DUAL SHOCK WAVE 2026 Tournament Overview: Saito and Natsu Already Heating Up at the Opening Ceremony!?
The tournament consists of four stages:
- Title Match
- Next Challenger Decision Match
- Qualifier 1
- Qualifier 2
Winning moves a team up, while losing drops them down a tier. A title match is held at every show during the tournament period. The losers of Qualifier 1 either drop to Qualifier 2 or choose to withdraw. Teams may also change partners and try again.
During the opening ceremony featuring all 10 participating teams, Natsu Sumire, perhaps offended by the “Saito” chants, threw her sandals into the audience. Saito delivered a greeting on behalf of the wrestlers.
Saito: “Isn’t this too much of a surprise…? It’s nothing but enemies! Enemies everywhere! (Pointing at Miria Koga) Best friend! Today, I’m going to win the belts with my best friend. Even if people think it’s impossible, we’ll take the belts. We’re going to create that moment.” As Miria looked confused and Natsu attacked with a belt shouting, “Let’s have the match right now!”, everyone was forcibly ordered to leave the ring with a call for “Wrestlers dismiss!”
1. DUAL SHOCK WAVE 2026 ~ Qualifier 2 (15-minute time limit) Hikari Noa & ○Rina Amikura (10:43, Samson Clutch) Sumika Yanagawa & Chie Ozora●
Amikura & Hikari launched a surprise attack with a flurry of roll-ups, followed by a shoulder tackle and a dropkick. Their train attack backfired, allowing Ozora to trap Hikari in a Palo Special using the ropes, followed by a dropkick while hung up on the ropes and a bodyslam.
Yanagawa hit a double knee drop for a two-count. Hikari countered with a neckbreaker drop, and Amikura followed up with a shoulder tackle before landing a senton on both opponents. Yanagawa responded with a headscissors (Corbata), and Ozora attempted a rope walk on Amikura, but Hikari threatened her, shouting “I’m gonna shake it!”, making her hesitate.
Ozora managed an Irish whip, but Amikura hit a Raiden Drop. Hikari unleashed a series of low dropkicks and locked in a Christo. Ozora escaped and hit a rolling elbow for a two-count. Hikari hit a superkick, but Ozora countered back with a dropkick.
Yanagawa delivered a spin kick (sobat), a heel kick upwards, and a low superkick for a two-count. She followed up with a corner jumping knee, a corner double knee attack, and a llave submission trapping both arms with her legs. Hikari made the save. Hikari assisted with a dropkick, and Amikura set her opponent on the top turnbuckle.
Amikura delivered a piggyback body press with Hikari on her back. She aimed for a diving senton, but Ozora broke it up, allowing Yanagawa to hit a deadly drive and a Somato for a two-count. Amikura hit a side suplex, but Yanagawa immediately got up and hit a back spin kick for a two-count.
Amikura caught her with a counter powerslam, Hikari hit a missile dropkick, and Amikura followed up with a cannonball. Ozora made the save. 10 minutes passed. Ozora connected with an enzuigiri, but after Hikari’s superkick, Amikura rolled her up with a Samson Clutch to secure the three-count.
Amikura & Hikari displayed surprisingly great tag team coordination, advancing to Qualifier 1.
2. DUAL SHOCK WAVE 2026 ~ Qualifier 1 (15-minute time limit) ○Cohaku & Momoka Hanazono (12:05, Paquete) Kaho Kobayashi● & ZONES
Hanazono started the match claiming, “I’ll finish this in 2 seconds,” but ZONES immediately hit a dropkick and went for a pin, forcing Cohaku to frantically make the save. ZONES & Kobayashi delivered double elbows while striking muscle poses, followed by consecutive elbow drops.
ZONES went for a push-up pin, and Kobayashi repeatedly smashed Hanazono into the corner. Kobayashi tied Hanazono to the ropes, applying a sleeper hold and a dropkick to her back.
