Catch the Wave is an annual
professional wrestling tournament
On various occasions in professional wrestling, a single-elimination tournament of varying match types are held, often to determine a championship or number-one contendership therein. It has been known for promotions to use title tournament that a ...
promoted by the
Pro Wrestling Wave
, is a women's professional wrestling, or Joshi Puroresu, promotion created in 2007 after the dissolution and closure of JDStar. The company was formed by Mikiko Futagami, or Gami, former JDStar wrestler Yumi Ohka, and former JDStar booker Tatsu ...
promotion
Promotion may refer to:
Marketing
* Promotion (marketing), one of the four marketing mix elements, comprising any type of marketing communication used to inform or persuade target audiences of the relative merits of a product, service, brand or i ...
. It has been held since 2009 and takes place between the end of April and the beginning of August. As up until March 2013 there were no singles
championships
In sport, a championship is a competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.
Championship systems
Various forms of competition can be referred to by the term championship.
Title match system
In this system ...
in Pro Wrestling Wave, Catch the Wave was effectively the top singles achievement in the promotion. The tournament is contested in
round-robin format with the winners of each block advancing to the semifinals. From 2010 to 2012, the tournament included a "Loser Revival"
battle royal
Battle royal (; also royale) traditionally refers to a fight involving many combatants that is fought until only one fighter remains standing, usually conducted under either boxing or wrestling rules. In recent times, the term has been used in a ...
, where already eliminated wrestlers battle for the fourth and final spot in the semifinals of the tournament.
[ This system allowed the tournament to be won twice by a wrestler, who was originally eliminated in the round-robin section.][ From 2011 onwards, the tournament has concluded with an award ceremony.][ The winner of the main tournament earns the title of and ¥1,000,000.][ From 2014 to 2016, Wave also held a separate Catch the Wave tournament for rookie wrestlers, running concurrently with the main tournament.][
]
List of winners
;Main tournament
;Rookie tournament
2009
The 2009 Catch the Wave took place over nine shows between May 27 and August 11.[ The tournament included sixteen participants split up into four blocks titled "Comical", "UK", "Visual Technical" and "Young".][ Matches in the UK block could only be won by knockout or submission and had a ten-minute time limit as opposed to fifteen-minute time limits in the other blocks. Outside participants in the tournament included ]freelancer
''Freelance'' (sometimes spelled ''free-lance'' or ''free lance''), ''freelancer'', or ''freelance worker'', are terms commonly used for a person who is self-employed and not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance w ...
s Apple Miyuki
(born June 14, 1985) is a female professional wrestler, who currently works for Ryukyu Dragon Pro Wrestling. She is better known under her previous ring name , under which she worked mainly for the Kaientai Dojo and Osaka Pro Wrestling promotio ...
, Bullfight Sora, Kaoru
Kaoru is a Japanese given name for males or females.
Name Meanings
The name's
meaning varies depending on its written form:
*薫/郁/芳 — "fragrance", common for both males and females
*馨/香 — "fragrance", more common for females
...
and Kyoko Kimura
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Throughout her 14-year career, she competed in Big Japan Pro Wrestling, Ibuki, Ice Ribbon, JWP Joshi Puroresu, NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling and World Wonder Ring Stardom, am ...
, JWP Joshi Puroresu
, also known as or simply JWP, was a Japanese ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) promotion, founded in 1992 as a splinter promotion of Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling. Celebrating its 25th anniversary at the time of its folding in 2 ...
's Pinky Mayuka and Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling
, often called , is a Japanese women's professional wrestling promotion. It is based in the city of Sendai, Miyagi in the Tohoku region.
History
Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling was founded in 2005 by Meiko Satomura, a female professional wrestler ...
's Ryo Mizunami.
2010
The 2010 Catch the Wave took place over ten shows between May 30 and August 11.[ The tournament included fifteen participants split up into three blocks titled "Rival", "Visual Technical" and "Young".][ Outside participants in the tournament included ]freelancer
''Freelance'' (sometimes spelled ''free-lance'' or ''free lance''), ''freelancer'', or ''freelance worker'', are terms commonly used for a person who is self-employed and not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance w ...
s Asami Kawasaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress. She debuted as a pro wrestler in 2003 while also attending an acting school run by Yoshimoto Kōgyō. Wrestling for a time for JDStar, she retired from the ring in 2006, but returned again in 2009. ...
, Io Shirai
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Iyo Sky (stylized in all caps). She is a member of Damage CTRL and one-half of the current WWE Women's Tag Team Champions with ...
, Kana
The term may refer to a number of syllabaries used to write Japanese phonological units, morae. Such syllabaries include (1) the original kana, or , which were Chinese characters (kanji) used phonetically to transcribe Japanese, the most pr ...
and Mio Shirai
is a Japanese former professional wrestler and current professional wrestling referee. She started her career in March 2007, working alongside her sister Io Shirai on the Japanese independent circuit for promotions such as Ice Ribbon, JWP Jo ...
, JWP Joshi Puroresu
, also known as or simply JWP, was a Japanese ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) promotion, founded in 1992 as a splinter promotion of Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling. Celebrating its 25th anniversary at the time of its folding in 2 ...
's Senri Kuroki and Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling
, often called , is a Japanese women's professional wrestling promotion. It is based in the city of Sendai, Miyagi in the Tohoku region.
History
Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling was founded in 2005 by Meiko Satomura, a female professional wrestler ...
