Dream Slam Weekly (Vol. 19): Tae Honma wins CMLL Mexican Excursion Tournament

Tae Honma punches her ticket for a CMLL Japanese Women’s Championship against visiting champion, Dalys, at Fiesta Mexicana at Odaiba on September 25th!

Honma Wins Mexican Excursion Tournament © CMLL Lady’s Ring

Hello, September. While the final few weeks of summer are upon us with Labor Day weekend, the temperatures are mercifully cooling off. While we shift into autumn weather, changing leaves, pumpkin spice everything, the summer tournaments are winding down. However, now we’re getting ready for anniversary shows and tag league season! With the autumn colors are also coming further easing of travel restrictions, meaning more talent are not only traveling out of Japan, but foreign wrestlers are slowly making their way back TO Japan as well!

You might notice there are some changes to DSW starting with this volume. I got the green light to go ahead and make it more akin to my Stardom event reports. More personal commentary, some translation, upcoming calendars, more news items and more visuals! I want to build something special with Dream Slam Weekly and make it fun and accessible for everyone, from the diehard joshi fans to those interested and simply trying to make sense of all these new names diving into the international wrestling scene. I have joined the POST Wrestling Forum, but it’s been well over a decade since I last used a message board, so go easy on me! I am still working out the logistics, but keep an eye out because I may start making threads to help make DSW even better!

Target Points of Expansion

  • Monthly Interviews (written and/or video)
  • International Promotion Info & Featured Shows
  • “Hey, Karen-Sensei…” Monthly Mailbag (mid-month)
  • POST Readers Bring the Matches (end/start of the month)

The following events are scheduled to have full event reports available on POST later in the day:

  • STARDOM: 5★GP22 Finals (10/1) – Musashino Forest Sports Center 
  • NJPW x STARDOM: Historic X-Over (11/20) – Ariake Arena
  • TJPW: Wrestle Princess III (10/9) Tokyo Dome City Hall

This is not a concrete list and will be subject to additions or deletions a la card subject to change! I am currently waiting on the rest of the 2022 Stardom calendar to be announced, so I can work on selecting any additional shows to review.


SNS Tip! Lately, many joshi talent are adding personalized hashtags to their social media profiles, especially on Twitter and Instagram. It seems the trend is they would prefer fans using that as a means of tagging them on fan art and event photos along with the company’s official hashtags. Twitter in particular rolled out that feature where when you reply to a tweet, it automatically tags everyone mentioned both in the tweet and any tagged photos, which can blow up someone’s mentions real quick! Consider skipping putting their user handle, and employ the full name and hashtag approach. Most of them vanity search, and it saves them time, meaning they can like content faster!

International Excursions & Adventures

One of the things I am going to try to include are details about the international promotions bringing the best Japanese wrestlers across continents and oceans to participate on their shows. I want to share my platform with the promotions working hard to showcase Japanese wrestling, so if you are a promotion with plans for talent exchanges or international excursions, or you’re a Japanese promotion with plans to dispatch your talent internationally or bring some foreign wrestlers into your roster, let’s work together! I want to share my platform with you!

NEW! Welcome Pro-Wrestling EVE to DSW! Check out full results from this show below as there are updates for their Wrestle Queendom show in November, and some talent exchanges forthcoming with Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling! I watched their Thursday Night Riot show this week and it was great. There were some welcomed returns as well!

  • Alex Windsor defeated Hikari Noa: Pro-Wrestling EVE (9/1, London, England) – TJPW International Princess Championship (V1)

September 2022

October 2022

November 2022

  • Jungle Kyona: Deadlock Pro Wrestling (11/12; Concord, NC)
  • EVE: Hyper Misao, Miyu Yamashita & Takumi Iroha* slated for Wrestle Queendom (11/13; London, UK)

Passports Ready! Who’s Going TO Japan?!

  • EVE: The Uprising (Rhia O’Reilly & Nightshade) won an excursion match to TJPW at EVE’s Thursday Night Riot (9/1). The time and date is TBA, but they could be potential Princess Tag Team Championship Challengers!

Weekly Round-up

SPECIAL! CMLL Lady’s Ring x Ice Ribbon (8/28) Ryogoku KFC Hall (w/ Freelancers) – I NEED to find this show! While this tournament is much smaller compared to many of the others over the summer, I love that it is furthers the partnership between Ice Ribbon and CMLL (Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre)!

  • Mexico Expedition Tournament Semi Final Match: Hikari Shimizu (COLOR’S) defeated Asahi (8:35)
  • Mexico Expedition Tournament Semi Final Match: Tae Honma defeated Sumika Yanagawa (JTO)(10:17)
  • Tag Team Match: Kaho Matsushita & Stephanie Vaquer defeated Misa Kagura & Nao Ishikawa (9:49)
  • No Touch Rule Six Man Tag Team Match: Dalys, Ibuki Hoshi & Makoto defeated A~min (Rina Amikura; COLOR’S), Maya Yukihi & Rina Yamashita (13:52)
  • Mexico Expedition Tournament Final Match: Tae Honma defeated Hikari Shimizu (18:08)

DIANA

It still blows my mind that Kyoko Inoue and Jaguar Yokota are still tearing up in the wrestling ring, and not simply training the next generations of stars.

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Miyuki Tasase vs. Kyoko Inoue? More please and thank you!! © DIANA

Results (8/28) Post Di Amistad

  • Tag Match (1/20): Kakeru Sekiguchi & Madeline defeated Nanami & Miran (12:20)
  • 3-Way Match (1/20): Jaguar Yokota defeated Deborah K vs. HIMIKO (7:20)
  • Singles Match (1/20): Kyoko Inoue defeated Miyuki Takase (13:05)
  • Singles Match (1/20): Ayako Sato vs. Haruka Umesaki (13:48)

Next Show (9/4) Post Di Amistad

  • Tag Match: Haruka Umesaki & Miyuki Takase vs. COHAKU & X
  • Tag Match: Kyoko Inoue & Miran vs. Madeline & Kakeru Sekiguchi
  • Singles Match: Ayako Sato vs. HIMIKO
  • 3-Way Match: Deborah K vs. Sae vs. Nanami

Korakuen Hall (10/16)

  • Tag Match: Madeline & Miran vs. Ayame Sasamrua (2AW) & Manami
  • Second Match: TBA
  • Third Match: TBA
  • WWWD Elizabeth Championship Match: Jaguar Yokota © vs. Miss Mongol vs. X
  • Semi-Final 6-Woman Tag Match: Haruka Umesaki, Miyuki Takase & Mika Iwata vs. Natsu Sumire, Makoto & NATSUMI
  • Main Event: TBA
  • Scheduled Participants: Kyoko Inoue, Ayako Sato, Nanami, Deborah K, Himiko, Sae, Unagi Sayaka, NATSUMI

Schedule for 2022

  • (10/1): Future Site Show  – Participants and Card TBA
  • (10/16): Korakuen Hall

Ganbare Pro

G☆P is one of my sleeper hit favorites to watch. I love seeing the growth of YuuRi, the constant tour de force that is Yuna Manase, and now with the arrival of Yoshiko Hasegawa, the women’s division is slowly growing. Freelancers like Moeka Haruhi & Akane Fujita are also nice additions to this show! The crossover with DDT is also slowly looping me into the DDT-verse as well!

