Dream Slam Weekly (Vol. 21) Gatoh Move Celebrates 10th Anniversary

With the arrival of pumpkin spice everything as we cross into the middle of the month and close in on the official start of autumn, the excitement of wrestling isn’t waning! Today’s DSW comes to you from my hotel room in New Jersey, where I’m on my first official Dream Slam Weekly Learning Excursion Field Trip! On the flight up this morning, I watch the news when I should have been sleeping, but let me tell you I nearly did a spit-take when they announced 100 Shopping Days Until Christmas! CHRISTMAS?! I need to clear the threshold of October before I can even begin to think about holiday shopping and travel plans for the year’s end.

Earlier this week, the Japanese government has continued hinting that they’re possibly going to remove the remaining restrictions on international travelers, largely due to the weakness of the yen internationally and lots of international travelers heading abroad to places that can scratch their travel itch. That being said, I would keep your eyes posted on Japan embassies and travel pages for official announcements, especially if you’re like me and itching to secure those cheap airfares to Tokyo for the new year! I need to go to Royal Quest 2 in just over two weeks before I can even begin to think about more international travel beyond the beginning of October.

Yet my Google flight notifications… say quite differently.

Field Trip Journal! Dynasty Clash

When I first decided to go to this show, it was purely on the announcement that both Jungle Kyona and VENY (ASUKA) were scheduled to participate. One of my favorite Young Lions on Excursion, NJPW’s Yuya Uemura was soon added to the card as was Sumie Sakai, genuinely one of my favorite people in all of wrestling. Unfortunately, VENY would not be able to make her scheduled appearance due to an unavoidable scheduling conflict, so I hope I get to see her wrestle one day.

• Promotion: Garden State Pro-Wrestling
• Venue: Warinanco Ice Skate Park, Roselle, NJ
• Date: 9/16/22

GSPW’s Openweight Tag Tournament – just when I thought Tourney SZN was over… they announced the first round matches! I love that it is a mix of participants! I would give Garden State Pro-Wrestling a follow! 

Results (9/16)

• Tag Tournament First Round Match: Young, Dumb & Broke (Ellis Taylor & Charlie Tiger) vs. Shook Crew (Bryce Donovan & Bobby Orlando)
• Singles Match: Sumie Sakai defeated Damaris Dawkins
• Tag Tournament First Round Match: Masha Slamovich & Akira defeated The Hex (Allysin Kay & Marti Belle)
• Singles Match: Bryan Keith defeated Yuya Uemura
• Singles Match: Janai Kai defeated Jungle Kyona
• Tag Tournament First Round Match: The Wolves (Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards) defeated Kings of The District (Eel O’Neal & Jordan Blade)
• Tag Tournament First Round Match: The Workhorsemen (JD Drake & Anthony Henry) defeated The OGK (Matt Taven & Mike Bennett) – via Count Out
• Singles Match: Tracy “Hot Sauce” Williams defeated YOYA
• 6-Man Tag Match: Brogan Finlay, Rico Gonzalez & Hunter Drake defeated Wasted Youth (Marcus Mathers, Austin Luke & Dyln McKay)
• A Shot in the Garden Gauntlet: Manders defeated Steve Scott, Reid Walker, Gabriel Skye, Ruthless Lala & Alisha Edwards – Manders called out Bryan Keith afterward!
• Main Event: GSPW Openweight Championship Match: Alan Angels (c) defeated “Speedball” Mike Bailey

I had a blast at GSPW. It was great catching up with friends, making new ones, and yes, even diving out of the front row as topes crashed into the center seats a couple of times in various different matches. The atmosphere and crowd were light, fun and respectful! For a newer promotion, the event ran rather smoothly. There wasn’t any problem finding a seat, and everyone was accommodating when the scrambles ensued shortly before the multiple …dives. As a first time guest,  I would definitely love to come back again, and if you have the opportunity to check out what they’re doing, I think you’d have a wholesome, fun time with great wrestling.

There were to fun & short pre-show matches, but I didn’t include the results above as I didn’t quite catch the names of one of the competitors, so until I find out what his name was, those results will be omitted for the time being. However, I might now be a big fan of Filipinot Grigio.

International Excursions & Adventures

Results

• Masha Slamovich defeated Jungle Kyona (14:02) Jersey Championship Wrestling (9/10) JCW Uncensored ; Boonton, NJ – This was Jungle Kyona’s first international date since leaving Stardom in 2021. She & Masha closed the show as the main event. 

https://youtu.be/5Ay2bIzoAqk?t=9201

September 2022

• Tonight! Maki Itoh vs. Sandra Moon & Miyu Yamashita vs. Trish Adora: Prestige Wrestling Perseverance (9/17; Pomona, CA)
• Tonight! Jungle Kyona vs. Maya Yukihi; Sumie Sakai vs. KZT: Deadlock Pro Wrestling Victory Lap (9/17; Raleigh, NC) – DPW usually does taped delay shows
• Jungle Kyona vs. Skye Blue; Black Label Pro Turbo Graps 24 (9/24; Crown Point, IL)