As they continued the assault, Hanazono started crying, which made Cohaku start crying as well. When ZONES concernedly asked, “Are you okay?”, Hanazono whispered something in her ear. ZONES responded, “What’s that? You want to play cavalry battle!?” and assumed a cavalry base stance. Kobayashi stopped this, drawing massive boos from the crowd.
Kobayashi hit a double lariat, and ZONES took a crouching start position, hyping herself up with “Shu! Shu!”, but Cohaku interrupted with a dropkick. Hanazono aimed for a swinging DDT, but ZONES countered with a deadly drive into a muffler hold, swinging her around wildly.
Receiving a “One more time” chant, ZONES swung her again, but ended up making herself dizzy and wobbly. She went for a third crouching start dash on all fours, but Hanazono countered with a Party Cracker attack.
Cohaku held Kobayashi in a full nelson, but Hanazono’s elbow strike accidentally hit Cohaku. ZONES and Kobayashi capitalized with consecutive corner lariats and a spinning jumping shoulder tackle. Kobayashi followed up with a senton for a two-count.
After a shin kick from Hanazono, Cohaku locked in a jackknife hold, and they followed up with a double jackknife hold, but it only got two. 10 minutes passed. They attempted a piggyback double DDT, but ZONES caught Hanazono with a backflip.
Kobayashi hit a top-rope Frankensteiner on Cohaku, ZONES hit a backflip, and Kobayashi applied a jackknife hold for a two-count. Kobayashi delivered a short-range lariat, and Hanazono’s diving double foot stomp accidentally hit Kobayashi.
As Cohaku charged in, Kobayashi went for a lariat, but Cohaku rolled her up with a Paquete to snatch the three-count!
Cohaku & Hanazono advance to the Next Challenger Decision Match.
3. DUAL SHOCK WAVE 2026 ~ Qualifier 1 (15-minute time limit) Haruka Umesaki & ○Honoka (13:36, Japanese Leg Roll Clutch Hold) Saran & Arisa Shinose●
Honoka and Saran started things off with a high-speed exchange. Saran hit a low dropkick, but Umesaki and Honoka unleashed consecutive tag team combinations, pairing leg scissors with low dropkicks.
Shinose hit a bodyslam and a Boston crab. Honoka retaliated with a crossbody, and Umesaki hit a bodyslam. Shinose fired back with a shoulder tackle and aggressively twisted Umesaki’s hair for a hair whip, but Umesaki evaded with a cartwheel and returned the favor.
Shinose threw her back and stomped on her hair in the corner. Umesaki delivered a missile dropkick and a corner elbow, while Honoka used Umesaki as a stepping stone for a corner dropkick, getting a two-count.
Saran hit a dropkick, but Umesaki replied with one of her own. Saran hit a double foot stomp to the arm and locked in a Christo. She transitioned into a Russian leg sweep on Honoka, followed by a grounded octopus hold, but Umesaki broke it up.
Saran & Shinose hit double dropkicks, and Saran connected with a 619 for a two-count. Honoka landed a missile dropkick for two, and Saran countered with a low elbow smash. 3 minutes remaining.
Honoka hit a basement dropkick to Shinose’s face, but Saran made the save. Umesaki hit a double dropkick on both opponents, and Honoka finally caught Shinose with a Japanese Leg Roll Clutch Hold for the three-count.
Umesaki & Honoka advance to the Next Challenger Decision Match.
4. DUAL SHOCK WAVE 2026 ~ Next Challenger Decision Match (15-minute time limit) ○SAKI & Maika Ozaki (14:14, Ebi-gatame) Yumi & Mochi Natsumi●
Yumi and SAKI started off. Yumi initiated with stomps, but SAKI retaliated with a flurry of body blows. After a drop toe hold, Ozaki dropped an elbow.
