Pure Grade Puroresu

Very minimal editing and no usual elaborate description today. Just a quick update so people don't think the podcast has died. It's just in hiatus for a bit. I'm late to all these shows, but figured I couldn't give an update episode without at least covering some actual wrestling content, so I very briefly cover: New Japan's G1 show from Dallas Dragon Gate's King of Gate tournament NOAH's Misawa Memorial Shows G1 winner prediction Pac vs Ben-K prediction/analysis GHC Tag-Title scene analysis GHC Heavyweight Title prediction/analysis This was a very low effort episode, so I apologise and hope it somewhat holds people over before I upload my next, proper episode. * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean

So much is happening in New Japan: outside stars are debuting, MOTY contenders are occurring, and now we have to start debating who will be champion at the end of Wrestle Kingdom. Points of interest from this episode: “Ospreay = 2019 Wrestler of the Year (this is not up for debate)”“Chris ’The Painmaker’ Jericho made that main event painful as promised”“I’m an Okada fanboy and even I’m seriously questioning his current reign”“I love danger in a match, but I also love Ibushi being capable of walking and breathing, so I’m conflicted”“Is Naito as IWGP Heavyweight Champion a thing anymore or?…”“New Japan poach yet ANOTHER outside talent, and I’m just smiling while others boycott”“Of course I’m travelling when the most stacked G1 of all time starts”“It is now illegal to accuse Taichi of having bad matches”"I don't have time to review every BOSJ match, and I barely remember most of them, so let me just wing it" * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean

I’m back to my usual schedule of dropping reviews late, but hopefully that allowed everyone enough time to see this very, very good show. I heap praise on the Dream Gate title match, laugh at the crazy main event, and complain about the payoff to the ‘unit bonds’ stipulation. A summary of my thoughts: “Natural Vibes and Tribe Vanguard staying together = my week saved”“Doi and Shimizu’s choices = my week still saved, but less satisfying”“I’m not letting my kids in the official Dragon Gate funhouse playground, even if there’s silly string and streamers inside”“Headline: Newcastle Man and Dragon-masked Boy are persons of interest in an attempted 2-way homicide case”“U-T has officially become my boy, and I’ll support him through everything”“My charity work is that I respect and appreciate Sakamoto, Yoshida, and Kanda when no-one else will”“Why couldn’t Kai have been Strong Machine K?” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean

The show is finally back, and just in time to review AJPW’s Champion Carnival. I analyse all the major matches, go over the most/least impressive wrestlers, list my top 10 matches, and give my overall thoughts on the tournament and the winner, plus the implications for All Japan going forward. My bite-sized ideas: “Triple Crown champ Nomura by the end of 2019, or else I walk”“Zeus in the company for the next 15 years, in which case I stay”“Miyahara probably doesn’t deserve my vitriol”“Ishikawa, Okabayashi, and James are in the next Godzilla film”“You’re all wrong on which matches were great”“Hey, these wrestlers repeated their sh*t for 18 days, so excuse me if I likewise repeat my comments” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean

I review the joint NJPW & ROH G1 Supercard show from MSG. There were a few big developments here, so I try my best to analyse them in all my blissful ignorance and speculate wildly on where New Japan should go from here. Brief summary of the episode: “Okada is the king, but can we PLEASE keep the title off of him for more than a few seconds?”“Jay White preempts your unfounded criticism, evades your baseless mockery, and hits you with the Bladerunner, all while arrogantly chuckling at your pitiful opinions”“Naito and Ibushi put on a sub-par performance which obviously ends up still being great”“Tanahashi’s natural charm slows down the disintegration of his body”“Sabre continues to perplex yet kinda impress me”“Dragon Lee’s win should FINALLY bring ‘him’ back, right?”“What the hell was ROH thinking like half the time?”“Cobb has the last laugh” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean

NOAH have rebranded, and so I have good reason to (finally) review their Great Voyage in Yokohama show and briefly cover their 2/24, 3/17, & 3/29 shows. Kiyomiya’s run on top continues, so I also offer my thoughts on where that storyline could go from here. My ideas summarised: “NOAH the Looking Promising”“Kiyomiya continues to tell what is currently the most compelling story in puroresu”“Marufuji being Marufuji instead of quarter-effort-fuji”“Shiozaki deserves the world, and, by consequence, the GHC Heavyweight title”“These GHC tag titles must choose between the reformation pill and the remain-trash pill”“Ohara deserves the world, and, by consequence, the GHC Junior Heavyweight title” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean

