Dream Slam Weekly (Vol. 11) Shoko Nakajima Interview, Summer Tournaments Continue to Heat Up!

Opening

Summer Tourneys! Happened so faaaaast!

Summer Tourneys! Having a blaaaast!

I found a tourney … or three!

I found a tourney… who needs to sleep?!

Ice Ribbon closed out June, crowning Saori Anou as the successor to Tsukushi Haruka’s ICE x INFINITY Championship. The CATCH THE WAVE 2022 Tournament closes with Nagisa Nozaki and Suzu Suzuki set to face off in the CTW22 Finals and Reina di WAVE Championship match on July 17th, Tokyo Joshi Pro prepares to kick off the Tokyo Princess Cup on July 15th and Stardom is closing out the month with a STACKED opening weekend for the Five Star Grand Prix.

Passports are preparing to get stamped as international talent slowly return to Japan or as Japanese talent pack their bags and head abroad! The more international travel I see the more my own passport is burning a hole in my pocket. I am itching to travel abroad and experience some wrestling outside of America.

Looking ahead to August, NOMAD’S will have its second all-women’s freelancer summit, including the formal return of Sumire Natsu to full-time in-ring competition. Oh, and wrestling legend, Jaguar Yokota is celebrating her 61st birthday and the 46th anniversary of her wrestling debut with a special wrestling event on July 25th!

The match of the week is a retro selection, which I hope you will enjoy as well! Let’s get to it!

Dream Slam Weekly Open Challenge: Karen vs. The Big Kaiju, Shoko Nakajima

With a hectic schedule before CyberFight Fest and a show stealer of Princess of Princess Championship defense against Yuka Sakazaki, Nakajima took some time to answer some questions prior to Summer Sun Princess! She shares how she’s preparing for her title defense against The White Dragon, Rika Tatsumi.

“During CyberFight Festival, Rika Tatsumi became the next number one contender for your Princess of Princess [PoP] Championship. Please tell us about your history with Tatsumi and what are her strengths as an opponent.”

Nakajima: “[Our] previous fight [together] is a classic. I liked the way of fighting to win by steadily accumulating damage. [Currently,] I don’t know what she is thinking, but she takes actions that people don’t think of! I’m scared there.”

“As this is your second reign as PoP, do you have any ambitions or desire to become a Grand Slam Champion in TJPW? Which championships or tournaments would you need to win to achieve this?”

Nakajima: “[I have yet to hold the] International [Princess Championship], so I would like to challenge if I have a chance. I also want to fight with wrestlers all over the world.”

“Your Championship match aside, what are your goals as PoP Champion for Summer Sun Princess?”

Nakajima: “After experiencing both Ryogoku Kokugikan (GRAND PRINCESS ‘22) and the Saitama Super Arena (CyberFight Festival), I think everyone became more reliable. I want you to see our [improvements].”

“Are there any matches or special guests you are excited about [at Summer Sun Princess]?”

Nakajima: “I’m looking forward to all the matches, but I’m especially looking forward to Alex who I wrestled in England, will challenge Ito’s [International Princess] belt.”

“After Summer Sun Princess, the Tokyo Princess Cup will take place. Could you please explain what this tournament is for new fans of TJPW?”

Nakajima: “This is a special opportunity [for everyone] to have [singles matches]. I am aiming to win this year because I have been the runner-up [both times] in the last two years.

“What message would you like to send to the international fans?”

Nakajima: “Check out TJPW at Wrestle Universe! We want to do a TJPW show abroad someday!”

Check out my complete interview with TJPW’s Princess of Princess Champion, The Big Kaiju Shoko Nakajima on my translation blog!

International Excursions & Adventures

Last Weekend!

Miyu Yamashita defeated Alex Windsor (7/2) RCW (Barcelona, Spain
Yuka Sakazaki defeated Masha Slamovich (7/3) PWG’s NINETEEN (Los Angeles, CA)

Coming Soon!

Miyu Yamashita vs. Billie Starks vs. Janai Kai (July 23rd) Garden State Pro-Wrestling’s Welcome to Eden

This Summer!

Rina Yamashita & Maki Itoh: GCW Homecoming (August 13th-14th)
Maki Itoh: Prestige Wrestling’s Perseverance (September 17th; Pomona, CA)
Miyu Yamashita: Prestige Wrestling’s Perseverance (September 17th; Pomona, CA)
Hyper Misao makes EVE Debut at WRESTLEQUEENDOM V (November 13th; London, UK)

Round-up (alphabetical)

2AW (Action Advance Wrestling)

2AW Infinity (7/3) Chiba Oriental Hotel Tokyo Bay

Singles Match: Yuna Manase defeated Ayame Sasamura (8:10)
Three Way Match: Yuna Manase defeated Ayame Sasamura & Shiori Asahi (5:06)

DIANA

Next Show: “Going from the Summer Sun to the Winter Shade” vol. 11 (7/10) Matches

