The "I've just watched ..." thread

[Philjax]

I quite enjoyed Doering vs Zeus! Have they got anymore hosses in AJPW like that?

Not impressed with the two juniors contesting the GHC Heavyweight title though  Not sure what I expected from a promotion that made Eddie Edwards their previous champ though.....

[HarmonicGenerator]

I watched last year’s Royal Rumble match tonight. It actually goes pretty well until number 30 when all the goodwill gets sucked out of the crowd and the match dies a death. When Orton winning is the biggest relief out of the final three it’s trouble. But up to that point, when I soured on the match and it tainted everything that had gone before, it was good fun. I think this was the moment I stopped caring about Reigns too. I was a defender before this, but haven’t been fussed about him since.

Edited January 27, 2018 by HarmonicGenerator

[Doog]

Also watched that this afternoon - incredible how over Enzo and Cass were when they came out at the start, the goodwill stayed with Cass whilst he was in the match as well, how things have changed in 1 year.

[LWOLeN]

 

Just watched a Vince documentary from 2001 (not produced by WWE)

Edited January 28, 2018 by LWOLeN

[NoUseforaUsername]

British Bulldog challenging Shawn Michaels at KOTR 1996. 

Match lasted thirty minutes but never lagged.

Would highly recommend.

[BomberPat]

Watched some PCW Ultra (Pacific Coast Wrestling, not Preston) stuff, as a few of their shows have been uploaded to Amazon Prime.

Decent enough production values, but so indie in terms of booking and pacing - you'll get two or three matches in a row that all feature big dives and brawling into the crowd and whatnot. 

Standouts for me are Jacob Fatu, who was absolute class, and a match from October 2017 that featured The Sandman, Kevin Sullivan as a ringside manager, and a run-in from Terry Funk. The match was bollocks, but I was 100% on board for those three.

[PUNQ]

On 1/23/2018 at 1:21 AM, Philjax said:

I quite enjoyed Doering vs Zeus! Have they got anymore hosses in AJPW like that?

Not impressed with the two juniors contesting the GHC Heavyweight title though  Not sure what I expected from a promotion that made Eddie Edwards their previous champ though.....

NOAH is a hell of a lot easier to watch now than a year, or even 6 months ago. Their shift to more "junior" action has been a good thing for them. Being so set in their old ways for so many years they needed to freshen things up and I'm liking their current product. Plus it's not like there are many big heavyweights available in Japan, or for that matter, that big a difference in size between the divisions these days.

 

 

Top-20 Matches Week 4, 2018

1. January 27, 2018 - Andrade Almas (c) -vs- Johnny Gargano - (NXT Title) [**** 3/4] (NXT)
2. January 21, 2018 - Io Shirai & AZM & HZK & Viper & Momo Watanabe -vs- Kagetsu & Hana Kimura & Kris Wolf & Sumire Natsu & Tam Nakano - (Queen´s Quest vs. Oedo Tai Loser Leaves Unit Elimination Match) [*** 1/2] (STARDOM)
3. January 27, 2018 - Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) -vs- Minoru Suzuki - (IWGP Intercontinental Title) [*** 1/2] (NJPW)
4. January 28, 2018 - 30-Man Royal Rumble [*** 1/2] (WWE)
5. January 28, 2018 - Shuji Ishikawa -vs- HARASHIMA - (D-Oh Grand Prix – Final) [*** 1/4] (DDT)

6. January 27, 2018 - Ember Moon (c) -vs- Shayna Baszler - (NXT Women's Title) [*** 1/4] (NXT)
7. December 16, 2017 - Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson -vs- Beretta & Chuckie T -vs- Dragon Lee & Titan - (3-Way) [*** 1/4] (ROH)
8. January 27, 2018 - Aleister Black -vs- Adam Cole - (Extreme Rules) [***] (NXT)
9. January 20, 2018 - WALTER & Timothy Thatcher & Avalanche & Julian Nero -vs- John Klinger & Ivan Kiev & Lucky Kid & Tarkan Aslan - (Cage) [***] (wXw)
10. January 27, 2018 - Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly (c) -vs- Akam & Rezar - (NXT Tag Title) [***] (NXT)

11. January 21, 2018 - Ryuichi Sekine -vs- Ryota Nakatsu - (60-Min Iron Man Match) [***] (BASARA)
12. January 21, 2018 - Mayu Iwatani -vs- Rachael Ellering - (Mayu Iwatani Return Match) [***] (STARDOM)
13. December 12, 2017 - Zack Sabre Jr -vs- Mike Bailey - (Defiant Internet Title) [***] (DEFIANT)
14. January 16, 2018 - Tiger & Sagrado & Misterioso Jr. -vs- Oro Jr. & Astral & Audaz [***] (CMLL)
15. January 23, 2018 - Mephisto (c) -vs- Titán - (CMLL Welterweight Title) [** 3/4] (CMLL)

16. January 27, 2018 - The Velveteen Dream -vs- Kassius Ohno [** 3/4] (NXT)
17. January 28, 2018 - Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson (c) -vs- SHO & YOH - (IWGP Junior Tag Title) [** 3/4] (NJPW)
18. January 20, 2018 - Absolute Andy -vs- Bobby Gunns [** 3/4] (wXw)
19. January 23, 2018 - Diamante Azul -vs- Terrible [** 3/4] (CMLL)
20. December 16, 2017 - Aerostar & Drago & Raptor -vs- Averno & Chessman & Super Fly -vs- Carta Brava Jr. & Mocho Cota Jr. & Tito Santana -vs- Argenis & Bengala & Mascara de Bronce - (4-Way Elimination) [** 3/4] (AAA)

WWE Universe

WWE - "NXT #282-284" - January 4, 2018, Atlanta, Georgia, USA - (1 hr)
January 4, 2018, Atlanta, Georgia, USA - Stage Center[/B]
1. No Way Jose -vs- Cezar Bononi [3/4*]
2. Bianca Belair -vs- Latoya Allsopp [* 1/4]
3. Johnny Gargano -vs- The Velveteen Dream [** 1/2]

The last NXT show before TakeOver: Phiadelphia and I'm liking Bianca Belair even if she only got a squash match. However, Gargano and Velveteen Dream warming-up for the big show was pretty good.

WWE - "Monday Night RAW/Main Event" - January 22, 2018, New York, USA - (3 hrs)
January 22, 2018, New York, USA - Barclays Center
Main Event #277
1. Goldust -vs- Curt Hawkins [3/4*]
2. Gran Metalik & Kalisto -vs- TJP & Jack Gallagher [*]
Monday Night RAW #1287
3. Asuka & Sasha Banks & Bayley & Mickie James -vs- Nia Jax & Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville & Alicia Fox [* 1/4]
4. Roman Reigns (c) -vs- The Miz - (WWE Intercontinental Title) [**]
January 22, 2018, New York, USA - Manhattan Center
5. Bray Wyatt -vs- Matt Hardy [1/2*]
January 22, 2018, New York, USA - Barclays Center
6. Heath Slater & Rhyno -vs- Apollo Crews & Titus O'Neil [1/4*]
January 22, 2018, New York, USA - Manhattan Center
7. Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows -vs- Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson [1/4*]

Not much of a 25th Anniversary celenbration, was it?

WWE - "SmackDown Live/205 Live" - January 23, 2018, Laredo, Texas, USA - (2 1/2 hrs)
January 23, 2018, Laredo, Texas, USA - Laredo Energy Arena
205 Live #61
1. Kalisto & Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado -vs- TJP & Ariya Daivari & Tony Nese [* 3/4]
2. Hideo Itami -vs- Gentleman Jack Gallagher [* 1/2]
3. Cedric Alexander -vs- Mustafa Ali [**]
SmackDown Live #962
4. Chad Gable -vs- Jey Uso [* 1/2]
5. Naomi -vs- Liv Morgan [1/2*]
6. Shinsuke Nakamura -vs- Baron Corbin [* 3/4]
7. Bobby Roode & Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods -vs- Jinder Mahal & Rusev & Aiden English [* 1/4]
8. AJ Styles -vs- Kevin Owens [1/2*]
9. Sami Zayn -vs- AJ Styles [** 1/4]
Mixed Match Challenge #2
10. The Miz & Asuka -vs- Big E & Carmella - (WWE Mixed Match Challenge - Round 1) [*]

Smackdown and 205 Live was a little better, but it wasn't like one was too hyped for Royal Rumble after this.

WWE - "NXT TakeOver: Phiadelphia" - January 27, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - (2 1/2 hrs)
January 27, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - Wells Fargo Center
1. Bobby Fish & Kyle O'Reilly (c) -vs- Akam & Rezar - (NXT Tag Title) [***]
2. The Velveteen Dream -vs- Kassius Ohno [** 3/4]
3. Ember Moon (c) -vs- Shayna Baszler - (NXT Women's Title) [*** 1/4]
4. Aleister Black -vs- Adam Cole - (Extreme Rules) [***]
5. Andrade Almas (c) -vs- Johnny Gargano - (NXT Title) [**** 3/4]

But what a weekend the WWE had! NXT delivered a great show! And that was before THAT main event! Andrade Almas -vs- Johnny Gargano was that type of match you can ramble on and on about, or just say " This was epic style delivered right! " Almas came across as a true champion while Gargano was the heart and soul - pumping hard! Amazing match which has got to be one of the main picks for Match of the Year 2018 regardless of it only being January!

Aleister Black -vs- Adam Cole was for the most part a very traditional American style hardcore match, and that's why it took so long for I started appreciating it. The turning point was that Cole back bump on top of the standing chairs! That looked nasty. The match quickly grew from there. The ending was well-timed too leaving a happy impression. The NXT Tag Title match was real heavyweight! The Authors Of Pain were on a mission, and the only issue they had was Akam having a bad knee. Only slowed them down, as their still bulldozed the champs with authority. The Velveteen Dream -vs- Kassius Ohno had some absolutely awesome moments, yet I can't help feel The Velveteen Dream being a little green to really deliver on his potential. Ohno really put him over and the fans reacted to the climax, so definitely a positive experience.

However, of the undercard matches Ember Moon -vs- Shayna Baszler pleased me the most. Baszler mirroring Minoru Suzuki in an excellent way! I loved the lay-out of this one. Along with the angle they did with Baszler with the arm, this told a story of a dangerous predator. And I felt the danger. This was a fight between fighters. One MMA specialist, another an instinct driven creature, and it played out so nicely! 

