki but got another Elbow Strike for his troubles before being taken away. Suzuki explained backstage that he cannot be beaten with just brute force alone. You need to put your soul on the line from the moment you step into the ring, just like he does. Meanwhile Masada said he isn’t giving up and will definitely have another go at Suzuki.

The rise of “The Rampage” continues although he picked up some more noticeable bumps and bruises along the way. Today Kaisei Takechi has won his first pro wrestling championship! He teamed with Ueno & To-y from The 37KAMIINA to fight DAMNATION T.A over the vacant KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles. The belts were vacated by DAMNATION T.A when Daisuke Sasaki got injured but Sasaki was at ringside for the match looking over his team. Hideki Okatani is really trying to establish himself as Takechi’s main enemy by attacking him with the bamboo stick while Sasaki hit Takechi’s leg with a chair next to the corner post. Sasaki also saw fit to attack Takechi in the ring with a chair but things went wrong for the heels when Ilusion missed the Swanton Bomb and was then hit with Okatani’s bamboo stick by accident. Takechi took control while his partners held Okatani & MJ Paul back. Then with one Swan Dive Forearm strike, Takechi pinned Ilusion to become a champion! He called the match the toughest fight he ever had and he’ll bring his title belt back to the LDH HQ so his boss can touch it. His next match in DDT will be at Korakuen on 19th October and DDT are hinting it will be the champion team’s first title defence. Ueno also mentioned to To-y & Takechi that there’s a fun idea he wants to do with them and the titles but he’ll talk to them later about it.

Evil Uno’s DDT debut came and went before he could even get into the ring. As he was making his entrance, his tag partner Danshoku Dieno decided to attack HARASHIMA straight away only to get rolled up in a Jackknife and get pinned. Imabayashi was furious because it’s bad enough when Hirata matches end like this but now it’s spreading to the rest of the locker room! This was an AEW star making his first appearance in DDT so he isn’t going to let anyone ruin it! Imabayashi apologized to Uno and allowed him to complete his entrance before the rematch began. HARASHIMA almost pinned Dieno again but Uno was there to break it up this time. Dieno was later put in the Hell Gate position with his rear end exposed but when Uno was thrown face first into it, his mask protected him from the exposure. So Jun Akiyama grabbed him by the mask, pulled it up past Uno’s mouth and shoved him back into Dieno’s hell gate. This time Uno was in danger and he fled the ring while HARASHIMA pinned Dieno with the Somato. Uno was in disbelief backstage. He came to DDT wanting to fight HARASHIMA & Akiyama but all he got out of it was the taste of rotten cheese stuck in his mouth!

A visiting Diego joined SCHADENFREUDE International’s side for today so there could be three of them to take on Harimao in a 6-Man Tag Match. It was also a warm up for Kazusada Higuchi & Yuki Ishida to get ready for their KO-D Tag Team Titles shot on 19th October. Antonio Honda used Gongitsune to stun the Harimao team and then got his own partners to join in the Bionic Elbow. But all of Harimao dodged the move and made the other team flinch with hand claps. Higuchi & Naomi Yoshimura hit Honda with a Cross Bomber but Ishida failed to follow up by missing the Dosukoi Splash. Chris Brookes & Diego dealt damage to Ishida and left things up to Honda. But Ishida blocked Honda’s Diving Fist Drop and eventually pinned him with the Flame Palm. Ishida said he isn’t going to let this momentum stop. He is definitely going to win the tag titles with Higuchi!

The Survival 3 Way Match ended up playing a part in how the show ended the way it did. The rules allowed one wrestler from each team to be in the ring at all times and there were No Tag rules applied too for partners to swap in and out. The Apex were the first team eliminated despite being the KO-D Tag Champions. Strange Love Connection took out Yuki Iino with the Lariat-McEnroe combination but Yukio Naya gave KANON the Choke Slam. Sumi rolled up Naya with a School Boy only for KANON to push him away. MAO then pounced in and got Naya in his own roll up to get the three count! Since Naya was a Right To Challenge holder at the time that meant MAO had now won it off him. But the match was still continuing with SLC having to fight Akito & Sumi. MAO tried to vault over the referee to give Sumi a Cutter but Sumi instead turned it into a School Boy slam to pin him out of nowhere and win the Arm Cover!