Singles Match: Miran vs. Makoto
Singles Match (1/20): Sae vs. Himiko
POP Championship: Haruka Umesaki © vs. Nanami
6-Woman Tag (1/20): Jaguar Yokota, Ayako Sato & Madeline vs. Kyoko Inoue, Deborah K & CREA

Future Sight vol. 2 (7/10)

Singles Match (1/20): Miran vs. Himiko
Tag Match (1/20): Deborah K/Rina Amikura vs. Asahi/Sae
Singles Match (1/20): Ayako Sato vs. Nanami
Tag Match 1/20): Haruka Umesaki/Miyuki Takase vs. Madeline/Kakeu Sekiguchi

DIANA (7/18) Yokohama Radiant Hall

Singles Match: Nanami vs. Maika Ozaki
Rest of card TBA

JAGUAR (Yokota)’s 61st Birthday & 46th Anniversary Show (7/25) Korakuen Hall

Singles Match: Miyuki Takase vs. Haruka Umesaki
Tag Match: Kyoko Inoue & Aja Kong vs. Asuka & Ayako Sato
Tag Match: Super Tiger & Hayato Mashiro vs Guts Ishijima & Kenichiro Arai
6-Person Tag Match: Megumi Yabushita, KAZUKI & Madeline vs. Tiger Queen, Nanami & Miran
ZERO1 8-Person Tag Match : Shoki Kitamura, Tsugutaka Sato, Astro Man, & Ryo Hoshino vs. TAKAFUMI, Takumi Baba, Satsuki Nagao, & Junya Matsunaga
Main Event: Jaguar Yokota, Maya Ozaki, & Jinsei Shinzaki vs. Rina Yamashita, DASH Chisako & Masato Tanaka

DDT Pro

Harcore Girls(?) Noisy Battle (7/14) ShinKiba 1st Ring

Super Hardcore Girls vs. Prominence Special HC Match: Carousel♡Shun vs. Suzu Suzuki
Super Hardcore Girls vs. Prominence Bring an Item HC Match: Elizabeth♡Toy & Sylvania♡Catherine vs. Risa Sera & Akane Fujita
Super Hardcore Girls vs. Prominence Falls Count Anywhere Match: SenoSister Mao Inoue vs. Natsumi Mochi
Special TLC Match: DASH Chisako (SenJo) vs. Hideki Okatani
DDT Special Match: Yuki Ueno & Kyusei Sakura Hirota vs. Akito & Kazuki Hirata

Gatoh Move & ChocoPro

Free Shows on YouTube!

ChocoPro Live! #241 – Mei Suruga/Baliyan Akki vs. Yuna Mizumori/Sayaka Obihoro
ChocoPro Live! #242 – Mei Suruga/Chie vs. Yuna Mizumori/Kirihara Tokiko

Upcoming Appearances

Mei Scheduled for TJPW’s Summer Sun Princess

Ganbare☆Pro Wrestling

Next Big Show: Wrestle Sekigahara (7/10)

GanPro/DDT Trios Match: GP (Shinichiro Tominaga, Mizuki Watase, & Moeka Haruhi) vs. Eruption (Yukio Sakaguchi, Saki Akai & Hideki Okatani)
Singles Match: Yuna Manase (GanPro) vs. Unagi Sayaka (Stardom)

Upcoming Appearances:

YuuRi vs. Mai Sakurai (Stardom) New Blood 3 (7/8)

Girls’ Pro-Wrestling Unit COLOR’S
Next Big Event: Yes, My Way 3 (7/15) ShinKiba 1st Ring

Three-Way Battle (1/15): Maika Ozaki vs. Kakeru Sekiguchi vs. Momo Tani
Singles Match (1/20): Yuko Sakurai (COLOR’S) vs. Yumiko Hotta
Tag Match (1/20): Hikari Shimizu (COLOR’S) & Tae Honma vs. Kako Kobayashi & Sakuran Bonita
Semi-Final Singles Match (1/20): Rina Amikura (COLOR’S) vs. Takumi Iroha
Main Event 6-Woman Tag (1/30): SAKI (COLOR’S), Riko Kawahata & Makoto vs. Kaori Yoneyama, Momoka Hanazono & Yuna Mizumori

GLEAT

G-ProWrestling Ver 29 (7/17; Umeda Stella Hall, Osaka)

GPW: Nanae Takahashi vs. Michiko Miyagi
LIDET UWF: Maya Fukuda vs. Chihiro Hashimoto

Maya Fukuda Officially Signs with GLEAT! At GLEAT’s Anniversary show, it was announced that Maya Fukuda signed with the company, and will focus solely on LIDET UWF Rules matches. Previously, Fukuda competed on the company’s foundation show, GLEAT Ver. 1 (7/1/21; vs. Chihiro Hashimoto) and GLEAT UWF Ver 1 (10/9/21; vs. Michiko Miyagi). Currently she is 0-2 in LIDET UWF competition, and her match with Hashimoto on 7/17 will be their second meeting with the rule set, just over a year from their first meeting.

