Tag: DDT

Japanese pro wrestling reps attend government coronavirus meeting

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Representatives from seven Japanese promotions joined together today to take part in a government meeting regarding how the coronavirus pandemic has affected the professional wrestling industry in Japan.

The meeting included representatives from NJPW, Stardom, AJPW, DDT, Pro Wrestling NOAH, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, and World Women’s Wrestling Diana. They met with Hiroshi Hase, the former pro wrestling star who now serves as Japan’s Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology.

Here’s the list of those who attended the meeting:

  • Hiroshi Hase (lower house minister, Liberal Democratic Party)
  • Sports Board, Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry Representative (unnamed)
  • Takaaki Kidani (Company director, Bushiroad Group)
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi (New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
  • Naoki Sugabayashi (Chairman, New Japan Pro-Wrestling)
  • Suwama (All Japan Pro-Wrestling)
  • Takenori Fukuda (Representative Director, All Japan Pro-Wrestling)
  • HARASHIMA (DDT Pro-Wrestling)
  • Akira Takahashi (Operating Executive, DDT Pro-Wrestling)
  • Naomichi Marufuji (Executive Vice President, NOAH Global Entertainment)
  • Masashi Ishiguro (Head of Public Relations, NOAH Global Entertainment)
  • Mayu Iwatani (STARDOM)
  • Katsuhiko Harada (Representative Director, Bushiroad Fight)  
  • Yuka Sakazaki (Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling)
  • Tetsuya Kouda (Representative, Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling)
  • Kyoko Inoue (World Women’s Wrestling Diana)
  • Taishi Fuwa (World Women’s Wrestling Diana)

NJPW wrote that the representatives met with Hase “with the goal of presenting a request for coronavirus testing kits for wrestlers and staff in the industry, as well as support to cover pay for wrestlers as events have canceled under Japan’s current state of emergency in reaction to the virus.” The formal proposal is available below:

The current Novel Coronavirus pandemic has seriously affected the entire professional wrestling industry, including but not limited to Bushiroad Group members New Japan Pro-Wrestling and STARDOM. 

Professional wrestling is a contact sport, and even matches without the public present is a dangerous undertaking in the current climate. We can not allow the flame of professional wrestling that has burned brightly in this country for over half a century to be exterminated. 

Therefore, we hereby make the following requests:

1. Testing kits

While we understand that top priority for medical supplies must go to those in centers on the front lines of battling this disease, if at all possible, we request that kits may be supplied to test and protect wrestlers and staff within the industry.

2.Compensation for contracted wrestlers

Not only the wrestlers under contract in our group of companies, but those in the industry at large are designated as contractors whose livelihood is therefore threatened by not being able to perform in the current climate. We ask that contracted wrestlers be met with benefits and protections befitting of full time employees.

“This formal proposal has my name signed at the bottom, but the issues covered are ones that affect the entire professional wrestling industry as well as all of sports and live entertainment,” Kidani said. “I hope that it will be accepted as such.”

NJPW’s article about the meeting said that Hase received the proposal before seeking the opinion of the wrestlers who were there. Hiroshi Tanahashi said:

While events have been canceled, our wrestlers have been training diligently and maintaining their focus for an eventual return. Yes, not being able to wrestle does make a lot of us concerned for our livelihoods, but in the world of sports, be that baseball, soccer, or sumo, I feel that professional wrestling should be the anchor. I think it should be acceptable for professional wrestling to be the last sport to return to full activity. I want people to know that when professional wrestling is back, then and only then it means truly that Japanese entertainment has properly recovered.

Mayu Iwatani said:

On a personal note, on February 19, I was scheduled to have a birthday party event, which was canceled. On March 8, we streamed a live event with no fans in Korakuen Hall, but since then there have been cancellations after cancellations. We list our occupations as professional wrestlers, but to not have matches is, of course, incredibly frustrating. If we have access to testing kits for wrestlers and staff, it can put minds at ease and help us return to active duty. Rather than sitting and waiting for an unclear point in the future, to be able to take some kind of action like we’re doing today is something I’m extremely grateful for. I hope this can help the entire industry come back strong.

