Daisuke Sekimoto continues to progress in his recovery after suffering a scary in-ring injury last week.
Sekimoto, one of the hardest-hitting wrestlers in Japan, was competing in a six-man tag match for Big Japan Pro Wrestling in Tokyo on May 29 when the injury happened. He went down after taking a swinging DDT, and the match had to be stopped and Sekimoto was stretchered out. Thankfully, Sekimoto was able to return home from the hospital that day while only experiencing some temporary numbness in his arms and neck.
Big Japan shared a new update with fans today after Sekimoto underwent a follow-up evaluation on June 2. It was determined that Sekimoto suffered a low-grade cervical spine injury, but he is not experiencing any paralysis or muscle weakness. A decision on when Sekimoto will be able to return to the ring will be made in two weeks after another evaluation.
“On the day of the match, he suffered damage to his neck bones from the front, causing cervical vertebrae to be injured. He was diagnosed with a traumatic cervical spine injury. Current status: No paralysis. No muscle weakness,” Big Japan wrote.
“The grade of the cervical spine injury is low and is considered to be similar to a concussion, but after discussion between the doctor, the wrestler himself, and [Big Japan] President Eiji Tosaka, it has been decided that an additional examination will be conducted in two weeks to check the degree of recovery of the cervical spine and a decision will be made at that time.”
There are no restrictions on Sekimoto’s daily life, and he is able to train as long as it does not put strain on his neck. Sekimoto said that, for now, the only training he will be doing is to stay in shape and relieve stress.
Sekimoto, 44, made his wrestling debut in 1999. In addition to competing for Big Japan, he’s made international appearances during his career for promotions like wXw, PWG, Evolve, and Chikara.
A scary moment took place at a Big Japan Pro Wrestling show on Thursday with Daisuke Sekimoto having to be taken to the hospital after suffering an injury during a match.
Sekimoto was teaming with Ryuji Ito & Abdullah Kobayashi against Yuuki Miyamoto, Ryota Hama & Andy Wu at Korakuen Hall when the injury happened. Tokyo Sports writes that, after Sekimoto was given a swinging DDT, he went down and the referee had to call off the match. Sekimoto was then stretchered out.
The company announced during the show that Sekimoto had been rushed to the hospital but was conscious and able to move his limbs.
"Sekimoto was rushed to the hospital. His limbs are moving and his consciousness is clear. This is what we know now. Thank you“
Big Japan later shared an update on social media informing fans that Sekimoto will return home today and continue to be evaluated. He is experiencing numbness in his arms and neck that is believed to be temporary. Scans showed no abnormalities, and Big Japan says there is no suspicion of a spinal cord injury.
“As a result of a medical examination at a hospital in Tokyo, there were no abnormalities in the CT or MRI, and there is no suspicion of spinal cord injury,” the update said. “He currently feels numbness in his arms and neck, but all muscles are strong and the numbness seems to be temporary. He will return home today and future treatment will be done after consultation at a hospital in Yokohama.”
The 44-year-old Sekimoto is a standout wrestler and one of Japan’s hardest hitters in the ring. While based in Big Japan, he’s made some global appearances over the years for promotions like wXw, PWG, Evolve, and Chikara.
BOLA is taking place at the Globe Theatre in Los Angeles next month. It’s a three-show tournament, with the first night set for Thursday, September 19. The second night is on Friday, September 20, and the tournament will then conclude on Sunday, September 22.
If PWG World Champion Jeff Cobb doesn’t win BOLA, the winner will get a future shot at his title.
Here are some quick results and notes from this morning’s Giant Baba Memorial show, which took place at Sumo Hall.
Antonio Inoki came out and said some words to start the show, ending with his catch phrase.
Mitsuo Momota won the Giant Baba Memorial battle royal
This was largely a comedy match as I think most of the people in this match can’t really take anything that would be considered a bump. Stalker Ichikawa came in at one point but eliminated himself after falling off the ropes. It ended up boiling down to Masao Inoue and Mitsuo Momota, the son of Giant Baba’s trainer Rikidozan, with Momota reversing a roll-up for the win.
Tomoaki Honma, Yuji Okabayashi, Naoya Nomura and Ren Narita defeated Daichi Hashimoto, Kazushi Miyamoto, Tomohiko Hashimoto and Takuya Nomura
Just kind of a match, nothing more. Daichi came out to his father’s theme song. Okabayashi submitted Nomura with a torture rack.
Atsushi Onita, Hideki Hosaka, Kendo Kashin and Hideki Suzuki defeated Great Kojika, Mitsuya Nagai, Shuji Ishikawa and Hikaru Sato
Onita’s team was seconded by Freddy Kruger, which if you remember used to be Doug Gilbert under a mask. Don’t know who was under the mask here. He helped set up a table for his team at one point. Onita went into a barbed wire board set up in the corner. Hideki Suzuki picked up the win with a suplex, pinning Hikaru Sato.
