Ramblings of an Englishman

You ever start by writing something and have to say how much you like the subject in hand but want it to end? That’s how I am with Persona 5. Look, I love Persona 5 and that’s not a past tense thing I still do and think ATLUS created magic with this game. When you look at Persona 5 it has that status of boosting a long standing game franchise onto another level that everything is boosted from. It’s like Fire Emblem: Awakening and Yakuza 0 for Persona it’s not only a great game but an important one. However, it’s been 10 years since the vanilla games launch and we’ve had spin offs, remakes, sequels, kinda sequels, a weird gatcha spin off and multiple guest appearances which was added to recently with Overwatch. All of this meaning we have nothing on Persona 6. It’s a mystical game which is getting to that will we ever get it category that Kingdom Hearts 3 had. The continued push of Persona 5 has seemingly put moving on from it on the back burner. Yes Persona 3 had a remake and Persona 4...

Another month and another AEW PPV for me to cover and review. This month we head to Canada for the 2025 edition of All Out. Against a mass of counter programming from the sex trafficking MAGA cult it does feel AEW is on the up. This All Out is the most attended in company history which should be a sign you don’t need to go back to Chicago every year and it’s worth moving the PPV elsewhere. It’s also an indication business is on the up as I’ve said throughout 2025. You can argue that this is year is AEW’s best year and it’s in relation to a consistent run of quality shows and everyone moving in the same direction. I do want to single out one more recent addition of Bryan Danielson to the commentary team as a great move. While I sat in the O2 confused as who it was at the commentary table I think Bryan adds a great perspective and voice on commentary when you take his style of wrestling and how he works to then apply that logic as a voice is superb and long may it continue. If AEW can ge...

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...

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...

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...

I've had a rough weekend so end the Mox world title run for me please. It seems just yesterday that Revolution was aired and now we are back with the next PPV. 2025 remains a strong year for AEW with public perception/good will towards the public increasing. The reported 1 million domestic viewers a week I think has caused Tony Khan to set up his game in relation to creative and the shows which I think has paid off. This card features a good amount of well booked feuds which leads to a good show. On top of this the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament starts. What is the spring tournament for AEW I am in favour with having a 16 person bracket per tournament. Get more people in I feel everyone should be looking to be in this if the winner gets the biggest title match of the year. Either way onto the show.  Hey this pre-show from what is announced at least by Sunday morning works out as some fun stuff built up so I think for once I'm actually breaking it down. Zero Hour Nick Wayne and...

2025 when it comes to wrestling featurs a large shift in terms of the way it is viewed. Raw has been moved largely worldwide to Netflix with more moving that way for large sums and AEW now splits its broadcasts live between TNT or TBS and the MAX App in America as part of a new bumper TV deal. You could argue wrestling is hot again or that because it is a constant of posting content that TV deals that are for mega money are being signed for wrestling companies. AEW feels refreshed this year after a stop start 2024. I don't share the large negative feeling towards 2024 in AEW some have I do think this yar shows a company firing great show after great show. I don't know what the cesspool that Twitter/X says but Bluesky is largely positive on shows now. I think this is done in realtion to the change in feuds it does feel like top stars are facing top starts and while I still don't really care for the main event world title agnle this show has 4 superb feuds on the card itself ...

Pokémon day has come and gone with the announcement for legends Z-A coming in late 2025 (likely October/November you’d have to imagine). I imagine we will get more reveals in that time but I wanted to take some time over my initial thoughts. I’ve left this a few days to wipe out immediate reaction which was one of disappointment. This was mainly due to me expecting more from the announcement but I understand that is my issue so didn’t want it to determine the course of the thoughts. However, as someone who only uses new Pokémon or new regional forms for their teams on each generation I hope we get some reveal geared towards some of those in the near future. Let’s start with the starter line up. For me having 2 for Johto meaning all three Johto starters (and 2 Unova) starters in 2 legends games I odd. I would’ve loved to see more variety to the generations chosen from and one from each I thought would be the way they would go. I do find the starters of generation 2 & 5 the weakest a...