The sports board representative spoke about precautions sports have taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and about a fundraising system where ticket refunds can be given back to organizations as a tax deductible donation. Hase was also quoted as saying:

Thank you to the representatives of the professional wrestling industry for sharing their plight, as well as for the explanations from official bodies today. There are measures we can enact to assist enterprises, promotions and wrestlers during these times, and I would like to continue to discuss them further. This situation will not last forever. Speedy and accurate testing, effective treatment and medicinal development are all things the whole world is working together on. Professional wrestling has a huge and very important role in raising the flag of victory over COVID-19. I ask all staff members and all wrestlers to keep working to be in the best shape possible to spread joy to the fans with incredible matches very soon.

Kenny Omega announced for DDT Wrestle Peter Pan

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Kenny Omega is returning to DDT later this year.

It was announced tonight during DDT’s Into The Fight event that Kenny Omega would be appearing at Wrestle Peter Pan, DDT’s biggest event of the year, on June 7 at the Saitama Super Arena. This would mark the first time Omega has appeared for the promotion since November 3, when he teamed with Riho to defeat Antonio Honda and Miyu Yamashita.

Omega has previously said in the past that his AEW contract allows him to work dates in Japan. Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley also are allowed to work Japan under their AEW contracts, as both work dates for New Japan Pro Wrestling.

Hangman Page and Omega, are the current AEW Tag Team champions. They will defend their titles against the Young Bucks next Saturday at Revolution.

Top matches from tonight’s DDT card include Chris Brookes defeating Konosuke Takeshita for the DDT Universal title and champion Masato Tanaka defeating MAO to retain the KO-D Openweight title.

Pro Wrestling NOAH acquired by DDT owners Cyber Agent

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Pro Wrestling NOAH has been acquired by Cyber Agent, the same company that has owned DDT since 2017.

The news was announced Tuesday morning by Tokyo Sports with Cyber Agent later confirming. A press conference was held Wednesday with more details concerning the acquisition:

– Under the deal, DDT owner Shanshiro Takagi will now serve as president of Pro Wrestling NOAH, while longtime wrestler Naomichi Marufuji will act as vice president.

– The two promotions will continue to run as separate entities, but will partner with one another for cross-promotion.

– NOAH’s show in Korakuen Hall Thursday morning, the final day of this year’s NOAH junior heavyweight league, will be airing live for free on DDT Universe, the company’s online streaming service.

The current plan is to stream NOAH shows on both DDT Universe and Abema TV, a streaming service owned by Cyber Agent. Abema will air NOAH shows starting in February. However, their service is not available to international viewers.

Kenny Omega returning to DDT for Ultimate Party 2019

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Kenny Omega is returning to DDT later this year.

DDT has announced that Omega will team with Riho in a tag match against Antonio Honda & Miyu Yamashita at Ultimate Party 2019. The show is taking place at Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, November 3.

Omega sent out a tweet where he called DDT “my home before most knew or cared about Kenny Omega.” He wrote that Riho was his first partner — even before “him” (Kota Ibushi), Honda is one of his greatest rivals, and he wants to see what Yamashita’s got.

Omega also made an appearance via video at a DDT show this March. He teased appearing in-person in the future.

This will be Omega’s first match for DDT since he departed the promotion in 2014.

Omega is facing PAC at AEW All Out next Saturday (August 31). PAC is the replacement for Jon Moxley, with Moxley unable to wrestle at the pay-per-view because a serious case of MRSA has returned in his elbow.

Riho vs. Hikaru Shida is also set for All Out. Dave Meltzer reported that the winner will advance to the match to crown the first AEW Women’s Champion. The inaugural AEW Women’s Champion will be crowned on the promotion’s TNT premiere on October 2.

AEW notes: Kenny Omega video at DDT show, Jim Ross update

Posted on by Joseph Currier

– A video from Kenny Omega aired as a surprise at this morning’s DDT show.

The show featured Michael Nakazawa’s “farewell” to DDT, with it being announced on Being the Elite earlier this month that Nakazawa is joining All Elite Wrestling. In his video, Omega said those at AEW never forget where they came from. He announced that Nakazawa will still be allowed to work with DDT and said he’s sure the fans will see Nakazawa in DDT again.

Omega also teased potentially appearing for DDT in the future, saying “And — who knows, maybe in the future you’ll even see me too.”

