Tag: japan

Daily Update: CM Punk, AJ Lee, Shinjuku FACE

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • March 9, 2026 Observer Newsletter: More on AEW’s potential future with Paramount, WWE Elimination Chamber review & ratings
  • More on the Paramount purchase of WBD and details of when it goes through, if it goes through and details on how it helps or hurts UFC, AEW and Zuffa Boxing as well as a cost efficiency look at the three properties for 2027 if plans go through as stated.
  • The road to WrestleMania and why Paul Levesque is in a position where it’s impossible for him to do the job people want and impossible for him to fail, business notes on the show, and a look at the Elimination Chamber show, how it did on Netflix, the good and the bad.
  • Preview and updates on AEW Revolution and interest level
  • Odds on upcoming wrestling matches
  • Coverage of the New Japan New Beginning USA show in Trenton with two title changes
  • A look at the Demolition tag team as they go into the WWE Hall of Fame
  • The most detailed look at the ratings of all the pro wrestling TV shows, including demos, competition and comparisons with last year.
  • Johnny TV in the most heated match so far this year with Angel de Oro
  • Why AAA television is so entertaining
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament notes
  • Brothers face off in NOAH jr. tag tournament final
  • New Japan Cup first two days
  • Final night of Fantastica Mania notes
  • Jeff Jarrett documentary
  • Wrestler out of prison starts working on indices this week
  • Real American Freestyle angle
  • Update of the robbery of the Canadian promotion and the Davey Boy Smith Jr. Hall of Fame ring
  • John Laurinaitis wants back in to wrestling
  • 16 Carat Gold weekend in Germany
  • Pro Wrestling Eve has biggest show of its history this week
  • Brodie Lee Jr. first singles match date
  • Steph De Lander talks why she and Mance Warner quit TNA
  • Notes on David Finlay signing with AEW
  • ROH first TV tapings in a studio
  • UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight title updates
  • Lots of new UFC fights
  • Updates on WWE front office news and changes
  • The story behind leaking fast nationals
  • WWE accused of deleting key information in a lawsuit
  • More notes on the WWE deal with Endeavor and how it went down
  • Janel Grant speaks in favor of changing Connecticut law on NDAs
  • Bianca Belair update
  • WWE sends out unchecked email to network subscribers causing a panic
  • Next WWE media deal to be made
  • WWE injury updates
  • Nick Khan sells millions in TKO stock

This Week’s Back Issue

FIRST TIME SUBSCRIBERS GET 50% OFF YOUR FIRST MONTH

Tuesday Update

AJ Lee Elimination Chamber WWE
AJ Lee

 WWE

AEW & Other Wrestling

Japanese wrestling venue announces impending closure

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Shinjuku FACE, a Japanese event hall that has hosted pro wrestling events for the past two decades, is closing its doors later this year.

The Tokyo venue has issued a statement confirming that it will be shutting down when its lease agreement expires at the end of September 2026. Seating several hundred people, the venue is located on the seventh floor of a complex in the Shinjuku area of Tokyo. It’s well-regarded by fans for its setup and has been an important mid-sized venue for Japanese promotions, particularly women’s wrestling ones.

“We regret to announce that Shinjuku FACE will close its doors on September 30, 2026, following the expiration of its long-term building lease agreement,” Shinjuku FACE announced.

“Since opening in 2005, we have been deeply grateful for the patronage and visits of so many guests. We take pride in Shinjuku FACE as a rare entertainment venue worldwide, possessing two distinct faces—a stage and a ring—that transformed its character with each performance.

“It is deeply regrettable that such a facility must close its doors, and we too feel a profound sense of loss. Our entire staff will continue to give our utmost until the final day of operation. We sincerely hope you will enjoy every performance at Shinjuku FACE until the very end.

“We sincerely hope that someday, somewhere, we will have the opportunity to meet you again. We express our deepest gratitude for your patronage thus far, and humbly request your continued support until the very end.”