Tokorozawa Park Town Shopping Street Special (8/28) Results

  • Six Man Tag Team Match: Cherry, HARUKAZE & Moeka Haruhi defeated Kakeru Sekiguchi, Yoshiko Hasegawa & Yuna Manase (11:34)
  • Tag Team Match: Aja Kong & Shinichiro Tominaga defeated Shota & Soma Takao (15:49)

This Weekend: Punch Drunk Love 2022 (9/3) Narimasu Hall

  • GanJoshi Special Tag Match: YuuRi & Yuna Manase vs. Moeka Haruhi & Yoshiko Hasegawa
  • Mixed Hardcore Tag Match: Shigehiro Irie & Akane Fujita (PROMINENCE) vs. Mizuki Watase &  & HARUKAZE

Gatoh Move/Choco Pro-Wrestling

GMCP gives away their matches every week for free on their YouTube page, but you can join as a member and support their content if you have means. I’m going to try and start added one video of theirs a week, so you can get a sample of all the fun and get that weekly dose of the Apple Girl Mei Suruga!

Choco Pro Live #250 Results
  • Exhibition Match: Mei Suruga defeated Miya [1:0] (5:00)
  • Tag Team Match: Masahiro Takanashi & Yuna Mizumori defeated Hagane Shinnou & Sayaka Obihiro (10:33)
  • Tag Team Match: Antonio Honda & Chon Shiryu defeated Sayuri & Tokiko Kirihara (14:54)
  • Singles Match: Chie Koishikawa defeated Sayaka (12:48)

Next Show: ChocoPro Live #251 (9/3) – Main Event: Mei Suruga, Antonio Honda & Toru Owashi vs. Sayaka Obihiro, Yuna Mizumori & Minoru Fujita! Watch now!

Girls’ Pro-Wrestling Unit COLOR’S

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Genuinely some of the hardest working freelancers on the Joshi scene. While COLOR’S got their start in ActWres Girl’Z, they are blazing their own trail on the independent scene and partnering with bigger promotions. Their affiliation with Cosmic Angels’ in Stardom has helped put them on casual fans’ radar, but they are quickly taking over by working together but also striking out on their own at various promotions.

Next Big Event: Yes, My Way (Vol. 4) (10/7) ShinKiba 1st Ring (6:45 PM JST START!)

Full Match Card TBA

  • COLOR’S Championship: SAKI © vs. Yumiko Hotta vs. Rina Amikura vs. Momoka Hanazono

Upcoming Appearances – 

  • SAKI: Stardom, WAVE, Ice Ribbon
  • Rina Amikura: Ice Ribbon, WAVE,
  • Yuko Sakurai: Ice Ribbon, SEAdLINNG, WAVE
  • Hikari Shimizu: WAVE, Ice Ribbon

GLEAT 

UPDATE: On August 30th, GLEAT issued a statement as to the reasoning behind the scheduling change as Maya Fukuda (along with Naoya Inoue) had positive PCR Tests. The UWF Rules match with Michiko Miyagi has been rescheduled for September 10th at G-Pro-Wrestling Version 33. Wishing both competitors healthy and speedy recoveries!

  • MOVED: Lidet UWF Rules Match: Michiko Miyagi vs. Maya Fukuda – Miyagi can win on a two count, but CIMA needs a three count to win.

202-2023 Schedule

  • 2023! GLEAT ver. 5 Announced! (1/8; Edion Arena, Osaka)
  • 2023! New Venue! Gorilla Hall Osaka (3/21) 

Ice Ribbon

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(8/27/22) © Ice Ribbon

Ice Ribbon is quickly becoming a promotion that is giving me heaps of FOMO! With working with GPU COLOR’S SAKI, Hikari Shimizu, and Rina Amikura, popular freelancers like Tae Honma & Saori Anou, and other promotions like GanbarePro and JUST TAP OUT.  I’m quickly searching as to how I can watch and get caught up! Recently, CMLL sent Stephanie Vaquer and Dalys over for a series of shows, which included the Mexican Excursion Tournament Series.

The tournament winner gets the opportunity to challenge Dalys for the CMLL Japanese Women’s Championship at Fiesta Mexicana, a three-day Mexican cultural festival at Odaiba on September 25th. El Jalapeño will produce three exhibition showsMascara Matsuri (Masked Wrestler Festival; 9/23), Pro-Wrestling FREEDOMS (9/24) and Ice Ribbon x CMLL (9/25). The entire event is sponsored by the Mexican Embassy in Tokyo, and food stalls and merchant shops are all related to and celebrating Mexican culture!

