BREAKING NEWS!

This blogger has some breaking news to share.

A few hours ago, I've been texting with a friend of mine that wants to get involved as a second blogger.  This is great news to me for a number of reasons.

First off, I love what I do here.  This isn't a job but an adventure.  Over the past few months, wrestling fans in Southeast Asia have either messaged or met me personally to thank me for this.  Again, it has never been about me on this.  It is for the wrestling fans in all of Southeast Asia.

However, wrestling is booming in the area and I don't feel presonally that it is being kept up as quickly as it should.  You may want to call this perfection.  However, I want it to be better for all of us.

Also, I will be a little more involved in the wrestling scene in the Philippines in 2024 and beyond.  I don't want to go into details right now on this because it is personal in nature.  Let's just say that this fan, after following the industry for over 50 years, has vowed that he wants to give back to pro wrestling what it has provided him.

The rest of this year, the blog will remain the same with blog posts throughout Southeast Asia.  However, my blogging friend and I will be posting, likely on January 1, 2024.  There will be a post regarding this prior to the change.  

Since I have familiarity with the Philippines and the three promotions here (Manila Wrestling Federation, Filipino Pro Wrstling and World Underground Wrestling - Philippines), I will be posting on their shows exclusively.  All three promotions have been comfortable what I've been writing.  I'm comfortable with the country, the promotions and the fanbase.  There will likely be several other countries I'll be writing on as well.

The second blogger will handle the rest under my guidance until he feels comfortable with it.  There will be a post before the change to let everyone know what it coming.

In the meantime,  have a good day everyone!      

Thank You Everyone!

Wanted to take the time here to thank everyone who has read at least one post here on Pro Wrestling Today.  It is a constant project in progress and hopefully, wrestling fans are enjoying it.  While at the Manila Wrestling Federation show this past Sunday, numerous fans came up to me and thanked me for doing this.  

I've always said that this is not for me, but on the wrestling community no matter where.  If any of you have any comments or suggestions on making it better, please let me know here or on Facebook.  This fan is touched and really appreciated what the wrestling community has said.  Hopefully, I'm doing a little something right to help make pro wrestling a little better in Southeast Asia!  

Anyone can get on the internet and read about WWE, AEW, etc.  However, promotions like Manila Wrestling Federation, Singapore Pro Wrestling, Vietnam Pro Wrestling and 13-15 other promotions in the region deserve more ink!

From that this fan has seen this year, pro wrestling is booming in the region.  Wrestling shows are selling out!  Podcasts based in America are finally realizing that there is a product here.  One specific podcast has interviewed two Asian promotions over the past several months.  Promotions have been able to secure pro wrestling for television.  Pro Wrestling Illustrated has mentioned several Asian pro wrestlers over the past calendar year and have mentioned them in their top wrestlers list.  All these things are long, long overdue but appreciated!  Pro wrestling became global in 1972 when today's New Japan Pro Wrestling was formed.  If people still feel that pro wrestling is only a North American way of sports entertainment, you've been living under a rock!  Get with the program!

Just so I'm not being picky, I didn't know about pro wrestling in Southeast Asia until November 2018.  Finding out from a fellow running friend in the Metro Manila area of the Philippines was the best thing ever to happen.  It took four years before attending my first wrestling show outside North America where I live.  If this fan could only turn the clock back, I wished it would have been much sooner.  However, it is what it is, I guess.  Pro wrestling means much more to me personally today than it did prior to November 2018.

There is one thing I can say in my 55 years of following pro wrestling.  Wrestling IS better today than it was when I first started following in 1968!  Overall, the wrestlers are better.  They are in better shape.  The equipment is better.  Safety is very important.  The training is better than before.  This fan doesn't know what to call this era in pro wrestling but it is a golden time globally!

I'll be taking a brief break until next Thursday.  Being on vacation, there are people that I'm looking forward to seeing.  Sightseeing here in the Philippines, a 5K race this coming weekend and turning 72 years young are on the agenda.  When I get back to America, there will be a lot of items to write before the Christmas/New Year's break.  Here are some of the items.

One interview with a huge Pinoy wrestling fan that this fan did prior to the MWF Noche Buena show.

An interview with Mr. Geylang of Ring Of Rebirth/Singapore.