The decision to have Yuya Koroku face Shinya Aoki one on one made more sense when it was announced the two of them would be teaming up at “ULTIMATE PARTY 2025” to take on a NOAH team led by Tetsuya Endo. This single match was Koroku and Aoki going tit for tat against each other with the two impressing each other along the way. Koroku countered the European Clutch into a German Suplex and then went for the Triangle Lancer. But Aoki used his grappling knowledge to cradle his way out of the hold and pin Koroku for the victory.

In the dark match Rukiya took his first step of progress since coming back from injury by picking up the win for his team. Soma Takao wanted to teach Hinata Kasai how to get the crowd excited for the first match of the show but got more than he bargained for when Daichi Sato stepped in to face him. Rukiya was able to beat Kasai for the win but it took him using the Proto Bomb twice to get the pinfall after Kasai kicked out of it the first time.

Video – Kazuki Hirata Vs Yoshihiko from “DDT GOES PHILADELPHIA!”

DDT “DDT GOES PHILADELPHIA!”, 04/04/2024
Penns Landing Caterers Auditorium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
750 Fans – Super No Vacancy Full House

4. Special Single Match: Kazuki Hirata Vs Yoshihiko

DDT “KIRANAH BBQ ROJO PRO WRESTLING 2025” Results

DDT “KIRANAH BBQ ROJO PRO WRESTLING 2025 ~ MEAT! BEER! HARVEST FESTIVAL!~”, 17/09/2025
Tokyo Kiranah Garden Toyosu
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Falls Count Anywhere 6 Way Tag Match: MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) defeated Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata, Yukio Naya & Yuya Koroku, Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada, Yuki Ueno & Kazuma Sumi and Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu when MAO pinned Sumi with the Cannonball 450 onto the Pool (4:57).

It was a busy evening at the BBQ site as DDT brought together six tag teams for a Falls Count Anywhere free for all. But first before the match could begin DDT held a press conference for the upcoming KO-D Openweight Title match. Kazuki Hirata was in attendance but staff told him that Yoshihiko was not in the area. A decision was made to delay the press conference until Yoshihiko showed up so everyone went ahead with doing the match.

Midway through the match during all of the chaos and brawling, Kazuki Hirata ended up being the last one standing. He wanted to dance in celebration but his music was cut off by the sudden arrival of Yoshihiko! The match was paused so the two of them could hold their press conference and sign the title match contract. Yoshihiko did not comment but Hirata told it to fully recover from its injuries and bulk up in size if it wants any chance of winning the KO-D Title. Then during the photo session, Yoshihiko attacked Hirata and gave him the Reincarnation onto a bunch of chairs. With that the match continued and everyone went back to brawling.

The fighting moved over to a pool area where Yukio Naya was pushed into the water by Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu. He then had both members of Team 200kg jump onto him to try and pin him in the water. Naya got his own back by throwing Kazuma Sumi onto everyone else in the pool. Danshoku Dieno grabbed Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada by their heads and made them give each other the Lip Lock while Team 200kg gave Yuya Koroku a Double Suplex into the water. MAO & KANON got their hands on Sumi and threw him onto an inflatable pool that was floating on the water. MAO then hit a Cannonball 450 into the pool to pin Sumi for the victory. The night ended with Hirata and Strange Love Connection all dancing together while everyone else enjoyed their remaining time at the BBQ.

Even though Naya and Yuki Ueno both went into the match carrying the remaining Right To Challenge Arm Covers, Hirata believed neither of them wanted to cash them in today because they have good manners.

Ram Added To Battle Royal, Hirata Chooses His Eternal Rival, Okatani’s Hardcore Birthday Present

DDT “KIRANAH BBQ ROJO PRO WRESTLING 2025 ~ MEAT! BEER! HARVEST FESTIVAL!~”, 17/09/2025
Tokyo Kiranah Garden Toyosu

1. Falls Count Anywhere 6 Way Tag Match: Danshoku Dieno & Kazuki Hirata Vs Yukio Naya & Yuya Koroku Vs MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) Vs Chris Brookes & Takeshi Masada Vs Yuki Ueno & Kazuma Sumi Vs Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu

There will be a contract signing for the next KO-D Openweight Title match taking place during the day. Also the two remaining Right To Challenge Arm Cover holders Yukio Naya and Yuki Ueno are in the match alongside Kazuki Hirata so the champion better watch out!

