SETUP EP22 : The Fallen Kingdom Update #1

Hello everyone.  Sorry to be away from blogging due to Easter and various other matters.  Will catch everyone up in what's happening at SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling.

 

SETUP's next show, EP22: The Fallen Kingdom will take place on Saturday, May 31st at The Circus Studio beginning at 6:30pm.  Here are several matches and some information involving the show.

 

The winner of the Raku / Nor "Phoenix" Diana match on May 5th will take on Matcha.  This will be for the SETUP All Asia Women's Championship!

 

Zack Sabre Jr. of NJPW will wrestle at the May 31st show.  His opponent will be announced as soon as this coming weekend.

 

Also, it has been announced that Terry Diesel, long time wrestler who is taking a break from wrestling, has reached an agreement to be the General Manager and matchmaker.  Congratulations to Terry.

 

It's been announced that Jeney will appear at The Fallen Kingdom against an opponent yet to be named.

 

Last, but certainly not least, Real Global Threat's Shivam and Andruew Tang will face Jonathan Johnson and Jake De Leon in a tag team match.  This blogger has been told that RGT is not a faction but a "movement."  In the coming days and weeks, the world of pro wrestling in Southeast Asia may know more about this "movement."

 

For tickets and more information, please visit the SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling Facebook page.  Thank you.

SPW Mayhem Update #2

Hello everyone.

 

It has been announced by Singapore Pro Wrestling management that Zach Sabre Jr. will make his debut at the SPW Mayhem show on Friday, May 30th.  His opponent will be announced soon.

 

For tickets at the event to be held at the Foo Chow Building, please visit the SPW Facebook page.

 

Thank you.

Feature On Jake De Leon

  

Jake De Leon vs. Chelsea Marie at PUSO Wrestling's first show, Unang Tibok in August 2024.  It was the main event in PUSO Wrestling's first ever show.

 

Hello everyone.

 

Every wrestling fan this blogger knows of will likely remember their first wrestling show.  I've been kind of lucky because of seeing my first one in North America and my first in Asia.

 

Hopefully, this wrestler won't mind my sharing about him and his wrestling career throughout Southeast Asia.  His name is "Mr. Philippine Wrestling"  Jake De Leon.

 

Jake, also known as JDL, has wrestled professionally for a little over 10 years now.  In the independent Southeast Asia promotions, wrestlers don't wrestle too many matches within their promotion.  However, Jake has wrestled over 100 times now in his career.

 

He began with Philippine Wrestling Revolution when the promotion began in September 2014.  Over that time, he won the PWR Title on two occasions as well as the PHX title.

 

When Covid-19 hit the planet in 2020, there was definitely an uncertainty whether pro wrestling would even come back.  When the Covid pandemic was lifted in 2022, PWR was in a holding pattern.  Jake would eventually go over to the Manila Wrestling Federation.  He would wrestle in several of their shows.

 

In September that year, Jake would win the vacated Manila Wrestling Federation title in a three way match at the Road To Fate show.

 

In December, Jake would lose to Fabio Makisig at the Niche Buena show at the PETA Theater.

 

After that, De Leon would make sure that he stepped up his game and physique.  There would be more time in the gym, etc.

 

One year later, in the December 2023 show, Jake De Leon would recapture the MWF Pinoy Wrestling Championship in an eight way elimination tag match.  He would remain the championship until the Manila Wrestling Federation ended operations in May 2024.

 

This would not stop Mr. Philippine Wrestling however.  There was the May 26, 2024 Dexcon show at the Brawl Pit Bulusan.  Jake De Leon faced former NJPW Champion, Zack Sabre Jr. in what was termed a match for the ages.

 

The match ended in a 30 minute draw and it's still talked about today as the greatest pro wrestling match ever seen in the Philippines!  