Results from Todos Los Wrestling (MWF)

Results from Vietnam Pro Wrestling's last show (and yes, the Chris Jericho appearance at the end of the show).

Results from Malaysia Pro Wrestling's show.

Grapplemax Pro Wrestling's Upcoming show (Singapore).

Update on Middle Kingdom Wrestling's show in January in China.

and

More on the 2023 MWF Noche Buena show, an observation (no results because I'm no spoiler) and the new venue for pro wrestling at UP Dillman in Quezon City.

So to those who read this.......please be patient!  A little relaxation is needed by this fan.  Getting recharged makes the posts and the blog better too.

Anyway, please be safe everyone and will post again next week!   

2023 MWF Noche Buena - The Sequel

It was an amazing evening of pro wrestling at the 2023 Manila Federation Noche Buena show this past Sunday.

The kapafeds began lining up for the show as early as noontime for the much anticpated final show of 2023.  Being one of the fans there, one can feel the buzz, anticipation and excitement.

This fan's day began early by walking over to Circuit Makati - Ayala Malls, about a 35 minute walk.  It came as no surprise when walking torwards Starbucks, that the MWF brian trust - William and Tarek were inside.  Joining them for a few minutes, the three of us talked about the past year and the excitement that the company is bringing to the Philippines right now.

Then, at Jolilbee, I flagged down Veronica while she was walking by.  I was able to give her a book on one of our all time favorite pro wrestlers, Pat Patterson of NWA and WWF (now WWE fame).  Patterson, to both of us, is a hero in this industry.  

Veronica, along with Tarek and William, were very appreciative of this fan's journey over the past year.  Thank you guys for the time.  This fan has learned a lot about MWF and what it means here in the Philippines!

Eventually, I caught up with my friend, Alexander, a Filipino wrestling fan who lives and works in Japan.  Alexander is so knowledgeable about the industry that you can spend days talking about its history with him.

Because he didn't have a ticket, and the show being sold out online, it was the hopes that he would be able to get in.  The three plus hours of being in line at the PMC Spotlight Center were long but worth each minute.  And the buzz and excitement grew as the 4pm hour came close.  Everyone that I knew that didn't have a ticket, were able to secure one and be at the show! 

Once inside, the anticpation of possibly the best show since the return from the pandemic, if not ever, was very possible.  This fan has, on one other occasion, Wrestlemania 31, experienced this.  The sellout crowd was ready for what was to follow.  

The show itself did not disappoint anyone.  It was definitely the best of the three MWF shows I've seen over the past calendar year!  Manila Wrestling Federation, with the storybook type, did not disappoint one fan inside the arena last night.  This fan has always said that the kapafeds, Pinoy wrestling fans, or whatever, are the most knowledgeable, passionate, humerous and great fans on this planet!  I will stand by this statement today and in the future!  

In the several wrestling shows over the past year, I've always appreciated the welcome and kindness the fans have shown.  There were so many that this fan met last night.  It is an experience that will never be taken for granted.  One learns so much each time at a show here in the Philippines whether it is MWF or the other two wrestling promotions.  Hopefully, this fan has done this for the wrestling fans here as well.

Instead of sharing results (because I want our fans to watch future episodes of Gank and Rock Of Manila TV), there were numerous things that I came away with.

Several of the MWF wrestlers reached out and have thanked me for the blog.  Sometimes, because of the humbleness, I don't think about it.  This fan feels the word needs to get out and it is a voice for fans who may or may not be at a show.  Last night, maybe for the first time, I was very touched and a little emotional about this.  Doing this has never been about me.  It's about MWF, the wrestling fans, other wrestling promotions in the Philippines, and promotions throughout Southeast Asia.  It is always been giving back to an industy that has provided many thrills for this fan!

It went further though last night.  Several of the wrestlers who performed last night saw the emotion, the smile, the conversations, and the laughter out of this fan.  It's another thing I don't realize only because we, the fans, get caught up in the moment.  All I want to say is thank you to you (whom I won't name).  It really meant a lot to me when you guys mentioned this.  It is also something this fan never sees in America wrestling shows.  One day, my persistance from this blog will see more fans from outside the Philippines at the shows.