【お知らせ】

福田茉耶(ふくだまや)
GLEAT入団のお知らせ

7.1付でGLEAT所属となります。
LIDET UWFの試合のみの参戦を予定しております。#GLEAT #LIDETUWF #LIDET https://t.co/CX6tjvO3y1 pic.twitter.com/TZG2DgUFCr

— GLEAT(グレイト)公式｜リデットエンターテインメント (@LIDET_ENT) July 1, 2022

Ice Ribbon

IR 1211 (7/2)

Singles Match: AKARI defeated Himiko (7:39)
Tag Team Match: Sumika Yanagawa & Yuko Sakurai defeated Ibuki Hoshi & Kaho Matsushita (9:31)
Singles Match: Asahi defeated Misa Kagura (7:35)
Tag Team Match: Madeline & Totoro Satsuki defeated Amin & Cherry (12:04)

IR 1212 Skip City Hall (7/3)

Tag Team Match: Saran/Yuko Sakurai defeated Himiko/Kiku (11:31)
Tag Team Match: Maya Yukihi/Ram Kaicho defeated Amin/Sumika Yanagawa (9:45)
Singles Match: Tae Honma defeated Kaho Matsushita (10:53)
Tag Team Match: Asahi/Ibuki Hoshi vs. Maika Ozaki/Saori Anou (20:00) – Time Limit Draw
6-Woman Tag Team Match: Cherry, Hamuko Hoshi & Makoto defeated Madeline, NATSUMI & Totoro Satsuki (w/Yuuki Mashiro) (14:50)

IR Princess Party (7/6)

Tag Match: KISSmeT PRINCESS (A~Min & Misa Kagura) defeated Cherry & Kiku (10:35)
Tag Match: Asahi & Madeline defeated Himiko & Kaho Matsushita (9:43)

Next Shows

IR 1213 (7/9) Ice Ribbon Dojo

Singles Match: AKARI vs. Saran
Singles Match: Maika Ozaki vs. CREA
Singles Match: Totoro Satsuki vs. Cherry
Tag Match: Ram Kaicho (Triple Six) & Kaho Matsushita vs. Asahi & Yura Suzuki

ICE RIBBON 2022 Schedule

IR 1214 (7/16) Ice Ribbon Dojo
Yokohama Ribbon July 2022 (7/18) Yokohama Radiant Hall
IR 1216 (7/23) Ice Ribbon Dojo
IR 1217 (7/30) Ice Ribbon Dojo
Summer Jamboree Ribbon (7/31) Korakuen Hall
Full schedule through RibbonMania (December 31, 2022) at link above

Just Tap Out

Next Show: Third Anniversary Show (7/9)

JTOG Tag: Yu Yamagata & Sumika Yanagawa vs. Misa Kagura & rhythm
Queen of JTOG Tournament Finals & Sendai Girls’ Junior Championship Match: Tomoka Inaba © SJ Jr. vs. Aoi

Marvelous

Kariya (7/9) Aiai Hall, Kariya City Industrial Promotion Center, Aichi Prefecture

Singles Match: Yuina vs. Tomoko Watanabe
Marriage Registration Match: Leo Isaka vs. Hibiscus Mii
Semi-Main Tag Match: Maria & Riko Kawahata vs. Mio Momono & Ai Houzan
Main Event Tag Match: Takumi Iroha & Itsuki Aoki vs. Chigusa Nagayo & Rin Kadokura

Next Show: Osaka (7/10) 176BOX, Osaka Prefecture

Tag Match: Maria & Riko Kawahata vs. Chigusa Nagayo & Anchamu
Singles Match: Leo Isaka vs. Katsumi Oribe
Semi-Main Tag Match: Takumi Iroha & Hibiscus Mii vs. Tomoko Watanabe & Kyusei Ninja Ranmaru
Main Event Tag Match: Rin Kodokura & Itsuki Aoki vs. Mio Momono & Ai Houzan

Marvelous 2022 Calendar

ShinKiba 1st Ring (7/22)
Korakuen (8/8) – KAORU’s RETURN & RETIREMENT MATCH
Yokohama (8/14) venue TBA
ShinKiba 1st Ring (8/23)
Tochigi (9/4) Oyama City Culture Center, Tochigi Prefecture
Oita (9/11) Nakatsu Sports Center, Oita Prefecture
ShinKiba 1st Ring (9/16)
Chiba (9/23) TKP Garden City

NOMADS’ Freelance Summit! Volume 2 (8/5) Shinjuku FACE (TRAILER)

Full Match Card (Announced 7/7)

Singles Match: Maya Yukihi vs. Yuko Sakurai (COLOR’S)
6-Woman Tag Match: Makoto/Kaho Kobayashi/Kakeru Sekiguchi vs. Saori Anou/Tae Honma/Maika Ozaki
Singles Match: Ryo Mizunami vs. Rina Amikura (COLOR’S)
Semi-Main Sumire Natsu’s Official Return Tag Match: Sumire Natsu/Miyuki Takase (NOMADS’) vs. SAKI/Hikari Shimizu (COLOR’S)
Main Event: Rina Yamashita/Yuu vs. Nanae Takahashi/Hiroyo Matsumoto

OZ Academy

OZ Academy Next Tag Team Challenger Tournament: First Round 7/19 & 7/31, Finals 8/21, & Winning Team challenges Hiroyo Matsumoto/Rina Yamashita on 9/11.