DDT Pro Wrestling, GLEAT, Dragon Gate, Pro Wrestling NOAH, Marigold, Pro Wrestling WAVE, Zero1, and Tokyo Joshi-Pro are some of the promotions that have events booked at Shinjuku FACE in the coming weeks.

Stardom announces Saya Kamitani injury, reveals title status

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Though she’ll be sidelined for a bit, Saya Kamitani won’t have to vacate her World of Stardom Championship.

Stardom sent out an update last night announcing that Kamitani requires surgery for the finger injury she suffered while facing Starlight Kid on February 7. Kamitani will miss approximately one month of matches but will not have to relinquish the World of Stardom title.

“After conducting a detailed examination of Saya Kamitani’s injury in Osaka on Feb. 7, the decision was made to pursue surgery and minimize further risk. As a result, Saya Kamitani will miss 1 month of in-ring competition, with a return date yet to be announced,” Stardom wrote. “Kamitani will remain World of Stardom Champion in this period. Thank you for your continued support.”

Kamitani was able to finish her match against Starlight Kid despite the injury, though she needed medical attention and had to have her fingers taped. The bout lasted almost 30 minutes with Kamitani retaining the World of Stardom title.

In 2025, Kamitani was one of the best wrestlers in the entire world. She made history by becoming the first women’s wrestler to ever win MVP in the Tokyo Sports Awards.

Stardom also announced that Suzu Suzuki, Saya Iida, and Bea Priestley will miss the promotion’s February 13 show at Korakuen Hall due to injury. The injuries to Suzuki and Priestly were described as “minor,” while Iida is undergoing a follow-up procedure from a previous surgery.

Couple Konosuke Takeshita & Yuka Sakazaki announced for TJPW event

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling is now all set to host their upcoming TJPW Grand Princess 2026 show at Ryōgoku Sumo Hall, and has now officially announced their first match. Earlier today on social media, TJPW pushed out the first match announcement, where AEW star Konosuke Takeshita will team up with his wife, Yuka Sakazaki.

The married couple announced via a social media upload that they will be in action. The couple will take part in a special tag-team against two unnamed opponents. The video segment was recorded last year in December during the AEW Worlds End PPV.

Sakazaki is a TJPW veteran and is a former 3-times Princess of Princess champion. She spent the majority of her career there at the Japanese promotion and is currently an active part of the ROH roster. While Takeshita is one of the top stars in AEW, he is now set to make his TJPW debut.

TJPW Grand Princess 2026 is set to take place on March 29th at Ryōgoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

TJPW Grand Princess 2026 lineup | March 29th, 2026

Currently, TJPW has announced only one match for the show, although several other big names have been announced to be a part of Grand Princess 2026, such as Sareee, Léi Yǐng Lee, Aja Kong, and Super Sasadango Machine.

  • Konosuke Takeshita & Yuka Sakazaki vs two unnamed opponents in a special tag match

DragonKingKarl: December 1985 in wrestling history

Posted on by Karl Stern

Image: WWE

Karl Stern’s ongoing series on the history of pro wrestling on the DragonKingKarl Show has now reached the end of 1985.

The information for this episode is taken from his book DragonKingKarl’s 1984-1985 Pro Wrestling Omnibus. 1985 was a hugely impactful year in wrestling history and in December, the AWA crowned a new World Champion when Stan Hansen defeated Rick Martel. Plus, a major talent situation unfolded in Japan.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

WWE NXT female wrestlers expected to travel overseas in 2026

Posted on by Josh Nason

The female wrestlers from WWE NXT will need to get their passports ready for next year according to our Bryan Alvarez.

Alvarez is reporting that the tentative plan is that like with the male NXT talent working in Pro Wrestling NOAH, the women will also be doing tours of Japan in 2026. He didn’t specify whether that meant NOAH, Marigold or potentially both.

WWE and NOAH have had a working partnership for several years that has seen several main roster talents head to Japan including Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles and Omos (who held the GHC Tag Team titles).

The NXT men have had increased representation over the last year.

Upcoming appearances include former NXT Tag Team Champions Hank Walker & Tank Ledger against Masa Kitamiya and Takashi Sugiura on November 8 at Korakuen Hall for the GHC Tag Team titles. The duo debuted this past Sunday with a win over Alpha Wolf and Dragon Bane to set up the match.