WWE - "WWE Royal Rumble 2018" - January 28, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - (6 hrs)
January 28, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - Wells Fargo Center
1. Kalisto & Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado -vs- TJP & Gentleman Jack Gallagher & Drew Gulak [**]
2. Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson -vs- Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows [* 1/2]
3. Boddy Roode (c) -vs- Mojo Rawley - (WWE United States Title) [* 1/4]
4. AJ Styles (c) -vs- Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn - (WWE Title) [** 1/2]
5. Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso (c) -vs- Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin - (WWE SmackDown Tag Title; 2/3 Falls) [** 3/4]
6. 30-Man Royal Rumble [*** 1/2]
7. Jason Jordan & Seth Rollins (c) -vs- Cesaro & Sheamus - (WWE RAW Tag Title) [**]
8. Brock Lesnar (c) -vs- Braun Strowman -vs- Kane - (WWE Universal Title; Triple Threat) [** 1/2]
9. 30-Woman Royal Rumble [** 3/4]

Exhausting show with 2 Rumbles, but ultimately it was a real good night. For fans of Japanese wrestling, anyway. The first ever WWE Women’s Rumble takes the main event! I was a bit worried if they’d pull it off, and while it had its down portions, they delivered an entertaining Rumble filled with nostalgia from the diva era as well and giving the most obvious result ever. And then Ronda Rousey came out to great fanfare and did… close to nothing.

The men's Royal Rumble was the best on the show. Why the Royal Rumble was so positive for me was that I realized how many on the roster I really like. I was like “Yey!” for majority of entrances and they kept the Rumble alive for the duration with all kinds of entertaining ideas. Until the finish when things started looking scary with two of the most over-pushed guys in focus. One feared they’d make the same mistake as every year and force someone down our throat, but that was the idea they wanted to feed us until making Shinsuke Nakamura the fresh Royal Rumble winner! A rare happy moment in the WWE Universe. Shinsuke Nakamura vs AJ Styles at WrestleMania!

Brock Lesnar/Braun Strowman/Kane was so God damn ugly one had to like it! I loved how they teased the Uso tag to be a epic 2/3 Falls tag, only to do swerve and do two quick falls. The best thing about the Raw Tag Title match was the bickering between Booker T and the rest of the announcers! AJ Styles vs Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn was fun, but I wouldn’t have minded a better world title atmosphere.

US Indys

IMPACT - "Impact Wrestling #706" - Novemebr 8 & 10, 2017, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - (1 1/2 hrs)
Novemebr 10, 2017, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - Aberdeen Pavilion
1. Ethan Carter III (c) -vs- Matt Sydal - (Impact Grand Title) [** 3/4]
2. Laurel Van Ness (c) -vs- Allie - (Impact Knockouts Title) [* 1/2]
3. Moose -vs- Lashley [** 1/2]
Novemebr 8, 2017, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - Aberdeen Pavilion
4. Eli Drake (c) -vs- Alberto El Patron -vs- Johnny Impact - (Impact Global Title; 3-Way; Six Sides Of Steel) [** 1/4]

The last show from the November tapings? Was a good show with some big matches for Impact. Going to be interesting where the road leads to in 2018 with new management and so many of their stars leaving.

ROH - December 16, 2017, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - (1 hr)
December 16, 2017, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - 2300 Arena (800 Fans)
1. Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin (c) -vs- Rhett Titus & Will Ferrara - (ROH Tag Title) [**]
2. Jonathan Gresham -vs- Josh Woods [* 3/4]
3. Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson -vs- Beretta & Chuckie T -vs- Dragon Lee & Titan - (3-Way) [*** 1/4]

And this was the final show from ROH's December tapings? Had a real entertaining and wild 3-way tag with the Young Bucks/Best Friends and the awesome CMLL team of Dragon Lee & Titan!

NJPW

NJPW - "THE NEW BEGINNING IN SAPPORO ~ 2 SAPPORO SNOW BATTLES - DAY 1" - January 27, 2018, Sapporo - (3 1/2 hrs)
January 27, 2018, Sapporo - Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center Hokkai Kitayell (4,862 Fans)
1. Michael Elgin -vs- Katsuya Kitamura - (Katsuya Kitmura 7 Match Trial Series #2) [**]
2. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Manabu Nakanishi & Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask & KUSHIDA -vs- Takashi Iizuka & Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taka Michinoku & Taichi & El Desperado [** 1/4]
3. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano -vs- Yujiro Takahashi & Chase Owens [* 1/2]
4. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa (c) -vs- Togi Makabe & Toa Henare & Ryusuke Taguchi - (NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Title) [* 3/4]
5. Cody & Hangman Page & Marty Scurll -vs- Kota Ibushi & Juice Robinson & David Finlay [** 1/4]
6. Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi -vs- Will Ospreay & YOSHI-HASHI [**]
7. Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & Gedo -vs- "King of Darkness" EVIL & SANADA & BUSHI [* 3/4]
8. Jay White & SHO & YOH -vs- Kenny Omega & Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson [**]
9. Hiroshi Tanahashi (c) -vs- Minoru Suzuki - (IWGP Intercontinental Title) [*** 1/2]

NJPW first big(ish) shows since Tokyo Dome sends them to Sapporo for the usual presentation. Meaning only one match means anything, but with entertaining quick matches underneath. This was naturally all about Tanahashi vs Suzuki. This was both amazing and frustrating. Tanahashi is so broken down at this point it’s not even funny. He really needs to take a time-out and heal his injuries. However, they played that up in this match, with Suzuki going after the bad knee and punishing and tearing the leg apart. Both good and bad, they were milking that to death without Tanahashi wanting to quit. This went on forever and you felt his pain. You I also felt them taking an unnecessary long time it took to get to the inevitable conclusion. But it was no doubt effective storytelling.

NJPW - "THE NEW BEGINNING IN SAPPORO ~ 2 SAPPORO SNOW BATTLES - DAY 2" - January 28, 2018, Sapporo, Japan - (3 1/2 hrs)
January 28, 2018, Sapporo, Japan - Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center Hokkai Kitayell (5,140 Fans)
1. Juice Robinson -vs- Katsuya Kitamura - (Katsuya Kitmura 7 Match Trial Series #3) [**]
2. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taka Michinoku & Taichi & El Desperado -vs- Jushin Thunder Liger & Tiger Mask & Ryusuke Taguchi & Shota Umino [**]
3. Tomohiro Ishii & Toru Yano -vs- Yujiro Takahashi & Hikuleo [* 1/4]
4. Bad Luck Fale & Tama Tonga & Tanga Loa & Chase Owens -vs- Togi Makabe & Hiroyoshi Tanzan & Manabu Nakanishi & Tomoyuki Oka [* 1/2]
5. Minoru Suzuki & Takashi Iizuka -vs- Michael Elgin & Toa Henare [* 1/4]
6. Cody & Hangman Page & Marty Scurll -vs- Kota Ibushi & David Finlay & KUSHIDA [**]
7. Tetsuya Naito & "King of Darkness" EVIL & SANADA & Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI -vs- Kazuchika Okada & Hirooki Goto & YOSHI-HASHI & Will Ospreay & Gedo [** 1/4]
8. Matt Jackson & Nick Jackson (c) -vs- SHO & YOH - (IWGP Junior Tag Title) [** 3/4]
9. Kenny Omega (c) -vs- Jay White - (IWGP US Title) [** 1/2]

The second night in Osaka wasn't as successful in the ring. Young Bucks vs Rappongi 3K didn’t have as much life as their Tokyo Dome bout, but there was a lot of sweet moments here too. Matt continued the hurting back thing, but in reality the Young Bucks still dominated this defense until the upset. The Kenny Omega against Jay White US Title bout was another overly long New Japan main event with Omega. This time it didn’t work to full effect. Apart from the V-Triggers, which were excellent, the rest was rarely engaging. Followed the same pattern as the Young Bucks match where Omega was murdering White for the longest time, and there was no real crowd support for any comeback. And then the Switchblade won! Shocker! White’s push feels so forced and I’m not exactly hyped about what he’s been delivering since his return. White still has a lot of proving to do. However interesting things happened after the match as Cody turned on Omega and Ibushi came to the rescue! And the two hugged with confetti coming down on them. That I can appreciate!

DDT Universe

GANBARE☆WRESTLING - “TRY ME 2018” - January 20, 2018, Tokyo - (3/4 hr)
January 20, 2018, Tokyo - Basement MON☆STAR (138 Fans)
1. Shuichiro Katsumura & Takeshi Okada defeated Ken Ohka & Yumehito Imanari [* 1/2]

Not all that much to get excited about. You know it's not going to be great wrestling when Ken Ohka is the biggest name involved, but it wasn't embarrassing wrestling. They managed to keep it focused.

TOKYO JOSHI PRO - “LET’S GO! GO! IF YOU GO! WHEN YOU GO! IF YOU GET LOST JUST GO TO THE PRINCE!” - January 20, 2018, Tokyo - (1/2 hrs)
January 20, 2018, Tokyo - Basement MON☆STAR (150 Fans)
1. Miyu Yamashita & Syoko Nakajima -vs- Nonoko & Yuna Manase [*]

Very standard women's action with the ace picking up the win with her running knee, cutely called Crash Rabbit Heat.

BASARA - "VAJRA 58 ~ OJI NO KITSUNE*" - January 21, 2018, Tokyo - (1 1/4 hrs)
January 21, 2018, Tokyo - Basement MON☆STAR (133 Fans)
1. Ryuichi Sekine -vs- Ryota Nakatsu - (60-Min Iron Man Match) [***]

Ryuichi Sekine celebrating his 10 years in the business with an hour long Iron Man match in a small club! Crazy and I honestly didn't think they'd pull it off. They slowly proved me wrong. The atmosphere of the fight was like a pals-y beat-down. The tone was relaxed, but they certainly didn't hold back when on attack. They also had a thing for ass kicking, as in kicking each others behind. But things turned more serious once they got past the first 3rd of the bout once they started picking up points. Nakatsu was the first to win one, working over the arm and getting the tap with a cross-armbreaker. Sekine has submission holds of his own, like that elevated Boston Crab of his called Let`s Combine, which proved to be his most valuable asset in this fight. Sekine would lose one more fall via count out, but he would win three falls - ALL with that Let`s Combine hold! That tells a simple and effective story!

DNA - "DNA40" - January 21, 2018, Kawaguchi - (3/4 hr)
January 21, 2018, Kawaguchi Industrial Technology Center (250 Fans)
1. Naomi Yoshimura & Keisuke Okuda & Akira Jo -vs- Kota Umeda & Kouki Iwasaki & MAO - (DNA Hontai vs Yoshimura Gundan Full Confrontation Elimination Match) [** 1/2]

Quite good for a indy bout. I might have been more into it had I been more familiar with these guys, but their characters and style were simple enough to get. And as long as they worked focused and hard, this was a easy digest.