BASARA “BASARA 288 ~UTAGE~”, 17/09/2025
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Takeru Inoue Vs Tomoki Hatano
2. Takato Nakano Vs Gouma Ryu
3. Ryota Nakatsu, Daichi Kazato & Guts Ishijima Vs Trans-Am ★ Hiroshi, Masato Kamino & Tsutomu Oosugi
4. 3 Way Tag Match: Isami Kodaka & Takumi Tsukamoto Vs Ryuichi Sekine & FUMA Vs Daiki Shimomura & Lil’ Kraken
5. Iron Fist Tag Team Titles: Kengo Mashimo & Ayumu Honda (c) Vs SAGAT & Minoru Fujita

This is the match order for tomorrow’s BASARA show.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “WRESTLE PRINCESS VI”, 20/09/2025
Tokyo Ota Ward Gymnasium

1. Suzume & Ren Konatsu Vs Mei Suruga & Uta Takami
2. Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title – Staggered Entry Battle Royal: Pokotan (c) Vs Raku Vs Pom Harajuku V Mahiro Kiryu Vs Shino Suzuki Vs Mifu Ashida Vs Kira Summer Vs Chika Nanase Vs Ram Kaichow
3. Aja Kong Vs HIMAWARI
4. Rika Tatsumi Vs Priscilla Kelly
5. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Yuki Arai Vs Haru Kazashiro & Toga
6. Miyu Yamashita & Kaya Toribami Vs Ryo Mizunami & Yuki Aino
7. International Princess Title Match: Arisu Endo Vs Jada Stone
8. Princess Tag Team Titles: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao (c) Vs Yuki Kamifuku & Wakana Uehara
9. Princess Of Princess Title: Mizuki (c) Vs Miu Watanabe

There was an expectation from Tokyo Joshi Pro that someone will want to be added to the Battle Royal and their suspicion was proved correct. Ram Kaichow is entering the match and TJPW is also anticipating she will together a plan to win the Iron Man Heavymetalweight Title before the match even begins, just like the last time she was here.

DDT “DRAMATIC INFINITY 2025 ~3 HOUR SPECIAL~”, 28/09/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

0. Dark Match: Soma Takao & Rukiya Vs Daichi Sato & Hinata Kasai
1. Kazusada Higuchi, Naomi Yoshimura & Yuki Ishida Vs Chris Brookes, Antonio Honda & Diego
2. Survival 3 Way Tag Match: Yuki Iino & Yukio Naya Vs MAO & KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) Vs Akito & Kazuma Sumi
3. Special Single Match: Shinya Aoki Vs Yuya Koroku
4. Special Tag Match: Jun Akiyama & HARASHIMA Vs Evil Uno & Danshoku Dieno
5. KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Titles: Hideki Okatani, MJ Paul & Ilusion Vs Yuki Ueno, To-y & Kaisei Takechi
6. DDT Universal Title: Minoru Suzuki (c) Vs Takeshi Masada
7. KO-D Openweight Title: Kazuki Hirata (c) Vs Yoshihiko

After the events of Monday, Hirata decided to nominate his “eternal rival” Yoshihiko as his mandatory KO-D Title challenger for the end of the month. Also added to the card is the DDT debut of Evil Uno from AEW. Is Danshoku Dieno a good fit for The Dark Order? Is Uno prepared for how hard Jun Akiyama & HARASHIMA are going to hit him?

DDT “CHARISMANIAxMANIAxMANIA”, 02/10/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall

1. Hardcore Match: Jun Kasai Vs Hideki Okatani
2. TOGO FAMILY Vs DDT: Dick Togo, Yasu Urano, KUBITO & Diego Vs Kazusada Higuchi, Yuki Ueno, HARASHIMA & Akito
3. Daisuke Sasaki 20th Anniversary Match: Daisuke Sasaki & El Desperado Vs Shuji Ishikawa & Antonio Honda

Even though Hideki Okatani’s birthday isn’t until November, Daisuke Sasaki got him an early present anyway. He’s going to fight Jun Kasai in a Hardcore Match!

TOKYO JOSHI PRO “TJPW INSPIRATION”, 19/11/2025
Shin-Kiba 1st RING

1. Kaya Toribami Vs Toga
2. Rika Tatsumi Vs Gabai Ji-chan
3. Mizuki & Yuki Aino Vs Raku & HIMAWARI
4. Shoko Nakajima & Miyu Yamashita Vs Yuu & Yuki Kamifuku

We’re going to see Rika Tatsumi strangle an elderly man to death, aren’t we? Be nice around Gabai Ji-chan, Rika. He’s frail.

