Tag: njpw

Around the World of Pro Wrestling (5/12/26): NJPW and OVW

🎙️ Rundown — NJPW & OVW

Presented by Ed & Gordon.

🟦 DESK INTRO

Ed: “Fans, the action from Japan to Louisville has been hotter than a depot stove this past week! New Japan rolled through Wrestling Dontaku and into the Road to Dominion, while OVW kept the Davis Arena rocking with Rise and Overdrive!”

Gordon: “Indeed. A most eventful week — championships defended, young talent showcased, and rivalries escalating across both promotions.”

🟥 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING (NJPW)

Ignition to Dominion (May 5)

Credit: cagematch.net

Ed: “Fans, Ignition To Dominion delivered a full slate of action — and a main event that had the whole building buzzing!”

FULL MATCH RESULTS — MAY 5

(06.05.2026) NJPW New Japan Road In Karatsu 2026 ~ Ignition To Dominion – Online Stream @ Karatsu City Cultural Gymnasium in Karatsu, Saga, Japan
House Of Torture (SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) defeat Ryusuke Taguchi & Taisei Nakahara (8:47)
Master Wato, Toru Yano & YOH defeat Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, Tatsuya Matsumoto & YOSHI-HASHI) (7:15)
El Desperado & Taichi defeat Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma (11:26)
TMDK (Kosei Fujita & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat Masatora Yasuda & Yuya Uemura (10:34)
Aaron Wolf, Oleg Boltin & Tiger Mask defeat House Of Torture (Dick Togo, Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi) (8:40)
United Empire (Francesco Akira, Great-O-Khan, HENARE, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay) defeat Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai, Gedo, OSKAR, Taiji Ishimori & Yuto-Ice) (13:56)
Unbound Co. (Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) defeat United Empire (Callum Newman & Jake Lee) (18:56)

🟧 NJPW NEWS & NOTES (May 6–12)

All items sourced from NJPW’s official news feed.

  • Robbie X interviewed ahead of BOSJ33 (May 12). “Robbie X on What a Tournament Win Would Mean for Him and a Title Shot Against DOUKI”
  • “Well, like I said, you’re never just facing DOUKI right now, it’s always the HOUSE OF TORTURE. The plan was to beat him in the group stages, but now he’s sneaked out of that. He always has a plan and a way to avoid losing that championship, but I have Unbound Co. as well, and it’s not just me that wants to see an end to HOUSE OF TORTURE in control of that title.”
  • “Best of the Super Juniors 33 Night 1 kicks off on Thursday, May 14. The event will be held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan. It will stream live on NJPW World.” Credit: 411mania
  • Hiroyoshi Tenzan announces retirement (May 11). “Hiroyoshi Tenzan, a legendary figure in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), announced his retirement from professional wrestling on August 15, 2026. His last match will take place at Ryogoku Sumo Hall during the G1 Climax 36 semifinals. Tenzan, a four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and 12-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, expressed his gratitude for the support he received throughout his 35-year career. Despite his retirement, Tenzan will continue to be active with NJPW behind the scenes.”
  • BOSJ33 officially underway with previews and roster confirmations. “The 2026 NJPW Best of the Super Juniors tournament runs from May 14 to June 7, featuring 20 top junior heavyweights in a two-block round-robin format, with the winner earning a shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
  • Tournament Overview
  • The 33rd annual Best of the Super Juniors (BOSJ) begins on May 14 at Korakuen Hall and concludes on June 7 in Ota. The tournament is split into two blocks of 10 wrestlers each, with competitors facing every opponent in their block. The wrestler with the most points in each block advances to the final, where the winner typically earns a shot at the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at Dominion wrestlingmoments.com.
  • Notable Participants and Storylines
  • Kosei Fujita: Last year’s winner and the youngest ever BOSJ champion, aiming to go back-to-back and capture the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title njpw1972.com.
  • Master Wato: 2023 winner returning after missing last year due to injury, seeking his second BOSJ trophy and a title opportunity against DOUKI njpw1972.com.
  • DOUKI: Current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, self-proclaimed “junior god,” who has declared a boycott of the tournament, adding tension to the competition njpw1972.com.
  • Ryusuke Taguchi: 2012 BOSJ winner, returning for his second consecutive tournament njpw1972.com.
  • Daiki Nagai: Making his debut entry, challenging the status quo and promising to deliver exciting matches for the fans njpw1972.com.
    The tournament also features cross-promotional guests alongside regular NJPW talent, ensuring a diverse and competitive field eWrestlingNews.com.
  • Format and Significance
  • BOSJ is renowned for its round-robin format, which rewards consistency and technical skill over a single lucky victory. Matches are spread across NJPW’s May tour schedule, running concurrently with heavyweight events. The tournament is considered the defining accolade in the junior heavyweight division, second only to holding the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship itself wrestlingmoments.com. Past winners like Will Ospreay, Hiromu Takahashi, KUSHIDA, and El Desperado have used BOSJ victories to cement their status as top junior heavyweights wrestlingmoments.com.
  • Viewing Information
  • Fans can watch the tournament live in English on NJPW World, with tickets available worldwide. The event promises weeks of dramatic standings races, high-flying action, and technical showcases that highlight the best junior heavyweights in the world njpw1972.com+1.
  • The 2026 BOSJ is shaping up to be a high-stakes, action-packed tournament, with returning champions, rising stars, and intense rivalries making it one of the most anticipated events of the NJPW calendar.”
  • Newman & Ren Narita deliver violent statements ahead of Dominion (May 9). “Tsuji would respond that he would never take pictures with the belt until he made it his own. The challenger acknowledged Newman’s status as the world’s number one pro-wrestler, but said that he would be the one to carry NJPW, and fulfil a responsibility to ‘deliver energy, hopes and dreams’. Newman would muse that Tsuji’s dream was that ‘you want to be famous, you want to be on TV,’ jibing that ‘I’ll make you famous, but we might be thrown off TV afterward because I’m going to batter you.’ Delivering a brutal low blow to end the press conference, he left behind a wounded and angered Tsuji five weeks ahead of their title fight.”
  • Big matches announced for Dominion (May 9). “The IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship will also be at stake in Osaka when Andrade El Idolo defends his freshly won title against both Drilla Moloney and Shota Umino in a three way match. A hugely dramatic title bout in the main event of night one at Dontaku saw the ‘Real Latino Man’ capture the Global gold, his first NJPW championship in 12 years after a shocking DDT saw Tsuji’s skull meet the ringpost, and the DM was sent. 
  • Andrade was quick to state that although he represented AEW, his title holder status meant that he was going to be a fighting champion in NJPW. After asking who wanted to be his first challenger, he was initially answered by Tsuji’s Unbound Co. teammate in Drilla Moloney, but Shota Umino would follow. Andrade suggested a three way and now that match is official. While Moloney and Umino share a mutual respect they more pertinently share a desire to bring the Global title back to NJPW, and to hold the first singles gold of their NJPW careers.”
  • Boltin Oleg injured and pulled from upcoming cards (May 7). “On May 6 in Karatsu, Boltin Oleg sustained an injury to his left elbow. Boltin will be out of action as a result with a return date still to be determined. 
  • NJPW joins fans in wishing Boltin a speedy, full recovery.”
  • Yota Tsuji earns a title shot after a major win in Karatsu (May 6). “The match reset with Tsuji and Newman legal, and trading elbows and then knees. Tsuji was a step ahead as the Prince charged into the corner and landed a massive top rope Frankensteiner for two. Ripping a page from Newman’s book, Takagi came in to land a low blow on the champion and combined with Tsuji on a Pumping Blaster for a near two broken up by Lee; as the match broke down, Tsuji charged and landed the Gene Blaster on Newman to score three and claim a chance to regain the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.”

Gordon: “A most turbulent week — injuries, retirements, and major announcements shaping the road to Dominion.”

🟪 OHIO VALLEY WRESTLING (OVW)

Latest Verified Shows: Rise & Overdrive (Past Week)

Results sourced from OVW’s official YouTube listings and Cagematch database.

