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Quick Thoughts: AEW Forbidden Door And The Surrounding Weekend

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It’s the August bank holiday weekend and as such it’s time for AEW to bring itself to the UK. Change of tactic this year with no All In and no Wembley we are at the O2 for Forbidden Door. First issue, fuck you Coldplay. I don’t care for the ceo guy suing them for his own actions ruining his marriage I care for the fact I don’t get All In that was a great show. However, I will concede that show was right to happen early in the year the change of world title couldn’t have waited until now. Speaking of timing I know people have issues with the build and the lack of New Japan talent. Look, I get it but if you’re complaining about that you know the reason. All of New Japan’s best talent is locked in the G1 which has only just finished, STARDOM are still mid 5 Star Grand Prix there’s a lack of cross promotion. I mean what do you expect when everyone is locked up? Should AEW have moved a difference show here? Maybe, but I feel they are using the good will of the UK (and Europe) fanbase for th...
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G1 Climax 35 Was a Disaster

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I remember sitting down last year talking about G1 Climax 34 and talking about my excitement for it. I spoke on how it was the time to establish a new order with your new generation but should you want a year solid hands like ZSJ and Shingo were available. As is know last year ZSJ won the G1, the belt and the WrestleKingdom main event. This made it seem like this time the ace of a new generation would be crowned. However, for the first time since 2010 and Satoshi Kojima an ‘outsider’ (despite being a contract performer) in Konosuke Takeshita and people are not happy. First of all this isn’t a slight on Takeshita. You could argue he was the best wrestler in the tournament and one of the best in the world right now, this isn’t about him but what it means.  Well, what it means is Gedo had a year to build up his new ace and new generation, fumbled it and decided a guy who lives in a America and only does the major shows was the pick. In my opinion this isn’t how it should’ve gone, I do...
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How I Would Book: AEW’s El Clon

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Haven’t done one of these for a while. As with the being interested in writing the right subject has to come to light. The last one I done was on Master Wato and what I would do to evolve him into the (one of) the top players in the junior division of New Japan. While Gedo has gone in a different direction I won’t be deterred and instead I’ll look towards another one of my favourites in Hologram. Making his AEW debut roughly this time last year and remaining undefeated since we have seen Hologram become more a part of AEW programming most recently being part of All In’s multi man match with The Costco Guy. However, I did feel at one point we were on the verge of more a Holoverse if you will. Before Hologram got injured and also took some paternity leave it was uncovered that AEW had trademarked ‘The Clone’ and ‘El Clon’ for future use. Trademarking the Spanish phrase as well led many to believe we would get evil Hologram but alas to this day we still haven’t. So much like Beast Mortos ...
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Quick Thoughts: AEW All In 2025

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Feels weird to actually do this for an All In instead of being there. I can only hope that Tony Khan as by way of a gesture of good will books Master Wato and Hologram at Forbidden Door. Anyway, although it’s earlier in the year we’ve reached the biggest show in the AEW calendar. While other companies look to throw together shows in the name of counter programming and throwing their women’s roster under the bus putting them running the same time as a Beyoncé concert literally right across the road I has to be said this year AEW has been superb. Not everything is a hit and I’ve been vocal in the first quarter on how I have not liked the Death Riders but things are hitting, feelings are restored and in front of the biggest crowd they have had in America AEW looks to makes more history. A strong card with a lot of big matches I’ll be covering my thoughts one by one as ever. I’m writing this the Thursday before All In who knows seeing as the pre show starts at 6pm UK time I may even have t...
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Quick Thoughts: AEW Double or Nothing 2025

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As we roll into the late May bank holiday it means it is time for Double or Nothing. Moving out of Vegas this year voluntarily I think it is a good move. With that dogshit Wrestlemania taking place there, it being an expensive place and the fact tickets didn’t really move as expected last year it makes sense to start moving this (and All Out) to other venues. However, in relation to the PPV I do feel it now has lost some importance. What was the name of the initial AEW PPV and a show normally steeped in the memory of that it now just feels like a set up show to All In. It feels like the Royal Rumble (without the big spectacle match) to All In’s Wrestlemania. I mean the main event tonight is for a title shot at a bigger show it just relegates Double or Nothing to below All In which I mean it is clearly just by venue choice but still. Personally, I’d switch Double or Nothing and Dynasty in the calendar letter a show with less brand name/significance be the building PPV and have Double or...
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Does NJPW Strong Have an Identity Issue?

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NJPW Strong, the American branding that New Japan Pro Wrestling uses for its American shows. What started as a weekly show was scrapped and is now roughly once a month. It had titles, it had storylines, it has its own cups but now it feels like the brand doesn’t have a real identity. I wanted to go over what NJPW Strong is currently and really is there’s anything of its own brand that really works. If you look at NJPW Strong it has 3 distinct titles in an Openweight, Tag and Women’s titles. It was described as titles for American shows and only the American shows for talent on Strong. It does feel like they are throwaway titles but the likes of Gabe Kidd, KENTA, TMDK, Aussie Open, Willow Nightingale and Mercedes Mone have all held these titles which as key talents at points for New Japan you can’t argue they do have a care for titles. However, the belts for Strong aren’t the focal point of Strong. I don't know if it just me but all of the Strong titles are just very plan. They are ...
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Tetsuya Naito Leaves NJPW - Is It Time To Panic?

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News broke overnight or as I just woke up today that Tetsuya Naito is to leave New Japan Pro Wrestling as of May 4th. It's something unexpected and leaves you wondering about the future of the company. While I'm sure New Japan will be fine I wanted to just give some thoughts about this. Once again, we have New Japan have a wrestler from their most recent golden era not really putting anyone over out of the door. That can change but it leaves more holes then it does solutions. Okada just up and left didn't even drop the title and while Ospreay did lost to Finlay on his way out I don't think it overly helped to boost him as they still seem to be working on it. You continue to lose those who can help boost the next up guys without actually using their star power. What that does is leave you with the guys who have been champion but never guys like Goto, Shingo, Sabre and (lol) EVIL and SANADA to build up the next up guys but these aren't going to be historic wins. It...
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