 

In fact, a few weeks back, a group called Voices Of Wrestling ranked this match number 47 of Match Of The Year rankings for 2024!  This match was ranked higher than the Will Ospreay-MJF match last August as well as the Samu Zayn-Gunther WWE match at Wrestlemania! 

 

Jake has been a major part of the new PUSO Wrestling brand as well as with Dexcon and WUW Philippines shows.  Also, he's traveled to Singapore, Japan, and most recently, Thailand for important shows with various promotions.

 

In closing, this blogger has said time and again that Jake has been the ultimate professional in and out of the ring.  We've talked a little before and after shows and has taken the time out to share wrestling moments.

 

Honestly, it will be interesting to see what Jake De Leon has in his future.  There is the WUW - Philippines Master Clash show next month in a tag team encounter.  He will be teaming up with Fabio Makisig against Nigel San Jose and Robin Sane.  The winner of this match will face a familiar face in Zack Sabre Jr. and El Phantasimo in Dexcon's May show!

 

Certainly, there could be another wrestling championship in mind!  Maybe he might be thinking of visiting another country.  All we know is that JDL will entertain the fans and do well whatever show and whatever country he visits.  That is for certain!

Dexcon Pro Wrestling

Hello everyone!

 

This blogger would like to give a shout out to a wrestling group based in the Philippines.  You may have heard about a group called Dexcon Pro Wrestling.

 

This may have been mentioned before on this blog.  The group has done everything to make pro wrestling in the Philippines and throughout Southeast Asia and Asia better for everyone!

 

Their first sponsored pro wrestling show was in August 2023.  This fan was very fortunate to attend it at the Brawl Pit Bulusan.  It featured wrestlers from the former Manila Wrestling Federation, World Underground Wrestling - Philippines and wrestlers from other countries such as Singapore, Japan and Thailand.  

 

In nearly two years, Dexcon has brought in wrestlers such as Alexis Lee, Poppy, Yuki Kamifuku, Kojio Akumu, CDK (Chris Brookes and Masa Takanashi), Shivam, AFAM Steve (aka Steve The Teacher), Jonathan Johnson, Monomoth and The Horrors just to name a few.

 

In March, Dexcon will have their next show and the group has really come up with a find.  Yoshi Tatsu, legendary Japanese wrestler with DDT, NJPW and a brief stint in the WWE will appear.  Who knows what Dexcon will come up with next.  Within 24 hours after the announcement, general admission tickets for the event were sold out!

 

Thank you to the staff at Dexcon for all you've done in the Philippines and throughout Asia.  One day, this blogger hopes to see another Dexcon event.  The first one at the Brawl Pit Bulusan was entertaining and wild!

 

Here's the link to Dexcon if anyone is interested in their shows past, present and future!  Thank you.

 https://www.facebook.com/DexconPH

         

Battle In The Valley Results

Hello everyone.

 

While on the train home, here are the results from NJPW Strong event, Battle In The Valley.  The show was held on Saturday night, January 11th at the San Jose Civic Auditorium.  The action was exciting.  The show was one of the best in history.  A near sellout crowd was boisterous, loud, appreciative and enthusiastic throughout the night.  The show lasted about three hours and 45 minutes.  Hopefully, the results are correct since I'm a little sleepy right now doing this.

 

The highlight of the night was an emotional and memorable match as Japanese women's legend, Sumie Sakai wrestled in her final encounter.  Though she was pinned in the tag team match, she showed the fighting spirit that Japanese women wrestlers are taught and have!

 

Been to three of these now.  The one a couple of years ago that had Okada and Ospreay was really good but overall, this show may have been a little better.

 

Here are the results:

 

Tomohiro Ishii and Gabe Kidd (c) for the Strong Openweight Championship ended up a 30 minute draw.

 

Nelson Isaacs & Jarel Nelson (c) d. Rocky Romero and Yoh for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Titles.

 

Viva Van, Harako, Maika and Nina Shirakawa d. Anna Jay, Trish Adora, AZN and Johnny Robbie in an eight woman elimination match.  Maika threw Anna Jay over the top rope to win.  Several fans sitting next to me mentioned that Viva Van has signed with AEW!

