24), TJPW Review

If all else fails, drop a boot on her head. Credit: TJPW

Suzume is a great tournament wrestler. In real sports, that speaks to an ability to eke out victories, finding a way to win one-off games against teams that you might not be expecting to beat. In wrestling, I think it speaks more to someone’s versatility. Whether TJPW asks her to make a deep run, lose in the first round or land anywhere in between, you can always rely on Suzume to impress in the Princess Cup. Part of that is that she is incredibly talented, but it’s also because she finds a way to be so against a host of different people.

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13/08/2024 0

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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04/08/2024 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

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

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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26/07/2024 0

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

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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22/07/2024 1

TJPW Prism ’24 (9/6/24) Review

Tokyo Joshi returned to Korakuen Hall with a show that, on paper, is one of their weaker big efforts this year. There were some intriguing combos scattered through the undercard, but with the title matches involving foreign talent I either know nothing about or have little investment in, it’s hard to get too excited about it. Still, you never know when the next Max the Impaler might turn up, and there is every chance someone will blow me away.

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10/06/2024 0

Ramblings About’s Matches of the Month for May 2024

The new champ’s first defence. Credit: TJPW

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.

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01/06/2024 0

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

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