I’m still on my New Japan kick as today I preview their joint G1 Supercard show from MSG with Ring of Honor. My friend Tyler joins me to provide some extra analysis, alternate predictions, and back me up on why this show could be the Show of the Year. Takeaways worth keeping in mind: “LOOK at this CARD”“Why are these ROH guys on a New Japan show?”“Okada, I love you, but I need you to lose here”“Naito, you have suffered immensely. Just one more failure, please”“Seriously damn look at this card”“Hiromu is totally gonna return this time, right?”“Tanahashi is the man we can trust to lead the UK through BREXIT”“Mayu is precious. And I messed up the order of her challengers”“ROH is Scurll” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * ** Follow Tyler on Twitter @TylerWilliamsYT and on Youtube ** Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean

I take a look at the quarter-, semi-, and finals of the 2019 New Japan Cup and give an overview of where this year's tournament ranks alongside previous years' efforts. Key points from this episode: "Best New Japan Cup Ever, by far""Rainmaker 2: Superman Returns""NJPW structure their main events like I structure my university essays: long procrastination with a rushed finish""Why did Tanahashi defeat in-form lanky brit instead of throwing him to blond-mohawk guy?""Sabre maybe doesn’t deserve my sh*t talk at this point, but oh well""I swear to god if you’re still sleeping on Yoshi-Hashi… ugh I need to go cool off...""You’re all blaming the wrong guy for embarrassing the US""Cabana had a good match!" * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean

I'm back on time. Today I review all the 2nd Round matches of the New Japan Cup, I let you know which ones were good and which wrestlers deserve respect for their efforts, and I also look forward to the next tournament rounds. Also, my bracket lies in tatters at my feet. Here are my poignant observations: “Sabre f*cked up my entire bracket f*ck you dude goddamn f*ck”“Okada had better win this whole thing. Actually, even then I’d still be mad”“Sanada became human again with help from an old man hitting man”“Sorry, everyone. Taichi is still awesome. Maybe check back next year. Or next decade.”“Tanahashi uses the Dragon SUPLEX not the Dragon SLEEPER. I’m stupid”“Yoshi-Hashi decimates the entire 50 United States”“Lance Archer should spit water on anyone who thinks he’s bad” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean

I'm late AGAIN. Who cares. Let me review the first round of the New Japan Cup so I can quickly catch up with the second round before yet another review comes out late. Go go go. Brief takes as follows: “Naito x Ibushi death match”“Okada tries to ‘Honma’ Elgin”“Sabre had a good match; props to him”“Fale had a good match; props to Ospreay”“New Japan hates Juice and his home country”“I pay money to watch old guys hit each other” * My 2nd Round New Japan Cup preview with Tyler * ** Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro ** Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean  

I'm back in "Dragon Gate town" today (as I called it in this episode for some embarrassing reason). I cover the first two nights of the Champions Gate in Osaka and then the first televised night of the Glorious Gate from Korakuen. A few particular matches stood out on all 3 shows, and 1 match has jumped into my Top 10 MOTY list. I also offer some early thoughts on the exciting 'Unit Allegiance' match being set up for Dead or Alive in May. As usual, here are some choice cuts from this episode: “U-T is the mega-pushed rookie we need. Sorry, Skywalker. I still like ya”“Big Ben better not be split up. I swear to God. I’m not joking”“I need to whip all these guys to wrestle longer”“Why must R.E.D tease me by being annoying but then really, really good?”“Forgive the Dragon Gate roster, Father, for they know not that they no-sell”“Mediocre wrestling saved by sports entertainment? In Japan??”“Why can’t the Dragon Gate wrestlers all be friends and just not betray each other?”“In case you didn’t know, I’m quite new to Dragon Gate” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean  