DDT “FIGHTING BEER GARDEN 2025 IN SHINJUKU ~EXTRA TIME~” Results

DDT “FIGHTING BEER GARDEN 2025 IN SHINJUKU ~EXTRA TIME~”, 12/09/2025
Shinjuku FACE
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Special Single Match: Shinya Aoki defeated Takeshi Masada with an Inside Cradle (8:52).
2. Akito, Soma Takao & Rukiya defeated Daichi Sato, Yuki Ishida & Hinata Kasai when Akito pinned Ishida with a Modified Single Leg Cradle (8:40).
*Akito wins Yuki Ishida’s Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Arm Cover.
3. To-y, Yuya Koroku & Kazuma Sumi defeated Hideki Okatani, Ilusion & MJ Paul by Disqualification when Ilusion attacked the referee (9:09).
4. Our LariPro ’25: HARASHIMA, Keisuke Ishii & MAO defeated Yuki Ueno, Toru Owashi & Tomomitsu Matsunaga when Ishii pinned Matsunaga with a School Boy (9:48).
5. Yukio Naya 8th Anniversary ~ Special Tag Match: Yukio Naya & Kazusada Higuchi defeated Yuki Iino & Jun Akiyama when Naya pinned Iino with La Magistral Cradle (11:59).
*Yukio Naya wins Yuki Iino’s Right To Challenge Anytime, Anywhere Arm Cover.
6. Enter Sandman Match: Antonio Honda defeated Kazuki Hirata, Danshoku Dieno, Chris Brookes and KANON (w/ KIMIHIRO) when Honda pinned Hirata (19:09).

Today was the day Kazuki Hirata needed to choose his first challenger for the KO-D Openweight Title. There is a scheduled title defence at Korakuen Hall set for 28th September and Hirata’s request to fight a weak opponent like Hisaya Imabayashi kept getting denied by the GM. Hirata also had the problem of three Right To Challenge Arm Covers being active, two of which were being held by wrestlers who want to cash them in as soon as possible. To deal with that Hirata today brought along a masked, muscular bodyguard to protect him. Fans watching assumed it was Ryoma Tsukamoto under the mask but he went to Twitter to deny it, although he agrees they could pass for twins given their identical body shape (he then went on to retweet a lot of photos of the bodyguard).

As the show progressed there were two Right To Challenge movements. Akito pinned Yuki Ishida in the second match to win his RTC Arm Cover. Then in the fifth match Yukio Naya pinned Yuki Iino to take that Arm Cover. So when Hirata took part in the main event, Akito entered the ring midway through wanting to cash in his title shot. However the bodyguard was there to physically stop him. Then Naya entered the ring and successfully fought off the bodyguard. But when he tried to cash in his shot, Danshoku Dieno interrupted him by giving him the Lip Lock and Hirata then shoved Naya’s face into Dieno’s rear end. Just when Hirata thought he was safe and sound, the lights went out and the music stopped. The lights then came back on to show Yoshihiko was suddenly in the ring and it attacked Hirata using the Reincarnation. Antonio Honda tried to rescue Hirata but Yoshihiko send him head first into Dieno’s Hell Gate, knocking him out. Honda then collapsed onto Hirata with Yoshihiko on top of both of them while the ref counted to three.

Honda was officially the winner but Hirata knew Yoshihiko was the enemy. He came to the conclusion that the most worthy opponent to fight him for the KO-D Title is not a human being. It is Yoshihiko! Imabayashi accepted the nomination and announced the title match for 28th September. Backstage Hirata told reporters he is now at six successful title defences and everyone quickly figured out he is counting every avoidance of a cash in as a successful defence. Hirata also told the bodyguard he will continue to pay him well so he is counting on his continued protection in the future.

Naya showed everyone that even after eight years of being a wrestler he is still learning new things. He used La Magistral Cradle for the first time and it worked in pinning Iino for the three count in their tag match. Naya got on the microphone afterwards and told fans he will become a strong wrestler who can compete on the level of Iino, Kazusada Higuchi and Jun Akiyama in the future. Backstage The Apex switched to talking about their next KO-D Tag Team Titles defence. Iino warned Naya not to let his guard down because they can lose to To-y & Yuya Koroku if their challengers do indeed show their true strength.