SAKI aimed body blows at Mochi, but Mochi defended with crossed arms. SAKI broke through with a front high kick, and Ozaki followed up with consecutive elbow drops.
Mochi and Ozaki exchanged shoulder tackles. Yumi tried to intervene, but their timing was off, prompting Mochi to complain, “You’re useless! I’ll do this myself!”
Yumi attempted a Bloody EX using the turnbuckles on Ozaki, but Ozaki overpowered her, throwing her off in a deadly drive motion. SAKI and Yumi battled for waist-locks, resulting in SAKI hitting a low dropkick.
They exchanged front high kicks; SAKI caught Yumi’s leg and locked in a Bull’s Angelito. Ozaki followed up with a Campana on Mochi. Yumi broke free and delivered a big boot for a two-count.
SAKI kicked Mochi away and hit an atomic drop. SAKI followed up her big boot with a charge, but Mochi caught her with a Mocchiri Body Scissors and a reverse splash. Ozaki broke up the pin.
Mochi held SAKI in a full nelson, but Yumi’s big boot accidentally struck Mochi. A running elbow from Yumi also misfired, allowing SAKI to quickly roll Mochi up in a prawn hold (Ebi-gatame) for the three-count.
SAKI & Ozaki were officially determined as the tag title challengers for the October 18 Itabashi show.
5. DUAL SHOCK WAVE ~ WAVE Tag Team Championship Match (30-minute time limit) Natsu Sumire & ○YuuRI (19:45, Kata Ebi-gatame) Miria Koga & Saito● *Swanton Bomb. The 46th Champions secure their 2nd successful defense.
Having successfully defended their titles for the first time by defeating Cohaku & Hanazono at the October 4 Itabashi show, Natsu & YuuRI welcomed the challenge of Miria Koga & Saito, who advanced from their Next Challenger Decision Match against Saran & Shinose due to the time-limit draw career-difference rule.
Natsu & YuuRI heavily assaulted Saito. YuuRI landed a soccer kick, and the two cornered Saito with stomps, drawing massive boos. Responding to the crowd’s “Saito” chants, Natsu tied her to the ropes, yelling, “Cheer for her more!” to elicit even more heat.
“This girl is getting cocky!” Natsu yelled before hitting a front high kick. YuuRI pulled Saito’s hair, and Natsu declared, “I’m gonna teach this cocky ugly girl a lesson!” before spitting water in a Merlion attack.
She even sprayed mist into the faces of the fans cheering for Saito. Shouting “Shu! Shu!”, Saito attempted a corner attack, but Natsu kicked her away, leading to a double-team assault from Natsu & YuuRI.
“The Saito boom ends today!” Natsu declared as she hit a Bronco Buster. Saito continued to be isolated, but eventually managed to return a shoulder tackle, allowing Miria to hit a dropkick. Miria fired off a barrage of middle kicks at Natsu, but Natsu countered with an Inazuma Leg Lariat.
YuuRI kicked Saito off the apron and followed up with a low dropkick. YuuRI applied a body scissors sleeper hold on Miria, but instead of breaking it up, Saito just cheered her on from nearby!?
Saito & YuuRI engaged in a shoulder tackle battle. Saito won the exchange and went for a running body press, but YuuRI dodged, causing Saito to crash. YuuRI kicked her in the face, but Saito hyped herself up with a “Shu!” and powered through.
Saito countered YuuRI’s charge with a harai-goshi and went for a cross armbreaker, but Natsu made the save. Miria entered the fray; Saito hit a bodyslam, and Miria continuously bodyslammed Saito right on top of YuuRI.
Saito fired herself up with peculiar “Shu! Shu!” movements, which oddly compelled Natsu and YuuRI to mimic her motions. Miria seemed like she was going to join in too… only to yell, “Stop messing around!” and deliver a stiff low kick to her own partner, Saito.
