Tag: Puroresu

Miyuki Takase vs Mei Suruga, Final Countdown (31/7/24), Gatoh Move

She still knows how to enjoy herself. Credit: Screenshot

There’s never been any doubt about Mei Suruga’s talents as a wrestler. It didn’t take long for her to earn her genius tag, and while there were things to improve, Mei’s ability to hook you in has always been there. Instead, the questions have been about how Suruga adapts to a more serious style. She shines with the joy of someone who loves this stuff, capering around the ring, delighting in everything she does, and while I would happily have that be the main event style of every wrestling company in the land, the sad reality is that no one listens to me. There has always been a feeling that if Mei wanted to reach that next level (and she’s been open about that being the case), she was going to have to find a way to take that carefree approach and hone it into something a little bit sharper.

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Ryo Mizunami vs Haru Kazashiro, Princess Cup (3/8/24), TJPW Review

Welcome to the party, Haru. Credit: TJPW

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.

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Ramblings About’s Matches of the Months for July 2024

Sums it up. Credit: TJPW

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

She worked for that hold. Credit: TJPW

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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Tomoko Watanabe & Mio Momono vs Takumi Iroha & Ai Houzan, Marvelous (28/7/24) Review

One last group photo. Credit: Here

I’m not sure people appreciate how big a loss to Marvelous Tomoko Watanabe is. Okay, they’re not about to fall apart, but in a company with a small roster of primarily younger wrestlers, Watanabe’s role is vital. She’s the adult in the room, but an adult who is always willing to make herself the butt of the joke and put someone over. In the last few years, she’s done everything from being bundled up by Mystic Young Fox to being dubbed Totoro by Momoka Hanazono to being the final challenge Mio Momono had to overcome before winning the AAAW Title for the first time. Who else can do all that? The only person who comes close is Chikayo Nagashima, a wrestler who takes herself more seriously (which isn’t intended as a criticism) and isn’t a full-time roster member.

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Nao Kakuta vs Mizuki, Nao Kakuta Graduation Commemorative (25/7/24), TJPW Review

Tokyo Joshi’s treasure. Credit: TJPW

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.

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TJPW Summer Sun Princess ’24 (20/7/24) Review

Miu’s mean face. Credit: TJPW

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!

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Giulia vs Sareee, Summer Destiny (13/7/24), Marigold Review

I do like her fluffy coat. Credit: Marigold

There was a time when I wanted to stand up for Giulia. I loved those initial brawls with Hana Kimura, while the hair match with Tam was big dumb wrestling done well. I think there is a version of her that I love. One that understands her own weaknesses and works around them. Unfortunately, as Marigold’s first trip to Sumo Hall proved, it’s not this one. This Giulia has more in common with Will Ospreay, a wrestler who forces everyone to have their match despite the fact we’ve all seen it a million times before. To make it even worse, it wasn’t that good in the first place.

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Yura Suzuki vs YUNA, Sendai Girls (15/7/24) Review

YUNA does have a touch of crazy in the eyes. Credit: Here

With Rea Marumori being Rossyed, Sendai Girls are down to one rookie (to be fair, her departure does seem like it was a mutual decision that served the best interests of all involved). However, in sadness comes opportunity, as outsider Yura Suzuki appears to be stepping up and confirming her position as YUNA’s generational rival. Unfortunately for YUNA, that’s not been going so great. In their sixth singles match (and the second time in a row they’ve opened a Korakuen together), YUNA once again tasted defeated, putting her record to a somewhat unimpressive 0-6. Oh well, there is always next time.

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Rambling About’s Matches of the Month for June 2024

Saran picks a scary fight. Credit: Here

June is over and done with, and like every month, it’s been busy for the old wrestling. I can’t pretend this month’s roundup is particularly eclectic, as I’m staying fairly close to my usual haunts, but there is still plenty to enjoy in there. Give it a read, and let me know if there is anything you think I need to see.

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