's Ryo Mizunami. On July 4, Kuroki was sidelined with gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is one of the upper gastrointestinal chronic diseases where stomach content persistently and regularly flows up into the esophagus, resulting in symptoms and/ ...
and was forced to forfeit the rest of her matches in the tournament.[ This tournament introduced the concept of the "Loser Revival" ]battle royal
Battle royal (; also royale) traditionally refers to a fight involving many combatants that is fought until only one fighter remains standing, usually conducted under either boxing or wrestling rules. In recent times, the term has been used in a ...
, where those that finished second and third in their blocks were allowed to compete for a spot in the semifinals of the tournament.[
*August 10:
**Visual Technical block third place playoff match: Gami defeated ]Toshie Uematsu
is a female Japanese retired professional wrestler best known for her popularity in the 1990s and 2000s. She was one of the members of the first class of wrestlers trained by Chigusa Nagayo when Nagayo formed the GAEA Japan promotion. Uematsu fi ...
(1:22).[
**Loser Revival battle royal: Gami defeated ]Asami Kawasaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress. She debuted as a pro wrestler in 2003 while also attending an acting school run by Yoshimoto Kōgyō. Wrestling for a time for JDStar, she retired from the ring in 2006, but returned again in 2009. ...
, Cherry, Io Shirai
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to WWE, where she performs on the Raw brand under the ring name Iyo Sky (stylized in all caps). She is a member of Damage CTRL and one-half of the current WWE Women's Tag Team Champions with ...
, Kana
The term may refer to a number of syllabaries used to write Japanese phonological units, morae. Such syllabaries include (1) the original kana, or , which were Chinese characters (kanji) used phonetically to transcribe Japanese, the most pr ...
and Misaki Ohata
is a retired Japanese people, Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, better known by her maiden name . She is best known for her work while signed to the Zabun production company and its two promotions; Pro Wrestling Wave and Osa ...
(8:15).[
]
2011
The 2011 Catch the Wave took place over eight shows between May 2 and July 24. The tournament included fourteen participants split up into three blocks titled "Technical", "Visual" and "Young".[ Outside participants in the tournament included ]freelancer
''Freelance'' (sometimes spelled ''free-lance'' or ''free lance''), ''freelancer'', or ''freelance worker'', are terms commonly used for a person who is self-employed and not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance w ...
Nagisa Nozaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler. She started her career in the NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling promotion in November 2006 and after the promotion's folding in December 2010, worked for independent promotions such as Pro Wrestling Wave and Wor ...
, Kagetsu and Ryo Mizunami from Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling
, often called , is a Japanese women's professional wrestling promotion. It is based in the city of Sendai, Miyagi in the Tohoku region.
History
Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling was founded in 2005 by Meiko Satomura, a female professional wrestler ...
and Nao Komatsu from Oz Academy
is a Japanese ''joshi puroresu'' or women's professional wrestling promotion founded by Mayumi Ozaki. The promotion's full official name is . In addition to the contracted members of the roster, Oz Academy has also employed some of the top freel ...
. This was the first tournament, where all wrestlers eliminated after the round-robin portion of the tournament were allowed to enter the "Loser Revival" battle royal
Battle royal (; also royale) traditionally refers to a fight involving many combatants that is fought until only one fighter remains standing, usually conducted under either boxing or wrestling rules. In recent times, the term has been used in a ...
.[
*July 24:
**Loser Revival battle royal: ]Kana
The term may refer to a number of syllabaries used to write Japanese phonological units, morae. Such syllabaries include (1) the original kana, or , which were Chinese characters (kanji) used phonetically to transcribe Japanese, the most pr ...
defeated Ayumi Kurihara
(born July 13, 1984) is a retired '' joshi puroresu '' wrestler.
Professional wrestling career
Kurihara entered training with the women's pro wrestling promotion AtoZ and then transferred to M's Style, where she learned the craft from well-kn ...
, Mika Iida, Mio Shirai
is a Japanese former professional wrestler and current professional wrestling referee. She started her career in March 2007, working alongside her sister Io Shirai on the Japanese independent circuit for promotions such as Ice Ribbon, JWP Jo ...
, Nagisa Nozaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler. She started her career in the NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling promotion in November 2006 and after the promotion's folding in December 2010, worked for independent promotions such as Pro Wrestling Wave and Wor ...
, Nao Komatsu, Ryo Mizunami, Sawako Shimono, Tomoka Nakagawa
is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. After being trained by Taka Michinoku, she started her career in his Kaientai Dojo promotion in September 2004. After leaving Kaientai Dojo in 2007, Nakagawa briefly joined Ibuki, where she underwent ...
and Yumi Ohka
, better known by her ring name , is a Japanese professional wrestler. Originally trained by the now defunct JDStar promotion, Ohka now works for Oz Academy and Pro Wrestling Wave. She is a former two-time Wave Single Champion, while also being ...
(8:28).
*Post-tournament awards:[
**Best Bout Award: ]Ayumi Kurihara
(born July 13, 1984) is a retired '' joshi puroresu '' wrestler.
Professional wrestling career
Kurihara entered training with the women's pro wrestling promotion AtoZ and then transferred to M's Style, where she learned the craft from well-kn ...
vs. Yumi Ohka
, better known by her ring name , is a Japanese professional wrestler. Originally trained by the now defunct JDStar promotion, Ohka now works for Oz Academy and Pro Wrestling Wave. She is a former two-time Wave Single Champion, while also being ...
, May 29
**Best Performance Award: Nao Komatsu cheering squad
**Fighting Spirit Award: Mika Iida
**Outstanding Performance Award: Mio Shirai
is a Japanese former professional wrestler and current professional wrestling referee. She started her career in March 2007, working alongside her sister Io Shirai on the Japanese independent circuit for promotions such as Ice Ribbon, JWP Jo ...