Ed: “Fans, the Davis Arena was rocking all week long — Rise brought the fallout from Double Crossed, and Overdrive kept the engines running hot!”

🟩 OVW RISE — MOST RECENT EPISODE

FULL MATCH RESULTS

  • Kal Herro def. Drew Hernandez
  • Jota Peso & Brendan Balling def. Maximo Suave & Brandon Davis
  • Karter Cauffman def. Shaloncé Royal (w/ PJ Jones)
  • Mario Padua def. Erik Surge
  • Stephen Steel def. Tommy Boy (w/ Lovely Miss Larkan)
  • LVL3 def. Z‑Force
  • TW3 def. Torchy’s Tacos
  • The Trifecta def. Colby Carter, Donovan Cecil & Tony Gunn
  • Tony Evans addresses the Davis Arena in a heated closing segment.

Gordon: “A most complete episode — tag teams, singles action, and a fiery promo to close the night.”

🟫 OVW OVERDRIVE — MOST RECENT EPISODE (Streamed 2 Days Ago)

FULL MATCH RESULTS

  • Rae Larson def. Killah Kai
  • Maximo Suave def. Brian Hitt
  • J‑Rod def. Leela Hall
  • Tony Gunn def. Brandon Davis
  • Jota Peso def. Brendan Balling by DQ

Ed: “Fans, Overdrive continues to be the proving ground for the next wave of OVW stars!”

🟫 OVW NEWS (May 4–12)

  • OVW announces historic 1400th episode celebration. “Join us for our 1,400th episode special on Thursday June 11, 2026, live from the Hotpoint Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky.”
  • Continued promotion of weekly live events every Thursday.
  • Heavy emphasis on Rise as the flagship developmental showcase.

🎙️ DESK OUTRO

Ed: “Fans, from Fukuoka to Louisville, the action this week has been hotter than ever! New Japan marches toward Dominion with major announcements, while OVW keeps churning out hungry young talent!”

Gordon: “Indeed. A most compelling week across both promotions. And with that… so long from the wrestling world.”

TOP 25

May 11, 2026

  1. Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) 5-0 NJPW
  2. Austin Aries, Ikuro Kwon & Trevor Lee 1-0 CMLL
  3. Austin Aries & Trevor Lee 1-0 CMLL 
  4. Capitan Suicida, Fugaz & Star Jr. 1-0 CMLL
  5. Titan 1-0 CMLL
  6. KUSHIDA & Yutani 1-0 CMLL
  7. Diego Hill & The Skyscrapers (Bishop Dyer & Donovan Dijak) 1-0 CMLL
  8. Akuma, Averno, Black Tiger, Flip Gordon, Mascara Dorada, Neon & Templario 1-0 CMLL
  9. Neon 1-0 CMLL MLW
  10. Barbaro Cavernario, Difunto, Esfinge & Titan 1-0 CMLL
  11. Blue Panther 1-0 CMLL
  12. Barbaro Cavernario, Hechicero & The Beast Mortos 1-0 CMLL
  13. Bandido 1-0 ROH World Champion 
  14. Bandido & Komander 1-0 CMLL
  15. Hechicero & Soberano Jr. 1-0 CMLL
  16. Darby Allin 2-0 AEW World Champion 
  17. Mike Bailey 2-0 AEW
  18. Go Shiozaki 2-0 AJPW
  19. Rei Saito 2-0 AJPW
  20. United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Will Ospreay) 2-0 NJPW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions
  21. United Empire (Francesco Akira, Great-O-Khan & HENARE) 2-0 NJPW
  22. Callum Newman 1-0 NJPW IWGP Heavyweight Champion 
  23. Kazuchika Okada 1-0 AEW International Champion 
  24. Jon Moxley 1-0 AEW Continental Champion 
  25. Konosuke Takeshita 1-0 NJPW TV Champion 

Around the World of Pro Wrestling 5/5/26

🟦 TOP 25 WEEKLY RANKINGS — DESK INTRO

Ed: “Fans, before we dive into the global action, let me tell you — the race for this week’s Top 25 has never been tighter! Champions are surging, contenders are clawing, and a few dark horses are making noise from places you might not expect!”

Gordon: “Indeed. A most competitive field — and with New Japan and OVW delivering pivotal developments this week, several athletes have positioned themselves for major upward movement in the rankings.”

  • 1. Neon 1-0 CMLL/MLW CMLL World Trios Champion
  • 2. Jack Perry 1-0 AEW National Champion
  • 3. Atlantis Jr., Mascara Dorada & Titan 1-0 CMLL & Historic World Welterweight Champions
  • 4. Fuego, Futuro & Neon 1-0 CMLL 1/3 CMLL World Trios Champions
  • 5. El Sky Team (Mascara Dorado & Neon) 1-0 CMLL World Trios Champions
  • 6. El Sky Team (Mascara Dorado, Mistico & Neon) 1-0 CMLL World Trios Champions
  • 7. Angel de Oro & Soberano Jr. 1-0 MLW, 1/2 CMLL World Tag Team Champions
  • 8. Soberano Jr. & Voladar Jr. 1-0 CMLL
  • 9. Mascara Dorada, Nieves Rona & Soberano Jr. Historic World Welterweight Champion
  • 10. Kento Miyahara, Rei Saito, Rising HAYATO &Ryo Inoue 1-0 AJPW Triple Crown Champion
  • 11. Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) 3-0 NJPW, IWGP Tag Team Champions
  • 12. Shotzi Blackheart 3-0 CMLL, MLW World Women’s Featherweight Champion
  • 13. Ren Ayabe 2-0 1/2 AJPW World Tag Team Champions
  • 14. Titans of Calamity (Jack Talos & Ren Ayabe) 3-0 NWA, AJPW World Tag Team Champions
  • 15. Hideki Suzuki, MUSASHI, Seigo Tachibana 1-0 1/3 AJPW TV 6 Man Tag Team Champions, AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 16. Daisuke Sekimoto, Nobuhiko Kimura & Seigo Tachibana 1-0 AJPW World Junior Heavyweight Champion
  • 17. Templario 1-0 CMLL World Middleweight Champion & MLW World Middleweight Champion
  • 18. Barbaro Cavernario, Esfinge, Soberano Jr. & Templario 1-0 CMLL Mexican National Light Heavyweight Champion, CMLL World Middleweight Champion, MLW World Middleweight Champion
  • 19. Don Callis Family (Mark Davis, Rocky Romero & Trent Beretta) 1-0 ROH
  • 20. KUSHIDA & Yutani 2-0 CMLL
  • 21. The Skyscrapers (Bishop Dyer & Donovan Dijak) 1-0 CMLL, MLW World Tag Team Champions
  • 22. Don Callis Family (Hechicero & Mark Davis) 1-0 CMLL World Heavyweight Champion
  • 23. Atlantis Jr. & Esfinge 1-0 CMLL Mexican National Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 24. Atlantis Jr., Gallo Jr. & Rafaga Jr. 1-0 CMLL Occidente Tag Team Champions
  • 25. Angel de Oro 1-0 1/2 CMLL World Tag Team Champions

🎙️ Rundown — NJPW & OVW

Presented by Ed & Gordon

🟥 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING (NJPW)

⭐ Results (credit: cagematch.net

(04.05.2026) NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2026 – Tag 2 – Online Stream @ Fukuoka Convention Center in Fukuoka, Japan
Kick Off: Masatora Yasuda defeats Taisei Nakahara (7:15)
NJPW World Television Title: Konosuke Takeshita (c) defeats Chase Owens (w/Yujiro Takahashi) (11:32)
Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai & Gedo) defeat Ryusuke Taguchi & Tatsuya Matsumoto (6:50)
Tag Team: Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defeat Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma (9:01)
Aaron Wolf, Master Wato, Tiger Mask, Toru Yano & YOH defeat House Of Torture (Don Fale, Ren Narita, SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi) (w/Dick Togo) (10:02)
Taichi & Yuya Uemura defeat TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Ryohei Oiwa) (13:49)
Unbound Co. (Drilla Moloney, Robbie X, Taiji Ishimori & Yota Tsuji) defeat United Empire (Francesco Akira, Jake Lee, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay) (8:25)
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title: El Desperado & Mistico defeat Ichiban Sweet Boys (Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles) (c) (20:07) – TITLE CHANGE !!!
NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Title: United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Will Ospreay) defeat Bishamontin (Hirooki Goto, Oleg Boltin & YOSHI-HASHI) (c) (24:06) – TITLE CHANGE !!!
IWGP Heavyweight Title: Callum Newman (c) defeats Shingo Takagi (35:20)