DDT was Omega’s home promotion prior to him signing with NJPW in 2014.

– Jim Ross appeared on ESPN’s Outside the Lines today and was asked if he’d be joining AEW. “I don’t know. We’re talking — we’re talking,” Ross said. “I just haven’t signed anything yet. My people and their people are doing their thing.”

Ross also discussed why he’s leaving WWE. He said WWE wasn’t using him very much, he feels like he has some great years left, and he needs to get out of the house, be involved, and be on the road and around people.

Ross’ contract with WWE expires at the end of this month.

DDT, wXw coming to the US for WrestleMania weekend

Posted on by Bryan Rose

wXw and DDT will both be coming to the US during WrestleMania weekend.

They will be a part of the WWNLive Experience, a group of collective shows that will take place at the La Boom nightclub in Queens, New York during WrestleMania weekend. Other promotions under the WWN banner will also run shows, including EVOLVE, SHIMMER, Kaiju Big Battel and their annual Supershow: Mercury Rising event. This is the first time DDT will run a show in the United States, while wXw previously ran shows in Philadelphia and New Jersey in 2010 and 2011.

Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) is considered one of the bigger independent promotions in Japan, offering a more comedy-focused approach to professional wrestling. Their current champion is Danshoku Dino, who defeated Meiko Satomura for the KO-D Openweight championship in a triple threat match that also included Shigehiro Irie this past weekend.

Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) is known to be one of the top wrestling promotions in Germany since their formation in 2000. Their champion is Absolute Andy, who defeated Ilja Dragunov last month in Oberhausen.

Scheduling and ticket information for the WWNLive events during WrestleMania weekend has yet to be announced. 

DDT Universe: What you need to know about the new streaming service

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Streaming services are all the rage in pro wrestling. We have the WWE Network, of course, along with smaller services like Stardom World or New Japan World. Now, DDT and its network of promotions have launched their own streaming service called DDT Universe.

Launching last night, there’s already tons of content up on the site, featuring movies dedicated to the Ironman Championship, a prestigious belt featuring former champions such as a ladder, steel chair, and Vince McMahon’s Hollywood Walk of Fame star, as well as an entire section dedicated to street fighting. Here’s what you need to know:

Wait. So what exactly is DDT?

Dramatic Dream Team is an indie promotion in Japan. They’re more comedy based than other promotions, and feature some truly out there matches that no company anywhere has really tried to emulate, aside from maybe HUSTLE.

In the past, they’ve had weird stipulation matches like a No Cry match (where whoever cries first is the loser) and have even had entire cards take place in camping grounds. In other words, it’s closer to the wackiest moments of Monday Night Raw rather than a New Japan or All Japan show.

Did I mention this promotion is the home of Yoshihiko, the blow up doll? Here it is taking on Kota Ibushi.

How much does it cost?

900 yen, or 7.91 dollars per month as of this writing.

Is DDT the only promotion on the streaming service?

No, you’ll also get content from smaller indie promotions like DNA, BASARA, Tokyo Women’s Pro (all which are child companies of DDT), Ganbare Pro and UNION.

Will they be doing shows live?

Yes! You can check out their schedule here, including start times and dates. They’ll update their schedule at the end of each month. Since they currently have their schedule listed through the end of March, the next update will probably be in April. They have their first show next week, with a ton of live streaming events scheduled for February and March.

How do I sign up?

Check out the link here. Be sure to switch the language of the site to English. You’ll also see “Account Services” on the sidebar, where you can login or register. You can register under “New Name Registration,” where you put in your information and go from there.

I thought this cost money. Why am I getting content for free by just registering?

The first month of DDT Universe will be free. The service will start charging after the month trial is up. When it does, you can use a credit card or Paypal to pay for the site, or do nothing if you’re not into the service.

Anything else I should know?

You can check out the tag section here that has tags for a bunch of wrestlers. Keep in mind that a lot of the content so far seems to be from the last couple of years, so not everything from DDT or its other promotions is on here.

And that’ll do it for DDT Universe! I’ve played around with it thus far and really enjoy what they have up there. Video quality is great and the site is easy enough to figure out without too much hassle. The logo buttons on the right side of the screen could be bigger (they lead to content from each promotion) but otherwise it’s a very well organized collection of videos.