DDT - “D-KING GRAND PRIX 2018 THE FINAL!!” - January 28, 2018, Tokyo - (3 hrs)
January 28, 2018, Tokyo - Korakuen Hall (1,214 Fans)
1. Naomi Yoshimura -vs- Nobuhiro Shimatani [*]
2. Yukio Sakaguchi & Kota Umeda -vs- Mizuki Watase & Yuki Ueno [* 1/2]
3. Super Sasadango Machine & Saki Akai -vs- Antonio Honda & Tanomusaku Toba - (Infomercial Match – Takahashi Tax Accounting Office) [1/4*]
4. KUDO & Masahiro Takanashi -vs- Soma Takao & Kouki Iwasaki -vs- Kazusada Higuchi & Daiki Shimomura - (3-Way) [* 1/4]
5. Danshoku Dino & Keisuke Ishii -vs- Jiro Kuroshio & Joey Ryan [1/2*]
6. Makoto Oishi & Shunma Katsumata & MAO -vs- Sanshiro Takagi & Toru Owashi & Kazuki Hirata - (NωA FINAL CONCERT In Korakuen Hall) [* 1/2]
7. Daisuke Sasaki & Tetsuya Endo & Mad Paulie -vs- Konosuke Takeshita & Akito & Mike Bailey [** 1/2]
8. Shuji Ishikawa -vs- HARASHIMA - (D-Oh Grand Prix – Final) [*** 1/4]

A rather pointless undercard. Poor Ikemen. That facial expression while being humped by Dino said it all. The main event was of course the show stealer and another feather in those two veterans cap. The anticipated D-Oh final got off to an odd start when the ropes came loose. Looked like they would have to rethink their game plan because the ropes were useless and dangerous. Thankfully they weren't broken so they managed to screw it tight again and they could continue in familiar fashion. First it was HARASHIMA who came with the surprise attacks to stun the giant, but as the match progressed it became more and more Ishikawa's game, landing all his finishers in brutal manner. Really great stuff. On the other side of the DDT spectrum you had Danshoku Dino/Keisuke Ishii -vs- Jiro Kuroshio/Joey Ryan. This is exactly THE type of match you do NOT show any of your friends, family or anybody! How many minutes did Dino hump Ikemen?!

BIG JAPAN

BJW - "~TO WAS GAT EARLY~" - January 17, 2018, Tokyo - (2 hrs)
January 17, 2018, Tokyo - Shin-Kiba 1st RING (206 Fans)
1. Hideyoshi Kamitani -vs- Takuho Kato [* 1/2]
2. Kazuki Hashimoto -vs- Masaki Morihiro [*]
3. Daichi Hashimoto -vs- Takayuki Ueki [* 1/4]
4. Tatsuhiko Yoshino & Kota Sekifuda -vs- Yoshihisa Uto & Kazumi Kikuta [* 3/4]
5. Yuya Aoki -vs- Yusuke Okada [**]
6. Fuminori Abe -vs- Takuya Nomura [* 3/4]

Small show focusing on the younger serious wrestlers at BJW's disposal. Good idea, but it's not exactly the biggest stage they? re working from here. Not yet on bjwcore.com, but I guess it's just around the corner.

STARDOM

STARDOM - "STARDOM 7TH ANNIVERSARY" - January 21, 2018, Tokyo - (2 1/2 hrs)
January 21, 2018, Tokyo - Korakuen Hall (950 Fans)
1. Starlight Kid & Shiki Shibusawa & Hanan -vs- Hiromi Mimura & Konami & Ruaka [*]
2. Kaori Yoneyama & Jungle Kyona & Natsuko Tora -vs- Nicole Savoy & Xia Brookside & Miranda [* 1/2]
3. Mari Apache (c) -vs- Kay Lee Ray - (High Speed Title) [**]
4. Mayu Iwatani -vs- Rachael Ellering - (Mayu Iwatani Return Match) [***]
5. Io Shirai & AZM & HZK & Viper & Momo Watanabe -vs- Kagetsu & Hana Kimura & Kris Wolf & Sumire Natsu & Tam Nakano - (Queen´s Quest vs. Oedo Tai Loser Leaves Unit Elimination Match) [*** 1/2]

Stardom's first big show of the year and it had two really good matches with Mayu back! And in form! Last match for Ellering on this tour and she clearly wanted to go out in style, delivering a much better fight than when challenging for Io Shirai's Wonder of Stardom Title. She was real good, but naturally the focus was on Miyu and her looking better in her return. And she did that splendidly showing the fire and joy of fighting in the Korakuen Hall! But of course the real draw was the Gauntlet match where either Tam Nakano or Momo Watanabe was going to have to leave their stable. And it was a really lively event, full of flair and energy! The singles matches ranged from super short to the full time-limit, and the varied the endings satisfactory. When I first heard this main event was booked I was lukewarm to the idea, but after seeing it unfold - super happy!

The RealHero Archive

OZ Academy - "THE WIZARD OF OZ 2018" - January 7, 2018, Tokyo - (1 3/4 hrs)
January 7, 2018, Tokyo - Shinjuku FACE (486 Fans)
1. Mayumi Ozaki & Maya Yukihi -vs- Aja Kong & Hiroyo Matsumoto [* 1/2]
2. Kaho Kobayashi -vs- Shoko Sekiguchi [3/4*]
3. Meiko Satomura & Mika Shirahime -vs- Tsubasa Kuragaki & Aoi Kizuki [* 3/4]
4. Yoshiko -vs- Sakura Hirota [1/2*]
5. AKINO & Yumi Ohka & Alex Lee -vs- Sonoko Kato & Kaori Yoneyama & Rina Yamashita - (Last Woman Standing Elimination Match) [** 1/2]

All about the main event which was nearly 40 minutes of Oz wrestling. Thankfully not their brawling style, but their in-ring fighting, so it was good. Still it lacked heat and crowd enthusiasm to get as engaging as it should have. But appreciate it for AKINO's efforts.

WRESTLE-1 - "WRESTLE-1 TOUR 2018 SUNRISE" - January 8, 2018, Tokyo - (2 hrs)
January 8, 2018, Tokyo - Korakuen Hall - (985 Fans)
1. Seigo Tachibana -vs- Tsugutaka Sato [*]
2. Masayuki Mitomi & Joji Otani & Kouju Takeda -vs- Jun Tonsho & Hajime & Takumi Baba [**]
3. Seiki Yoshioka & Andy Wu & Ryuji Hijikata -vs- Shotaro Ashino & Yusuke Kodaka & Drunk Andy [* 3/4]
4. Jiro Kuroshio -vs- Masayuki Kono -vs- MAZADA - (3-Way) [** 1/4]
5. Ganseki Tanaka & Akira -vs- Manabu Soya & NOSAWA Rongai [* 1/2]
6. Koji Doi & Kumagoro (c) -vs- Daiki Inaba & Takanori Ito - (WRESTLE-1 Tag Title) [**]
7. Keiji Muto & The Great Sasuke & Ultimo Dragon -vs- Kaz Hayashi & Shuji Kondo & Dick Togo - (Kaz Hayashi Debut 25th Anniversary Memorial Match) [* 1/2]

While most companies have decided to start 2018 with a bang, Wrestle-1 decides to start the year in a low-key way with Kaz Hayashi celebrating his 25 year in the business with a bunch of veterans who can't really work anymore. Mildly fun, with Muto ATTEMPTING a plancha over the ropes and Suzuki doing weird, but not weird enough stuff. No one really stepped up for the anniversary boy. Not even the anniversary boy himself. Jiro "Ikemen" Kuroshio however goes all-out even if he's put in a pointless 3-Way! Crazy dude!

WAVE - "Young OH! OH! ~Adult Ceremony~" - January 8, 2018, Tokyo, Japan - (1 1/4 hrs)
January 8, 2018, Tokyo, Japan - GEN Sports Palace 4F (122 Fans)
1. Kaho Kobayashi -vs- Mika Iida [* 3/4]
2. ASUKA -vs- Kyuri -vs- Tae Honma [*]
3. Nao Kakuta -vs- Fairy Nihonbashi [1/2*]
4. Hiroe Nagahama -vs- Ami Sato [* 1/4]
5. Rina Yamashita & Maruko Nagasaki -vs- Miyuki Takase & Satsuki Totoro [**]

A very small show, but a couple of their matches were watchable. What I loved most was that they used the ring mat of Riki Choshu's failed promotion World Japan which went bust 15 years ago!

DRAGON GATE - "OPEN THE NEW YEAR GATE 2018 - DAY 2" - January 14, 2018, Osaka - (2 1/2 hrs)
January 14, 2018, Osaka Edion Arena #2 (1,300 Fans)
1. Jason Lee & Oji Shiiba -vs- Kaito Ishida & Problem Dragon [* 1/4]
2. YAMATO & Kzy & Yosuke ♡ Santa Maria -vs- Susumu Yokosuka & Don Fujii & Gamma [* 1/2]
3. BxB Hulk -vs- Big R Shimizu [* 3/4]
4. Ben-K -vs- Genki Horiguchi [*]
5. CIMA & Dezmond Xavier & Zachary Wentz -vs- Ryo Saito & Flamita & Bandido [**]
6. Masaaki Mochizuki & Kagetora -vs- Eita & El Lindaman [* 1/2]
7. Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino & Kotoka -vs- T-Hawk & Yasushi Kanda & Takashi Yoshida [**]

Dragon Gate really need to shake things up. They look bored now. Highlight was old CIMA trying to get some rub off the new guys in a 'happy action' match, but even the kid they invited to the ring had no comment in regards to their current product. 

NOAH - "NAVIGATION FOR THE FUTURE" - January 20, 2018, Yokohama - (2 1/4 hrs)
January 20, 2018, Yokohama Radiant Hall (353 Fans)
1. Go Shiozaki -vs- Junta Miyawaki [1/2*]
2. Cody Hall & LEONA -vs- Akitoshi Saito & Seiya Morohashi [*]
3. Maybach Taniguchi & Mitsuya Nagai -vs- Andrew Everett & Jay Bradley [* 1/2]
4. Daisuke Harada & HAYATA & YO-HEY & Tadasuke -vs- Hajime Ohara & Taiji Ishimori & Hi69 & Hitoshi Kumano [** 3/4]
5. Takashi Sugiura -vs- Masao Inoue [3/4*]
6. Yuko Miyamoto & Minoru Tanaka -vs- Naomichi Marufuji & Atsushi Kotoge [** 1/4]
7. Katsuhiko Nakajima & Masa Kitamiya -vs- Mohammed Yone & Quiet Storm [** 1/2]
8. Kenou -vs- Kaito Kiyomiya [** 1/2]

For a smaller NOAH show, this was really good. It's like there is a fresh spirit going on. Probable most interest was in the Kenou/Kaito Kiyomiya rematch coming already two weeks after their GHC Title bout. This one doesn't have the same urgency because there is not much on the line and they get 8 minutes less to work in the climax. So needless to say it doesn't match the January 6th battle. Doesn't matter though, because they still deliver a damn solid fight. Let's hope they don't push young Kiyomiya too far back now that he's returned. Kenou comes off looking the champion that he is.

CMLL

CMLL - "Martes Arena Coliseo Guadalajara" - January 16, 2018, Mexico - (1 hr)
January 16, 2018, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico -     Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1. Arkangel de la Muerte & Cancerbero & Gran Kenut -vs- Sensei & Angel del Amor & Vaquero Jr. [** 1/2]
2. Tiger & Sagrado & Misterioso Jr. -vs- Oro Jr. & Astral & Audaz [***]
3. El Terrible -vs- Diamante Azul -vs- Esfinge -vs- Forastero -vs- Guerrero Maya Jr. -vs- Hechicero -vs- Rey Bucanero -vs- Rey Cometa -vs- Triton -vs- Pierroth - (10-Man Cibernetico) [** 3/4]

The Guadalajara fans probable got the best CMLL show during the 2 weeks half the main roster was in Japan!