**Technique Award: Tomoka Nakagawa
is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. After being trained by Taka Michinoku, she started her career in his Kaientai Dojo promotion in September 2004. After leaving Kaientai Dojo in 2007, Nakagawa briefly joined Ibuki, where she underwent ...
2012
The 2012 Catch the Wave took place over nine shows between April 30 and July 16. The tournament included fifteen participants split up into three blocks titled "Black Dahlia", "Power" and "White Tails", with two of the blocks made up of members of the Black Dahlia and White Tails stables
A stable is a building in which livestock, especially horses, are kept. It most commonly means a building that is divided into separate stalls for individual animals and livestock. There are many different types of stables in use today; the ...
.[ Outside participants in the tournament included ]Hamuko Hoshi
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for the Ice Ribbon promotion. She is also a former two-time ICE×∞ Champion and a four-time International Ribbon Tag Team Champion. She also makes regular appearances for the World Woma ...
and Tsukasa Fujimoto
is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress, who is currently wrestling for Ice Ribbon, where she also works behind the scenes as the co-head trainer.
She is a record seven-time ICE×∞ Champion, six-time International Ribbon Tag Team C ...
from Ice Ribbon
is a ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) professional wrestling promotion, promotion established in 2006 by Emi Sakura, after her split with Gatokunyan.
History
Ice Ribbon was founded by Emi Sakura, a professional wrestler wh ...
and Syuri
is a Japanese professional wrestler, shoot boxer, kickboxer and mixed martial artist, better known simply as . Syuri formerly competed in Ultimate Fighting Championship. Syuri is currently working for World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is the ...
from Wrestling New Classic
was a Japanese ''puroresu'' or professional wrestling promotion, founded in April 2012 by Yoshihiro Tajiri. WNC was the follow-up promotion to Smash, which folded in March 2012.
History
On April 5, 2012, Tajiri held a press conference to annou ...
(WNC).[ The tournament featured a title change, when on June 8, ]Mio Shirai
is a Japanese former professional wrestler and current professional wrestling referee. She started her career in March 2007, working alongside her sister Io Shirai on the Japanese independent circuit for promotions such as Ice Ribbon, JWP Jo ...
defeated Ayumi Kurihara
(born July 13, 1984) is a retired '' joshi puroresu '' wrestler.
Professional wrestling career
Kurihara entered training with the women's pro wrestling promotion AtoZ and then transferred to M's Style, where she learned the craft from well-kn ...
to win DDT Pro-Wrestling
is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion based in Shinjuku, Tokyo. Its name stands for Dramatic Dream Team, which was the promotion's official name from 1997 to 2004. Founded in March 1997 by Shintaro Muto, the promotion was eventually bo ...
's Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship
The is a professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the Japanese promotion CyberFight in its DDT Pro-Wrestling (DDT) brand. Open to anyone, regardless of gender or DDT employment status, the championship is defended " 24/7", as i ...
.[
*July 1:
**Loser Revival battle royal: ]Misaki Ohata
is a retired Japanese people, Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, better known by her maiden name . She is best known for her work while signed to the Zabun production company and its two promotions; Pro Wrestling Wave and Osa ...
defeated Ayako Hamada
is a Mexican professional wrestler. During her 20-year career, Hamada wrestled for various promotions, including All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, Gaea Japan and Pro Wrestling Wave in Japan, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and Lucha Libre ...
, Aya Yuki, Cherry, Hamuko Hoshi
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for the Ice Ribbon promotion. She is also a former two-time ICE×∞ Champion and a four-time International Ribbon Tag Team Champion. She also makes regular appearances for the World Woma ...
, Hanako Nakamori, Kana
The term may refer to a number of syllabaries used to write Japanese phonological units, morae. Such syllabaries include (1) the original kana, or , which were Chinese characters (kanji) used phonetically to transcribe Japanese, the most pr ...
, Mio Shirai
is a Japanese former professional wrestler and current professional wrestling referee. She started her career in March 2007, working alongside her sister Io Shirai on the Japanese independent circuit for promotions such as Ice Ribbon, JWP Jo ...
, Sawako Shimono, Shuu Shibutani
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler better known by the ring name . Having started her career in the JDStar promotion in September 2004, Shibutani remained with the promotion until it folded in July 2007, after which she affiliated hersel ...
, Syuri
is a Japanese professional wrestler, shoot boxer, kickboxer and mixed martial artist, better known simply as . Syuri formerly competed in Ultimate Fighting Championship. Syuri is currently working for World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is the ...
and Tsukasa Fujimoto
is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress, who is currently wrestling for Ice Ribbon, where she also works behind the scenes as the co-head trainer.
She is a record seven-time ICE×∞ Champion, six-time International Ribbon Tag Team C ...
(13:20).[
*Post-tournament awards:][
**Best Bout Award: ]Ayumi Kurihara
(born July 13, 1984) is a retired '' joshi puroresu '' wrestler.
Professional wrestling career
Kurihara entered training with the women's pro wrestling promotion AtoZ and then transferred to M's Style, where she learned the craft from well-kn ...
vs. Syuri
is a Japanese professional wrestler, shoot boxer, kickboxer and mixed martial artist, better known simply as . Syuri formerly competed in Ultimate Fighting Championship. Syuri is currently working for World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is the ...
, June 24
**Best Performance Award: Hamuko Hoshi
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for the Ice Ribbon promotion. She is also a former two-time ICE×∞ Champion and a four-time International Ribbon Tag Team Champion. She also makes regular appearances for the World Woma ...
**Fighting Spirit Award: Hamuko Hoshi
is a Japanese professional wrestler, currently working for the Ice Ribbon promotion. She is also a former two-time ICE×∞ Champion and a four-time International Ribbon Tag Team Champion. She also makes regular appearances for the World Woma ...
