SETUP Thailand's Gunn

Hello everyone.

 

 

Hope all of you are enjoying the Uprising Series feature on all six of SETUP Thailand's wrestlers in the upcoming tournament.

 

The final wrestler this blogger would like to mention is, last but certainly not least, Gunn.  The following information is factual and is what this blogger sees in, what is, an up and coming as well as an improved wrestler. 

 

(NOTE - Please Facebook message me at SF Wayne regarding anything good or otherwise on this post).

 

Back in April 2020 when Covid-19 was affecting everyone, I started following SETUP Thailand and other Southeast Asia promotions on Facebook as well as other social media outlets.  It was a way of getting through a day.  Remember, much of the world was strongly advised not to go outside because of the virus.  So, to this wrestling fan, seeing videos and reading up what soon would be a blog would happen.

 

I first learned about Gunn on SETUP's Facebook page.  It was around the beginning of 2020.  His profile was shown on their page as a wrestling trainee / referee.  Over the years, knowing the promotion, his training that was led by wrestlers such as Paksa would be very beneficial.

 

His first match was what was termed an exhibition match against Paksa, definitely not a surprise.  It happened in August 2020 after a delay in the show due to Covid.  

 

In November that year, Gunn had his best moment yet as a young wrestler.  A show called an Enter The Island Tournament took place on a boat that took place on the Chao Phraya River.  A full house of fans were a part of the action.

 

Gunn wrestled three times in the event.  Defeating the likes of Paksa, Jonathan Johnson and EK Baki is no small feat!  All three are well known and great wrestlers in the Thailand and Southeast Asia scene.  He would go on to win the tournament!

 

There would be some defeats and victories in the next year for Gunn.  This blogger is not certain what happened to him.  Likely, an absence from wrestling was due to the epidemic.  

 

However, the next time we, and the fans, saw Gunn, was in a three way match for the SETUP 24/7 Championship in July 2023.

 

In November 2024, Gunn took part in the 20 person SETUP Rumble which was a very unique match with some of the different costumes that some of the wrestlers wore.  Early this year, in January, Gunn fared well in the Intergender Four Way match with Matcha, Kru Pol and Pondhub.

 

From the video I've seen of him, he has definitely good wrestling skills.  His drop kick on opponents is something that stands out.  He does have other attributes as well.        

 

Being told by sources that he may be the most experienced going into the upcoming tournament, Gunn definitely feels he has something to prove.  Interestingly, Gunn will face two of the competition from January's match.  Also, there is Kevin Weng, Flame Drake and Blick Drewz.  Gunn is in the B Block along with Flame Drake and Pondhub.

 

All this blogger can say is that any one of the six that are in the two blocks are more than capable of winning the tournament.  I'm not one to select the winner.  However, for the fans who will pack The Circus Studio over the next four months, anything can, and will happen.  The tournament, along with other great matches, will provide for an exciting 2025 in Bangkok and at The Circus Studio.  

 

Please visit the SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling page, as always, for tickets and information.  Thank you.

SETUP Thailand's Pondhub

Hello everyone.

 

Hope all of you are enjoying the Uprising Series feature on all six of SETUP Thailand's wrestlers in the upcoming tournament.

 

The next wrestler this blogger would like to mention is Pondhub.  The following information is factual and is what this blogger sees in, what is, an up and coming as well as an improving wrestler. 

 

(NOTE - Please Facebook message me at SF Wayne regarding anything good or otherwise on this post). 

 

The first time this blogger saw video of Pondhub was in May 2023 at the EP13 show.  It was a match I've seen on You Tube several times and, believe me, it was impressive.  It was the first match on the show and it was a tag team match that featured four up and coming stars on the SETUP Thailand promotion.

 

Pondhub caught my eye right away.  His build when you see him in the ring is similar to this blogger.  However, he has great agility, moves around the ring quickly and is very athletic.  

 

There were other things noticable.  Pondhub has a great character which the SETUP Thailand wrestling fans picked up on right away.  The interaction was tremenduous.  This came at a time when pro wrestling defeinitely needed it.  That was coming back from a pandemic that affected sports entertainment nearly worldwide.

