Rambles about the wonderful world of wrestling.
After several trips abroad and a huge show in Ryōgoku Kokugikan, TJPW returned to the more comfortable sights of Korakeun Hall. As is now often the case, I was at this one live, so I apologise if this is a more general review. I ain’t taking notes while the show is going on, especially as it was the first of two that day. Still, hopefully I’ll stumble onto something you find interesting regardless!
Continue reading “TJPW Yes! Wonderland ’26 (4/5/26) Review”
The Max Heart final is always an unusual Korakuen. Positioned before Grand Princess, the gears tend to be turning for bigger matches elsewhere, so we end up with a lot of filler or build-up stuff. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean the show has struggled in the past. Let’s see how they did this year.
Continue reading “TJPW Max Heart Tournament Final (14/2/26) Review”
I make the same joke every year that it’s time for the most important show to happen on Ittenyon, so why would I stop now? Sure, Tanahashi has sold out the Dome, but is that as important as Pom and Raku teaming with Max the Impaler? I think not.
Continue reading “Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling ’26 (4/1/26) Review”
It’s finally happened. The Suruga and Momono dominance of Ramblings About’s Wrestler of the Year that has been in place since Lulu Pencil’s 2020 has come to an end. Sure, you could argue there are some caveats: Mio spent most of the year injured, and Mei is probably number three on the list, but it remains true. We have two new faces in place for me to ramble about excitedly. Who are they? Scroll down and find out (or just look at the image).
Continue reading “Ramblings About’s Wrestlers of the Year 2025”
It’s somehow Wrestle Princess time. I swear it comes round quicker every year. Before the show, I saw someone describe this as the weakest of TJPW’s Ota Ward cards this year, but I don’t agree with that. You’ve got Rika vs Pom for fuck sake! Not to mention the return of Apple Ice Cream. There was a whole lot I was looking forward to here, so let’s get on with it.
Continue reading “TJPW Wrestle Princess VI (20/9/25) Review”
The times they are a-changing in TJPW. I can’t quite pinpoint when it started, but there has been a noticeable shift towards working a limb. My completely baseless assumption is that with Yuka Sakazaki gone and Miyu Yamashita spending more time working overseas, it’s a consequence of the growing influence of Shoko Nakajima (and perhaps, to a lesser extent, Rika Tatsumi), which could never be a bad thing. It’s been particularly evident in 2025’s Princess Cup. Both semi-finals saw at least one body part being treated most unkindly, and I don’t think that would have been the case a year ago, never mind even further back. It’s a noticeable shift in the house style that seems to be carving itself into the company’s roots.
Continue reading “Shoko Nakajima vs Miu Watanabe, Princess Cup (17/8/25), TJPW”
When looking at a wrestler’s debut, I think it’s important to focus on what is there rather than what’s lacking. Despite what some like to claim, no one turns fully formed, and as brilliant as the likes of Mio Momono and Mei Suruga proved to be in their rookie years, they’ve only improved since. I’ve previously joked that I consider it a successful first match if they can make it through without hiding under the ring, crying (too much) or dropping someone on their head, but there’s a degree of truth to it. This isn’t music, no one’s best showing is their debut, so if you can get through it without messing up and, in the process, give the world a glimpse of what makes you special, then you’ve done damn well.
Continue reading “Ren Konatsu vs Suzume, Spring Tour In Nagoya (1/6/25), 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.
Continue reading “PomPaler (Max the Impaler & Pom Harajuku) vs Miu Watanabe & Uta Takami, Max Heart Tournament (18/1/24), 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.
Continue reading “TJPW Wrestle Princess 5 (22/9/24) Review”
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.
Continue reading “Ryo Mizunami vs Haru Kazashiro, Princess Cup (3/8/24), TJPW Review”
Ramblings About Wrestling 