The most comprehensive coverage of the global wrestling scene. This Newsletter is a product of the Social Suplex Podcast Network. The podcast network that is always ahead! If you wish to join our growing list of contributors or if you wish to support or sponsor us in this endeavour, please contact the Social Suplex Newsletter at: [email protected]
We mark the 1 year anniversary of the Social Suplex Newsletter with a mega issue! Beginning with our lead article, where Emiliana takes you for an an inside the arena view of AEW’s “Revolution” PPV, it concludes with an incredible breakdown of the themes and the stories told within the MJF-Adam Page main event. Lock in for some of the most incredible character analysis driven by a single match you can find anywhere. We round off our Front Page with all the news coming out of AEW’s "Dynasty” PPV and its explosive post Dynamite show, including a number of news notes which are first in print.
This year’s “Revolution” will go down as one of the most confusing albeit enjoyable PPVs I’ve ever had the privilege of watching live. Yes,
Heading across to Features, and we open with Seán discussing accountability in wrestling, and whether wrestlers need to do more with the platforms they have. (Further links below the cut)
As a disclaimer to you, the reader, this piece is going to be talking about ongoing political and social issues in multiple regions of the w
We change it up with a profile of Yurika Oka, “A single brain cell queen for the baka-pilled wrestling fan”, in the latest of our “A Wrestler You Should Know About”, this time brought to you by Chris W.
Chris G continues the series with a look at the career of Saki Kashima, who will head into retirement after Stardom’s “All Star Grand Queendom” show later in the month.
And Micah returns to the Social Suplex Newsletter to discuss how AEW succeeded in the elevation of Willow Nightingale and Harley Cameron in “Three Cheers for the Babes of Wrath”.
We also have a debut for Grant Baxter in our Retro Section as he explains how the Okada- Shibata match at “Sakura Genesis 2017” was an emotional illustration of “When Fighting Spirit Transcends The Ring”.
One of the core elements of pro wrestling is the art of manipulating the emotions of the audience. As a viewer, you are meant to sympathize
Then we begin our global tour, and this time we start in Europe, and with reviews and news from Pro Wrestling EVE’s big weekend, culminating with “Wrestle Queendom 8”. Peter brings us all the details of the promotion’s landmark show.
Chris G once more takes us on a trip back to July 2023 to unravel the match that made UK indie wrestler Safire Reed stand out in "A Match You Should Know About: Safire Reed v Mercedes Martinez".
Then we begin our global tour, and this time we start in Europe, and with reviews and news from Pro Wrestling EVE’s big weekend, culminating with “Wrestle Queendom 8”. Peter Edge brings us all the details of the promotion’s landmark show.
When the lights go out at an EVE show, it means one thing: big announcement time. In the last year we have seen the likes of Syuri and The S
Peter also reviews Revolution Pro’s 2026 edition of “High Stakes”, before we head across to Progress for “Chapter 192: Cause and Effect”, and cover news from across the rest of the UK and Ireland. We then head to mainland Europe for one of the biggest weekend’s of the year in wXw, with full reviews of every night of the 16 Carat Gold Tournament, before wrapping up news from across Europe.
Over in another monster Asia section, we open with Stardom, as Tim covers Hanan’s second Cinderella Tournament win.
STARDOM are building towards their biggest show of the year “All Star Grand Queendom” on 26th April at Yokohama Arena, hoping to build upon
And then it is off to New Japan, where Conor reviews “New Beginning” in Osaka as well as the rise of Callum Newman in the New Japan Cup, before we cover a whole host of news from inside the world of NJPW.
Then it is aboard the Ark with Pro Wrestling NOAH, where Eric discusses the promotion’s biggest ever Yokohama Budokan show, full coverage of Junior Tag League and the developments in the Naito- OZAWA program.
Further, we head to TJPW, and “Grand Princess 26”, where the company sets their new attendance record. We also have full coverage of their most recent US tour.
Next up, Taylor takes us through a tumultuous month for Dragongate, before we check in on Yuki Ueno and Kento Miyahara’s battles to keep hold of the top titles in DDT and All Japan respectively.
And then, we explore the world of the Japanese Independents, where Eric continues the most in-depth coverage of the scene anywhere today. This month, he begins with what is likely to have been Marvelous’ last show at Shinjuku FACE. He then covers Sareee’s very well attended 15th Anniversary show, before discussing YUNA’s outstanding performance against Chihiro Hashimoto in Sendai Girls. Check out who are the new Tag Team Champions in Ice Ribbon, before exploring news and reviews for SEAdLINNNG, Pro Wrestling Evo, Diana, Pro Wrestling Wave, Actwres girl'Z, Choco Pro, Pure-J, BJW, Gleat and Ganbare. Finally, Eric analyses why the loss of Shinjuku FACE is such a blow to many of the smaller promotions who regularly run within the Tokyo market.