 

Pondhub showed a lot of wrestling skill for someone that was very new to sports entertainment.  The assumption is that he likely started training once the pandemic was lifted. Anyway, Pondhub, along with his partner, Akaradeth (today known as Kevin Weng), won the match that day.

 

A couple of months later, Pondhub would gain some more experience in a tag team match against The Good Deal at the EP14 event.  The success led to Pondhub being part of the IWA Japan SETUP Tag Team Championship tournament in September.  He would wrestle twice that day, a great experience for any young wrestler.

 

Pondhub would be involved in several more matches as a tag team partner.  There would be a great rivalry with Pondhub and his partner, Kevin Weng facing the current IWA Tag Champions in The Good Deal.  In their last encounter, the team known as St. John's Innocent College would win in a Triple Threat match.

 

In May 2024, Pondhub would defeat his former partner, Kevin Weng in a singles match.  Both wrestlers actually did well that day.  There was a rift between the two from the previous show.  Some fans and bloggers like myself look at it, perhaps a little different as a singles wrestler seeing what they can do alone.  Pondhub won.  

 

It would set up a Triple Threat match in the next show that had Pondhub, Kevin Weng and Kru Pol, the teacher.  Kru Pol would win in his debut.  What this fan noticed however is how all three participants have improved since their very beginnings in the promotion.

 

Pondhub has wrestled twice since this match.  He took part in the 20 Person Rumble in November in which he did quite well.

 

Then there was the four way intergender match at SETUP's last show in January.  From watching the match on You Tube, this may have been Pondhub's best showing.  Fatal Four matches are difficult to judge, at times, but there was a lot of good with him that came out of the encounter.

 

The brackets for the Uprising Series have been made and Pondhub is in the B bracket.  Personally, that should not make any difference to him or perhaps anyone in this tournament.  Some people, not myself, may feel that he's a darkhorse to win.  My gut feeling (only my opinion here) is that all six work hard in practice and the results have, and are showing.  

 

Whenever you see improvement in each wrestler in this tournament, it's very rare when someone who doesn't work out at all has tons of ability.  Working out provides better results and that is what each one has.  Pondhub definitely is another wrestler to watch, and not just in the Uprising Series.  There is quite a future ahead for him!   

SETUP Thailand's Flame Drake

Hello everyone.

 

Hope everyone is enjoying the series of posts regarding the wrestlers who will compete in SETUP Thailand's Uprising Series Tournament.  The event will begin with the EP21: Double Cross show on March 22nd.

 

In the past few days, this blogger shared some information on Kru Pol and Kevin Weng.  This fan knows that many reading this know their background from the shows attended and social media.  The blogger also knows that there is a new audience of people reading this that are new to the Southeast Asia pro wrestling scene.  In any case, hopefully all of you are enjoying this.

 

The next wrestler to be mentioned in the upcoming tournament is no stranger to the Thailand pro wrestling scene.  His name is Flame Drake.

 

From my conversations, Flame Drake is definitely a huge wrestling fan.  Along with SETUP Thailand's P'Suchart (or Mr. Suchart), both, as fans only, attended SETUP Thailand's first wrestling show.  Both Flame Drake and P'Suchart are long time friends and have encouraged each other over the years.

 

The event was back in January 2020 called Bangkok Showdown.  The event was a joint effort with Wrestle Square, a promotion from India.  Also, some wrestlers from throughout Asia helped the event be a huge success.

 

Flame Drake would begin training at TOP Dojo under Golem Thai and P-Nutz while P'Suchart went to SETUP and began training with the promotion.  

 

Flame Drake would win his first pro wrestling match for TOP Dojo (Thailand Origin Pro Wrestling) back in December 2020.  He would win a singles match at an event known as Battle Royal.  It took place on a mat, very normal for professional wrestling in Southeast Asia.  The venue was the Motorway Dojo.

 

He would continue with the promotion, event through the Covid pandemic that affected pro wrestling everywhere.  Flame Drake continued with the promotion until November 2024.  He would defeat Golem Thai, someone who helped train him in his professional career.  It would be the first time defeating him.  The victory is a statement to wrestlers never to give up!  Flame Drake would announce that he would be leaving the promotion for a new chapter in his professional career.

