DDT Pro-Wrestling(DDTプロレスリング,DDT Puroresuringu)is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion based inShinjuku,Tokyo.Its name is an initialism ofDramatic Dream Team,which was the promotion's original name from 1997 to 2004. Founded in March 1997 by Shintaro Muto, the promotion was eventually bought and managed byShoichi Ichimiyauntil December 2005, whenSanshiro Takagitook over as the new president. In 2017, DDT was sold toCyberAgent.Takagi retained his position, while Takahiro Yamauchi took over as the new DDT director.
![]() DDT logo since April 2018 | |
Acronym | DDT |
---|---|
Founded | 1997 |
Style | |
Headquarters | Shinjuku, Tokyo,Japan |
Founder(s) | Shintaro Mutoh |
Parent | CyberFight (CyberAgent) |
Sister | |
Formerly | Dramatic Dream Team (1997–2004) |
Website | ddtpro |
DDT became one of the top promotions in Japaneseindependent wrestlingby creating a unique sports entertainment style, often parodyingWWE,with a Japanesepuroresuflair to the matches. DDT's biggest event isPeter Pan,held each year since 2009.
The cards' matches tend to be a mixture of Japanese lucharesu (a mix of lucha libre and traditional puroresu), worked shoot-style, hardcore brawling and comedy matches. DDT is in many ways a parody of American pro wrestling, particularly WWE, using over-the-top gimmicks (most notablyDanshoku Dino) as well as unique match types includinghardcore matchesin a campsite (which featured use of bottle rockets as weapons), an "Office Deathmatch" (where the ring was set up to resemble a section of an office building, complete with cubicle walls and computers), and a "Silence Match" (where wrestlers were forbidden to make loud noises, resulting in slow-motion chops and punches and featuring the commentary team speaking in a faux-whisper).
In January 2020, DDT's parent company CyberAgent purchasedPro Wrestling Noah,with DDT's executives taking over Noah's operations and Noah's content appearing on DDT's streaming serviceWrestle Universe.[1]
History
editDramatic Dream Team (1997–2004)
editThe promotion was founded by Shintaro Muto,Sanshiro Takagi,Kyohei MikamiandKazushige Nosawa,after they left Pro Wrestling Crusaders.[2]The promotion was namedDramatic Dream Team,its first event took place on January 31, 1997, in Tokyo. In 1999, DDT started producing pay-per-view digests of its product on DirectTV.[citation needed]
The promotion then established their own governing body in 2000, the King of DDT, shortened as KO-D, creating theKO-D Openweight Championship,Ironman Heavymetalweight Championshipand theKO-D Tag Team Championship.DDT also created their own tag team tournament theDDT Tag League.Later in 2003,Shoichi Ichimiyabecame the new president of DDT.[3]
Independent DDT Pro-Wrestling (2004–2017)
editOn 2004, DDT rebranded to DDT Pro-Wrestlingyūgen gaisharenaming the promotion toDDT Pro-Wrestling.In October, DDT got a timeslot onFighting TV Samurai,creating their regular broadcast programDDT Dramatic Fantasia.[4]In 2005, indie promotion Union Pro Wrestling was revived by DDT.[5]
On December 28, 2005 Ichimiya retired from professional wrestling and announced his departure from DDT.[6]This led to Sanshiro Takagi taking over the promotion as the new president. Then the company focused on the feud between the face stable Italian Four Horsemen and the heel stable Disaster Box. In November 2006, DDT announced the creation of their fourth active title theDDT Extreme Championship.Later in 2007 DDT announced a working relationship withDragon Gate.DDT and Dragon Gate held their first co-promoted show, Dramatic Dream Gate on April 18, 2007 in Shinjuku Face in Tokyo, Japan. DDT would later become a member of theGlobal Professional Wrestling Alliance.The group was established as a means to aid the many competing wrestling promotions in Japan. In 2009, DDT announced that they were going to become a stock company, turning their company from private to public.[citation needed]In March 2010, DDT announced a working relationship withBig Japan Pro Wrestling.[7]Later in March, Takagi announced the DDT48 (later renamed Dramatic Sōsenkyo), which was a fan vote where the winner received a shot at the KO-D Openweight Championship. Later that month, in storyline,Michael Nakazawastepped down as the CEO of DDT and Amon Tsurumi became theGeneral Managerof the promotion.[citation needed]In 2011, DDT received theFighting TV SamuraiIndie no Oshigotoprizefor having the best show the year, winning theBest Show AwardforJudgement 2011.