I’m relatively punctual with today’s review where I take a look at New Japan’s most recent event – the 47th Anniversary Show. I review all the matches (especially the main-event, because holy sh*t), speculate on the potential storylines for Hiromu once he FINALLY returns, and I also apologise for my previous Jay White denialism (which I promise won’t happen again). Here are some other ideas I also chew over: “The ‘Jay White is bad’ plane has crashed into the ocean with zero survivors”“Even the best in the world sometimes scream like little girls. Ospreay is forgiven”‘Hiromu’s coming! They promised me! They promised!”“2019 Liger > Prime 90s Liger, unironically”“Can Roppongi 3K really save the junior tag division? Because they didn’t do so the last 2 times”“I’m definitely going to win over western fans with my comments on Goto””Okada vs Naito confirmed for Wrestle Kingdom 14. Thanks Gedo.” *My New Japan Cup preview with Tyler and Franklin* ** Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro ** Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean  

I'm finally reviewing All Japan on the show, and damn, what a great first impression they've made. I take a look at that final run of 3 great matches and I also offer some speculation on how All Japan could/should book the Triple Crown and Junior Heavyweight titles going forward so as to establish new stars. A few pointers from this episode: "You want All Japan to prosper? Kill your God-king Miyahara" "Suwama has 'come back' so many times it's almost like he NEVER LEFT HMMMM INTERESTING" "Nomura kills a Kiwi on the way to his Triple Crown championship" "Iwamoto and Yoshioka are flashy dudes with ill-fitting attitudes" "Yoshitatsu thinks YOU are bad" "This undercard will give you the plague" * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean  

I review yet another NOAH Korakuen show to judge if Kiyomiya is really struggling as the GHC Champion or whether there’s actually a very cool story being told with him. I likewise speculate on where 2019 will take Kiyomiya and how the likes of Kenou, Marufuji, and even KENTA may factor into the main-event scene. Tiny portions from this episode: “Kiyomiya is good, and everything ‘bad’ about him is actually great”“KENTA could easily snap your baby NOAH heart like a twig. Don’t test him”“My Shiozaki fixation grows by the day”“Please NOAH: Spare Sugiura your weird, weird booking choices. I beg you”“HAYATA and YO-HEY back together? I don’t even care if it doesn’t make sense; I’m just happy”“Can Eddie Edwards and superhero Kotoge save the GHC Heavyweight Tag division from destruction?” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean  

Yeah I'm super late on this, and everyone and their girlfriend has already gotten their own review up, but look – I was busy with Dragon Gate and life generally weighing me down. Who cares, lets talk about my fellow Kiwi Jay White becoming the new New Japan King. Appetizers from this episode: "Jay White, please. I know you’re a fellow Kiwi. I just need space, okay.""Omega is leaving? WHO CARES WE HAVE IBUSHI F*CK YES. Heres why he won’t get pushed though"    “Okada can’t sell? Bruhhhhh”"Taguchi worked his ass off, haha get it”"Bushi better kiss the ground Shingo walks on""Please God, no more Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa" * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean  

As all these various puroresu shows are coming out, I was certain I had to review these two Dragon Gate shows before anything else, because THAT match (you know the one) was awesome. Here, have a few of my brief takes: “PAC upped his game to deter Dragon Gate deporting him to AEW”“Kzy needs to suffer or else we’ll all hate him, so now we love him”“Ben-K and Shimizu are awesome as a tag-team, as singles wrestlers, and again as a tag-team”“Skywalker has graduated to the level of ‘Big DG Boy’, as I believe it’s called”“U-T is knocking on your door, just politely asking you give him the respect he deserves”“I enjoy Dragon Gate even when it disappoints me”“I review Dragon Gate even when I barely know its history” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean  

Here is the preview for NJPW’s New Beginning in Osaka show that I promised, and hey, this time I actually delivered on that promise. I run-down the match-ups and talk about which ones I think can deliver. I also throw out a few booking ideas of my own, because as a true NJPW fan I definitely know how to book better than Gedo. Here are a few sentences I put together: “Jay White will be champ, otherwise Gedo will have a total mess on his hands”“Is it time for the Okada's renaissance yet?”“Ishimori better start impressing or I’m gonna get mad”“Taguchi is gonna step up™ here"“Umino and Yoshida must grip destiny with both hands” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean    

I finally come back to the beloved NJPW promotion to offer a succinct analysis of their joint New Beginning shows in Sapporo. Boyyyyy was that main event from the second night controversial, huh? Here are some choice ideas I throw around: "Naito vs Taichi was unironically great. Hear me out...""Okada and Tanahashi are a great team. I'm gonna cry when they break up""Sabre was actually good on these shows! Thanks, Suzuki and EVIL!""Shingo totally overshadows everyone, both metaphorically and physically""Jay White loves Japanese booze""I'm not watching a damn NJPW undercard, got it?" * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean  

