Ramblings About’s Matches of the Month for February 2025

Raku is in charge of the train now. Credit: TJPW

It doesn’t matter if the month is long or short – I always get to the end of it feeling like there are at least twenty matches I haven’t got to yet. Despite that, I think February’s ramble has a nice selection of gems to get excited about. There’s all the usual stuff (Ice Ribbon, ChocoPro and TJPW), but also a bit more lucha, a touch of New Japan and a trip over to Evolution, who are becoming one of my favourite promotions outside of my typical fare to keep up with. Hopefully, there is something there that you’ll enjoy, and if you think I’m missing anything particularly exciting, drop it in the comments.

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01/03/2025 2

TJPW Max Heart Tournament Final (8/2/25), TJPW Review

That’s one way to stop them. Credit: TJPW

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.

(I want to quickly mention that you should be checking out friend-of-the-site Sebastian’s TJPW reviews. They’re a brilliant writer, and while I hope you’ll continue to read mine, you’re missing out if you’re not reading them.)

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11/02/2025 0

PomPaler (Max the Impaler & Pom Harajuku) vs Miu Watanabe & Uta Takami, Max Heart Tournament (18/1/24), TJPW

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.

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20/01/2025 1

Tokyo Joshi Pro ’25 (4/1/25) Review

Mizuki doing Mizuki things. Credit: 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.

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06/01/2025 0

Ramblings About’s Match of the Year 2024: Miu Watanabe vs Shoko Nakajima

It’s fitting that as I write this, Mizuki and Miu Watanabe are building to Ittenyon by debating whether Miu is a princess or a monster. While I’m not brave enough to say it to the champ’s face, the truth is I’d argue she graduated to monsterhood with this match. Sure, beating Miyu Yamashita to win the Princess of Princess Title was huge. It’s Miyu in a Tokyo Joshi main event. If you come out in one piece, you’re doing pretty well. However, while Miu vs Miyu was a battle of two different types of power, Shoko Nakajima represented a very different challenge. On the first defence of her new belt, Watanabe had to contend with the best pure wrestler in the company, and as Yamashita knows better than anyone, that’s a banana skin that it’s all too easy to slip on.

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31/12/2024 2

Ramblings About’s Matches of the Month for September 2024

The year is slipping away, but Miu’s still smiling. Credit: TJPW

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!

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01/10/2024 0

TJPW Wrestle Princess 5 (22/9/24) Review

Gearing up for one more hit. Credit: TJPW

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.

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24/09/2024 1

TJPW Princess Cup Final (25/8/24) 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.

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28/08/2024 0

Ramblings About’s Matches of the Months for July 2024

Between music festivals, weddings, trips to lochs and catching COVID for the first time, July was a busy month for me, so I can’t promise I saw all the good wrestling that was available (not that I ever do). However, I can promise I managed to find time to watch some (mainly during the COVID part of the month), so there will be plenty for you to get your teeth into. We’ve got Baka Gaijin, Sendai Girls and more! Enjoy.

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01/08/2024 0

Moka Miyamoto vs Mizuki, Tokyo Princess Cup (28/7/24), 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.

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31/07/2024 0