The retirement ceremony of Abdullah the Butcher followed. He came to the ring wheelchair-bound, assisted by Joel Deaton. People came out and shared photos from his career and gave him flowers. Mil Mascaras, Dos Caras, Tiger Mask (Satoru Sayama), Jun Akiyama, Keiji Mutoh, Seiji Sakaguchi, Stan Hansen and Dory Funk Jr, all came out and took pictures.There were also messages from the Destroyer (who said his doctors would not allow him to travel to Japan) and Minoru Suzuki.
Butcher said he wished Giant Baba was here, and mentioned how one of his friends passed away recently. He says he wants all the young kids out there to not put their parents in homes because someday they’ll get old themselves. They then did the ten bell salute.
Taichi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Taka Michinoku defeated Masa Fuchi, Yoshiaki Fujiwara and Yuma Aoyagi
This was a fun match, not anything special technically but the crowd got super into it when Fuchi was tagged in. Aogi looked really good when he was in. Taichi distracted the referee, low blowed Fuchi then cradled him for the win.
SANADA and BUSHI defeated Jake Lee and Koji Iwamoto and Ayato Yoshida and Shota Umino
This was a good sprint, with everyone looking good. Kinda short, though. BUSHI misted Iwamoto and SANADA put Lee in the paradise lock, then pinned Umino with the moonsault.
Naomichi Marufuji and Jinsei Shinzaki defeated Masaaki Mochizuki and Shun Skywalker
This was good. Marufuji was great, Shinzaki held his own and the Dragon Gate guys picked up the pace big time. Skywalker looked really athletic in spots, which was probably the goal. Marufuji and Mochizuki had a really great exchange towards the end, with Marufuji picking up the win with a cradle.
Jun Akiyama, Taiyo Kea and Takao Omori defeated Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata and Omasu Nishimura
A good match, with everyone looking pretty good and a hot crowd. Akiyama pinned Nishimura with the exploder suplex.
Mil Mascaras and Dos Caras defeated NOSAWA and Kaz Hayashi
Mil Mascaras (76) was not moving good at all and rarely left his feet. Dos Caras (67) actually moved real well and did some good grappling at the start with Hayashi. Mascaras did, in fact, go to the top rope slowly and hit what would be considered a crossbody press for the win.
Kento Miyahara and Daisuke Sekimoto defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi and Yoshitatsu
Miyahara came out wearing the original three Triple Crown titles. This was definitely a pro-Miyahara crowd, so Yoshitatsu and Tanahashi worked as the heels, preventing Miyahara from tagging in Sekimoto. He eventually did run wild. Miyahara got the win over Yoshitatsu with a German suplex into a bridge. This was a pretty good main event; the interactions between Miyahara and Tanahashi were really good and the work by Sekimoto and Yoshitatsu were well done too. Not blowaway great, but a fun match.
Miyahara cut a promo after the match as Tanahashi got up and they both said their catchphrases. All four raised each other’s hands as the rest of the card came out for the Giant Baba memorial ceremony. Johnny Ace, Ricky Steamboat and Ric Flair sent videotaped messages. They then rang the bell ten times as the show ended.
I’d say this was a fun event. Some of the wrestling wasn’t that great, but most of it was solid. Seeing the older faces live was fun, and the idea of everyone coming together for a show like this was really cool.
Here are results from this afternoon’s EVOLVE 103 event in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The show started with the announcement that Travis Banks and Darby Allin are injured and would be replaced by Mark Haskins and Tracy Williams, respectively. Jarek 1:20 came out and said that since he injured Allin on Thursday at EVOLVE 102 that he should get the spot. Lenny Leonard said no, so Jarek vowed to injure more people.
– FIP champion Austin Theory defeated Keith Lee for the WWN championship in a title vs. title match
Good match up here with Lee overpowering Theory yet still being thrown around by Theory himself. Impressive strength by Theory being able to spin Lee in the three seconds around the world slam and his TKO. A late ref bump allowed Theory to hit a low blow and his finish to become the new WWN Champion and earn a spot at WWE Axxess tomorrow defending the title.
– Timothy Thatcher defeated Dominic Garrini (w/Stokely Hathaway)
Vicious sprint here that was won by Thatcher decisively after a butterfly suplex.
– AR Fox defeated Jason Kincaid, Chris Brookes, and DJZ in a four way bout
Jarek 1:20 ran out during DJZ’s entrance and attacked Kincaid, but Kincaid ran him off. Action all over the place with dives and creative multi person moves. Fox landed the fox catcher (450 splash) for the victory.
– Chris Dickinson defeated Mark Haskins
A gritty battle that had a lot of time, quality mat wrestling and brawling between these two vets. Dickinson targeted the leg and after a few submission attempts was able to force the tap with an Indian death lock.
