Vietnam Pro Wrestling

[simonworden]

Here we go with another wrestling report from Vietnam, did I mention I live there? Last night I attended VPW (Vietnam Pro Wrestling) Immortal Glory as always held in VAIB studios in Ho Chi Minh City. I think I covered the venue in my previous report a few months ago but it's a big warehouse/ TV studio meaning it has a decent lighting rig, big screens for use and sits around 300-400 people comfortably. I didn't report on the last show mostly as I was far too drunk and have very little recollection of anything in detail however this time I remember very well. 

The start of the evening had an immediate highlight that local craft brewery and sponsor Heart of Darkness had custom VPW roster cans of golden ale which ran out pretty quick. I actually think they had to door a supply run at sometime before/ after intermission.

I'm terrible at move names so please don't expect masses of technical explanations here.

Pre-Show: Chi Bao Vs Sansyu

This was technically a pre-show match while people are entering the building, I missed it as my Grab (our Uber) took us a stupid way to the venue but it looked solid enough for a 5 min tussle. Chi Bao is a big young dude who is currently doing the black trunks/ boots rookie combo that happens in Japan his opponent was Sansyu from Japan who is a former student of FugoFugo Yumeji and a 17 year veteran. Chi Bao is a decent looking lad, tall and if he can loose some of his puppy fat will be quite the specimen. I believe Sansyu won but I was still outside.

Match 1: Ares Vs Sonny Z

Ares (pronounced Aries) is a big stocky local lad with a mean looking face (he's quite nice in real life) while Sonny Z is an older veteran of the sport. Originally from China he now operates a weed shop out in Pattaya Thailand and as he came across as a happy go lucky aging surfer dude I guess his gimmick is himself. Both men spent some time giving each other hard hitting power moves before moving into a chop fest.  They then returned to some more brutal looking power moves before Ares got the pinfall cleanly. 

Match 2: Ten man battle royal for the Heart of Darkness Crown

This was a match of two halves. The opening saw Fuego Yameji swatting away some of his newer trainees while also dealing with the large and impressive D.Austin. Eventually through numerous shenanigans the heels eliminated Fugo and his trainees as well as some others leaving Phong Tran a BTSesque face against Damien Wolfe, British Horror and his dog collar wearing lackey Khoa. Eventually it came down to The British Horror and Khoa who told a good story of being conflicted between obedience and eliminating himself and  winning the crown. While his back was turned The British Horror dumped Khoa out of the ring to win the crown. 

 

Match 3: VPW Tag Team Championship - Venom Shank (c) Vs The Mystic Warrirors

This was a decent tag team match with the Venom Shank twins getting the win from a fast rollup after a disallowed 3 count. It looked like the twins were trying to use the mist and I think one of them swallowed it before they could use it leading to the alternative finish. 

 

Match 4: VPW Openweight Championship - Rocky Huynh (c) Vs An D

This was a heavily built up match as the two competitors had a lot of history being two of the founding members of VPW. Taking a little time to get going the match had a good level of chain wrestling between the two before Rocky scored the eventual pin fall following some entertaining false finished. I started attending shows not long ago so at times found the storyline a little more challenging to get into than some of the longer attending fans but the did pull me in with the decent wrestling and finish. After the match they two hug until two of An D's cronies entered the ring and a brief 3 on 1 assault on Rocky followed.

 

Match 5: Billy with Xavier Patrick Vs Hy Draco with Phuong Nam

This match was essentially a manager's choice match. Xavier Patrick is the ring announcer and also the very enthusiastic guy from the Jericho podcast earlier this year. Phuong Nam is a fairly famous comedian who entered the rumble a few months ago and took somewhat of a dislike to Patrick. The underlying tone seemed to be that Phuong Nam feels he should be treated better due to his fame and the fact he is Vietnamese but luckily the weird undertones of that were heavily muted this time. Phuong Nam and Hy Draco played the heel roles for the most part and eventually got the win due to miscommunication between Billy his tag partner Bobby and Patrick. I really enjoyed Phuong Nam's heel work and the fact he still babyfaces up for his non wrestling fans, he also got into a fun back and forth with me in the crowed with a few birds flipped. Hopefully he didn't take it too personally. Overall this was a fun sports entertainment bout that few in attendance expected to set the world on fire.

