Two Venues

This blogger has been asked often regarding a first wrestling show and a first Southeast Asia show due to the blog.  I'll divide this quickly into two portions and two venues.

 

My first wrestling show, after beginning to follow pro wrestling in 1968, was at the Cow Palace in Daly City (about 12 km. from downtown San Francisco).  I took in an event on 11 July 1970 before around 15,000 fans.

 

The five match wrestling card had some known names such as Pedro Morales (former WWWF Champion), Freddie Blassie, Haystacks Calhoun and Peter Maivia, the late godfather of WWE superstar, The Rock.

 

The main event was a between bitter rivals, Pat Patterson (c) vs. Ray Stevens.  Today, it would be called a match that would go on until a wrestler could not continue.  Stevens had forfeited the United States Regional Title about a year before because of injury.  Patterson, his scheduled opponent at the time of the mishap, defeated Pedro Morales and became champion.

 

The match went five falls and was one of the most grueling matches ever.  Stevens won when Patterson could not respond by the count of 10.

 

Stevens and Patterson carried pro wrestling in the Bay Area during the era.  They were great singles wrestlers and were also a tag team, perhaps the best in the Territory Era.

 

Over 50 years later, it was a new adventure for this fan.  In December 2022, this blogger went to his first pro wrestling show in Southeast Asia.

 

Pictured above is the Peta Theater Center in Quezon City, Philippines.  It was home for, at the time, the Manila Wrestling Federation.

 

That night with a great gathering of around 300 fans, MWF provided the fans with 10 matches including two title encounters.  The fans were knowledgeable, were really into the action, and were well behaved, something that is great to see.

 

Being from America, one didn't know what to expect that afternoon and evening.  However, it was every bit as enjoyable as the one at the Cow Palace.  To this day, I'm grateful for the support and everything that happened that night.  It was definitely a day not to forget and to appreciate!

 

Since then, I've been to several more shows in the Philippines at Circuit Makati and at the Brawl Pit Bulusan.  The venues have been electric and enjoyable.

 

This year, the plan is to expand traveling in the region.  Since Thailand is the furthest from where I live, will definitely make the journey.  The country has always been exciting with the views, culture and the food.  There are three wrestling promotions there and the hope is to see all of them (at least two!).

 

Since I have running and wrestling fans in the Philippines, yes, I will be back this year as well.  Please be patient though!

Congratulations SETUP Thailand!

Hello everyone!

 

Congratulations to SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling! Five years ago on January 11th, SETUP Thailand hosted their first pro wrestling show at The Circus Studio before 232 fans, a sellout.

 

There were eight matches on the show (Bangkok Showdown) with four of them, title matches (per Cagematch)!  The show was a collaboration with India's Wrestle Square.  Current SETUP wrestlers, Jonathan Johnson, Shivam and Paksa were in the show.  Other names to mention were Emi Sakura, Andruew Tang, Alexis Lee, Ho Ho Lun, Zombie Dragon, and others in the Southeast Asia area, were a part of one memorable show that day.

 

Thank you to Panuwat for the reminder on this.  Also, thank you to Pumi who has been tremendous with the wrestling scene in Thailand!

 

Tomorrow, will do another SETUP post regarding a couple of major matches at next weekend's Bangkok Navigation.  Have a good weekend everyone!

PUSO Wrestling Streaming Event

Hello everyone!

 

On Sunday, January 12, PUSO Wrestling (Philippines) will have a streaming event beginning at 7pm local time on their You Tube channel.  It is called Livestream 1.

 

In the main event, there will be a Six Person Intergender Tag Team match.  El Kapitunero, Super P. and Patricia Ligaia will take on Main Maxx, Roxxy and Joya.  Interestingly, Main Maxx is the inaugural Pusong Pinoy Champion while El Kapitunero is the number one contender for the title.

 

More matches will be added to the show prior to this Sunday.  PUSO Wrestling can be found on You Tube.  Please subscribe!  Thank you.

Grapplemax Amplify 6 Update

With the Southeast Asia wrestling scene getting underway Friday in Singapore,  Grapplemax Pro Wrestling Singapore has announced a couple of shows.

 

Their first event, Amplify 6, will take place on Saturday, January 25th at the Grapplemax Studios.  Doors for the event will open at 6:45pm with the first match beginning at 7:30pm.  Tickets for the event are on sale now.  Please check the Grapplemax Pro Wrestling Facebook page on the link where you can tickets.

Also, their second event, Causeway Jam, has been announced for Saturday, February 22nd.  The event features wrestlers from Grapplemax and neighboring promotion, Malaysia Pro Wrestling.

 

Soon, there will be information on both shows.  Again, please visit the Grapplemax, as well as the Malaysia Pro Wrestling Facebook pages on the Causeway Jam event.  Thank you. 

Steve The Teacher At The SETUP show

From left to right, Ken Cifer (WUW-PH and PUSO Wrestling), this blogger and Steve The Teacher (also known as AFAM Steve).  This was at a Meet And Greet which was fun and memorable! 

 

A couple of years ago, August 2023 to be exact, this blogger saw his first Dexcon/WUW Philippines show while vacationing.

 

It was a great show with wrestlers from throughout Southeast Asia wrestling that night.  The Brawl Pit Bulusan in Quezon City was very close to sold out.  This was given the fact that there was a wrestling show one day before at Circuit Makati, a few kilometers south.

