21) Review

As I edit this, several areas of Japan, including Tokyo, have declared another state of emergency. That puts the status of GAEAISM up in the air, which, if you discount all the actually important things, is one of the worst consequences of this pandemic so far. Sadly, I can’t do much about that, and before we got to what will hopefully still be the big one, Marvelous had one last show to give us. Appreciate it now because you ain’t going to be seeing much Japanese wrestling in front of fans over the next month.

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23/04/2021 0

TJPW Still Incomplete (17/4/21) Review

Tokyo Joshi is a company with a plan. The way they book their titles suggests it’s all been laid out in advance, each piece of the puzzle slotted in to open up a spot for the next. The question is, what happens when things change? Not the unavoidable bad change, injury or retirement, but the good one, where a wrestler takes off in a way that you maybe didn’t expect. I suspect the plan was always for Maki Itoh to challenge Rika Tatsumi on this show but had Tokyo Joshi expected her to be coming in after making international headlines? Will the temptation to grab a few more of those cause those plans to be launched out the window? Well, it’s time to find out.

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19/04/2021 1

Stardom Cinderella Tournament Round 1 (10/4/21) Review

I love the Cinderella Tournament. The over the top rope nature of its rules makes it such a wonderfully unpredictable event, and while I’m a little disappointed that Stardom has chosen to split it over two days this year, it’s still a highlight of the calendar. I’ve been dipping in and out of the company over the last few months, watching big shows and stuff that sounds interesting, but this was one I was never going to skip.

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13/04/2021 0

DDT April Fools (11/4/21) Review

When all else fails, boot ’em up the arse. Credit: DDT

DDT were back in Korakuen for perhaps the most intriguing main event of the year so far. Imagine telling someone five years ago that Akiyama and Dieno were going to face-off for the KO-D title? I’m not sure anyone predicted that one.

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12/04/2021 0

Marvelous (8/4/21) Review

It’s a marvellous day to watch some Marvelous. Damn, can’t believe I haven’t used that as an opening line before. That feels like day one stuff. Anyway, this was another packed Marvelous show, so if recent history tells us anything, it’s probably going to rule. Let’s see if I’m right.

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09/04/2021 1

Marvelous (30/3/21) Review

There is nothing better than bubbles to sell your intense stare down. Credit: Marvelous

Marvelous days are good days, so let’s not waste any time with an introduction and instead get right into the wrestling.

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31/03/2021 1

DDT Judgement (28/3/21) Review

For DDT’s 23rd Anniversary, they dished up a rematch that everyone has been waiting for. Akiyama vs Higuchi makes sense, no matter what way you look at it. So let’s sit back and watch the two big boys hit each other.

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30/03/2021 1

TJPW Spring Tour ’21 ~ The Bullet ~ (27/3/21) Review

Main event Good Night Express. Credit: TJPW

I would love to know who comes up with the Tokyo Joshi show names. What made them decide on this part of the tour being labelled, ‘The Bullet’? It seems awfully violent for a company that generally goes with things like ‘Winter Lovers’ and ‘Change the Wind Direction’. Is this what happens when Itoh goes to AEW and spends time with those people?

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29/03/2021 0

SEAdLINNNG Grow Together! (17/3/21) Review

From shit, occasionally a flower blooms. Is that a saying? I wrote it thinking it was, but now I’m not so sure. Fuck it. It’s there now. Sadly, Yoshiko has had to drop the SEAd title, her recent injury issues getting the better of her. In response, though, Nanae has booked Rina Yamashita vs ASUKA, and that’s one hell of a flower. Throw in a one-day tag tournament, and this show was can’t miss.

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18/03/2021 1

DDT Day Dream Believer (14/3/21) Review

It’s been a while since I last wrote about DDT. That wasn’t a decision I made on purpose or because I’d stopped enjoying the company, there is simply too much wrestling and too little time. Occasionally, something has to slip, and for a bit, that something was DDT. However, after enjoying a few of their recent big shows, I’m back and looking forward to catching up with what’s gone down.

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15/03/2021 1