Participating Teams:

Sonoko Kato/Ryo Mizunami
Tsubasa Kuragaki/Itsuki Aoki
Chihiro Hashimoto/Yuu
Kaori Yoneyama/Kakeru Sekiguchi

Next Show: Shinjuku FACE (7/18)

Tag match (1/20): Ram Kaicho (Triple Six) & Itsuki Aoki vs. Saori Anou & X
Single Match (1/30): Aja Kong vs. Maya Yukihi
Tag Title Contenders Tournament Match: Kaori Yoneyama & Kakeru Sekiguchi vs. Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu (Team 200KG)
Main Event 6-Woman Tag Match (3/60): AKINO, Sonoko Kato & Ryo Mizunami vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto, Rina Yamashita & Tsubasa Kuragaki

Nagoya Diamond Hall (7/31)

Singles Match (1/20): Yuu vs. Kakeru Sekiguchi
Tag Title Contenders Tournament Match: Sonoko Kato & Aya Mizunami vs (Noisy Fire) Tsubasa Kuragaki & Itsuki Aoki
Semi-Main OZ Academy Pioneer 3-WAY: Masked Hanahana vs. AKINO vs Momoka Hanazono
Main Event Pioneer Presents 6-Woman Tag Match (3/60): Aja Kong, Hiroyo Matsumoto & Kaori Yoneyama vs. Maya Ozaki, Maya Yukihi & Saori Anou

OZ Academy 2022 Calendar

Nagoya Diamond Hall (7/31)
Korakuen Hall (8/21) OZ Academy Openweight Championship: AKINO © vs. Rina Yamashita – Full Card TBA
Bad Moon Rising (9/11) Shinjuku FACE – Tag Team Championship: Hiroyo Matsumoto/Rina Yamashita vs. Tag Tournament Winners
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

Prominence 4 (7/17) Kurumi Hiiragi Returns!

Suzu Suzuki 10 Match Challenge Match #1: Drew Parker vs. Suzu Suzuki
Singles Match: Mochi Natsumi vs. Kohaku
Kurumi Hiiragi Return Match: Team 200KG (Chihiro Hashimoto/Yuu) vs. Kurumi/Ryo Mizunami
6-Person Tag Match: Risa Sera, Akane Fujita & Miyako Matsumoto vs. Toshiyuki Sakuda, Orca & Super Hardcore Machine

Upcoming Appearances

DDT: Harcore Girls(?) Noisy Battle (7/14) Risa Sera, Suzu Suzuki, Akane Fujita & Natsumi Mochi
Stardom: Risa Sera & Suzu Suzuki will participate in the Five Star Grand Prix.

PURE-J

Kame Dojo (7/3) Results

Three, Two, One Count Rules Match: Hanako Nakamori defeated Rydeen Hagane (11:17)
Singles Match: Fake Leon (KAZUKI) defeated Momo Leon (Momo Tani) (8:46)
Tag Team Match: Crea & Leon defeated AKARI & Riko Kaiju (16:11)

SEAdLINNNG

Next Event: Rico Kaiju’s Debut Anniversary Celebration (7/13) ShinKiba 1st Ring

Singles Match: ASUKA vs. Rico Kaiju
Singles Match: Amazon vs. Riko Kawahata (T-HEARTS)
Tag Match: Misa Kagura (JTO) & Makoto vcs. Yuna Manase (GanPro) & Chie Ozora (PURE-J)
Main Event 6-Woman Tag Match: Ayame Sasamura (2AW), Arisa Nakajima & Rico Kaiju vs. Mayumi Ozaki (OZ Academy), DASH Chisako (SenJo) & Maika Ozaki

SEAdLINNNG 2022 Calendar

ShinKiba 1st Ring (7/26)
SEAdLINNNG Seven Anniversary Show (8/17) Korakuen Hall
ShinKiba 1st Ring (8/31)
Shinjuku FACE (9/22)
Korakuen Hall (10/19)
Yokohama Flash 2022 (11/12) Yokohama Radiant Hall
SEAdLINNNG of the Year 2022 (12/28) Korakuen Hall

Sendai Girls

Next Show: SenJo Chronicle (7/10) Korakuen Hall

World Junior Championship (1/30): Tomoko Inaba © (JTO) vs. Yurika Oka
Singles Match (1/15): Kyusei Sakura Hirota vs. Rydeen Hagane
6-Woman Tag Match (1/20): Ryo Mizunami, Yuu & Manami vs. Risa Sera (Prominence), Ayame Sasamura (2AW) & Aoi (JTO)
Tag Match: Red Energy (Miyuki Takase/Mika Iwata) vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto/Saori Anou
Semi-Main Hardcore Match (1/30): Dash Chisako vs. Suzu Suzuki (Prominence)
Main Event: SenJo World Championship (1/30): Chihiro Hashimoto © vs. ASUKA