The whole point of “LariPro” matches is to throw Lariats so Yuki Ueno kept getting booed for using other moves. When Toru Owashi complained to him about it, Ueno got on the microphone and said he wasn’t going to do a boring match where everyone does the same move over and over. He stormed out of the ring while Owashi admitted he didn’t want to use Lariats either. So Owashi decided to wrestle like Mil Mascaras instead! The match turned into lucha libre and HARASHIMA even dragged Yukinori Matsui into the action. That was when Ueno returned dressed just like Riki Choshu! He threw Choshu-style Lariats at the other team until MAO stopped him using the Takeshita Line followed by the Buckshot Lariat. However despite all of the Lariats being thrown by everyone, the match instead ended when Keisuke Ishii pinned Tomomitsu Matsunaga with a School Boy.

A contact signing for Sunday’s DDT Extreme Title match took place and To-y revealed the match rules to Ilusion. It is called a “Stop The Annoying Streamers!! Unicast Death Match!” Both wrestlers will stream themselves on Wrestle Universe while the match goes on. In order to win you must either pin or submit your opponent on-camera or switch off their stream! The usual rules still apply for fouls and there will also be no countout. During the signing Ilusion read out a prepared statement apologising for his recent streamer behaviour while also asking To-y to admit that both sides are to blame. To-y got mad over Ilusion’s insincere apology and said he came up with these rules to punish him. However he also showed his lack of knowledge about live streaming, telling reports he just needs to press a button on his phone so even an idiot like him can do it. Then later in the show their match ended in a DQ when Ilusion attacked To-y and the referee with his streamer equipment. He also stole the Extreme Title belt to add insult to injury.

On paper the result of the opening match doesn’t look good for Takeshi Masada but he and also his opponent think differently. He lost to Shinya Aoki in what was supposed to be a warm up match for his DDT Universal Title shot later this month. However Aoki was able to counter Masada’s finishing move into an Inside Cradle to get the win out of nowhere. Aoki still praised Masada for having a strong desire to do his best. He is rooting for him because he doesn’t want to see Minoru Suzuki going around doing as he pleases. Masada also told reporters he gained something amazing from this match so Suzuki better watch out!

Daisuke Sasaki made an appearance to give everyone some updates over his health as well as the “CHARISMANIAxMANIAxMANIA” happening on 2nd October. First he said if his injury forced him to miss the show then the show would have been cancelled. Lucikly his ribs are currently at 90% health thanks to taking vitamins, doing muscle training and praying to God. That means his return to the ring will be at that show. He then told Hideki Okatani he has a very early birthday present for him. Okatani is going to face Jun Kasai in a Hardcore Match at the show!

Video – DDT “EMERGENCY ROJO PRO WRESTLING IN NARAHA TOWN SUMMER FESTIVAL 2025”

DDT “EMERGENCY ROJO PRO WRESTLING FOR THE NARAHA TOWN IMMIGRATION AMBASSADOR IN NARAHA TOWN SUMMER FESTIVAL 2025”, 26/07/2025
Fukushima Naraha Town Tenjinmisaki Sports Park
??? Fans – Unannounced

1. Falls Count Anywhere Match: Yuki Ueno & To-y Vs Takeshi Masada, Yuki Ishida & Yoshihiko (w/ Yuzutaro)

DDT And TJPW Results From The GCW Japan 2025 Tour

Originally I was only going to write a little bit about GCW’s latest tour of Japan in my monthly DDT Around The World series because there was only a handful of DDT and Tokyo Joshi Pro talent taking part and not even on every show. However plans changed when Masha Slamovich and Microman were both unable to travel to Japan, opening spots up for DDT and TJPW wrestlers to get booked for the shows on short notice. So since there was a lot more to write about, I had to put them in their own post.