In March 2012, the Dramatic Fantasia weekly program was briefly cancelled by Samurai TV. This led to the launch of the programDDT Wrestling HouronNiconico,starting April 2.[8]On June 4, DDT launched another sub-brand namedTokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling(TJPW), which was exclusive to women's wrestlers.[9]DDT celebrated its15th anniversaryon August 18, 2012, by holding its first ever event inNippon Budokan.[10]On December 23, 2012, DDT announced the creation of their fifth active title, theKO-D 6-Man Tag Team Championship.[11]On January 17, 2013, DDT announced thatDaisuke Sasakihad signed a contract to officially make DDT his home promotion, ending his days as a freelancer.[12][13]On April 17 DDT formed another sub-brandGanbare☆Pro-Wrestling(GanPro). On May 3, DDT's Max Bump event was broadcast live bySamurai TV.After that DDT launched a weekly programDDT's Pro-Wrestling Banzai \(^o^)/,which was also broadcast by Samurai TV.[14]On November 28, DDT announced a new project named DDT New Attitude (DNA) which would be another sub-brand of DDT, functioning as adevelopmental brandfor DDT.
On January 14, 2015, DDT opened a women's wrestling school withMakoto OishiandCherryas instructors.[citation needed]Later DDT announced the creation of their sixth active title, theKing of Dark Championship,which would be "won" by the loser of adark match.On June 23, DDT opened the Dropkick Bar which is a professional wrestling, bo xing and mixed martial arts-themed sports bar. Professional wrestling personalities regularly make appearances at the bar. On August 17 it was announced that Union Pro would be folding after its 10th anniversary event on October 4.[15]Three days after its folding, Union was replaced by a new promotion namedPro-Wrestling Basara,which launched in January 2016.[16]In October 2016, DDT announced "DDT Universe",a new streaming service for events held by DDT, DNA, Basara, TJPW and GanPro.[17]The service launched on January 23, 2017.[18]On April 30, 2017, announced the creation of their seventh active title, theKO-D 10-Man Tag Team Championship,meant for teams of five wrestlers, the title is believed to be the first of its kind in professional wrestling.[19][20]with the inaugural champions crowned on August 20, 2017.[21]
On July 5, 2017, it was announced that DDT had entered into a partnership with Canada's Canadian Wrestling's Elite promotion.[22]On August 20Danshoku Dinodefeated Sanshiro Takagi in a match, where if Dino won he would become the Producer of DDT. After Dino won he fired the DDT's General Manager Amon Tsurumi and Turumi returned to a backstage role as assistant producer and reverted to his real name Hisaya Imabayashi. Dino also announced the creation of a new tournament called "D-Oh Grand Prix".
DDT under CyberAgent (2017–present)
editOn September 1, 2017, 100% of DDT's shares were sold to theCyberAgentcompany. Sanshiro Takagi remained as the DDT president, while CyberAgent director Takahiro Yamauchi took over as the new DDT director.