October 2022

• Jungle Kyona & Vert Vixen vs. Hyan & Danni Bee: Inspire AD PW (10/6) Austin, TX
• Mio Momono vs. Debbie Malenko; Jungle Kyona vs. Sandra Moone: West Coast Pro Wrestling Ride the Lightning (10/8; San Francisco, CA)
• Jungle Kyona: Deadlock Pro Wrestling (10/15)
• Maya Yukihi & Miyu Yamashita: RCW Spain Women’s World Cup 3 (10/22) Casinet D’Hostafrancs, Barcelona, Spain
• Jungle Kyona vs. Deonna Purrazzo; Sumie Sakai vs. TBA: Prestige Wrestling Wake the Dead (10/30; Portland, OR)

November 2022

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

Passports Ready! Who’s Going TO Japan?!

• UPDATE! EVE x TJPW – International Princess Champion Alex Windsor will defend her championship at Wrestle Princess The Uprising (Rhia O’Reilly & Nightshade) will challenge Reiwa Double A Canon for the Princess Tag Team Championships at Wrestle Princess III on October 9th!  

2AW Grand Slam in Korakuen Hall

• Singles Match: Chihiro Hashimoto defeated Ayame Sasamura (15:49)

CMLL Lady’s Ring

NEW! 2022 Grand Prix de Amazonas (10/28) Arena Mexico – Tae Honma, Mei Suruga (GMCP) & Yuko Hikari Shimizu (COLOR’S) will represent Japan in the women’s tournament. Other international competitors include Alex Gracia (USA), Avispa Dorada (USA), Lady Frost (USA), Stephanie Vaquer (Chile), and they’ll face some of the best Luchadoras in the world with Lluvia, Reyna Isis, La Jarochita, Marcela, Princesa Sugehit, Dark Silueta and Dalys.

It seems Honma and Shizimu caught CMLL’s attention with their performance in the CMLL x Ice Ribbon Mexico Excursion Tournament. Honma will challenge Dalys for the CMLL Japanese Women’s Championship at Fiesta Mexico! They had a contract signing earlier this week.

Gatoh Move/Choco Pro – HAPPY 10th ANNIVERSARY!!

Results ChocoPro #254 (9/10) Ichigaya Chocolate Square

• Exhibition Match: Mei Suruga vs. Miya (5:00) – Time Limit Draw
• Tag Match: Chon Shiryu & Masahiro Takanashi defeated Shin Suzuki & Tokiko Kirihara (10:55)
• Tag Match: Chie Koishikawa & Mei Suruga defeated Sayaka Obihiro & Yuna Mizumori (15:39)

Results: 10th Anniversary Show ~Phoenix Rises~ (9/15) Shinjuku FACE

• Triple Threat Tag: Sayaka Obihiro & Sawasdee Kamen defeated Tokiko Kirihara & Antonio Honda and Sayuri & Shin Suzuki (6:13)
• 6-Person Tag: Minoru Fujita, Kid Lykos & Kaori Yoneyama defeated Baliyan Akki, SAKI & Riho (12:22)
• Singles Match: Emi Sakura vs. Miya Yotsuba (8:08)
• Tag Match: Arisu Endo & Suzume (TJPW) defeated Sayaka & Chie Koshinaka (12;03) 
• Asia Dream Tag Team Championship:  Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi (c) defeated Isami Kodaka & Yuko Miyamoto (17:30)
• Singles Match: Mei Suruga defeated Yuna Mizumori (20:56)

Ganbare☆Pro 2022 Schedule

• Nerawareta Gakuen 2022 (10/2) Itabashi Green Hall
• Punch Drunk Love 2022 (10/22) Ouji Basement MON☆STAR
• GIRI GIRI CHOP! 2022 (12/27) Korakuen Hall

Girls’ Pro-Wrestling Unit COLOR’S

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 

GLEAT announced earlier this week, that they will expand to include a new brand: GLEAT MMA. At the press conference, Maya Fukuda who is currently contracted with GLEAT and participating in only Lidet UW FRules matches attended the press conference! It seams that she will aim to be part of this expansion brand,

2022-2023 Schedule

• GLEAT Ver. EX(tra) (10/9) Korakuen Hall
• G Pro-Wrestling Ver. 39 (11/23) Korakuen Hall
• G Pro-Wrestling Ver. 40 (11/27) Umeda Stella Hall
• G Pro-Wrestling Ver. 41 (12/18) Umeda Stella Hall
• NEW! GLEAT Ver. 4 (12/30) Tokyo Dome City Hall
• GLEAT Ver. 5 (1/8/23) Edion Arena, Osaka 
• TBA (3/21/23) Gorilla Hall Osaka

