Puro Report (23/2/2023 — 1/3/2024):

New Japan Pro Wrestling:

The New Beginning tour ended in Sapporo with one final event themed around LIJ vs J5G. BUSHI defeated TAKA Michinoku, DOUKI surprisingly picked up the win over Hiromu Takahashi and Taichi got the best of Shingo Takagi, but the big fights came in the semi and main event. In the penultimate match of the night, Yuya Uemura and Yota Tsuji ended their feud in a hair vs hair match with Tsuji taking Uemura’s hair as his prize, before finally Tetsuya Naito retained his IWGP title against SANADA. This event also acted as Kazuchika Okada’s final event before parting with NJPW. Best of luck wherever he winds up. After the show, Yoh would nominate himself as the next challenger for SHO’s Jr Heavyweight Championship by stealing the belt, while the Champion will now get his wish and face Naito in a non-title bout at the 52nd Anniversary show. Hiroshi Tanahashi was also scheduled to face Nic Nemeth for his newly won Global Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis but that match has been postponed due to an injury Tanahashi sustained during his match with Matt Riddle. And finally, we have the entrants for the 2024 New Japan Cup. As usual there are a lot of entrants and there are a number of ways this could play out, but with Naito, Okada, Tanahashi, Ospreay and White all absent there’s a very different feel to this year.

Pro Wrestling NOAH:

DAGA and Ogawa’s Jr Tag title match has been made official following a vicious beating DAGA put on Tadasuke. The reigning Jr Heavyweight Champion claimed the GLG member “had it coming”.

All Japan Pro Wrestling:

The unlikely pairing of SUWAMA and Hideki Suzuki are now AJPW Tag Team Champions, defeating Kento Miyahara and Yuma Aoyagi for the vacant titles. Their first challengers are another odd pairing: Shotaro Ashino and Kuroshio TOKYO Japan. That match will take place on the 9th. As well as this, Yuma Anzai vs Katsuhiko Nakajima has been given an official date. The pair will collide for the Triple Crown Championship on March 30. In between then, Nakajima will also have a special singles match against former Jr Heavyweight Champion, Fuminori Abe, on the twelfth which should be an absolute war.

GLEAT:

At GLEAT Ver. 9, Hayato Tamura retained his G-Rex Championship by overcoming SBK. From the looks of things, Minoru Tanaka will be his next challenger.

DDT:

MAO successfully retained his DDT Universal Championship against Hikaru Machida before making it clear he wanted to defend his belt at DDT’s upcoming show in America. Before he can get there though, he’ll have to get through Takeshi Masada, who confronted him after the match, setting up a match at Judgement 2024. After winning a match against 2 out of 3 of the reigning Six-Man Champions, Zuncha Muscle Survivor — Kazuki Hirata’s crazy new unit consisting of himself, Naruki Doi and Shinya Aoki — will challenge D.O.A for the belts at Judgement as well. While that match was happening, Jun Akiyama was in America, facing Bryan Danielson on an episode of AEW Collision. And finally, Zack Sabre Jr made a shock appearance, arriving in DDT to support his long time friend, Chris Brookes. Zack and Brookes are set to team up on April 7th to face the team of MAO and Yuki Ueno in what promises to be a very fun bout.

Big Japan Pro Wrestling:

BJW has announced two exciting new title bouts for the 20th. Takum Tsukamoto will challenge Yuki Ishikawa for the BJW Deathmatch title while Yuya Aoki will defend his Strong World Heavyweight Championship against Takuya Nomura in what promises to be a barnburner.

Pro Wrestling FREEDOMS:

After winning a six-man deathmatch against the champion’s team, Violento Jack has stepped forward to challenge for Masashi Takeda’s King of FREEDOM Championship, a match the Champ has eagerly accepted. These two will be throwing down at The Gekokujo 2024.

Joshi:

Allen of Actwres girl’Z has announced she’ll be leaving the promotion as of the 29th and while she aims to remain in show business is unlikely to return to the ring.

World Wonder Ring Stardom:

After a lot of speculation, Giulia has officially announced she will be parting ways with Stardom at the end of March. She has yet to comment on any destinations thereafter. She will be making a defence of her STRONG Women’s Championship against Stephanie Vaquer at day 2 of Stardom’s Cinderella Tournament.

Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling:

Former idol, Ami Yumoyo, will make her TJPW debut as a part of Wrestle Princess 2024. This will be her first official match although she does have experience, having worked on Tofu Pro Wrestling, a TV program based around Joshi wrestling. Miyu Yamashita has also announced she’ll be returning to America for a while, leaving early April and returning in June. We wish her the best as always.