Rambles about the wonderful world of wrestling.
The Max Heart comes to an end, as TJPW managed to find the one team I might not complain about beating Kyoraku Kyomei. It should be Shoko and Misao’s time, but there is no world in which I would get grumpy about a Pompaler win. That Koda is a sneaky bugger. Anyway, you probably already know the result because it was several days ago, so let’s get on with the rambles.
Continue reading “TJPW Max Heart Tournament Final (8/2/25), TJPW Review”
When the draw for the first round of the Max Heart came together, one pairing stood out above all others: Max vs Uta. Max’s best moments in TJPW have come when they’ve provided them with a crash test dummy (typically, her partner in this match, Pom), and the idea of the smallest, squeakiest member of the Up Up Girls fulfilling that role was an instant win. I needed to see if Uta could fly.
Continue reading “PomPaler (Max the Impaler & Pom Harajuku) vs Miu Watanabe & Uta Takami, Max Heart Tournament (18/1/24), TJPW”
Should I make the joke? Let’s make the joke. It’s Ittenyon, so it’s time to enjoy the biggest show in town. Yup, TJPW made their annual trip to Korakuen Hall, and as usual, they’ve put together a hell of a card for it. Would they deliver? I certainly wouldn’t bet against them, but let’s find out.
Continue reading “Tokyo Joshi Pro ’25 (4/1/25) Review”
I know it’s how time works, but I’m still unsure how a year has passed since Miyu Yamashita defeated Mizuki for the Princess of Princess title at Wrestle Princess 4. Yet, somehow, here we are, Wrestle Princess 5. Neither Yamashita nor Mizuki were in the main event, as the shining new face of Miu Watanabe looked to defend her title from outsider and Princess Cup holder, Ryo Mizunami. Elsewhere, Tokyo Joshi’s favourite god and ghost married couple go head-to-head, Pom has got some big pals, and Daisy Monkey’s title reign faces its biggest threat yet. Sounds like a good day, right? Let’s find out if it was.
Continue reading “TJPW Wrestle Princess 5 (22/9/24) Review”
2024’s Princess Cup was guaranteed a first-time winner, as we had a battle between TJPW stalwart Yuki Aino and outsider Ryo Mizunami. I think there’s an argument that neither was an obvious choice at the start of the tournament, although perhaps Mizunami should have been. However, I wouldn’t complain about either of them getting a match with Miu Watanabe, so I’ll be happy regardless. We’re also down a few roster members, as Miyu Yamashita, Raku, HIMAWARI and Mahiro Kiryu were in the UK wrestling for EVE (a show I was at). Anyway, on with the fun.
Continue reading “TJPW Princess Cup Final (25/8/24) Review”
Suzume is a great tournament wrestler. In real sports, that speaks to an ability to eke out victories, finding a way to win one-off games against teams that you might not be expecting to beat. In wrestling, I think it speaks more to someone’s versatility. Whether TJPW asks her to make a deep run, lose in the first round or land anywhere in between, you can always rely on Suzume to impress in the Princess Cup. Part of that is that she is incredibly talented, but it’s also because she finds a way to be so against a host of different people.
Continue reading “Suzume vs Yuki Arai, Princess Cup (10/8/24), TJPW Review”
I find it hard to divorce my feelings about this match from the picture that Haru posted on Twitter afterwards. In it, she has a huge smile plastered across her face as she shows off the damage a match worth of Aniki’s offence does to one’s chest. It tells you everything you need to know. Wrestling nerd Haru, who came into this company as a shy and awkward wee thing, stepped into the ring with someone who has been doing this since before she was born, and while she didn’t win, she did survive. She took her licks, proved her toughness and, in the process, even gave Aniki a scare or two.
Continue reading “Ryo Mizunami vs Haru Kazashiro, Princess Cup (3/8/24), TJPW Review”
Moka Miyamoto is an easy wrestler to take for granted. Part of that comes from her being the person TJPW trusts to fill the gaps. She’s the one who takes the fall in the tag match with the big-name outsider or is tasked with shaving some of the rough edges off the latest idol who has decided to give wrestling a go. It’s a talent that every company needs, someone who can fill any role on the card, but it can also be an unforgiving spot to find yourself in. The spotlight is rarely shone your way because of something you did, and I would imagine that can be frustrating.
Continue reading “Moka Miyamoto vs Mizuki, Tokyo Princess Cup (28/7/24), TJPW Review”
It is sometimes easy to forget during these emotional wrestling goodbyes that the person leaving isn’t dying or even retiring in the traditional sense. Nao Kakuta is 37. She is young enough to live a whole other life – two if she fancies it. By the time actual retirement comes around, wrestling will be something she used to do. A part of her time on this planet that people she talks to in pubs don’t believe happened. Yet, even knowing all of that, the emotion is so real. Solid, dependable Nao, who makes every TJPW undercard match at least 20% better, is vanishing from the world through which we interact with her. Sure, she might pop up now and then, but the (hopefully healthy) parasocial relationship we’ve established with her is dead, and that’s always going to be a sad thing.
Continue reading “Nao Kakuta vs Mizuki, Nao Kakuta Graduation Commemorative (25/7/24), TJPW Review”
While the Princess Cup is just around the corner, Miu Watanabe had one more challenge to overcome before she got there. Her Daydream partner, Rika Tatsumi, wanted a shot at the title. Not only was it another one of the names that made TJPW what it is, but in their three previous meetings, Miu had never picked up the win. Could she finally overcome her good friend? Or was the White Dragon about to throttle her way to a second run with the belt? Let’s find out!
Continue reading “TJPW Summer Sun Princess ’24 (20/7/24) Review”
Ramblings About Wrestling 