19) Ramble

My biggest worry about making this Japan trip solo was how I was going to spend my Hogmanay. The idea of being on the other side of the world, all on my lonesome and sat in some random bar while the bells rang felt, well, a bit depressing. Thankfully, Big Japan and DDT came to the rescue, with their Tag Team Shuffle tournament, a show that went through midnight and gave me an excuse to see in the New Year in Korakuen Hall. Like yesterday, this won’t be a traditional review, but instead a ramble about the experience.

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01/01/2020 0

Ramblings About’s Top Ten Matches of November 2019

Image result for nakajima vs takahashi seadlinnng — Spoiler.

Yes, it’s late, but it’s always late, so let’s not waste time on that. Here’s my rundown of the best wrestling I watched in November. As always, if you saw something better, let me know! The more wrestling, the better.

20/12/2019 0

Minoru Suzuki: The Perfect Wrestler

Image result for minoru suzuki — I certainly wouldn’t fight him.

Minoru Suzuki is a badass. That’s a fair opinion to hold, right? Even at the age of fifty-one, the man is terrifying, while a twenty-second dive into his career will only add to your fear. There is not only the stellar pro-wrestling, filled with hard-hitting matches against some of the very best but the fact he was a founding figure in Pancrase, holding MMA victories over the likes of Ken Shamrock. His credentials weren’t dreamt up in the mixed-reality of kayfabe. They come from blood, sweat and the tears’ of his enemies.

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20/12/2019 1

DDT D-Oh Grand Prix (15/12/19) Review

DDT undercards are the best. While I’m still not going to review it, this one featured the D-Oh trophy winning the Ironman belt, Cherry taking on Gorgeous Matsuno and a match with Chris Brookes and Antonio Honda on separate sides. If any of that sounds fun to you, give it a watch. Outside of that, the B Block was coming to a close with Tanaka, HARASHIMA and Sasaki still in contention.

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19/12/2019 0

DDT D-Oh Grand Prix (14/12/19) Review

It’s time for the D-Oh block finals, with A, unsurprisingly, doing the honours first. Coming into this show, Iino, Brookes, Takeshita, Ishii and Endo all had a smidgen of a chance of coming top. The only one in complete control of his destiny, though, was Ishii. Who made it? Read on to find out.

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18/12/2019 0

DDT D-Oh Grand Prix (10/12/19) Review

You’d think I’d be quite good at writing introductions to these reviews by now. I do enough of them. But no, I still come up blank. I struggle to think of what to say before we get down to the vital shit of reviewing some wrestling. Oh well, I guess I could just get on with it.

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17/12/2019 0

DDT D-Oh Grand Prix (9/12/19) Review

Endo finds his winning ways. Credit: DDT

I’ve fallen behind on the old D-Oh (not actually that old), so I guess it’s time to make the effort to catch-up!

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16/12/2019 0

Stardom Goddess of Stars (8/12/19) Review

The build to Korakuen continues with Stardom not only putting Giulia’s debut on this show but backing it up with a good old-fashioned rookie tournament. You know that’s going to be great, right?

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15/12/2019 0

DDT D-Oh Grand Prix (8/12/19) Review

The resigned tap of a man defeated. Credit: DDT

DDT keeps putting things on the undercard that tempt me into watching the matches. First, it was Brookes winning bags of rice. Now it’s Brookes teaming with a child. If you’ve seen his antics in Gatoh Move, you’ll know that’s worth a watch.

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14/12/2019 0

TJPW Makeup Is Very Fun. It Looks a Little Flashy And That Will Stretch Your Back (7/12/19) Review

This was after Tenma explained why challenging for a title is like holding in a pee. Credit: TJPW

Okay, even by DDT/TJPW standards, that name is unusual. I’m assuming it’s something that doesn’t translate properly? It’s quite the mouthful either way.

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13/12/2019 0