 

Jeff Cobb vs. El Phantasmo (c) ended up a double countout for the IWGP TV Title.  Cobb did not bring the FPW title with him.

Sumie Sakai was pinned by Hiromu Takahashi in a six person intergender match.  Evil and SHO were supposed to be on Sakai's side but turned on her during the match.  Takahashi had Mayu Iwatani and Yuka Sakazaki in his corner.

There was about a 10 minute ceremony afterwards with most of the locker room attending.  It was to honor her 27 year career with congratulations and a 10 count with the timekeeper bell.  This blogger, and most of the fans, did not have dry eyes during the ceremony.  She was given a standing ovation by the fans.  

 

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

 

Zack Sabre Jr. d. Hechecero in a not title match.  After the match, at a future date, the two wrestlers will face one another for the title. 

 

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

Battle In The Valley 2025

Hello everyone!

 

Coming off an amazing and memorable weekend of wrestling whether it was in Japan or America or anywhere else, 2025 has started out with a bang.

 

A couple of years ago, after a Battle In The Valley show in San Jose, California, this blogger thought about not ever attending another NJPW show.

 

It wasn't because the show was bad....actually, it was pretty good.

 

The problem was with NJPW officials.  I took some photos from the rafters of the San Jose Civic Auditorium and was not only harassed by NJPW officials, but was escorted out of the building.  They thought I was taking videos though I proved to them it wasn't.

 

Well, it's about two years later.  San Jose is very fortunate to have two wrestling shows in the next week.

 

On Monday, January 13th, WWE RAW will take place at the SAP Center.  It will be the second RAW that will be on Netflix.

 

On Saturday (this coming), I just secured a ticket for New Japan Pro Wrestling's Battle In The Valley.  It will be my first wrestling show since last August when I attended the first PUSO Wrestling show in Quezon City, Philippines.

 

When this blogger saw who was appearing on the show, the decision to go to this event was a lot easier.  Here is the show lineup.....

 

Gabe Kidd (c) vs. Tomohiro Ishii for the Strong Openweight Championship.

Zach Sabre Jr. vs. Hechicero.

West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs) (c) vs. Roppongi Revice (Rocky Romero & ROH) for the Strong Openweight Championship.

Sumai Sakai Retirement Match featuring Team Sakai (Sumai Sakai, Evil and SHO) vs. Team Hiromu (Hiromu Takahashi, Mayu Iwatani and Yuka Sakazaki).

TDMK (Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito) vs. Fred Rosser & Matt Vandagriff.

 

I'm told that the Main Event has yet to be announced with a few days to go until the show.  Could we possibly see an appearance by Kazuchika Okada or Will Ospreay?  Their battle a couple of years ago was one of the best matches I've eve seen!

 

Looking forward to seeing ZSJ again (2018 was the last time at the G1 Special).

 

I'll have a recap on my blog within 24 hours after the show.

Unang Tibok Update #5

It's been a couple of days.  Wanted to update on the upcoming PUSO Wrestling show.  For those who are seeing this blog for the first time, the show will take place on Saturday, August 17th beginning at 6pm.  Location is the Brawl Pit Bulusan in Quezon City.

Jake De Leon, off two major matches with Zack Sabre Jr. and Shaukat in Malaysia, will face Chelsea Marie in a return match from the Pinoy Wrestling Night a few weeks back.

JDL is now on his second 100 matches of his career, and he's not taking this upcoming match lightly.  Shaukat found that out just recently when the two wrestlers butted heads at APAC Wrestling's last show.

Also, this fan believes that Chelsea Marie is training well for what will be her biggest match to date.

For more on this show, including tickets, please visit the PUSO Wrestling Facebook page.  Also, if interested in sponsoring this show, please email Puso Wrestling at pusowrestling@gmail.com for details.    

