The Year of Years: Looking Back at Io Shirai’s Spectacular 2016
In 2016, Io Shirai had a run of classics as she cemented her status as one of the planet’s best wrestlers.
Category: Features
Featured Interviews and Articles from Wrestle Joy
Juice Robinson: Underdog to Undeniable
Who would have thought that NXT’s eco-warrior, sign-wielding hippie, CJ Parker would find his home in New Japan Pro Wrestling and become a stalwart as one of their very best? Juice Robinson is the complete package – the quintessential good guy, he wears his emotions on his sleeve, and is universally adored. An entirely rounded performer, his innate …
2K Battlegrounds: Arcade Action Returns to the Wrestling Ring
If you’re like me, you’ve probably played a video game or two in your life. And if you’re reading this article, I’m assuming that you have a tangential-like love/passion for wrestling. When you mix wrestling and video games, you can have some of the most memorable moments in some childhoods. Playing WWF Wrestlemania with friends or staying up late …
September’s Most Joyful Players
Welcome to the inaugural edition of Most Joyful Players (MJP)! Every month, a selection of WrestleJoy’s writers will bring to your their individual picks for the past month’s MJP. Some of us may find joy in violence, others in a villain getting their comeuppance and of course we will always find joy in Yano being Yano! Gedo (CiaranRH)Who would …
Lions and The Lionheart: What Opportunities Are Left For Chris Jericho in NJPW?
Chris Jericho joined NJPW in late 2017 and hoped to work with Kenny Omega (✔), Tetsuya Naito (✔), Kazuchika Okada (✔), and Hiroshi Tanahashi(✔). With his wish list now ticked off, is there anything left for The Painmaker in a New Japan ring? The name Chris Jericho carries a unique and powerful weight among English speaking fans, far more …
We Give of Our Selves: On Cactus Jack’s Unsettling Sermon from ECW TV
Mick Foley’s “The Problem with Hardcore” promo is some of his finest work—brilliantly conceived; brilliantly executed.
Roman Reigns: The Birth of THE Guy
When Roman Reigns returned to WWE at Summerslam in August, it was a joyous occasion for fans of all stripes. Knowing that the real-life Joe Anoa’i felt healthy and safe enough to return to the ring amidst the COVID-19 crisis felt good. Nothing he did that night changed the feeling all that much. While Reigns absolutely trucked both Braun …
The Golden Gods: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kota Ibushi, G1 Climax 28 Final
The G1 Climax is revered as the best tournament in all of pro wrestling, with the final being the best of the best. Two years ago, we were blessed with best G1 Climax final of all time, the best of the best of the best. August 12th 2018, Hiroshi Tanahashi vs Kota Ibushi. A perfect match of biblical proportions. …
A QUIET KIND OF COOL: ALL JAPAN PRO WRESTLING’S JAKE LEE
It is often said that one of the most important qualities a professional wrestler can have is charisma. By definition, charisma is a compelling attractiveness or charm that can inspire devotion in others. It’s that innate quality that makes someone a star apart from their talent. Promotions all over the world are filled with performers who are known for …
The Rise of Tegan Nox: The Girl with the Shiniest Wizard
Professional wrestling is full of stories. Decades of captivating tales of victory and defeat, of determination and grit, of strength and perseverance, and more. The gripping rise of the underdog or the shocking fall of the long-reigning champion, draws us in as fans, and lands an impact far greater than the suspended disbelief we see on-screen. With the building …