CMLL - "Lunes Arena Puebla" - January 22, 2018, Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla, Mexico - (2 1/4 hrs)
January 22, 2018, Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla, Mexico - Arena Puebla
1. Hijo de Centella Roja & Meyer -vs- Policeman & Sombra Diabólika [* 1/4]
2. El Malayo & Fuerza Chicana & Perverso -vs- Tigre Rojo Jr. & Arkalis & Black Tiger [* 1/2]
3. Amapola & Reyna Isis -vs- Princesa Sugehit & Lady Maravilla [* 3/4]
4. Ephesto & Luciferno & Tiger -vs- Rey Cometa & Esfinge & Tritón [** 1/4]
5. Titán & Diamante Azul & Stuka Jr. -vs- Sam Adonis & Hechicero & Johnny Idol [** 1/2]
6. Carístico & Kráneo & Valiente -vs- Terrible & Rey Bucanero & Vangellys [**]

Decent Arena Puebla show, but I'll be glad when the rest of the CMLL roster arrives from their tour of Japan. The cards have felt the effect of their absence. The Sam Adonis thing cheered the place up. Hechicero was great the little he was involved, but naturally Adonis and his "hair" takes center stage. 

CMLL - "Martes Arena Mexico" - January 23, 2018, Mexico City, Mexico - (2 1/2 hrs)
January 23, 2018, Mexico City, Mexico - Arena Mexico
1. Shockercito & Stukita -vs- Pequeño Olímpico & Pierrothito [* 1/2]
2. Marcela & La Jarochita & Sanely -vs- Tiffany & La Comandante & Metálica [* 1/2]
3. Pegasso & Magia Blanca & Stigma -vs- Tiger & Sangre Azteca & Universo 2000 Jr. [**]
4. Rey Cometa & Esfinge & Tritón -vs- Shocker & Hechicero & Pólvora [**]
5. Mephisto (c) -vs- Titán - (CMLL Welterweight Title) [** 3/4]
6. Marco Corleone & Guerrero Maya Jr. & Stuka Jr. -vs- Mr. Niebla & Pierroth & Rey Bucanero [* 1/2]

One-match show and also that one didn't try to stand-out among the usual climax matches. Followed a very familiar CMLL title match formula with two quick falls and a long one with a ton of near falls for the climax. A little too formula to really get exciting, but naturally with so many near falls the excitement crept in there and it became an entertaining match. At least it's the last one before the rest of the guys returns from Japan. 

CMLL - "Martes Arena Coliseo Guadalajara" - January 23, 2018, Mexico - (1 hr)
January 23, 2018, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico -     Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1. Arkangel de la Muerte & Freezer & Espanto Jr. -vs- Magnus & Electrico & Magico [**]
2. Blue Panther Jr. & Starman & The Panther -vs- Misterioso Jr. & Hijo del Signo & Sagrado [** 1/4] 
3. Diamante Azul -vs- Terrible [** 3/4]

Another good Guadalajara with Azul/Terrible having a better singles match than their title match on the next show....

CMLL - "Super Viernes" - January 26, 2018, Mexico City, Mexico - (2 1/4 hrs)
January 26, 2018, Mexico City, Mexico - Arena Mexico
1. Akuma & Espanto Jr. -vs- Flyer & Robin [* 1/4]
2. Nitro & Cancerbero & Raziel -vs- Star Jr. & Astral & Eléctrico [* 3/4]
3. Virus & Disturbio & Misterioso Jr. -vs- Soberano Jr. & Audaz & Starman [** 1/4]
4. Ángel de Oro & Niebla Roja & Stuka Jr. -vs- Sansón & Cuatrero & Forastero [**]
5. Terrible (c) -vs- Diamante Azul - (Mexican National Heavyweight Title) [** 1/2]
6. Atlantis & Dragón Lee & Volador Jr. -vs- Último Guerrero & Gran Guerrero & Euforia [** 1/4]

What a bummer. Wasn't feeling this show much. Even with a lot of stars returned from their tour of Japan they didn't elevate the experience. Actually this show was worse than any of the Arena Mexico shows the past two weeks when they had 18 guys away working for NJPW. But at least we have the conclusion to the Diamante Azul/Terrible feud which had gone on all week.

AAA

AAA - December 16, 2017, Apizaco, Tlaxcala, Mexico - (1 1/4 hrs)
December 16, 2017, Apizaco, Tlaxcala, Mexico - Plaza de Toros Monumental
1. Aerostar & Drago & Raptor -vs- Averno & Chessman & Super Fly -vs- Carta Brava Jr. & Mocho Cota Jr. & Tito Santana -vs- Argenis & Bengala & Mascara de Bronce - (4-Way Elimination) [** 3/4]
2. El Texano Jr. & Rey Escorpion -vs- El Hijo del Fantasma & Psycho Clown [**]
3. El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. -vs- Hernandez [** 1/4]

The second portion of the December 16, 2017 show with the main matches. Enjoyable, but not major show effort. Actually I missed AAA's biggest show of the week, Guerra De Titanes 2018, which aired live. That one is supposed to have some great stuff on it, but I've been unable to find a link for broadcast, though hand-held versions of the matches are out there.

Lucha Libre Independents

IWRG - January 21, 2018, Naucalpan de Juarez, Estado de Mexico, Mexico - (1 1/2 hrs)
January 21, 2018, Naucalpan de Juarez, Estado de Mexico, Mexico - Arena Naucalpan
1. Fly Warrior & Séptimo Rayo -vs- Diablo Jr. & Eterno [* 1/2]
2. Cerebro Negro -vs- Emperador Azteca [**]
3. Black Dragón & Dinamic Black & Dragón Fly -vs- Liderk & Rayan & Spector [* 3/4]
4. Hijo del Pantera & Internacional Pantera & Pantera I -vs- Chico Che & Hijo del Alebrije & Veneno [**]
5. Dr. Cerebro & Trauma I & Trauma II -vs- Bombero Infernal & Rocambole Jr. & Villano V Jr. [**]

My 3rd IWRG show and I'm starting to 'get' their tempo. Neither loving or hating it at this point. We'll see once they deliver some of their more priority shows.

AULL - January 21, 2018, Mexico - (1/4 hr)
January 21, 2018, Tlalnepantla, Mexico - Arena Lopez Mateos
1. Sádico -vs- Judas el Traidor [* 1/2]

Just a random indy lucha match that turned up. Two skinny guys going at it.

APW/Wrestling In Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl - January 21, 2018, Mexico - (1 hr)
January 21, 2018, Col. Benito Juárez, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México, Mexico - Arena 2 de Junio
1. Alimaña & Reina Oscura -vs- La Fuerza & Melissa -vs- Filder & Isis -vs- Dante & Mary Coporal - (4-Way) [3/4*]
2. Aerodinamic -vs- Shere Khan -vs- Memo Romero -vs- Thunder Stroom -vs- Parkour -vs- Caballero de Plata -vs- Blue Star - (Aerial Assault) [* 1/4]
3. Crazy King -vs- Psicótico -vs- Epydemius - (3-Way) [*]
4. Nueva Ángel (c) -vs- Súper Bick -vs- Tiago -vs- Alfa - (APW Cruiserweight Title) [* 3/4]
5. Master Fly -vs- Shura -vs- Lobo -vs- Rocco -vs- Teco -vs- Blue Ángel -vs- Príncipe Azteca Jr. -vs- Sombra de Dragón -vs- Gargo - (9-Man Cibernetico; Mask vs Hair) [1/2*]
6. Marcela & Star Fire -vs- Lilith Dark & Metálica [* 1/2]

Watching this indy show from Mexico you realize how great the difference in quality between those that work in the national promotions compared to local ones like this. Not that it was horrendous. There was just something very lightweight about it.

MEXA WRESTLING - January 27, 2018, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México - (1 hr)
January 27, 2018, Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl, Estado de México - Arena San Juan Pantitlan
1. Leo & Mike & Rafy & Teelo -vs- Astrolux & Lunatik Fly & Pumita & Torito [**]
2. Keyra -vs- Lady Flammer [* 1/2]
3. Freelance & Mike Segura -vs- Corsario Negro Jr. & Drako [*]
4. Ricky Marvin -vs- Aramis -vs- Toxin - (3-Way) [**]
6. Trauma I & Trauma II -vs- Arez & Eterno [* 3/4]

There is something very surreal about the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles doing a better 25th Anniversary tribute to RAW from a run-down building in Mexico than what WWE did!

UK

DEFIANT - "DEFIANT #7" - December 12, 2017, London, England, UK - (1 1/4 hrs)
December 12, 2017, London, England, UK
1. David Starr & El Ligero -vs- Travis Banks & Chris Brookes [**]
2. Millie Mckenzie -vs- Xia Brookside [* 1/2]
3. Millie Mckenzie -vs- Bea Priestley [* 3/4]
4. Zack Gibson -vs- Mihai [*]
5. Zack Sabre Jr -vs- Mike Bailey - (Defiant Internet Title) [***]

They're doing the gimmick of ICW:UK being in control of Defiant, which made the storyline aspect of this weeks show more fun. Plus it had ZSJ vs Speedball, which was real nice!

ICW:UK - "Fight Club - It's Always Raining In Glasgow" - January 21, 2018, Glasgow, Scotland, UK - (1 1/2 hrs)
January 21, 2018, Glasgow, Scotland, UK - The Garage
1. Jackie Polo & Mark Coffey (c) -vs- Rampage Brown & Ashton Smith - (ICW Tag Title) [*]
2. Mikey Whiplash -vs- Jordan Devlin [**]
3. Chris Renfrew -vs- Leyton Buzzard [* 1/2]
4. Wolfgang -vs- Kid Fite [* 3/4]

My first ICW:UK show. Not invested in their product yet, but it was a decent introduction without anything blowing me away.

GERMANY

wXw - "Back To The Roots XVII" - January 20, 2018, Oberhausen, Germany - (2 1/4 hrs)
January 20, 2018, Oberhausen, Germany - Turbinenhalle 1 (575 Fans)
1. Martina -vs- Melanie Gray - (Hardcore) [* 1/4]
2. Jurn Simmons -vs- Dirty Dragan [*]
3. Da Mack -vs- Chris Colen [* 1/2]
4. Absolute Andy -vs- Bobby Gunns [** 3/4]
5. Killer Kelly (c) -vs- Toni Storm - (wXw Women's Title) [* 1/2]
6. WALTER & Timothy Thatcher & Avalanche & Julian Nero -vs- Ivan Kiev & John Klinger & Lucky Kid & Tarkan Aslan - (Cage) [***]

A little disappointed. The main event was a lot of fun, but apart from one other match, the rest of the card was lacking that something special. The main event was a little too chaotic with 8 guys in such a small space, and it didn't help that some of the action moves around the ringside area. But that apart, this was also a total brawl with many cool moments. I? m just glad the camera caught the important bits within all they wounded bodies lying around. To add to the drama, there was also problems in Bad Bones' faction which played out to be important to how this long fight would evolve. Naturally you had dives off the top and Thatcher was bleeding from the ear. And even more naturally, the two bosses would fight it out to make it feel important. Absolute Andy -vs- Bobby Gunns was good. Relied strongly on Gunns fire trying to take the bigger man down with submissions. Andy however has a lot more going for him and with his strength kept surviving. But Gunns ambitions were admirable.