Then, on a big week in the Americas, we open with a foreword on Janel Grant’s recently filed affidavit from Newsletter debutante H. Katch.
If you have seen recent episode of “Raw”, you will be forgiven for thinking that Brock Lesnar and, by extension, WWE, are no longer involved
David then previews this weekend’s “WrestleMania” shows, including thoughts on the Pat McAfee angle. He also reviews "Elimination Chamber” and the past two NXT PLEs. Chris Whitehead has you covered for a full preview of "WrestleMania" week in Las Vegas; one of the biggest weeks for independent wrestling all year. We also discuss how TNA made their own "impact" on this week.
Over in Mexico, David covers the ascent of Capitán Suicida and Yutani, as well as Soberano Jr building his case as a draw in CMLL. We also review all three weeks of AAA’s “Rey de Reyes” shows.
And finally, Alice takes us north for a review of Canadian independent C4's all women's show "Bring It On”.
This is an incredible free offering, with truly global coverage on the world of pro wrestling. So grab a drink of choice and settle down to explore the world of pro wrestling with us!
This spring, one of our Social Suplex Team had the honor and opportunity to visit Japan for Golden Week, a week that is full of incredible wrestling shows among so many independent Japanese promotions. Among them is World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana, or Diana for short. It is a joshi promotion buried in the heart of Kawasaki that does more to keep the spirit of independent joshi wrestling alive than many of us will ever have the privilege of understanding.
But hopefully, with this article, you might get a refreshing perspective on this small promotion with a big heart. Join Eric as he takes us through his journey of Kawasaki and Post di Amistad, the headquarter venue of Diana, where they host shows, train young Japanese talent, and rent out its use to a number of other independent promotions to keep the scene alive.
Please click the link below for the full EXCLUSIVE with Diana President Taishi Fuwa and Diana wrestler (with several behind-the-scenes jobs) Debbie Keitel.
Why did we make a list of 50 women wrestlers? Because lists are fun, but more importantly, there’s a lot of incredible women’s wrestling all over the world and we wanted to shine a light on those we enjoyed the most in 2025.
Make no mistake: many, if not all, of the best women’s wrestlers in the world are on the list, and the top 10 is pretty undeniable, but we also hope you learn some new names, check out their work and find a new “Special Little Guy” to follow and enjoy.
Have a happy international women’s day! 🫶🏼
We are proud to present the first ever Social Suplex Women's 50 (aka SoSu50), a concept dreamt up by newsletter contributor “The History Man
Half Year Business: New Japan Pro Wrestling The following is a deep dive analysis of half year business for NJPW. For the sake of comparison
(I'm gonna be in so much trouble, this came out a week ago.)
This edition forms the first part of our deep dive into business half years in Japan, as we take a look at New Japan's numbers.
Truly comprehensive coverage from the team that is available without a paywall. Come and join us!
Scheduling Note: The next Social Suplex Newsletter will be on August 22nd as we adapt our timings to make delivery dates more regular.
(Keep reading for the only TRUE Hogan obit, reviews on all the G1, 5*GP, Catch the WAVE tournament days - as well as Evil Uno's Birthday Bash, a CMLL Aniversario review, Summer Sizzler, and sooooo much more!)
In our Retro section, Peter Edge brings us a full look at the reactions to the passing of Hulk Hogan, the difficulties in splitting man from character and a full account of his journey and impacts on the wrestling business.
Hogan 1953-2025 By Peter Edge There are moments which are “where were you?” moments. My parents had JFK’s assassination, my generation has 9
In our Features section, David Hayter looks at how Shota Umino became the unwanted ace, and how his path to redemption is now uncertain.
The Unwanted Ace: The Uncertain Redemption Of Shota Umino By David Hayter The 2025 G1 is in full swing and appears to perfectly encapsulate
In our Europe section, travel to Wolverhampton (exotic I know) with Peter Edge for Rev Pro's "Summer Sizzler" before we see how Progress are setting up their summer at "Stay Humble". We also have plenty of news from across the continent.
July 25th saw Revolution Pro Wrestling come to Wolverhampton for the second time in their “North of Watford” expansion effort. The big attra
In another monster Asia section, it is very much tournament time! Our G1 diary explores the first week of the tour.
New Japan Pro Wrestling G1 Diary- Nights 1-6 Night 1 of the G1 CLIMAX took place in Sapporo. Hokkaido has been the traditional opening spot
Before we head to Stardom for reviews of the big Sapporo show and Korakuen show from David Hayter, and comprehensive coverage of the opening five nights of the 5 Star GP from Tim Hunter and Chris Whitehead.
Eric then takes us to Pro Wrestling NOAH for not one, but two GHC Title changes in a single weekend, before staying in Tokyo for TJPW's "Summer Sun Princess". We also hit "The Fighting Beer Garden" with DDT and caught up on All Japan's "Summer Action Series".