(03.05.2026) NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2026 – Tag 1 – Online Stream @ Fukuoka Convention Center in Fukuoka, Japan
Master Wato, Toru Yano & YOH defeat Ryusuke Taguchi, Taisei Nakahara & Tiger Mask (5:12)
Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defeat Masatora Yasuda & Tomoaki Honma (3:13)
El Desperado, Mistico, Taichi & Yuya Uemura defeat TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa) (10:28)
United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Will Ospreay) defeat Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, Tatsuya Matsumoto & YOSHI-HASHI) (10:08)
Konosuke Takeshita & Shota Umino defeat House Of Torture (Chase Owens & Yujiro Takahashi) (11:43)
Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai, Drilla Moloney, Robbie X, Shingo Takagi & Taiji Ishimori) defeat United Empire (Callum Newman, Francesco Akira, Jake Lee, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay) (10:22)
Aaron Wolf defeats Don Fale (10:30)
NEVER Openweight Title: Ren Narita (w/Dick Togo) (c) defeats Oleg Boltin (15:20)
IWGP Global Heavyweight Title: Andrade El Idolo defeats Yota Tsuji (c) (32:57) – TITLE CHANGE !!!

(01.05.2026) NJPW Road To Wrestling Dontaku 2026 – Tag 8 – Event @ Aira City Sports Park Gymnasium in Aira, Kagoshima, Japan
Daiki Nagai defeats Taisei Nakahara (8:25)
Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defeat Tomoaki Honma & Toru Yano by referee’s decision (8:03)
House Of Torture (Chase Owens, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi) defeat Ryusuke Taguchi, Shota Umino & YOH (10:04)
United Empire (Francesco Akira, Great-O-Khan & HENARE) defeat Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, Tatsuya Matsumoto & YOSHI-HASHI) (11:07)
TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat Masatora Yasuda, Master Wato, Taichi & Yuya Uemura (13:48)
Aaron Wolf, Mistico, Oleg Boltin & Tiger Mask defeat House Of Torture (Dick Togo, Don Fale, Ren Narita & SHO) (10:17)
Unbound Co. (Robbie X, Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Yota Tsuji) defeat United Empire (Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay) (14:32)

(30.04.2026) NJPW Road To Wrestling Dontaku 2026 – Tag 7 – Event @ Grand Messe Kumamoto in Mashiki, Kumamoto, Japan
Robbie X defeats Taisei Nakahara (4:45)
Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defeat Ryusuke Taguchi & Toru Yano (5:04)
House Of Torture (Chase Owens, SHO & Yujiro Takahashi) defeat Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & YOH (10:06)
United Empire (Francesco Akira, Great-O-Khan & HENARE) defeat Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, Tatsuya Matsumoto & YOSHI-HASHI) (10:07)
TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat Masatora Yasuda, Mistico, Taichi & Yuya Uemura (13:15)
Aaron Wolf, Master Wato, Oleg Boltin & Tiger Mask defeat House Of Torture (Don Fale, DOUKI, Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) (10:08)
Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai, Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Yota Tsuji) defeat United Empire (Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay) (15:30)

(29.04.2026) NJPW Road To Wrestling Dontaku 2026 – Tag 6 ~ Wrestling Hizen no Kuni – Online Stream @ Saga Arena in Saga, Japan
House Of Torture (Chase Owens, SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi) defeat Master Wato, Shota Umino, Taisei Nakahara & YOH (10:48)
Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defeat Tomoaki Honma & Toru Yano (8:06)
TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat Masatora Yasuda, Ryusuke Taguchi, Taichi & Yuya Uemura (11:43)
United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Jakob Austin Young) defeat Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, Tatsuya Matsumoto & YOSHI-HASHI) (12:05)
Aaron Wolf, Mistico & Oleg Boltin defeat House Of Torture (Dick Togo, Don Fale & Ren Narita) (8:03)
United Empire (Callum Newman, Francesco Akira, Jake Lee & Zane Jay) defeat Unbound Co. (Robbie X, Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Yota Tsuji) (16:01)
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title Lumberjack: DOUKI (c) defeats Tiger Mask by referee’s decision (17:56)

🔥 Main Event Scene — Uemura, Narita, and the Reiwa Musketeers

  • Yuya Uemura continues to gain momentum, positioned as a future challenger for the NEVER or US/Global titles.
  • Ren Narita remains entangled in factional tension, teasing a potential split or realignment.
  • Shota Umino is being framed as a major summer player, likely for Dominion or G1 positioning.

Ed: “Fans, these young men are fighting like they’re trying to carve their names into the Tokyo Dome itself!”

Gordon: “A most promising generation — each seeking to define his own legacy.”

🟩 Junior Division — Speed, Chaos, and Contenders

  • Hiromu Takahashi continues to anchor the division.
  • El Desperado and Master Wato remain central figures in multi‑man tags and backstage confrontations.
  • A new junior challenger is expected to emerge from the next Korakuen cycle.

🟧 Tag & Faction Warfare

  • BULLET CLUB War Dogs continue to dominate the heavyweight tag scene.
  • Just 5 Guys and Los Ingobernables de Japón remain locked in multi‑man battles.
  • United Empire is teasing internal tension.

📰 NJPW News & Rumors

  • Dominion announcements expected soon.
  • A major foreign star is rumored for the June/July tour.
  • NJPW continues strengthening ties with AEW, CMLL, and STARDOM ahead of Forbidden Door.

🟦 OHIO VALLEY WRESTLING (OVW)

⭐ Results (credit: cagematch.net)

(28.04.2026) OVW Overdrive #184 – Online Stream @ Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Adam Revolver defeats Juwan Thomas
Lovely Miss Larkan (w/Tommy Boy) defeats Killah Kai
Freya The Slaya defeats Rae Larson
Anthony Toatele defeats Dr. Zo

🔥 OVW Rise — Current Direction

Rise continues to spotlight rising prospects and midcard feuds:

  • Women’s Division:
    • Shalonce Royal, Freya the Slaya, and Hollyhood Haley J remain central figures.
  • Men’s Midcard:
    • Tony Evans, Luke Kurtis, and Will Austin continue to jockey for position.

Ed: “Fans, Rise is where the future of OVW sharpens its teeth!”

Gordon: “A most developmental environment — yet fiercely competitive.”

📰 OVW News & Rumors

  • OVW is preparing a summer push with new talent cycles.
  • Several AEW Dark alumni are rumored for upcoming appearances.
  • The Netflix documentary bump continues to help OVW’s visibility.

🟦 DESK OUTRO

Ed: “Fans, with New Japan’s young guns surging and OVW’s prospects making noise, the Top 25 board is about to look very different! Some names are climbing fast — others are hanging on by their fingernails!”

Gordon: “Indeed. A most fluid situation. And as always, the rankings will reflect performance, momentum, and competitive significance across the wrestling world.”

Ed: “So stay tuned, fans — an updated Top 25 drops weekly. And with that… so long from the wrestling world!”

Around the World of Pro Wrestling 4/28/26

🎙️ Rundown — NJPW & OVW (Since April 21, 2026)

🟦 DESK INTRO

Ed: “Fans, New Japan Pro Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling have been hotter than a depot stove since April 21! Title pictures shifting, prospects rising, and a weekend of action that shook both Japan and Louisville!”

Gordon: “Indeed. A most eventful period, with both promotions showcasing their unique identities — NJPW’s global strong style and OVW’s territory‑flavored grind.”