 

--PUNQ--

[clintthecrippler]

Goddamn PUNQ I am glad you are back doing these wrestling binge recaps. 

[mim731]

On 28/01/2018 at 8:31 PM, BomberPat said:

Watched some PCW Ultra (Pacific Coast Wrestling, not Preston) stuff, as a few of their shows have been uploaded to Amazon Prime.

Decent enough production values, but so indie in terms of booking and pacing - you'll get two or three matches in a row that all feature big dives and brawling into the crowd and whatnot. 

Standouts for me are Jacob Fatu, who was absolute class, and a match from October 2017 that featured The Sandman, Kevin Sullivan as a ringside manager, and a run-in from Terry Funk. The match was bollocks, but I was 100% on board for those three.

I stumbled across this over the weekend, looking forward to giving a few of their shows a watch. On a related note I see Amazon have an absolute shedload of USWA/Memphis stuff available free on Prime from the mid 80s/90s.

[PUNQ]

On 2/5/2018 at 2:30 AM, clintthecrippler said:

Goddamn PUNQ I am glad you are back doing these wrestling binge recaps. 

It's a hell of a lot more fun now in the streaming/On-Demand age, than in the tape/DVD trading days. In January alone I've watched more 3* + matches than I did from entire 2010 when I was only following Japan and their slump. Only things wrong is that it's too much available now. I'm going all-in as usual so expect a burnout!

 

After a exhausting week of emotional wrestling last week, Week 5 was a bit of a breather. Not so many big shows, which gave me a chance to check out promotions I usually would do. Especially from the US, without any of them feeling like I must check them out again. But there are some gems spread-out if one look for them and at least 3 great shows this week. PROGRESS: Jan 28, TAKATAICHIMANIA: Jan 23 and AAA: Jan 26. All worth checking out.

Top-20 Matches Week 5, 2018

1. January 28, 2018 - WALTER (c) -vs- Timothy Thatcher - (PROGRESS Atlas Title) [*** 3/4] (PROGRESS)
2. January 23, 2018 - Tetsuya Naito -vs- Taichi - (Taichi's 15th Anniversary Match) [*** 1/2] (TAKATAICHIMANIA)
3. January 26, 2018 - Averno & Chessman & Super Fly (c) -vs- Carta Brava Jr. & Mocho Cota Jr. & Tito Santana -vs- Aerostar & Drago & Raptor -vs- Angelikal & Bengala & Mascara de Bronce - (AAA Trios Title; 4-Way Elimination) [*** 1/2] (AAA)
4. January 23, 2018 - Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI -vs- Taka Michinoku & Kaji Tomato [*** 1/2] (TAKATAICHIMANIA)
5. January 28, 2018 - Difunto I -vs- Ángel Dorado Jr. - (Mask vs Mask) [*** 1/4] (CMLL/ERLL)
6. February 3, 2018 - Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa (c) -vs- Kento Miyahara & Yoshitatsu - (AJPW Tag Title) [***] (AJPW)
7. January 26, 2018 - Lanzeloth (c) -vs- Australian Suicide - (AAA Cruiserweight Title) [***] (AAA)
8. January 23, 2018 - Takashi Iizuka -vs- Jun Kasai - (Hardcore) [***] (TAKATAICHIMANIA)
9. January 27, 2018 - Roderick Strong -vs- Tyler Bate [***] (NXT)
10. January 14, 2018 - Ayako Hamada -vs- Yoshiko [***] (SEAdLINNNG)
11. January 28, 2018 - Zack Sabre Jr. -vs- Chris Brookes -vs- Trent Seven - (3-Way) [** 3/4] (PROGRESS)
12. January 10, 2018 - Johnny Impact & Moose -vs- Alberto El Patron & Ethan Carter III [** 3/4] (IMPACT)
13. January 26, 2018 - Lady Shani (c) -vs- Faby Apache - (AAA Reina de Reinas Title) [** 3/4] (AAA)
14. January 26, 2018 - Austin Aries -vs- Matt Riddle - (HOH Twitch Television Title Tournament - Round 1) [** 3/4] (HOH)
15. January 28, 2018 - Lunatic Xtreme -vs- Demonio Infernal - (Hair vs Hair) [** 3/4] (IWRG)
16. January 18, 2018 - Delilah Doom & Eli Everfly -vs- Joey Janela & Penelope Ford [** 3/4] (BAR)
17. February 2, 2018 - Austin Theory (c) -vs- Martin Stone - (FIP Title) [** 3/4] (FIP)
18. January 28, 2018 - Travis Banks (c) -vs- TK Cooper - (PROGRESS Title) [** 1/2] (PROGRESS)
19. January 26, 2018 - Psycho Clown -vs- Rey Escorpion - (Bull Terrier Match) [** 1/2] (AAA)
20. January 30, 2018 - TJP -vs- Tyler Bate - (WWE Cruiserweight Title Tournament - Round 1) [** 1/2] (WWE)

WWE Universe

WWE - "NXT #285" - January 27, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - (1 hr)
January 27, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - Wells Fargo Center
1. Nikki Cross -vs- Lacey Evans [* 1/2]
2. Nick Miller & Shane Thorne -vs- Gabriel Ealy & Uriel Ealy [* 1/2]
3. Roderick Strong -vs- Tyler Bate [***]

This weeks NXT featured some leftover matches from NXT TakeOver: Phiadelphia, and Strong/Bate was PPV worthy. Didn't get as much time as I'd hoped, but they made the most of it.

WWE - "Monday Night RAW/Main Event" - January 29, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - (3 hrs)
January 29, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - Wells Fargo Center
Main Event #278
1. Bayley -vs- Sonya Deville [*]
2. Kalisto & Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado -vs- TJP & Ariya Daivari & Jack Gallagher [* 1/4]
Monday Night RAW #1288
3. Braun Strowman -vs- Kane - (Eliminiation Chamber Qualifying; Last Man Standing Match) [* 1/2]
4. Elias -vs- Matt Hardy - (Eliminiation Chamber Qualifying) [* 1/4]
5. The Miz (c) -vs- Roman Reigns - (WWE Intercontinental Title) [** 1/4]
6. Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson -vs- Heath Slater & Rhyno [*]
7. Asuka -vs- Sasha Banks [** 1/2]
8. Cesaro & Sheamus (c) -vs- Titus O'Neil & Apollo Crews - (WWE RAW Tag Title) [* 1/4]
9. John Cena -vs- Finn Balor - (Eliminiation Chamber Qualifying) [* 1/2]

WWE following-up Royal Rumble with a PPV line-up for RAW! Of course executed in their sloppy TV style wrestling. But still it was nice of them to at least try to give us something special as we close in on WrestleMania.

WWE - "SmackDown Live/205 Live" - January 30, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - (2 1/2 hrs)
January 30, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - Wells Fargo Center
205 Live #62
1. Cedric Alexander -vs- Gran Metalik - (WWE Cruiserweight Title Tournament - Round 1) [**]
2. TJP -vs- Tyler Bate - (WWE Cruiserweight Title Tournament - Round 1) [** 1/2]
SmackDown Live #963
3. Rusev -vs- Jinder Mahal -vs- Kofi Kingston -vs- Zack Ryder - (WWE United States Title #1 Contendership; Fatal Four Way) [* 1/2]
4. Harper & Rowan -vs- Chris Wylde & Rory Gulak [1/4*]
5. Baron Corbin -vs- Tye Dillinger [*]
6. Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin -vs- Fandango & Tyler Breeze [* 1/4]
7. AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura -vs- Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn [* 3/4]
Mixed Match Challenge #3
8. Alexa Bliss & Braun Strowman -vs- Becky Lynch & Sami Zayn - (WWE Mixed Match Challenge - Round 1) [**]

205 Live beat SmackDowns ass this week, Spud is in the WWE and is that love I see in Br-exa’s eyes?! So while the two bonus shows were good, Smackdown pretty much sucked.

US Indys

IMPACT - "Impact Wrestling #707" - January 10, 2018, Orlando, Florida, USA - (1 1/2 hrs)
January 10, 2018, Orlando, Florida, USA - Universal Studios
1. Matt Sydal (c) -vs- Fallah Bahh - (Impact Grand Title) [** 1/2]
2. Lashley -vs- KM [*]
3. Kiera Hogan -vs- Laurel Van Ness [* 1/2]
4. Johnny Impact & Moose -vs- Alberto El Patron & Ethan Carter III [** 3/4]
5. Eli Drake (c) -vs- Austin Aries - (Impact Global Title) [1/4*]

Good Impact episode. The new era re-start #24882 for them. Still very clearly Impact. What I liked about this one was that it included real tag style wrestling. It wasn't just guys tagging in and out, they also isolated guys and tried to be smart about it. A real slick affair. Alberto & EC3 was having beef with each other, but their mechanics as a heel side was impeccable. Real sweet while Impact and Moose getting their babyface comebacks. I liked Sydal/Bahh too. Speedy and energetic bout. Pure Sydal, but Bahh's involvement gave some weight to this. And you had Aries making his IMPACT comeback by winning the main title in less than a minute! All in street clothes. How prestigious.

ROH - December 16, 2017, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - (1 hr)
December 16, 2017, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - 2300 Arena (800 Fans)
1. Punishment Martinez -vs- Dobbs [1/2*]
2. Leon St. Giovanni & Shaheem Ali -vs- Hanson & Raymond Rowe [** 1/2]
3. Scorpio Sky & Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian -vs- Cody & Hangman Page & Marty Scurll [** 1/2]

The last leftover matches from the December TV taping with two matches worth seeing. One tag with the Bullet Club, the other with the departing War Machine doing a good job giving the rub to Coast 2 Coast on the way out.

Bar Wrestling - "Bar Wrestling 8: Happily Ever After" - January 18, 2018, Baldwin Park, California, USA - (2 hrs)
January 18, 2018, Baldwin Park, California, USA - American Legion #241
1. Brian Cage -vs- Scorpio Sky [** 1/4]
2. Heather Monroe & Laura James & Brody King -vs- Taya Valkyrie & Bill Carr & Dan Barry [**]
3. Jeff Cobb -vs- Luchasaurus [**]
4. Delilah Doom & Eli Everfly -vs- Joey Janela & Penelope Ford [** 3/4]
5. Billy Gunn -vs- Hot Young Briley [* 1/2]
6. Peter Avalon & Ray Rosas -vs- Kerry Awful & Nick Iggy -vs- B-Boy & Willie Mack - (3-Way) [* 3/4]
7. Candice LeRae -vs- Joey Ryan [** 1/2]

This Bar wresting show was fun, but nothing really special. It's like a mini-PWG show. The Janela tag was awesome for Eli (will N)Everfly (Again) taking some absolutely SICK bumps! How he ever got up from that second rope belly-to-belly piledriver, I'll never know. And I bet he wish he hadn't for he landed just as crazy on the floor on that tope dive right before the match ended! The main event was a happy nonsense match between two former partners, and one can't help but feel happy too!