We have stops in Dragongate and Marigold before we hit the Japanese indies with Eric. We celebrate "Riko's Birthday" with Marvelous, enter a New Era with Sendai Girls, as well as reviews and news from SEAdLINNNG, Ice Ribbon and Diana.
Then, it's time for the Finals of Pro Wrestling Wave's "Catch A Wave" Tournament, Chocopro at Tokyo Square and Actwres Girl'Z, before a Newsletter debut for LLPW-X and Pure-J. We end with Shinjuku FACE's 20th anniversary before news from Asia and Oceania.
Finally, in our Americas section, we go first to Mexico for Arena Puebla's 72nd Aniversario with David Hayter and the finals of CMLL's La Leyenda De Plata 2025 tournament. We also check in on AAA's return to Mexico City.
CMLL celebrated the “72nd Anniversary” of the Templo del Dolor in Puebla by putting on a surreal main event that pitted top técnicos Místico
We cover important WWE news, run a review of TNA's "Slammiversary" show before Eric runs us through DPW's Tag Festival and the triple promotion "Cruel Summer" show. Finally, we head to Canada with Alice V. Bell for "Evil Uno's Birthday Bash" at Mystery Wrestling.
Back in May, Emiliana Rico-Toro explained to us why the character of Hangman Adam Page is her “Special Little Guy”. Now, she takes us on the
As our first tumblr promoted edition, we have a 3 week Blue Whale of a newsletter (read: IT'S HUGE). And we begin with "Just a Little Texas Death", as editor Emi takes us with her to North Texas for a weekend of celebration and triumph. We follow that up with a comprehensive review of AEW's "All In: Texas", where we break down what worked, what didn't and why this show was such a triumph for AEW.
(Additional Features, Retro, and Global News Links and Summaries below the cut!)
In our Features section, Chris asks the question, "What's more Punk rock than selling out?" As he looks at the events that led to CM Punk travelling to Saudi Arabia last month.
And Tim provides us with a career retrospective on Jaguar Yokota, as we celebrate the 49th anniversary of her in ring debut.
What’s More Punk Rock Than Selling Out? Career Retrospective: Jaguar Yokota
In Retro this issue, Peter looks at four game changing women's matches from the past four decades.
In Peter Edge’s latest look back, he focuses on some of the game changing women’s matches over the past four decades.
In our Americas section, we have WWE reviews of "Evolution", "The Great American Bash" and "Night of Champions" from David, as well as a report on "Saturday Night's Main Event" from Conor. We also have a full review of C4's "Deliver Us From Evil" from Alice, as well as news and analysis from across North America.
The Saudi General Entertainment Authority’s annual sportswashing extravaganza, Riyadh Season, culminated with WWE’s legitimately sold-out “N
In our Europe section, we have full reviews of Progress' return to action in Manchester, as well as a rundown on APC Catch's "Final Storm" show in Nanterre. We also check in on Rev Pro "Live in Coventry" with Peter, who also provides us with a full review of EVE's "Mean Grrrls" show.
It's ironic that on Independence Day an AEW wrestler who spent the first few months of her time in the company as an alien spent July 4th in
In our mammoth Asia and Oceania section, we take a full look at the buildup to this year's G1 tournament, including the absence of Hirooki Goto, the crowning of a new IWGP Heavyweight Champion and what opportunities this tournament could offer for New Japan's younger talent. We then head across to Stardom, as Tim previews the upcoming 5 Star Grand Prix and reviews the promotion's latest Korakuen Hall show. Eric takes us across to Pro Wrestling NOAH for more "Wrestle Magic", before heading over to TJPW for Hyper Misao's Produce show and Yoshiko Hasegawa's graduation.
We then travel with the promotion across to Texas, for shows in both Houston and Dallas. We then move to Dragongate for their big show at Kobe World Hall, with a pivotal main event for Shun Skywalker, before heading to DDT's "King of Kings", "Rock In Ring" and Sanshiro Takagi's 30th Anniversary Project. David takes us through Marigold's winner takes all bout at "Burning Desire" before we visit Shinkiba with Marvelous on both a Friday and Sunday night. Tim takes us to Chapter VIII of Sareee ISM, before we take in shows from OZ Academy, Pro Wrestling Evolution, Diana, Pro Wrestling WAVE, Actwres girl'z and Chocopro. There is even time for Eric to bring us to the strange world of GLEAT.
We then make our way to Australia, where Corey talks us through Melbourne City Wrestling's "Ballroom Brawl" and we check in on Riot City Wrestling's 300th show.
New Japan head into their biggest tour of the year with an interesting mix of uncertainty, promise and with a New IWGP Heavyweight Champion,
Come join us on a crazy look through the wrestling world!
