Category: Article
-
Being Dragongate’s Brave Heart
—
Some wrestlers get narratives they can’t shake. For better or worse, a version of their story, their character, some shorthand for their whole career, becomes widespread and sticks. There is a version of U-T’s story that goes something like ‘really talented guy, shame about the injuries’.
-
TORU: ON THE ROGUE’S ROAD
I’d like to introduce you to just a few of my favourite examples of TORU the rogue, his relationships, and the matches that go with them.
-
Kakuto Tanteidan is special. Kakuto Tanteidan is love.
—
Beyond the annoying nature of NXT debate, or AEW ratings talk, the most universally loved wrestling has come from projects that do not treat themselves as promotions or companies.
-
We Are Unfashioned Creatures: Wrestling, the Constructed Self, and Shun Skywalker
—
Shun Skywalker is the best character in professional wrestling in my opinion, and I do not believe it to be a particularly close race. This is not to dismiss, minimise or disparage the work of other wrestlers telling great stories and performing great characters, but Skywalker provides something that I have yet to see in…
-
The Budokan Rebellion: a play of light and shadow
The Budokan Rebellion is more than the destruction of one man and the elevation of another. It is the culmination of and synthesis of two parallel visions and the creation of a rivalry that has the potential to shape NOAH’s future.
-
The kids are alright (and the old guys too): what LIMIT BREAK taught me about wrestling in 2024.
I can’t tell you that LIMIT BREAK was the best wrestling to happen in 2024 (it might be, I just can’t exactly remember what I’m comparing it to) but I can tell you that it meant something to me.
-
Becoming: Yuma Anzai & the Triple Crown
Everyone’s path to greatness – and what it means to be great – is different, and it is rarely straightforward. What comes easily to some might be a game of trial and error to others, and the Fates can be cruel to those who attempt to reach above their station. But it often, if not…
-
A Sunday in Korakuen Hall
Jessica gives an insight into one of her favourite matches of the year – one that connects All Japan’s past and present, and brings lots of joy.
-
Flight of the Eagle: Yuuto Kikuchi
The story of those six months between Kikuchi’s first foray into the NOAH ring and the confirmation of his place within it is one of friendship, betrayal, jealousy, and ambition. This is the story of how Yuuto Kikuchi became the Black Eagle.
-
Yasutaka Oosera: Best Junior Heavyweight In The World
Junior heavyweight wrestling is polarizing from a Western perspective. Juniors are often seen as a level below heavyweights, but junior wrestling is beautiful.