A lesser week than usual, even with the final days of the G1 Climax coming through. Between not really connecting with any of those bouts, plus having a busy time in general, there’s a little less here for us than in past editions. That said, I still go pretty extensively into the best Japanese tournament match of the year, more TV goodness from the WWE, and the best piece of pro wrestling of the which that didn’t take place inside a ring.
On to the Real…
Note on dates: Review dates refer to my local timezone in the Philippines, match dates are based on the timezone each match occurred in.
Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Ryohei Oiwa (NOAH N-1 Victory 2024 N2 8/9/24)
Reviewed: August 14, 2024
I’m not entirely sure when or why it happened, but there’s suddenly this resurgence of young Japanese wrestlers dedicated to the finer points of the classical foundations of wrestling. In this bout, we have none other than Ryohei Oiwa in what I can only describe as a revelatory breakthrough performance. I’ve not seen much of Oiwa’s work, but every time I’ve dipped in, he’s always struck me as a very solid young wrestler with a lot of potential. Kaito, on the other hand, is someone I’ve enjoyed immensely in brief spurts through the years, but always seems to have his capability limited in some way or another (typically by the expectations of the modern Japanese main event).
All of that is what makes this match go down like a rush of fresh air.
This is not two wrestlers playing at the dreaded “Japanese main event epic” and falling short. Instead, it’s two wrestlers sticking to what has always worked in the history of this sport, and committing to it to create something truly great. It is a match, that for so much of it, gets actually wrestled on the mat in the way these things are meant to work. Oiwa’s getting so much time and narrative progression out of applying that old school problem-solution wrestling down to its textbook definition. He’ll pick a hold to work–early on he switches from armbar to side headlock–and just focus on retaining that hold in spite of Kaito’s many spirited attempts to escape and push the match forward. The repeated escapes and returns to the holds create the delightful back and forth rhythm that resonates with the deepest parts of my heart. Just this steady, unfolding struggle of technique as Oiwa controls the pace and Kaito tries to break through.
You can’t tell me it’s just me falling for it because I have some sort of nostalgia for classical wrestling either. This shit is done because it works. Listen to Korakuen Hall erupt each time Kaito’s cut off again, and how exciting and momentous it feels when he does finally get out of these predicaments. Oiwa has Korakuen Hall popping for headlocks! Headlocks!
And good on Kaito too for responding to the frustration of being cut off constantly with a certain viciousness and pettiness. For one, the leg work that he invests in early and returns to late in the match feels a whole lot meaner than Oiwa working a pretty clean and sporting bout. Then, there’s the little kicks to a downed Oiwa while he is in control to show just how distressed he is by the whole situation.
If I had my way, the transition between the more clinical wrestling into the big bombs would have been handled a little smoother, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense even in this context. Even just watching as a fan, the 25 minute call came as a total shock (I could have sworn it had only been 15 at the most), and the wrestlers react appropriately by working harder and shooting for a finish.
Truly a great match, one of the best to come out of Japan all year, and another beacon of hope for what Japanese wrestling’s future may hold. The boys are bringing pro wrestling-ass wrestling back.
Rating: ****ÂĽ
“Time of my Life” – Bryan Danielson Video (AEW Dynamite 8/14/24)
Reviewed: August 20, 2024
One of the great tools for mythmaking in pro wrestling is the hype video. This one released by AEW on the August 14 Dynamite might just be the best hype video the company’s ever released, and flat out the best pro wrestling hype video released this decade. As with all the best wrestling hype videos, it surpasses the simpler goals functions of these things like recapping a story or making a worker look cool and becomes something greater instead. In this instance, it’s a loving tribute to the career of the greatest professional wrestler that’s ever lived.
A song choice that may feel obvious and schmaltzy, receives added gravitas from Danielson saying in an interview that it’s a song he’d want played at his funeral. Beyond that though, it’s the great spread of footage that’s included here. The gaping hole in the puzzle is the work in the WWE, but even without that, the sheer breadth of Dragon’s career comes through here. The other big pieces are there, most notably the ROH run, but a lot of smaller pieces as well like all the New Japan work (both past and present) and footage from PWG. Some of the most affecting stuff actually comes from the Wrestling Road Diaries documentary, which serves as one of the most comprehensive documents of Bryan’s own philosophies of pro wrestling as well as his day-to-day experience as an independent wrestler.
Putting all that together creates a rather potent mix. One that taps into equally strong feelings of nostalgia for what’s been and hope for what yet could be. Easily the best piece of pro wrestling presentation from the last week.
Be sure to check out this revised cut using WWE footage made by friend of the site @dweebyllo too.
Sheamus vs. Pete Dunne (WWE Raw 8/19/24)
Reviewed: August 20, 2024

Pete Dunne almost gets in the way here. That man just isn’t throwing any good strikes in this match, and that stands out twice as much when working against someone as solid as Sheamus. Luckily, the Irish come through for us once again here. Sheamus never really sells any of Pete’s worst strikes, only really going down when Pete throws his whole weight at him. At the same time, Sheamus’ cut offs and comebacks are such a joy in this. Whether it’s intercepting a shitty punch to cut Dunne down with a big lariat or absorbing the Ten Beats of the Bodhran steal just so he could deliver it for himself, and double down on it as well. To Dunne’s credit too, he spends much of this match bumping for Sheamus, and he is bumping hard. Props to Sheamus for yet another wonderful TV match finish as well. Dunne tries to Adam Priest his way to victory by trapping Sheamus’ hand in the turnbuckle pad, but our hero rips that shit right off the turnbuckle and kicks Dunne’s head off. Fuck yeah, dude, the Irishman destroying the Brit. The way God intended.
Rating: ***Âľ
Randy Orton vs. Ludwig Kaiser (WWE Raw 8/19/24)
Reviewed: August 20, 2024

About as straightforward an ideas as you can get. Orton’s on the way to a big title match against Gunther, so first he’s got to take out Gunther’s lackey here. Kaiser’s still a bit hit or miss for me personally. He’s often plugged into matches where he has the best chance of succeeding, as he is here, but he could still benefit from a little tightening of the screws. A little more behind his punches maybe, or a little less of the preening heel shtick which feels like it clashes with the rest of his work.
Still, in this match, there’s just too much that rocks to drag it all down. To Kaiser’s credit, he slots in well with the structure here. Going after Orton’s leg is a nice continuation on the theme Gunther and Orton set up at King of the Ring, and delivering an announce table backdrop of his own is a nice reversal on Orton’s signature spots. Orton’s such a fun babyface in this and really is the driving force of the match. Love to see him just hoof Kaiser overhead with a big release fallaway slam or do the repeated announce table back drops. Orton also adds a lot of life to smaller moments too like getting into a scrappy struggle on the mat when Kaiser tries to work his knee. It’s great to see him in exactly the right setting too: pushed just enough to be irritated and challenged by Kaiser, but asserting himself strong enough to seem credible against Gunther. Just real hearty, sensible TV wrestling.
Rating: ***3/4