2023 Noche Buena Thoughts

Hope everyone had a nice Christmas and are having a safe and healthy holiday.  This blogger is back in America and had a quiet and safe one.

 

It was nice on Christmas morning here in San Francisco to be on the Rock Of Manila feed for Part 2 of the 2023 Noche Buena showing.  Even though being about 7000 miles away, I felt as if I was actually in the Philippines taking part with over 100 viewers in watching the feed.  Sometime next week, I'll post the results from the show.

 

Now that Parts 1 and 2 have been shown both on Gank and Rock Of Manila TV, here are my final thoughts on the show.

 

First and foremost, it was great seeing, meeting and talking once again with numerous kapafeds, the MWF staff led by Veronica, Tarek and William, and quite a few of the MWF wrestlers as well as talking briefly with Michael Su and Bitman from the Hong Kong Pro Wrestling Federation.  It was a memorable day as it was the anniversary of my first MWF show one year previous.  

 

Thank you, as always to everyone, as this fan has always felt comfortable and welcome at a pro wrestling event, whether it is MWF, Filipino Pro Wrestling and World Underground Wrestling - Philippines.  Pinoy wrestling fans are great fans.  They are passionate, knowledgeable and can be humorous at times.  Am grateful for this.

 

There was no question in people's minds is that the show exceeded the expectations.  A sellout crowd at the PMC Spotlight Theater were really into the show.  Seeing three of the last four shows live, there was no question this was the best one - post pandemic.  It has great momentum going into 2024.

 

The matches were top notch from the preliminary match with Grey Shirt vs. Orange Shirt to the Eight Man Tag Elimination Match.  

 

Certainly, the four way women's match was one great highlight for this fan.  Seeing Patricia Ligaia make her debut as a wrestler was awesome.  Hopefully, she will continue to pursue her dream. 

 

Joey Rosas held his own very well in the Hong Kong-Philippine Cup against two experienced wrestlers in Michael Su and Bitman.

 

I was excited to see "Danger" Rex Lawin continuing his return to the squared circle to beat Ho Ho Lun in the MWF #1 Contender's Match.  It was great to finally meet him after the show and to share my appreciation on him getting an opportunity in getting a title match sometime in 2024.

 

Finally, the eight man elimination tag match had so many story lines within the match.  It will be interesting following what we saw, what will  transpire in the first show in 2024.  There were certainly be changes amongst the various "stables" or groups.

 

It will be interesting to see what happens with C.J. Serafin, Jomar Liwanag, Danny Zamora and Main Maxx going forward.  All of us who saw Noche Buena on video, live, or both, may have some possible answers regarding each one.

 

However, this fan has learned something from the late and great wrestler, Roddy Piper when it comes to this.  Once in an interview, Piper said to an interviewer, "when you think you have the answers, I change the questions!"

 

There is one question that has been answered so far in 2024.  The Manila Wrestling Federation will return to UP Dillman with their main shows at Ang Bahay Ng Alumni.  It will be memorable times.

 

Happy New Year everyone and will see you guys in 2024!