**Outstanding Performance Award: Sawako Shimono
**Technique Award: Tsukasa Fujimoto
is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress, who is currently wrestling for Ice Ribbon, where she also works behind the scenes as the co-head trainer.
She is a record seven-time ICE×∞ Champion, six-time International Ribbon Tag Team C ...
2013
The 2013 Catch the Wave took take place over ten shows between May 6 and July 15. The tournament format, which for the first time featured only two round-robin blocks, and the participants were announced on April 26. Outside participants included Arisa Nakajima
is a Japanese professional wrestler. Trained by the Major Girl's Fighting AtoZ promotion, Nakajima made her debut in January 2006, but when the promotion folded the following May, she transferred over to JWP Joshi Puroresu, where she became a tw ...
from JWP Joshi Puroresu
, also known as or simply JWP, was a Japanese ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) promotion, founded in 1992 as a splinter promotion of Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling. Celebrating its 25th anniversary at the time of its folding in 2 ...
, Hikaru Shida
is a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, actress, and model, currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she is a former and the longest-reigning AEW Women's World Champion. On February 25, 2021, she became the longest reign ...
from Ice Ribbon
is a ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) professional wrestling promotion, promotion established in 2006 by Emi Sakura, after her split with Gatokunyan.
History
Ice Ribbon was founded by Emi Sakura, a professional wrestler wh ...
, Kagetsu from Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling
, often called , is a Japanese women's professional wrestling promotion. It is based in the city of Sendai, Miyagi in the Tohoku region.
History
Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling was founded in 2005 by Meiko Satomura, a female professional wrestler ...
and Syuri
is a Japanese professional wrestler, shoot boxer, kickboxer and mixed martial artist, better known simply as . Syuri formerly competed in Ultimate Fighting Championship. Syuri is currently working for World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is the ...
from Wrestling New Classic
was a Japanese ''puroresu'' or professional wrestling promotion, founded in April 2012 by Yoshihiro Tajiri. WNC was the follow-up promotion to Smash, which folded in March 2012.
History
On April 5, 2012, Tajiri held a press conference to annou ...
(WNC). The top three wrestlers from each block advanced to the knockout stage of the tournament.[ The winners of the blocks earned spots in the semifinals, while numbers two and three were entered into the first round of the knockout tournament. The two block system resulted in the elimination of the "Loser Revival" battle royal. The tournament featured the first Catch the Wave match to take place outside of Pro Wrestling Wave, when ]Shuu Shibutani
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler better known by the ring name . Having started her career in the JDStar promotion in September 2004, Shibutani remained with the promotion until it folded in July 2007, after which she affiliated hersel ...
and Syuri faced each other on June 8 in Wave's sister promotion, Osaka Joshi Pro Wrestling.[ The winner of the tournament became the number one contender to the ]Wave Single Championship
The is a women's professional wrestling championship owned by the Pro Wrestling Wave promotion. The title is nicknamed and more commonly referred to as the . The championship, which is situated at the top of Pro Wrestling Wave's championship hie ...
.[
*June 28:
**Glamorous block third place playoff match: ]Misaki Ohata
is a retired Japanese people, Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, better known by her maiden name . She is best known for her work while signed to the Zabun production company and its two promotions; Pro Wrestling Wave and Osa ...
defeated Kagetsu and Ryo Mizunami (11:28).[
**Slender block third place playoff match: ]Shuu Shibutani
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler better known by the ring name . Having started her career in the JDStar promotion in September 2004, Shibutani remained with the promotion until it folded in July 2007, after which she affiliated hersel ...
defeated Cherry, Hikaru Shida
is a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, actress, and model, currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she is a former and the longest-reigning AEW Women's World Champion. On February 25, 2021, she became the longest reign ...
and Mio Shirai
is a Japanese former professional wrestler and current professional wrestling referee. She started her career in March 2007, working alongside her sister Io Shirai on the Japanese independent circuit for promotions such as Ice Ribbon, JWP Jo ...
(10:37).[
*July 15:
**Third place four-way elimination match: ]Shuu Shibutani
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler better known by the ring name . Having started her career in the JDStar promotion in September 2004, Shibutani remained with the promotion until it folded in July 2007, after which she affiliated hersel ...
defeated Syuri
is a Japanese professional wrestler, shoot boxer, kickboxer and mixed martial artist, better known simply as . Syuri formerly competed in Ultimate Fighting Championship. Syuri is currently working for World Wonder Ring Stardom, where she is the ...
, Tomoka Nakagawa
is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. After being trained by Taka Michinoku, she started her career in his Kaientai Dojo promotion in September 2004. After leaving Kaientai Dojo in 2007, Nakagawa briefly joined Ibuki, where she underwent ...
and Yuu Yamagata (3:58).[
*Post-tournament awards:][
**Best Bout Award: ]Ayako Hamada
is a Mexican professional wrestler. During her 20-year career, Hamada wrestled for various promotions, including All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, Gaea Japan and Pro Wrestling Wave in Japan, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and Lucha Libre ...
vs. Ryo Mizunami, May 26
**Best Performance Award: Shuu Shibutani
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler better known by the ring name . Having started her career in the JDStar promotion in September 2004, Shibutani remained with the promotion until it folded in July 2007, after which she affiliated hersel ...
**Fighting Spirit Award: Kagetsu
**Outstanding Performance Award: Mio Shirai
is a Japanese former professional wrestler and current professional wrestling referee. She started her career in March 2007, working alongside her sister Io Shirai on the Japanese independent circuit for promotions such as Ice Ribbon, JWP Jo ...