Next Event: SenJo Chronicle (7/15) Miyagino Ward Cultural Center; Card TBA

Upcoming Appearances:

SEAdLINNNG (7/13) DASH Chisako, Maika Ozaki & Mayumi Ozaki vs. Arisa Nakajima ©, Ayame Sasamura & Rico Kaiju – 6-Woman Tag (1/30)
DDT (7/14) DASH Chisako vs. HIdeki Okatani – Special TLC Match
GLEAT (7/17) Chihiro Hashimoto vs. Maya Fukuda in UWF Rules Match
Prominence (7/17) Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu (TEAM 200KG) vs. Ryo Mizunami & Kurumi Hiiragi
OZ Academy (7/18) Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu (TEAM 200KG) vs. Kaori Yoneyama & Kakeru Sekiguchi – OZA Tag Team Tournament 1st Round (1/30)
DIANA (7/25) JAGUAR (Yokota)’s 61st Birthday Memorial & 46th Anniversary Show! – DASH Chisako to participate; match TBA

SenJo 2022 Calendar

SenJo (8/13) Miyagino Ward Cultural Center
SenJo (9/3) ShinKiba 1st Ring
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

NJPW x STARDOM Update! At the New Japan Business Strategy Press Conference on July 7th, NJPW President Takami Ohbari and Hiroshi Tanahashi discussed the potential rule set for the mixed tag matches for the co-produced show on November 20th. Rules will be akin to WWE’s Mix Match Challenge, where competitors will tag together but must wrestle opponents from their own promotion. Tags will require a partner swap. Additional translations from Tokyo Sports Online interviews and links to the NJPW press releases included here.

Medical Updates

Thekla – pulled from 7/2-9 shows (extending medical absence) She is still currently listed as participating in the Five Star GP at month’s end.
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.

Road to MidSummer Champions

Osaka (7/2) Edion Arena Gym #2

Singles Match: Momo Kohgo defeated Lady C (6:18) with Nectar Peach

Tag Match: OET (Saki Kashima/Fukigen Death) defeated STARS (Mayu Iwatani/Saya Iida) (8:29) – Fukigen pinned Iida

Singles Match: Syuri defeated Mai Sakurai (7:10) with a Buzzsaw Kick

6-Woman Tag Match: Queen’s Quest (Utami Hayashishita, Saya Kamitani & AZM) defeated OedoTai (Momo Watanabe, Starlight Kid & Ruaka) (12:48) Kamitani used the Star Crusher on Ruaka
8-Woman Tag Match: Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Maika, Himeka & Natsupoi) defeated Cosmic Angels (Tam Nakano, Mina Shirakawa, Unagi Sayaka & Waka Tsukiyama) (11:23) Natsupoi used the Fairial Gift on Tsukiyama
Goddesses of Stardom Tag Team Championship: FWC (Hazuki/Koguma) © STARS vs. God’s Eye (MIRAI/Ami Sorei) (30:00) – Time Limit Draw; FWC Retain; third successful defense

Toyohashi (7/3) Loisir Hotel Toyohashi Holiday Square, Aichi Prefecture

Three-Way Match: Lady C defeated Waka Tsukiyama and Saki Kashima (5:06) by pinning Tsukiyama
Tag Match: Giulia/Mai Sakurai defeated Koguma/Momo Kohgo (9:49) with Giulia pinning Kohgo after a back body drop
6-Woman Tag Match: DDM (Maika, Himeka & Natsupoi) vs. OET (Momo Watanabe, Starlight Kid & Ruaka) (11:36) with Maika pinning Ruaka after a Michinoku Driver II
6-Woman Tag Match: God’s Eye (Syuri, MIRAI & Ami Sorei) vs. STARS (Mayu Iwatani, Hazuki & Saya Iida) (13:09) with MIRAI submitting Iida with MIRAMARE
6-Woman Tag Match: Queen’s Quest (Utami Hayashishita, Saya Kamitani, & AZM) defeated Cosmic Angels (Tam Nakano, Mina Shirakawa, & Unagi Sayaka) (18:26) with Utami pinning Unagi with a German Suplex

New Blood 3 (7/8) Results

- Singles Match: Mai Sakurai (DDM) defeated YuuRi (GanbarePro) (7:46)
- Singles Match: Ami Sorei (GE) vs. Nanami (Marvelous)
- 6-Woman Match: STARS (Saya Iida, Hanan & Momo Kohgo) defeated Just Tap Out (Tomoko Inaba, Aoi & Misa Kagura) (10:36)
- Singles Match: MIRAI (GE) vs. Suzu Suzuki (Prominence) (15:00) – Time Limit Draw
- Singles Match: Ram Kaichou (Triple 6) defeated Waka Tsukiyama (CA) (6:05) – Ectoplasm & Onryo (Vengeful Ghost) Clutch
- 8-Woman Tag Match: Young OED (Starlight Kid, Ruaka & Rina) and Haruka Umesaki (DIANA) defeated Cosmic x COLOR’s (Mina Shirakawa, Unagi Sakaya, Yuki Sakurai & Rina Amikura) vs. (11:13) SLK submitted Yuko Sakurai
- Miyu Amasaki’s Super Rising Star 5-Match Challenge 1-of-5: Giulia (DDM) defeated Miyu Amasaki (QQ) (14:21) with the Glorious Driver

