March 2024

Anzai came out swinging at the start of the Triple Crown Championship, aiming to secure any advantage and wrap things up swiftly. However, Nakajima swiftly halted his momentum, unleashing a relentless barrage of punches and some of the most brutal kicks I've ever witnessed. His cockiness became evident as he toyed with Anzai, underestimating him due to his youth. Yet, this arrogance ultimately led to Nakajima's downfall when Anzai pulled off a surprising victory. Anzai's portrayal was commendable, striking a perfect balance in selling that made it believable as he endured Nakajima's relentless aggression. Despite the unexpected conclusion, the ending has piqued my interes…

The New Japan Cup finals have arrived, offering a much-needed reprieve from the disappointment of the tournament thus far. Tsuji's remarkable performance serves as a triumphant declaration of his arrival on the scene. He exudes the aura of a true star, poised to lead New Japan Pro-Wrestling into its next chapter, a sentiment echoed by the electrified crowd. Goto, too, proves his mettle once again, delivering a stellar performance despite not being in the main event spotlight. The match itself is a masterclass in pacing, filled with captivating counters and sequences reminiscent of New Japan's golden era from 2012 to 2019. While my enthusiasm for the product has waned this…

Yota Tsuji vs EVIL - NJPW 3/18/24 New Japan Cup Semis Same crowd as Sanada & Goto, a bit more energy for this match particularly Yota who I have never seen or heard of before. Is Yota a candidate to be the next Ace? He seems solid. Between him & Sanaa’s I don’t see a huge difference, Yota may be a bit more charismatic. Never EVIL before but heard of him. I liked this better than Sanada/Goto but it wasn’t without its faults. This one told a clear story: the dude named EVIL is well Evil. He pulls hair, he exposes turnbuckles, he ball shots, he has friends (is that Dick Togo? It is Dick Togo) beat up Tsuji. So Tsuji has to fight from underneath and ove…

SANADA vs Hirooki Goto - NJPW 03/18/24 New Japan Cup 2024 Semis I leave for Japan on April 13th. Time to get my ass in gear! Hirooki Goto still wrestles?!? Wow! SANADA has a great look, not sure he has IT. I thought he was perfectly solid just didn’t jump off the page for me. I thought he’d be a lock to win since he was a recent champion & Goto is a vet but they went with the upset. It is still cold in Boston so this is going to be short. Pretty heatless match overall. Nothing bad per se but nothing great. Standard New Japan start with Mat wrestling which I appreciate. Looks like Goto is going to take control first with a clotheslining Samara over the top ro…

Exhilarating action from the opening bell to the final moments, as both Ueno and HARASHIMA tirelessly strive to seize control, weaving a gripping narrative of back-and-forth struggle throughout the entirety of the match.

This match was truly exceptional, showcasing two of the finest wrestlers in the world today engaged in a thrilling back-and-forth encounter. Konosuke's execution of high-impact moves, delivering bombs with precision, combined with his exceptional selling, never fails to impress. However, what truly caught my attention was Aoyagi's seamless transition to a heel persona. He not only engaged with the crowd but also interacted with a woman in the front row, displaying an unexpected versatility. While some might critique the modernized finishing sequence, personally, I found it captivating and executed to perfection. I highly recommend watching this match at your earliest oppo…

Sareee & Chihiro emerged as captivating antagonists, asserting their dominance over Poi and Anou through relentless throws, violent strikes, and remarkable displays of strength for half of the match. The subsequent hope spots for Poi and Anou, along with the conclusion, felt both logical and maintained the match's credibility for me. Undoubtedly, this was the highlight of the first night of the Cinderella Tournament.

Bryan's "retirement tour" marches on, with its latest stop at Katsuyori Shibata's doorstep. What began as a strategic display of pure rules grappling blossomed into an electrifying showdown, showcasing the true grit of both wrestlers. It's thrilling encounters like these that reaffirm my gratitude for AEW's presence in the wrestling world.