Results! Grace Project Chapter 9 ~ Tatsuhiko Takaiwa Debut 30th Anniversary Show (9/11) ShinKiba 1st Ring

• Tag Match: Prominence (Akane Fujita & Mochi Natsumi ) defeated Madeline & YuuRI (GanPro)

Just Tap Out

TAKA Michinoku 30th Anniversary Show © JUST TAP OUT

TAKA Michinoku 30th Anniversary Show: TakaTaichiDespeMania (9/12) Yoyogi National Gymnasium #2 

• 8-Man Tag: Suzuki-gun (DOUKI, Minoru Suzuki, TAKA Michinoku & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) defeated Akira Jumonji, Genta Yubari, Hideki Sekine & Hikaru Sato (10:47)
• 6-Woman Tag: Misa Kagura, rhythm, & Sumika Yanagawa defeated Hibiscus Mii, YuuRI & Yuu Yamagata (6:55)
• 6-Man Tag: Isami Kodaka, Yasu Urano & Yuji Hino defeated Eagle Mask, Fire Katsumi & Ryuya Takekura (10:36)
• Tag Match: Maika & MIRAI defeated Aoi & Tomoka Inaba (19:12)
• 6-Man Tag Match: Dick Togo, Gedo & The Great Sasuke defeated CIMA, Kaz Hayashi & TAKA Michinoku (9:26)
• Tag Match: Hirooki Goto & Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Taichi & Yoshitatsu (18:20)
• Singles Death Match: El Desperado defeated Jun Kasai (28:30)

Yes, I retweeted a lot of bloody Despy/Kasai photos from this match. I have yet to watch it, but the reviews I’ve seen have been nothing but glowing. Their continued story together, keeps making me want to watch more, but all in due time, right?

Ice Ribbon

Princess Party #10 (9/14) Ice Ribbon Dojo

• Tag Match: Dalys & Stephanie Vaquer defeated Misa Kagura & Yuko Sakurai (COLOR’S) (8:04)
• Tag Match: A~Min (Rina Amikura; COLOR’S) & Nao Ishikawa defeated Asahi and Sumika Yanagawa (JTO) (13:56)

Marvelous 

Results (9/16) ShinKiba 1st Ring

• Singles Match: Momo Tani defeated Ai Houzan (7:32)
• Tag Match: Bryan Ishizaka & Hibiscus Mii defeated Leo Izaka & Tomoko Watanabe (11:29)
• Tag Match: Ayame Sasamura & Mio Momono vs. Maria & Riko Kawahata (20:00) – Time Limit Draw
• AAAW Tag Championship Match: Chikauo Nagashima & Takumi Iroha defeated Itsuki Aoki ^ Rin Kadokura (c) (18:35)

OZ Academy

Results! Bad Moon Rising (9/11) Shinjuku FACE

• Singles Match: AKINO defeated Ram Kaicho (Triple 6) (8:39)
• Tag Match: Beast Friend (Aja Kong & Kaori Yoneyama) defeated Momoka Hanazono & Tsubasa Kuragaki (12:49)
• 8-Woman Tag Match 2-Out-of-3 Falls (3/60): Ozaki-gun (Maya Yukihi, Mayumi Ozaki, Saori Anou & Yumi Ohka) defeated Itsuki Aoki, Kakeru Sekiguchi, Rina Amikura & Yuu [2:0] (24:59)
• OZ Academy Tag Championship: Hiroyo Matsumoto & Rina Yamashita defeated Ryo Mizunami & Sonoko Kato (22:25)

Marvelous 2022 Calendar

• 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 Japan Pro-Wrestling

In last week’s Dream Slam Weekly, NJPW joined the class roster with all the intricate details on the IWGP Women’s Championship and the first batch of match announcements for Historic X-Over (Crossover) in November. Additionally, the announcement that Stardom would make good on Kidani’s strategy to begin dispatching Stardom talent on the international shows with NJPW. October’s Rumble on 44th Street (10/28) will have the first glimpse of Stardom since the G1 Supercard at Madison Square Garden in April 2019.

NJPW x STARDOM Historic X-Over (11/20) – Ariake Arena, Tokyo – Full Card TBA

• 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

IWGP Women’s Championship Tournament – IWGP Stardom JPN*  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 

• First Round: Royal Quest 2 (10/2) – International Bracket Alpha Female vs. Ava White (RPUK) 
• First Round: Stardom JPN* Bracket (10/22) Korakuen Hall – X1 vs X2
• First Round: Stardom JPN* Bracket (10/22) Korakuen Hall – X3 vs X4
• Semi-Finals: International Bracket (10/23) Arena Tachikawa – Winner Alpha/Ava vs X3 
• Semi-Finals: Stardom JPN Bracket (10/23) Arena Tachikawa – Winner X1/X2 vs. Winner X3/X4
• Finals: Historic X-Over (11/20) Ariake Arena 
• Wrestle Kingdom 17 (1/4/23) Inaugural Champion’s First Defense  