New Blood 3 Highlights, the Road Alongside The Five Star GP & New Blood 4

Unagi Goes After Her Mentor GanbarePro’s Yuna Manase was YuuRi’s second at ringside. When Unagi showed up in GanPro, she was the one who invited YuuRi to participate in New Blood, before attacking Manase. YuuRi expected to fight Unagi at NB3, but was tasked with Sakurai instead. Unagi will square off with her former mentor from their days together in Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling at GanPro’s Wrestle Sekigahara on Sunday, July 10th.
Whose Future is Next?! After Hanan pinned Kagura, she suggests a rematch as Inaba, but Aoi intervenes and could be Hanan’s next challenger as she shoved the Future of Stardom Champion.
DDM vs. Prominence Hardcore Match!? After her time limit draw against MIRAI, Suzu suggested they continue their fight during the Five Star before quickly turning her attention toward Giulia. She’s wanted to get her hands on Giulia for a long time, and doesn’t want to wait until their match on the last day of the Five Star Grand Prix (10/1)! Giulia scoffs, saying she’ll fight in whatever format Suzu wants, including hardcore or a death match. Mai Sakurai tells Giulia she wants to help, and they suggest Suzu finds a partner. Fellow Prominence member, Risa Sera, was at ringside having as Suzuki’s second, during the match. A brawl broke out, with Prominence eventually escaping.
Stardom’s Ultimate Underdog! Waka demands a rematch from Ram despite having lost the match. Ram jokes that she wasn’t scheduled beyond today, but Tsukiyama is insistent, stating she’ll do whatever it takes, even if it means getting on her hands and knees and begging. She suggests a tag match but refuses to announce her partner. Ram prepares to ask her own Rebel x Enemy stablemate, Maika Ozaki to tag, when Rina (OET) comes out from the back and politely asks to be her tag partner. Ram accepts, and the rematch will be at a later date.
Looking Ahead to New Blood 4: SLK invites Haruka Umesaki to tag at NB4 in August! Umesaki accepts, despite still wanting that singles rematch, and they shake hands. Starlight Kid also teased an invite for Umesaki to hound OedoTai, but brushed it off as a joke.
Kurumi Attacks Syuri! Prominence’s fifth member, Kurumi Hiiragi (currently returning to in-ring activities on 7/17) attacked Syuri backstage while she and MIRAI were in the comments area. Hiiragi put Syuri in a sleeper. She could be a potential World of Stardom challenger in the future!?

MidSummer Champions Tokyo Tachikawa Stage Garden (7/9) – Full Event Report available later today

Singles Match: Lady C (QQ) vs Hina (QQ)
Tag Match: Queen’s Quest (Utami Hayashishita & Miyu Amasaki) vs. God’s Eye (MIRAI & Ami Sorei).
8-Woman Tag Match: STARS (Mayu Iwatani, Hazuki & Koguma ©, Saya Iida)vs. OET (Saki Kashima, Fukigen Death, Ruaka, & Rina)
12-Woman Elimination Match: Cosmic x COLOR’s (Tam Nakano, Mina Shirakawa, Unagi Sayaka, and SAKI, Yuko Sakurai & Hikari Shimizu) vs. Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Maika, Himeka, Natsupoi, Thekla & Mai Sakurai)

Stardom in Showcase (7/23) Nagoya – Results in 7/30 Dream Slam Weekly; No Event Report

Three-Way Casket Match: Saya Kamitani vs. Starlight Kid vs. The Mysterious Grim Reaper
Four-Way Falls Count Anywhere Match: Tam Nakano vs. Koguma vs. AZM vs. Momo Watanabe – possibly at an outdoor park nearby!?
Rest of card TBA

MidSummer Champions in Nagoya (7/24) – Results in 7/30 Dream Slam Weekly; No Event Report

Artists of Stardom Championship (1/30): OedoTai (Saki Kashima, Starlight Kid & Momo Watanabe) vs. Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Maika & Himeka）
Goddesses of Stardom Championship (1/30): Fukuoka Double Crazy (Hazuki/Koguma) vs. God’s Eye (MIRAI/Ami Sorei
Rest of card TBA

Stardom 2022 Calendar

Five Star Grand Prix 2022 Opening Weekend (7/30-31)
STARDOM x STARDOM MidSummer Encounters (8/21) – Non-5SGP PPV; Hamamatsu, Shizuoka
Five Star Grand Prix 2022 Finals (10/1) – Musashino Forest Sports Center
STARDOM x NJPW (11/20) – Ariake Arena

Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling (TJPW)

Cheering & Paper Streamers Return at Summer Sun Princess! One of the unique qualities of the matches in Japan are showering of thin paper streamers during the ring announcements. Due to government mandated protocols for COVID, this was one of the first items to go, but with easing restrictions, TJPW has announced its triumphant return at SSP. Crucially, very explicit instructions and rules have been released, especially with etiquette and safety in mind.