🟥 NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING (NJPW)

⭐ RESULTS

Credit: cagematch.net

(27.04.2026) NJPW Road To Wrestling Dontaku 2026 – Tag 5 – Event @ Yamaguchi Butterfly Arena in Yanai, Yamaguchi, Japan
Robbie X defeats Taisei Nakahara (5:36)
Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defeat Great Bash Heel (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) (7:45)
House Of Torture (Chase Owens, SHO & Yujiro Takahashi) defeat Ryusuke Taguchi, Shota Umino & YOH (7:30)
United Empire (Francesco Akira, Great-O-Khan & HENARE) defeat Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, Tatsuya Matsumoto & YOSHI-HASHI) (9:32)
TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat Masatora Yasuda, Master Wato, Taichi & Yuya Uemura (11:24)
Aaron Wolf, Oleg Boltin, Tiger Mask & Toru Yano vs. House Of Torture (Don Fale, DOUKI, Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) – No Contest (8:45)
Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai, Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Yota Tsuji) defeat United Empire (Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay) (13:52)

(26.04.2026) NJPW Road To Wrestling Dontaku 2026 – Tag 4 – Online Stream @ KDDI Ishin Hall in Yamaguchi, Japan
Daiki Nagai defeats Taisei Nakahara (6:54)
Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defeat Togi Makabe & Toru Yano (6:34)
House Of Torture (Chase Owens, SHO & Yujiro Takahashi) defeat Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & YOH (9:20)
United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Jakob Austin Young) defeat Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, Tatsuya Matsumoto & YOSHI-HASHI) (12:38)
TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat Masatora Yasuda, Ryusuke Taguchi, Taichi & Yuya Uemura (14:47)
Aaron Wolf, Master Wato, Oleg Boltin & Tiger Mask vs. House Of Torture (Don Fale, DOUKI, Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) – No Contest (10:37)
Unbound Co. (Robbie X, Shingo Takagi, Taiji Ishimori & Yota Tsuji) defeat United Empire (Callum Newman, Francesco Akira, Jake Lee & Zane Jay) (16:12)

(25.04.2026) NJPW Wrestling Redzone In Hiroshima 2026 – Online Stream @ Hiroshima Sun Plaza in Hiroshima, Japan
Tatsuya Matsumoto defeats Taisei Nakahara (9:25)
Master Wato, Shota Umino, Toru Yano & YOH defeat House Of Torture (Chase Owens, SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi) (7:32)
United Empire (Francesco Akira, Great-O-Khan & HENARE) defeat Masatora Yasuda, Ryusuke Taguchi & Taichi (10:23)
Aaron Wolf, Oleg Boltin, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe vs. House Of Torture (Dick Togo, Don Fale, DOUKI & Ren Narita) (w/Chase Owens, SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi) – No Contest (9:04)
TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat Tomoaki Honma & Yuya Uemura (8:48)
United Empire (Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay) defeat Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai, Gedo, Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) (12:40)
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Ichiban Sweet Boys (Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles) defeat Unbound Co. (Robbie X & Taiji Ishimori) (c) (20:05) – TITLE CHANGE !!!
IWGP Tag Team Title: Knockout Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) (c) defeat Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) (26:32)

(24.04.2026) NJPW Road To Wrestling Dontaku 2026 – Tag 3 – Online Stream @ Texport Imabari in Imabari, Ehime, Japan
Masatora Yasuda, Ryusuke Taguchi & Taichi defeat Great Bash Heel (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma) & Taisei Nakahara (8:22)
United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Jakob Austin Young) defeat Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, Tatsuya Matsumoto & YOSHI-HASHI) (11:56)
House Of Torture (Chase Owens, Dick Togo, DOUKI, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru) vs. Master Wato, Shota Umino, Tiger Mask, Toru Yano & YOH – Double Count Out (9:48)
TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat Unbound Co. (Gedo, Robbie X, Taiji Ishimori & Yota Tsuji) (12:20)
Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai, OSKAR, Shingo Takagi & Yuto-Ice) defeat United Empire (Callum Newman, Francesco Akira, Jake Lee & Zane Jay) (10:20)
Aaron Wolf, Oleg Boltin & Yuya Uemura defeat House Of Torture (Don Fale, Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi) (w/Dick Togo) (14:28)

Ed: “Fans, Matsumoto’s precision grappling was something to behold!”

Gordon: “A most decisive submission — textbook execution.”

🔥 NJPW Direction, News & Rumors (Verified)

Road to Wrestling Dontaku Continues

NJPW ran Road to Dontaku events on April 24, 25, and 26, building toward the May 3–4 cards.

Junior Tag Division Shake‑Up

NJPW confirmed new Junior Tag Champions crowned at Redzone on April 25.

Uemura Momentum

Yuya Uemura scored a major win over HOUSE members in Imabari on April 24.

Forbidden Door 2026 News

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026 officially announced for June 28 in San Jose, featuring talent from NJPW, AEW, CMLL, and STARDOM.

Major Departure — EVIL Signs with WWE

Former IWGP Heavyweight Champion EVIL has officially signed with WWE, confirmed April 24. This marks a significant roster shift for NJPW.

🟩 OHIO VALLEY WRESTLING (OVW)

⭐ Most Recent Verified Show — OVW Overdrive #183 (April 21, 2026)

From Davis Arena, Louisville.

Leela Hall def. Janie Hartman

Tony Gunn def. Juwan Thomas

Freya The Slaya def. J‑Rod

Anthony Toatele def. Donovan Cecil

Ed: “Fans, the Davis Arena was rocking — a real throwback atmosphere!”

Gordon: “Indeed. A most spirited showcase of OVW’s rising talent.”

🔥 OVW Direction, News & Rumors (Verified)

Tag Division Turmoil

Z‑Force recently captured the OVW Tag Titles on April 16, creating a shake‑up in the division.

Heavyweight Title Stability

Dustin Jackson retained the OVW Heavyweight Championship on April 16.

Women’s Division Spotlight

Shalonce Royal continues her reign after defeating Leela Feist on April 16.

US Title Chaos

Tony Evans vs. Star Rider ended in a no‑contest on April 16, leaving the U.S. Title picture unresolved.

🎙️ DESK OUTRO

Ed: “Fans, from Hiroshima to Louisville, both promotions delivered action hotter than a depot stove!”

Gordon: “Indeed. A most compelling week — and the road ahead promises even more fireworks. And with that… so long from the wrestling world.”

Around the World of Pro Wrestling

🎙️ Desk intro

Ed: “Fans, from Tokyo to Louisville, the wrestling world has been hotter than a depot stove! New Japan Pro Wrestling has kept the strong‑style engine roaring on NJPW World, while Ohio Valley Wrestling has been grinding it out on Rise and Overdrive with hungry contenders and classic territory chaos.”

Gordon: “Indeed. A most eventful period, with each promotion emphasizing its own distinct strengths—New Japan’s global, faction‑driven ecosystem and OVW’s developmental, character‑driven grind.”

🟦 New Japan Pro Wrestling

NJPW World TV

Ed: “Let’s take you to this week’s NJPW World broadcasts, fans—multi‑man tags, rising contenders, and main events with real implications up and down the card.”

Full match results from cagematch.net

(20.04.2026) NJPW Road To Wrestling Dontaku 2026 – Tag 2 – TV-Show @ Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan
Pre-Show Singles: Jakob Austin Young defeats Taisei Nakahara (5:50)
Masatora Yasuda, Taichi & Yuya Uemura defeat Six Or Nine (Master Wato & Ryusuke Taguchi) & Tatsuya Matsumoto (8:43)
House Of Torture (Chase Owens, SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi) defeat Great Bash Heel (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma), Shota Umino & YOH (8:38)
United Empire (Francesco Akira & Jake Lee) defeat Unbound Co. (Gedo & Yota Tsuji) (8:07)
Aaron Wolf, Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano defeat House Of Torture (Dick Togo, Don Fale & Ren Narita) (7:09)
Shingo Takagi defeats Zane Jay (5:04)
Singles: Callum Newman defeats Daiki Nagai (5:43)
Unbound Co. (OSKAR, Robbie X, Taiji Ishimori & Yuto-Ice) defeat TMDK (Hartley Jackson, Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa) (9:24)
IWGP Tag Team Title #1 Contendership: Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI) defeat United Empire (Great-O-Khan & HENARE) (25:16)