HOH - "HOH 37" - January 26, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - (3 hrs)
January 26, 2018, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - 2300 Arena
1. Swoggle -vs- Mike Mondo - (HOH Twitch Television Title Tournament - Round 1) [3/4*]
2. Ken Doane -vs- Lisa Marie Varon - (HOH Twitch Television Title Tournament - Round 1) [1/2*]
3. Bull James -vs- Eddie Kingston - (HOH Twitch Television Title Tournament - Round 1) [1/2*]
4. Alex Reynolds -vs- Super Crazy - (HOH Twitch Television Title Tournament - Round 1) [* 1/2]
5. Crazzy Steve -vs- Maxwell Jacob Friedman - (HOH Twitch Television Title Tournament - Round 1) [* 1/4]
6. Killer Kross -vs- Little Guido - (HOH Twitch Television Title Tournament - Round 1) [* 1/2]
7. Dan Maff -vs- Ace Romero - (HOH Twitch Television Title Tournament - Round 1) [** 1/4]
8. Tommy Dreamer & Billy Gunn -vs- Nick Aldis & Joey Mercury [* 3/4]
9. Austin Aries -vs- Matt Riddle - (HOH Twitch Television Title Tournament - Round 1) [** 3/4]
10. Willie Mack -vs- Luchasaurus -vs- Matt Cross - (3-Way) [**]
11. Brian Cage -vs- Sami Callihan - (HOH Twitch Television Title Tournament - Round 1) [** 1/2]

Tommy Dreamer's House of Hardcore got a lucky break being featured on twitch.tv, having their show air live and free for all. One had to sit through a lot of shit, but you also had all these old ECW guys showing up, so it was kind of fun too. Aries/Riddle was kind of a dream match and it was good, unfortunately the flow kept being interrupted by that damn time limit. Cage/Sami was a fun car crash too.

SHINE - "SHINE 48" - January 26, 2018, Ybor City, Florida, USA - (2 3/4 hrs)
January 26, 2018, Ybor City, Florida, USA - The Orpheum
1. Amber Nova -vs- Chelsea Durden [1/2*]
2. Stormie Lee -vs- Tesha Price [*]
3. Holidead -vs- Dynamite DiDi [* 1/2]
4. Brandi Lauren -vs- Leva [*]
5. Candy Cartwright & Dementia D'Rose & Kiera Hogan -vs- Aerial Monroe & Priscilla Kelly & Vanessa Kraven [**]
6. Jordynne Grace -vs- Natalia Markova [* 3/4]
7. Santana -vs- Renee Michelle [* 1/2]
8. Ivelisse & Mercedes Martinez (c) -vs- Chardonnay & Isla Dawn - (SHINE Tag Title) [**]
9. LuFisto (c) -vs- Rain - (SHINE Title) [* 3/4]

All-women's show. Decent, but a bit lightweight and not any matches which tried to go out and deliver something great.

IWA Mid-South - "Guardians Of Hardcore" - January 27, 2018, Memphis, Indiana, USA - (3 hrs)
January 27, 2018, Memphis, Indiana, USA - IWA Arena
1. Eddie Kingston -vs- Nate Webb [* 1/2]
2. MASADA -vs- Brad Cash - (Electrified Light Bulbs, Electrified Light Tubes and Cinder Blocks Death Match) [* 1/2]
3. Kikyo -vs- Ludark Shaitan - (World Series Of Glass Death Match) [* 3/4]
4. Mance Warner -vs- JC Rotten - (Homerun Derby Death Match) [* 1/4]
5. Bryant Woods -vs- Rob Marsh - (DLC Death Match) [* 1/2]
6. John Wayne Murdoch & Reed Bentley (c) -vs- Ciclope & Miedo Extremo -vs- Dale Patricks & Josh Crane - (GCW Tag Title; 3-Way; Fans Bring The Weapons Death Match) [** 1/4]
7. Homeless Jimmy -vs- Markus Crane - (Shopping Cart Death Match) [* 3/4]
8. Rickey Shane Page -vs- Nick Gage - (House Of Horrors Death Match) [* 1/2]

I knew from reputation that IWA MS was trashy and here I got to expeirence that for the first time. While I can enjoy Big Japan and their hardcore, this was just white trash garbage. Sure, they do a lot of crazy stuff, but it's boring to watch. There is no fire in their eyes in what they're doing. It's like they're dead inside. I'm sure they can create some great hardcore matches from time to time, but this show wasn't one of those.

FIP - "Everything Burns 2018" - February 2, 2018, Ybor City, Florida, USA - (2 1/2 hrs)
February 2, 2018, Ybor City, Florida, USA - The Orpheum
1. Darius Lockhart -vs- Blanco Loco -vs- Saieve Al Sabah -vs- Snoop Strikes - (4-Way) [* 1/2]
2. Rhett Giddins -vs- Alex Herzog [* 1/4]
3. Priscilla Kelly (c) -vs- Amanda Carolina Rodriguez - (SHINE Nova Title) [* 1/2]
4. Jon Davis (c) -vs- Darby Allin - (FIP Florida Heritage Title) [**]
5. Effy -vs- Graham Bell [1/2*]
6. Francisco Ciatso -vs- Joey Ozbourne [1/4*]
7. Austin Theory (c) -vs- Martin Stone - (FIP Title) [** 3/4]
8. Devin Cutter & Mason Cutter (c) -vs- Odinson & Parrow - (FIP Tag Title) [** 1/2]

So I gave FIP a try. Easy to watch, but it wasn't overly interesting. Took a long while for the show to warm-up, but the final two matches were satisfying. Thank God, Hillbillies still exist in wrestling! That it was a fun brawl. Ugly as it should be. Theory/Stone had some real tight wrestling, and a real treat getting something a little different for a show consisting mostly of wrestlers who are similarly styled. Stone brought something more respectful to the ring action.

The RealHero Archive

YMZ - January 1, 2018, Tokyo - (1 3/4 hrs)
January 1, 2018, Tokyo - Shin-kiba 1st Ring (169 Fans)
1. Makoto & Cherry & Noa Igarashi -vs- Kamen & Tarou (Choun Shiryu) & Jyoun (Hoshitango) [1/2*]
2. Rocky Kawamura -vs- Eito & Hankouki Bii [1/4*]
3. Eiger -vs- Kunio Toshima [1/4*]
4. Isami Kodaka -vs- ASUKA [3/4*]
5. Ayako Hamada & Kaori Yoneyama & Best Stretchman V3 -vs- Atsushi Aoki & Hikaru Sato & Hikaru Shida [1/2*]

Pure crap. Lazy indy show from Yoneyama with stars phoning it in and joke wrestlers just shitting on the place.

SEAdLINNNG - "SEAdLINNNG 2018 OPENING ~ NOW OR NEVER!"- January 14, 2018, Tokyo - (2 hrs)
January 14, 2018, Tokyo - Korakuen Hall (753 Fans)
1. Rin Kadokura -vs- Satsuki Totoro [1/2*]
2. Mika Iida -vs- SUGI -vs- Asuka - (High Speed 3-Way) [*]
3. Saki Akai (c) & Tsukasa Fujimoto & Kurumi Hiragi & Takumi Iroha -vs- Mio Momono (c) & Ryo Mizunami & Akane Fujita & Hiroe Nagahama - (Captain's Fall) [**]
4. Arisa Nakajima -vs- Misaki Ohata [** 1/4]
5. Ayako Hamada -vs- Yoshiko [***]

The main event had a lot of spirit. A heavyweight clash. They definitely went out there motivated, but I'm not going to call it a pretty match. Of course that's part of the charm in matches like this. Yoshiko takes no shit and Hamada loves to just drop opponents around. That made for a satisfying ending to 2018's first SEAdLINNNG show which featured too much lightweight stuff.

TAKA & Taichi Produce - "TAKATAICHIMANIA" - January 23, 2018, Tokyo - (2 hrs)
January 23, 2018, Tokyo - Korakuen Hall (1,525 Fans)
1. Kotaro Yoshino & Dinosaur Takuma & Marines Mask -vs- Tank Nagai & Ayumu Honda & Kyu Mogami [* 1/2]
2. Bambi & Ayame Sasamura -vs- Saori Anou & Koharu Hinata [* 1/4]
3. Minoru Suzuki & Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Hikaru Sato -vs- Yoshitatsu & Taishi Takizawa & GO Asakawa [**]
4. Takashi Iizuka -vs- Jun Kasai - (Hardcore) [***]
5. Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI -vs- Taka Michinoku & Kaji Tomato [*** 1/2]
6. Tetsuya Naito -vs- Taichi - (Taichi's 15th Anniversary Match) [*** 1/2]

This was a real surprise! One of the best shows of the week. Helps that Taka Michinoku & Taichi work with New Japan. Three quality bouts. Iizuka/Kasai was simply a feel-bad hardcore match fighting all over the arena with sticks and knives. Had to be stopped before they murdered each other. I was smiling too much though this! I didn't expect Takahashi/BUSHI -vs- Taka/Tomato to be this fun! But they really had an inspired performance. High work-ethic from the New Japan guys and on a rare occasion Taka put on his working-shoes too! It was simply a energetic fun-time match from start to finish! And the Naito/Taichi main event was oozing. Taichi has been wrestling for 15 years and 99% of the time he's been shit. He does step-up on once in a while and this was one of those. Doesn't hurt that he's living his gimmick now. He's still trying to hang with the aces without being at their level. That's always been his problem. But playing off of Naito's cool we have a rather terrific battle of nonchalance! And it only enhance the experience having Miho Abe there all spellbound. Sweet stuff!

AJPW - "YOKOHAMA TWILIGHT BLUES SPECIAL 2018" - February 3, 2018, Yokohama - (3 3/4 hrs)
February 3, 2018, Yokohama Bunka Gym (1,998 Fans)
1. Kotaro Suzuki & Hikaru Sato & Yohei Nakajima & Koji Iwamoto -vs- Shuji Kondo & Atsushi Maruyama & Yusuke Okada & Keiichi Sato [* 3/4]
2. Ultimo Dragon & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi -vs- Masanobu Fuchi & SUSHI [*]
3. Zeus & The Bodyguard & Yutaka Yoshie -vs- Osamu Nishimura & Black Tiger VII & Masakado [* 1/2]
4. Jun Akiyama & Yuji Nagata -vs- Ryouji Sai & Naoya Nomura - (All Asia Tag Title Decision) [** 1/4]
5. Tajiri (c) -vs- Atsushi Aoki - (AJPW Junior Title) [* 3/4]
6. Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa (c) -vs- Kento Miyahara & Yoshitatsu - (AJPW Tag Title) [***]
7. Joe Doering (c) -vs- KAI - (Triple Crown Title) [** 1/2]

One of the big shows of the week was AJPW in Yokohama with 4 title matches. Poor crowd reaction hurt the show, but the worth ethic wasn't on top either. Still had a few matches worth checking out. I think I heard a couple of fans applaud that great Champion Carnival line-up and the news of AJPW launching their own streaming service. 

