Ringside Logic editor Atlee Greene sits down with the host of the CS:GO Clutch Podcast Adam Kohn and review this past Sunday’s AEWxNJPW pay-per-view event, Forbidden Door.
We’re going the Podcast route with this one! We break down all of the matches, surprises, and fallout as we head into Blood & Guts on Dynamite.
Japanese professional wrestling is an enigma unto itself. While North America’s presentation primarily emphasizes spectacle over sport, Japan’s exhibition of the art accentuates the opposite. While it might look the same as the staged combat seen in the west, the eastern flavor has more kick.
While WWE is the industry leader, New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) is Japan’s most prominent and longest-running wrestling promotion. Founded in 1972, NJPW is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Today, NJPW is arguably the second biggest promotion in the world and puts on great wrestling matches that have produced a global cult-like following. All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and New Japan will team up for their Forbidden Door pay-per-view event this Sunday.
There are many great matches from a multitude of events that epitomize NJPW. Consider this an introductory course for the uninitiated, citing ten matches that best illustrate the style and presentation of New Japan.
This isn’t a “best-of” list, and I won’t be teaching this class alone.
I called the Jobber Knocker Podcast’s resident NJPW expert Dennis Conway aka SSJPegasus. We’ll each pick five matches that are great introductory examples to New Japan Pro Wrestling.
If you’re watching AEW Forbidden Door this Sunday and are unfamiliar with NJPW, this one is for you.
Continue reading “10 Matches for People Who Don’t Watch NJPW”
Well, Vince McMahon made his highly anticipated appearance on SmackDown this evening. Opening the show, he slightly strutted down the aisle as the ring announcer introduced him as “Mr. McMahon.”
Continue reading “Vince McMahon Does Not Address Allegations on SmackDown”
The investigation of Vince McMahon and hush-money payments takes another drastic turn. WWE announced early Friday that McMahon has voluntarily stepped down as WWE Chairman and CEO, but he will still maintain his responsibilities helming creative content.
Stephanie McMahon will immediately return early from her leave of absence to assume the role of interim CEO. Once the investigation concludes, Vince will reassume the Chairman and CEO roles.
On the same day Vince McMahon has stepped down, he will appear on tonight’s episode of SmackDown at 8:00 PM on Fox. Wow, there is a lot to unpack here.
Continue reading “Vince McMahon Steps Down as WWE CEO. Still Helms Creative”
According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, WWE board members are investigating a $3 million settlement that Vince McMahon agreed to pay a former employee he allegedly had an affair with.
The former employee was hired as a paralegal in 2019 and signed a separation agreement in January 2022, barring her from discussing the relationship with Vince McMahon or disparaging him.
The board’s investigation reportedly began in April. They’re now looking into other nondisclosure agreements signed by former female WWE employees who filed misconduct claims about McMahon and WWE’s head of talent relations, John Laurinaitis.
Continue reading “Vince McMahon Investigated by WWE Board for hush money allegations”
Jeff Hardy is once again the hot topic in wrestling for the wrong reasons. Sadly, we’ve heard this story before.
Jeff Hardy was arrested Monday morning in Florida for driving under the influence. Hardy was driving with a suspended license as several motorists called 911 as he was seen swerving all over the highway.
Video of the arrest shows Hardy admitting to officers that he drank a fireball before getting behind the wheel. He also mentioned he has an upcoming doctor’s appointment for a “brain scan.”
Continue reading “Jeff Hardy Arrested for DUI, Again”
AEW’s path to crown an interim world champion is clear. Last Wednesday on Dynamite, #1 contender Jon Moxley beat Casino Battle Royal winner Kyle O’Reilly in a good back-and-forth contest. O’Reilly’s battle royal win was surprisingly damned with faint praise in the crowd and online. He’s a good wrestler, but some find the Undisputed Elite member boring.
NJPW was in a similar situation with their half of the interim title equation. Hiroki Goto is a good wrestler, but some find him dull as a character. No one expected Goto to beat Hiroshi Tanahashi at Dominion on Sunday, and they were right. Tanahashi pinned Goto in a highly engaging match despite the result never really being in question.
Jon Moxley will face Hiroshi Tanahashi to determine the interim AEW World Champion at Forbidden Door on June 26 in Chicago. CM Punk’s injury put a damper on things, but hopefully, the interim title will begin to right the ship. Of course, the end game down the line is the interim titleist colliding with Punk to determine an undisputed champion.
Does anyone know how the interim concept got started in the first place? I do, I do (eagerly raising my hand in class). So, here’s a history lesson.
Continue reading “Interim Titles: A History Lesson”
Cody Rhodes put on one of the gutsiest performances ever seen in a wrestling ring, making it one of the all-time great matches. Gruesome imagery and sheer anguish made for an engaging yet uncomfortable watch that made an indelible impression on wrestling fans.
Continue reading “Thank You, Cody”
Art imitated life last Wednesday when Maxwell Jacob Friedman (MJF) put on a scathing worked shoot rant that stole the show. His legitimate contract dispute with Tony Khan was used to convey a prohibited sense of astonishment.
MJF’s profane rhetoric laced with authentic and harsh criticism lobbied against Khan, and AEW was one of the most well delivered and passionate performances in a long, long time.
However, it didn’t sell anything.
Continue reading “Don’t Call it a Promo: MJF’s Pipe Bomb”
Bad luck has postponed the Summer of Punk 3.0.
CM Punk announced on Rampage Friday night that he’s injured, a couple of things are broken, and he needs surgery. While Punk will be out for an undetermined time, he will remain AEW World Champion.
Later on, Excalibur announced that a battle royal will open Dynamite on Wednesday, where the winner will face #1 contender Jon Moxley in the main event. The winner of that match will face an unnamed opponent for the interim AEW World Championship on June 26 at Forbidden Door.
Continue reading “CM Punk Injured; AEW to Crown Interim Champion”
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