International Tour Stops

• The Night Before Rumble (10/27) Palladium Times Square – Stardom talent to be featured on the program, but no names announced yet. (video)
• Rumble on 44th Street (10/28) Palladium Times Square – Stardom talent to be featured on the program, but no names announced yet. (video)

Prominence – all shows at ShinKiba 1st Ring

• #7 (10/23)  
• #8 (11/27)  
• #9 (12/11)  

PURE-J 

Results (9/11) Kame Dojo

• OZORA Singles Match: Leon Ozora [Leon] defeated KAZUKI Ozora (8:27) – Chie Ozora is currently out with an elbow injury, so they seemingly borrowed her ringname!
• Singles Match: Rydeen Hagane defeated CREA (10:44)
• Tag Match: KAZUKI & Momo Tani defeated AKARI & Hanako Nakamori (12:49)

Itabashi Green Hall (9/23)

PURE-J Openweight Championship: Yuu © vs. AKARI

SEAdLINNNG

Match Card (9/22) Shinjuku FACE

• Tag Match (1/20): Kaori Yoneyama (YMZ) & Amazon vs. SAKI & Yuko Sakurai (COLOR’S)
• Singles Match (1/20): Yuu (EVE) vs. Itsuki Aoki
• High Speed 3-Way Match (1/20): Kakeru Sekiguchi vs. Mei Suruga (GMCP) vs. Riko Kawahata (T-HEARTS)
• 6-Woman Tag Match (1/30): Hanako Nakamori (PURE-J), Hiroyo Matsumoto & Misa Kagura (JTO) vs. Ryo Mizunami, Yuna Mizumori (GMCP) & AKARI (PURE-J)
• BEYOND the SEA Tag Championships (1/30): ASUKA & Makoto (c) vs. Ayame Sasamura (2AW) & Rico Kaiju

November 2022

• NEW! YOKOHAMA FLASH 2022 (11/12) Radiant Hall
• NEW! SEAdLINNNG Festival (11/20; 1130AM~) ShinKiba 1st Ring
• NEW! Taiyou Festival (11/20; 3PM~) ShinKiba 1st Ring

Sendai Girls

Results (9/14) Miyagino Ward Cultural Center

• Singles Match: Miyuki Takase defeated Momo Tani (12:31)
• Tag Match: Ayame Sasamura & Saori Anou defeated Hiroyo Matsumoto & Manami (12:22)
• Singles Match: ASUKA defeated Mika Iwata (13:12)
• Tag Match: Team 200 KG (Chihiro Hashimoto & Yuu) defeated Dash Chisako & Ryo Mizunami (14:23)

SenJo 2022 Calendar

• 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

Results (9/11)

• Tag Match: God’s Eye (Syuri & Tomoka Inaba) defeated Cosmic Angels (Mina Shirakawa & Waka Tsukiyama) (8:30) – with Inaba pinning Tsukiyama in her debut as an official member of God’s Eye
• Opening Battle Royal: Saya Iida Won; defeated Maika, Mai Sakurai, Lady C, Momo Kohgo* & Ruaka (7:16) – with Saya pinning Momo after Brain Buster
• 5★GP22 Red (1/15): Risa Sera [8] defeated Unagi Sayaka [2] (6:01) with a Diving Double Knee Drop 
• 5★GP22 Red (1/15): Himeka [12] defeated SAKI [4] (6:13) with a High Angle Power Bomb 
• 5★GP22 Blue (1/15): Suzu Suzuki [2] defeated Saya Kamitani [12] (11:40) with a German Suplex; add Suzuki to the list of potential Wonder challengers 
• 5★GP22 Red (1/15): AZM [10] defeated Utami Hayashishita [8] (6:55) with Azumi Sushi
• 5★GP22 Blue (1/15): Mayu Iwatani [8] vs. Giulia [10] (15:00) – Time Limit Draw!!!
• Artists of Stardom Championship: OedoTai (Saki Kashima, Starlight Kid & Momo Watanabe) defeated STARS (Hazuki, Koguma & Hanan) (16:42) with SLK pinning Hanan; V4 for OedoTai; SLK calls out Momo’s former unit QQ while Lady C is on commentary 
• Goddesses of Stardom Championship: Cosmic Angels (Tam Nakano & Natsupoi) © defeated God’s Eye (MIRAI & Ami Sohrei) (20:54) – Tam pinned Ami with Twilight Dream; V1 for TamPoi (they’re still working on a team name as Mentaiko & Genovese Pasta is a bit of a mouthful)