Best match was the AJPW Tag Title bout. I was not ready to be happy for that title win, for this was another one-month reign. They did a ton of them last year too. Why can't anyone book a decent tag division these days instead of all these hotshot title defenses? I loved Suwama & Shuji Ishikawa as tag champs. They were like a throw-back to the old days and should have dominated all year. On the plus side, this is part of the Yoshitatsu resurrection. He's growing loads with Miyahara as his tag partner, and though this wasn't as good as their Real World Tag League match from last year, this was damn good! Especially the last 5 minutes was great with finisher-mania! After the match Zeus & The Bodyguard came out for a shot at the title, but more wild was 3-time former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuyuki Fujita coming out and beating up Suwama!

The best thing about Doering/KAI Triple Crown match was KAI accidentally headbutting Doering's cock on a powerbomb! Doering gave a real manly roar on that one! The match was buzzing, but never climatic. Typical of KAI, who've literary gone the school of SANADA as far as effort/potential is concerned. So it mostly came down to how much of a beating Doering was in the mood to give. Thankfully he gave enough to retain, setting up a match with Kento Miyahara for a more interesting outing.

DDT Universe

TOKYO JOSHI PRO - “LET’S GO! GO! IF YOU GO! WHEN YOU GO! IF YOU GET LOST JUST GO TO NERIMA!” - February 3, 2018, Tokyo - (2 hrs)
February 3, 2018, Tokyo - Nerima Coconeri Hall (412 Fans)
1. Mizuki -vs- Yuki Kamifuku [1/2*]
2. Miyu Yamashita & Raku & Hinano -vs- Rika Tatsumi & Hikari & Miu [* 1/2]
3. Yuna Manase -vs- Hyper Misao [1/2*]
4. Yuu & Nodoka-oneesan -vs- Maho Kurone & Samara [* 1/4]
5. Nonoko -vs- Maki Ito - (Nonoko Graduation Match) [*]
6. Shoko Nakajima & Yuka Sakazaki (c) -vs- Saki-sama & Azusa Christie - (TOKYO Princess Tag Title) [* 3/4]

You don't watch TJP shows for the quality in-ring action. It's all about the personalities. All cute and frail.  Samara making her TJP debut and heightens the quality of wrestling a lot regardless of this match featuring two silly characters. And then they had Samara jobbing to the silliest of all. Nonoko graduated/retired from TPJ in a match suitable for her qualities. The tag title match, which was a decent energy match. Pretty much a house show standard by every other joshi promotion, but for TJP this is main event level. Didn't embarrass themselves too much and we've got a more interesting champion team now. Saki-sama & Azusa Christie! Saki hates the belts, Christie loves them both!

DDT - “DRAMATIC NERIMA THE FIGHTER 2018” - February 3, 2018, Tokyo - (3 hrs)
February 3, 2018, Tokyo - Nerima Coconeri Hall (358 Fans)
1. Joey Ryan & Samara -vs- Antonio Honda & Kazuki Hirata [*]
2. Tetsuya Endo & Mad Paulie -vs- Kouki Iwasaki & Mizuki Watase [* 1/2]
3. Yukio Sakaguchi & Masahiro Takanashi & Kota Umeda -vs- Yuki Ueno & Koju Takeda & Nobuhiro Shimatani [* 3/4]
4. Ken Ohka -vs- Gota Ihashi [* 1/4]
5. Konosuke Takeshita & Akito & Shunma Katsumata -vs- Toru Owashi & Keisuke Ishii & Makoto Oishi [**]
6. HARASHIMA & Soma Takao -vs- Kazusada Higuchi & MAO [* 3/4]
7. Daisuke Sasaki -vs- Danshoku Dino [*]
8. Yuko Miyamoto (c) -vs- KUDO - (DDT Extreme Title; Hardcore) [** 1/4]

Not half-bad with so many serious matches on offer. Naturally it wasn't the type of show that was going to stand-out much. Miyamoto/KUDO had it's moments. Nothing new, but it's time-tested. These two could have had the same match 10 years ago, and probable did too. It's good though. Not so much the hardcore element, but the grace when landing their patented spots. They really didn't need the ladders and chairs, they'd have a good match anyhow. 

CMLL

CMLL/ERLL - "Arena Coliseo Monterrey" - January 28, 2018, Monterrey, Mexico - (1 1/4 hrs)
January 28, 2018, Monterrey, Mexico - Arena Coliseo Monterrey
1. Azteka Warrior & Cancerbero & Raziel -vs- Bengalí & Pesadilla & Violento Jack [* 1/2]
2. Titán -vs- Aeroboy [** 1/2]
3. Caifan II & El Divo -vs- Fuego & Tritón [* 1/4]
4. Atlantis & Soberano Jr. -vs- Ephesto & Luciferno  [*]
5. Difunto I -vs- Ángel Dorado Jr. - (Mask vs Mask) [*** 1/4]

CMLL working with indy promotors for a decent show. That main event was something else. Real ugly, but for me it was one of the highlights this week. Two guys trying to go far beyond their abillity, not really managing, but still overachieving greatly. They were landing crazy hard all the time. A real odd experience, but I just had to appreciate the sacrifice even if they didn't have the stamina for a match this length. Found it rewarding viewing. It can be seen here.

CMLL - "Lunes Arena Puebla" - January 29, 2018, Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla, Mexico - (1 3/4 hrs)
January 29, 2018, Heroica Puebla de Zaragoza, Puebla, Mexico - Arena Puebla
1. El Hijo De Centella Roja & Millenium -vs- Ares & Sombra Diabólika [* 1/4]
2. Príncipe Diamante & Asturiano & Lestat -vs- Rey Apocalipsis & Espíritu Maligno & Guerrero Espacial [* 1/2]
3. Tiger & Misterioso Jr. & Sagrado -vs- Blue Panther Jr. & Stigma & The Panther [**]
4. Shocker & Rey Bucanero & Terrible -vs- Niebla Roja & Ángel de Oro & Diamante Azul [* 1/2]
5. Atlantis & Dragón Lee & Rush -vs- Último Guerrero & Gran Guerrero & Euforia [* 3/4]

CMLL - "Martes Arena Mexico" - January 30, 2018, Mexico City, Mexico - (2 hrs)
January 30, 2018, Mexico City, Mexico - Arena Mexico
1. Shockercito & Stukita -vs- Mercurio & Pequeño Nitro [* 1/2]
2. Hijo del Signo & Espanto Jr. & Sangre Azteca -vs- Magnus & Flyer & Magia Blanca [* 1/2]
3. Fuego & Audaz & Tritón -vs- Nitro & Cancerbero & Raziel [**]
4. Tiger -vs- Disturbio - (Lightning Match) [*]
5. Ephesto & Luciferno & Pólvora -vs- Stuka Jr. & Blue Panther Jr. & Guerrero Maya Jr. [**]
6. Rush & Ángel de Oro & Dragón Lee -vs- Shocker & Cuatrero & Terrible [* 3/4]

CMLL - "Martes Arena Coliseo Guadalajara" - January 30, 2018, Mexico - (1 hr)
January 30, 2018, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico -     Arena Coliseo Guadalajara
1. Princesa Sugehit & Kaho Kobayashi & La Jarochita -vs- Dalys & Metálica & Reyna Isis [**]
2. Difunto & Misterioso Jr. & Virus -vs- Rey Cometa & Esfinge & Star Jr. [**]
3. Niebla Roja & Soberano Jr. & Titán -vs- Sansón & Forastero & Universo 2000 Jr. [** 1/4]

CMLL - "Super Viernes" - February 2, 2018, Mexico City, Mexico - (2 hrs)
February 2, 2018, Mexico City, Mexico - Arena Mexico
1. El Coyote & Templario -vs- Astral & Eléctrico [** 1/4]
2. Rey Cometa & Audaz & Pegasso -vs- Virus & Misterioso Jr. & Kawato San [** 1/2]
3. 8-man Battle Royal [1/2*]
4. Gran Guerrero & Niebla Roja -vs- Blue Panther & Sam Adonis - (Parejas Increible Tournament - Round 1) [* 1/2]
5. Mephisto & Mistico -vs- Hechicero & Soberano Jr. - (Parejas Increible Tournament - Round 1) [**]
6. Último Guerrero & Volador Jr. -vs- Cavernario & Titán - (Parejas Increible Tournament - Round 1) [* 3/4]
7. Diamante Azul & Pierroth -vs- Rey Bucanero & Valiente - (Parejas Increible Tournament - Round 1) [* 1/4]
8. Mephisto & Mistico -vs- Gran Guerrero & Niebla Roja - (Parejas Increible Tournament - Quarterfinal) [** 1/2]
9. Último Guerrero & Volador Jr. -vs- Diamante Azul & Pierroth - (Parejas Increible Tournament - Quarterfinal) [* 1/2]
10. Último Guerrero & Volador Jr. -vs- Mephisto & Mistico - (Parejas Increible Tournament - Semi-Final) [**]
11. Atlantis & Ángel de Oro & Carístico -vs- Euforia & Cuatrero & Sansón [** 1/4]

The main CMLL shows were mostly disappointing this week. Probable the weakest week I've seen since I started watching CMLL fulltime 6 months ago. Very standard stuff and no stand-out matches. There was a Goodguy/Badguy tag tournament, but that one was so rushed little drama sunk in.

Most in interesting thing was two Japanese wrestlers making their CMLL debut, both looking good in their new environment. New Japan's Kawato and women's wrestler Kaho Kobayashi, both are talent to look out for.

AAA

AAA - "Guerra De Titanes 2018" - January 26, 2018, Mexico - (3 1/2 hrs)
January 26, 2018, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico - Gimnasio Olimpico Juan de la Barrera
1. Lanzeloth (c) -vs- Australian Suicide - (AAA Cruiserweight Title) [***]
2. Lady Shani (c) -vs- Faby Apache - (AAA Reina de Reinas Title) [** 3/4]
3. La Parka & Cuervo & Escoria -vs- Dave The Clown & Monster Clown & Murder Clown - (Street Fight) [**]
4. Averno & Chessman & Super Fly (c) -vs- Carta Brava Jr. & Mocho Cota Jr. & Tito Santana -vs- Aerostar & Drago & Raptor -vs- Angelikal & Bengala & Mascara de Bronce - (AAA Trios Title; 4-Way Elimination) [*** 1/2]
5. Psycho Clown -vs- Rey Escorpion - (Bull Terrier Match) [** 1/2]
6. Johnny Mundo (c) -vs- Rey Wagner - (AAA Heavyweight Title) [**]
7. El Hijo del Fantasma (c) -vs- El Texano Jr. - (AAA Latin America Title; Cage) [* 1/2]

AAA are showing their big shows free on twitch.tv now. Go watch this one! Vampiro's booking is worse than WCW, but they have some of the hottest talent underneath giving motivated performances! And this card is loaded!