On June 11, 2019, DDT announced Basara would be splitting up from DDT and become an independent company starting January 1, 2020.[23][24]In October, the third edition of the annual "Iron Fist Tag Tournament" led to the creation of Basara's firsttag teamchampionship, theIron Fist Tag Team Championship.[25]
On January 28, 2020, DDT's parent company CyberAgent purchasedPro Wrestling Noah.DDT's President Sanshiro Takagi was named the President of Pro Wrestling Noah and Naomichi Marufuji the Vice President. Noah's events began airing on DDT's streaming service DDT Universe starting with Noah's Global Jr. League 2020 on January 30.[26]On July 27, 2020, it was announced Noah and DDT would merge in a new company,CyberFight.[27]
On March 20, 2022, atJudgement,it was announced thatAll Elite Wrestling(AEW) had formed a working relationship with DDT and TJPW that would see wrestlers from both brands appear on AEW programming.[28][29]
On December 15, 2023, DDT was announced as one of the founding members of theUnited Japan Pro-Wrestlingalliance, a joint effort to further develop professional wrestling in Japan through promotion and organization, withSeiji Sakaguchibeing named as the chairman of the project.[30]
Personnel
editChampionships
editCurrent championships
editSingles
editChampionship | Current champion(s) | Reign | Date won | Days held |
Successful defenses |
Location | Notes | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KO-D Openweight Championship | Chris Brookes | 2 | November 4, 2024 | 112+ | 0 | Tokyo, Japan | DefeatedShinya Aokiat Sumida Dramatic Dream!. | [31] | |
DDT Universal Championship | Yuki Ueno | 3 | January 26, 2025 | 29+ | 0 | Tokyo, Japan | DefeatedGringo Locoat DDT New Year, New Hero. 2025 ~ A New Story Begins ~. | [32] | |
DDT Extreme Championship | Danshoku Dino | 9 | October 20, 2024 | 127+ | 2 | Tokyo, Japan | DefeatedAkitoin anobodyknows+ rules matchatGod Bless DDT 2024. | [33][34] | |
O-40 Championship | Toru Owashi | 2 | October 13, 2024 | 134+ | 0 | Fukuoka, Japan | Defeated previous champion Azul Dragon andDanshoku Dinoin athree-way matchat God Bless DDT 2024 Tour in Fukuoka. | [35] | |
World Ōmori Championship | Masahiro Takanashi | 1 | November 10, 2024 | 106+ | 0 | Tokyo, Japan | DefeatedSoma Takaoat UTAN Festa 2024. | [36] | |
Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship | Tetsu Inada | 3 | February 2, 2025 | 9+ | TJPW Shinkansen Joshi Pro Wrestling | Tokyo, Japan | Defeated Mecha Fist to win the title. | [37] |
Tag teams
editChampionship | Current champion(s) | Reign | Date won | Days held |
Successful defenses |
Location | Notes | Ref. | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KO-D Tag Team Championship | The37Kamiina (MaoandTo-y) |
1 (5, 1) |
December 28, 2024 | 58+ | 0 | Tokyo, Japan | DefeatedBurning(Tetsuya Endoand Yuya Koroku) for the vacant titles atUltimate Party | [38] | |
KO-D 6-Man Tag Team Championship | Damnation T.A (Daisuke Sasaki,KanonandMJ Paul) |
3 (7, 3, 6) |
July 21, 2024 | 218+ | 0 | Tokyo, Japan | Defeated Smile Squash (Akito,HarashimaandYasu Urano) atWrestle Peter Pan 2024. | [39][40] | |
KO-D 10-Man Tag Team Championship | Keigo Nakamura,To-y,Yuya Koroku,Yuki Ishidaand Kazuma Sumi | 1 (2, 2, 1, 1, 1) |
October 19, 2024 | 128+ | 0 | Tokyo, Japan | Defeated Schadenfreude International (Masahiro Takanashi,Chris Brookes,Takeshi Masada,and Mecha Mummy) and Munetatsu Nakamura at DDT Pro-Wrestling in Ikebukuro Full Moon Festival 2024. | [41] |
Former, inactive and defunct championships
editDDT has had a lot of different championships, some of which were very short-lived.[42]
Events
editMarquee events
edit- Peter Pan
- Judgement
- Ultimate Party
- Into The Fight
- Max Bump
- God Bless DDT
- Who's Gonna Top?
- Never Mind
- Sweet Dreams!