(19.04.2026) NJPW Road To Wrestling Dontaku 2026 – Tag 1 – Online Stream @ Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan
Masatora Yasuda, Taichi & Yuya Uemura defeat Ryusuke Taguchi, Taisei Nakahara & YOH (8:23)
House Of Torture (Chase Owens, SHO, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Yujiro Takahashi) defeat Great Bash Heel (Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma), Master Wato & Shota Umino (8:56)
United Empire (Great-O-Khan, HENARE & Jakob Austin Young) defeat Goto Revolutionary Army (Hirooki Goto, Tatsuya Matsumoto & YOSHI-HASHI) (10:23)
Aaron Wolf, Oleg Boltin & Toru Yano defeat House Of Torture (Dick Togo, Don Fale & Ren Narita) (7:12)
Unbound Co. (Daiki Nagai, Gedo, Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji) defeat United Empire (Callum Newman, Francesco Akira, Jake Lee & Zane Jay) (13:04)
Unbound Co. (OSKAR & Robbie X) defeat TMDK (Hartley Jackson & Kosei Fujita) (10:50)
TMDK (Robbie Eagles & Ryohei Oiwa) defeat Unbound Co. (Taiji Ishimori & Yuto-Ice) (13:26)

(16.04.2026) NJPW Death Vegas Invitational – Pay Per View @ Horseshoe Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
Zack Sabre Jr. defeats Fuminori Abe (16:48)
Cute Sexy Hardcore Three Way: ISHIN defeats Effy and Jimmy Lloyd (8:22)
Runway Rush And Crash A Drop Dead Gorgeous Three Way Tag Team: KUSHIDA & YAMATO defeat Bustah And The Brain (Alec Price & Jordan Oliver) and MxM (Mansoor & Mason Madden) (10:08)
High-Stakes Heartbreak Jackpot Tag Team: El Phantasmo & Maika defeat Dragon Kid & Starlight Kid (12:29)
House Rules Hardcore: Gringo Loco & Joey Janela defeat Daisuke Sasaki & Gedo (18:44)
Love & Pieces Three Way Death: The H8 Club (Matt Tremont & Nick Gage) defeat El Desperado & Jun Kasai and Masashi Takeda & Rina Yamashita (14:26)

NJPW Champions

IWGP Heavyweight Championship Callum Newman
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship Yota Tsuji
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Douki
NEVER Openweight Championship Ren Narita
Strong Openweight Championship Boltin Oleg
NJPW World Television Championship Konosuke Takeshita
IWGP Tag Team Championship Knock Out Brothers
(Oskar and Yuto-Ice)
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship
Unbound Co.
(Taiji Ishimori and Robbie X)
Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship
Los Hermanos Chávez
(Ángel de Oro and Niebla Roja)
NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag TBoltin Oleg and Bishamon
(Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi)
NJPW TAMASHII Tag Team Championship
The Pretty Boys
(Magic Mark and Pretty Richie)
IWGP Women’s Championship Syuri
Strong Women’s Championship Alex Windsor

NEWS

  • NJPW Wrestling Redzone will be held at the Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in Hiroshima, Japan airing on NJPW World this Saturday featuring:
  • IWGP Tag Team Championships Match: Knockout Bros. (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) (c) vs. Bishamon (Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI)
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag team Championships Match: Unbound Co. (Robbie X & Taiji Ishimori) (c) vs. TMDK (Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles)
  • Unbound Co. (Shingo Takagi, Yota Tsuji, Gedo & Daiki Nagai) vs. The United Empire (Callum Newman, Jake Lee, Jakob Austin Young & Zane Jay)
  • Yuya Uemura & Tomoaki Honma vs. TMDK (Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson)
  • Boltin Oleg, Aaron Wolf, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe vs. HOUSE OF TORTURE (Ren Narita, Don Fale, DOUKI & Dick Togo)
  • Taichi, Ryusuke Taguchi & Masatora Yasuda vs. The United Empire (HENARE, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira)
  • Shota Umino, Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato vs. The HOUSE OF TORTURE (Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru)
  • Tatsuya Matsumoto vs Taisei Nakahara

NJPW vs. DDT card announced for June 8. The featured match is a 10 man tag elimination match with Team NJPW vs TEAM DDT. You can watch on Wrestle Universe or NJPW World via PPV.

Callum Newman signs long term deal. In an interview on NJPW’s website the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion stated he recently signed a long term deal with New Japan.

Ed: “Fans, every NJPW World show feels like a chapter—nothing is random, everything is pointing toward the next big tour stop or tournament.”

🟫 Ohio Valley Wrestling

OVW Rise — weekly TV

Ed: “Now let’s head to Louisville, fans—Rise continues to be the proving ground where prospects, veterans, and champions all fight for their spot.”

Jay DeNiro defeated Jake Lawless to win the OVW Media Title.
The Troublemakers (Canaan Kristopher & Glenn Spectre) defeated Los Desafios (Jota Peso & Maximo Suave) to claim the OVW Tag Team Title.
Shalonce Royal won the OVW Women’s Title in a Fatal Four Way match.
Ashton Adonis defeated Jake Lawless in a Triple Threat match to win the OVW Media Title.
Tony Evans defeated Star Rider to claim the OVW United States Title.

    OVW Overdrive

    Ed: “Overdrive, fans, is where OVW keeps the engine humming between big Rise episodes—more reps, more characters, more chances to impress.”

    Gordon: “Indeed. A most practical platform—Overdrive allows OVW to season its talent and test new combinations.”

    NEWS

    OVW RISE is going LIVE and the stakes just hit another level 🔥

    Kal Herro vs Drew Hernandez headlines a stacked night you won’t forget.

    April 23rd

    Hotpoint Davis Arena

    7PM ET

    Streaming LIVE on YouTube and TrillerTV

    Get your tickets now at ovwrestling.com

    Ed: “Fans, Rise and Overdrive together make OVW feel like a full ecosystem—if you can get over here, you can get noticed anywhere.”

    🎙️ Desk outro

    Gordon: “Indeed. Between New Japan’s global strong‑style machine on NJPW World and OVW’s territory‑flavored grind on Rise and Overdrive, this has been a most compelling stretch from Tokyo to Louisville. Champions standing tall, contenders emerging, and rivalries simmering nicely.”

    Ed: “And with that, fans… so long from the wrestling world.”

    Around the World of Pro Wrestling

    🎙️ Desk intro

    Ed: “Fans, from Tokyo to Louisville, the wrestling world has been hotter than a prairie fire! New Japan Pro Wrestling continues to deliver world‑class action on NJPW World, while Ohio Valley Wrestling keeps the engine running with Rise and a hungry roster looking to break through. Championships are being tested, rivalries are heating up, and both promotions are pushing forward in a big way.”

    Gordon: “Indeed. A most eventful period, with each promotion emphasizing its own distinct identity—New Japan’s global strong style and OVW’s territory‑flavored grind.”

    🟦 New Japan Pro Wrestling

    There have been no new NJPW World episodes in the past week.

    njpw1972.com reports:

    El Desperado ＆Jun Kasai meet and greet next week in Vegas! 【NJoA】

    “Next week, Death Vegas Invitacional hits the Vegas strip with a wild, unpredictable night in the Horseshoe on NJPW World PPV.

    One day before the carnage, you can join El Desperado and the Crazy Monkey himself, Jun Kasai for a special meet and greet!

    The photo and signing session runs from 6- 8PM at the Nerd Bar on Fremont Street, and it’s the best way to get into the mood for the most carnage filled night on the Strip!

    Meet and greet session is Over 21s ONLY”

    Ed: “I’m sure that we all are looking forward to this week’s NJoA being in Las Vegas, fans—top‑to‑bottom action and plenty of implications for the months ahead.”

    United Empire take hold on AEW Dynamite 【NJoA】

    njpw1972.com reported:

    “Ospreay, Newman and crew take no DQ 8 man tag win

    Four wrestlers in a wrestling ring during a match, one is smiling while interacting with another, with an official in the background.

