Memorable Two Days

Cody Rhodes at WWE World on The Pat McAfee Show.

 

Normally, this post is for Southeast Asia wrestling but today, this blogger has made an exception.  Hopefully, everyone will understand.

 

The last two days with Wrestlemania 40 in Philadelphia was epic.  This blogger cannot say enough about the matches presented.  I'm grateful enough to have seen all 40 Wrestlemanias with one of them, WM31 live!  A couple of friends of mine who were there, said "The City Of Brotherly Love" was excellent to them during their five days there.

 

Besides the 14 matches (yes, we need to count Damian Priest's cash in as a match), there are two things that stick out in this fan's mind.

 

#1.  This blogger can relate to Cody and the relationship with his dad.  My father passed away at a younger age than Cody and am sure that the love for my dad was every bit as strong as in Cody's case.  "Finishing The Story" was something I was behind as a fan from Day One!  It had nothing to do with Paul Heyman, Roman and The Bloodline.  Their storyline needed to happen because of the pandemic.  This fan will always thank WWE and the faction for that.  However, there needed to be a new chapter or era.  Enough there.

 

#2.  This blogger will always love pro wrestling!  Yes, Michael Cole said it!  And everyone that I saw on social media have said it!

 

For those reading this, whether in America, or the nearly 190 countries that now have read at least one blog post.  The reason for a Southeast Asia wrestling blog is because of all wrestling fans, whether in Southeast Asia or elsewhere.

 

Following pro wrestling for 56 years now, the time has never been better.  Let's enjoy it while we have it!  

Events Page

This blogger has decided to add an EVENTS page on the blog.

 

If you check under the title of the blog, you will see the word EVENTS.  By clicking it, you will go to a page with all the Southeast Asia events that are mentioned on their Facebook page.  The page will be updated often.

Why Is Pro Wrestling Not A 365 Day Event?

Lately, I've seen some posts on social media as to why various wrestling promotions in Southeast Asia aren't running their shows every month of the year.

 

One of the things the fans need to remember is that pro wrestling in Southeast Asia is not the WWE, AEW, TNA and New Japan Pro Wrestling.  The four companies are established companies that have been around for awhile.  The wrestlers, for the most part, are being paid full time to entertain the fans and are making good money.

 

Recently, I read where Triple H and management gave a majority of the wrestlers time off around Christmas time.  That is a change from when Vince McMahon was running things.  It appears that it helped somewhat because the shows that I've seen so far in 2024 have a little more bounce to them.

 

The four major promotions mentioned are on the road throughout the year.  It is definitely different from the days of The Territory Era where wrestlers didn't travel quite as much and far.  To wrestlers with these companies, they are constantly on the road.

 

With the Southeast Asia wrestling promotions, definitely it is a lot different.  The travel within the promotions is very minimal.  With wrestlers in a promotion, they are either going to school and/or doing a second job besides entertaining the fans.  Certainly, they are not making the salary of the big four companies.  Promotions currently are working hard in attempting to get sponsorships, donors and more to help pay for the venue as well as the employees.  

 

Where WWE, AEW, TNA and NJPW have anywhere from 800-1000 shows per a calendar year, a Southeast Asia promotion may have anywhere from six to 10 shows.  So, we are talking apples and oranges here.  Hopefully, the fans see this.  I look at this like an independent promotion in the Bay Area where I live.  Most of the companies here have seven to eight shows per year.

Having one show every six weeks to two months is really good.  Wrestlers need the time to train, try and stay in as good of shape as possible and more.  There is also recruiting people to wrestle, promoting the product and more.  Last year was a great year in what was just mentioned here.  In 2024, it will even be better with the vision of the promotions in the region.

 

Looking forward to 2024, this fan is grateful for any promotion in Southeast Asia to have shows.  With the amount of shows, this gives promotions time to prepare with production, planning, making sure that the wrestlers have practice time to prepare, and making sure that equipment is more than adequate and in great shape.

 

I feel if wrestling fans see the big picture, which this wrestling fan sees, the quality of the product will reach greater heights than ever in 2024!  

Final Thoughts For 2023

This fan and blogger cannot wait for 2024 to arrive.  The momentum with pro wrestling in Southeast Asia is a very positive and encouraging one right now in the region.  Most countries and promotions have had very successful shows throughout 2023.

