Tomoka topples Kana at SMASH.23 (now with video)

With the WWE Championship having changed hands a near inconceivable nine times since May this year, wrestling fans in the West have gotten used to hot potato title changes. Thankfully, such quick swaps are far from the norm in Japan, but in what one hopes won’t be a regular thing, one of the more “Americanised” puro products (Yoshihiro Tajiri’s SMASH) followed up crowning first ever champions in both the male and female divisions by having both champions lose their titles on their first defences at today’s SMASH.23 event at Korakuen Hall.

While former WWE wrestler (and Divas trainer) Dave “Fit” Finlay captured the SMASH Title from the Lance Storm trained Starbuck, former SHIMMER Tag Team Champion Tomoka Nakagawa took her opportunity and lifted the SMASH Divas Title from the inaugural champion Kana in a fairly brief 8:53 match, avoiding a kick and rolling up the “Most Dangerous” one with a schoolgirl. Quite a surprise, then, to see SMASH’s most prominent and vocal female competitor lose her title on her first defence – but you can’t argue that it’s great to see Tomoka win a major singles title. Somewhat underappreciated by the masses, Nakagawa is long overdue a spotlight. The question is – what sort of a reign will she get? The next main numbered SMASH show will be SMASH.24 on December 30th – and you’d imagine that Kana will want her title back pretty damn quickly.

Click after the jump for a shot taken seconds after Tomoka’s victory, video of the match, and other related results from today.

In other “Divas” action today at SMASH.23, Aki Shizuki defeated former Ice Ribbon-er Makoto in 6:23 with a Crab Hold (which in puroresu is pretty much acknowledged as the way you beat a rookie, so it sucks to be her), while Syuri defeated Lin Bairon with a German Suplex Hold at 10:49 of a Hardcore Match. In addition, Mio Shirai was on the losing end of a six person tag.

From here, the company rolls into Osaka tomorrow for a non-numbered “Live” show at the Minami Move On Arena, where Nakagawa will go one-on-one with Lin Bairon in what could be a fantastic non title match, while Kana tags with Shizuki to take on Syuri & Makoto. Mio Shirai is again in mixed action, teaming with Takuya Kito to take on Hajime Ohara & Jessica Love.