Progress Report/Highlights

• Miki Motoi on Lead Commentary! It’s been a while, but one of our favorite color commentators, TV announcers and ardent fans of lucha libre is back at the helm of the commentary ship! I always love how the typically soft-spoken Motoi gets to let loose and set the mood when she does play-by-play. She doesn’t get to do play-by-play often, but it’s always a treat when she does.
• Mayu Iwatani Biopic Update! The finalists for the casting of the lead role in the Mayu Iwatani biopic will be announced at the Yokohama Budokan show! The candidates were introduced in-ring at the show for evaluation! (link) Each finalist gave remarks to the crowd, some have wrestling and gymnastics experience. Others are actresses and pop idols, but each made very interesting cases for selection. The top five include Yurie Kozakai (#1Stardom Ring Announcer), Momo Kohgo (#2), Rie Tachnibana (#3), Anna Hirai (#4) & Akari Ishizuka (#5; NMB48) Additional Finalists by Jury Selection: Miyabi Yamaoka, Kana Kobayashi & Karen Naito. Regardless of the outcome, Kozakai will be included in the film, whether she is cast as Mayu or not. 
• Yuria Sato Makes Ring Announcer/Guest Commentary Debut! (link) Sato is part of the Bushiroad stage troupe: Revue Starlight and their next show will start on 10/14. RS is a wildly popular all-girls theatre school series that has been made into a series of mobile games and trading card games. Sato confessed that she’s been to Stardom in her off-time and Starlight Kid has really caught her attention. 
• Fuwa-chan to Debut in Stardom! With a substantial social media following including over a million followers on Twitter +883K subscribers on YouTube, the wildly popular variety talent will make her pro-wrestling debut on October 23rd at Tachikawa Arena. Fuwa-chan started training for the last four months and this was her first show where she also assisted at ringside as a second. She was escorted to the ring by Saya Iida and Hazuki, so will likely start out as a member of STARS. Hazuki has taken the lead in her training and Mayu Iwatani has also assisted. Her debut will be part of the 12th Annual Goddesses Tag League series opening that day. (link)
• End of the Year Big Shows Announced! The anything-goes Stardom in Showcase vol. 3 will be on November 26th at the Todoroki Arena in Kawasaki City, and Stardom will close out the year of Ryogoku Sumo Hall with Stardom Dream Queendom 2022. 
• STARS Matching Gear for Artists Challenge! Full marks for Hanan, Hazuki & Koguma for boldly declaring which individual color straps they wanted from the trio titles with brightly colored gear that matched… well… minus Hanan who was in her signature yellow, but had accents of patel green and purple. The last time I saw this much love for the mismatched belts was when MaiHimePoi were champions and I love it! The biggest part of the story was that Hanan and SLK started at the same time, yet SLK’s star has really taken off in the last year. Naturally, Natsuko and Ruaka got involved, since they were at ringside and bored.
• TamPoi to Surpass The Beauty Pair?! A rather bold declaration from the Goddesses of Stardom Champions to say they want to make their musical artist debut and become more famous than Jackie Sato and Maki Ueda. I would love to see them achieve their live debut dreams together! They’ve even updated their entrance looks with tiny crowns! Who doesn’t love a tiny crown!? Natsupoi admits there is a certain tag team she wants to fight, and Tam declares they’re going to win the Goddess Tag League next month. Hopefully Tam’s elbow is just a little banged up.

Results (9/12)

• Tag Match: OedoTai (Fukigen Death & Rina) defeated Queen’s Quest (Hina & lady C) (6:09)
• 5★GP22 Blue Stars: Natsupoi [10] defeated Hanan [0] (6:08)
• 5★GP22 Blue Stars: Mina Shirakawa [6] defeated Ami Sohrei [10] (10:42)
• 5★GP22 Blue Stars: SAKI [6] defeated Saki Kashima [6] (6:53)
• 5★GP22 Blue Stars:Saya Iida [4] defeated Hazuki [14] (7:48)
• 5★GP22 Red Stars: Utami Hayashishita [10] defeated Mai Sakurai [8] (4:22)
• 5★GP22 Red Stars: Syuri [10] defeated Momo Kohl [0] (6:31)
• 5★GP22 Red Stars: Risa Sera [10] defeated AZM [12] (5:45)
• 5★GP22 Red Stars:Tam Nakano [10] defeated Unagi Sayaka [2] (10:32)
• 5★GP22 Blue Stars: Mayu Iwatani [11] defeated Suzu Suzuki [2] (10:52)

5★GP22 Red Stars Block Points – as of 9/12/22; all remaining league matches listed below

