Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling (Japanese: プロレスリング我闘雲舞, Hepburn: Puroresuringu Gatōmūbu, Thai: กาโตห์ มูฟ), often referred to simply as Gatoh Move, is a Japanese Joshi puroresu (women's professional wrestling) promotion established in 2012 by Emi Sakura. The promotion is known for hosting shows in Tokyo at Ichigaya Chocolate Square, where there is no wrestling ring, but instead a small performing space in the shape of a square.[2]
 | |
| Acronym | Gatoh Move |
|---|---|
| Founded |
|
| Style | Joshi puroresu |
| Headquarters | |
| Founder(s) |
|
| Owner(s) | Emi Sakura |
| Formerly | Bangkok Girls Pro Wrestling (BKK Pro) |
| Split from | Ice Ribbon |
| Website | gatohmove |
The promotion's Japanese language name Gatōmūbu (我闘雲舞, "I, War, Cloud, Dance") written as a yojijukugo, is derived from the Japanese expression "We want to dance above the clouds" (私たちは雲よりも高く舞いたい, Watashitachi wa kumo yori mo takaku maitai), while also evoking the French word "gâteau" (French for "cake") and the English word "move".[3]
History
Early history (2012–2019)
On January 7, 2012, Emi Sakura, founder of Ice Ribbon, departed the promotion and traveled to Thailand.[4][5] While in Thailand, Emi Sakura met Prachapoom "Pumi" Boonyatud, a long-time wrestling fan. By meeting Boonyatud, Sakura learned that there were many fans of professional wrestling in Thailand, which led to the two creating Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling (Gatoh Move) in February 2012. Originally, the promotion was named Bangkok Girls Pro Wrestling (BKK Pro), but was re-branded as Gatoh Move in May 2012.
In March 2016, Gatoh Move introduced their first non-IWA Japan branded championship, the Asia Dream Tag Team Championship, with Mizuki and Saki being crowned the inaugural champions on March 26. There have been ten tag team champions since 2016, with Calamari Drunken Kings (Chris Brookes and Masahiro Takanashi) being the current titleholders.[6] On September 22, 2017, Gatoh Move crowned their first Super Asia Champion, when Riho defeated "Kotori" in the finals of a tournament to become the inaugural champion.[7][8] Riho left Gatoh Move in June 2019, while reigning as the inaugural Super Asia Champion.[9] This left the championship vacant until a new champion was crowned in 2021.
In November 2019, Gatoh Move held its final show in Thailand, while still remaining active in Japan.
Launch of ChocoPro (2020–present)
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in Japan, Gatoh Move began airing a YouTube exclusive show, ChocoPro, on March 29, 2020, with Minoru Suzuki wrestling against Baliyan Akki in the main event of the inaugural episode.[10][11]
In February 2021, Emi Sakura and Mei Suruga represented Gatoh Move in the Women's World Championship Eliminator Tournament for All Elite Wrestling (AEW), however, neither managed to win the tournament.[12][13] On March 22, 2021, the Super Asia Championship was revived during the 99th episode of ChocoPro, where a championship match between Minoru Fujita and Baliyan Akki was announced for day 2 of the 100th Show Anniversary of ChocoPro on March 28.[14] At ChocoPro 100 day 2, Fujita won the title.[15]
Roster
Current wrestlers
| Ring name | Real name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Baliyan Akki[16] | Ankur Baliyan | |
| Chie Koishikawa[17] | Unknown | |
| Choun Shiryu | Unknown | |
| Chris Brookes | Chris Brookes | Signed to DDT Pro-Wrestling |
| Emi Sakura[18] | Emi Motokawa | Founder/owner of Gatoh Move Signed to All Elite Wrestling Super Asia Champion Asia Dream Tag Team Champion |
| Erii Kanae[19] | Unknown | |
| Hagane Shinno | Yuki Yagi | |
| Kojio Akumu | Unknown | |
| Lulu Pencil[20] | Syuka Yamada | Inactive since August 8, 2021 |
| Masahiro Takanashi | Masahiro Takanashi | Signed to DDT Pro-Wrestling Asia Dream Tag Team Champion |
| Mei Suruga[21] | Unknown | |
| Minoru Fujita | Unknown | |
| Miya Yotsuba[22] | Unknown | |
| Nonoka Seto[23] | Unknown | |
| Sayaka[24] | Unknown | |
| Sayaka Obihiro[25] | Unknown | |
| Shin Suzuki | Kokoro Suzuki | |
| Tokiko Kirihara[26] | Unknown |
Alumni
| Ring name | Real name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ancham | Unknown | |
| Aoi Kizuki | Unknown | |
| Hanako Nakamori | Hanako Kobayashi | |
| Mitsuru Konno | Unknown | Left Gatoh Move on January 29, 2021[27] |
| Kotori | Unknown | |
| Mizuki | Unknown | |
| Riho | Unknown | Left Gatoh Move in June 2019[9] |
| Rin Rin | Unknown | Left Gatoh Move on July 20, 2021[28] |
| Saki | Saki Watanabe | |
| Sayuri | Unknown | Left Gatoh Move on December 30, 2023[29] |
| Waka Tsukiyama | Unknown | |
| Yuna Mizumori | Unknown | Left Gatoh Move on September 29, 2022[30] |
Championships
Current
As of June 17, 2024:
| Championship | Current champion(s) | Reign | Date won | Days held | Location | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Asia Championship |  | Emi Sakura | 1 | July 5, 2023 | 348+ | Tokyo, Japan | Defeated Hagane Shinno at Gatoh Move. |
| Asia Dream Tag Team Championship |  | Hyakkin Thunders (Emi Sakura and Masahiro Takanashi) | 2 (3, 3) | May 30, 2024 | 18+ | Tokyo, Japan | Defeated Best Bros (Baliyan Akki and Mei Suruga) at Gatoh Move Road To Korakuen - Apple Ambitious. |
Retired
| Championship | Last champion(s) | Reign | Date retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IWA Triple Crown Championship | Emi Sakura | 4 | August 5, 2017 | Deactivated when Sakura returned the championship to IWA Japan. |
Tournaments
| Tournament | Last winner | Last held | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Of A Kind Tag League | Saki and Yuna Mizumori | July 17, 2021 | Tag Team | Defeated Melt Brain Dancing (Chango and Psycho) in the finals.[31] |
| Go Go! Green Curry Khob Khun Cup | Riho and Hikaru Sato | May 1, 2019 | Tag Team | Defeated Ringo to Hachimitsu (Mei Suruga and Antonio Honda) in the finals.[32] |
References
External links
- Gatoh Move Pro Wrestling official website (in Japanese)
- Gatoh Move's channel on YouTube