This fan knows the risks, the work put in, the sacrifices, and some of the things that you do to prepare for shows like last night.  This fan goes on record here saying that he'll always be in your corner no matter what!

Before leaving, I stopped by another coffee shop to talk with MWFs Kurt Jiminez.  It was great to sit down, unwind, and talk about his accomplishments over the past year, his first.  Kurt has unlimited potential, in my opinion, and is definitely a solid member of Oro Plata Mata, one of several groups in the company.  This fan learned a lot of his experiences and am looking forward to his future, which is bright!

Finally, a word for the kapafeds who were or were not present at the show last night.  If any of you attended any of the MWF shows within the past year, if you enjoyed the product, please let your friends know!  Word of mouth is very powerful and it would be great not only seeing familiar but new faces at the shows.  Let them know about the social media outlets, Gank and Rock Of Manila TV.  

In closing, MWF will be at UP Dillman in 2024.  There will be more announcements on it in future days and weeks.  This fan is told that the capacity holds 100-200 more fans which is important for the company's future.  Also, I've vowed, like I did last year, regarding helping MWF in 2024 and hopefully beyond!

I'll be here in Makati for another week on a needed vacation.  In the meantime, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of you!  This fan will see you guys again sometime in 2024!    

51 Weeks Later!

The year has flown by fast for this blogger.  It was 51 weeks ago tomorrow in seeing my first pro wrestling show outside North America.

Since then, it feels like that I've known the Manila Wrestling Federation group, it's fan base known as the kapafeds and the Pinoy Wrestling Community for several years.  When joining the different groups on Facebook back in September 2022, it was a good feeling just to share things with wrestling fans.  It has been much more than that.  Being welcomed in the Pinoy Wrestling Community is like no other.  Am grateful for this and salamat po!  

Wrestling fans here in the Philippines are like no other that I've experienced.  They are passionate, knowledgeable, witty, humorous and know the industry inside out.  Some of the wrestling fans have told me that they've learned a lot from my knowledge.  Honestly, this fan has learned a lot from you guys!  I've never been one to say that I know everything about pro wrestling in spite of the 55+ years in following it.  Even if I did, staying as humble as possible is the way I was brought up by my parents.

The promotions here in the Philippines?  Filipino Pro Wrestling, World Underground Wrestling Philippines and the Manila Wrestling Federation have been great with me!  The cooperation has been top notch.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart!  Though this is an MWF post, I cannot say enough about the other two promotions here.  The memories are still on my mind from the August visit.  This fan learned so much in the three shows over eight days.  I wish wrestling fans throughout the world could have experienced what was experienced.

Back to tomorrow's Noche Buena show, it is a SELLOUT with a small amount of tickets available at the door (I believe 1000 pesos).  The event is at the PMC Spotlight Center, Circuit Makati and beginning at 4:30pm.  If you are still "on the fence" about going, now is your chance!  Just trying to help you decide.

No question it should be a great show on Sunday.  Every match has some meaning to it.  There are two title matches, a match for the Hong Kong - Philippine Cup, a Women's Four Way Match with a debut of one wrestler, and a match for the number one contender for the MWF Pinoy Wrestling Championship sometime in 2024.  Also, five wrestlers from two countries (Hong Kong and Japan) will be appearing.

Looking forward to tomorrow.  The anticipation is definitely high and special.  To the kapafeds reading this....please enjoy the show!  This is an amazing lineup of matches and none of us should take this for granted.  Also, please continue to support MWF as well as the other two promotions if you follow them.  The promotions will definitely appreciate it.

See you guys tomorrow.  I will be wearing the black MWF shirt with my dark blue SF cap.  Will be sitting somewhere in the first row.  In the meantime, Merry Christmas in advance and have a good weekend everyone!

SPW Viva La Lucha Results

Here are the results from Singapore Pro Wrestling's show, Viva La Lucha.  It was SPW's 11th anniversary show.  Congratulations on the milestone and hope the promotions continues another 11 years and beyond!  The event took place last Friday, November 24th.

 

 

Match Results:

 

Main Event

Samuray Del Sol def. The Statement Andruew Tang.

Yuki Kamifuku def. Alexis Lee to become the NEW SPW Queen of Asia Champion.