**Technique Award: Yuu Yamagata
2014
The 2014 Catch the Wave took place between May 5 and July 27. The tournament once again featured two round-robin blocks of seven wrestlers, divided by their age. Block "Adeyaka" ("Elegant") featured wrestlers in their thirties and block "Tsuyayaka" ("Glossy") wrestlers in their twenties. Outside participants included Tsukasa Fujimoto
is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress, who is currently wrestling for Ice Ribbon, where she also works behind the scenes as the co-head trainer.
She is a record seven-time ICE×∞ Champion, six-time International Ribbon Tag Team C ...
from Ice Ribbon
is a ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) professional wrestling promotion, promotion established in 2006 by Emi Sakura, after her split with Gatokunyan.
History
Ice Ribbon was founded by Emi Sakura, a professional wrestler wh ...
and freelancer
''Freelance'' (sometimes spelled ''free-lance'' or ''free lance''), ''freelancer'', or ''freelance worker'', are terms commonly used for a person who is self-employed and not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance w ...
s Hikaru Shida
is a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, actress, and model, currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she is a former and the longest-reigning AEW Women's World Champion. On February 25, 2021, she became the longest reign ...
, Hiroyo Matsumoto
(born November 6, 1985) is Japanese professional wrestler, currently working as a freelancer. Emi Sakura gave her the nickname of because Matsumoto broke a wall in the Ichigaya arena during her Ice Ribbon debut. She is best known with other w ...
, Kyoko Kimura
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Throughout her 14-year career, she competed in Big Japan Pro Wrestling, Ibuki, Ice Ribbon, JWP Joshi Puroresu, NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling and World Wonder Ring Stardom, am ...
and Kyusei Sakura Hirota.[
*July 13:
**Adeyaka block second and third place playoff three-way match:]
Kyoko Kimura
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Throughout her 14-year career, she competed in Big Japan Pro Wrestling, Ibuki, Ice Ribbon, JWP Joshi Puroresu, NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling and World Wonder Ring Stardom, am ...
vs. Tomoka Nakagawa
is a Japanese retired professional wrestler. After being trained by Taka Michinoku, she started her career in his Kaientai Dojo promotion in September 2004. After leaving Kaientai Dojo in 2007, Nakagawa briefly joined Ibuki, where she underwent ...
vs. Tsukasa Fujimoto
is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress, who is currently wrestling for Ice Ribbon, where she also works behind the scenes as the co-head trainer.
She is a record seven-time ICE×∞ Champion, six-time International Ribbon Tag Team C ...
Fujimoto defeated Nakagawa (12:34),
Nakagawa defeated Kimura (17:37).[
*July 27:
**Third place four-way match:]
Tomoka Nakagawa defeated Hiroyo Matsumoto, Tsukasa Fujimoto and Yumi Ohka (6:17).[
*Post-tournament awards:][
**Best Bout Award: ]Kyoko Kimura
is a retired Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. Throughout her 14-year career, she competed in Big Japan Pro Wrestling, Ibuki, Ice Ribbon, JWP Joshi Puroresu, NEO Japan Ladies Pro-Wrestling and World Wonder Ring Stardom, am ...
vs. Kyusei Sakura Hirota, May 13
**Best Performance Award: Tsukasa Fujimoto
is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress, who is currently wrestling for Ice Ribbon, where she also works behind the scenes as the co-head trainer.
She is a record seven-time ICE×∞ Champion, six-time International Ribbon Tag Team C ...
led Ice Ribbon
is a ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) professional wrestling promotion, promotion established in 2006 by Emi Sakura, after her split with Gatokunyan.
History
Ice Ribbon was founded by Emi Sakura, a professional wrestler wh ...
**Fighting Spirit Award: Kyusei Sakura Hirota
**Outstanding Performance Award: Mika Iida
**Technique Award: Kyusei Sakura Hirota
Catch the Young Wave
Concurrently to the 2014 Catch the Wave tournament, Pro Wrestling Wave also held the first Catch the Young Wave tournament, where six rookie wrestlers competed for a ¥500,000 main prize. Outside participants in the tournament included Risa Sera
, better known by her ring name , is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress. She is currently a freelancer working in the deathmatch unit Prominence, who is best known for wrestling in Ice Ribbon. She is a four-time International Ribbon Tag ...
and Shiori Akiba from Ice Ribbon
is a ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) professional wrestling promotion, promotion established in 2006 by Emi Sakura, after her split with Gatokunyan.
History
Ice Ribbon was founded by Emi Sakura, a professional wrestler wh ...
and Kaho Kobayashi from Wrestling New Classic
was a Japanese ''puroresu'' or professional wrestling promotion, founded in April 2012 by Yoshihiro Tajiri. WNC was the follow-up promotion to Smash, which folded in March 2012.
History
On April 5, 2012, Tajiri held a press conference to annou ...
(WNC)/Reina Joshi Puroresu.[ Akiba was forced to pull out of the tournament and forfeit her final two matches, after being sidelined as a result of headaches and memory impairment on June 18. The block ended in a four-way tie on June 27, leading to Wave announcing a ]single-elimination tournament
A single-elimination, knockout, or sudden death tournament is a type of elimination tournament where the loser of each match-up is immediately eliminated from the tournament. Each winner will play another in the next round, until the final matc ...
between the four to determine the winner.[
]
2015
The 2015 Catch the Wave took place between May 3 and July 20. The tournament featured a single round-robin block with ten wrestlers.[ The four previous still active winners; ]Yumi Ohka
, better known by her ring name , is a Japanese professional wrestler. Originally trained by the now defunct JDStar promotion, Ohka now works for Oz Academy and Pro Wrestling Wave. She is a former two-time Wave Single Champion, while also being ...
