Embracing the fun in Wrestling
2020 was a year fraught with challenges and uncertainty: one year, one title, seven successful title defenses, and one exceptional man. The COVID-19 pandemic was arguably one of the biggest factors in that. Still, the year wasn’t without its bright spots, particularly in the world of professional wrestling. One of those bright spots was in Pro Wrestling NOAH and that was …
Over the last two years, since becoming part of the CyberAgent’s CyberFight division, Pro Wrestling NOAH has finally found stable ownership. It has grown in both prominence and popularity in Japan. The company style has changed from the Royal Road-Ark style implemented in the early 2000s. Today’s Pro Wrestling NOAH is the most hard-hitting, strike-heavy promotion in Japan. As …
The beautiful violence covered every inch of the cage surrounded ring, as Masa Kitamiya and Katsuhiko Nakajima engaged in ferocious war. Their tag team, factional ties, and brotherly relationship may be well and truly over, but the subsequent feud is far from it. In fact it’s the complete opposite – only just beginning. When Kitamiya stabbed his long-term tag …
Long title reigns have been a prominent fixture of pro wrestling since the industry was born, but not all lengthy reigns are successful. There is a certain art to it. Many have been successful in long championship reigns, so what are the defining and all-important factors for success? While a flip-flopping of belts has become more prevalent in recent …
Since its inception, Pro Wrestling NOAH has been one of the international wrestling scene’s most respected promotions. NOAH was born from conflict and tragedy, and it has survived numerous obstacles from scandal to the tragic loss of its legendary founder. Through it all, the company persevered and has been responsible for the success of some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed …
One of the most compelling parts of the Japanese wrestling culture is the concept of the Ace: a promotion’s top star who is the face of the company and a leader in the locker room. For example, in New Japan Pro Wrestling there’s Ace Of The Universe, Hiroshi Tanahashi, who has been one of NJPW’s most beloved stars and has …
What does it mean to be the ace of a wrestling promotion in Japan? It means that you are the company’s top star. You are the one carrying the banner for the promotion as its biggest representative. It is a difficult role that comes with a lot of responsibility especially when you take on that role at a very …
