Puso Ng Isang Kampeon!

Inside Brawl Pit Bulusan before the show.

Last night's PUSO Wrestling's debut show, Unang Tibok, was one for the ages!  You had to be there to see it!  The show took place at Brawl Pit Bulusan, the mecca of pinoy wrestling.  This post may be a little long, but please enjoy! 

This blogger arrived nearly five hours before the start of the show by Grab (Philippines answer for Uber).  Being concerned about traffic in Metro Manila, it was more than worth the extra hours.

Meeting up with wrestlers, a few fans, and eating the great quesadillas at Onyang's Cafe, were the early highlights well beforehand.  The anticipation of what would be a memorable night was definitely there.  There were a lot of photo-ops, something that is very warm and popular throughout Southeast Asia. 

Leading up to the show, this fan knew that the show would go off well.  The concern was how the fans would react to what would transpire this night.  It didn't take very long once the gates opened and everyone was inside.

Receiving a Jun Capilos Jr. T-Shirt from Jelson, his son, was an emotional experience.  This blogger thought of wearing it during the Battle Royal in honor of Jelson's dad.  Instead, I wore it throughout the entire evening.  Thank you so much Jelson, and to Dax Clothiers for putting out a great product!  Also, I want to put a shoutout to The Nutcase for the shirts received.  In the two years of purchasing, the shirts are of good quality.  Thank you guys so much!

There was an experience of entering a wrestling ring, something I haven't done in 57 years as a wrestling fan.  That was emotional in which I wondered how the tears were held back.  It was an honor to step inside the squared circle that my past heroes such as Pat Patterson, Peter Maivia and Rocky Johnson entertained for many years.  It was an honor to hold a championship belt with some of my current heroes of the current PUSO Wrestling roster with Jake De Leon, Joya and Joey Rosas.  Thank you to all three wrestlers as well as Cholo, Rosh and the staff members who were the photographers of the event.

Then, there was the opening of the show and the unveiling of the Pusong Pinoy PUSO Wrestling Championship belt (thank for Rowen for the photo).  If you weren't there to see it, the pinoy wrestling fans in attendance were in awe of what they saw!  The cameras and photos were clicking!  It was definitely a sight to see.  Simple, but perfect design.  Whoever is the first to win the championship will be deserving and look really good wearing this!

The show itself, and the fan reaction was what this fan expected.....and a lot more!  There's something about Brawl Pit Bulusan that is magical.  The fans are right on top of the action.  The wrestlers and the fans feed off each other which makes for a better quality show.

The Unang Tibok show had two, first round tournament matches followed by the eight wrestler Jun Capilos Jr. Battle Royal.  Following a 15 to 20 minute intermission were two more first round tournament matches followed by the Main Event of the evening.

Since there will be streaming of the event, this blogger will leave it up to PUSO Wrestling when they would like for me to post any results.  However, in the meantime, this fan will tell you that each match was competitive and entertaining.  Viewing what was happening, no one left Brawl Pit disappointed at what they saw.  There were still over half of the people in attendance inside at least 30 minutes after the two hour plus show was completed.  I believe the other half was next door at Onyang's Cafe sharing their observations of what they saw.  In the coming days, there will be a hundred - plus stories of what transpired.  Go for it fans!  Let everyone on social media know.

In conclusion, the bar is set for future shows.  If anyone thinks Pinoy wrestling has faded into the sunset, think again!  It is very much alive and well!

Also, thank you to everyone!  PUSO Wrestling, wrestlers, staff, the numerous sponsors, all the fans, Onyang's Cafe, and yes, Grab for getting me back and forth from the hotel.  Everyone last night treated me as one of the family!  Hopefully, I wasn't a pain in the butt. 

See you guys sometime next year!  In the meantime, will continue to support, follow and write about PUSO Wrestling.  Hopefully, more will fans will follow.  Have a good day everyone!

A First!

Brawl Pit Bulusan, the Mecca Of Pinoy Wrestling.

