Rambles about the wonderful world of wrestling.
September’s matches of the month is one of the more diverse selections I’ve put together recently. We’ve got everything from rookies doing their pro-test to mask matches in Arena Mexico. There is even one match that happened in August! I never claim these things are definitive, but I would like to imagine this one has something for everyone, and hopefully, you’ll discover at least one match you haven’t seen. Enjoy!
Continue reading “Ramblings About’s Matches of the Month for September 2024”
Late in this match, when even that cunt POLICE had turned his back on Mayumi Ozaki, it felt like it might finally be time for her to face the consequences of her action. Having been beaten back by Marvelous, losing the AAAW Title to Takumi Iroha, Ozaki did what Ozaki does and turned her anger on her minions, causing Maya Yukihi to challenge the boss. Now, she was all alone. Or at least that’s what you’d think. Where in any other company, the fans would have been relishing in the downfall of the big bad, that’s not Oz Academy. There, Ozaki is emperor, king and whatever else she damn well pleases, and her subjects are grateful to her for it. As her doom appeared apparent, they simply chanted her name louder, willing her on to victory.
Continue reading “Mayumi Ozaki vs Maya Yukihi, Country of Plum Blossoms (18/8/24), Oz Academy Review”
Another month is over and done with, as 2024 seems to be roaring past at an alarming speed. May saw the introduction of a new Rossy Ogawa venture into the wrestling scene alongside all the usual shenanigans, so it’s a fun time to be following along. However, if you can’t watch everything, why not let Ramblings About point you towards the exciting stuff? You’ll probably not regret it.
Continue reading “Ramblings About’s Matches of the Month for May 2024”
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.Â
Continue reading “Marvelous 8th Anniversary (3/5/24) Review”
I can’t remember the last match to leave me as unsure of my feelings as this one.Â
On a basic level, I hated it. I hated it because it wasn’t supposed to end like this. Over eight months after Mio Momono lost the AAAW Title to Mayumi Ozaki, she walked into enemy territory, carrying Oz’s belt on her shoulder, aiming to bring it home. I woke up early on Sunday morning with butterflies fluttering in my stomach, excited to watch it live because that was what I wanted to see. My hero, the wrestler I will argue till I’m blue in the face is the best in the world, was going to right the wrong of that night and reclaim what was rightfully hers.Â
Continue reading “Mio Momono vs Mayumi Ozaki, Battle Big Bonus (28/4/24), Oz Academy”
The build for this show wasn’t exactly ideal. First, Marvelous forgot to include Itsuki Aoki on the card, forcing them to sheepishly add her to one of the already-announced matches. Then, on the day, ZONES and Ai Houzan dropped out with injuries, so they had to cancel the two AAAW Tag League showdowns that were supposed to headline this thing and replace them with an all-star main event. It’s hardly ideal circumstances, but the show must go on, and often, these thrown-together cards are a lot of fun, so let’s see what went down.
Continue reading “Marvelous (8/3/24) Review”
I’m pleasantly surprised to report that the diversity of content in my matches of the month has at least made it to February. This roundup has more lucha, a touch of FREEDOMS and even some AEW. Sure, it’s a bit front-heavy, as I’ve been busy enough the last two weeks to put wrestling watching on the back burner, but there should still be more than enough here to satisfy you. However, if you do have a match you think I should have seen, throw it in the comments. I’m always happy to get recommendations.
Continue reading “Ramblings About’s Matches of the Month for February 2024”
The AAAW Tag League continues, as the second night of the tournament took place in Shinkiba on a show that doubled as a celebration of Tomoko Watanabe’s birthday. Perhaps as a treat to mark the day, Watanabe was spared Tag League duty, instead being set free to piss about in the opener. Although with how that went, it perhaps wasn’t as thoughtful a present as it appeared. More on that below!
Continue reading “Marvelous (27/2/24) Review”
Marvelous’s latest trip to Shinkiba had the potential for much excitement. Not only were they celebrating Mio’s 8th anniversary, but it was time to kick off the AAAW Tag League and find out who Ai’s mysterious partner would be. Did they deliver on that promise? Let’s find out.
Continue reading “Marvelous Mio Momono’s 8th Anniversary (13/2/24) Review”It’s been one of those weeks where my rambling about a random Shinkiba show feels utterly pointless. The death of Asahi is unfair and horrible and something that I still don’t think I’ve entirely processed. Hopefully, somewhere down the line, I’ll feel up to writing about her short but brilliant career. That’s not today, though. However, it would have felt weird to publish this (which I wrote before we learnt about it) without at least mentioning it and sending all my love to those who knew her better than me. Considering the impact she had on those who only knew her through a screen or from a quick chat at a show, I can only imagine the one she had on those who knew her well was something special.
After spending January on the road, Marvelous kicked off February with their first trip of 2024 to Shinkiba. There will, of course, be many more in the months ahead, but it’s always good to get things started right. Let’s see what went down.
Continue reading “Marvelous (2/2/24) Review”
Ramblings About Wrestling 