GCW “GCW JAPAN 2025 AT SHINJUKU FACE”, 28/07/2025
Shinjuku FACE
??? Fans

1. GCW Tag Team Titles: Alec Price & Jordan Oliver (c) defeated Effy & Dark Sheik when Price pinned Sheik after a Flapjack/Facecrusher Combo (11:48).
*V12 for YDNP.
2. Drew Parker defeated Shotzi Blackheart with the Swanton Bomb (6:48).
3. Jeffrey John defeated Kikutaro with the Pedigree (10:06).
4. MAO defeated Atticus Cogar after a Super Kick/Praying Mantis Bomb Combo with Drew Parker (12:38).
5. Kazusada Higuchi defeated 1 Called Manders with the Claw Slam (14:01).
6. GCW Ultraviolent Title: Matt Tremont (c) defeated Super Crazy with the Death Valley Driver onto a Table (12:07).
*V16 for Matt Tremont.

GCW put together an inter-promotional champion versus champion match. 1 Called Manders was supposed to face Slamovich for the JCW World Title but that match was cancelled. Instead Manders brought along the wXw Unified World Wrestling Title to fight Kazusada Higuchi, the reigning KO-D Openweight Champion in a non-title bout. The two made sure to beat the hell out of each other including a moment at ringside where Higuchi Suplexed Manders onto the exposed floor. The damage done prevented Manders from doing a Gutwrench move later in the match, allowing Higuchi to take over with the Doctor Bomb. But Manders got right back up, Chopped Higuchi in the stomach and pulled off the Gutwrench Suplex on the next attempt. A back and forth series of Chops and Headbutts led to Higuchi reaching out for the Claw Hold but Manders bit his hand instead. A big Lariat from Manders got a two count but Higuchi rocked him back with his own Lariat and used the Claw Slam to get the win. After the match Manders offered to hand the KO-D Title back to Higuchi as a show of respect. Higuchi decided to do the same with the wXw Title.

Opposite attitudes clashed in the ring when MAO fought Atticus Cogar one on one. MAO came into the match wearing shades and a bright orange shirt for the summer while Cogar was all business with no time for dealing with his opponent’s nonsense. When MAO wiggled his way around a Waist Lock, Cogar pulled out his bundle of skewers. The ref took the skewers off him but Cogar pulled another bundle later in the match and threatened the ref when they were taken off him again. MAO ran in to try and stop Atticus but he missed a Big Boot and accidentally knocked the ref out instead! Cogar successfully jabbed MAO in the head with the skewers and then attack him with a chair. Then he suddenly pulled out a dart and was about to stab MAO with it when Drew Parker ran into the ring and stopped him. MAO and Parker then teamed up on Cogar, giving him a Super Kick/Praying Mantis Bomb Combo. MAO was able to pin him while the revived ref counted to three.

GCW “GCW JAPAN 2025 AT TOKYO SQUARE”, 29/07/2025
TOKYO SQUARE In Itabashi
??? Fans

1. Shota defeated Jeffrey John with a School Boy (8:17).
2. Hideyoshi Kamitani defeated 1 Called Manders with a Back Drop (11:29).
3. MAO, Alec Price & Jordan Oliver defeated Miyu Yamashita, Dark Sheik & Shotzi Blackheart when Price pinned Sheik after a Double Impaler DDT (15:19).
4. Atticus Cogar defeated Drew Parker with the Headlock Driver (8:32).
5. GCW World Title: Effy (c) defeated Abdullah Kobayashi with the Diving Sack Rider (14:34).
*V25 for Effy.
6. GCW Ultraviolent Title: Matt Tremont (c) defeated Masashi Takeda with the Death Valley Driver into a box of Lighttubes (12:07).
*V17 for Matt Tremont.

Slamovich’s absence meant Miyu Yamashita was called in to team with Dark Sheik & Shotzi Blackheart. As for their opponents, you already have Alec Price & Jordan Oliver as YDNP so add MAO to the mix and you get YDNPM (Young Dumb ‘N Price MAO)! Yamashita hit Price with the Skull Kick at one point but Price got one back on her by hitting a Rebound Lariat. MAO then took out Yamashita & Blackheart with a Quebrada outside the ring into the aisleway. YDNP then finished Sheik off with a Double Impaler DDT for the victory.

