My name is Sonal and I love to talk, blog and watch a whole lot of wrestling so a wrestling blog was the only obvious thing to do! Obsessed with wrestling from across the world with a soft spot for Puroresu, cruiserweights and heels. I can probably be found watching more wrestling than actually sleeping and blogging about pretty much every week.
Twitter: @Wrestling_chat
Hi guys, How crazy has 2020 has been? With everything going on in the world, it seems as if 2021 couldn't come any sooner. However, even with all of this negativity, I think it's vital to try and find some positives. Despite conditions making it hard for the wrestling industry, many companies have thrived during the pandemic. In particular, some wrestlers have managed to make the best out of a bad situation and continue trying to put on shows for fans whether in person or through streaming sites. To mark the end of another year, I'm back with my annual wrestling MVP list of the wrestlers who have stood out this year. Just a quick note, most of the stuff I've watched this year is Japanese wrestling (NJPW, DDT and TJPW)! Yuka Sakazaki 2020 has been a great year for in the sense that I've had the time to fully get into Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling. For me, it's something I regret not doing earlier because it is full of some amazing wrestlers from Miu, Miyu Yamashita...
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4 Reasons why you should've watched Fantastica Mania 2020!
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Hi guys,
Last time I left you, I was a bit too excited about everything that happened at Wrestle Kingdom 14. I took a few weeks to compose myself and luckily I didn't have to wait too long for my New Japan fix with as the yearly CMLL shows Fantastica Mania came around. For a lot of people, they see it as a filler tour or something that they don't really bother watching. I agree in the fact that it normally has no impact on any upcoming storylines. However, I always tell people to watch it.
Out of all the tours in New Japan, this is the most fun and colourful bringing everything special about CMLL to Japan from the wrestlers, bright colours and the horns. It's not only a chance to see your favourite New Japan wrestlers let their hair down a bit, but also see what CMLL has to offer with their wrestlers who are so diverse!
Unfortunately, it all came to an end on Monday but, if you didn't get a chance to watch it, here are five reasons why this year's Fantastica Mania was so good and deserves a watch!
1. The matches... duh
Like the main thing that I love watching New Japan for is the amazing wrestling and when CMLL comes to town, they give me exactly that. Over the different shows, we saw such a wide range of matches from singles to traditional tag team and the odd 6/8-man tag match without even mentioning the annual family tournament and the championship matches we were blessed with. We saw different wrestlers interacting with each other from both companies and having to adapt to new styles of wrestling from the likes of the pure Japanese wrestling style of Tanahashi and Kanemaru to the lucha style of Flier and Soberano Jr.
In particular, there were a few matches that really caught my eye. The first was for the final of the family tournament in a match between The Chaves Brothers (the very handsome Angel de Oro and Niebla Roja) v Sanson and Cuatrero. It was the perfect babyface v heel matches combined with some amazing high risk offence from both teams. There's been a long time rivalry between the two teams and it was on show here, with the stakes being a lot more than just the trophy. It was flashy and shone through against all the other tag matches that tour.
The other two were the CMLL World Heavyweight title between Satoshi Kojima and Último Guerrero and the NWA Middleweight title match between Caristico and Barbero Cavernario. Both were so different but had this way about them that captured the hearts of the fans watching. Kojima and Guerrero proved that age is just a number when it comes to talent and fitness with a hard hitting match that showcased both men's experience and ability to capture the hearts of fans. The NWA match might have been the best of the tour with both Caristico and Cavernario putting their bodies on the line in a match that was both dynamic and technically sound. It's a match I'd love to see again and again in New Japan.
2. The love affair between Dulce Gardenia and Los Ingobernables de Japon
When Dulce Gardenia first made his New Japan Fantastica Mania debut, I instantly fell in love with him from the way he held himself in the ring to everything about his persona not to mention his in-ring skills which are something else. However, one group of people who seem to either not love him or refuse to admit they love him is Los Ingobernables de Japon, in particular Bushi, EVIL and of course Shingo Takagi.
Credit: @NJPWGlobal
As soon as Gardenia laid eyes on the faction, electricity was in the air but with who? Throughout the tour, Dulce tried his hardest to spread the love in the ring to the faction through dancing and of course kisses. However, Gardenia couldn't decide who he loved more. This infuriated the three LIJ guys but for different reasons. EVIL must be allergic to affection, Bushi was infuriated by it and Shingo Takagi just didn't like being led on by someone who couldn't choose their favourite. In the end, Bushi and Shingo were on the end of some Dulce kisses and even EVIL got a taste after smooching Tanahashi.
