Rambles about the wonderful world of wrestling.
After two enjoyable shows in Korakuen, World Tag League hit the road, and this was the big test. If this tournament is going to earn its official status of ‘actually good’ then the fun has to continue through these smaller shows. Can they do it? Let’s find out.
Continue reading “NJPW World Tag League (19/11/19) Review”
Korakuen Hall is a magical place. I am finally heading out to Japan over New Year, and while I can’t wait for the Dome show and the crowning of Naito Two Belts (please, Gedo-san), I can’t imagine even that will overshadow the moment I sit in Korakuen Hall for the first time. Something about that place brings the best out of wrestlers, and the previous day’s Tag League show was a perfect example of that. Could that magic linger for another night? I’m not going to bet against it.
Continue reading “NJPW World Tag League (18/11/19) Review”
The self-hatred continues with night two of World Tag League. Although I quite enjoyed the previous day, so I can’t moan too much. Throw in the fact New Japan was in Korakuen, and there was every chance we’d get a decent show.
Continue reading “NJPW World Tag League (17/11/19) Review”
I have reviewed every match of every New Japan tournament this year, and because of that, I’m going to review every match of World Tag League. Why do I hate myself, you ask? That’s for my therapist and me to discuss. So, if you know a good one, get in touch. This tournament rarely, if ever, gets above average, so it’s going to be a long one, but you never know, maybe it will surprise me.
As is the norm, I won’t be reviewing non-tournament matches.
Continue reading “NJPW World Tag League (16/11/19) Review”
For the first time since announcing New Japan of America, NJPW has made the trip over the pond, rocking up in San Jose for some fun. It was a show packed with star power that featured a lot of tags backed-up by a couple of interesting title shots. How would it go? Well, now is the time to find out.
Continue reading “NJPW Showdown in San Jose (9/11/19) Review”
Power Struggle is our last big stop before Wrestle Kingdom (no-one counts Tag League), and I expect to come out the back of this show with more of an idea of what to expect on January 4th and 5th. The big question? Is BUSHI challenging Will a sign that Hiromu is returning? Or is my heart going to be hurt once more?
Continue reading “NJPW Power Struggle (3/11/19) Review”
It feels only right to start this review with a shout out to those in Japan who were affected by the typhoon over the weekend, and I hope everyone looks after themselves. It feels a bit cheap to go from that to talk of card changes, as in the grand scheme of things it’s not that big a deal, but it did leave Jon Moxley and Zack Sabre Jr unable to travel. Mox was the bigger loss of the two as his absence forced New Japan to strip the US Title from him and give the match to Lance Archer instead. Amazingly, that’s caused some conspiracy chat, which seems oblivious to the actual typhoon which makes cancelled flights seem perfectly reasonable. Anyway, that silliness aside, this was a hella stacked card, so let’s see what went down.
Continue reading “NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling (14/10/19) Review”Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii are two of my favourite wrestlers of all time, so it’s kind of a crime that I haven’t seen this match before. It also means that I am almost guaranteed to like it. As I write this Kazu is making his entrance and I’m smiling away well aware that I’m about to see something I’ll love. See you in twenty minutes.
Continue reading “Meltzer’s Classics: Tomohiro Ishii vs Kazuchika Okada (6/8/16)”
New Japan’s trip to the Hammerstein Ballroom led to an interesting old night for the Japanese company. Apparently, someone had called earlier in the day, cancelling the ambulance that is required to be on hand for wrestling shows. That led to a delay that stretched over an hour and whispers online about sabotage. Whether that was the case or not, New Japan needed to deliver a show worthy of the time the fans spent sitting around waiting for it to start.
Continue reading “NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed (28/9/19) Review”
Destruction is a long old tour that generally delivers a shitload of mediocrity elevated by the occasional great match, and that is exactly what we’ve received in 2019. The final night is in Kobe and let’s hope we finish up with more of the great than the mediocre.
Continue reading “NJPW Destruction in Kobe (22/9/19) Review”
Ramblings About Wrestling 