, Kana
The term may refer to a number of syllabaries used to write Japanese phonological units, morae. Such syllabaries include (1) the original kana, or , which were Chinese characters (kanji) used phonetically to transcribe Japanese, the most pr ...
, Misaki Ohata
is a retired Japanese people, Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, better known by her maiden name . She is best known for her work while signed to the Zabun production company and its two promotions; Pro Wrestling Wave and Osa ...
and Hikaru Shida
is a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, actress, and model, currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she is a former and the longest-reigning AEW Women's World Champion. On February 25, 2021, she became the longest reign ...
as well as the reigning Catch the Young Wave winner Kaho Kobayashi, earned automatic spots in the tournament. Gami picked one wrestler to enter the tournament, while the remaining four were decided in qualifying matches on April 4.[ Cherry, Kyusei Sakura Hirota, Mika Iida and ]Ryo Mizunami
, better known by her ring name Ryo Mizunami, is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. She is best known for her time in Pro Wrestling Wave. She is also known for her appearances in other Japanese promotions such as Big Japan ...
ended up earning their spots in the tournament in a nine-woman battle royal
Battle royal (; also royale) traditionally refers to a fight involving many combatants that is fought until only one fighter remains standing, usually conducted under either boxing or wrestling rules. In recent times, the term has been used in a ...
, while Rina Yamashita
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her time in Pro Wrestling Wave.
Professional wrestling career Independent circuit (2013-present)
Yamashita began working for other promotions such as Pr ...
was chosen by Gami as the final entrant. In the tournament, instead of points, rankings were based on winning percentages or simply the number of wins.[ Two matches in the tournament took place at an Osaka Joshi Pro Wrestling event.][
*Post-tournament awards:][
**Best Bout Award: Ryo Mizunami vs. ]Yumi Ohka
, better known by her ring name , is a Japanese professional wrestler. Originally trained by the now defunct JDStar promotion, Ohka now works for Oz Academy and Pro Wrestling Wave. She is a former two-time Wave Single Champion, while also being ...
, June 10
**Best Performance Award: Wonderful World Fairy Family (Ayako Hamada
is a Mexican professional wrestler. During her 20-year career, Hamada wrestled for various promotions, including All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling, Gaea Japan and Pro Wrestling Wave in Japan, Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) and Lucha Libre ...
, Chikayo Nagashima
is a Japanese professional wrestler. She started her career in 1995, working for the Gaea Japan promotion, where she became a one-time AAAW Single Champion and a record five-time AAAW Tag Team Champion. She was also notably one of the four fou ...
, Fairy Nipponbashi, Tsukasa Fujimoto
is a Japanese professional wrestler and actress, who is currently wrestling for Ice Ribbon, where she also works behind the scenes as the co-head trainer.
She is a record seven-time ICE×∞ Champion, six-time International Ribbon Tag Team C ...
, Yumi Ohka and Yuu Yamagata)
**Fighting Spirit Award: Ryo Mizunami
**Outstanding Performance Award: Mika Iida
**Technique Award: Mika Iida
**Raspberry Award: Kaho Kobayashi vs. Kyusei Sakura Hirota, June 14
Young Block Oh! Oh! 2015
The rookie version of Catch the Wave started on May 29 with six participants, including five outsiders; Konami from Office Kana/Reina Joshi Puroresu, Maya Yukihi and Yuka from Ice Ribbon
is a ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) professional wrestling promotion, promotion established in 2006 by Emi Sakura, after her split with Gatokunyan.
History
Ice Ribbon was founded by Emi Sakura, a professional wrestler wh ...
, Meiko Tanaka from World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana and Yako Fujigasaki from JWP Joshi Puroresu
, also known as or simply JWP, was a Japanese ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) promotion, founded in 1992 as a splinter promotion of Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling. Celebrating its 25th anniversary at the time of its folding in 2 ...
. The tournament took place in a single-elimination
A single-elimination, knockout, or sudden death tournament is a type of elimination tournament where the loser of each match-up is immediately eliminated from the tournament. Each winner will play another in the next round, until the final matc ...
format with Konami and Yuka earning automatic spots to in the semifinals. Matches had a ten-minute time limit in the tournament. In case of a time limit draw, the match would enter a five-minute overtime, where the match can be won with only a two-count. If the match again ended in a time limit draw, it would be restarted with no time limit in a match that can be won with only a one-count. The winner of the tournament would receive ¥500,000 and a shot at the JWP Junior and Princess of Pro-Wrestling Championship
The Princess of Pro-Wrestling (POP) Championship is a Japanese women's professional wrestling championship owned by the Pure-J promotion. The title was created in the JDStar promotion on June 24, 2006, when Fuka defeated Natsuki☆Head in the fi ...
s. Both of the tournament's finalists were injured before the final match with Meiko Tanaka dislocating her right elbow and Yuka suffering a cervical spinal cord contusion and subarachnoid hemorrhage
Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is bleeding into the subarachnoid space—the area between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater surrounding the brain. Symptoms may include a severe headache of rapid onset, vomiting, decreased level of consci ...