Whether it was Gardenia playing mind games with the trio or he actually wanted some Los Ingos loving, it gave really nice and lighthearted aspects to the matches and the crowd loved it. Hopefully we don't have to wait until next January to see more Dulce Gardenia!
3. Seeing some new and familiar faces
For people who have been watching Fantastica Mania for the last few years, it's always an amazing chance to see some familiar faces from CMLL. We see the likes of Okumura, Barbaro Cavernario and Namajague who we've seen each year and are true representatives of the New Japan/ CMLL relationship. That's not to forget the likes of Titan and Soberano Jr who have made their mark not only during Fantastica Mania but also in the Best of Super Jr and Super Jr Tag League. Fans watching live and at home are able to see faces that they've become familiar with but might not be able to see all the time. However, it's also an amazing opportunity each year to see the next generation of rising stars not only in the company but in Mexico as a whole. Each wrestler brings their own personality and style to the ring whether it's the high flying, youthfulness of guys like Soberano Jr and Tiger and or the experience of veterans such as Negro Casas and Ultimo Guerrero.
Whenever CMLL comes to town we see Rudos (Heels) and Teknikos (Babyfaces) who all live and breathe professional wrestling just like our own New Japan guys. I know it's a cliche to say, but it's a breath of fresh air when the luchador's come into Japan and it's amazing to see the New Japan guys work so well with them despite the obvious language barriers. Each year, I can't wait to see the list of who CMLL are sending over and it's a case of who do I know, who do I not know. It's a chance to widen your knowledge of wrestling and try something new in an environment you know.
4. Taguchi teaming with Fuego
Even though Taguchi's luck with tag team partners hasn't been great, I mean they all just seem to leave him, his partnership with CMLL's Fuego is just something so special. It's the first time they're back teaming in a few years and you can tell that the chemistry is still there and the two personality's just work together amazingly.
As soon as the music hits, albeit copyright music, the crowds went crazy seeing the Funky Weapon and Fuego dancing their way into the ring with their amazingly flamboyant outfits. We also got a glimpse Fuego's girlfriend who we don't really know the name of. It was all done in pure Taguchi Japan style just with the addition of sparkle and a bit more Lucha. However, once they get into the ring, they were all business with an added Taguchi Japan flair. It seems like Fuego has been learning the Taguchi playbook and even adding his own moves to it. There were hip attacks, tope con hilo's and even the odd dance move and shimmy. In the end, they actually had a pretty good record between them and it just proves how well the Jr heavyweight style and lucha style can blend when it's with like minded people who just want to have fun and entertain the fans.
Even though they were only ever in the opening matches, they owned their places on the card and got the crowd on their feet ready for a night of amazing wrestling. Sometimes, I think that the opening match is as important as the main event and it seems like Taguchi and Fuego had that mentality too! So, if Taguchi needs a partner to challenge for those IWGP Jr titles and Rocky is busy, Fuego would be the perfect mix.
So, if that doesn't make you go back on NJPWWorld and watch all of the shows, then I don't know what will! Like I said, you can watch it at any time and it won't hinder you come the New Beginning's Tour, but it was a whole lot of fun to watch. From the bright lights to the atmosphere, it's a union of two cultures in a time when tension is high and there's a lot of rivalry between promotions. It's a breath of fresh air and great for some light watching! Also, Mavs Gillis and Chris Charleton did amazing jobs commentating the events at Korakuen with a wealth of knowledge between them.
As always, let me know what you think and talk to me on my social media:
Hi guys, How crazy has 2020 has been? With everything going on in the world, it seems as if 2021 couldn't come any sooner. However, even with all of this negativity, I think it's vital to try and find some positives. Despite conditions making it hard for the wrestling industry, many companies have thrived during the pandemic. In particular, some wrestlers have managed to make the best out of a bad situation and continue trying to put on shows for fans whether in person or through streaming sites. To mark the end of another year, I'm back with my annual wrestling MVP list of the wrestlers who have stood out this year. Just a quick note, most of the stuff I've watched this year is Japanese wrestling (NJPW, DDT and TJPW)! Yuka Sakazaki 2020 has been a great year for in the sense that I've had the time to fully get into Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling. For me, it's something I regret not doing earlier because it is full of some amazing wrestlers from Miu, Miyu Yamashita...
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