 

In November, at SETUP Thailand's event, Year End Climax, Flame Drake would make his SETUP debut in the 20 person rumble match.  It ended up, after watching the You Tube video, that he was #20 entering the Battle Royal.  It can be seen on SETUP's You Tube channel.

 

In January, Flame Drake would be in his first tag match at SETUP, teaming up with Blick Drewz against long time friend, P'Suchart and Anont Alonzo for the IWA Japan SETUP World Tag Team Championship.  Blick Drewz and Flame Drake would renew acquaintances as tag team partners for the match.  Flame Drake mentioned to me that Blick Drewz was his senior wrestler with TOP Dojo back when he was started.  Today, they are both wrestling with SETUP.  

 

It will be interesting what the future holds for a wrestler that I enjoy watching on video.  He's fast, agile, definitely has wrestling skills, has been trained well both on the mat as well as ring action.  The fans who have seen him at shows such as The Circus Studio rally behind him.  Like everyone that is taking part in the Uprising Series, I would not bet against him!

SETUP Thailand's Kevin Weng

Hello everyone.

 

The next wrestler that this blogger will talk about will be taking part in SETUP Thailand's Uprising Series beginning in March.  The wrestler that this blogger is referring to is Kevin Weng.

 

Over the last few weeks, this fan has changed messages with him.  He's been great sharing his experiences in wrestling.

 

Kevin got into pro wrestling with SETUP Thailand about the middle portion of 2021 in a very difficult time for all of us.  Eventually, he became a referee with the promotion about a year later. 

 

The first time learning about Kevin Weng was back in January 2023.  Under the name "Akaradeth", Kevin wrestled in what, this blogger believes, was his first match.  He would wrestle again in May in a tag match and was victorious.

 

In July, Kevin and Pondhub would become part of a tag team known as St. John's Innocent College.  They would be joined by Professor Pol (Kru Pol). 

In September 2023, St. John's Innocent College would improve by winning a semi final match for the IWA Japan Tag Team Championship.  They would lose in the Championship Round to the current champions, The Good Deal.  However, the team gained a lot of experience as they went through some experienced teams in the tournament.

 

St. John's Innocent College and The Good Deal would face each other several more times with Kevin and Pondhub winning on one occasion, a Triple Threat Match, in the first show in January 2024.

 

There would be a singles match that Kevin took part in the month of March.  He would defeat Terry Diesel, which was a huge victory on National Smiles Day.

 

Then came an event in March at The Circus Studio.  Kevin, with his partner Pondhub, and Kru Pol in their corner, faced the Gym Bros, a very experienced tag team in Southeast Asia.  The match didn't go quite the way that they expected it to.  The Gym Bros would win the match but there seemed to appear to be a rift between the two.

 

The rift would eventually turn into a singles match in May at the Cash Of The Titans show.  Kevin would face Pondhub with Kru Pol being the Special Guest Referee.  Pondhub won the match in a very unusual fashion (please see You Tube).

 

However, Kevin would gain some more singles match experience, in a losing effort, when facing Shivam at the Santo Slam show.

 

Then, at the Chaophraya Voyage October show a couple of days later, a Triple Threat Match between Kevin Weng, Pondhub and Kru Pol had Pondhub being eliminated fro the School because he was pinned.  The three are now singles wrestlers.

 

The following month, at November's Year End Climax show, Kevin would take part in the 20 Person Setup Rumble which he did well in.  The effort in the match would elevate him to a January show.  Also, Kevin has become the SETUP 24/7 Champion.

 

In January at the Bangkok Navigation show, Kevin wrestled very well against an experienced Daz Black.  It was for the Premier British Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship.  Though disappointed with the outcome, Kevin showed the ability that he can fight with the best that the promotion has to offer.  The fans at The Circus Studio and those, including this blogger watching You Tube, saw the effort.