IR #1223 Results (8/27) IR Dojo

  • Singles Match (1/15): Yura Suzuki (Alma Libre) defeated Saran (5:32)
  • Tag Match (1/15): A~Min (Rina Amikura; COLOR’S) & Kaho Matsushita defeated Asahi & Yuko Sakurai (COLOR’S) (9:17)
  • Singles Match: Dalys (CMLL) defeated Sumika Yanagawa (JTO) (7:43)
  • Tag Match: Saori Anou & Ibuki Hoshi defeated Stephanie Vaquer (CMLL) & Nao Ishikawa (8:26)

IR #1224 Results (8/28) Ryogoku KFC Hall

  • Mexico Excursion Qualifier Tournament (1/15): Hikari Shimizu (COLOR’S) defeated Kaho Matsushita (10:09)
  • Mexico Excursion Qualifier Tournament (1/15): Tae Honma defeated Nao Ishikawa (8:16)
  • Tag Match (1/20): Rina Amikura (COLOR’s) & Sumika Yanagawa (JTO) defeated NATSUMI (Super Hanabi) & Saran (12:05)
  • Tag Match (1/20): Ram Kaicho (Triple 6) & Maya Yukihi defeated Asahi & Misa Kagura (JTO) (14:49)
  • Singles Match (1/20): Stephanie Vaquer (CMLL) vs. Ibushi Hoshi (10:45) – via Referee Decision
  • 8-Woman Tag Match (1/30): Dalys (CMLL), SAKI (COLOR’S), Totoro Satsuki & Yuna Manase defeated Hamuko Hoshi, Makoto, Cherry & Rina Yamashita (11:47)
  • ICE x Infinity Championship Match (1/30): Saori Anou © defeated Maika Ozaki (15:19)

Princess Party (8/30) Results

  • Tag Team Match: Dalys & Stephanie Vaquer defeated Asahi & Misa Kagura (8:04)
  • Tag Team Match: Ibuki Hoshi & Sumika Yanagawa defeated Amin & Nao Ishikawa (15:06)

Next Show: IR #1225 (9/3) Ice Ribbon Dojo

  • Singles Match (1/10): A~Min (Rina Amikura; COLOR’S) vs. Saran
  • Singles Match (1/10): Asashi vs. Yura Suzuki (AlmaLibre)
  • Singles Match (1/10): Anchamu (Shinsyu Girls) vs. Nao Ishikawa
  • Tag Match (1/20): Yuko Sakurai (COLOR’S)& Himiko (DIANA) vs CREA (PURE-J) & Kaho Matsushita
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Next Show: IR #1226 (9/4) 176BOX Osaka

  • Singles Match (1/15): Hamuko Hoshi vs. Miyu (BRS)
  • Tag Match (1/20): Hikari Shimizu (COLOR’S) & Kaho Matsushita vs. Nao Ishikawa & A~Min (Rina Amikura; COLOR’S)
  • Tag Match (1/20): Ram Kaicho (Triple 6) & Rina Yamashita vs. Maya Yukihi & Maika Ozaki
  • Singles Match (1/15): Totoro Satsuki vs. Asahi
  • Tag Match (1/30): Saori Anou & Tae Honma vs. CMLL (Stephanie Vaquer & Dalys)

Next Week! Yokohama Ribbon (9/10) Radiant Hall – No Matches Announced Yet! (link)

ICE RIBBON 2022 Schedule

  • Princess Party TEN (9/14)
  • IR 1228 in SKIP CITY (9/17)
  • IR 1229 (9/18)
  • IR (9/24) Korakuen Hall
  • IR x CMLL at Festival Mexicana (9/25) – CMLL Japan Women’s Championship: Dalys © vs. Tae Honma; rest of card TBA
  • Princess Party #11 (9/28)
  • Yokohama Ribbon (10/10)
  • IR (10/30) Ryogoku KFC Hall
  • Super Princess’  Party in Tokyo Dome City (11/5&6)
  • Full schedule through RibbonMania (December 31, 2022) at link above

JUST TAP OUT

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Updated Girls’ Ranking (as of 8.21.22)! © JUST TAP OUT

Summer of Tomoka! Between running her first couple of self-produced shows with Aoi, participating in Stardom’s New Blood series of shows, winning the JTO Girls’ Tournament, becoming The Queen of JTO, celebrating her 20th birthday AND joining God’s Eye in Stardom, Tomoka Inaba has been a very busy bee over the last few months! While she did vacate the Sendai Girls’ Junior Championship in July, freeing up the opportunity for others, I personally don’t see it as a blemish on her record. She simply did what was most beneficial for the championship.

Divide and Conquer: While Inaba and Aoi have been making appearances at Stardom’s New Blood series, Misa Kagura and Sumika Yanagawa have been working extensively with Ice Ribbon and SEAdLINNG (Kagura). I love that the girls aren’t being limited to fight for spots in a single partnership promotion, but are being given equal and separate opportunities in different promotions.

Next Show: Hokkaido Homecoming for Team A.O.I. (9/3) Hokkaido

  • Singles Match: Yuu Yamagata vs. rhythm
  • Tag Match: Aoi & Tomoka Inaba vs. Misa Kagura & Sumika Yanagawa

This Weekend! Yu Yamagata’s Self-Produced Show (9/4) Hokkaido

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Full Match Card (9/4)
  • 6-Woman Tag Match: Yuu Yamagata, Tsubasa Karagaki & Chikayo Nagashima vs. Yuu, Banbi & Makoto
  • JTO Tag Match: Ryuya Takekura & Ren Ayabe vs. Fire Katsumi & Genta Yubari
  • JTO Singles Match: TAKA Michinoku vs. Akira Jumonji
  • Tag Match: Mari Manji & Ayame Sasamura (2AW) vs. Yuuri & Yuna Manase (GanPro)
  • JTO Girls’ 6-Woman Tag Match: Yuu Yamagata, Sumika Yanagawa & MIsa Kagura vs. rhythm, Aoi & Tomoka Inaba

TakaTaichiDespy Mania (9/12; Available on NJPW World as a separately ticketed iPPV)

  • 6-Man Tag Match: JUST TAP OUT (Ren Ayabe, Fire Katsumi & Ryuya Takekura) vs.Yasu Urano, & Yuji HinoIsami Kodaka (BASARA) &
  • 6-Man Tag Match: Minoru Suzuki, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & DOUKI (NJPW) vs. Hikaru Sato, Hideki “Shrek” Sekine & One JTO Representative
  • 6-Woman Tag Match: Misa Kagura, rhythm & Sumika Yanagawa (JTO) vs. Yu Yamagata (JTO), Hibiscus Mii & YuuRi (GanPro)
  • Women’s Tag Match: Team JTO (Tomoka Inaba & Aoi) vs. Stardom (Maika and MIRAI) – This match just got an added layer of interest with Tomoka recently aligning herself with God’s Eye, but also being Maika’s successor in JTO. 
  • 6-Man Tag Match: Taka Michinoku (JTO), CIMA & Kaz Hayashi (GLEAT) vs. The Great Sasuke (Michinoku Pro), Gedo & Dick Togo (NJPW)
  • Tag Match: Yoshitatsu (AJPW) & Tachi (NJPW) vs. Hirooki Goto & Ryusuke Taguchi (NJPW)
  • Main Event: El Desperado (NJPW) vs. Jun Kasai (FREEDOMS)

Marvelous

In 2021-2022, Marvelous started gaining more traction by sending talent to Stardom for various events, as well as resuming international travel. Earlier this year, Takumi Iroha competed in the Pro-Wrestling EVE SHE-1 Tournament, and she’ll possibly return in November for Wrestle Queendom. Mio Momono came back from injury earlier this year, and she will head to the US in October for her first international date… since 2016?!