GCW “GCW JAPAN 2025 AT KORAKUEN HALL”, 30/07/2025
Tokyo Korakuen Hall
??? Fans

1. GCW Tag Team Titles: Alec Price & Jordan Oliver (c) defeated MAO & Rina Yamashita when Price pinned Yamashita after the Double Impaler DDT (?:??).
*V13 for YDNP.
2. Atticus Cogar defeated Miyu Yamashita with the Headlock Driver (?:??).
3. Dark Sheik, Yoshihiko & Jeffrey John defeated Invisible Stan, Shota & Kikutaro when Sheik pinned Shota with the Diving Leg Drop (?:??).
4. Jun Akiyama defeated 1 Called Manders with the Wrist-Clutch Exploder Suplex (?:??).
5. Maki Itoh defeated Shotzi Blackheart with a Crab Hold (12:29).
6. Chris Brookes defeated Drew Parker with two Praying Mantis Bombs (23:16).
7. GCW World Title: Effy (c) defeated Matt Tremont with the Diving Sack Rider onto the Chairs (21:34).
*V26 for Effy.

One of the big matches of the finale in Korakuen Hall was Chris Brookes being in the ring again with Drew Parker. This was the first match together in over two years after Parker left Japan to return home. Parker was busted open early when they brawled up the aisleway and Brookes rammed a table into his face. Parker knocked Brookes onto the table then fought off Takeshi Masada who was there as a cornerman. He had Bunbun with him so Parker grabbed Bunbun, climbed the nearby entrance and did a Diving Body Press to Brookes through the table! Brookes later did a Diving Senton to Parker sending both of them crashing into a stack of plastic boxes in the ring. After a long hard fought battle Brookes started giving Parker different kinds of Piledrivers. There was a Tombstone, then a Snap Piledriver, then a top rope Praying Mantis Bomb. Parker kept kicking out though and tried to show whatever defiance he still had left in him. Brookes then gave him two more Praying Mantis Bombs and Parker was finally down for the three count. The two embraced after the match.

Maki Itoh took part in last year’s GCW tour with a hand injury so in a kind of funny turn of events she took on Shotzi Blackheart who was going through the same thing for this year’s tour. At one point during the match Itoh went into the crowd because she noticed Shoko Nakajima and Miu Watanabe sitting on the bleachers as spectators. Back in the ring there was a strike exchange with Itoh no selling strikes to the head while Blackheart no sold Low Blows. When Blackheart got the upper hand, Itoh pulled out a pizza cutter and attacked her with it. Blackheart went for a Running Knee Strike but Itoh rolled her over into a Crab Hold, increasing the pressure until Blackheart gave up.

If anyone had a hard hitting three days of wrestling it was Manders. His third and final singles match of a tour was a dream come true for him because he got to fight Jun Akiyama. Much like the Higuchi match, both men hit and slammed each other as hard as they could until one reached their limit. That happened when Akiyama gave Manders the Wrist-Clutch Exploder Suplex. Manders gave Akiyama the horns up hand sign after the match and Akiyama replied in kind.

Throughout the tour a grudge developed between Jeffrey John and Kikutaro. It led to Kikutaro costing John a match against Shota and then brought Dark Sheik into the picture to even the playing field. Kikutaro was meant to fight Dark Sheik & Yoshihiko on this show with Microman as his partner. Plans changed so he decided to call in the big guns and invite Invisible Stan to team with him and Shota! Stan’s biggest impact in the match was to do the Korakuen balcony dive onto everyone down below! Back in the ring John landed a Plancha to Kikutaro, Yoshihiko gave Shota a Tornado DDT and Sheik then pinned him with the Diving Leg Drop.

The match Yamashita was scheduled to take part in was a singles bout with Atticus Cogar. Nowadays whenever Yamashita takes part in GCW she gets more and more into the wilder wrestling style of the company compared to TJPW. The same was seen here when she briefly stopped Cogar from using a chair by kicking it apart! The frame was still in one piece so it remained to be used as a weapon by both. Cogar pulled out the skewers but it was Yamashita who jabbed them into his head rather than the other way around! However Cogar recovered and gave her the Air Raid Crash. Yamashita kicked out of it but Cogar immediately rolled it into the Headlock Driver to win the match.

MAO and YDNP became opponents for the final show of the tour. The opening match was a GCW Tag Team Titles bout with MAO joining up with Rina Yamashita as Slamovich’s replacement to challenge the champions. They came close to winning when MAO hit a Frog Splash and Yamashita did a Diving Body Press on Price but Oliver made it in time to break the pin. MAO ran up the corner to do a Jumping Cutter but Price cut him off in midair with a Super Kick. With MAO out of the picture, YDNP were then able to beat Yamashita with the Double Impaler DDT.