 

I got to meet a few wrestlers that day including Steve The Teacher (picture above).  During the unfortunate Covid era, had a chance to learn more about him through video of his time with Middle Kingdom Wrestling in China.  After this session, and the match with Ken at the show, it was more impressing.  Steve The Teacher hadn't wrestled in a match in over two years that night.  However, it didn't look like he had any ring rust from the encounter.

 

Steve has several books that he's written including one called Class In Session.  It is a must read for any wrestling fan.  You can get a copy through Amazon.

 

Moving forward, Steve has wrestled several times since, including the most recent SETUP Thailand show last November.  Mikey Wild, one of the participants in the Rumble match, took advantage, and tossed Steve over the top rope.  It ended any opportunity for a victory in which Benji came out the winner.

 

I've never see Mikey Wild in action, but on video only.  He's definitely an unpredictable presence in the ring.  

 

However, Steve The Teacher has redemption coming.  The two will face off on Saturday, January 18th in a Homeroom Death Match at the SETUP Thailand Bangkok Navigation show.  

 

This blogger doesn't know the full meaning of this but am sure this won't be exactly a wrestling match.  I'm sure the wrestling fans at The Circus Studio will be wide awake when these two go at it.

 

Tickets, other than the first row, are still available.  For more on this match and the other six matches, please visit the SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling Facebook page.  Thank you.

SPW Champions Never Yield 3 Is SOLD OUT!

Hello everyone!

 

Southeast Asia, and Singapore Pro Wrestling's first wrestling show of 2025, SPW: Champions Never Yield 3, is now officially sold out!

 

The event will take place this Friday at the Foo Chow Building in Singapore.  It begins at 7:30pm with the doors opening at 7pm.

 

Seven matches, including four championship ones, highlight the show.  Looks like a great start for wrestling in Singapore and all of Southeast Asia.

Bayley In The House

Hello everyone.

 

Last night while NXT was on a commercial break, this blogger turned over to the NHL Sharks game.

 

It's nice anytime when a wrestler takes the time out of their schedule to appear anywhere, even a sporting event.

 

The above photo (taken from my cell) is WWE's Bayley being interviewed by Sharks announcer, Drew Remenda.  This blogger knows quite a bit about Bayley.  Whenever her schedule permits, she often attends Sharks and 49er games in the San Jose area.  Also, 49ers tight end, George Kittle will often attend WWE shows in the Bay Area.  

 

However, I was impressed with the knowledge Drew Remenda had about pro wrestling.  He knows WWE pretty well but also talked about famous Canadian born wrestlers as Bret Hart and Edge last night.

 

Thought I would share this with everyone though its not necessarily SEA wrestling.  

SETUP Thailand Bangkok Navigation #7

Hello everyone!

 

SETUP Thailand's show, Bangkok Navigation, is just over one week away...Saturday, January 18th beginning at 6:30pm at The Circus Studio G Village.  Ringside tickets are SOLD OUT but rows two on back are still available.  Please check the SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling Facebook page on how one can still buy tickets.

 

Next week, this blogger will share the full card of matches.  All of the matches are intriguing, especially the singles match between Paksa and Pro Wrestling Noah's (Japan), Naomichi Marufuji.

 

Both wrestlers are legends in their respective countries ....Thailand and Japan.  Personally, I've never seen either live at a show but on You Tube.  Both Paksa and Naomichi Marufuji have given their all in wrestling shows over the years.  This match alone is one to see.

 

This blogger mentioned a little about this match back on January 1st but wanted to add a little more to this special singles match.  If any of the fans reading this saw the singles match late last year between Paksa and Kenoh, also from Pro Wrestling NOAH, you'll be in for a special one next week!

The SPW SEA Championship Match

This coming Friday, Singapore Pro Wrestling will have their first show of 2025.  SPW: Champions Never Yield 3 will take place at the Foo Chow Building beginning at 7:30pm.  The doors will open at 7pm.

 

This blogger is intrigued with the SPW Southeast Asian Championship Match.  It is a four way match involving the champion, Da Butcherman, former champion, Aiden Rex, Shivam (SETUP Thailand and the current MYPW SEA Champion) and Jake De Leon (former PWR and MWF Champions).

 

Everyone but Jake De Leon has won an SPW title at least once.  The question is will his opponents overlook him?  He's certainly hungry enough to win the belt and take it back to the Philippines.

 

 

Shivam and Da Butcherman each have one current championship right now and both are looking for a second!  

 

Also, Aiden Rex is hungry to reclaim the title he lost.  He has been quiet lately and, perhaps, he has a game plan that the other three wrestlers don't know about.  

 

With a four way, the stakes are high.  The current champion does not have to be pinned to lose his or her title.  This match will be a great one.

 

For more, including tickets, please visit the SPW Facebook page.  The show appears to be a great one and hopefully, wrestling fans in Singapore won't miss it!     

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.  

Two Matches Added For Battle In The Valley

Hello everyone.

 

Earlier today, New Japan Pro Wrestling announced a couple of added matches for the show, and they are championship matches.  How lucky this blogger is on this one!

 

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

AND

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

 

If I could have afforded it, I would have gone to both the NJPW and WWE RAW shows over the three day period.  However, I decided on this because of the possibility that this might happen.

 

Definitely looking forward to this show on Saturday night!