 

From the Philippines to Hong Kong to Thailand to Singapore and more, shows were selling out in venues.  

 

Current wrestling promotions would stream or have their shows on television for the first time in years.

 

A Chris Jericho podcast would feature two promotions in Southeast Asia for the first time.

 

There was a promotion in one country making its successful debut over a 10 month calendar stretch.  The same promotion would follow by showing their shows over a 10 week time frame on You Tube.

 

There would be two - four way women's matches, in two different shows, with two different promotions in the same country.  Though, as difficult as it is finding women to wrestle, both promotions were able to pull it off!  In both cases, the fans who were present at the shows, showed their appreciation.  This fan was fortunate to be at both of the events!

 

Pro Wrestling Illustrated, now a global magazine, has recognized several wrestlers from the region.  That is a good sign of things to come.

 

In a couple of countries, things are still somewhat slow in recovery from the pandemic.  However, there is progress with the promotions as the year is coming to an end.

 

With 2024 arriving soon, things will continue to improve.  Numerous promotions are recognizing and seeing it.  The fan bases of the different promotions in different countries are noticing it and this fan feels it from the various social media pages.

 

One thing worth adding.  Since the new blog began in October, over 5,000 people and 137 countries have read at least one post.  This is more than what this blogger would have ever imagined.  Thank you for making this possible.

 

Hopefully, the fans who read this, whatever country one lives in, has an opportunity to see a show in your area in 2024.  The promotions are doing everything they can to make pro wrestling entertaining as possible.  All I can say it please check it out!

 

Happy New Year and a safe 2024 everyone!         

Wrestling Shows In January/February

In the next few days, a new year will be upon us.  In advance, Happy New Year everyone!  This blogger has decided on something new for the viewers beginning in 2024.  I've put together a list of upcoming wrestling shows in Southeast Asia over a two month time frame.  

 

Just to let everyone know, this page will be updated promptly as more promotions will schedule upcoming shows.  It would be a good idea to bookmark it since the updates may happen often. At the end of each month, there will be a new list.    

 

The January and February shows (actual and tentative) are posted below.  The times of the shows are accurate per each promotion's Facebook page.  Normally, the doors open roughly 30 to 90 minutes prior to the show depending on the promotion.  Please check the Facebook pages of any of the promotions regarding the time of the show and ticket availability! 

 

Again, this page is subject to change and will be updated often.  Thanks again everyone!

 

***

 

Saturday, January ?, 2024 (tentative) - Vietnam Pro Wrestling - Saturday Showdown.  Venue is the VAIB Studio, 37 Be Van Cam, P.Tan Kieng, Q7, Ho Chi Minh City beginning at 7pm 

 

Friday, January 19, 2024 - Singapore Pro Wrestling - Champions Never Yield 2.  Venue is the Foo Chow Building, Tyrwhitt Road, 207530, Farrer Park MRT Station, Serangoon Rd and begins at 7:30pm.

 

Saturday, January 20, 2024 - SETUP Thailand - Bangkok Showdown.  Venue is The Circus Studio, G Village Bangkok and will begin at 6:30 pm.

 

Saturday, January 20, 2024 - New Taiwan Wrestling - ? - Venue is Zhongguang Dojo and will begin at 2:00pm.

 

Saturday, January 27, 2024 -  Middle Kingdom Wrestling - Bash At The Bay 3.  Venue is the Nashan Digital Innovation Exhibition Center in Shenzhen, China and will begin at 7pm. 

 

Sunday, January 28, 2024 - APAC Wrestling - Enter The Dragon.  Venue is Spacerubix in Puchong, Malaysia and will begin at 7:30pm. 

 

Friday/Saturday, February 2-3, 2024 - Hong Kong Pro Wrestling Federation - Tag Of Glory.    Venue is  柴灣 青年廣場2樓 Y劇場 Youth Square 青年廣場, Y Studio, 2/F Youth Square, 238 Chai Wan Road, Chai Wan, HK beginning at 7:30pm.

 

Sunday, February 11, 2024  - Filipino Pro Wrestling - FPW Astig.  Venue is the PMC Spotlight Theater at Circuit Makati, Makati, Philippines beginning at 2pm (time to be determined).