. As Yuka was injured first, Wave originally awarded Tanaka the final with a bye, declaring her the winner of the tournament. However, on the final day of the tournament, Gami instead announced that they were postponing the final match until both wrestlers were able to return to the ring.[ The final eventually took place on October 30.][
]
2016
The 2016 Catch the Wave took place between April 10 and June 5. The tournament featured 32 wrestlers in eight blocks of four, making it the largest Catch the Wave tournament in history.[ In the tournament a win was worth two points and a loss none. In case of a draw, the wrestler who debuted at a later date would be awarded one point. The winners from each block would advance to a single-elimination tournament.] If a block ended in a tie, a playoff match would determine the advancer.[
;Playoff matches
*]Ryo Mizunami
, better known by her ring name Ryo Mizunami, is a Japanese professional wrestler and mixed martial artist. She is best known for her time in Pro Wrestling Wave. She is also known for her appearances in other Japanese promotions such as Big Japan ...
defeated Chikayo Nagashima
is a Japanese professional wrestler. She started her career in 1995, working for the Gaea Japan promotion, where she became a one-time AAAW Single Champion and a record five-time AAAW Tag Team Champion. She was also notably one of the four fou ...
(12:50)[
*Mika Iida defeated ]Melanie Cruise
Melanie Goranson (born January 7, 1987) is an American professional wrestler, better known by her ring name Melanie Cruise. She is best known for her appearances in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), SHIMMER and POWW Entertainment. She currently perform ...
and Tsukushi (6:53)[
*Post-tournament awards:][
**Best Bout Award: Mika Iida vs. Tsukushi, May 3
**Best Performance Award: Referee Ishiguro and ]Mayumi Ozaki
(born October 28, 1968) is a Japanese professional wrestler. She is currently working for Oz Academy.
Career
Ozaki debuted in a tag team match in August, 1986.
In her career, she held the WWWA tag titles with Dynamite Kansai from April 11, 19 ...
**Fighting Spirit Award: Rabbit Miu
**Outstanding Performance Award: Hiroe Nagahama
Young Block Oh! Oh! 2016
The 2016 rookie version of Catch the Wave took place between February 6 and March 13 with eight participants in two blocks. Outside participants included Akane Fujita, Maruko Nagasaki and Yuka from Ice Ribbon
is a ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) professional wrestling promotion, promotion established in 2006 by Emi Sakura, after her split with Gatokunyan.
History
Ice Ribbon was founded by Emi Sakura, a professional wrestler wh ...
, Konami from Reina Joshi Puroresu, Mari An from Sportiva and Yako Fujigasaki from JWP Joshi Puroresu
, also known as or simply JWP, was a Japanese ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) promotion, founded in 1992 as a splinter promotion of Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling. Celebrating its 25th anniversary at the time of its folding in 2 ...
. For the first time, the tournament ran before the main tournament. The winner of the tournament earned a spot in the 2016 Catch the Wave tournament. In the tournament, wins were worth two points and losses zero. In case of a time limit draw, the wrestler who debuted at a later date would be awarded one point.[ One of the matches in the tournament took place at an event held by Wave's sister promotion Osaka Joshi Pro Wrestling.][
]
2017
The 2017 Catch the Wave took place between April 19 and June 4. The tournament featured eight wrestlers in two blocks of four, making it the smallest Catch the Wave tournament in history. The participants wrestled in a single block, but in point standings were divided into two blocks by their affiliation. Wrestlers signed to Pro Wrestling Wave, wrestled in the "Zabun" block, while outsiders wrestled in the "Other Than" block, which included Ice Ribbon
is a ''joshi puroresu'' (women's professional wrestling) professional wrestling promotion, promotion established in 2006 by Emi Sakura, after her split with Gatokunyan.
History
Ice Ribbon was founded by Emi Sakura, a professional wrestler wh ...
representative Mochi Miyagi, Marvelous representative Rin Kadokura, Seadlinnng
(stylised as SEAdLINNNG) is a Japanese women's professional wrestling promotion founded in 2015 by former Stardom wrestler and founder Nanae Takahashi. Their roster is predominantly made up of outside talent from other promotions such as Ice Ri ...
representative Sareee and freelancer
''Freelance'' (sometimes spelled ''free-lance'' or ''free lance''), ''freelancer'', or ''freelance worker'', are terms commonly used for a person who is self-employed and not necessarily committed to a particular employer long-term. Freelance w ...
Saki. In the tournament a win was worth two points, a draw one point and a loss none. The top two wrestlers from each block advanced to the semifinals.
*Post-tournament awards:[
**Best Bout Award: Hiroe Nagahama vs. ]Misaki Ohata
is a retired Japanese people, Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, better known by her maiden name . She is best known for her work while signed to the Zabun production company and its two promotions; Pro Wrestling Wave and Osa ...
, May 23
**Fighting Spirit Award: Rin Kadokura
**Outstanding Performance Award: Hiroe Nagahama
**Technique Award: Mochi Miyagi
2018
The 2018 Catch the Wave took place between March 11 and May 4. The tournament featured twelve wrestlers in two blocks of six, the Crazy Block and the Violence Block. In the tournament a win was worth two points, a draw one point and a loss none. On April 7, Hikaru Shida
is a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, actress, and model, currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she is a former and the longest-reigning AEW Women's World Champion. On February 25, 2021, she became the longest reign ...
announced she would be dropping out to receive surgery on a distal tibia fracture, forfeiting the rest of her matches. The top wrestler from each block was to advance to the finals, however both blocks ended in ties. Because Violence Block ended in a three-way tie, the tiebreaker was determined to be a gauntlet match where the first woman to win two consecutive falls would advance.[
*Post-tournament awards:][
**Best Bout Award: ]Misaki Ohata
is a retired Japanese people, Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, better known by her maiden name . She is best known for her work while signed to the Zabun production company and its two promotions; Pro Wrestling Wave and Osa ...
vs. Hikaru Shida
is a Japanese professional wrestler, martial artist, actress, and model, currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she is a former and the longest-reigning AEW Women's World Champion. On February 25, 2021, she became the longest reign ...
