We’re halfway through the year, and my word, what a six months it’s been. January started off with a bang in more ways than one, and in spite of a flat WrestleMania, the first half of 2016 has produced plenty of memorable moments and matches.
Since this worked out so well for me the first time, I’m going back to the New Japan World well and dipping into Senor Lariato’s watch list for some more hidden (or not so hidden!) gems!
During the interval of this past Monday’s house show, New Japan unveiled the twenty participants for this year’s G1 Climax – and raised several eyebrows in the process.
Based out of Milton Keynes in England, GOOD Wrestling is the newest promotion that’s looking to make a name for themselves in a crowded British scene. Taking place this past January in the Crauford Arms in Milton Keynes, we’ve got a six-match card for you here from GOOD’s debut show, appropriately titled: Good One.
If you’re a wrestling fan who’s gone onto YouTube, chances are you’ve heard of WhatCulture. Best known for their “Top Ten Whatever” countdown videos and similar clickbait listicles, WhatCulture have grown a decent online following, with an ongoing storyline between two of their staffers, Adam Pacitti and Adam Blampied. Somehow, it’s led to the website forming a wrestling promotion. Because they can. And they did. Here’s how their first weekly show, “Loaded” came off…
Now, we tend not to make a point of reviewing every random New Japan show – New Japan World only puts the notable cards on their service, afterall. However, Monday’s Korakuen Hall card was going to be notable for the fact that this would be where the competitors in this year’s G1 Climax were to be revealed.
Hot on the heels of the Super Strong Style 16 tournament, PROGRESS made another trip up north for Father’s Day, with Manchester being the stop-off point for Chapter 31: All Hail The New Puritans – a show headlined by Chris Hero getting a PROGRESS title shot after his show-stealing performances during the SSS16 tournament.
It’s incredible that PROGRESS – almost exclusively based out of London – have lasted for four years, but it’s a testament to what a well-run promotion can do if they don’t seek to annoy fans and other promotions. Chapter 27 – The Lost Art of Suffering – was their fourth-anniversary show, headlined by the third-ever Thunderbastard match, a nine-man affair for Marty Scurll’s title.