Rambles about the wonderful world of wrestling.
New Japan’s Anniversary show is an underrated date on their calendar. The last two years have seen Kazuchika Okada take on Tiger Mask W (aka Kota Ibushi) and Will Ospreay while this year sees Will get his second main event in a row against Jay White. Gedo seems to view it as an opportunity to bend the rules a bit, and that’s always going to be fun.
Continue reading “NJPW Anniversary Event (6/3/19) Review”
Having already worked a show on the afternoon of the 24th, Stardom turned around and did another one in the evening. I can’t imagine wrestling a match a month, never mind two in a day, so this always amazes me. Adding to the fun is the presence of Women Of Honor title match as the new champ, Mayu Iwatani, defends her belt against Konami and her unbeatable Triangle Lancer. How exciting
Continue reading “Stardom New Years Stars (Evening 24/2/19) Review”
Towards the end of February, the Stardom roster made their way to Osaka where they were doing one of their two show days. This was the first one, so if they had all decided to take it easy, well, to be honest, I wouldn’t have blamed them. History suggested that wasn’t likely, though.
Continue reading “Stardom New Years Stars (Afternoon 24/2/19) Review”
After an incredible start to the year, February’s wrestling delights were always going to struggle to compete with January’s. Honestly, I had to make an effort to fill this list which is why it’s a bit late (I was ill over the weekend and used it as an opportunity to catch up on hyped stuff). That brings its own excitement, though, as it means there are a few matches I might not have checked out otherwise. Let’s have a look.
Continue reading “Ramblings About’s Top Ten Matches of Feburary 2019”Hello friends, pull up a chair, crack open a beverage and get comfortable in The Listening Booth because I’m about to do some rambling. I’ve realised that if you were coming to these articles looking for actual reviews, you’d often leave sorely disappointed. They’re closer to extended therapy sessions where I try and capture my emotional response to an album. I’m telling you this because that approach is horrifically self-indulgent, so if you aren’t interested, I don’t want to waste your time. Otherwise, this week we’re diving into a new release from Blood Youth and a couple of oldies from Mineral and PJ Harvey. Enjoy!
Continue reading “The Listening Booth – Blood Youth, Mineral and PJ Harvey”
With the first of 2019’s Honor Rising shows succeeding in being a load of fun, night two was given something to live up to. It had a problem, though. The second half of this card looks like something New Japan has dreamt up to personally spite me. Miracles are going to have to occur for me to enjoy this.
Continue reading “NJPW Honor Rising (23/2/19) Review”
Honor Rising is a weird tour. Much like Fantastica Mania, people treat it like a bit of a joke. Yet, much like Fantastica Mania, I nearly always enjoy it. You get some fun combinations as a couple of matches always deliver. Christ, last year Hirooki Goto had a good showing with Beer City Bruiser, where else are you going to see that? I think people need to stop overthinking it, and just enjoy it.
Continue reading “NJPW Honor Rising (22/2/19) Review”
Takashi Iizuka is hanging up his boot, and despite (at best) being ambivalent about him, I can’t help feeling a bit emotional. Sure, I’ve spent the last couple of years moaning about his bitey ways, but that doesn’t mean I hate the old cannibal. He’s alright really. Let’s see him out in style!
Continue reading “NJPW New Japan Road (21/2/19) Review”
Stardom’s February trip to Korakuen Hall brings with it a new member for Oedo Tai, another youngster going after Hazuki’s High Speed title and a big tag team main event. On paper, this show had the potential to be very good, did it live up to that? Time to find out.
Continue reading “Stardom Queen’s Fes (17/2/19) Review”Hello friends, the listening booth is open as we settle solidly into 2019 with a trio of new releases. We’ve got Greek metal, Norwegian punk and something extraordinary from Holy Roar. If that doesn’t excite you, what will?
Continue reading “The Listening Booth – Rotting Christ, Dangerface and A.A. Williams”