AAA - "Gira de Conquista: AAA Worldwide in Toluca 2018" - February 2, 2018, Mexico - (3 hrs)
February 2, 2018, Toluca, Estado de Mexico, Mexico - Salon Rojo del Club
1. Big Mami & Lady Shani -vs- Faby Apache & Ashley [** 1/4]
2. Dave the Clown -vs- Nino Hamburguesa [*]
3. Mr. Aguila & Joe Lider -vs- Psicosis & Histeria [* 3/4]
4. Argenis & Angelical & Hijo del Vikingo & Lanzelot -vs- Australian Suicide & Averno & Chessm an & Super Fly [** 1/2]
5. La Parka & Dark Cuervo & Dark Scoria -vs- Carta Brava Jr. & Mocho Cota Jr. & Tito Santana [** 1/4]
6. Hijo del Fantasma & Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. -vs- Texano Jr. & Villano III Jr. [**]
7. Psycho Clown & Vampiro -vs- Dr. Wagner Jr. & Rey Escorpión [*]

Another one of their twitch.tv show. This one is more of a standard TV-taping in-between the big show. Trying too hard to continue storylines and the focus is not on bringing the epics. Solid show though.

Lucha Libre Independents

IWRG - January 28, 2018, Naucalpan de Juarez, Estado de Mexico, Mexico - (1 1/2 hrs)
January 28, 2018, Naucalpan de Juarez, Estado de Mexico, Mexico - Arena Naucalpan
1. Odín -vs- Celestial Boy -vs- Shadow Boy -vs- Alas de Acero -vs- Súper Brazo Jr. - (5-Way) [**]
2. Liderk & Spartan & Spector -vs- Black Dragón & Dinamic Black & Dragón Fly [* 3/4]
3. Hijo del Pantera & Internacional Pantera -vs- Trauma I & Trauma II [** 1/2]
4. Lunatic Xtreme -vs- Demonio Infernal - (Hair vs Hair) [** 3/4]
5. Bombero Infernal (c) -vs- Dr. Cerebro - (IWRG Intercontinantal Middleweight Title) [** 1/4]

IWRG’s best show so far in 2018! Interesting and varied show. The Pantera vs Negro Navarro's boys feud is getting interesting. Lunatic Xtreme/Demonio Infernal's Hair vs Hair match reminds of a early-2000 indy bloodfest. Trashy, with a lot of cuts to the head letting the blood pour. Got fairly dramatic. The main event went technical, kind of a different pace.

Lucha Memes - January 7, 2018, Coacalco, Estado de México, Mexico - (1/4 hr)
January 7, 2018, Coacalco, Estado de México, Mexico - Coliseo Coacalco
1. Ricky Marvin -vs- Keyra [** 1/2]

All kinds of indy-sloppy, but it was so much fun watching Ricky-boy beat up a girl!

Promociones NOBA - January 27, 2018, Mexico - (1/4 hr)
January 27, 2018, Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico - Perinorte Papagayo
1. Enigma & Mercurio -vs- Black Silver Jr. & Hijo de Black Silver [* 1/4]
2. Daga & Penta 0M -vs- Garza Jr. & Látigo [* 3/4]

Luchaz Neza - January 28, 2018, Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico - (3/4 hr)
January 28, 2018, Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico -  Arena Neza
1. Black Warrior Jr. & New Warrior -vs- Dr. Maligno & Full Contact  [*]
2. Barbita Negra & Espectrito -vs- Coquito & Hijo De La Parkita [* 1/2]
3. Pandemónium & Pandemónium Jr. & Xibalba -vs- Leo & Mike & Teelo [*]
4. Máximo & Taurus -vs- Black Warrior & Lizmark Jr. [* 1/4]

Toryumon Mexico - January 28, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico - (3/4 hr)
January 28, Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico - Gimnasio Cuauhtemoc
1. Eléctrico -vs- Notorius [*]
2. Leo & Rafy -vs- Fireman & Thunder Storm [*]
3. Reina Isis & Tiffany -vs- Lluvia & Princesa Sugehit [* 1/2]
4. Arkángel de la Muerte & Karonte Jr. & Patán -vs- Argos & Oro Jr. & Súper Ciudadano [* 3/4]
5. Último Dragón & Magnus -vs- Diamante & Sam Adonis [**]

CLLDM - January 28, Cuautla, Morelos, Mexico - (3/4 hr)
January 28, Cuautla, Morelos, Mexico - Auditorio Unidad Deportiv
1. Ciclón Infernal & Kalibus -vs- Alas De Oro & Divino Boy [**]
2. Diva Salvaje -vs- Diosa Quetzal [**]
3. Golden Magic -vs- Fresero Jr. -vs- Imposible [* 3/4]
4. LA Park & Hijo de LA Park -vs- Rush & Pierroth [** 1/4]

DTU - February 2, 2018, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico - (1/2 hr)
February 2, 2018, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico - Centro Cultural Olimpia
1. Stevie Fierce -vs- Jimmy -vs- Pesadilla -vs- Draztick Boyv -vs- Moira - (5-Way) [* 1/2]
2. Crazy King & Halloween -vs- Aero Boy & Violento Jack -vs- Cíclope & Miedo Extremo - (3-Way) [* 3/4]

ANCLA - "Maniacomanía" - February 3, 2018, Ecatepec, Estado de México, Mexico - (3/4 hrs)
February 3, 2018, Ecatepec, Estado de México, Mexico -  Salón Citlalli
1. Miss Tiger & Star Queen -vs- Baronessa & Lady Pink [* 3/4]
2. Candy Swing & Mary Caporal -vs- Gracy & Melissa [* 1/2]
3. Diosa Quetzal & Lilith Dark -vs- Lluvia & Sanely [* 1/4]
4. Keyra & Lady Maravilla -vs- Marcela & Zeuxis [* 1/2]

The rest of these hand-held lucha shows were standard indy spot shows. Nothing really worth going one of one's way to see, but perfectly enjoyable if a lucha fan.

UK

DEFIANT - "DEFIANT #8" - December 12, 2017, London, England, UK - (1 hr)
December 12, 2017, London, England, UK - Coronet Theatre
1. Kay Lee Ray (c) -vs- Little Miss Roxxy & Veda Scott - (Defiant Women's Title) [* 1/4]
2. Jim Hunter & Lee Hunter -vs- Ashley Dunn & Kelly Sixx [* 3/4]
3. BT Gunn & Joe Coffey -vs- Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis [**]
4. Austin Aries (c) -vs- Gabriel Kidd - (Defiant Title) [* 1/2]

I have a feeling Definat is only getting a B-level Aries. He's not exactly giving them full money's worth. Then again the promotion lacks image, so what to build anything interesting around?

ICW:UK - "Fight Club - It's Always Raining In Glasgow" - January 21, 2018, Glasgow, Scotland, UK - (1 1/4 hrs)
January 21, 2018, Glasgow, Scotland, UK - The Garage
1. Joseph Conners -vs- DCT [* 1/4]
2. Bram & Martina -vs- Kasey & Ravie Davie [*]
3. Aaron Echo & Kenny Williams & Jack Jester & Sha Samuels & Lionheart -vs- Aspen Faith & Lewis Girvan & Stevie Boy & Krieger & Lou King Sharp - (Street Fight) [* 3/4]

The rest of the January 21st show aired this week and it was okay, but nothing mind-blowing. They've got some interesting guys, but they didn't seem to have much to book towards for this show and had too much comedy going on.

PROGRESS - "Chapter 62: Fear No More, Come To Dust" - January 28, 2018, UK - (3 1/4 hrs)
January 28, 2018, Camden, Greater London, England, UK - Electric Ballroom (700 Fans)
1. Chris Ridgeway -vs- Omari - (Natural Progression Series V - Qualifying) [**]
2. Roy Johnson -vs- William Eaver [* 1/4]
3. Zack Sabre Jr. -vs- Chris Brookes -vs- Trent Seven - (3-Way) [** 3/4]
4. Travis Banks (c) -vs- TK Cooper - (PROGRESS Title) [** 1/2]
5. Toni Storm (c) -vs- Chakara - (PROGRESS Women's Title) [* 1/2]
6. Jimmy Havoc & Mark Haskins -vs- Danny Jones & Mark Andrews [** 1/2]
7. Morgan Webster -vs- Doug Williams [** 1/4]
8. WALTER (c) -vs- Timothy Thatcher - (PROGRESS Atlas Title) [*** 3/4]

And then we come to PROGRESS. As most Chapters, real fun show!  Trent Seven got to be my favorite comedy guy in wrestling! He's so damn casual about it. And in his weird mentality he thought he could hang with ace technicians ZSJ & Brookes?! Fun watching it go wrong all the time! WALTER vs Timothy Thatcher..... Amazingly brutal! WALTER was simply ruthless towards his tag partner! Gave him a inhumane punishment. Thatcher body looked completely battered. Sick stuff! A little too reliant on the stiffness, as they sure could have done something more interesting for the early portion of the fight. But nonetheless, the climax, the entire scenario - incredible!

--PUNQ--

Edited February 12, 2018 by PUNQ

[The King Of Swing]

Honestly wasn't a big fan of the Stardom elimination match, once the rules were clear there was zero doubt in my mind who was getting booted from her respective faction. Also the song and dance routines massively foreshadowed the result imo.

And I hate the over the top rope elimination rule.

Imo it would have worked better as a standard 5v5 elimination match. The action was fine but the rules bogged the match down for me.

[PUNQ]

Yeah, I agree the booking ended up being predictable for that Stardom 5 v 5, especially when their stips left us with only two alternatives in the first place, and one could basically read the rest. But I was greatly entertained by the scenario anyway. There was such a good vibe to it all, and at least they did enough variations in how the eliminations happened to give the fans a playful Gauntlet match.

[lightningxlock]

PUNQ, do you still have those awesome comps you used to make?

[The King Of Swing]

15 hours ago, PUNQ said:

Yeah, I agree the booking ended up being predictable for that Stardom 5 v 5, especially when their stips left us with only two alternatives in the first place, and one could basically read the rest. But I was greatly entertained by the scenario anyway. There was such a good vibe to it all, and at least they did enough variations in how the eliminations happened to give the fans a playful Gauntlet match.

I did get into Kagetsu Vs. Viper.

Iwatani Vs. Ellering was a good effort. Be interesting to see if they take their time getting Iwatani back to the top.

Has Toni Storm worked for Stardom since "winning" the title?

[PUNQ]

Yes and mostly NO. I probable have the comps I did between 2006-2010 in storage boxes in the basement, but I have no system to do anything with them at now, so unfortunately I can't revive them unless I find a creative solution to convert them. 

Toni Strom is coming in for the February 18th Korakuen Hall show where she faces none other than Meiko Satomura in a special non-title match. That sound like it's going to be good. On the same show Mayu Iwatani & Tam Nakano challenge for the tag titles, and Momo Watanabe faces Io Shirai for her title.

Edited February 7, 2018 by PUNQ