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Leo Isaka’s Triumphant Return in Tochigi (9/4) Oyama Cultural Center
  • Singles Match (1/15): YAKO vs. Ancham
  • Singles Match (1/15): Tomoko Watanabe vs. Kyusei Sakura Hirota
  • Singles Match (1/15): Ai Houzan vs. Miyako Matsumoto
  • Semi-Main Tag Match (1/20): Maria & Takumi Iroha vs. Rin Kadokura & Mio Momono
  • Main Event Tag Match (1/20): Leo Isaka & Shoji Ohno vs. TA☆KU & Takahiro Katori

Marvelous 2022 Calendar

  • Oita (9/11) Nakatsu Sports Center, Oita Prefecture
  • ShinKiba 1st Ring (9/16)
  • Chiba (9/23) TKP Garden City
  • Osaka (10/14) Azalea Taisho Hall
  • Aichi (10/15) Kariya City Aioi Hall
  • ShinKiba 1st Ring (10/25)
  • Korakuen Hall (12/04)

Upcoming Appearances: 

  • YMZ (9/28) ShinKiba 1st Ring – Takumi Iroha, Rin Kadokura & Leo Isaka vs. Kaori Yoneyama, Makoto with Matsuzawa-san, & Hikaru Sato

NEW! New Japan Pro-Wrestling

With the Five Star Grand Prix making up a significant portion of the STARDOM section, and many of the details about HXo and the IWGP Women’s Championship coming from their older sibling promotion, I decided to split the section into two pieces, at least until the conclusion of the 5★GP. Both companies are releasing details, but this way, I can better compartmentalize the information for you, kind reader, moving forward. Additionally, when it comes to STARDOM features on NJPW programming, like Rumble on 44th Street, until a separate programming banner is released, I will also list those show updates under a NJPW section, much like I do with GanPro/TJPW when they work with DDT.

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IWGP Women’s Championship Tournament – First Update!
  • First Round: Royal Quest 2 (10/2) – International Bracket Alpha Female vs. Ava White (RPUK)
  • First Round: Korakuen Hall (10/22) – Stardom JPN Bracket – X1 vs X2 – see below
  • First Round: Korakuen Hall (10/22) – Stardom JPN Bracket – X3 vs X4 – see below
  • Semi-Finals: Arena Tachikawa (10/23) – International Bracket – Winner Alpha/Ava vs X3 TBA on 8/28 show; Big International Name 
  • Semi-Finals: Arena Tachikawa (10/23) – Stardom JPN Bracket – Winner X1/X2 vs. Winner X3/X4
  • Finals: Ariake Arena (11/20) – Inaugural Champion to be crowned at Historic X-Over 

IWGP Stardom Bracket (10/22): Based upon performances in their 2022 5★GP; representatives will be selected from STARS, Queen’s Quest, Donna del Mondo and OedoTai to slot into the brackets. Likely no update until October 1st, 2022, after the conclusion of the Grand Prix, but could be as early as the awards ceremony afterward.

NEW! Rumble on 44th Street (10/28) Palladium Times Square – Tickets are currently on sale at TicketMaster.com. Stardom talent to be featured on the program, but no names announced yet. 
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NJPW x STARDOM Historic X-Over (11/20) – Ariake Arena, Tokyo
  • Mixed Tag Match: Syuri & Tom Lawlor vs. Giulia & Zack Sabre, Jr.
  • Mixed Tag Match: Maika & Hirooki Goto vs. Utami Hayashishita & Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • 8-Person Tag Match: Tam Nakano, Natsupoi, Taichi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Starlight Kid, Momo Watanabe, El Desperado & DOUKI
  • IWGP Women’s Championship: Winner Stardom Bracket vs Winner International Bracket
  • Full Card TBA

OZ Academy

Bad Moon Rising (9/11) Shinjuku FACE

  • Singles Match (1/20): AKINO vs. Ram Kaicho
  • Tag Match (1/30): Aja Kong/Kaori Yoneyama vs. Tsubasa Kuragaki/Momoka Hanazono
  • 8-Woman Tag Match (3/30): Yuu, Kakeru Sekiguchi, Itski Aoki & Rina Amikura vs. OZAKI-GUN (Mayumi Ozaki, Yumi Ohka, Maya Yukihi & Saori Anou)
  • Main Event Tag Team Championship: Hiroyo Matsumoto/Rina Yamashita vs. Sonoko Kato/Ryo Mizunami

OZ Academy 2022 Calendar 

  • Bad Moon Rising Osaka (9/18) 176BOX
  • Battle Big Bonus in Okinawa (10/16)
  • Nagoya Diamond Hall (11/27)
  • Bad Moon Rising Osaka (12/11) 176BOX

PROMINENCE 

With Suzu Suzuki and Risa Sera making waves in Stardom’s Five Star Grand Prix, the former quintet from Ice Ribbon are working hard and working hardcore! In a summer full of tournaments, Prominence still managed to hold several of their own stand alone, freelance hardcore shows as well as work in multiple promotions like WAVE, Ice Ribbon and DDT. Kurmi Hiiragi finally came back from injury and Akane Fujita and Natsumi Mochi are keeping their multiple plates spinning as well!

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Smoke & Flame Rising to the Sky (8/28) Results

  • Singles Match: Risa Sera defeated Risa Fera (4:50)
  • Singles Match: Orca Uto defeated Miyako Matsumoto (6:49)
  • Three Way Match: CHANGO defeated  Akane Fujita and Super Hardcore Machine (7:38)
  • Hardcore Tag Team Match: Cokahu & Yuki Miyazaki defeated  Itsuki Aoki & Mochi Natsumi (17:29)
  • Hardcore Tag Team Match: Risa Sera & Violento Jack defeated Hiragi Kurumi & Toshiyuki Sakuda (19:19)
  • Suzu Suzuki Ten Death Match Series Second Match: Daisuke Masaoka defeated Suzu Suzuki (15:12)

Next Show: Kouen Banjou Rising Flames (9/25) ShinKiba First Ring – Card TBA

Where You Can Find Prominence

  • Risa Sera: Stardom, WAVE
  • Suzu Suzuki: Stardom, WAVE
  • Akane Fujita: Discus Pro (9/2)
  • Mochi Natsumi: Discus Pro (9/2)
  • Kurumi Hiiragi: WAVE

Pro-Wrestling EVE

Top 15 Wrestlers are ranked and ranks listed below when applicable.