– WALTER defeated Tracy Williams
The most physical match of the day, chops, and strikes by the huge hands of WALTER were taken by the valiant Williams. Tracy caught Walter a few times with big moves but it just wasn’t enough. WALTER wrapped Hot Sauce in a clutch for the submission
– Munenori Sawa defeated Jaka
Incredible hand speed by Sawa with his strikes despite all the time off he’s had in recent years. Jaka kept attacking and kept Sawa fighting out of submission attempts. It broke down in to a slug fest late with Sawa delivering hard punches to the skull of The Savage. Sawa was able to lock in the octopus hold and force the submission.
Post match attack by The End results in Catch Point getting back on the same page as Tracy Williams saved Stokely Hathaway and helped run off The End with Dickinson and Jaka
– EVOLVE Champion Matthew Riddle defeated Daisuke Sekimoto to retain the title
An absolute war here between these two men. Before the match Riddle declared that all EVOLVE title matches would be held with no rope breaks, which have been his specialty lately. This hoss fight had everything you would expect with chop exchanges, power moves and submission escapes thanks the the ropes. Sekimoto was winning the strike exchanges late so Riddle hit a flurry of knees and hammer fists which caused the ref stoppage to retain his title.
Sekimoto got a standing ovation from the crowd to close out the show.
In terms of producing high-end in-ring action in New Orleans for WrestleMania weekend, WWN has played the best hand so far with the surprise announcement that Big Japan’s Daisuke Sekimoto will be one of their featured wrestlers for their EVOLVE events and the WWN Supershow.
While the likes of Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenny Omega will draw more headlines as part of other shows, Sekimoto is a far better bet when it comes to potentially delivering some classic matches that week.
For those unfamiliar, Sekimoto is one of the best wrestlers in the world. He has been for at least a decade. He blends jaw-dropping power offense with a throwback style and an ability to weave subtle stories into a match. Most importantly for a live crowd, particularly one unfamiliar with him, is that he carries an immense aura and physical charisma which has seen him get over instantly in front of all kinds of crowds over the years. From wXw to CHIKARA to any number of promotions in Japan, Sekimoto has fans in the palm of his hand minutes into most matches. On top of all that, he never takes it easy and always gives 100 percent with incredible fire shown in his performances.
In terms of wrestlers I’ve seen live, the best comparison I can give to him is that he was like a blend of Kenta Kobashi and Bryan Danielson. He commands your attention like Kobashi, and then he takes you on a rollercoaster ride like Danielson. Needless to say, if you can get to one of the events he’s on, you need to — particularly if he’s paired off with someone who knows him well like WALTER or Zack Sabre Jr.
Here are some of Sekimoto’s best bouts from his home promotion BJW and other companies in his homeland. Check these out and you’ll probably be willing to swim to New Orleans to see the great man in action!
vs. Kento Miyahara (Triple Crown Championship, AJPW 2016)
A gem of a World title match with Sekimoto coming off winning the Champion Carnival as an outsider. They cut a heck of a pace, and Sekimoto poses all kinds of questions at the then-dominant champion. Really well worked and executed.
vs. Hideki Suzuki (Strong World Championship, BJW 2017)
Two title matches in March of this year. Both need to be watched to see how brilliantly they weave an intricate story into the bouts. For fans of intense old school mat wrestling, these are must-see.
vs. Yuji Okabayashi (Strong World Championship, BJW 2015)
A bona fide epic on the biggest BJW show of all time, their Sumo Hall debut. Sekimoto puts over his protege in a terrific bout.
w/ Okabayashi vs. Twin Towers (BJW Tag Titles, BJW 2015)
One of the craziest tag matches I’ve ever seen — a 30-minute war. Sekimoto and Okabayashi get a rare chance to play underdog and their fighting spirit comes through in spades).
w/ Okabayashi vs. Hama/Soya (All Asia Tag Titles, BJW 2011)
There’s a lot going on in this match, but what makes it so fun is seeing Sekimoto try to deal with former Sumo wrestler Hama. They have great chemistry. Super heated inter-promotional match.
WWN is bringing in an outside name for a few of their WrestleMania week shows.
After Gabe Sapolsky hyped him up as someone he’s been trying to book for years, it was announced today that Daisuke Sekimoto will be wrestling at EVOLVE shows on April 5th and 6th and the WWN Supershow on the 6th in Louisiana. Sekimoto will be in action exclusively at those events, which will take place at the Pontchartrain Center.
Sekimoto, who received votes for Most Outstanding Wrestler in the 2016 Observer awards and in years past, wrestles for Big Japan Pro Wrestling, as well as AJPW and other promotions. His matches for WWN will be the first time he’s appeared stateside in several years. No opponents for him have been announced yet.
EVOLVE will be going against a Revolution Pro Wrestling show on April 6th, with Hiroshi Tanahashi previously confirmed for RevPro. Tanahashi (along with Kenny Omega) is also scheduled for ROH’s Supercard of Honor XII on April 7th in New Orleans.
