Battle In The Valley Results

Hello everyone.

 

While on the train home, here are the results from NJPW Strong event, Battle In The Valley.  The show was held on Saturday night, January 11th at the San Jose Civic Auditorium.  The action was exciting.  The show was one of the best in history.  A near sellout crowd was boisterous, loud, appreciative and enthusiastic throughout the night.  The show lasted about three hours and 45 minutes.  Hopefully, the results are correct since I'm a little sleepy right now doing this.

 

The highlight of the night was an emotional and memorable match as Japanese women's legend, Sumie Sakai wrestled in her final encounter.  Though she was pinned in the tag team match, she showed the fighting spirit that Japanese women wrestlers are taught and have!

 

Been to three of these now.  The one a couple of years ago that had Okada and Ospreay was really good but overall, this show may have been a little better.

 

Here are the results:

 

Tomohiro Ishii and Gabe Kidd (c) for the Strong Openweight Championship ended up a 30 minute draw.

 

Nelson Isaacs & Jarel Nelson (c) d. Rocky Romero and Yoh for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Titles.

 

Viva Van, Harako, Maika and Nina Shirakawa d. Anna Jay, Trish Adora, AZN and Johnny Robbie in an eight woman elimination match.  Maika threw Anna Jay over the top rope to win.  Several fans sitting next to me mentioned that Viva Van has signed with AEW!

 

Jeff Cobb vs. El Phantasmo (c) ended up a double countout for the IWGP TV Title.  Cobb did not bring the FPW title with him.

Sumie Sakai was pinned by Hiromu Takahashi in a six person intergender match.  Evil and SHO were supposed to be on Sakai's side but turned on her during the match.  Takahashi had Mayu Iwatani and Yuka Sakazaki in his corner.

There was about a 10 minute ceremony afterwards with most of the locker room attending.  It was to honor her 27 year career with congratulations and a 10 count with the timekeeper bell.  This blogger, and most of the fans, did not have dry eyes during the ceremony.  She was given a standing ovation by the fans.  

 

Konosuke Takeshita (c) d. Kushida for the Never Openweight Championship.

 

Zack Sabre Jr. d. Hechecero in a not title match.  After the match, at a future date, the two wrestlers will face one another for the title. 

 

El Desperado (c) d. Taiji Ishinori for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.   

One Final Battle In The Valley Update!

Hello everyone!

 

I know Filipino wrestling fans will love hearing this.  Personally, NJPW ought to get their act together but this blogger will let them pass this time.

 

The NJPW World TV Championship will be on the line as El Phantasmo, the champion, will take on Filipino Pro Wrestling Champion, Jeff Cobb in a one fall match.  It will be for the TV title only!

 

This will be the first time seeing Cobb since the G1 Special in July 2018 at the Daly City Cow Palace.

 

Also, there will be an elimination tag team women's match between Viva Van, Hanako, Maika and Mina Shirakawa against Anna Jay, Trish Adora, AZM and Johnnie Robbie.

 

Finally, a strong survivor match will pit Zane Jay against Viento.  

 

For $60 that I paid, there will be nine matches on the program that will begin at 7pm at the San Jose Civic Auditorium.  

Filipino Pro Wrestling Future

By now, the fans that follow Filipino Pro Wrestling know that the promotion just completed its second season in the Philippines.  The final show had a couple of memorable moments.  

 

Jeff Cobb, currently wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling, defeated Mike Madrigal for the FPW Championship.  Mike held the prestigious title for 547 days, quite a stint in today's world of pro wrestling.  Right now, the question on fans' minds is if Jeff Cobb will return to the Philippines and defend the belt?  Definitely, we won't know until next year at the earliest.

 

The roster has become stronger with the likes of Thiago and Jeffrey.  Along with the main roster with the likes of Quatro, Duke Ortega, Ralph Imabayashi, The Yolo Twins, Jan Evander, Chino Guinto and others, FPW looks strong going into 2025. 

 

Also, on another note, the stable of Jason Rex and his mentor, LegenDarius, have a third member in the fold in AB3.  Though this blogger wasn't there for the October show, I've seen enough reels and comments to know that he's part of the faction.  From what people have said, factions or stables, the storylines appear to have a fresh approach.  It will be interesting to see what next year will provide with the trio, and perhaps additions!

 

For those that may not know, Robynn, one of my favorites will be returning to the ring.  It will be a very interesting situation as she will be appearing at PUSO Wrestling's final show in a Pinay Gauntlet match.  This is a good and healthy thing, in my opinion, for the Pinoy/Pinay wrestling industry.  This blogger knows that it's none of his business what goes on behind the scenes.  However, it's good that FPW and PUSO Wrestling are cooperating on this.  Pinay wrestling has improved tremendously over the past year in the country.  Having Robynn in the November 30th match will add to what is already a quality match.

 

Finally, Season Two of FPW Astig (July 2023 -  forward) is now showing on You Tube.  Please view and subscribe to Filipino Pro Wrestling on their page.  Thank you.      