Charlie Dempsey and Harlem Lewis debuted in NOAH last month while Josh Briggs and Tavion Heights took part in last summer’s N1 Victory tournament.

Conversely, Yoshiki Inamura debuted in WWE NXT last November, competing in the promotion through this past August.

Former Marigold referee found dead after bear attack

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Katsumi Sasazaki — a former pro wrestling referee — is believed to have been found dead after a tragic incident in Japan.

The 60-year-old Sasazaki went missing on Thursday while working at a Kitakami hot spring inn. He was cleaning an outdoor bath when an apparent bear attack happened. Police found bloodstains and animal fur at the scene, as well as items belonging to Sasazaki like scattered cleaning tools, his glasses, and slippers.

A search party later found a body believed to be Sasazaki’s in a wooded area near the scene. The search team shot and killed the adult male Asiatic black bear responsible for the attack.

Sasazaki was a referee for All Japan Women’s Wrestling, Zero1, and Marigold during his career.

The Asahi Shimbun publication wrote:

  • Known as ‘Katsumi Tiger,’ the stocky Sasazaki had refereed for a women’s professional wrestling organization until recently and also worked as a bus driver transporting the wrestlers, according to Hideo Arai, 67, president of a Yokohama-based entertainment production company.
  • ‘As a renowned referee, he was a pillar of many ring events,’ Arai said. ‘He had a gentle personality and approached matches with a sincere attitude. I knew he had retired and was working at a hot spring, but how could this happen?‘

Marigold founder Rossy Ogawa posted a tweet expressing his sorrow at the news:

  • Heartbreaking news has come in that the body of Katsumi Sasazaki, who had been missing after being attacked by a bear at a hot spring facility in Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture, has been found.
  • Sasazaki’s final refereeing role was in the Marigold ring. He was a junior from All-Japan Women’s Pro-Wrestling, quiet but dedicated to his work, and had two young daughters. He was supposed to come to the Shin-Kiba event but ended up absent, and we parted without exchanging a single word. Such an end is unimaginable; it can only be described as deeply regrettable and heartbreaking.
  • May he rest in peace.

Japanese wrestler Tomohiko Hashimoto passes away at 47

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Japanese wrestling veteran Tomohiko Hashimoto has passed away at 47 years old following a battle with liver cancer.

His death was announced overnight by Pro Wrestling A-Team, a promotion founded by Hashimoto in 2017. Hashimoto was diagnosed with cancer in 2024 and underwent successful treatment, but he announced this May that the disease had returned and he would need to take a leave of absence from pro wrestling. His final match took place for A-Team in June, with Hashimoto hoping that he would be able to return in the future.

“Tomohiko Hashimoto passed away at 7:55 a.m. on August 5, 2025,” A-Team announced on social media. “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who has supported him. We will provide further updates in the future, but for now, we ask for your understanding in making this announcement.”

Hashimoto got his start in pro wrestling in the 2000s and competed for DDT in the early part of his career. In addition to his pro wrestling work, Hashimoto had some MMA fights including a loss to Alistair Overeem at an Inoki Bom-Ba-Ye event in 2003.

The legendary Atsushi Onita posted a tweet expressing his sadness at Hashimoto’s passing: “Received news of Hashimoto’s passing. A man blessed with a great physique who loved indie wrestling with all his heart. We fought many times, and the techniques he unleashed from his body were incredibly powerful. I pray for his soul to rest in peace.”

Hashimoto was involved in training WWE star IYO SKY, who broke into wrestling as part of Hashimoto’s Team Makehen group.

October 24, 2007 Observer Newsletter: Randy Couture leaves UFC, MMA interest falls in Japan

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

It was barely seven months ago when Randy Couture provided the emotional high point in UFC history when he defeated Tim Sylvia in front of the hottest crowd in company history, winning the heavyweight title just a few months before his 44th birthday.