Tournaments
editActive
editAccomplishment | Last winner(s) | Date won | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
King of DDT | Mao | May 26, 2024 | Tokyo, Japan | DefeatedDaisuke Sasakiin the tournament final. |
D-Oh Grand Prix | Yukio Naya | January 3, 2024 | Tokyo, Japan | DefeatedTetsuya Endoin the tournament final. |
D Generations Cup | Yuya Koroku | February 23, 2025 | Tokyo, Japan | DefeatedTakeshi Masadain the tournament final. |
Inactive
editAccomplishment | Last winner(s) | Last held | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Ultimate Tag League | Disaster Box (HarashimaandNaomi Yoshimura) |
2022 | A tag team round-robin tournament. |
King of Street Wrestling | Chris Brookes | 2022 | A single elimination street fight tournament. |
Young Drama Cup | Soma Takao | 2010 | A round-robin tournament for the younger talent of DDT, held in 2009 and 2010. |
Accomplishments
editAccomplishment | Last winner(s) | Date won | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
DDT Dramatic General Election | Masahiro Takanashi(singles) | October 30, 2018 | Tokyo, Japan | DDT Doramatikku Sōsenkyo(DDTドラマティック tổng tuyển cử).Won by fan votation. Formerly known as DDT48. |
Shuten-dōji(units) | ||||
Right to Challenge Anytime, Anywhere | Shinya Aoki | August 14, 2022 | Tokyo, Japan | Contracts for a championship match, which can be "cashed in" by the holder at any point in the year following their victory (similar to WWE'sMoney in the Bankcontract). Unlike Money in the Bank, contract holders have to defend their contracts in every official match in which they participate. |
Dropkick Bar
editDrop Kick Bar, Swan Dive & Ebisuko Tavern is a professional wrestling,bo xingandmixed martial arts-themedsports barsowned and operated by DDT inShinjuku.Professional wrestling personalities make appearances at the bar.[43][44]
Broadcasters
editDomestic:
- Fighting TV Samurai(2004–present, currently broadcasting live specials, retrospective shows and magazine show DDT Pro Wrestling Banzai)
- AbemaTV(2017–present, online linear television service, live-streaming episodes of DDT Pro Wrestling Banzai)
- Nico Nico Douga(2012–present, currently broadcasting live specials, DDT Wrestling Hour streaming untelevised spot-shows and interviews)
Worldwide:
- Wrestle Universe(streaming service, broadcasting most DDT shows live, as well as on-demand classic, as well as content from other promotions, beginning with DDT sister promotions Pro Wrestling Noah, Ganbare☆Pro-Wrestling and Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling)
- Triller TV(2020–present, streaming service, broadcasting most DDT big shows live, as well as on-demand classic)
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ノアがDDTに続きサイバーエージェント dù hạ に! Nghiệp giới thế lực đồ に đại きな ảnh hưởng – Đông Kinh スポーツ tin tức xã.Đông スポWeb – Đông Kinh スポーツ tin tức xã(in Japanese). 28 January 2020.
- ^"DDT" JUDGEMENT 2017 ~ DDT 20TH ANNIVERSARY BOX OFFICE "Preview".Dramatic DDT.March 17, 2017.
- ^CIMO (November 11, 2019).【プレゼント xí họa 】 năm thương 500 vạn yên の nhỏ yếu プロレス đoàn thể が lên sân khấu xí nghiệp の グループ nhập りするまで DDT đại xã trưởng cao mộc ba bốn lang を tuyển で2 danh dạng にプレゼント! Ứng mộ đính thiết 11/19( hỏa ) hất.Proresu Today(in Japanese).
- ^FIGHTING TV サムライ【 phiên tổ tình báo: DDT】[Fighting TV Samurai [Program Information: DDT]] (in Japanese). Archived fromthe originalon October 19, 2008.
- ^"Union Pro Wrestling Timeline".October 2, 2015.