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Thursday Night Riot (9/1) Results (First Half Free* on YouTube)
  • TJPW Excursion Opportunity*?! The Uprising (Rhia O’Reilly & Nightshade) defeated Harley Hudson & Rayne Leverkusen (9:40) to secure the ticket to TJPW! The Uprising want a Princess Tag Championship Match!!
  • Singles Match*: Kanji (#15) defeated Alexxis Falcon (#9) (13:16) – Kanji requests a match at Queendom against Takumi Iroha (#8)
  • Trios Tag Match*: Jetta ©, Millie McKenzie & Charlie Morgan defeated Emersyn Jayne, Nina Samuels & Lizzy Evo (14:31)
  • Singles Match: Ava White defeated Darcy Stone – No Contest
  • EVE International Championship: Laura Di Matteo defeated Skye Smitson (11:26)
  • TJPW International Princess Championship: Alex Windsor © vs. Hikari Noa (14:41)

The Road to Wrestle Queendom (11/13)

  • Hyper Misao (TJPW) for Wrestle Queendom debut. Opponent TBA.
  • Special Singles Match: Kanji (#15) challenges Takumi Iroha (#8; Marvelous) to a match at Wrestle Queendom – Pending Official Announcement/Approval from Marvelous
  • Special Singles Match: Millie McKenzie vs. Miyu Yamashita (TJPW) – Millie McKenzie was recently released from NXT UK. Prior to her signing with the WWE, she one one of the Aces of EVE, so this first match back after her WWE release was definitely an emotional one.
  • EVE Championship: Jetta © vs. Alex Windsor – Windsor picked Jetta after retaining, citing, “it’s just business.”

PURE-J

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This Weekend! Asakusa (9/4) Hana Yashiki Asakusa Kagekijo
  • Tag Match: Chie Ozora & Rico Kaiji vs. Aiger & Kaori Yoneyama
  • Tag Match: KAZUKI & Momo Tani vs. Leon & Cherry
  • Singles Match: Hanako Nakamori vs. Ryo Mizunami
  • POP Championship: CREA © vs. Yuko Sakurai (COLOR’S)
  • PURE-J Openweight Championship Number One Contender: Rydeen Hagane vs. AKARI

SEAdLINNNG

ShinKiba Night! Results (8/31) ShinKiba 1st Ring 

  • Tag Match (1/20): Miyuki Takase & Yuu defeated Nao Ishikawa & Totoro Satsuki (15:53)
  • High Speed Single Match (1/20): Leon defeated Kakeru Sekiguchi (9:51)
  • 6-Woman Tag (1/20): Amazon, Ayame Sasamura & Riko Kaiju defeated Hanako Nakamori (PURE-J), Kaori Yoneyama (YMZ) & Misa Kagura (JTO) (16:37)
  • Main Event: Tag Match (1/30): Las Fresa de Egoistas (ASUKA & Makoto) defeated Hiroyo Matsumoto & Itsuki Aoki (17:46)
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Shinjuku FACE (9/22) – Rest of the Card TBA! Announced Participants: Amazon, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Riko Kawahata (T-HEARTS, and more!
  • SEAdLINNNG BEYOND THE SEA Tag Championship (1/30): ASUKA & Makoto vs. Ayame Sasakura & Rico Kaiju – this ALL Las Fresa de Egoistas battle will definitely be one to watch! This will be the 11th Champions third defense. Or the crowning of the 12th Tag Champions!

SEAdLINNNG 2022 Calendar

  • October Fist! (10/19) Korakuen Hall
  • Yokohama Flash 2022 (11/12) Yokohama Radiant Hall
  • SEAdLINNNG of the Year 2022 (12/28) Korakuen Hall

Sendai Girls

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UPDATED Next Event: Summer Heat (9/3) ShinKiba 1st Ring – Full Card 
  • Singles Match (1/15): Dash Chisako vs Ayame Sasamura (2AW)
  • Tag Match (1/15): Manami & Dalys (CMLL) vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto & Stephanie Vaquer (CMLL)
  • Tag Match (1/20): ASUKA & YUU vs. Mika Iwata & Miyuki Takase
  • Main Event SenJo World Championship (1/30): Chihiro Hashimoto © vs. Ryo Mizunami – The Tenth Champion’s Fifth Title Defense

NEW! Betsuin Festival (9/10) – Kanazawa Station Front Shopping Center

  • Singles Match: Dash Chisako vs. Manami
  • Singles Match: Yumi Ohka vs. COHAKU
  • Tag Match: Kyoko Inoue & Chihiro Hashimoto vs. Mika Iwata & Miyuki Takase

SenJo 2022 Calendar

  • SenJo (9/14) Miyagino Ward Cultural Center
  • SenJo x Punch Tahara’s 30th Anniversary Show (9/20) Shinjuku FACE
  • SenJo Keep Burning (10/10) Shinjuku FACE
  • Women’s Pro-Wrestling BIG SHOW in Niigata (10/30) Niigata City Gymnasium
  • SenJo Queen of the Ring (11/20) Korakuen Hall 11:30AM

Stardom

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The casting call for the Mayu Iwatani biopic continues!