 

Aiden Rex retained the SPW Southeast Asia Championship against Zombie Dragon.

 

Chris Vice retained the ZERO-1 World Heavyweight Championship against BGJ, Destroyer Dharma, and Ho Ho Lun.

 

The Horrors def. CK Vin & Wonderboy.

 

Big T won the 24/7 Battle Royal.

 

Black Arrow def. Johnathan Johnson.

Five Year Anniversary

Roughly five years ago, Saturday, November 30, 2018, this wrestling fan completed a 32 kilometer (about 20 miles) race in the Fort Bonifacio area of the Philippines near Global City.  It was a very popular event in the area.  People are probably wondering what running has to do with pro wrestling.

 

Following the grueling long distance race, a group of us met for breakfast close by near the Ayala Triangle area in Makati.  We talked about a lot of things including one of my favorite subjects, pro wrestling.

 

I brought up a question if wrestling, besides the WWE, was ever in the area.  This fan knew that the WWE had visited the Manila area back in the 2006-2007 time frame.

 

The answer was yes!  My friend, Mike, was aware about two wrestling promotions in the Manila Wrestling Federation and Philippine Wrestling Revolution.  He explained that the groups were somewhat like the independent promotions that happen to be in America.

 

Mike mentioned about Manila Wrestling Federation's show that was to happen the following day.  It was December 1st at the University of the Philippines Dillman, an area where I did some training.  Because this blogger had to go back to America that evening, I wasn't able to go to the event.  However, if there was a future visit to the Philippines, this fan would have secured a ticket and would be at the show early.

 

Unfortunately, because of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, this blogger didn't return to the country.  In fact, it wouldn't be until the end of 2021 when MWF would have another show, about two years after their previous one.

 

I never gave up in wanting to see MWF or for that matter, any wrestling promotion in the Philippines.  In September 2022, this fan became involved with the various Pinoy Wrestling groups on Facebook.  Nearly everyone in the groups have welcomed me with open arms, something that is not to be forgotten.  Am grateful that am around wrestling fans that are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and more!  

 

Moving forward to Sunday, December 11, 2022,  getting a chance to see the 2022 MWF Noche Buena show at the Peta Theater Center in Quezon City was the greatest moment in my wrestling life.  This meant much more than Wrestlemania 31 in Santa Clara and my first show back in July 1970!  It would also be my first show outside of North America!

 

Nearly 51 weeks later (this coming December 3rd), another MWF show is about to take place.  This is not just another wrestling show to this blogger. I will never take these moments for granted.  Unlike North America where you can see wrestling about once a month, going to an MWF or the other two promotional shows in the Philippines is always special.  Explaining it further, it's golden!

 

Hopefully, the kapafeds who will be at the PMC Spotlight Theater in Circuit Makati won't take this for granted either.  MWF and the other two promotions in the Philippines have come a long ways since returning from the pandemic.  Definitely, this will be the best post pandemic show, and possibly, the best show ever.  

 

Just a few days away now!  Will see you guys again soon!

MWF Team Vs. Team Elimination Match

In a couple of days, it will be five years since this fan found out about pro wrestling in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines.  That is when a friend of mine shared about the Manila Wrestling Federation and Philippine Wrestling Revolution to me.

 

A lot has happened since that time.  A few days after finding out, Robin Sane would win the first MWF Pinoy Wrestling Championship.  It just so happened to be the Noche Buena show.  The finals for the inaugural title was in December 2018.

 

This fan was going to visit the Philippines, and hopefully attend an MWF show in 2020.  Well, the plans were delayed around two years because of the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic that took place.

 

However, fast forward to December of last year.  This fan finally got to see his first show, the 2022 MWF Noche Buena event at the Peta Theater Center in Quezon City.  Fabio Makisig would win a thrilling title match over Jake De Leon to win the title.

 

Fast forward to 2023.  Manila Wrestling Federation has had a really good year.  It began with Ken Cifer winning the Chilly Willy Cup in a tournament.  That was a part of MWF's Kasaysayan.  There was Gigil At Romansa, Republika, "Lights, Kamera, Aksyon", Road To Fate, Tuloy Ang Laban and Todos Los Wrestling.  All of the shows mentioned have done well.  On top of all of this, Manila Wrestling Federation secured a television spot with Rock Of Manila TV. The channel can be seen throughout the country.

