@twf87
My main wrestling watching this week came in the form of DDT’s Muscle Mania and Judgement, which aired on consecutive nights over the weekend from Ryogoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo. Both shows were excellent in different ways. Muscle Mania was absolutely weird, with the highlight probably being a battle royale to determine who would get to join the boy band Junretsu, which was won by Andreza Giant Panda, who was subsequently kicked out after news of his alleged affair with Ice Ribbon’s Tsukasa Fujimoto came to light. At times the show felt like a literal trip, but it was hilarious and surprisingly emotional too.
Judgement was a more serious show, but as usual for DDT it still featured a lot of comedy. The Ironman Battle Royale was great, but my favourite match was the six person hardcore tag team match between Sanshiro Takagi, Ryuji Itoh, and Chigusa Nagayo vs. Soma Takao, Mad Paulie, and Takumi Iroha. The hardcore stipulations in DDT usually end up being hilarious and this was no different, with a lot of plastic boxes being used to violent effect. And Takagi came out body painted as a Gundam. And had a robot made of boxes. Nagayo was one of the most famous joshi wrestlers in Japan during the boom period of the 80s and 90s, and the crowd reaction to seeing her back in the ring was amazing. Ultimately Soma pinned Takagi, but this match was great. The main event between Konosuke Takeshita and Daisuke Sasaki was also great, although the result that saw Takeshita win the KO-D Openweight title split opinion online. Both of these shows were really good, and if you’re a fan of DDT definitely go out of your way to watch Judgement.
Stardom’s newest member was finally revealed this weekend as being Andras Miyagi, formerly of Sendai Girls (and formerly known as Cassandra Miyagi). She should be a good addition to the roster, as she had been one of the biggest free agents available this year. It also suggests that a match between Kagetsu and Meiko Satomura may be coming closer to fruition.
I also took the first step into the world of podcasting this week with an appearance on a bonus edition of The Private Eyeball Show to talk about the January 20th Seadlinnng show, which aired this week. The link to the audio can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fD1gHunvyU.
@TheCiaranJames
I finally managed this week to catch up with NJPW, I won’t go through everything but seeing Jay White capture the IWGP Title was great. From hearing his story on the Jericho podcast, to his progression in New Japan, it’s a great story. Seeing him defeat Tanahashi is such convincing fashion was great, for a company to have their confidence in a young talent and give him the big push is great to see.
Last Sunday I attended Attack Pro Wrestling in Bristol, my review is available on the site. It was easily a fantastic show, every match delivered and hit the right tone. The highlights were Cara Noir vs Eddie Dennis, Timothy Thatcher vs Joshua Joseph and Robbie X vs Mike Bailey. The in ring efforts were amazing, Robbie/Speedball was one of the best live matches I have seen.
Yesterday (16/2) I attended Pro Wrestling Chaos, my full review will drop in the next day. This show wasn’t the best, lack of storylines, huge plot holes and lacklustre wrestling.
Mainly this week I was listening to my PWTorch VIP content. The reviews of Raw & SDLive with Wade Keller and guest were great, it saves me having to watch the product on a weekly basis. The Fix with Todd Martin was the best thing on this week, his insight along with Wade Keller is fascinating and their double act is one of the best. I can’t recommend PWTorch enough
@Codytweetsstuff
My week in wrestling started with RAW (which I remember none of) and Smackdown Live. What a performance in the gauntlet match by Kofi Kingston. Kofi hasn’t lost a step over the years and continues to look amazing in the ring. Whilst I highly doubt Kofi will win at the chamber match, I hope he can make it to the final two. My week ended with 205 Live which was headlined by a superb no disqualification match between Noam Dar & Tony Nese. Both of those men threw everything and the kitchen sink at each other. I’ve been pretty busy this week and haven’t been able to watch much wrestling but I am very much looking forward to Elimination Chamber.
@RoxBlackburn
Raw this week was painful. I’ve already forgotten what happened. I haven’t got round to Smackdown or NXT UK yet.
I’ve loved reading our new contributors articles. In particular, Brett’s Impact Review and Iwan’s EVE review. I didn’t know EVE existed until recently and I find this world of amazing UK promotions opening up.
I’m currently sat watching waaaay old NXT, where the rookies had a pro as a mentor. It’s the season with Derek Bateman (better known as EC3) Fandango, Byron Saxton and Connor of The Ascension. Thankfully they stepped away from this, what I can only refer to as, public hazing. Some of this is cringeworthy.
Did you see one of the Uso’s got in a spot of bother this week? It irritates me when people like this make public prat’s of themselves because it could undo all their hard work, making WWE less likely to put them in the limelight. Hopefully the repercussion won’t be too harsh. I’m just disappointed in him.
I’m looking forward to the Elimination Chamber, particularly the Smackdown match and the crowning of the women’s tag team champions. I really want to see The IIconics or Riott Squad do it but I can’t help but think it’s gonna be Sasha Banks and Bayley.
@Iwanmack
This week started off with a trip down to Caterham for Battle Pro’s debut show there. A fun show overall with the highlights being a very good match between Connor Mills and Roy Johnson. Not a totally blowaway show but fun none the less.
The next day was EVE’s Global Women Strike 2 which I have reviewed in full, can be found at the website. But just to give a few highlights: Su Yung’s surprise appearance was amazing to be a part of as well as her match with Charlie Morgan. Couple that with both of Mercedes Martinez’s matches (which were both fantastic) made this one of the best EVE shows I’ve ever seen.
The final show of the weekend was Triple L’s ‘Heartbreaks and Headlocks’ which despite me being tired AF, I still dragged myself out and ended up really enjoying the show overall. Their characters like Evan Lee United are fantastically entertaining which is a real draw for me as well as supporting the up and coming talent. The main event between Callum Newman and Mauro Chaves was a great match and one to check out when it drops on YouTube.
@BiekoDaniel
Nick Aldis vs Marty Scurll announced for the NWA heavyweight championship at The Crockett Cup The Undertaker retiring, I think he deserved to go out on a high and as a winner. Kofi Kingston for WWE Champion, he has held every title bar this one, and why not I say? Far less talented people have held it. And finally Colt Cabana, technical wizard. His match with ZSJ at Bound by Honor was epic – a must see for any technical wrestling fan
My first live wrestling of 2019 saw me attend Riptide ‘Deep Six’ in Brighton. With what was perhaps a slightly weaker card on paper than some they have offered in 2018, they still managed to put on a pretty strong show. The atmosphere was a little subdued at times at the start, but did manage to pick up towards the end. My piece ‘Boo Heels, Cheer Faces’ covers one of the more unsavoury moments of the night in more justice than I can do here. My friend who came enjoyed himself, so that was a sign of approval at least.
I bought a Cara Noir t-shirt to show my appreciation for his work as he has been an underrated (by myself, primarily) factor as to why these Riptide shows have been enjoyable. I do find it funny that a face turn has prompted him to wear proper leggings rather than the see through tights that meant you often got an unfortunate eyeful of his crack.
The next Riptide show is the Riptide Rumble, but it also falls on the weekend of the Brighton marathon. As I’m taking part, I’m not sure that standing around watching wrestling on a Friday night is the best preparation, so I’ve decided to see how things lay come payday (next Friday). If there are tickets still available at that time, I’ll buy one then. If not, then c’est la vie. Everyone loves a good Rumble so hopefully it delivers whether I’m there or not.