    In the wake of Will Ospreay’s request for ‘help with trouble at work’ after he wrestled at Sakura Genesis and cornered Callum Newman en route to his IWGP heavyweight Championship win, United Empire appeared on AEW Dynamite from Edmonton Canada this week with an eight man tag team main event. 

    A dramatic wrestling scene with several men in white shirts engaged in a physical struggle, one man jumping above others; a truck in the background.

    Ospreay has been engaged in a feud with AEW’s Continental Champion Jon Moxley that stretches back to before Forbidden Door last summer, where a neck injury sustained at the hands of Moxley put Ospreay on the shelf for over six months. Dynamite started this week with the two brawling backstage; when the numbers seemed to overwhelm Ospreay Alex Windsor arrived together with Callum Newman, Francesco Akira and HENARE. Turning the tide, Akira dove off a car roof to Claudio Castagnoli, while HENARE delivered a Rampage to Wheeler Yuta on the car hood.

    A wrestling scene from AEW Dynamite, featuring two wrestlers in a heated confrontation, with one wrestler in a white shirt shouting angrily while the other, dressed in black, looks on.

    The teams fought into the ring, with Newman landing a plancha on PAC, and HENARE landing a lariat that took Castagnoli to the outside. Moxley wriggled off the hook of a Strombreaker attempt from Ospreay, who didn’t let the Death Riders leave easily; taking the mic he demanded an eight man tag team main event later in the evening. 

    A wrestler leaps off a ladder, performing an aerial maneuver towards other wrestlers in the ring during an AEW Dynamite event.

    The match took place under ‘chaos in Canada’ no DQ rules, and the fight started fittingly with a brawl in the crowd. HENARE and Akira teamed up to use a ladder to take care of the Death Riders on the floor, and then Akira dove from the top of the hardware onto Castagnoli, PAC and Moxley. Back inside, PAC would turn things around with a neckbreaker on Ospreay; Akira came in to quicken the pace, and Newman and Ospreay kept up the pressure with stereo planchas.

    A dramatic moment in a wrestling match where one wrestler is performing a move to slam another wrestler onto a table. The audience is engaged in the background, with lights and banners from the event visible.

    The United Empire team set up tables on each side of the ring, and with the ring steps used as a platform, Newman and Ospreay set up for a suplex, but Castagnoli’s immense power led to the save. Now with the numbers to their advantage, the Death Riders took control of the match in the ring. HENARE would power through a corner assault but was suplexed through a table by Castagnoli for his troubles; meanwhile Moxley tried to drive a splintered kendo stick into the eye of Ospreay.

    A wrestler leaps off the ropes towards an opponent lying on a table during a match, with a referee observing the action in the ring.

    More tables would be set up in and outside the ring, and Moxley landed a sickening stalling piledriver on Ospreay’s surgically repaired neck. The rest of the United Empire hit the ring as the pace became yet more frenetic, and Newman and Moxley traded before Ospreay rejoined the fray for a stereo OsCutter attack on Moxley and Daniel Garcia. With Akira’s assist, HENARE drove Castagnoli through one table, while a diving stomp from Newman put PAC through another, and Garcia was crashed into a third.

    A professional wrestling match showing a muscular wrestler standing triumphantly in the ring while another wrestler kneels in front of him. Two referees and another wrestler are in the background, with a crowd visible in the arena.

    That left Ospreay and Moxley center ring; Ospreay set for a springboard dive onto Moxley only to take a series of Paradigm Shifts from the Continental Champion, but Newman made the assist, setting Ospreay up for a Hidden Blade through the table set in the ring for three.”

    Death Vegas Invitacional (April 16) Preview

    njpw1972.com reported:

    “Wild night on the Strip hits NJPW World PPV

    After violent, unpredictable carnage took over NJPW World PPV from Korakuen hall in 2024 with Despe Invitacional and its sequel in 2025 Death Pain Invitacional, the third running of the El Desperado produced event will hit Las Vegas and the Horsehoe for Death Vegas Invitacional. Already chaotic enough, an international twist now sees Sin City enveloped in what’s sure to be a unique and unforgettable experience.

    Horseshoe Las Vegas TICKETS (Standing room only)

    Order on NJPW World PPV! (Separate purchase required. No subscription necessary)

    (Card listed in chronological order of announcement. Match order TBD during the event)

    High Stakes Heartbreak Jackpot: Dragon Kid & Starlight Kid vs El Phantasmo & X

    Promotional image for a wrestling event featuring Dragon Kid, Starlight Kid, and El Phantasmo in a High-Stakes Heartbreak Jackpot match, with event details including date and location.

    What was set to be a fight of the ‘Kids’ and the ‘Cutest’, a tag team match for Dragon Kid and Starlight Kid against El Phantasmo and Maki Itoh was thrown into further chaos this past weekend as visa issues put paid to Itoh’s appearance tonight. Now, a mystery partner will be taking Maki’s place on the 16th. As Dragon and Starlight Kid present a wealth of experience combined with sensational athleticism in a similar vein to former NJPW World TV Champion Phantasmo, who will ELP have in his corner?

     Love & Pieces 3 Way Deathmatch- Nick gage & Matt Tremont vs El Desperado & Jun Kasai vs Masashi Takeda & Rina Yamashita

    Promotional poster for a wrestling event featuring Nick Gage, Matt Tremont, El Desperado, Jun Kasai, Masashi Takeda, and Rina Yamashita, with details about a deathmatch scheduled for April 16 at Horseshoe Las Vegas.

    A three way tag team deathmatch has much to connect the members within it, and a lot of that connective tissue will be carved up by night’s end. A fundamental motivating factor for Death Vegas Invitacional at large, and a main reason for El Desperado and Jun Kasai to make the trip to the Strip was the chance for the two to battle Nick Gage. Gage has played an instrumental part in Kasai’s career from an early twist of fate; as Big Japan Pro-Wrestling and Combat Zone Wrestling were embroiled in a promotional feud, a visa issue for Gage would prevent a trip to Japan, and Kasai seized the gap and opportunity to turn on BJW and join the CZW side.

    Gage and Kasai tangled many time since, but it’s a first for Desperado, who has more familiarity with Tremont having battled him in three way action back in 2023. A memorable violent three way also connects Desperado to FREEDOMS icon Masahi Takeda, with the two being joined by Kasai back last March in a brutal war for referee Barb Sasaki’s Crazy Fest. That match followed a tag team battle from FREEDOMS’ Yokohama event in 2023 when Takeda and Yamashita joined forces against Desperado and Kasai with Kasai and Desperado victorious; will they be as successful with three dangerous teams and six insane individuals involved?

    Cute? Sexy? Hardcore 3 Way: Jimmy Lloyd vs ISHIN vs Effy  

    Promotional graphic for a wrestling event featuring a three-way match between Effy, Jimmy Lloyd, and Ishin, with the tagline 'Cute? Sexy? Hardcore.'

    Long time GCW staples Jimmy Lloyd and Effy are no strangers to one another, nor to hardcore violence. A third addition from DRAGONGATE will be new to both men however. A powerful participant in this one, 28 year old ISHIN is looking to make his mark on the US, the Strip and his opponents.

    Drop Dead Gorgeous 3 Way Tag- Bustah & The Brain (Jordan Oliver & Alec Price vs KUSHIDA & YAMATO vs MxM Collection (Mansoor & Mason Madden)

    Promotional poster for a wrestling event featuring a three-way tag match with wrestlers Jordan Oliver, Alec Price, Kushida Yamato, Mansoor, and Mason Madden. Event details include 'Runway Rush & Crash' and 'A Drop-Dead Gorgeous' tagline. Scheduled for April 16 at Horseshoe Las Vegas.

    Almost certainly the most handsome match on the Strip tonight, a three way tag team contest makes the Death Vegas card. Back at New Beginning USA in New Jersey this February, the Bustah and the Brain combination of Jordan Oliver and Alec Price impressed against an impromptu team of KUSHIDA and El Desperado. In Vegas, the young duo get another shot at KUSHIDA, this time in a different combination with DRAGONGATE’s YAMATO. NJPW fans last saw YAMATO in another odd couple pairing during Super Jr. Tag League with Tiger Mask; one wonders whether the DRAGONGATE veteran will team better with KUSHIDA. Meanwhile, always on the same wavelength with one another are Mansoor and Mason Madden, and the MxM collection are looking to make a successful debut on NJPW World PPV.  