With his fifth title win, it solidified Couture as perhaps the best fighter in UFC history, but absolutely the most successful in the clutch, and the best representative the company ever had to the public. The company didn’t have television in 2003. Couture as a 40-year-old soft-spoken tough Greco-Roman wrestler as champion in a sport seen in many places as savagery could have been marketed as a hero to middle-aged America. But on 3/3, UFC seemed at a popularity peak.

He was the underdog, as he was in most of his big fights. He was giving up size, power, striking ability and youth to a 6-8 ogre-like man who dwarfed him the day before at weigh-ins. UFC was criticized for making the match.

Subscribers can read this issue here.

Mayu Iwatani announces Stardom departure

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Mayu Iwatani is leaving Stardom.

The former IWGP Women’s Champion confirmed during a press conference on Monday morning that she would be leaving Stardom immediately, and is no longer a member of the roster. Her final match was at Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom on Sunday, losing to Syrui.

During the conference, Iwatani said multiple times that this was a difficult decision to make, saying she had done everything there is to do in Stardom.

Iwatani had been with the promotion since its start in 2011, starting out as a trainee on their debut show. Over time, she became the company’s top star, winning the World of Stardom Championship on two occasions. She had held the IWGP Wormen’s title for 735 days, defeating Mercedes Mone at the 2023 All-Star Grand Queendom event.

A movie based on her memoir called Runaway Wrestler was released last year in Japan.

Another notable Stardom star, Tam Nakano, lost a retirement match to Saya Kamitani in the main event of All-Star Grand Queendom, marking another departure.

ROH Women’s title match set for upcoming Stardom event

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Athena’s next ROH Women’s title match is set.

Following the events of Wrestle Dynasty, Athena agreed to a title match against Thekla at an upcoming Stardom event at Korakuen Hall on January 13. The match was made during backstage interviews made following the International Women’s Cup four-way match.

During the Wrestle Dynasty opener, Thekla prevented Athena from covering stablemate Momo Watanabe. The distraction allowed Watanabe to strike Athena with a baseball bat, eventually giving Watanabe the win, becoming the first-ever International Cup winner and earning a future title match.

Athena and Thekla previously had a confrontation backstage after they teamed together successfully at Stardom New Year Dream on Friday, defeating Tay Melo and Mina Shirakawa. After Athena reiterated that she is the Forever ROH World Champion, Thekla requested a title match, which Athena rejected.

Athena successfully defended the ROH Women’s title last month, defeating Billie Starks at ROH Final Battle. She has been champion for over 750 days, first winning the title from Mercedes Martinez at Final Battle 2022.

Athena wins tag match in Stardom debut, Tay Melo returns to the ring

Posted on by Joseph Currier

ROH Women’s World Champion Athena had a successful debut for Stardom on Friday.

While in Japan ahead of Wrestle Dynasty, Athena had her first-ever match in the country at Stardom New Year Dream 2025, teaming with Thekla to defeat Tay Melo & Mina Shirakawa. The finish was Athena pinning Melo after hitting the O-Face.

Despite their victory, there was dissension between Athena and Thekla. And it looks like Thekla could be challenging Athena for the ROH Women’s World Championship in the near future. They argued backstage after the match and Thekla issued a title challenge to Athena, but Athena turned it down.

“Look here, you’re nothing but trash. A pawn on my chessboard,” Athena told Thekla. “And as far as this goes, you want an opportunity? You want to prove yourself? You want Athena to put you in the spotlight? Absolutely not.”

“We’ll see about that,” Thekla responded.

Athena now heads to the Tokyo Dome for Wrestle Dynasty on January 5, where she will compete against Willow Nightingale, Momo Watanabe, and Persephone in the Women’s International Cup four-way match. The winner receives a title shot of their choosing in either AEW, ROH, Stardom, or CMLL.

Friday’s match was also Melo’s Stardom debut — and it marked her first time back in the ring in nearly two years. It was Melo’s first time wrestling since she and Sammy Guevara welcomed their daughter Luna into the world.

An emotional Melo reacted to her return after the match, tearing up because she was so happy to be back. Melo said she’s “literally in love” with Japan.