 

This brings to this coming March.  The Uprising Series that SETUP Thailand has is six capable wrestlers that can win the tournament come June's show.  All six have the potential to step up their game and gain some added experience.  This blogger would never count anyone out, especially Kevin Weng.  Definitely he won't!

SETUP Thailand's Kru Pol

Hello everyone.

 

Next month, in March, SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling is doing a tournament as part of their show, EP:21 - Double Cross.  The tournament is called the Uprising Series.

 

According to the SETUP Facebook page, the series has six wrestlers divided into two blocks, an A and a B block.  Please check the Facebook page regarding how the tournament is going to be handled.

 

In the meantime, this blogger wants to promote the tournament and the wrestlers that are going to be involved. Since the blog gets new readers all the time, with Thailand being no exception, people may be unfamiliar with the participants.  

 

Beginning with this post, this fan talk about one of the participants, Kru Pol.  Before doing this, I wanted to be sure that I get permission from the participant.  Also, before the post goes public, each participant will see the post for approval.  Several of the participants I don't know as of yet so please be patient if you don't see then right away.

 

First off, Kru Pol has been great as far as contributing to this blog.  He's mentioned several times that he reads posts whether it's SETUP or another promotion in Southeast Asia.  

Kru Pol mentioned to this fan recently that he decided to begin training as a wrestler soon after attending Wrestlemania 39 in Hollywood in mid - 2023.  

 

Moving forward, the first time I heard about Kru Pol before  the SETUP EP18 show, Clash Of The Champions.  Kru Pol, the teacher, and not yet wresting in shows, was part of a tag team group called St. John's Innocent College.  Since this post, the blogger learned that Kru Pol actually was in the corner of the tag team group back in July 2023.

 

St. John's Innocent College and the current IWA Japan/SETUP Thailand tag team champions, The Good Deal, had some good matches.  However, St. John's would encounter another team at the EP17 show in The Gym Bros. 

 

What happened was in the show, there was a difference of opinion between members, Kevin Weng and Pondhub in the EP17 show, Bangkok Strong Style.  Kru Pol, in their corner, saw what happened.  As a result, there would be a match between the two in which Kru Pol, the teacher, would be a Special Referee.  

 

What happened in that match was Pondhub would win in an unusual way (please see You Tube). It would eventually set up a Triple Threat Match in October at the EP19 Chaoparaya Voyage show.  This would be Kru Pol's first match, I believe.  He would come up victorious against Kevin Weng and Pondhub.  It's something that any wrestler in their debut would cherish.

 

Since that time, Kru Pol has been involved in three more matches with the 20 person SETUP Rumble, a two on one handicap, and a fatal four way match.  I've seen video since his first match and Kru Pol continues to improve each time.  This fan sees that with all the young SETUP wrestlers.

 

Kru Pol has other interests as well.  Though I didn't understand the words to the song that he sung around his birthday and children's day, the song meant volumes to everyone!  He can definitely sing.  And he's pretty good at being SaySci in videos too!  Whenever this fan hears his walkup song when entering the ring, it's gives this fan chills.    

 

Whoever the opponent is for Kru Pol's first singles match, this blogger knows he will do well.  He's training and definitely he wants to improve and it's more than talk.  Actions speak louder than words and he has proven that.  Chatting with him on social media, he has the fire, just as everyone with SETUP.  He has a great future, no question about it.  The fans who pack The Circus Studio each time, I'm sure they feel the same way!

 

Here is the link to Kru Pol's first wrestling match last September.  Please enjoy everyone!

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vS_Ai0BL8Fc

SETUP Uprising Series Update

Hello everyone.

 

SETUP Thailand has announced, in the past few hours, an Uprising Series involving some of the newer talent in the promotion.  The following information below is from the SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling Facebook page.

 

  

* BLOCK A

- Blick Drewz

- Kru Pol

- Kevin Weng

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* BLOCK B

- Flame Drake

- Pondhub

- Gunn

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!! ️The above brackets will allow each show to have 1 wrestler from both blocks with no tournament line up. So we will have both wrestlers match up to face 2 other Rookies in a Tag Team style alternating until the tournament is over.