Later on today (Saturday), a near capacity, if not capacity crowd will attend the first ever Puso Wrestling show in the Philippines.  It will take place at 6pm, Saturday August 17th at the Brawl Pit Bulusan in Quezon City.   The name of the show is Unang Tibok (English meaning First Beat).

One last time until tonight....a few tickets are still available.  Please visit the PUSO Wrestling page on how you can secure a ticket.  Only VIP tickets remain.  SVIP and GM tickets are sold out!

This inaugural wrestling show will be a first for this fan, and perhaps for a few fans attending.  Certainly, I'll always remember my first pro wrestling show in July 1970.  There was Wrestlemania 31 in March 2015 in Santa Clara, roughly 80 kilometers south of where this blogger lives.  Then there was my first Philippines show in December 2022 at the Peta Theater Center.

Honestly, this feels like my biggest show to date!  It certainly feels like July 1970 all over again!

Pinoy wrestling fans are definitely curious as to what might happen this evening.  For SVIP ticket holders, they will be allowed through the gates at 5pm. Once inside, there will be an opportunity to be inside a wrestling ring for a couple of minutes with three of their favorite wrestlers.  VIP ticket holders will be allowed in at 5:30pm and GM ticket holders at 5:45pm.  This may shock you but I've never been inside a wrestling ring!  A boxing ring?  Yes, but never wrestling.  

Prior to all this, I'll be visiting nearby Onyang Cafe for a mid afternoon lunch and drink.  The Cafe is one of my favorite places and hangouts here in the Philippines.  The cafe opens at 1pm per Google.  Please be sure to check before leaving.  I've been told the menu is bigger than ever.  If there, please check it out!

This will be a long day, and not in a bad way.  With the weather being very warm and humid, getting fluids and food down is a must!

Whatever transpires tonight, thank you to all the pinoy wrestling fans, Dexcon, WUW-Philippines, PUSO Wrestling staff and wrestlers who will be there, or even have other obligations today.  The excitement keeps this blogger going on a daily basis.  I'm, more than happy, to share everything that's been happening up to today.

In closing, this blogger has one message for everyone tonight.  The message is to enjoy the moment and the show.  There is a saying that "Rome was not built in a day!"  PUSO Wrestling has taken a large step since June when the promotion became official.  I know many of you heard this before, but please be patient with the group.  They have come a long ways in a very short time.  There have been the numerous training sessions, social media posts and television appearances of many of your favorite wrestlers.  

Don't be afraid to post photos on your favorite social media outlets.  Finally, let your friends know about the show for days to come.  Communication is important! 

All of us should be really happy with what has transpired since June.  Thank you to everyone involved in having this event happen!

Thank you everyone and we'll see you this afternoon!

Thank You Sponsors

This blogger has been in the Philippines now for the past 48 hours.  Each visit has always been a little better and more memorable than the previous one.  This post is a bit long, but important.

Wanted to take time to mention about PUSO Wrestling.  Since the end of the Dexcon Decada show in late May, it is fantastic how PUSO Wrestling has put things together in such a short time.

Everyone on the roster is determined to see this work, and work the right way.  Though this blogger hasn't been in the country to see what is happening, what has transpired over the past eight to nine weeks is no surprise.  No one on this roster wanted to see things go the other way, and that was for pinoy wrestling to fade away (in my words).

Determination is a positive, especially when everyone in the promotion is on the same page.  Certainly, this fan has the sense that the pinoy wrestling fans feel the same way.  This blogger has messaged several fans and each one feel the same way as I do.  

There will always be people who will doubt what is happening.  However, I have never felt that with this roster, and the people behind the scenes.

Want to give a huge than you to those that are sponsoring this show.  All of you love pro wrestling, particularly pinoy wrestling as much, if not more than myself.  This blogger, the pinoy wrestling fans and PUSO Wrestling appreciates this a lot.

Some fans may wonder why that this blogger wants to sponsor this show and the future.  I'll be as brief as possible on this.

Being a wrestling fan of 56 years (yes, I'm old!), this blogger has always wanted to give a little something back to pro wrestling that it's been given to me.  I decided on this during the Covid pandemic.