Korakuen Hall (8/27) Results

  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): Mai Sakurai [6] defeated Unagi Sayaka [2] (5:29)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Hazuki [14] defeated Hanan [0] (6:46)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): Tam Nakano [4] defeated Koguma [6] (5:56)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): AZM [10] defeats SAKI [4] (7:14)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Mayu Iwatani [6] defeated Mina Shirakawa [4] (4:56)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Natsupoi [6] defeated Suzu Suzuki [0] (10:11)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Ami Sohrei [8] defeated MIRAI [6] (10:28)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): Himeka [8] defeated Risa Sera [6] (7:06)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): Maika [6] defeated Utami Hayashishita [8] (14:11)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Giulia [6] defeats Starlight Kid [4] (11:32)

Shizuoka (8/28) Results

  • Three On Two Handicap Match: Oedo Tai (Fukigen Death, Rina & Ruaka) defeated Queen’s Quest (Hina & Lady C) (9:20)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): MIRAI [8] defeated Hanan [0] (7:51)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Saya Iida [2] defeated Momo Watanabe [6] (7:36)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15):  Tam Nakano [6] defeated Mai Sakurai [6] (9:15)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15):  Himeka [10] defeated Saki Kashima [4] (4:25)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): Maika [8] defeated AZM [10] (6:54)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): Koguma [8] defeated Syuri [6] (8:20)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Saya Kamitani [8] defeated Hazuki [14] (12:47)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Giulia [8] defeated Natsupoi [6] (10:56)
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Mayu Iwatani [8] defeated Ami Sourei [8] (8:10)

Medical Updates

  • Thekla – No updates. However, she’s been posting training photos, looking strong and healthy! 
  • Natsuko Tora – No announced in-ring return yet. It’s  been one year since her World of Stardom match with Utami, in which she hurt her knee.

5★GP22 Red Stars Block Points – as of 8/28/22

  1. Koguma [8] – Next Match (9/18) vs. Unagi Sayaka & (9/19) Risa Sera
  2. Momo Kohgo [0] – Next Match (9/4) vs. Saki Kashima & (9/12) vs. Syuri
  3. Utami Hayashishita [8] – Next Match (9/11) vs. AZM & (9/12) vs. Mai Sakurai
  4. AZM [10] – Next Match (9/11) vs. Utami Hayashishita & (9/12) vs. Risa Sera
  5. Tam Nakano [6] – Next Match (9/3) vs. Saki Kashima & (9/4) vs. Maika
  6. Unagi Sayaka [2] – Next Match (9/11) vs. Risa Sera & (9/12) vs. Tam Nakano
  7. Maika [8] – Next Match (9/3) vs. Syuri & (9/3) vs. Tam Nakano
  8. Himeka [10] – Next Match (9/3) vs. Mai Sakurai & (9/4) vs. Syuri
  9. Mai Sakurai [6] – Next Match (9/3) vs. Himeka & (9/12) vs. Utami Hayashishita
  10. Syuri [6] – Next Match (9/3) vs. Maika & (9/4) vs. Himeka
  11. Saki Kashima [4] – Next Matches (9/3) vs. Tam Nakano & (9/3) vs. Momo Kohgo
  12. Risa Sera [6] – Next Match (9/11) vs. Unagi Sayaka & (9/12) vs. AZM
  13. SAKI [4] – Next Match (9/11) vs. Himeka & (9/12) vs. Saki Kashima

5★GP22 Blue Stars Block Points – as of 8/28/22

  • Mayu Iwatani [8] – Next Match (9/3) vs. Saya Kamitani & (9/4) Natsupoi
  • Hazuki [14] – Next Match (9/4) vs. Ami Sohrei & (9/12) vs. Saya Iida
  • Saya Iida [2] – Next Match (9/4) vs. Saya Kamitani & (9/12) vs. Hazuki
  • Hanan [0] – Next Match (9/12) vs. Natsupoi & (9/23) vs. Suzu Suzuki
  • Saya Kamitani [8] – Next Match (9/3) vs. Mayu Iwatani & (9/4) vs. Saya Iida
  • Natsupoi [6] – Next Match (9/4) vs. Mayu Iwatani & (9/12) vs. Hanan
  • Mina Shirakawa [4] – Next Match (9/3) vs. Giulia & (9/12) vs. Ami Sohrei 
  • Giulia [8] – Next Match (9/3) vs. Mina Shirakawa & (9/11) vs. Mayu Iwatani
  • MIRAI [8] – Next Match (9/4) vs. Momo Watanabe & (9/18) vs. Saya Kamitani
  • Ami Sohrei [8] – Next Match (9/3) vs. Starlight Kid & (9/4) Hazuki
  • Momo Watanabe [6] – Next Match (9/4) MIRAI & (9/18) vs. Suzu Suzuki
  • Starlight Kid [4] – Next Match (9/3) vs. Ami Sohrei & (9/17) Natsupoi
  • Suzu Suzuki [0] – Next Match (9/11) vs. Saya Kamitani & (9/12) vs. Mayu Iwatani

This Weekend! (9/3) Kagawa

  • 4-Way Battle: MIRAI vs. Natsupoi vs. Momo Kohgo vs. Waka Tsukiyama
  • Tag Match: Hazuki & Saya Iida vs. Ruaka & Momo Watanabe
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): Syuri vs. Maika
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): Tam Nakano vs. Saki Kashima
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): Himeka vs. Mai Sakurai
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Mayu Iwatani vs. Saya Kamitani
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Giulia vs. Mina Shirakawa
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Starlight Kid vs. Ami Sohrei

This Weekend! (9/4) Hiroshima

  • 3-Way Tag Match: Giulia & Mai Sakurai vs. Mina Shirakawa & Waka Tsukiyama vs. Starlight Kid & Ruaka
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): Syuri vs. Himeka
    5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): Tam Nakano vs. Maika
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Red Stars (1/15): Momo Kohgo vs. Saki Kashima
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Mayu Iwatani vs. Natsupoi
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Saya Kamitani vs. Saya Iida
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Hazuki vs. Ami Sohrei
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): MIRAI vs. Momo Watanabe

Next BIG Match: 5★GP22 Yokohama Budoukan (9/11) Title Matches Added; Results in 9/17 DSW

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  • Opening Battle Royal: Saya Iida vs. Maika vs. Mai Sakurai vs. Lady C vs. Hina vs. Ruaka vs. Rina
  • Tag Match: God’s Eye (Syuri & Tomoka Inaba) vs. Cosmic Angels (Mina Shirakawa & Waka Tsukiyama)5★GP22 Red (1/15): Utami Hayashishita vs. AZM
  • 5★GP22 Red (1/15): Himeka vs. SAKI
  • 5★GP22 Red (1/15): Unagi Sayaka vs. Risa Sera
  • 5★GP22 Blue (1/15): Mayu Iwatani vs. Giulia
  • 5★GP22 Blue (1/15): Saya Kamitanivs. Suzu Suzuki
  • Artists of Stardom Championship: OedoTai (Saki Kashima, Starlight Kid & Momo Watanabe) vs. STARS (Hazuki, Koguma & Hanan)
  • Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Cosmic Angels (Tam Nakano & Natsupoi) © vs. God’s Eye (MIRAI & Ami Sohrei)

Stardom in Showcase 2 (9/25) Belle Salle Hall, Takadanobaba, Tokyo – Results in Dream Slam Weekly

  • Hardcore Tag Match: Rina Yamashita & Giulia vs. Starlight Kid & Momo Watanabe
  • Falls Count Anywhere Match: AZM vs. Ram Kaichou
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Suzu Suzuki vs. Starlight Kid
  • 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Saya Iida vs. Hanan
  • Additional matches to be announced at later dates. 

