G1 CLIMAX 25: DAYS 10 to 16

To my regular clientele this will be a disappointing entry but to those looking for RATINGZ step inside as I have to review 35 matches ahead of the final trio of shows at Sumo Hall and the energy to write them all up as overly-verbiaged artistic assessments is not quite in me. I have acquired a temporary job that requires me to listen to mostly-decent but occasionally-vitriolic people yell about matters that to we in the higher pantheon of the arts (wrestling) seem trivial but to some are life and death. I then have to type up summaries of these lengthy diatribes. It saps me of my will to do anything but sit there and enjoy the raw spectacle of the two blokes paid to hit each other for my amusement. Sorry! Normal service will be resumed after the final shows of each block as well as a dedicated post for the G1 Final. 

But for who? Find out at the end!

Brevity wins out here. Winner's name first.

G1 CLIMAX 25: DAY TEN
Sun Plaza, Sendai 
4th August 2015

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 9

New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Wrestle Kingdom 9
4th January 2015
Tokyo Dome, Tokyo

Have you ever tried to explain wrestling to someone who doesn't like wrestling, or worse, have you ever tried to explain why you like wrestling to someone who has for whatever reason decided to kneejerk stance against wrestling? I'm sure you have and are familiar with that sense that, despite being an articulate and otherwise respected human being, the words are sticking in your throat/keyboard fingers and you're slipping on the edge at some recently-erected social cliff-face. 

NO TEXT

From now on here is my advice: don't explain, don't apologise, don't suggest that the so-called of wrestling 'actually hurts' or that the theatrics of wrestling and longform storytelling can ultimately appeal to a sense of our better selves. Just yell 'applesauce', shove them in the dirt and tell them to watch Wrestle Kingdom 9 from soup to nuts and if they don't like it then shrug and say eff you hombre and if they do share a cigar and recall in a bro-ish way the days they were wrong.

NJPW Power Struggle

New Japan Pro Wrestling
Power Struggle
8th November 2014, BODYMAKER Colosseum, Osaka

The final real supercard of the year indicates much intrigue with Bullet Club touting a new member, the next stage in the Shibata revival story and a raft of title matches with some big hitters. Let's dive straight in.

featuring translations from Yottsume of puroresushop.com
and lots of images from the excellent Sports Navi

DDT Special 2014

Dramatic Dream Team (DDT)
DDT Special 2014
26th October 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo

Today DDT says goodbye to Kenny Omega.

Let's jump straight in.

DDT Dramatic General Election 2014

Dramatic Dream Team (DDT) 
Dramatic General Election 2014: Final Voting Day Last Hope Special
28th September 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo

A lot has happened in DDT since I last took a look into them and the lack of reporting on this blog at least is possibly my fault. You see, I had every intention of reviewing the big Sumo Hall show (Ryōgoku Peter Pan ~ Maybe Summer Will Change My Life), not least because it featured a couple of New Japan regulars. I'd prepared (stolen) some images and done some research on characters and factions. For example:

credit: Dramatic DDT

NJPW Kizuna Road (Day 2)

Kizuna Road 

29^th June 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo.

Kizuna (絆) is a kanji word that roughly translates as 'bonds', 'friendship' or 'connections'. Much like the Portguese word 'saudade', the Dutch 'gezellig' and the German term 'heimat', there are certain words that have specific meanings that also have regional connotations that go beyond simple translation; they have deeper meanings that attempt to hint at the deeper condition of the people in the mother language. Kizuna can exist between people separated by oceans and by people who do not know each other, it is the spirit of the people as much as simple friendship or nationhood. It's an oddly profound choice for a wrestling promotion to go with, but it beats the shit out of Payback. 

"I bring you peace" ~ C.Montgomery Burns

fujiwara armbar investigates: Dramatic Dream Team (DDT)

An occasional series in which, in a bid to further my spotty knowledge of Japanese wrestling promotions, I watch a recent event and assess whether or not I'd watch regularly given the time, money and ability to access.

Promotion: DRAMATIC DREAM TEAM (DDT)

Event watched: DDT Max Bump 2014, 29th April 2014, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo

What did I know about the promotion going in?: I knew a little bit. I knew that Kota Ibushi was one of the main players alongside his tag-team partner Kenny Omega. I knew that it was considered a 'comedy' promotion, or at least one with a stronger element of comedy as part of its regular presentation. I was passingly familiar with YOSHIHIKO, a puppet/sex doll treated with absolute reverence that wrestles in multi-person tag team matches.

I also knew a little about the DDT Ironman Heavy Metal Title, defended 24/7, similar enough to the WWE Hardcore Championship, but has been won by inanimate objects such as rice (which was 'pinned' by the roux ladled over it), ladders and posters, as well as by a trio of elementary school girls. Read this. Even if you never bother with the promotion, this is funny.