- ^【プロレス】 "Giả tạo vương" một cung chương một が rút lui 28 ngày DDT “Nại chấn cường độ ngụy trang 3WAYデスマッチ” で có chung [12/25].news18.5ch.net(in Japanese).Archivedfrom the original on September 29, 2021.
- ^"New Year's Indy Party Announced, UNION In Big Japan, Cherry Picking".October 2, 2010.
- ^Niconicopedia.DDTプロレスアワー.dic.nicovideo.jp(in Japanese).RetrievedSeptember 30,2021.
- ^2012 năm 06 nguyệt 04 ngày ( nguyệt ) DDT tân quy sự nghiệp として『 Đông Kinh nữ tử プロレス』を thiết lập, đại biểu は giáp điền triết cũng thị.DDT Pro-Wrestling(in Japanese). June 4, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon January 21, 2013.RetrievedJune 5,2012.
- ^Võ đạo quán ピーターパン~DDT の 15 đầy năm, ドーンと thấy せます siêu xa hoa 4 thời gian SP~.DDT Pro-Wrestling(in Japanese). Archived fromthe originalon October 3, 2013.RetrievedAugust 18,2012.
- ^【12・23リポート①】 thiên コジ cảnh sát MA quân bắt. 6 người タッグ vương tọa tân thiết.DDT Pro-Wrestling(in Japanese). December 23, 2012.RetrievedDecember 20,2017.
- ^2014 năm khế ước sửa đổi kết thúc の お biết らせ.DDT Pro-Wrestling(in Japanese). January 17, 2014.RetrievedDecember 20,2017.
- ^DDTが 2014 năm の khế ước sửa đổi を kết thúc. Tá 々 mộc đại phụ が tương ứng へ! Tá đằng quang lưu はレギュラー tham chiến kế 続せず!.Battle News(in Japanese). January 17, 2014.RetrievedDecember 20,2017.
- ^DDT の プロレスバンザイ\(^o^)/.SamuraiTV(in Japanese). Archived from the original on March 25, 2014.
- ^【 phóng viên hội kiến 】10・4 sau lặc viên の 10 đầy năm kỷ niệm hưng hành で giải tán, thạch xuyên はフリーに. “Cuối cùng にどデカい hoa hỏa を đánh ち thượng げましょう” ( イサミ ) “『ユニオンプロレス, ここにあり』という ký ức に tàn る đại hội にしたい” ( thạch xuyên ) “Hoàn toàn châm thiêu したい” ( スーザン ).DDT Pro-Wrestling(in Japanese). August 17, 2015.RetrievedAugust 17,2015.
- ^【 phóng viên hội kiến 】イサミが tân đoàn thể kỳ dương げ! Đoàn thể danh は “プロレスリングBasara”, kỳ dương げ chiến は1・21 tân túc! Tương ứng tuyển thủ も phát biểu / chư kiều, イサミ, ビアードはDDT tương ứng, thạch xuyên & tam phú はフリー, lâu bảo はTEC tương ứng に.DDT Pro-Wrestling(in Japanese). October 7, 2015.RetrievedOctober 7,2015.
- ^DDT một mình の động họa xứng tin サービス “DDT Universe” mở! 2017 năm 1 nguyệt スタート!.DDT Pro-Wrestling(in Japanese). October 24, 2016.RetrievedOctober 25,2016.
- ^Động họa xứng tin サービス “DDT Universe” サイトオープンまであと10 ngày!.DDT Pro-Wrestling(in Japanese). January 13, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 13,2017.
- ^Meltzer, Dave(May 8, 2017). "May 8, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: WWE Payback review, WWE financials, plus tons of news".Wrestling Observer Newsletter.Campbell, California.p. 63.ISSN1083-9593.
- ^KO-D10 người タッグ vương tọa tân thiết の お biết らせ/ ngày 20 tháng 8 lạng quốc quốc kỹ quán đại hội で sơ đại vương giả quyết định chiến.DDT Pro-Wrestling(in Japanese). April 30, 2017.RetrievedDecember 20,2017.