September 2022 5★GP22 Schedule – Results in Dream Slam Weekly

  • Korakuen Hall (9/12) – 9/17 DSW
  • Osaka (9/17-18) – 9/24 DSW
  • Nagoya (9/19) – 9/24 DSW 
  • Korakuen Hall (9/23) – 9/24 DSW
  • Tokyo Bell Salle Hall (9/24-25) – 10/1 DSW

Stardom 2022 Calendar

  • 5★GP22 Special in Yokoyama Budoukan (9/11) – Results in 9/17 Dream Slam Weekly
  • TAKATACHIDESPEMANIA (9/12) – Maika/MIRAI vs Aoi/Tomoka Inaba – Yoyogi National Gym
  • Stardom in Showcase 2 (9/25) – Tokyo Belle Salle Hall; Results in 10/1 Dream Slam Weekly
  • 5★GP22 Finals (10/1) – Musashino Forest Sports Center -> Full Event Report!
  • New Blood 5 (10/19) – Shinjuku Sumitomo Hall – Results in 10/22 Dream Slam Weekly
  • Hiroshima Goddess Festival (11/3) – Hiroshima Sun Plaza
  • Stardom Gold Rush 2022 (11/19) – Osaka Edion Arena
  • STARDOM x NJPW (11/20) – Ariake Arena -> Full Event Report!

Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW)

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A Preview of Saki Akai (left) & Yuki Arai vs. Yuki Kamifuku (right) & Mahiro Kiryu © TJPW

TJPW Perfection (8/27) Results

  • Singles Match: Miyu Yamashita defeated Pom Harajuku (8:26)
  • Tag Team Match: Free WiFi (Hikari Noa & Nao Kakuta) defeated Haruna Neko & Rika Tatsumi (10:14)
  • Three Way Match: Mizuki defeated Hyper Misao and Yuki Aino (7:04)
  • Singles Match: Yuka Sakazaki defeats Raku (6:25)
  • Tag Team Match: Mahiro Kiryu & Yuki Kamifuku defeated Maki Ito & Moka Miyamoto (12:19)
  • Tag Team Match: Miu Watanabe & Shoko Nakajima defeat Daisy Monkey (Arisu Endo & Suzume) (14:02)

Go Girl 3* Exclusive Female Fans Only Show (8/28) Korakuen Hall – I still can’t believe that every ticket for this show was FREE!!

  • Tag Match: Suzume & Arisu Endo defeated Pom Harajuku & Neko Haruna (10:58)
  • Tag Match: Nao Kakuta & Mahiro Kiryu defeated Moka Miyamoto & Juria Nagano (9:09)
  • Singles Match: Hyper Misao defeated Raku (7:30)
  • Singles Match: Maki Itoh defeated Yuki Aino (11:48)
  • Singles Match: Saki Akai defeated Hikari Noa (8:18)
  • Singles Match: Yuki Kamifuku defeated Yuki Arai (9:41)
  • 6-Woman Tag Match: Shoko Nakajima, Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe  & Yuka Sakazaki, Mizuki & Miyu Yamashita

NEW! TJPW unveiled a new logo at the Korakuen Hall show on August 28th!

Dream on the Ring – TJPW has a YouTube docuseries, focusing on several idols chasing their dreams to become idol wrestlers. Wakana Uehara, Himari Manaka & Risako will have exhibition matches on the 10/14 show at ShinKiba 1st Ring! The exhibition matches will be the participants final examination and TJPW talent are scheduled to participate.

Saturday Show (9/3) Match Card – VOD Only (3-Day anticipated delay)

  • Singles Match: Yuki Aino vs. Moka Miyamoto
  • Tag Match: Rika Tatsumi & Miu Watanabe vs. Suzume & Neko Haruna
  • Singles Match: Hyper Misao vs. Nao Kakuta
  • 6-Woman Tag Match: Yuka Sakazaki, Mizuki & Pom Harajuku vs. Miyu Yamashita, Maki Itoh & Raku
  • Tag Match: Shoko Nakajima & Arisu Endo vs. Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu

Sunday Show (9/4) Match Card – Live stream on Wrestle Universe!

  • 3- Way Match: Yuki Aino vs. Nao Kakuta vs. Neko Haruna
  • Singles Match: Hikari Noa vs. Moka Miyamoto
  • Singles Match: Maki Itoh vs. Arisu Endo
  • Tag Match: Shoko Nakajima & Hyper Misao vs. Miyu Yamashita & Raku
  • 6-Woman Tag Match: Yuka Sakazaki, Mizuki & Harajuku Pom vs. Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & Suzume
  • Princess Tag Team Championship Match: Saki Akai & Yuki Arai © vs. Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu – Tenth Champions’ First Defense

TJPW 2022 Calendar

  • TJPW Inspiration (9/11) – ShinKiba 1st Ring
  • Autumn Tour ‘22 (9/16) – Shinjuku FACE
  • Autumn Tour ‘22 (9/24) – Ryogoku KFC Hall
  • Wrestle Princess III: (10/9) Tokyo Dome City Hall -> Full Event Report!
  • Autumn Tour ‘22 (10/21) – Fukushima
  • The Mountain Top 2022 (10/29) – Osaka Edion Arena
  • Autumn Tour ‘22 (11/6) – Ryogoku KFC Hall
  • Autumn Tour ‘22 (11/13) – Kyoto KBS Hall
  • Autumn Tour ‘22 (11/20) – Shinjuku FACE
  • All Rise ‘22 (11/27) – Korakuen Hall

WAVE

With Hikaru Shida flying back and forth between dates in Japan and the US, she elevated the WAVE Regina di WAVE Championship this past week, as she defended it on AEW DARK: ELEVATION against Emi Sakura! I’m still trying to figure out what exactly happened with the CATCH THE WAVE Tournament earlier this summer, but I am happy to see Shida elevating the company and treating this championship as equal to any title she’d held in AEW.