I’m FINALLY reviewing the 1/5 Wrestle-1 show. This was essentially a ‘one-match’ show (fitting, since this is Wrestle-ONE), but the Strong Hearts inclusion made it all worth while. Especially that Ashino vs T-Hawk main event, which was a definite must-see match. What sort of things do I talk about? Well here are some teasers: “T-HAWK A DAMN KING. Long-ish may he reign”“Ashino gonna vanquish these villains, you can bet on that”“Strong Hearts are pretty good in case you didn’t know““IKEMEN A DAMN KING TOO, also a jester though”“Tajiri is still fun. Disagreement here is not tolerated”“That undercard… yikes”  * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean  

The podcast that won’t stop producing episodes – or shamelessly plugging them – is back to review BJW’s 1/13 & 1/14 jointly-aired show featuring Violent Giants vs Strong BJ, plus Takahashi vs Ito. We got some decent death matches and one GREAT strong division match. Here are some of my brief takes: “Strong BJ vs Violent Giants was a vehicular collision, if you get me”“All these death matches were good, yeah”“Nomura and Abe robbed by clipping”“Why does everything have to be clipped ffs”“This would have been an awesome single show”“Otani is still the king of puroresu”“I don’t know who the rookies are, but the one actual rookie was really good”“Takeda is still my guy” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean  

Today I review the first 3 shows of 2019 from my favourite spot-monkey promotion (guys I’m kidding, chill out). The shows got progressively better as the tour went on, with the Korakuen Hall show being especially recommended. Here are some choice comments that received further development: “Kzy shall be orbiting the moon very shortly”“Big Ben is falling down. Like the bridge. In London”“Please just sell. I still love you, but c’mon”“Wait I’m a genius, put Yamato in the title match!”“This rookie is my favourite, oh but I actually really like these other 10 rookies too”“Let me recite supposed Dragon Gate history that I’m only 10% confident on”“R.E.D make late push for entry into the 2020 Olympic hurdles competition ”“We need gaijin fans to keep lazy gaijin wrestlers in line” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean      

I’m really going underground today with a review of ZERO1 and BJW’s individual Korakuen shows from early January. One show was very good, the other was alright but a bit disappointing. Listen to at least half the episode to figure out which is which! Here’s a brief list of the intriguing ideas I discussed: “Sekimoto and Sato….”“Death should be 'spice' in a match, not the main dish ”“Hama is an all-ROUND monster”“Okabayashi is King most of the time”“Hino needs a 90s NJPW junior run”“Why all refs gotta be dumb?”“Why pinfalls gotta be confusing sometimes?”“Are Voodoo Murder(er)s a thing?”“Sugi and Abe are awesome, sarcasm not required here” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean  

I somehow managed to make it back for another episode. This time I abandon the glamour of New Japan to hang in the doldrums of NOAH. Just kidding. NOAH is good. At least the second half of the show is. Well.... the main event anyways. I make some stunning points, such as: "Kiyomiya will save us all from the flood, just like Misawa did in scripture”"Hooligans are good. Oh wait, turns out I actually just like Hino, and that's it”"The NOAH juniors courageously carry the midcard on their back”"I disapprove of 50 Funky Powers existing”“Miyawaki stood out for once”“Inoue is actually good, and Kotoge is funny but I want him to kill people”“We need to support our local young lions, even if they yell and flail around a lot” * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean  

Debut episode of my new Japanese pro-wrestling podcast: Pure Grade Puroresu. It's kinda shit, but it's from the heart. Here are some insightful points I touch on: "Omega and Tanahashi are different people""Naito is innocent but then he ruins your whole day""Jay White is a big boy here to stay, and he preferred the long pants""Ibushi and Ospreay are great even when they're disappointing""Sabre Jr. is f*cking annoying even when he's good""Ishimori is over. Over there on thin ice""Sho and Yoh exist just to suffer""NO ONE F*CKING LIKES THE NEVER 6-MAN TITLES. NO-ONE" * Follow me on Twitter: @puregradepuro * Official Podcast: Youtube – Apple Podcasts – Podbean