Summer Sun Princess (7/9) Ota Ward Gymnasium – Full Event Report available later today

Singles Match: Moka Miyamoto vs. Juria Nagano
8-Woman Tag Match: Yuki Aino, Aja Kong, Pom Harajuku & Raku vs. Hyper Misao, Nao Kakuta, Neko Haruna & Kaya Toribami
Singles Match: Miu Watanabe vs. Ryo Mizunami *UPDATED*
Tag Match: Hikari Noa/Hikaru Shida vs. Yuki Kamifuku/Mahiro Kiryu
Tag Match: MeiBee SURPRISE (Suzume/Mei Sugura) (Gatoh Move) vs. Arisu Endo/Riho
Princess Tag Championship: Magical Sugar Rabbits (Yuka Sakazaki/Mizuki) vs. Saki Akai/Yuki Arai (SKE48) – The 9th Champions’ 6th Defense

【プレイガイドは木曜まで】

いよいよ今週末、7/9(土)大田区総合体育館の前売券は、あさっての木曜日までコンビニで購入できます！

ぴあhttps://t.co/Dsc4yrPPYx

ローソンhttps://t.co/9VRZHqnAPU

イープラスhttps://t.co/S0Pqi8lEg3

公式チケットhttps://t.co/OpAOpeKa9c #tjpw #tjpwSSP22 pic.twitter.com/3YGFvIuJnb

— TJPW 東京女子プロレス (@tjpw2013) July 5, 2022

Magical Sugar Rabbits go Skydiving & Rika Tatsumi does Waterfall Prayer to promote Summer Sun Princess!

Next Event Series: The Tokyo Princess Cup 2022 Tournament: (7/15-8/13) – Finalized Tournament Brackets TBA

7/15 Ryogoku KFC Hall
7/16 Ryogoku KFC Hall
7/17 Ryogoku KFC Hall
7/23 Shinjuku FACE
7/31 Otemachi Mitsui Hall
8/12 Korakuen Hall
8/13 Korakuen Hall

TJPW 2022 Calendar

Wrestle Princess III: (10/9) Tokyo Dome City Hall

WAVE

Osaka Rhapsody vol. 55 (7/2) Azalea Taisho Osaka

6-Woman Tag: Kohaku, Miyuki Takase & Riko Kawahata defeated Sae, Sakura Hirota & Yuu (10:46)
CTW Tiebreaker A Block: Nagisa Nozaki [2] defeated Kaori Yoneyama [0] (8:20) – Referee decision
CTW Tiebreaker B Block: Hikari Shimizu (COLOR’S) [2] defeated Haruka Umesaki (DIANA) [2] (9:57)
CTW Tiebreaker A Block: SAKI (COLOR’S) [2] vs. Risa Sera (Prominence) [2] (15:00) – Time Limit Draw
CTW Tiebreaker B Block: Suzu Suzuki (Prominence) [2] defeated Itsuki Aoki [2] (13:20)

NAGOYA WAVE vol. 23 (7/3) Shinjuku

6-Woman Tag Team Match: Riko Kawahata, Sae & Yuu defeated Kohaku, Miyuki Takase & Sakura Hirota (14:00)
CTW Tiebreaker B Block: Itsuki Aoki [2] vs. Haruka Umesaki (DIANA) [2] (15:00) – Time Limit Draw
CTW Tiebreaker A Block: Kaori Yoneyama (YMZ) [2] defeated Risa Sera (Prominence) [2] (2:09)
CTW Tiebreaker B Block: Suzu Suzuki (Prominence) [4] defeated Hikari Shimizu (COLOR’S) [2] (3:10)
CTW Tiebreaker A Block: Nagisa Nozaki [4] vs. SAKI (COLOR’S) [2] (13:00) – Referee’s Decision

CATCH THE WAVE Finals (7/17) Korakuen Hall

Rest of the card TBA
CATCH THE WAVE 2022 Finals & Regina de Wave Championship Match (1/No TL): Nagiza Nozaki ©RdW (A-Block Winner) vs. Suzu Suzuki (B-Block Winner) – Normally Regina di Wave matches have a thirty minute time limit, but since it also includes the CTW Finals, there will be no time limit.

Upcoming Shows

PHASE 2 Reboot 3rd NAMI 1 AUG ‘22 (8/1) Shinjuku FACE
WAVE 15th Anniversary: CARNIVAL WAVE (8/13) Shinjuku FACE – 2PM, 6PM
WAVE 15th Anniversary: CARNIVAL WAVE (8/14) Shinjuku FACE – 12PM, 3PM, 6PM
PHASE 2 Reboot 3rd NAMI 1 SEP ‘22 (9/1) Shinjuku FACE
WAVE 15th Anniversary: CARNIVAL WAVE WEST (9/18) Osaka 176BOX
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!