“Idiot! Don’t get in my way!” Saito retorted, throwing Miria away, but YuuRI capitalized with a sheer-drop brainbuster. YuuRI went for a Swanton Bomb, but Saito dodged. Miria immediately caught YuuRI with a bicycle kick and a release German suplex.
Saito connected with a diving body press, but Natsu broke up the pin. YuuRI struck back with a superkick and a buzzsaw kick, finally putting Saito away with a Swanton Bomb for the three-count.
Natsu & YuuRI successfully defended the titles for the second time.
The title match for the October 18 Itabashi show was officially set: Natsu & YuuRI vs. SAKI & Maika Ozaki.
ZONES and Ozora Withdraw from their Next Matches; V2 Champions Natsu & YuuRI Close the Show
Mochi entered the ring and declared her withdrawal: “It’s impossible to team with this woman (Yumi) anymore, so please let us forfeit!” Yumi Ohka pulled her back, saying, “If you lose your next match, you can quit, so get back here!” nullifying the forfeiture…?
ZONES announced her withdrawal: “I will forfeit on the 18th, muscle…”, leaving Kobayashi bewildered, asking, “WHY muscle…?”
Ozora also declared a forfeit: “Watching teams fall apart one after another… I want to stay good friends with Sumika, and I don’t want to create any rifts between us to ensure that. I’m sorry!”
With Ozora and ZONES withdrawing, Kobayashi and Yanagawa were left without partners. Yanagawa appealed, “Kaho-san! Will you team with me, muscle…?” but Kobayashi checked her muscle mass and rejected her with a “No muscle!”
Kobayashi declared, “I will find a partner, muscle,” deciding to look on her own, leaving Yanagawa to also search for a new partner. Natsu grabbed the microphone.
Natsu: “YuuRI, please close out the show with a bang!”
YuuRI: “Once again, Team Natsuba successfully defended the belts! V2! Our next challengers are SAKI & Maika Ozaki. Since we defend the titles every week, we’ve got plenty of chances to retain. We want to seize these opportunities and break the record for most defenses! We will absolutely defeat you, so look forward to it!”
Ozaki: “Don’t act scared! We’re not gonna lose!”
SAKI: “Stop acting so timid, you’re the champions!”
YuuRI: “Shut up and go home! Shu! Shu!”
Natsu: “…I apologize for my kid. Please leave for today (wry smile). Okay, YuuRI-chan, pull yourself together! Close the show!”
YuuRI: “…I’m very sorry my mic skills are still as sloppy as ever (wry smile). I will absolutely not drop this belt; I won’t hand it over to anyone! Here we go—this is WAVE!”
Translator’s Notes
- DUAL SHOCK WAVE Format: The “win-and-advance, lose-and-drop” (勝ち上がり・負け下がり) system works like an escalator rather than a bracket. Winners move up a tier (Qualifier 2 -> Qualifier 1 -> Challenger Decision -> Title Match), while losers drop down.
- Time-Limit Draw Rule: Pro Wrestling WAVE utilizes a unique tiebreaker where, if a match reaches the 15-minute time limit, the combined years of experience of both teams are calculated. The team with the younger combined career automatically advances.
- Merlion Attack (マーライオン攻撃): A classic joshi trope where a wrestler takes a large mouthful of water and sprays it out forcefully like a fountain onto an opponent, named after the famous Singaporean statue.
- Cavalry Battle (騎馬戦 – Kibasen): A reference to a traditional Japanese school sports festival game where a team carries a “rider” on their shoulders and tries to snatch the headband off opposing riders.
- Muscle Speak: ZONES operates with a bodybuilding gimmick and ends her sentences with the word “muscle.” Kaho Kobayashi counters this by playfully speaking English (“WHY muscle” and “No muscle”).
- Shu! Shu! (シュッ！シュッ！): An exaggerated breathing and hype vocalization heavily utilized by Saito (and momentarily adopted by ZONES and YuuRI) meant to mimic the sharp exhalations of martial artists shadowboxing.