 

Once again, at this time of the year, the final show of the year, Noche Buena will take place at the PMC Spotlight Theater in Circuit Makati.  The date is Sunday, December 3rd beginning at 4:30pm (doors open at 4pm). 

 

The featured match of the show is a first for this fan.  It is an Team vs. Team Elimination Match with the last wrestler remaining being the MWF Pinoy Wrestling Champion.  The title is still currently held by Fabio Makisig.

 

On one side, you have Oro Plata Mata with Jake DeLeon, Main Maxx, Dabid Ravena and Kurt Jiminez w/Mr. Sy.  On the other side, you have Team MWF with Fabio Makisig, Robin Sane, Nigel San Jose and Danny Zamora.

 

There are fans that will probably assume that Fabio Makisig and Jake DeLeon will be the last two wrestlers.  That is a normal thing.  However,  I'm sensing that something unusual or unpredictable will happen.  This fan will leave it at that.

 

The good thing about this match unlike a fatal three or four way is this.  Fabio going in as the champion is at a disadvantage, for sure.  Despite the fact that this is a team vs. team match, there are seven other wrestlers that want what Fabio has.  Fabio has to be pinned or submit in order to be eliminated and lose the title.  In a fatal match,  Fabio could lose the title without being pinned or submit.

 

This fan will watch the match very closely as the other matches on the show.  For those of you that haven't bought a ticket or tickets, please check the Manila Wrestling Federation - MWF page on Facebook.  The event is very close to being sold out!

 

See you guys next weekend!

 

   

ROR #3 Recap

Here are the results from Ring Of Rebirth Wrestling #3 from a few weeks ago.  For those who haven't seen any of their shows, you can find each match over the past year on You Tube.  Also, please subscribe to the channel.

 

Varun Khanna d. John Day.

Aerial Sniper Nyc d. Brother Bhai.

The Eurasian Dragon d. Ahmad Arif.

The Geylang Gamble hosted by Mr. Geylang.

VPW Immortal Glory Update

There have been some updates since last posting regarding the VPW Immortal Glory show.  The event is scheduled  to take place on Saturday, December 2nd at the VAIB Studio beginning at 7pm.

 

Besides the two title matches mentioned in the last post, there will be a Heart Of Darkness Over The Top Battle Royal.

 

Fugofugo Yumeji, who has appeared in a Vietnam Pro Wrestling ring before, will be one of the entrants in the Battle Royal.

 

VIP tickets for the event are sold out but there are General Admission tickets remaining.  For more information, please check the Vietnam Pro Wrestling page on Facebook.

FPW Astig Update!

This fan has enjoyed, and appreciated the Filipino Pro Wrestling shows that have been shown on You Tube over the past 10 weeks.

 

This coming Thursday, November 23rd, will be the final FPW Astig shown on You Tube beginning at 4pm local time.

 

The match for the inaugural Filipino Pro Wrestling Championship will be shown in its entirety.  Over the past few episodes, there was a tournament to determine who would be the first champion.

 

Ralph Imabayashi, Cali Nueva and Mike Madrigal, all have moved on to the Championship round.  Hope all of you have a chance to enjoy what, I understand, was a great match.   

Now Officlal!

In the last post, this fan mentioned that there may be a possible tag team title match for the upcoming MWF show.

 

Now, it is official!  The World Underground Wrestling Tag Team Titles will be on the line at the 2023 Manila Wrestling Federation Noche Buena show.  The date is Sunday, December 3rd at the PMC Spotlight Theater in Circuit Makati.

 

The team of Umezawa and Sansyu from Japan,  the WUW Tag Team Champions will take on Saint John Martin and Ken Cifer in what will be another great match on the show.

 

Unfortunately, I don't have very much info on the tag team champions.  Sansyu debuted in pro wrestling back in November 2007 (16 years ago.).

 

Umezawa's career, I believe, goes back to March 2010 from what this fan has found.  Definitely, the two are experienced in the ring. 

 

Definitely, this will be a great test for Saint John Martin and Ken Cifer, both with WUW - Philippines.