With live streaming starting next Sunday, it’s another great destination for live Japanese wrestling if you’re looking for another streaming service to explore.

Kota Ibushi’s interesting 2016 and unpredictable 2017

Posted on by Zach Dominello

I’ve been thinking a lot about Kota Ibushi lately, but that’s nothing out of the ordinary for yours truly.

But with Wrestle Kingdom 11 fast approaching, I’m reminded of the incredibly awesome match Ibushi had with Shinsuke Nakamura at Wrestle Kingdom 9. Thinking about that match then makes me think about the paths both guys have taken since that night.

Both left New Japan and have worked for WWE with the main difference being that one is currently the face of its “developmental” brand, while the other participated in a couple of tournaments but declined to sign with the promotion. In fact, Ibushi has declined to sign with any promotion.

As I’ve written previously before, I consider what Ibushi is doing to be inspiring, doing pro wrestling his way and on his terms. And though I do still think that’s great, I can’t help but to look at Ibushi’s 2016 and compare it to other New Japan alumni, such as Nakamura and AJ Styles, or even his former tag partner and career rival Kenny Omega, and feel a twinge of disappointment.

The aforementioned three have all had incredible years. Nakamura, while not having his greatest matches, has unsurprisingly gotten over like rover and become the King of NXT Style. Styles has a couple of big wins over John Cena, is the WWE Smackdown champion, and runs the place with his face. And Omega graduated/got promoted/transitioned from junior heavyweight to adult heavyweight in New Japan and is now about to main event this Wednesday against Kazuchika Okada. Main event! Kenny Omega!

So if winning top titles, having high profile and memorable matches, and being elevated to main event status sum up Nakamura, Styles, and Omega’s 2016, what sums up Kota Ibushi’s? He’s made sporadic appearances in WWE, most memorably being the highlight of the Cruiserweight Classic. He’s returned to New Japan to play the role of Tiger Mask W in a dark match. And he rode a bicycle off a ramp, took out Gota Ihashi (his teammate) and landed on his head in a Takoyaki, Ladder & Chairs in DDT (where else?). His arguably highest profile match was a non-televised affair against Bobby Roode in NXT.

None of those accomplishments is in anyway a knock. While his year hasn’t been as impressive and he hasn’t been as “successful” as those others, that’s more or less by his choice. And this is where I, as a huge fan of Ibushi, am torn.

Ibushi chose not to sign with WWE in order to focus on helping Japanese wrestling grow, and I applaud him for making that decision, which I assume wasn’t an easy one. But as a result of not signing to WWE, or any company for that matter, he hasn’t, well, had a very memorable year, with the exception of an awesome bicycle stunt, of course.

He hasn’t been involved in any big feuds, or chased or held any titles. His appearances in promotions have been just that: appearances. His intentions are noble, but besides remaining available, what has he done for Japanese wrestling in 2016?

Like lot of people in their mid-thirties, it may be time Ibushi thinks about settling down. Not as in starting a family and buying a house in suburbs, but as in choosing a promotion to call home. The logical choice, if Ibushi truly wants to help bring about the next Japanese wrestling boom, is New Japan Pro Wrestling.

He will do what makes him happy, and if that means leaving behind a unique, if not unremarkable legacy, so be it. But this is where I play the role of the selfish fan. What about me? What about what I want? I want Ibushi to leave behind a remarkable legacy and to reach his full potential, and making appearances in NJPW, WWE, and DDT just doesn’t cut it. I want feuds with Nakamura for the NXT title. I want his title history in New Japan to say more than IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion and Junior Tag Team champion.

And, so does he:

https://t.co/rljmxNJVoz Ibushi speaks on returning to NJPW, @KennyOmegamanX , Nakamura.. pic.twitter.com/PzxjUszzZv

— chris charlton (@reasonjp) November 22, 2016

I want 2017 to be Ibushi’s year, whether that means becoming a player in the WWE, or having what could be classic programs with the likes of Naito, Omega or Okada in New Japan.

Most importantly, when all is said and done, I want Ibushi to be remembered for what he did in pro wrestling and for pro wrestling, not for what he could have done.

Big Audio Nightmare: Thoughts on the last two weeks of shows in Japan

Posted on by Adam Summers

The oldest show here at F4WOnline.com that doesn’t include A Man Named Vince is back, and we are reinvigorated, with fighting spirit.