Full Match! Hikaru Shida defeated Emi Sakura (AEW Dark: Elevation #77) – Regina di WAVE Championship Defense

PHASE 2 Reboot 3rd NAMI 1 SEP ‘22 (9/1) Shinjuku FACE

  • Future WAVE Six Woman Tag Match: Cohaku, Suzu Suzuki & Yuna Mizumori defeated Haruka Umesaki, Manami & Rina Amikura (12:39)
  • Singles Match: Hiragi Kurumi defeated Sakura Hirota (14:32)
  • Tag Team Match: Miyuki Takase & Yuki Miyazaki defeated Itsuki Aoki & Risa Sera (15:29)
  • Scramble WAVE Tag Team Title Match: galaxyPunch! (Hikari Shimizu & SAKI) © defeated YAKO & Yumi Ohka (19:08)

Next Shows: Detras de Lazona (vol. 5) (9/17) DIANA Dojo – Schedule TBA

WAVE 15th Anniversary: CARNIVAL WAVE WEST (9/18) Osaka 176BOX

  • Osaka Premium Scramble Wave (1/20): SAKI & Hikari Shimizu vs. Miyuki Takase & Haruka Umesaki
  • Additional matches to be announced at a later date.

Upcoming Shows

  • SAPPORO WAVE NAMARA 8 (10/9)
  • ASAHIKAWA WAVE (10/10)
  • KARIYA WAVE vol. 2 (10/30)
  • TBA WAVE 11/6 Korakuen Hall
  • TBA WAVE 11/12 Osaka 176BOX

YMZ Gokigenna Wrestling!

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Happy Birthday to Minoru Fujita, Aky, & Matsuzawa-san! © YMZ

Gokigenna Kawasaki 24: YMZ vs. Fujita Wrestling School Showdown! (9/2) Results Pending Post di Amistad, Kawasaki

  • Triple Threat: Makoto (YMZ) vs. Ayame Sasamura (FWS) vs. Yuma 24 (Yuma-gun)
  • Singles Match: Kengo Mashimo with Matsuzawa-san (YMZ) vs. Aky (FWS)
  • Main Event: YMZ (Kaori Yoneyama, Hikaru Sato & Ayako Sato) vs. FWS (Minoru Fujita, Yasu Urano & Yuna Mizumori)

Gokigenna Kawasaki 25 (9/17) Post di Amistad, Kawasaki

  • Tag Match: Kaori Yoneyama & Yuna Mizumori defeated Makoto & Matsuzawa-san (10:35)
  • Singles Match: Hikaru Sato vs. Moeka Haruhi 
  • Singles Match: Shino Hagane vs. Daiki Shimamura
  • Announced Participants: Chie Ozora (in a Best of Three Falls Match), Kaori Yoneyama

Results: YMZ Autumn Festival 2022 (9/28) ShinKiba 1st Ring; Results Pending

  • Gokigenna Showdown! YMZ (Kaori Yoneyama, Hikaru Sato & Makoto with Matsuzawa-san) vs. Marvelous (Takumi Iroha, Rin Kadokura & Leo Isaka)
  • Announced Participants: Kengo Mashimo, ASUKA, Kakeru Sekiguchi, Yuna Mizumori, Chie Ozora, Tsubasa Kuragaki, Rina Yamashita, Yuu
  • Additional matches to be announced at a later date.

YMZ 2022 Calendar


Meanwhile Outside of Japan!

WWE Results & Matches to Watch

  • Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah defeated Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai (WWE Raw; 8/29) to win the vacant WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships.

This Weekend:

Possible show stealer of the entire weekend!
  • WWE’s Clash at the Castle (9/3) Cardiff, Wales UK – Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai & Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss, Asuka & Bianca Belair
  • NXT’s Worlds Collide (9/4) Orlando, FL – Mandy Rose vs. Meiko Satomura vs. Blair Davenport in an NXT Women’s Championship Unification Match

AEW Matches to Watch

  • ALL OUT (9/4) Chicago, IL – Dr. Britt Baker, DMD vs. Jamie Hayter vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Toni Storm – Interim AEW Women’s World Championship

Match Selection

At the time, this was a freshly turned heel Io Shirai in a grudge match against Candice LeRae. Throughout their time in NXT together, the kayfabe anthem would become “Candice… again?!” Yet, for as many times as they battled one another, I simply could not get enough of their rivalry. Over on The Network & Peacock, you can chase up all of their matches, but this match always stood out for me because this was when Io’s started her meteoric rise in NXT, and started making her way toward the NXT Women’s Championship during the pandemic era. Hands down, Candice LeRae was one of the brightest, plucky babyfaces in all of WWE… yes. ALL OF IT. She brought a wealth of experience and technical ability.

For the women’s wrestling fans in the NXT Universe, Shirai/LeRae was out Gargano/Ciampa, the forever rivalry that was can’t miss and guaranteed barnburner. What I loved about their feud was that they always went harder than they had to, but they always made it look effortless. I am still waiting for the day that LeRae exacts revenge on Shayna Baszler for their match in the first Mae Young Classic, but in the meantime, I am reveling in the debut of Iyo Sky on Raw.

  • Promotion: NXT
  • Event: NXT TakeOver: Toronto
  • Date: 08/10/2019
  • Result: Io Shirai defeats Candice LeRae by referee’s decision (15:00)
  • Venue: Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  • Commentary: Mauro Ranallo, Beth Phoenix & Nigel MacGuinness

Karen’s Joshi Learning Excursion!

Here are a couple of shows I’ll be attending in the next few months! If you see me, please say hello! Also, if I spot a POST Wrestling shirt… I may stop and compliment you on it! Tell me your name, preferred pronouns & who your oshi (favorite wrestler(s) are! Safe travels!

  • Garden State Pro-Wrestling Dynasty Clash (9/16) – Warinanco Ice Skate Park, Roselle, NJ
  • NJPW Royal Quest 2 (10/1-2) – Crystal Palace Indoor Arena, London, England
  • NJPW Rumble on 44th Street – Palladium Times Square, NYC, NY
About Karen Peterson 118 Articles
Occasionally drops by wrestling podcasts, but remains rather elusive. Joined the Japanese wrestling fan scene in summer 2017, and continues to work on bridging the language gap between fans. Outside of wrestling, she’s a dog mom, perpetual Japanese learner, and when conditions permit, world traveler. Never skips dessert.