Next Show: “Hikaru Sato Birthday Celebration” Gokigenna Kawasaki 16 (7/6) Post di Amistad, Kawasaki

Singles Match: Hikaru Sato vs. Kengo Mashimo (10:00) – Time Limit Draw
Beach Volleyball Challenge: Koharu Hinata defeated Hikaru Sato (1:39; Three attempts)
Handicap Match (1/10): Hikaru Sato vs. Makoto & Yuu (10:00) – Time Limit Draw
Cosplay Match (1/10): Hikaru Sato defeated Sayaka (6:51) with a Jumping Kick
Tag Match: (1/41m363s): Hikaru Sato & Sayaka defeated Kaori Yoneyama & Ayako Sato (8:52)
Special Single Match (No Time Limit): Hikaru Sato vs. Matsuzawa-san (0:36) Used green onions as a weapon to win?!
YMZ Musical Chairs Tournament: Sayaka defeated Kengo Mashimo, Koharu Hinata,Makoto, Yuu, Kaori Yoneyama, Ayako Sato & Matsuzawa-san.
YMZ Sanctioned Nipple Sumo: Kengo Mashimo defeated Hikaru Sato (0:15)

椅子取りゲーム#YMZ pic.twitter.com/LPd2zea0UP

— YMZゴキゲンなプロレス公式 (@ymzpro) July 6, 2022

Next Show: Gokigenna Kawasaki 17 (7/16) Post di Amistad, Kawasaki

Singles Match: Kengo Mashimo vs. PSYCHO
Fortune Telling Fantasy Match: Cherry (Fortune Teller) vs. Yuu
Announced Talent: Kakeru Sekiguchi, Madeline, Kaori Yoneyama, Makoto with Matsuzawa-san

Coming Soon: Gokigenna Kawasaki 18 (7/30) Post di Amistad, Kawasaki

WWW DIANA Special Singles Match: Haruka Umesaki vs. Miran
Announced Talent: Kakeru Sekiguchi, Yuna Mizumori, Kaori Yoneyama, Hikaru Sato, Kango Mashimo, Makoto with Matsuzawa-san

YMZ 2022 Calendar

Gokigenna Kawasaki 19 (8/3) Post di Amistad, Kawasaki
Gokigenna Kawasaki 20 (8/6) Post di Amistad, Kawasaki
Gokigenna Kawasaki 21 (8/9) Post di Amistad, Kawasaki
Gokigenna Kawasaki 22 (8/15) Post di Amistad, Kawasaki
YMZ Summer Festival 2022 (8/21) Ouji Basement Monstar
Gokigenna Kawasaki 23 (8/26) Post di Amistad, Kawasaki
YMZ Autumn Festival 2022 (9/28) ShinKiba 1st Ring

Meanwhile Outside of Japan…

In WWE

Becky Lynch defeated Asuka (11:40; Monday Night RAW; 7/4)
Meiko Satomura & Sarray defeated Xia Brookside & Eliza Alexander (9:27; NXT UK; 7/7)!

In AEW

Hikaru Shida and Yuka Sakazaki defeated Heather Reckless and Laynie Luck (2:53; AEW Dark #70; 7/4)

Weekly Match Selection

This week, I found a slightly older match, one that happened during my time away from regularly watching wrestling, and when I knew absolutely nothing about Japanese women’s wrestling. This is from the archives of PURE-J and was uploaded a match from JWP (Japan Women Pro-Wrestling Project; 1992-2017), the precursor to modern-day PURE-J. When JWP folded in spring 2017, Command Bolshoi launched her own spin-off promotion, PURE-J.

JWP celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary and the company folded shortly after. Elements from JWP have been woven into the current iteration of PURE-J, such as the Princess of Pro-Wrestling Championship (current champion: DIANA’s Haruka Umesaki) and the Daily Sports Tag Team Championships (current champions: Hanako Nakamori and SEAdLINNNG’s Arisa Nakajima). PURE-J established its own Openweight Championship in August 2017, when the PURE-J launched. The current PURE-J Openweight Champion is Leon, who is in her third reign.

I love that they’re uploading footage from their archives! I hope they continue this and provide more historical context.

Promotion: PURE-J
Show Date: (September 23, 2011)
Competitors: Leon (active; PURE-J), Hanako Nakamori (active; PURE-J) & Misako Ohata (retired 12/29/18) vs. Hiren (Yurie Kaneko; retired 11/08/11), DASH Chisako (active; SenJo)& Sendai Sachiko (retired 01/17/16)
Venue: ShinjukuFACE, Tokyo, Japan

Thanks for reading! Have a great week!

Dream Slam Weekly (Vol. 11): Shoko Nakajima Interview, Summer Tournaments Continue to Heat Up!

Shoko Nakajima answers the DSW Open Interview Challenge, Maya Fukuda Signs with GLEAT as a LIDET UWF Competitor & Jaguar Yokota prepares to celebrate her 46th Anniversary!