Daimonji So Retains BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title Against Kazumasa Yoshida, Talks To Monthly Puroresu Following Win

By; Lewis Carlan

Big Japan Pro-Wrestling made its return to Korakuen Hall on Jan. 31st with nearly 500 very vocal fans in attendance for the event.

One of the featured bouts saw the current BJW World Strong Heavyweight Champion Daimonji So making his third defense of the title against Kazumasa Yoshida.

Yoshida proved to be an extremely tough challenger for Daimonji and very nearly came away with the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title. The fans were clearly behind Yoshida as they chanted his name throughout the bout. Numerous BJW contracted wrestlers including Yuya Aoki were at ringside to offer support to Yoshida in hopes of taking the belt away from an “outsider” and bringing it back to BJW.

Despite giving a very valiant effort, Yoshida just didn’t have enough as Daimonji was able to put his challenger away at the 21:22 mark with a sleeper hold that forced the referee to stop the match.

Monthly Puroresu reached out to Daimonji So following his victory and asked for his assessment of the tough challenge from Yoshida. Daimonji stated that he felt Yoshida’s determination was greater than usual and believed he was determined to do his best due to Yuya Aoki leaving BJW at the end of February.

Daimonji So on Kazumasa Yoshida:

“I felt Yoshida’s determination was even greater than usual. He was determined to do his best because Yuya Aoki was leaving BJW. But unfortunately, that’s not enough to beat me. I’ve sold my soul to pro wrestling and bet everything on it. It’s no good just saying “I’ll do my best because it’s my turn.” I’m looking forward to seeing how Kazumasa Yoshida will change after this defeat. Will he just stay in the back row like before? I’m looking forward to seeing if he’ll change from here.”

Following the victory, Daimonji was joined by his Yosomono stablemates, Daichi Hashimoto, Hideyoshi Kamitani & Jacob Crane, as he addressed the crowd. While he was talking, the “Deathmatch Dragon” Ryuji Ito entered the ring and issued his challenge to Daimonji for the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title. Daimonji accepted and the two will meet on Feb. 22nd at Korakuen Hall.

Daimonji So told Monthly Puroresu that he wasn’t expecting BJW deathmatch legend Ryuji Ito to answer his challenge but feels confident that he will defeat Ito on Feb. 22nd.

Daimonji So on the challenge from Ryuji Ito:

“Here’s a big surprise. I wasn’t expecting this. I said someone from BJW should come forward, but no one expected Ryuji Ito to do it. But maybe he sensed a crisis that outsiders were starting to dominate? The face of BJW has come to defend BJW. I feel lucky. I’m going to slam a BJW legend to the mat and move on to the next stage.”

Ito has been competing for BJW since 1999 and has held the BJW Death Match Heavyweight Championship seven times and the BJW Tag Team Titles on three occasions. He has never held the BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title.

Monthly Puroresu asked Daimonji if he feels concerned that Ito may use deathmatch elements during their BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title on Feb. 22. Daimonji reiterated that its a Strong Heavyweight match and will not be contested under deathmatch rules.

Daimonji So on Ryuji Ito possibly using deathmatch tactics during their upcoming title bout:

“It’s a strong heavyweight, not a deathmatch. No one knows that better than Ryuji Ito, right? So I’m sure he’ll take on the challenge with determination. There’s never been a strong heavyweight like Ryuji Ito before, right? Everyone’s excited to see what happens, and I’m excited too. It’s not going to be a simple outcome; will an outsider take over BJW, or will a BJW legend protect BJW? But I’ll extinguish the Deathmatch Dragon’s flames with my Black Rain. On February 22nd at Korakuen Hall, I’ll prove that I’m the worst, strongest strong heavyweight champion in history.”

In other action, Toru Sugiura  & Kazumi Kikuta defeated Abdullah Kobayashi & Daiju Wakamatsu in a 200 Fluorescent Lighttubes + Double Tower Death Match to retain their BJW Tag Team Titles.

Here are the full results for the BJW Korakuen Hall event on Jan. 31st courtesy of purolove.com:

• Strong J vs. Tochigi Pro: Shoki Kitamura & Satsuki Nagao defeated Kosuke Sato & Tatsuhiko Yoshino (11:30) after a running elbow by Nagao against Sato
• Big Japan vs. Outsider: Daichi Hashimoto & Jacob Crane defeated Yasufumi Nakanoue & Ryuma Sekimo (14:23) after an armlock by Hashimoto against Sekimo.
• Yuya Aoki Last Singles Match Before Leaving Big Japan Pro-Wrestling: Kankuro Hoshino defeated Yuya Aoki (10:59) with a Diving Senton.
• Dale Patrick’s First Match Since Returning to Japan ~ Barbed Wire Board + Weapon Bringing Death Match: Dale Patricks & Hideyoshi Kamitani defeated Ryuji Ito & Masaya Takahashi (10:52) after a piledriver by Patricks against Takahashi.
• BJW World Strong Heavyweight Title: Daimonji So (c) defeated Kazumasa Yoshida (21:22) by referee stop (sleeper hold) (3rd defense).
• BJW Tag Team Title, 200 Fluorescent Lighttubes + Double Tower Death Match: Toru Sugiura  & Kazumi Kikuta (c) defeated Abdullah Kobayashi & Daiju Wakamatsu  (20:22) after a locust leg by Kikuta against Kobayashi (1st defense).

Big Japan Pro-Wrestling events can be seen on BJW Core subscription streaming site or on their official YouTube channel with membership.

(All English translations via Google Translate.)