 

Regarding tickets, once again, there are just a few General Admission tickets left for the show.  However, as always, please do not take my word for it.  Please check the Manila Wrestling Federation - MWF page on Facebook for more information.  Thanks again.    

NTW Results Form November 18th

Here are the results from New Taiwan Wrestling's show that took place this past Saturday, November 18th.

 

 

First trial

(O) 剛田魁 ＜07:09 Spinbuster＞Alex Cool (X)

2nd trial

 

(O) Sky＜07:30 Dick Slam＞ Karas (X)

 

The third trial - the king of the south will decide to fight

(O) Black Ho <09:02 Tank bomb drop > Saka(X)

(Black Ho player becomes the new generation leader of the South Pang Army).

 

4th Test - Singles Championship Challenger Qualifying

(O) Lucifer ＜12:35 Diving Senton＞ 鬼狼 (X)

(Lucifer player qualified for the challenge and named to challenge NTW undifferentiated singles title).

 

Master try together

(O) 殭屍龍(MKW)＜13:11 Guillotine Legdrop＞The Joker (X)

Less Than Two Weeks Away!

It's less than two weeks away to Manila Wrestling Federation's 2023 Noche Buena.  The venue is the PMC Spotlight Theater on Sunday, December 3rd beginning at 4:30pm (doors open at 4pm).  For those of you that haven't bought a ticket, please so today.  I'm told that the event is close to a sellout.

If the event was anything like last year, you'll be happy you will attend this one.  Let's recap the matches that will be on this show....

*Team vs. Team Elimination Match for the MWF Pinoy Wrestling Championship.  The last man remaining will be the MWF Champion.

Team Oro Plata Mata (Jake De Leon, Main Maxx, Dabid Ravena and Kurt Jiminez w/Mr. Sy) will face the MWF All Stars (Fabio Makisig (c), Robin Sane, Nigel San Jose and Danny Zamora.

 

*All Women Four Way Match

Chelsea Marie vs. Joya vs. Super P. vs. Patricia Ligaya.

 

*"Danger" Rex Lawin vs. Ho Ho Lun in a #1 Contender's Match.

 

*Bro. Jomar Liwanag vs. Aaron Liwanag with the winner heading Bahay ng Liwanag.

 

*Michael Su vs. Joey Rosas vs. Bitman with the winner winning the Hong Kong-Philippines Alliance Cup.

 

*El Kapitunero vs. Kapatid Na Benny.

 

*Isaiah Valencia vs. CJ Serafin with the loser leaving Barangay Bagsakan!

 

*Saint John Martin and Ken Cifer will be in action as a tag team.  Their opponents have not yet been named.

 

And

The Trial of Oppa KT and Tarek.

 

Regarding one of the matches on the show.  This is not confirmed yet, and I'm not a matchmaker here.  However, there is a possibility that there will be another title match on the show.

Per an interview Patricia Ligaia had with Saint John Martin on the last episode of Todos Los Wrestling on Rock Of Manila TV and Gank, he and his partner (presumably Ken Cifer) want to take on the World Underground Wrestling Tag Team Champions in a tag title match at Noche Buena.

 

Since this is uncomfirmed, it's best to hold off mentioning any more.  However, if this match actually takes place, it will definitely be a must watch for wrestling fans who will be in the PMC Spotlight Theater that evening.  If I find out more, I will pass it on this site.

 

Also, I haven't talked about this, but there is a wrestling event coming up this weekend at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Paranaque City.  The Last Rakrakan Festival '23 is a multi day event.  MWF will put on two shows, Saturday/Sunday, November 25-26.  For more on tickets and the show itself, please check the Manila Wrestling Federation - MWF page on Facebook.

 

See you guys on Sunday, December 3rd!  

MKW Bash At The Bay 3 Update

Have an update on Middle Kingdom's Bash At The Bay 3 show  scheduled for January 27th in Shenzen, China.

 

Wangtao, the MKW Belt And Road Champion will take on Singapore Pro Wrestling's founder, Andruew Tang for the title.  This match is definitely a main event, not only in China, but all throughout Asia.

 

Tickets for the event will take place soon.  Please check back on the Middle kingdom Wrestling page for more information on tickets and additional matches.