Category: In Depth
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Being Dragongate’s Brave Heart
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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’.
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We Are Unfashioned Creatures: Wrestling, the Constructed Self, and Shun Skywalker
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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…
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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.
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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.
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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…
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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.
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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.
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Blooming Season: Masaaki Mochizuki vs Ryu Fuda
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Ryu Fuda’s young career has been defined by struggle. Debuting as part of the class of 2021, Fuda distinguished himself from his classmates – and most of his promotion – by focusing his offense on hard kicks and strikes, befitting of his background in Muay Thai.
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The Violence It Takes To Become Gentle
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On May 5th, 2024 at Dragongate’s annual Dead or Alive show, five wrestlers representing three different units made their way into the steel cage for the main event. Hyo, current Brave Gate champion representing BigHug; Kzy and Jacky “Funky” Kamei of Natural Vibes; Shun Skywalker and Jason Lee of Z-Brats.
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Year of the Dragon: Ryuya Matsufusa Rising.
In January 2024, Billy Ken Kid and Ryuya Matsufusa had a match for the Osaka Pro Wrestling Light Heavyweight Championship. Catching viewers attention with Matsufusa’s babyface performance and Billy’s relentless attacks that showed both all and none of his 50 years, the match was a breakout hit, escaping the usually small western fanbase to make…