Yes, I’m still nearly a month behind on Ice Ribbon. In my defence, there is a lot of wrestling. Also, I haven’t been paying for PPVs, so I’m only able to watch the shows when they’re uploaded to niconico, in which case I’m closer to being caught up than you’d think! So, shove that in your pipe and smoke it.
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Yunamon vs Emi Sakura: Last Woman Standing
Yunamon vs Emi Sakura is the story that ChocoPro has been built around. Yes, there have been divergences, the occasional scurry down another alley, but time after time it’s come back to those two. Emi Sakura believes that two years into her career, Yunamon doesn’t know who she is. That’s she trapped somewhere between an idol and a wrestler, more interested in seeking fan approval than greatness. Unsurprisingly, that’s an opinion that Yunamon took to heart, driving her crazy as she sought to prove herself to the person who trained her. It felt like the only place it could be settled was on Chocolate Square’s mat, and while Sakura initially ducked and dodged Yunamon’s challenges, she finally gave the Tropical Girl what she wanted. It was Oni vs Pineapple in a Last Woman Standing.
Continue readingDDT TV Show Episode 8 (27/6/20) Review
With the world (well, parts of it) returning to normal, it was time to say goodbye to the DDT TV Show. They went out with a bang, though, delivering two big title challenges. Was it a newsworthy show or was the status quo retained? Time to find out.
Continue readingThank You, ChocoPro
I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but the world is a bit of a shit show at the moment. As if the global pandemic isn’t enough, we still find ourselves having to fight battles against racism and sexual abuse. It’s a situation that has taken a chunk out of everyone, with those who have only suffered excessive bleeding feeling like the lucky ones. However your last few months have looked, it’s probably safe to say you’re not going to forget them any time soon.
Continue readingStardom Is Again (21/6/20) Review
I don’t think a wrestling show has ever kicked off my anxiety as much as this one. A lot has happened since Stardom last ran, and while I was delighted to have them back, there is no denying that there is a large shadow over their return to the ring. Hana Kimura’s death is still being processed by many, and the thought of Stardom without her is going to take a long time to get used to.
Continue readingIce Ribbon P’s Party 44 (3/6/20) Review
The Ice Ribbon catch-up continues, and P is having yet another party. Where do they get the energy?
Continue readingIce Ribbon 1044 (31/5/20) Review
The IW19 tournament came to an end, em, almost a month ago actually, but shush, let’s ignore that. Yea, you probably all know what went down by now, but I’m ploughing ahead anyway, desperate to review all these shows. Why? Because it’s what I do, that’s why.
Continue readingDDT TV Show Episode 7 (20/6/20) Review
The DDT TV Show has fans! Well, I assume it always had fans, but the fans are now in the building, watching from real seats and making real noise. Yes, they’re not quite at the stage of selling the place out, but this show was a wee slice of normality, and it was nice to see.
Continue readingTJPW I’m Here! (20/6/20) Review
Last week’s attempt to review Tokyo Joshi turned into a more general ramble about why I love it so, making this our first look at TJPW since the fans returned. If you haven’t guessed, I am very happy to have them back, so let’s see what went down.
Continue readingSEAdLINNNG Delivered To You! (13/6/20) Review
In light of what’s come out over the last few days, I want to kick this off by saying that I believe victims. I have nothing but respect for those who are brave enough to speak out against abusers in wrestling and will strive to do anything I can to help. In the past, I’ve described wrestling as my safety blanket, the thing that allows me to hide from the world and feel something. That anyone could have that feeling taken away from that at the hands of some sick fuck breaks my heart and makes me furious at the same time. Wrestling can and should be better. If we have to burn it down to make that a reality, then let’s grab the matches.
There is no good way to segue from that into my nonsense, so I’m not even going to try for smoothness.
As wrestling floods back into Japan, SEAdLINNNG is coming back hot, kicking things off right where they left them. Sure, there weren’t any fans there, but ASUKA and Arisa were still going to war, and that sounds like a shitload of fun.
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