Logan Paul says he’s not banned from entering Japan, would go if WWE invited him

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Logan Paul denies that he is banned from entering Japan.

During an interview with Dominik Mysterio on his Impaulsive podcast, the topic of WWE’s recent tour in Japan came up. Mysterio asked if Paul had ever been to Japan. Paul caused controversy in 2017 when he filmed himself next to a suicide victim at Aokigahara Forest and posted the since-deleted footage on his YouTube channel. Paul claimed he didn’t go to WWE’s recent tour in Japan due to prior obligations, and responded when Mysterio asked if he’s allowed to enter the country.

“Yes, I can go to Japan,” Paul said, menitoning that he wasn’t “excommunicado.” Mysterio said that WWE could pull strings for him if needed.

“I’ve never said this before, but my rule was if I went back, I’d like to be invited back. I haven’t gotten the invite yet.”

Paul’s co-host, Mike Majlak, asked who Paul would like to be invited by.

“My best best is the WWE, I’d be a real heel there.”

The discussion ended when Mysterio said that he would be a real heel if he wore the same hat he wore in the controversial video. Paul said that was going too far.

Paul last wrestled for the WWE at SummerSlam, where he lost the United States title to LA Knight.

Netflix releases new trailer for Dump Matsumoto series ‘Queen of Villains’

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new trailer for the upcoming Dump Matsumoto series has been unveiled.

Netflix on Tuesday released the new trailer for The Queen of Villains, which focuses on the life of Matsumoto. The five-part series will premiere on the platform on September 19.

The trailer shows Mastumoto attending All Japan Women shows as a child, wishing one day to wrestle for the promotion while enduring abuse at home. Footage is then shown of Matsumoto adopting her heel persona that became widely known across professional wrestling.

Netflix officially announced the series last month. From the press release:

From the ‘70s to the ‘80s, female pro-wrestling tag teams like “Beauty Pair” (Jackie Sato and Maki Ueda) and “Crush Gals” (Chigusa Nagayo and Lioness Asuka) became national icons. They captivated Japan not only by competing but also by singing and dancing in the ring. On the other side of this was Dump Matsumoto, the sworn rival of the “Crush Gals.” She made all of Japan her enemy, wreaking havoc in and outside of the ring. But once upon a time, young Dump Matsumoto was told she was too kind to be a villain. What events made her one of the most disliked figures in Japanese wrestling history?

Matsumoto began wrestling in 1980 and has continued to wrestle to this day. For her work in All Japan Women, she was among the first inductees into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame in 1996.

WWE uploads full Bayley vs. Meiko Satomura title match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Though it took place at an untelevised show, fans can now watch Bayley and Meiko Satomura’s WWE Women’s Championship match.

The legendary Satomura faced off against Bayley for the first time ever at WWE’s house show in Tokyo on July 27. A Rose Plant earned Bayley the victory as she remained WWE Women’s Champion. After the match, the two competitors showed respect to each other and Bayley left the ring so Satomura could spend a moment with the crowd.

The full match has been uploaded by WWE to their WWE Vault YouTube channel:

Bayley tweeted about the match being uploaded: “Ask and you shall receive! I hope you guys enjoy this as much as I did.”

Three WWE house shows were held in Japan from July 25-27. At the other two events, Bayley, Satomura, Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill defeated IYO SKY, Kairi Sane, Dakota Kai & Tiffany Stratton in eight-woman tag matches. This was the first time WWE has been to Japan since 2019.

Bayley is set to defend her WWE Women’s Championship against Nia Jax at SummerSlam this Saturday. Stratton, who holds the Money in the Bank briefcase, has also been positioned as a threat to Bayley’s title reign. There was a spot during the Bayley vs. Satomura match where Stratton wanted to cash in but was laid out by Satomura.

Satomura has announced that she will retire from in-ring competition in April 2025. That month marks the 30th anniversary of her pro wrestling debut. Satomura has been signed to WWE since joining NXT UK as a wrestler and coach in 2021. She also runs the Sendai Girls promotion in Japan.