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* TOURNAMENT RULES

* Wrestlers will be divided into 2 groups, namely Block A and Block B. All compete in a similar match.

* Every match is scheduled for 1 round of 10 minutes. It is a single match wrestling with the standard wrestling rules.

* Winner gets 2 points / Draw gets 1 point / Loser gets 0 points / Loser gets Falw or Count Out gets no points.

* The group stage matches will take a total of 3 shows (1 pair per show from both groups).

* The highest scorer of each block will go to the final in June 2025.

* The winner of the tournament will be eligible for SETUP Thailand Openweight Single Match at any time for 1 year. (Must be a wrestling match only, cannot Cash-In as the winner of SETUP Rumble).

 

 

This tournament will begin with the Saturday, March 22nd show, EP21: Double Cross which will take place at The Circus Studio, G Village in Bangkok.  Doors will open at 6pm with the first match beginning at 6:30pm.  For tickets and more information, please visit the SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling Facebook page.  SETUP Thailand can also be found on other social media platforms such as Instagram and You Tube.  Thank you.

SETUP Special Show Canceled

Hello everyone.

 

As wrestling fans know, there are times that wrestlers are injured in a match, or for that matter in a practice session. Unfortunately, for SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling, that happened a few days ago.

 

Do to a very serious injury to Paksa, the special show that was scheduled for this coming Saturday, has been canceled.

 

Before sharing some other information about the SETUP March show, Paksa will be out of action due to a broken bone around his ankle, anywhere from eight to 10 months!  This blogger has known about it through fans and social media for several days but was very hesitant to share it here.  Now that it is out, the unfortunate news is posted here.  All the best to Paksa in the recovery! 

 

The following information regarding the canceled Saturday event comes from the SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling Facebook page.  Please read this.

 

We have already contacted those who have purchased tickets (as per the list that appears on Ticketmelon). If you have not been contacted by the team, please contact us via inbox to process a refund.

 

Right now, the next wrestling show, is still on schedule.  There will likely be some adjustments regarding the event on Saturday, March 22nd.  As of this post, tickets for the show are still available.  As always, please check SETUP's Facebook and other social media pages for more information.  Thank you.

SETUP Thailand Major Announcment

Hello everyone!

 

A few hours ago, SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling made an announcement that is separate from the IWA Japan Tournament that began last month at the Bangkok Navigation show.  To this blogger's knowledge, the IWA Japan Tournament is still ongoing for the March show.

 

Here is the announcement that was posted a few hours ago on SETUP Thailand's Facebook page.

 

 

 [OFFICIAL] SETUP ‘UPRISING SERIES’ 2025 : Group division tournament of young wrestlers, winning cups and the right to win the first place in Thai wrestling championship.

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#SETUPTH As wrestling fans have seen, SETUP has many new wrestlers and many more students who are waiting to wrestle officially. We discussed with all stakeholders to the conclusion that we should organize a tournament to give them an opportunity to showcase their skills. And the prize for the winner should be big enough to be called the ‘moment of a lifetime opportunity’.

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Because we believe that even the experience of a wrestler is important, but wrestling comes with the word 'anything can happen'. This tournament may be the 'beginning' of a new legend that will happen to the Thai wrestling world in the near future.

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Let's get ready for this tournament fun !

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 TOURNAMENT RULES

.

 Wrestlers will be divided into 2 groups, namely Block A and Block B. All compete in a similar match.

 Every match is scheduled for 1 round of 10 minutes. It is a single match wrestling with the standard wrestling rules.

 Winner gets 2 points / Draw gets 1 point / Loser gets 0 points / Loser gets Falw or Count Out gets no points.

 The group stage matches will take a total of 3 shows (1 pair per show from both groups).

 The highest scorer of each block will fight in the final in June 2025)

 The winner of the tournament will be eligible for SETUP Thailand Openweight Single Match at any time for 1 year. (Must be a wrestling match only, cannot Cash-In as the winner of SETUP Rumble).

 

Tickets for the Saturday, March 22nd show are still at an Early Bird promotion rate as of this post.  However, please visit the SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling Facebook page for more information.  Thank you.