Maybe it’s because of the American presidential debate. Maybe it’s the American throw ball game. Either way, we’re pretty sure it’s not Monday Night Raw or the Clash. And on this edition of the original alternate, the topics include, but aren’t limited to, where we stand on the climb of YOSHI-HASHI, Katsuyori Shibattering ram, BUSHI, Kyle O’Reilly Moves Like…, the last few New Japan shows and the company’s direction, DDT’s Osaka Bay Blues, Dragon Gate feeling blue, and the hosts occasionally working blue, NOAHone was there to see the show, FMW, Nick Numbers and the Numeral Posse, continuing unabashed loved for the U-30 pro wres landscape, and much more.

It’s the radio show whose strongest attribute is its temperament, the Adam and Mike BIG AUDIO NIGHTMARE.

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Drama. Tragedy. The Titanic: Just another night in Japan’s DDT promotion

Posted on by Zach Dominello

DDT is a very serious Japanese wrestling promotion full of serious characters and serious matches. If Vader still wrestled today, DDT is where he’d want to work. It’s so serious that it even has the word drama in its name: Dramatic Dream Team. If that doesn’t sound like a serious wrestling promotion, I don’t what does.

Every so often, a match takes place in DDT that’s so serious ans so dramatic, that it would be a tragedy if serious pro wrestling fans around the world missed out on it. One such match recently took place in Tokyo’s legendary Korakuen Hall between the masked Super Sasadango Machine and half Swedish/half Japanese TV personality turned wrestler LiLiCo with the prestigious DDT Extreme Title on the line.

You may have noticed Vader on Twitter in recent weeks talking about how wrestlers should be trying to win their matches, not practicing gymnastics routines. Well, Vader should love Super Sasadango Machine because he takes winning so seriously that before his matches, he gives a PowerPoint presentation to the audience explaining the strategy he’s devised to defeat his opponent.

This time, however, SSM’s PowerPoint was commandeered by LiLiCo, who had a unique strategy of her own.

LiLiCo had devised the perfect plan for countering SSM’s deadly Lehmann Shock DDT, and all she would need is a little help from her accomplice Kouki Watase, the music of Celine Dion, and the Titanic. Yes, the Titanic. Her plan was simple:

Two doomed lovers, LiLiCo Winslet and Leonardo Watase, would meet:

Super Sasadango Machine would get hit by an iceberg/a chair shot to the head:

The two lovers would then share an atsui (hot/passionate) kiss before LiLiCo sinks SSM with a Titanic Cross Body off the top rope/bow of the ship:

Or something like that…

As Super Sasadango Machine knows all too well, sometimes things don’t quite go accordingly to plan, no matter how professional one’s PowerPoint looks. Things started poorly for LiLiCo, who was easily overpowered by SSM. Watase ventured to help his lover, but he was taped to ringpost by SSM’s helper Makato Oishi. Watase finally broke free, but was then taken out by Oishi. Things looked dire for LiLiCo who was outpowered and outnumbered. Oishi tried to sink her dream of becoming the DDT Extreme champion with a chair shot to the head, but missed and accidentally hit SSM.

It was like the Titanic and the iceberg all over again.

Suddenly, Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” starts playing as Leonardo Watase and LiLiCo Winslet both desperately search the ring and the arena for the other, for if they can embrace just one more, LiLiCo’s heart will be able to go on and win the DDT Extreme Title. Finally, they lock eyes, and they meet on the top turnbuckle.

They share one the most passionate kisses Japan has ever seen before LiLiCo leaps off the top rope with a Titanic Cross Body onto the still dazed Super Sasadango Machine. Her plan has worked, but SSM kicks out at two.

Showing ring awareness and skill beyond her experience, LiLiCo stuns SSM with a kick to his little titanics, and hits a devastating Titanic Yoshi Tonic. Super Sasadango Machine goes down with ship as LiLiCo becomes the new DDT Extreme Champion.

Romance, drama, tragedy, and Celine Dion are just some of the things you’ll find in a DDT match. But most importantly, you’ll find very serious wrestling by very serious wrestlers. Because wrestling is serious business, and don’t you forget it.