My first wrestling show outside of North America was in December 2022.  Nearly two years and, soon to be five more wrestling shows, there's something magical happening at a wrestling show in Metro Manila.  

More important, the pinoy wrestling fans who have followed this roster over the years, deserve to see them in two weeks, and hopefully beyond.  The roster deserves this opportunity as well.  In closing, this blogger will do what he can to help the cause.

I will see some of you in the upcoming days, and of course at the Unang Tibok show on Saturday, August 17th!  The show is at the Brawl Pit Bulusan beginning at 6pm.  

Tickets are still available for the show.  Just learned that General Admission tickets are sold out.  VIP and SVIP tickets are still available!  

By all means, if you are planning to go, please don't wait until the last second!  Please visit PUSO Wrestling's Facebook page for more information.  If you know anyone that would like to sponsor the upcoming show, please email PUSO Wrestling at pusowrestling@gmail.com for details.  Thank you. 

Dexcon Decada Recap And Results

Hello everyone!

 

This past weekend's Dexcon Decada show and Meet And Greet will go down as the most memorable and historical moments in Pinoy Wrestling history.

 

The weekend began with a Meet And Greet at the Collective Base B2 GH at the Greenhills Prominade.  Everyone performing at the show was there to meet the fans who were there.

 

On Sunday evening, despite the rainy conditions, Pinoy wrestling fans flocked the Brawl Pit Bulusan to see their favorite wrestlers in action.  Though this blogger wasn't there, he has received numerous messages.  The show was exciting, exceeded the expectations of everyone, and was definitely entertaining.  Certainly, no one left the Brawl Pit Bulusan disappointed last night.

 

I'm told that the seven matches were great.  The Main Event between "Mr Philippine Wrestling" - Jake De Leon and "The Best Technical Wrestler" - Zach Sabre Jr. was in the opinion of many, the best match ever in the Philippines.  That speaks volumes considering that modern day professional wrestling is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024!  The bar was definitely set for what is to come from Dexcon and the Pinoy Wrestling scene going forward!


There are a lot of thank you's to go around.  Please bear with this blogger on this.  My apologies if there is anyone I left out.  Please message me and will update this post.

Thank you to Zach Sabre Jr. and to The Horrors (Dr. Gore and Da Butcherman) for traveling to the Philippines and sharing knowledge with the local wrestlers in the country and participating in the show.  Everyone involved this past weekend appreciates what you guys have done for Pinoy Wrestling.

 

Also, thank you to the local wrestlers who participated in the show.  The feeling here is that Pinoy Wrestling is definitely alive and well.  You guys (Robin, JDL, Fabio, Main Maxx, ROMEO, Rex, AFAM Steve, Zera, Chelsea Marie, Dabid, Razael, TZK, Bulldog and other wrestlers who were at the show but didn't wrestle) deserve more credit than has been given to you.  This blogger will continue in trying his best to promote something that all of you and I love.  Please continue to pursue your dreams!  It is really appreciated here.

 

To the fans, thank you.  Those of you who went to the show spent your hard earned money and traveled to Brawl Pit Bulusan in rainy conditions.  This blogger heard that the conditions were torrential during the day on Sunday.  Despite things that were out of your control, you believed and still believe, that Pinoy Wrestling is alive and well.  I want to include those who were not at the show but continue to support it.  Your support is important right now.  Dexcon will continue to do what they can to bring a quality product.  This blogger is convinced of that!  Some of you shared the evening with me and am grateful of the communication!  

 

Finally, thank you to the Dexcon staff for making this happen.  Linus, Martin, Rosh, Cholo, SJM and other people in the staff worked tirelessly to make this show happen in spite of things that were beyond their control.  Thank you for making this happen for the Pinoy Wrestling Community.  All the best to Dexcon in any upcoming shows (August hopefully!)!

 

One last thing before the results.....thank you to Martin and Jelson for allowing me to share a couple of photos.  Also, to Rosh, Emile, Martin, Jelson and a couple of others, thank you for sharing thoughts about the show.  It is much appreciated here. 

 

The results are listed below.  Please feel free to comment about the show in the comments section including Anonymous.

