24) Review

I liked the tour poster. Credit: Marvelous

Marvelous’s trip to Hokkaido is something I look forward to every year. With the roster and some guests heading north for the weekend, the shows take on the air of a summer holiday as everyone kicks back and enjoys the chance to compete in front of a crowd that isn’t as over-saturated with wrestling as the one in Tokyo. You’re unlikely to come out of these shows with a match-of-the-year contender, but the vibes are immaculate, and that’s what I love about it. So, let’s see what went down.

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05/06/2024 1

TJPW Spring Live Tour (18/5/24) Review

It’s been a bit of a sad weekend to be a TJPW fan. The announcement that Hikari Noa would be graduating from both the Up Up Girls and the company wasn’t surprising, but it still hurt. Noa has been an integral part of Tokyo Joshi since I started watching, and someone I’ve always had a lot of time for, so to see her depart so unceremoniously leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. One suspects that idol politics is at play, but I have no wish to delve into those murky waters. I simply hope she’s okay and that, if she wishes, we see her pop up somewhere else.

Away from the sadness, TJPW were in Shinkiba for the latest stop of their Spring tour. Let’s see what went down.

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20/05/2024 4

Marvelous (14/5/24) Review

Marvelous’s first show post-Korakuen saw some last-minute card scrambling force them to put the intended main event on first. If I’ve got my translations right, someone’s mum had fallen ill, so Chigusa Nagayo swapped things around so they could get away as soon as possible. It’s always nice when a company you like proves they’ve got their hearts in the right place, and I hope everything turns out alright for the person (and their mum) in question. Anyway, on with the show.

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15/05/2024 1

TJPW Yes! Wonderland ’24 (6/5/24) Review

Could Miu keep up with the Big Kaiju? Credit: TJPW

With all their big shows and adventures in America, it feels like a long time since we got a Tokyo Joshi trip to Korakuen Hall. I know they do grander things now, but this company in that room occupies a special place in my heart. So, let’s see what went down.

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08/05/2024 0

Marvelous 8th Anniversary (3/5/24) Review

Managing to look that calm while falling through the air blows my mind. Credit: Here

Apologies to the one person who might have been waiting for a review of the Takumi anniversary show. Marvelous had some issues with the VOD, and it’s still not up (I’ve contacted them, and they said they’d look into it). However, there is no time to grumble as we move from one birthday celebration to the next. Marvelous entered their ninth year by marking the eight that came before at Korakuen Hall. What went down? Let’s find out.

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05/05/2024 1

Ramblings About’s Matches of the Month for April 2024

Any excuse to get Nodoka in there. Credit: TJPW

I don’t know if you noticed, but April was a busy month for wrestling. It was also another busy month for Stuart, so I’m undoubtedly missing some crackers off this list. If you have any particularly strong suggestions, throw them my way, but otherwise, enjoy!

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01/05/2024 0

TJPW Live Tour Spring (27/4/24) Review

Korakuen Hall is on the horizon, and with an intriguing card already booked, TJPW were back in Kitazawa to try and get us just that little more excited. Would they be successful? Let’s find out.

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29/04/2024 0

TJPW Live Tour Spring (16/3/24) Review

The Ace is sending messages. Credit: TJPW

Aside from the main event, every match on this card had a wrestler who debuted for TJPW after the 1st of January 2023. Tokyo Joshi gets credit for producing wrestlers, but just how many they’ve brought through in the last few years sometimes goes under the radar. With three new rookies joining the fold, it’s an exciting time to watch these smaller events, as you’re getting to watch these kids develop from show to show, putting it all together and figuring out the wrestlers they want to be. Plus, there’s the small matter of a date with Sumo Hall on the horizon, which I’m sure they have at least one eye on.

18/03/2024 0