, March 23
**Fighting Spirit Award: Mio Momono
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her time with the Japanese promotions Pro Wrestling Wave, Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling and Ice Ribbon.
Professional wrestling career Independent circuit ...
& Miyuki Takase
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her tenure with the Japanese promotions Pro Wrestling Wave and Pure-J.
Professional wrestling career Independent circuit (2017-present)
Takase made her ...
(Reason: Teamed with the competitors during multi-person tag matches.)
**Outstanding Performance Award: Yuki Miyazaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working for the Japanese professional wrestling promotion Pro Wrestling Wave.
Professional wrestling career Independent circuit (1995-present)
Miyazaki made her professional wrestling debut on Jan ...
& Sakura Hirota
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her tenure with the Japanese promotions Pro Wrestling Wave and Oz Academy.
Hirota's later career is characterized by being a comedy wrestler who oft ap ...
(Reason: Did their best in a tough block without getting injured.)
**Technique Award: Asuka
Asuka may refer to:
People
* Asuka (name), a list of people
* Asuka (wrestler), professional wrestler
* Asuka (wrestler, born 1998), professional wrestler also known as Veny outside of Japan
Places In Japan
* , an area in Yamato Province (now ...
(Reason: Worked through a broken ankle for the entire tournament.)
**Special Prize: Hiroe Nagahama (Reason: Defeated the Regina di WAVE Champion Misaki Ohata in a surprise upset.)
2019
The 2019 Catch the Wave took place between May 5 and July 15. The tournament featured sixteen wrestlers in four blocks of four, the Power Block, the Technical Block, the Visual Block and the Young Block. With the Wave Single Championship
The is a women's professional wrestling championship owned by the Pro Wrestling Wave promotion. The title is nicknamed and more commonly referred to as the . The championship, which is situated at the top of Pro Wrestling Wave's championship hie ...
being vacated due to the last champion Misaki Ohata
is a retired Japanese people, Japanese Professional wrestling, professional wrestler, better known by her maiden name . She is best known for her work while signed to the Zabun production company and its two promotions; Pro Wrestling Wave and Osa ...
's retirement from professional wrestling, the winner of the tournament would win the vacant title as well. The Young Block competed independently of the main tournament. Mika Iwata
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her tenure with the Japanese promotions Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Wave.
Professional wrestling career Independent circuit (2015-pre ...
was injured on June, therefore, was out of the tournament.
In the finals, Takumi Iroha
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently signed to Marvelous That's Women Pro Wrestling. She also competes in Seadlinnng, where she is a former Beyond the Sea Champion.
Iroha was trained by Fuka Kakimoto and made her debut in April 2013 fo ...
defeated Nagisa Nozaki
is a Japanese professional wrestler. She started her career in the NEO Japan Ladies Pro Wrestling promotion in November 2006 and after the promotion's folding in December 2010, worked for independent promotions such as Pro Wrestling Wave and Wor ...
and Ryo Mizunami in a three-way match
Many types of wrestling matches, sometimes called "concept" or "gimmick matches" in the jargon of the business, are performed in professional wrestling. Some gimmick matches are more common than others and are often used to advance or conclude a ...
to win the tournament and the title.
2021
The 2021 Catch the Wave took place between June 1 and July 1. The tournament featured sixteen wrestlers in four blocks of four, the Compliance Block, the Gatling Block, the Jealousy Block and the Potential Block. The winner will be given an opportunity to challenge for the Wave Single Championship
The is a women's professional wrestling championship owned by the Pro Wrestling Wave promotion. The title is nicknamed and more commonly referred to as the . The championship, which is situated at the top of Pro Wrestling Wave's championship hie ...
.
* Post-tournament awards:[
** Best Bout Award: Tomoko Watanabe vs. Yako, June 8
** Distinguished Service Award: ]Mio Momono
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her time with the Japanese promotions Pro Wrestling Wave, Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling and Ice Ribbon.
Professional wrestling career Independent circuit ...
** Fighting Spirit Award: Mio Momono
is a Japanese professional wrestler currently working as a freelancer and is best known for her time with the Japanese promotions Pro Wrestling Wave, Sendai Girls' Pro Wrestling and Ice Ribbon.
Professional wrestling career Independent circuit ...
** Outstanding Performance Award: Hibiscus Mii
Young Block Oh! Oh! 2021
The 2021 Young Block tournament took place beginning with May 18 and culminated on May 28.
2022
The 2022 edition of the tournament will take place between May 5 and July 17, 2022.
Qualifier Blocks
Due to certain point ties from the qualifier blocks, there have been a couple of decision matches which took place on June 22 to determine the wrestlers who have further qualified in the final blocks.
Winner Blocks
Due to Nagisa Nozaki being one of the finalists of the tournament, the final match will also be for her Wave Single Championship
The is a women's professional wrestling championship owned by the Pro Wrestling Wave promotion. The title is nicknamed and more commonly referred to as the . The championship, which is situated at the top of Pro Wrestling Wave's championship hie ...
and will take place on July 17.
Notes
See also
*Dual Shock Wave
__NOTOC__
Dual Shock Wave is an annual professional wrestling tag team Professional wrestling tournament, tournament promoted by the Pro Wrestling Wave Professional wrestling promotion, promotion. It has been held since 2011 and takes place between ...
*Pro Wrestling Wave
, is a women's professional wrestling, or Joshi Puroresu, promotion created in 2007 after the dissolution and closure of JDStar. The company was formed by Mikiko Futagami, or Gami, former JDStar wrestler Yumi Ohka, and former JDStar booker Tatsu ...
References
External links
The official Pro Wrestling Wave website
{{Pro Wrestling Wave
Pro Wrestling Wave
Women's professional wrestling tournaments