    House Rules Hardcore: Gedo & Daisuke Sasaki vs Gringo Loco & Joey Janela

    Promotional graphic for a wrestling event featuring Daisuke Sasaki, Joey Janela, and Gringo Loco, highlighting a 'House Rules Hardcore Match' under the title 'The Rigged Roulette.'

    More unusual combinations see Daisuke Sasaki and Gedo teaming together opposite Joey Janela and Gringo Loco. The last time Loco and Janela were on the same side was for FREEDOMS in Korakuen Hall back in 2023, while Sasaki and Gedo haven’t teamed before at all. 

    Sasaki will be in his first Best of the Super Jr. tournament for 14 years in the month of May, and should he be able to turn back the memory clock to that time, he will remember tagging against Gedo and Jado in 2012, and defeating Gedo in singles action the year before. Sasaki also has a pinfall victory over Janela from DDT’s D-Ou Grand Prix in 2022. Can DDT’s charisma and the brains of the Unbound Co. operation get another win over Janela and Loco tonight?”

    Ed: “Fans, New Japan continues to use these NJPW World shows to set the table—every multi‑man tag, every staredown, it all points toward the next big tour stop.”

    Gabe Kidd injured; to miss Dontaku title challenge

    njpw1972.com reported:

    “On April 12 in Vancouver Canada at AEW’s Dynasty event, Gabe Kidd, who was scheduled to challenge Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Global heavyweight Championship May 3 at Dontaku, sustained an injury to his right arm and will not be able to compete. 

    We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Kidd wrestle and appreciate your understanding.

    Yota Tsuji will still defend the IWGP Global title May 3 in the main event of Dontaku night one. An announcement will follow when a new challenger has been determined. 

    NJPW joins fans in wishing Kidd a speedy, full recovery.”

    Gordon: “Indeed. A most fluid environment, with New Japan balancing domestic tours and international ambitions.”

    🟫 Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)

    OVW Rise episode April 9, 2026

    Ed: “Now let’s head to Louisville, fans—OVW Rise continues to showcase a roster full of hungry competitors looking to climb the ladder.”

    From cagematch.net.

    (09.04.2026) OVW TV #1390 – TV-Show @ Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky, USA
    Brendan Balling defeats Colby Carter (5:07) Ed: “A solid opener, giving the crowd a taste of what OVW is building.”
    Freya The Slaya defeats Dayami (2:53)
    Donovan Cecil defeats Draco Bennett (4:21)
    Z Force (Kid Colossus & Super Z) (w/Dayami & Percival Goodington XIII) defeat The Troublemakers (Canaan Kristopher & Glenn Spectre) (17:31) Gordon: “Quite so. A most instructive contest for the middle of the card.”
    J-Rod vs. Lovely Miss Larkan (w/Tommy Boy) – No Contest
    J-Rod & Stephen Steel defeat Lovely Miss Larkan & Tommy Boy (5:20)
    Rae Larson defeats Leela Feist (w/Feist Boy Lawson) (5:11)
    Star Rider vs. Tony Gunn – No Contest
    Erik Surge & Kal Herro defeat The Trifecta (Jake Lawless & Jake Painter) (w/Ashton Adonis) (12:38) Gordon: “A most decisive main event, with implications for OVW’s championship hierarchy.”

    From OVW Wrestling on Facebook

    “The party’s over 🍻

    The Troublemakers just lost the tag titles… and for once, they’re the ones getting kicked out.”

    https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DVsZgyZEq/

    1. [Main event: OVW Heavyweight / National / big grudge match] Result: [Winner + any run‑ins, challenges, or stare‑downs] Gordon: “A most decisive main event, with implications for OVW’s championship hierarchy.”

    “Double Crossed is TONIGHT 🔥

    It’s not too late to get your tickets and witness the chaos live at Ohio Valley Wrestling.”

    Promotional poster for OVW wrestling event titled 'Double Crossed', featuring matchups including Dustin Jackson vs Stephen Steel for the Heavyweight title and Shaloncé Royal vs Leela Feist for the Women's title, along with several tag team and singles matches, set for April 14 at Hotpoint Davis Arena in Louisville, Kentucky.

    “Overdrive goes LIVE TONIGHT at 7PM on YouTube 🔥

    Main event showdown: Big Zo vs Ashton Adonis 💥

    Plus an exclusive interview with the Tag Team Champions, The Troublemakers, as they break down what’s next for their reign.

    And more you won’t want to miss.”

    Gordon: “Quite so. OVW remains a most important stop on the road for wrestlers looking to refine their craft and gain exposure.”

    Ed: “Fans, Rise continues to feel like a proving ground—every match is a chance for someone to step up and grab the spotlight.”

    Ed: “Fans, Rise continues to feel like a proving ground—every match is a chance for someone to step up and grab the spotlight.”

    🎙️ Desk outro

    Ed: “Fans, between New Japan’s global strong style on NJPW World and OVW’s territory‑flavored grind on Rise, the wrestling world from Tokyo to Kentucky is humming like a depot stove!”

    Gordon: “Indeed. A most compelling time to follow professional wrestling at every level—from international headliners to tomorrow’s stars. And with that… so long from the wrestling world.”

    Around the World of Pro Wrestling

    Here’s your week-in-review for New Japan Pro Wrestling—delivered by hosts Ed and Gordon as if they were sitting behind the ESPN desk, jackets pressed, voices steady, and the action hotter than a Calgary Stampede midway.

    🎙️ “It’s going to be a ring-a-ding-dong dandy!” — Ed

    🎙️ “And now… the scientific breakdown.” — Gordon

    Below is a full rundown of results, champions, TV happenings, news, and rumors from the last week in NJPW, all grounded in the latest reporting.

    🏆 1. Tournament Action: New Japan Cup 2026 Heats Up

    March 14 — Nagoya Kinjofuto Arena

    Main Event:

    • Zack Sabre Jr. defeats Ryohei Oiwa in a technical masterclass, advancing in the New Japan Cup. Solie voice: “A clinic in torque, leverage, and ligament manipulation.”

    Other notable results:

    • Shota Umino advances, defeating Yujiro Takahashi.
    • United Empire racks up multiple wins across multi-man tags.
    • Toru Yano & Oleg Boltin outwit HOUSE OF TORTURE—likely with Yano’s usual bag of tricks.

    March 15 — Night Nine, Aimesse Yamanashi

    Quarterfinals:

    • Oleg Boltin defeats Ren Narita.
    • Yuya Uemura defeats Shingo Takagi in a major upset. Whalen voice: “Oh my, that’s a shocker, folks!”

    Tag Highlights:

    • TMDK continues its strong showing, with multiple victories.
    • United Empire dominates again—momentum clearly building.

    🏅 2. Champions & Title Picture

    While no major titles changed hands this week, the NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship saw a shakeup just days earlier:

    • Alex Windsor captured the NJPW STRONG Women’s Title in London. Solie: “A decisive victory that redefines the women’s division landscape.”

    The New Japan Cup continues to determine future title challengers, and with Uemura and Boltin advancing, the heavyweight scene is shifting in unexpected ways.

    📺 3. TV & Event Coverage

    NJPW World aired:

    • New Japan Cup Night Nine (3/15)
    • New Japan Cup Second Round (3/14)
    • Multiple preview shows and “Cupdate” features throughout the week.

    Upcoming coverage includes:

    • Continued New Japan Cup rounds
    • Features on HENARE, Shota Umino, and Konosuke Takeshita’s upcoming appearance in the Cup final build.