 

-  The Horrors def. Robin Sane and Romeo and retain the SPW Southeast Asia Tag Team Championship.

- Rex Lawin def. AFAM Steve and Razael.

- Main Maxx def. Dabid Ravena.

- Chelsea Marie def. KT.

- Jomar def. Fabio Makisig.

- TZK (St. John Martin and Ken Cifer) def. Pinoy Bulldog and Zera and retain the WUW Tag Team Championship.

- Zack Sabre Jr. and Jake De Leon ended in a time limit draw in an International Dream Match.

April 14th

Sunday, April 14, 2024 will be a historic day for pro wrestling in the Philippines!  The post is a little long.  My thoughts on this day are long overdue. 

 

At 2pm, Filipino Pro Wrestling will have their show, FPW Astig.  The live event will take place at the PMC Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati.

 

Here are the matches that are lined up so far.....

Mike Madrigal vs. Robynn for the FPW Championship.

Duke Ortega vs. Ralph Imabayashi.

Jan Evander vs. Thiago.

The YOLO Twins and 'Good Guy' Quatro vs. James 'Idol" Martinez, Evan Carleaux and Cali Nueva.

 

There are possibly more matches to be announced.  It's always a good idea to check their Facebook page.  Tickets for the FPW Astig show are still available by going to the ticket2me.net website!  As always, please check the FPW - Filipino Pro Wrestling page on Facebook for more information.

 

Now, I would like to share something with the Pinoy wrestling fans (FPW, MWF, WUW and/or any combination thereof).  

 

This fan realizes, per the Pinoy wrestling fans he knows on social media, that there are two different promotions with two shows happening on the same day (April 14th) in two different areas of Metro Manila.  Because of this, up until this post, it was appropriate to separate the two shows and the information regarding both. 

 

There was a moment recently when, at least two pinoy wrestling fans, were disappointed that the show they wanted to go to was "sold out" already.  This fan had yet to respond back because of the disappointment.

 

There are two things that this blogger would like to share on the matter....

 

First and foremost.....Filipino Pro Wrestling has had their shows at the PMC Spotlight Blackbox Theater since their inception in October 2022.  It is difficult to get a booking of any kind, per sources, to the venue.  Since FPW Astig's last show was in February, I'm certain that they wanted to have another show within a certain time frame.  It just so happened that April 14th was the best time for the show.  I believe this per my sources.

 

Second thing, and this is just as important to everyone reading.....Though I've been to more shows of another promotion (Manila Wrestling Federation) during my Philippines' visits, it doesn't mean that I don't like, or don't care, about FPW.  In fact, this fan raved about the FPW Astig show last August just as I did with the MWF and WUW shows!   

 

Having a chance to talk and photo-op with wrestlers, wrestling fans and Red after the show that day was important.  It was every bit as important, as my first Manila Wrestling Federation show with wrestlers, wrestling fans, Veronica and Tarek.  It was every bit as important at the WUW (Dexcon) show last summer with wrestlers, wrestling fans, and with Saint John Martin.

 

In conclusion, I'm here blogging, not to change the opinion of Pinoy wrestling fans, nor to favor one promotion over another.  In every sport, and in this case, sports entertainment, there is a fan base with each of the promotions.  In America where I live, there is the continual bashing of the two major promotions in AEW and WWE.  I've been to both promotions shows in this country over the past year because I love pro wrestling.

 

In saying all of this, at the same time, there's nothing wrong with liking one promotion over the other either.  It's just that this fan appreciates what all the promotions try to do.  Maybe, it is being a purist with the industry.  The promotions are trying their best to entertain the fans the best way they know how!

 

On Sunday, April 14, 2024, Pinoy wrestling fans have a great opportunity like never before.  One show at UP Dillman is sold out!  There is NO reason, other than other obligations one might have that day, why the FPW show cannot do the same!  Having two sold out shows will show wrestling fans throughout Southeast Asia that wrestling fans are alive and well in the Philippines!  It will put the rest of Southeast Asia on notice.

 

Please have a good day everyone!