Ramblings of an Englishman

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 ...

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...

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...

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 ...

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...

In 2025 one of the key stories that New Japan Pro Wrestling are telling is that of Shota Umino discovering who he is. For too long he's used Jon Moxley's finisher and Hirohi Tanahashi's attire scheme. There's a story to be told of Shota saying his place is in Hontai but after major loss after major loss this year it feels like something needs to be changed. Shota for me is falling behind Yota Tsuji and Yuya Uemura in terms of fan expecations. For me Shota needs to move into being where he is to something new he's in the position of Stardust Genius Naito where that reinvention is needed and that I think is a new stable. Shota saying his only place is Hontai keeps leading me to expect a story where he doesn't think it represents New Japan in the best way and forming a group that does that in his own way. With Chaos and Just 4 Guys merging into it you have too many people in one place. With that being said if Shota was to break out into his own group I have a few i...