- ^LiLiCoが sơ đại KO—D10 người タッグ vương tọa cướp lấy giữa đùi nắm らせ đầu げ kỹ phát bắn.Tokyo Sports(in Japanese). August 20, 2017. Archived fromthe originalon August 20, 2017.RetrievedAugust 20,2017.
- ^"United: Canadian Wrestling's Elite Announces Partnership With DDT".Alliance-Wrestling.July 5, 2017.RetrievedDecember 20,2017.
- ^cweaver1025 (November 6, 2019)."A Beginners Guide to Pro Wrestling BASARA".Pro Wrestling BASARA English Update.RetrievedAugust 24,2020.
{{cite web}}
:CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^【DDT】 “BASARA” が độc lập phát biểu cao mộc xã trưởng は mộc cao にエール.Tokyo Sports(in Japanese). June 6, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 24,2020.
- ^【BASARA】10.23 tân mộc tràng IFTT2019 quyết thắng chiến! イサミ& hạ thôn vs FUMA& lâu bảo < động họa あり>.Proresu-Today(in Japanese). October 26, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 24,2020.
- ^Harris, Jeffrey (January 29, 2020)."DDT Pro Parent Company CyberAgent Purchases Pro-Wrestling NOAH".411mania.
- ^Thomas, Jeremy (July 27, 2020)."Pro Wrestling NOAH and DDT to Merge Into New Company CyberFight".411mania.
- ^Lambert, Jeremy (March 20, 2022)."AEW Announces Working Relationship With DDT Pro Wrestling And TJPW".fightful.
- ^Jordan, Paul (March 20, 2022)."AEW OPENS WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH JAPAN'S DDT PRO".PWInsider.
- ^Tân ngày, toàn ngày, ノアら9 đoàn thể が “Nhật Bản プロレスリング liên minh” thiết lập năm sau 5 nguyệt には thiết lập kỷ niệm hưng hành も[Nine organizations, including NJPW, AJPW, and Noah, establish "United Japan Pro-wrestling"; launching event to be held next May].Nikkan Sports(in Japanese). December 15, 2023.RetrievedJanuary 3,2024.
- ^KO-D vô khác biệt cấp tuyển thủ 権.Extreme Party(in Japanese).
- ^DDT UNIVERSAL tuyển thủ 権.Extreme Party(in Japanese).
- ^DDT EXTREME tuyển thủ 権.Extreme Party(in Japanese).
- ^"God Bless DDT 2024".DDT Pro-Wrestling(in Japanese). October 20, 2024.
- ^O-40 tuyển thủ 権.Extreme Party(in Japanese).
- ^Đại sâm mộng フェア nhận định thế giới đại sâm cấp tuyển thủ 権.Extreme Party(in Japanese).
- ^アイアンマンヘビーメタル cấp tuyển thủ 権.Extreme Party(in Japanese).
- ^Kreibonheim, Philip."DDT Ultimate Party 2024".Cagematch.net.RetrievedJanuary 1,2025.
- ^Kreikenbohm, Philip (July 21, 2024)."DDT Wrestle Peter Pan 2024".cagematch.net.RetrievedJuly 21,2024.
- ^KO-D6 người タッグ tuyển thủ 権.Extreme Party(in Japanese).RetrievedSeptember 21,2024.
- ^KO-D10 người タッグ tuyển thủ 権 ( đệ 3 đại から8 người タッグ tuyển thủ 権 ).Extreme Party(in Japanese).RetrievedOctober 20,2024.
- ^DDTタイトル sử.extremeparty.heteml.net(in Japanese).
- ^"10 of the best bars in Tokyo for karaoke and other weird stuff".The Guardian.February 1, 2012.RetrievedJune 10,2015.
- ^ドロップキック.Gurunavi(in Japanese).RetrievedJune 10,2015.
External links
edit- Official website
- DDT UniverseArchived2016-10-26 at theWayback Machine
- Dramatic Dream Team (Japan)- Title history of all major DDT championships