• Koguma [8] – Unagi Sayaka (9/18), Risa Sera (9/19), AZM (9/23), & Utami Hayashishita (10/1) 
• Momo Kohgo [2] – Tam Nakano (9/19), SAKI (9/23), Maika (9/24), & Unagi Sayaka (10/1)
• Utami Hayashishita [10] – Saki Kashima (9/17), SAKI (9/19), Tam Nakano (9/24), & Koguma (10/1)
• AZM [12] – Unagi Sayaka (9/19), Koguma (9/23) & Saki Kashima (10/1)
• Tam Nakano [10] – Risa Sera (9/18), Momo Kohgo (9/19), Syuri (9/23), Utami Hayashishita (9/24) & SAKI (10/1)
• Unagi Sayaka [2] – Maika (9/17), Koguma (9/18), AZM (9/19), Himeka (9/24) & Momo Kohgo (10/1)
• Maika [10] – Unagi Sayaka (9/17), Mai Sakurai (9/19), Momo Kohgo (9/24) & Himeka (10/1) 
• Himeka [12] – Unagi Sayaka (9/24) & Maika (10/1)
• Mai Sakurai [8] – Risa Sera (9/17), SAKI (9/18) & Maika (9/19) – Sakurai will finish all tournament matches by 9/19
• Syuri [10] – SAKI (9/17), Tam Nakano (9/23) & Risa Sera (10/1)
• Saki Kashima [6] – Utami Hayashishita (9/17), Risa Sera (9/23) & AZM (10/1) 
• Risa Sera [10] – Mai Sakurai (9/17), Tam Nakano (9/18), Koguma (9/19), Saki Kashima (9/23) & Syuri (10/1)
• SAKI [4] – Syuri (9/17), Mai Sakurai (9/18), Utami Hayashishita (9/19), Momo Kohgo (9/23), & Tam Nakano (10/1)

5★GP22 Blue Stars Block Points – as of 9/12/22; all remaining league matches listed below

• Mayu Iwatani [11] – Hazuki (9/23), Momo Watanabe (9/24) & Starlight Kid (10/1)
• Hazuki [14] – (9/23) Mayu Iwatani & Momo Watanabe (10/1)
• Saya Iida [4] – Suzu Suzuki (9/17), Natsupoi (9/23), Starlight Kid (9/24), Hanan (9/25) & MIRAI (10/1)
• Hanan [0] – Suzu Suzuki (9/23), Mina Shirakawa (9/24), Saya Iida (9/25) – Hanan finishes her tournament on 9/25
• Saya Kamitani [12] – MIRAI (9/18), Mina Shirakawa (9/23), Giulia (9/24), & Ami Sohrei (10/1) 
• Natsupoi [10] – Starlight Kid (9/17),  Saya Iida (9/23) & Mina Shirakawa (10/1) 
• Mina Shirakawa [6] – MIRAI (9/17), Starlight Kid (9/18), Suzu Suzuki (9/19), Saya Kamitani (9/23), Hanan (9/24), & Natsupoi (10/1) 
• Giulia [11] – Ami Sohrei (9/18), Momo Watanabe (9/23) Saya Kamitani 9(/24) & Suzu Suzuki (10/1)
• MIRAI [10] – Mina Shirakawa (9/17), Saya Kamitani (9/18), Starlight Kid (9/23) & Saya Iida (10/1)
• Ami Sohrei [10] – Giulia (9/18), Suzu Suzuki (9/24) & Saya Kamitani (10/1)
• Momo Watanabe [6] – Suzu Suzuki (9/18), Giulia (9/23), Mayu Iwatani (9/24) & Hazuki (10/1)
• Starlight Kid [6] – Natsupoi (9/17), Mina Shirakawa (9/18), MIRAI (9/23), Saya Iida (9/24), Suzu Suzuki (9/25), & Mayu Iwatani (10/1)
• Suzu Suzuki [2] – Saya Iida (9/17),  Momo Watanabe (9/18), Mina Shirakawa (9/19), Hanan (9/23), Ami Sohrei (9/24), Starlight Kid (9/25) & Giulia (10/1)

Stardom in Showcase 2 (9/25) Belle Salle Hall, Takadanobaba, Tokyo – Results in 10/1 Dream Slam Weekly

• UPDATE! Hardcore Tag Match: Rina Yamashita & Giulia vs. Ruaka & Momo Watanabe 
• Cosmic Rules II End of Summer 3-Way Tag: Tam Nakano & Natsupoi vs. Mina Shirakawa & Unagi Sayaka vs. SAKI & Hikari Shimizu (COLOR’S)
• Falls Count Anywhere Match: AZM vs. Ram Kaichou vs. Mayu Iwatani vs. Maika
• 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Suzu Suzuki [0] vs. Starlight Kid [6] 
• 5★STAR GP 2022 Blue Stars (1/15): Saya Iida [2] vs. Hanan [0]
• Physique Challenge: Giulia vs. Mai Sakurai vs. Saya Iida – with Fan Voting!
• Additional matches to be announced at later dates. 

