@LauraNMauro
As I mentioned last week, I’d put this week aside to catch up on NJPW and I managed to find time to watch the key matches from the most recent Destruction tour. Okada vs Tanahashi was everything I’d expected it to be – just when you think Tanahashi is starting to slow down, he reminds you why he’s still the Ace of New Japan. And though Okada is a remarkable talent in his own right, I think it was right that Tanahashi should take the win – it opens up a far more interesting storyline for Okada as we ask ourselves what’s next, and how he can recover from this fall from grace. (Or, indeed, not recover…)
Elsewhere, Omega vs Ishii was also as strong an offering as you’d expect from these two, though I can’t help but feel that Ishii was perhaps a little hard done by – he’s quietly one of the most consistently excellent performers on the New Japan roster, and I wonder if the fact that he doesn’t really shout about it is working to his detriment. He deserves more than he’s getting.
Outside of NJPW I’ve been enjoying the Mae Young Classic. This week introduced Io Shirai to the WWE audience, and though she didn’t get the longest of outings, she looked every bit the star – credit to 19 year old Xia Brookside too, who showed confidence and ability beyond her years. Isla Dawn is also one to watch, and although I’m not totally sold on Taynara Conti still, she and Jessie Elaban pulled off a pretty decent match. Still disappointed that Aerial Monroe crashed out in the first round, but with matches like Toni Storm vs Hiroyo Matsumoto and Meiko Satomura vs Mercedes Martinez still to come, there’s plenty still to be excited about.
@TWF87
I began this week with the finals of Stardom’s 5 Star Grand Prix, which finishes at Korakuen Hall on September 24th. As I predicted Mayu Iwatani won the Blue Stars Block and advanced to the final, but in the Red Stars Block the rookie Utami Hayashishita pulled off a shock and advanced to the finals. This was due to Hana Kimura interfering in the match between Kagetsu and Tam Nakano and hitting Kagetsu with a chair to cost her the match. The infighting between Oedo Tai promises to be a hot storyline going forward.
The 5 Star GP final between Mayu and Utami was a fantastic match, which culminated in a fully deserved win for Mayu. Utami only debuted in Stardom back in August, so her progress has been amazing to see, but having her win would have been a bit too much of a forced push at this point, in my opinion. Mayu, who has been with Stardom since 2011, had never won the 5 Star GP, so this was certainly deserved from a longevity standpoint. Moreover, Mayu is a fantastic wrestler, who perhaps went in the shadow of Io Shirai and Kairi Hojo over the last few years, and she put on some great matches in this year’s tournament. Mayu vs Hazuki was an absolute banger, not to mention the final, which showed off both Mayu and Utami’s respective strengths. Mayu has wrestled for Lucha Underground and Women of Honor in the past, and I would recommend watching any of her matches as an avenue into the world of joshi pro wrestling. After her victory Mayu announced that she would challenge for the World of Stardom title at next month’s Korakuen Hall show.
The wording of that challenge was quite specific because Stardom announced before the 5 Star GP was over that they would have a double title match next week between Kagetsu and Momo Watanabe. Kagetsu is the current World of Stardom champion, while Momo is the Wonder of Stardom champion. This seems primed for a time-limit draw, or given the events of this past weekend, interference by Hana Kimura and other members of Oedo Tai. I’d be surprised if Stardom took the title off Kagetsu right now, unless she’s injured, and it seems very hasty to have Momo lose to someone clearly above her.
I also managed to catch up with the 2018 Mae Young Classic, which had quite a few good matches. Meiko Satomura and Hiroyo Matsumoto unsurprisingly looked great, but Rhea Ripley, Zeuxis, and Tegan Nox all impressed in their first round matches. Seeing Io Shirai’s debut on WWE tv was also quite special. I’m looking forward to seeing what the second round matchups bring.
@RoxBlackburn
This week I watched Raw and Smackdown.
Raw is definitely picking up and I absolutely loved the main event, AOP & Strowman v The Shield. I think reuniting these guys us really smart right now as it eases Dean back in, takes the pressure off Seth and gets Roman some much needed cheers. I am genuinely loving it.
Also, Finn was back on Raw. I think if Bayley could bottle this feeling, she’d be a bazillionaire.
Smackdown was pretty good too. Becky Lynch is an absolute star right now and I am so excited to see who emerges from the pack as her next opponent.
I also found myself going back over some of Alexa Bliss’ early NXT stuff in preparation for a spotlight peice I’m working on. That curtsey was pretty cringe worthy. Keep your eyes posted for a future editorial about her because I love her to bits.
Am I allowed to mention that from time to time I read WWE Transformative Works? Is that weird? So yeah … that.
@TheCiaranJames
This week mainly consisted of shaking my head at the WWE product and looking forward to Thursday Night Throws.
I don’t watch RAW or SDLive regularly, I may tune in if a match or feud is gaining recognition but that’s about it. Therefore to keep track of what’s going on I read the PWJ Raw reviews and the PWTorch review and analysis with Wade Keller. So this week I caught up on two segments, one being Brie Bella carelessly looking away while kicking Liv Morgan, and the second being HHH and Stephanie’s two contrasting performances.
I’m in the middle of writing a piece about WWE’s inconsistency so I will leave my opinions until then.
I must also encourage our readers to check out Chris Jerichos podcast this week, he spoke to Brian Pilman Jnr about growing up, his dad, and wrestling. It’s a fantastic listen.
So my highlight of the week was Thursdays Night Throws, presented by Dragon Pro and Attack Pro Wrestling this event showcased the next wave of independent talent. The card was a great mixture of current talent, debutants and established British and International wrestlers. Each match and wrestler participating had a unique feel and only further cemented Dragon Pro’s position as the most dominant academy in Wales, South West England and possibly the United Kingdom. I will be writing a piece on Dragon Pro, their success so far and the future of the academy/promotion.
The most difficult wrestling related decision this week came as to whether I would go to see PROGRESS at Wembley. Unfortunately, a mixture of work-related and financial issues meant that it wasn’t feasible. However, I do hope the show is really good and look forward to catching Ilja Dragunov versus Pete Dunne at a later time in particular.
My immediate next live wrestling watching is a step closer as RIPTIDE have announced when the tickets will go on sale for their next event. With it being Halloween themed and in Brighton, I expect some brilliant fancy dress costumes from the fans in attendance. Not from me though – I suck at fancy dress!
I finished reading Tim Hornbaker’s new book earlier in the week, ‘Death of the Territories’. It helps that I am a fan of the time period, but have a non-critical view of what happened – one that doesn’t try to paint Vince McMahon as the devil incarnate for doing what he did – is brilliant and I heartily recommend the book.
Finally, I’ve been watching some old Memphis for some other projects I have ongoing. Footage goes back as early as 1973, with early Lawler brawls with Jackie Fargo and Robert Fuller of particular note. There is no messing around – punches, kicks, illegal weapons and lashings of blood. There is nothing quite like wrestling in Memphis.