This fan will be here in Quezon City for the next three weeks, including the show!

Dexcon Decada Update

Here is an update of the matches for the Dexcon Decada show.  The event will take place on Sunday, May 26th, 6pm at Brawl Pit Bulusan in Quezon City.  Please see the pic above regarding Dexcon rules on ALL matches!

 

"Mr. Philippine Wrestling" Jake De Leon vs. "The Best Technical Wrestler" Zach Sabre Jr.  in an International Dream Match.

Turn Zero Kill (SJM and Ken Cifer) vs. Pinoy Bulldog and Zera for TZK's WUW International Tag Team Championship.

Fabio Makisig vs. Jomar in a singles match.

The Horrors (Dr. Gore and Da Butcherman) vs. Robin Sane and ROMEO for The Horrors SPW Southeast Asia Tag Team Championship.

 

Also, there will likely be other matches added to the show.  And as always, the show is subject to change.

 

For more information, including the meet and greet that will take place on Saturday, please visit the Dexcon page on Facebook.  Thank you.   

Dexcon Decada

Dexcon will be having it's next show on the weekend of May 25-26.

 

The event called Dexcon Dekada will be a part of the celebration of 10 years of Modern Pinoy Wrestling in the Metro Manila area.

 

On Saturday, May 25th, there will be a Meet And Greet beginning at 12 noon at Collective Base B2 GH.  On Sunday, May 26th, wrestling action will take place at the Brawl Pit Bulusan (41 Bulusan Street - Quezon City) beginning at 6pm.

 

There have been several matches lined up already for the show.

 

First off, "The Best Technical Wrestler Of The Decade" - Zach Sabre Jr. will take on "Mr Philippine Wrestling" - Jake De Leon in an International Dream Match.

 

Also, homegrown champs - TZK (Ken Cifer and Saint John Martin) will put the WUW Tag Team Championship on the line.

 

SPW Tag Team Champions, The Horrors (Dr. Gore and Da Butcherman) will put their title on the line as well.

 

Also, from what I've read, Fabio Makisig, Main Maxx, Jomar MWF, Robin Sane, Zera, Razael, Dabid Ravena and more will appear at the show.

 

I'm told that tickets are sold out but, as always, please check the Dexcon page on Facebook for any further information.  Thank you.   

Bangkok Strong Style Update #1

SETUP Thailand's show, EP17: Bangkok Strong Style will take place on Saturday, March 23rd at The Circus Studio.  Since the last post, there have been three matches added to the show.

 

Matcha, the All Asia Women's Champion, and first female wrestler from Thailand, will defend the title against Princess Pistachio, Taiwan's first female pro wrestler.

 

Also, in the last post, we mentioned about Zach Sabre Jr. and El Phantasmo from NJPW making their way to Thailand to wrestle in the show.

 

Sabre Jr. will face "The Ace Of Thai Wrestling", Shivam in one of the two Double Main Event matches.

 

The second match will have El Phantasmo going up against the SETUP Thailand Openweight Champion, Jonathan Johnson. 

 

The fans in Bangkok will be treated to a very special night of pro wrestling.

 

For more on tickets and the show, please check the SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling page on Facebook.  Thank you.

SETUP Thailand Update

Within the past few hours, there has been a major announcement regarding SETUP Thailand's upcoming show, EP17 Bangkok Strong Style.  The event will take place on Saturday, March 23rd.  The venue is The Circus Studio, G Village in Bangkok.

 

In cooperation with New Japan Pro Wrestling, superstars, Zach Sabre Jr. and El Phantasmo will take part in a singles match.

 

This match is huge, not just for SETUP Thailand, but the entire Southeast Asia region.  The match alone is a main event one anywhere in the world!

 

For more information regarding the show, please check the SETUP Thailand Pro Wrestling page on Facebook.  As of this post, there are tickets still available.  However, please check their page first beforehand.  Thank you.