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

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

New Blood 5 (10/19) Press Conference 1 (9/15)

• Singles Match: Momo Kohgo vs. rhythm (JTO)
• Singles Match: Mai Sakurai vs. Chanyota
• Future of Stardom Championship: Hanan (c) vs. Ami Sohrei

Chanyota showing us her power, with an assist from Rossy Ogawa! pic.twitter.com/sIZoYKkKf7

— We Are Stardom (@we_are_stardom) September 15, 2022

Stardom 2022 Calendar

• 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!
• Stardom in Showcase 3 (11/26) Todoroki Arena, Kawasaki City
• Stardom Dream Queendom 2022 (12/29) Ryogoku Sumo Hall

TJPW

Results: INSPIRATION (9/10) ShinKiba 1st Ring

• Singles Match (1/15): Pom Harajuku defeated Neko Haruna (8:56)
• Tag Match (1/20): CMLL (Dalys & Stephanie Vaquer) defeated Shojo Nakajima & Moka Miyamoto (11:43) – Dalys pinned Moka with La Magistral
• Tag Match (1/20): Magical Sugar Rabbits (Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki) defeated Pokotan & Demonio Uno (12:28) – Yuka pinned Uno after a Magical Girl Splash
• Main Event (1/20): Miyu Yamashita defeated Arisu Endo (14:04) with a Skull Kick

Results: AUTUMN TOUR ’22 (9/16) Shinjuku FACE

The show opened with the announcement that the main event: Suzume vs. Miu Watanabe would decide the number one contender for Alex Windsor’s International Princess Championship defense at Wrestle Princess III

• 6-Woman Tag Match (1/20): Hikari Noa, Nao Kakuta & Kaya Toribami defeated Yuki Aino, Raku & Pom Harajuku (10:50) – Hikari pinned Pom with a Blizzard Suplex
• Three Way Match (1/20): Hyper Misao defeated Neko Haruna and Neko Haruna? (7:45) – CHECK
• Singles Match (1/15): Hikari Noa defeated Mahiro Kiryu (9:57)
• Semi-Final Tag Match (1/20): Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki defeated Shojo Nakajima & Arisu Edo (12:46) with Yuka pinning Arisu after Magical Merry-go-Round
• Main Event: International Princess Number One Contenders Match (1/30): Miu Watanabe defeated Suzume (13:09) 

What I liked about affording Miu Watanabe and Suzume this opportunity was they were two of the four semi-finalists in this year’s Tokyo Princess Cup, so even though both came up short in the end, their hard work did not go unnoticed!

The Road to Wrestle Princess III (10/9)

• Princess Tag Championships: Reiwa AA Canon (Saki Akai & Yuki Arai) vs. The Uprising (Nightshade & Rhia O’Reilly) – 10th Champion’s 2nd Defense
• International Princess Championship: Alex Windsor (c) vs. Miu Watanabe – 8th Champion’s 2nd defense
• Princess of Princess Championship: Shoko Nakajima (c) vs. Yuka Sakazaki – 10th Champion’s 5th Defense
• Scheduled to appear: Max The Impaler, Riho & More!

TJPW 2022 Calendar

• Autumn Tour ‘22 (9/24) – Ryogoku KFC Hall
• Wrestle Princess III: (10/9) Tokyo Dome City Hall -> Full Event Report!
• Dream Pro-Wrestling Dream on the Ring (10/14) Shinjuku FACE
• Autumn Tour ‘22 (10/21) – Fukushima
• Play TJPW 7 (WRESTLE UNIVERSE MEMBERS ONLY! Special Show) (10/24) Kitazawa Town Hall
• 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

【Tシャツデザイン完成！！！】

SHOPZABUNにて

野崎渚 カレンダーポートレート
野崎渚AID Tシャツ 販売中！！！

受注生産の為
締切は22日となります！

▼SHOPZABUNhttps://t.co/vZbyKUCfyZ

#wavepro #NOZAID pic.twitter.com/tWlIZUr93d

— プロレスリングWAVE公式 (@P_W_WAVE) September 16, 2022

WAVE is raising funds for their former champion, Nagisa Nozaki, who recently had knee surgery! T-shirts are available for order until 9/22, but it seems payment is only accepted via JP bank transfer, so getting one might be a bit of a challenge!

Today! Detras de Lazona (vol. 5) (9/17) DIANA Dojo 

• Noise WAVE (1/15): Yumi Ohka vs. Itsuki Aoki
• Power WAVE (1/15): Yuki Miyazaki vs. Rina Amikura
• Gokigen WAVE (1/15): Kyusei Sakura Hirota vs. Kaori Yoneyama
• Future WAVE (1/15): COHAKU vs. Hikari Shimizu (COLOR’S)

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

• Lucha WAVE (1/15): COHAKU vs. Dalys (CMLL)
• Remember Toshi! YELL!! Men’s WAVE!? (1/20): Body Guard & Mikiya Sasaki vs. Naoki Tanizaki & Ryota Nakatsu
• DUAL SHOCK WAVE ~ WAVE Tag Team Championship (1/23): SAKI & Hikari Shimizu vs. Miyuki Takase & Haruka Umesaki – Champion’s first title defense

Upcoming Shows

• NAMI 1 OCT ‘22 (10/1) Shinjuku FACE
• 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

Wild One Pro-Wrestling (10/1-2/22)

Complete details on this special event produced by Minoru Suzuki are available in last week’s DSW!