Main Event: PCW Ultra Women's Championship - Viva Van Vs Sumie Saki

This was a hotly anticipated and welcome match for the audience and VPW roster. Viva Van is an American born Vietnamese wrestler out of the Cali area. A couple of years ago she stated a funding campaign that helped VPW get their first real wrestling ring. Sumie Saki is of course a notable Japanese veteran and the fist Women of Honor champion in ROH. Both had wonderful presence and went with a hard hitting technical affair eventually won cleanly by Viva Van. I thought the match was maybe a little shorter than hoped and think an extra 5-10 mins would have been brilliant. 

Post Show

Following the match the roster came out to have a small thank you celebration for the ladies before Xavier Patrick took the mic and announced a surprise. Out of nowhere Judas starts playing with the video on the screen and Chris Jericho himself walks out to say a few words, thank everyone for coming and wish VPW the best. Although some of the younger Vietnamese fans were a bit confused by who this was the pop was deafening and say what you want about Chris Jericho it was an extremely meaningful moment for the Vietnamese wrestling community to have him here. Also I marked out like a 10 year old and can't speak today still!

Overall it was a brilliant show an I'll continue to go along as it's nice and local. There isn't one for a few months now to get the New Year festivities out the way. Having Jericho turn up was also nice personally as 10 years ago I was introduced to him through a friend and told him all about my hopeful dreams to move over to Vietnam, I reminded him of this when I got a quick moment to speak to him, he said he remembered but I think he was humoring me which I honestly don't mind. Thanks for coming Chris! 

EDIT: At some point I'll workout how to post photos but there's plenty already floating about online if you can't wait. 

Edited May 6 by simonworden
Remove the focus on Jericho

[Loki]

So, wait... Chris Jericho flew out to Vietnam for the show but didn't wrestle?  He didn't even manage to interject himself into whatever was the hottest feud, and get booked with the biggest rising star?

[simonworden]

17 minutes ago, Loki said:

So, wait... Chris Jericho flew out to Vietnam for the show but didn't wrestle?  He didn't even manage to interject himself into whatever was the hottest feud, and get booked with the biggest rising star?

From what I know there's a documentary being made about the promotion and he came over to be involved. I assume it must be a well funded documentary and they probably paid for him to come out unless he funded it himself. 

[TildeGuy~!]

I read he’s friends with the promoter and been on his podcast several times.

[The King Of Swing]

Venom Shank, is an awesome name. 

[Keith Houchen]

Great write up! Hope you manage to do more!! Is this the sort of thing Meltzer would publish if you sent it to him?

[RedRooster]

1 hour ago, Keith Houchen said:

Great write up! Hope you manage to do more!! Is this the sort of thing Meltzer would publish if you sent it to him?

I’d second this - Wade Keller is always calling for people to send wrestling results his way. Maybe lead by flagging the Jericho appearance and I’m sure they’d publish it on his site. I’d imagine Meltzer would too. For all the effort you’ve put into this @simonworden, it would be great to see it in front of a larger audience than just us. I genuinely think it’s post of the year worthy.

[JLM]

https://tjrwrestling.net/news/chris-jericho-vietnam-pro-wrestling-show/

Little clip of it here. Venue is absolutely buzzing, what a great moment for the local scene, I love it. Thanks for the write up!

I did try the VPW Youtube channel first to try and give them the clicks instead, but doesn't look like they've had a chance to put it up yet.  I've subbed anyway, the channel  is here: https://www.youtube.com/@VietnamProWrestling4Life/videos 

 

 

 

[simonworden]

15 hours ago, TildeGuy~! said:

I read he’s friends with the promoter and been on his podcast several times.

I'm not sure about friends, I don't even know quite how the podcast thing got together. I think I was told but over a few beers which means it's slipped my memory. 

10 hours ago, The King Of Swing said:

Venom Shank, is an awesome name. 

I love it, they are fantastic those twins they look like devilsh looking chicken shit heels with a nasty streak. Their English is really good too so I could see them going far as an act over the next few years.

Thanks for all the feedback on this. I might ping it off to the dirt sheets later today. It really is a great crowd and awesome fun at every show. 

[air_raid]

On 12/3/2023 at 6:41 AM, simonworden said:

Sumie Saki is of course a notable Japanese veteran and the fist Women of Honor champion in ROH.

[simonworden]

Quick note that I updated the thread name so it's less about the UKFF's favorite wrestler and more about VPW.

I've finally recovered from my hangover yesterday enough to write a quick show report. I'll stick them all in this thread for anyone interested rather than spam the place each month or so.