The Heart Of A Champion

This blogger wasn't certain how to write this post and when he was going to do it.  However, now is the time to share it with everyone.

 

The Walking Death, Mike Madrigal of Filipino Pro Wrestling, will always be a champion in my book. As those of you know, Mike held the FPW Championship for 547 days.  

 

He took on all comers from the company that he wrestles for in the Philippines.  Earlier this year, he traveled to Malaysia to take part in a four way match for the prestigious title, and won.  Since wrestling returned to the Philippines, and the world after the Covid pandemic, he was undefeated in singles action.

 

The defeat to Jeff Cobb was, in no way, an upset.  I've had a chance to see Jeff Cobb live a couple of times when Cobb wrestled locally for an independent promotion in the Bay Area, and with New Japan Pro Wrestling.  Since the first time watching back in a local auditorium in Daly City, Jeff Cobb has improved greatly in his craft.  In fact, I'm sure that Mike Madrigal has, and will continue to improve from the experience from last month's match.

 

A little over a year ago, this blogger had an opportunity to interview him on this blog.  This happened after seeing my first FPW show.  The banger of a match that he had with Duke Ortega in August 2023 had this fan standing at the conclusion of the match.  It was that good.  I knew that FPW had a champion that they were proud of.  I had a chance to talk with Mike briefly after the show and it was an experience not to be forgotten.  

 

Mike was gracious and candid with what he said in the interview.  At the time, he wants to take pro wrestling, and with FPW to the next level.  There is no question in my mind that Mike and FPW have done just that.

 

Jeff Cobb has said that he will defend the title again in the Philippines, Japan and possibly other Southeast Asian locations.  As far as Mike Madrigal is concerned, don't be surprised if he gets another title shot down the line, as early as 2025!  He'll always be a champion!  

FPW Astig October Show Update #2

Hello everyone!

 

A day or so ago, this blogger mentioned about the main event for the FPW Astig's October show.  That would be the FPW Championship match between current champion, Mike Madrigal and New Japan Pro Wrestling's, Jeff Cobb.

 

For those wondering on when the show will take place, it is on Sunday, October 20th, 2pm at Baked Studios in Makati City, Philippines.

 

One additional match has already been announced and is very important for all three wrestlers.

 

A Triple Threat match between Chino Guinto, Ralph Imabayashi and Duke Ortega is one match that in this blogger's opinion, is a Main Event anywhere in Southeast Asia.

 

Starting with Chino Guinto, every upcoming match for him is like an elimination game in the NBA Playoffs.  Win and continue wrestling.  Lose and retire.  Chino has done his best wrestling, according to sources, and has aspirations towards an FPW Championship Title shot in the future.

 

Ralph Imabayashi wants to continue to prove, not only to himself, but to the fans, that he's the best grappler.  He has proven that throughout his career wrestling in the Philippines.  With a win, he could definitely be just that, and very likely, another FPW title shot! 

 

Duke Ortega wants to make a point.  He has improved since the day Filipino Pro Wrestling began.  He has done very well in numerous matches that he has taken part in.  He may be overlooked by some fans, but in a triple threat match, anything can happen.  This blogger doesn't sell him short.

 

For more information, including tickets, please visit the FPW - Filipino Pro Wrestling Facebook page.  Thank you.

FPW Astig October Show Update

Next week, this blogger will update readers on Filipino Pro Wrestling Astig's October show with the updated lineup of events.  The next show will be held at Baked Studios, Makati City on Sunday, October 20th beginning at 2pm.

 

Headlining this show will be a huge main event for the FPW Championship.  Mike Madrigal, the current FPW Champion, will have his toughest test to date.  His opponent is someone that is well known throughout Japan and in North America.  Jeff Cobb is his name and is currently the NJPW Television Champion.

 

This blogger has seen Jeff Cobb twice.  I saw him in a local promotion back in 2017 at an All Pro Wrestling show that was held in the Cow Palace in Daly City.  He won a four way match for APW's Universal Title.  A year later, at my first ever NJPW show, also at the Cow Palace, he fell short to Hiroshi Goto for the NJPW Never Openweight Title.

 

Cobb has wrestled in the Philippines once before to my understanding.  He faced Chris Panzer and Quatro in a three way match for the PWR Title in which Panzer won in 2019.

 

Regarding Mike Madrigal, he has taken on all comers since winning the title in 2023.  He won a three-way to win the title, traveled to Malaysia in 2024, and won a four way match to retain the title there and recently, as Team Madrigal, won a five on five match at the last FPW Astig show in September.  

 

Some people may think that Mike Madrigal may be over his head in this matchup against a more experienced wrestler who has wrestled over 1000 matches, and since 2009.

 

However,  this blogger believes that the best is yet to come for the FPW Champion.  As Ric Flair once said, "to be the best, you have to beat the best!"  This could very well be a match that elevates Madrigal like never before!

 

For more information, including tickets, please visit the FPW - Filipino Pro Wrestling Facebook page.  Thank you.