Day One Card (10/1)

• Loser Gives Up Their Ring Name Three Way Match: Kikutaro vs. Rocky Kawamura 2 vs. Kaji Tomato
• New Yokohama Intergender Monster Battle: Daisuke Sekiguchi vs. Hiroyo Matsumoto
• Wild One Special Tag Match: Minoru Suzuki & TAKA Michinoku vs. Hikaru Sato & Yuki Sakaguchi

Day Two Card (10/2)

• Special Singles Match: Kikutaro vs. Rocky Kawamura 2
• Gatoh Move Special Tag Match: Mei Suruga & Baliyan Akki vs. Emi Sakura & Sayaka
• Pro-Wrestling Wild One Special Three Way Match: Minoru Suzuki vs. Hikaru Sato vs. Jun Kasai

YMZ Gokigenna Wrestling!

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

• Tag Match: Kaori Yoneyama & Yuna Mizumori vs. Makoto & Matsuzawa-san
• 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

Next Event: YMZ Autumn Festival 2022 (9/28) ShinKiba 1st Ring

• Gokigenna Showdown! YMZ (Kaori Yoneyama, Hikaru Sato & Makoto with Matsuzawa-san) vs. Marvelous (Takumi Iroha, Rin Kadokura & Leo Izaka)
• NEW! Singles Match: ASUKA vs. Haruka Umesaki (DIANA)
• NEW! Tag Match: Kengo Mashimo & Shinno Hagane vs. Minoru Fujita vs. Yasu Urano
• Announced Participants: Kakeru Sekiguchi, Yuna Mizumori, Chie Ozora, Tsubasa Kuragaki, Rina Yamashita, Yuu
• Additional matches to be announced at a later date.

YMZ 2022 Calendar

• Gokigenna Kawasaki☆26 (9/30) Post di Amistad, Kawasaki

Tsubasa Fiesta! Tsubasa Kuragaki’s 25th Anniversary Show will be held at ShinKiba 1st Ring on November 13th (Sunday). Scheduled talents include Tsubasa Kuragaki, Kaori Yoneyama, Yuu Yamagata & Chikayo Nagashima. More talent to be announced later. Tickets available through YMZ Pro.

Meanwhile in the US…

WWE

• DamageCTRL become WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions!? Dakota Kai and IYO SKY (w/Bayley) defeated Aliyah & Raquel Rodriguez (Monday Night RAW; 9/12) – while I am thrilled for them, it just seems silly to course correct after having them lose during the tournament.

AEW Dark #161 (taped 9/2; Aired: 9/13/22)

• Tag Match: Queen Aminata & Skye Blue defeated Diamante & Emi Sakura (with Baliyan Akki)

AEW Dark: Elevation #80 (taped 9/7/22; Aired: 9/12/22)

• Singles Match: Athena defeated Emi Sakura
• Singles Match: Hikaru Shida defeated Christina Marie (2:11)

AEW Goes to TGS22! With the upcoming launch of their video game, AEW held some exhibition matches at the Tokyo Game Show, one of the largest video game showcases in the world. This was in conjunction with THQ Nordic. It is uncertain if these exhibition matches will be made available on AEW’s YouTube or if they are just a special treat for those in attendance at TGS!

(9/16)

• Christopher Daniels (AEW) defeated Chris Brookes (DDT)
• Ryo Mizunami vs. Hikari Noa (TJPW)
• Christopher Daniels (AEW) vs. Konosuke Takeshita (DDT/AEW)

(9/17)

• Singles Match: Konosuke Takeshita vs. Chris Brookes
• Singles Match: Riho vs. Hikari Noa
• Singles Match: Yuki Ueno (DDT) vs. Michael Nakazawa (DDT/AEW)
• Tag Match: Christopher Daniels and Ryo Mizunami vs. Konosuke Takeshita & Yuka Sakazaki

Karen’s Special Homeroom

Homework: None this week! I’d recommend checking out Garden State Pro-Wrestling’s Dynasty Clash! While the card was longer than I expected, it was a great new promotion to add to my queue.

International Joshi Learning Excursion!

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!

FIELD TRIPS – Please say hello if you see me at a show!

• NEXT: NJPW Royal Quest 2 (10/1-2) – Crystal Palace Indoor Arena, London, England
• NJPW Rumble on 44th Street & The Night Before (10/27-28) – Palladium Times Square, NYC, NY

EVENT REPORT SCHEDULE – Additional big events to be added later. 

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

DSW Projects – Submit your suggestions here! (POST Forum | Google Form)

• “Hey, Karen-Sensei…” Mailbag – Ask Me *ALMOST* Anything
• POST Bring the Matches Challenge – Send me your must-see match recommendations for September 2022
• Live Show Diaries – Traveling is one of my favorite things, and I want to share the “out of my house” joshi learning excursion experience, too!

September 2022 Deadline: September 29, 2022 by NOON ET for DSW 10/1

Thanks for reading! Have a lovely week!