On Saturday night Vietnam Pro Wrestling presented Saigon Slam once again from VAIB studios in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City which is still a wonderful short taxi ride from my flat. For any history buffs I think the date was coincidental and not some sort of middle finger to Backlash being hosted in the home of Vietnam's previous occupiers. Once again the show was a sell out and it seemed there were more chairs crammed in than ever. It was nice to see a rise in families attending and a clear growing interest. There's always the same old faces around but they seem to be doing well at filling up with people who come once or twice a year rather than relying on a full house of die hards.

I missed the last show as all my wrestling buddies were on various holidays or busy and I can't justify going out on my own to wrestling with a 2 year old at home. Sadly I did get someone to join me after the tickets were sold out so I missed Spring Bash which was by all accounts a very much back to the core roster show after a number of imports and a Jericho appearance late last year. 

There was no extra dark match on this show probably as the main show had 7 bouts meaning it was going to run up to 10PM anyway. 

Prior to this event, VPW spent some time filming some fun promos and skits that they put on their Facebook page. They don't use the Youtube channel much anymore, not sure why. These were really good for getting me into the show after missing one and I hope they continue this. 

Match 1: Xumin Long Vs Shota

Shota is a DDT wrestler and has been there since 2010 so spent time with some of the top talent today I imagine. Xumin Long is a masked local wrestler gaining experience in the ring. His mask is pretty cool and similar to a number of Japanese masked men, something of a mix between Ultimo Dragon and Dragon Lee. This was a classic opening match with a slow pace to open moving into some good high spots and ending with a couple of failed top rope moves by Xumin Long who came off the top with a frog splash (I think) to seal the victory in around 10 minutes or so. 

I always enjoy the visiting Japanese guys vs a local Vietnamese wrestler as they really give a good technical boost to the local lads who are still learning. This was no exception to that and I hope they bring Shota over again for another bout soon. 

Match 2: Popstar Open Challenge - Phuong Tran Vs Jimmy AG

Phuong Tran is not my favorite wrestler even though he is presented as a good guy. As I've mentioned before I find his cool Gen Z K-Pop gimmick a little annoying as I get older. I also think this character has a lot more legs if he were to embrace the dark side and behave like a little pre madona. He's a skinny guy and would make a wonderful chickenshit heel. 

His mystery opponent was "Jimmy AG" who was previously known as Rikiyo (sp?) who was a babyface. At the last show I believe he took a bump to the head and thanks to the previously mentioned skits has morphed into Jimmy AG who is basically an annoying obnoxious heel who is rather unhinged. He came out being cocky, dancing and then threw a bag of rubber chickens into the audience. After ring announcer Xavier Patricks announced who he was to remind all of us 5 beers deep the match began. This was a fairly back and forth sports entertainment style affair with a few crowd spots and out the ring dives peppered in.

By the end of the match Jimmy AG was becoming a clear fan favorite as he was so over the top you couldn't not like him. His facial expressions were wonderful and could be used as great gifs in our shitting thread. Jimmy took the surprise win leaving a despondent Phuong Tran in the ring. This led to Tran's former tag team partner Damien Wolfe coming out in a Hawaii shirt for an all in Vietnamese promo. The gist being that Phuong Tran has been a disappointment while he has been champion and they should work together again. Tran walked out on Wolfe to leave this story open. I hope they do reunite with Wolfe being Tran's heavy at some point.

 

Match 3: The Classic Night (Billy and Bobby) Vs Vortex Rebellion (Kira and KDP)

The Classic Night are still the fun loving big boy baby faces of the show while Vortex Rebellion have a kind of classic low life heel look to them. One thing to note is that KDP seemed very proud of his blossoming pecs and he should be. There's been some criticism online from Vietnamese fans about the way some of the wrestlers look which has some warrant to it but considering they are young, new wrestlers who all have work/ studies outside of wrestling I can emphasis how difficult it could be. 

The match was a fun contest with a number of comedy spots ending with Billy falling onto Kira (I think) after being knocked out leading to an inadvertent pin. Essentially the Angle/ Big Show spot from years ago. Vortex were so annoyed they abused some refs after the bell. I don't think this one is over.

 

Match 4: Hy Draco with Phuong Nam Vs Ares

This was the match I was looking forward to the most. Local well known comedian Phuong Nam is becoming quite the fun heel manager who has mastered the art of making the crowd want to punch him in the face. This made things confusing for the last few shows that he had babyface basketball lover Hy Draco as his charge against the meaty monster Ares. Ares is the most muscular local guy and would genuinely looks like a legit wrestler anywhere in the world. On the last show he smashed a metal tray over Phuong Nam's head leading to this match tonight. 