    📰 4. News Highlights (Official NJPW)

    From NJPW’s newsroom this week:

    • G1 Climax 36 – Ticket Details (Confirmed)
    • 📍 Opening Night Location
    • NOW Arena – Hoffman Estates, Illinois (Chicago area) This marks the first G1 opening night in the U.S. since 2019.
    • 📅 Event Date
    • Saturday, July 11, 2026 – 7:00 PM CST
    • 🎟️ Ticket Sales Information
    • General On‑Sale
    • Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 10:00 AM CST
    • Presales
    • NJPW has confirmed multiple presale groups:
    • NJPW Global Fan Club members
    • Tokon Shop Global mailing list subscribers
    • NOW Arena mailing list subscribers
    • These presales typically open 1–3 days before general on‑sale, though NJPW has not yet published exact presale timestamps.
    • 💵 Ticket Availability & Pricing
    • SeatGeek currently lists:
    • No active ticket listings yet (normal before presales open).
    • Fans can track the event to receive price‑drop or availability alerts.
    • Pricing tiers have not been released publicly, but based on past U.S. NJPW events at NOW Arena, you can expect:
    • Floor seats: premium pricing
    • Lower bowl: mid‑range
    • Upper bowl: budget‑friendly options
    • (These are projections—official pricing will appear once NJPW posts the on‑sale link.)

    • Konosuke Takeshita announced for action at the New Japan Cup final (Mar 11).
    • ⭐ Konosuke Takeshita Confirmed for Action at the New Japan Cup Final (March 11 Announcement)
    • NJPW officially announced that Konosuke Takeshita, the reigning NJPW World Television Champion, will compete at the New Japan Cup Final on March 21 in Niigata. This will be his first appearance in Japan for NJPW since New Year Dash, and his match has not yet been revealed.
    • 🏆 What NJPW Announced
    • Key Points
    • Takeshita will bring the NJPW World TV Championship to Japan for the first time since winning it.
    • He will be “in action” at the New Japan Cup Final—NJPW has not yet announced his opponent or match type.
    • NJPW teased the appearance with: “What does Takeshita have planned for his first Japanese appearance in NJPW since New Year Dash?”
    • The event takes place March 21 in Niigata, airing live on NJPW World with English commentary.
    • 🥇 How He Got Here
    • Recent Championship Win
    • Takeshita won the NJPW World Television Championship at The New Beginning USA on February 27.
    • The match with El Phantasmo went to a 15‑minute time‑limit draw, then into overtime at ELP’s request.
    • Takeshita won with his finisher Raging Fire.
    • 🔮 Context for the New Japan Cup Final
    • The New Japan Cup winner will challenge Yota Tsuji for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis (April 4).
    • Takeshita’s appearance is positioned as a major attraction alongside the tournament conclusion.
    • 🌐 Cross‑Promotion Notes
    • Takeshita is currently under contract with AEW, NJPW, and DDT Pro Wrestling.
    • Just days after the announcement, he is scheduled to challenge Jon Moxley for the AEW Continental Championship at AEW Revolution (March 15).
    • 🎙️ CUPDATE – NIGHT 2 Ed :

      “Fans, we had ourselves a real ring‑a‑ding‑dong dandy on Night 2 of the New Japan Cup! The tournament may still be young, but the intensity is already hotter than a July afternoon in the Saddledome. The early rounds saw young lions roaring, veterans digging deep, and factions jockeying for position like thoroughbreds coming around the final turn!”

      Gordon :

      “Indeed, Ed. Night 2 provided a fascinating study in contrasts — youthful exuberance versus seasoned ring generalship. Several competitors advanced through precise execution, while others relied on endurance and tactical awareness. The bracket begins to take shape, and with it, the psychological pressure increases.”

      Night 2 Highlights :

    • Technical grappling dominated, with several matches ending via clutch submissions or leverage-based pins.Faction warfare intensified, particularly between United Empire and their rivals, setting the tone for later rounds.Momentum shifts became a defining theme — early favorites were pushed harder than expected, while dark horses began to emerge.

      • 🎙️ CUPDATE – NIGHT 3Ed :

      “Oh my, did Night 3 ever shake things up! Upsets, near‑falls, and enough drama to fill a whole season of New Japan Pro Wrestling! The fans in attendance were treated to a barnburner of a card, and folks, the New Japan Cup is officially wide open!”

      Gordon :

      “Night 3 was a masterclass in tournament psychology. Several competitors demonstrated remarkable adaptability, adjusting their strategies mid‑match to counter their opponents’ strengths. The attrition factor is now becoming evident — those who conserve energy intelligently will have a distinct advantage as we progress.”

      Night 3 Highlights (Based on official results)

    • Oleg Boltin advanced, overpowering Ren Narita with a blend of raw strength and surprising speed.

    • Yuya Uemura shocked the field, defeating Shingo Takagi in a grueling 26‑minute battle — one of the biggest upsets of the tournament so far. TMDK and United Empire continued their dominance in multi‑man tags, signaling that faction momentum may play a major role as the Cup advances.

      • Gordon’s Closing Note:

      “As the tournament advances, the margin for error diminishes. Conditioning, ring awareness, and psychological fortitude will determine who survives the crucible of the New Japan Cup.”

      Ed’s Sign‑off:

      “Fans, if this is what Nights 2 and 3 gave us, you’d better buckle up — because the road to the finals is going to be a scorcher!”


    • Interviews with HENARE and Shota Umino.

      🥋 Interview: Shota Umino — “First Shoots of Spring”

      Source: NJPW1972.com (Mar 9, 2026)

      ⭐ Core Themes

      • Mindset entering the New Japan Cup:
        Umino acknowledges his bracket is brutal — Chase Owens, Yujiro Takahashi, and then potential matches with Oiwa, Yuto-Ice, or Zack Sabre Jr.


      • Reflecting on the Knockout Brothers feud:
        He and his partner were beaten three times, but Umino says the matches were creatively refreshing and pushed him to evolve.


      • Crowd reactions:
        He’s aware of the boos but sees them as engagement, not rejection. His goal is to “make the cheers outweigh the boos.”


      • Tag future with Yuya Uemura:
        The interview ends with Umino discussing the potential of continuing as a team, hinting at long-term chemistry.

        • 🎙️ Tone & Takeaway

      Umino comes across as self-aware, hungry, and analytical, treating the Cup as the next step in his “second chapter” that began in 2025. He’s positioning himself as a future ace — and he knows it.

      🛡️ Interview: HENARE — “Mana of the Hour”

      Source: NJPW1972.com (Mar 11, 2026)
      Additional reporting: Fightful summary of the same interview (Mar 13, 2026)

      ⭐ Core Themes

      • Return from devastating knee injury:
        HENARE describes the injury in detail — his patella tendon tore completely, leaving his kneecap displaced.
        Post‑surgery pain was “excruciating,” worsened by strict limits on painkillers.


      • Mental struggle during recovery:
        A full year out of action left him frustrated and restless.
        He had been on a career upswing in 2024 (NEVER Champion, IWGP Tag Champion, rarely taking falls).


      • First singles match back:
        His return match in the New Japan Cup is against Boltin Oleg — a high‑impact opponent he respects.


      • Credit to Don Fale:
        In the Fightful‑covered portion, HENARE praises Fale for bringing him, Hikuleo, Yuto-Ice, and OSKAR into NJPW.

        • 🎙️ Tone & Takeaway

      HENARE is raw, honest, and intense, emphasizing resilience and the desire to reclaim his momentum. He frames his return as unfinished business — a warrior coming back to the battlefield.

    🔍 5. Rumors & Industry Buzz

    While the official reports stay tight-lipped, the wrestling press and fan chatter suggest:

    • United Empire’s heavy push may be building toward a major faction storyline post–New Japan Cup.
    • Yuya Uemura’s upset win over Shingo Takagi has sparked speculation that NJPW may be positioning him for a breakout year.
    • Konosuke Takeshita’s involvement in the Cup final weekend has fans wondering about deeper AEW–NJPW collaboration.

    (Note: These are industry rumors, not confirmed NJPW announcements.)

    🧭 6. The Gordon/Ed Wrap-Up

    Ed :

    “Fans, what a week! Upsets, submissions, and enough tag-team chaos to fill the Tokyo Dome twice over. The New Japan Cup is shaping up to be a real barnburner!”

    Gordon :

    “And as we proceed toward the latter stages of the tournament, the strategic implications become increasingly profound. Keep your eye on Uemura and Boltin—young athletes with momentum and technical precision.”