This was a big guy. little guy match through and through. The start had Hy Draco use a running dive to take control early and disorientate Ares. The story running through the match was Ares trying to gain momentum after the dive but only managing a few power moves before being cut off again. In the end Phuong Nam turned on Hy Draco by hitting him with a tray so that Ares could take control and get the win. Nam has a new charge in Ares who is more fitting of the Heenan of Vietnam character developing in Nam and made a lot of sense even though I don't like to see it!

Match 5: Loser Leaves Vietnam: Chi Bao Vs Khoa Truong with The British Horror

This storyline has been building since last year with Khoa becoming Horror's gimp protégé, outlasting him in the battle royal and underlying tension being intercepted with Chi Bao.  I don't really remember much about this match, it was pretty basic for the most part leading to Horror turning on Khoa however Khoa still picked up the victory meaning Chi Bao has to not only leave VPW but Vietnam altogether. I won't reveal what Chi Bao is up to but I'd keep an eye out in Europe for this young lad. I hope he does continue as he could be something special out west. He's big and decent in the ring so all the best for him.

After the match Khoa beat down the British Horror who challenged him to a TLC style match next month. 

Match 6: VPW Tag Team Championship - The Saigon Hunters vs Venom Shank (C)

The Saigon Hunters are Rocky Huynh the current Openweight Champion and Sid Nguyen who are the founders of the promotion many years ago. This was their reunion match to challenge for the tag titles. This was a faster paced match which spent most time in the ring with a mix of power moves and mat work. The ending saw a ref bump and green mist into Rocky's eyes allowing one of the twins to get the pin and retain the title. 

After that match Sid challenged Rocky for next month which I imagine will be the main event. 

I had a chance to chat to Venom Shank after the show. These young twins are brilliant, they managed to keep an allure of arrogance in the conversation while being very personal. We mostly discussed their high level of English but I did mention how their name was something of interest on a little British Wrestling forum, I didn't get to ask what their chippy tea order is. There is also a photo of them choking me which I'll find a way to post at some point. 

Match 7: VPW Women's Championship match - Alexis Lee Vs Yuki Kamifuku

This match was to determine the inaugural women's championship. Lee is from Singapore and has had a WWE tryout in the past. She claims to be able to drink us all under the table and had the aura of a street bad ass while also wearing skeleton makeup on half her face. Kamifuku is from Japan and works of TJPW as well as DDT. She is a rather tall girl who wore a rather saucy get up and looks very much like a model, she would certainly want a couple of minders if doing photos at wrestling conventions.

The match was surprising slower and more technical than I had expected but everything fit together to create a compelling story with Kamifuku taking the win at the end and now the first VPW Women's champion. 

It might be surprising that there wasn't any Vietnamese representation in the match but that's because there are no (or no ready) Vietnamese women's wrestlers yet, I do hope that changes. By putting the belt on Kamifuku it goes back to Japan and can hopefully lead to some VPW promotion over there. I also presume that at some point the belt will go onto Viva Van (American Vietnamese wrestler) but I do like that she doesn't get it first.

That's the overall show, speaking to other attendees it was again loved by all which is no surprise. The wonderful thing about VPW is everyone just enjoys themselves rather than getting smarky or trying to compare it to other promotions, I hope that does stay true.

After the show plenty of wrestlers wonder around talking to fans and that's always good fun when the beers well and truly settled in. 

Apart from my chat with Venomshank the only funny moment was my female colleague wanting a photo with the lady wrestlers. Sadly Kamifuku had dashed off but she got a good group photo with some other ladies she knows and Alexis Lee who threw her arm round her while holding a half open beer can. Alexi Lee kept hold of her for about 10 minutes and told her she was hot which I thought was funny. That's now 2 female colleagues being complimented on their appearance at the wrestling, the first being someone else by Jericho. 

[Lion_of_the_Midlands]

Venom Shank and Vortex Rebellion are great names. 

[The King Of Swing]

The Saigon Hunters, is even better.

[The King Of Swing]

3 hours ago, simonworden said:

Kamifuku is from Japan and works of TJPW as well as DDT. She is a rather tall girl who wore a rather saucy get up and looks very much like a model, she would certainly want a couple of minders if doing photos at wrestling conventions.

She actually got into wrestling through modeling, if I remember correctly. Spent a lot of time in the US before wrestling and speaks pretty good English. 

Remember when she debuted for TJPW and there's no suger coating it, she was awful. Improved tremendously over the years.

[SuperBacon]

Looked her up to see what the fuss was about. Blimey.

@simonworden get me a ticket for the next show yeah?