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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Check it out, it's a new episode! Sondre Bjørn joins me to talk for nearly 3 hours running down every single wrestler in STARDOM's 5STAR Grand Prix with of course specific focus on the final & emotional final run of Rina. Best bouts, wrestlers, & more! open.spotify.com/episode/524A...

open.spotify.com

Episode 329: STARDOM 5STAR Grand Prix Final (w/Sondre Bjorn)

Eastern Lariat · Episode

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

G1 CLIMAX 36 FINAL REVIEW! Amy joins me again & we talk about all 19 guys, their tournaments, our favorite matches. Then Shun Skywalker's NJPW debut & how he's gonna fit in the House of Torture brings us to our originally scheduled programming, the Rey de Parejas! www.cagematch.net?id=128&nr=1421

open.spotify.com

Episode 328: NJPW G1 Climax 36 Final + Rey de Parejas 2026

Eastern Lariat · Episode

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

I wrote a HUGE piece on Hiroyoshi Tenzan, digging into his career & more than I ever dreamed about his life. What he went through as a Young Lion, family anecdotes & my picks for his top 10 matches. Learn all about 1 of the most underrated wrestlers ever! vivazero.substack.com/p/the-trials...

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

It's time to vote for the Eastern Lariat (Half Year) Awards! Whatever company, whatever wrestler, whatever style you think was the best in '26, please vote & shape the awards as we reflect on the year in Japanese wrestling so far! #wrestlesky #purosky #joshisky Vote here: forms.gle/nYZLRQJuQEce...

forms.gle

Eastern Lariat Half Year Awards 2026

Voting is back!

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

time codes ➡️ - 8: Intro ➡️ 8 - 33: #TJPW in Texas & Arai on top ➡️33 – 44: Sendai Girls, ZONES & Chi Chi ➡️44 – 1:35 Dragon Dia & #NJPW ➡️1:35 – end: #AJPW Champion Carnival

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

The Eastern Lariat returns with Dylan & STRIGGA looking at TJPW in Texas and Grand Princess, Sendai Girls, depatures of Chi Chi, ZONES & DIA plus a preview of #njpw's Sakura Genesis & #ajpw's Champion Carnival! #purosky #wrestlesky www.cagematch.net/r/?id=128&nr...

Eastern Lariat #321: TJPW Grand Princess, Senjo, DIA Leaves DG, NJPW/AJPW Previews « Podcasts « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

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📢New Year Potpourri!📢 Dylan & STRIGGA look back at January feat. these topics: ➡️EVIL leaves New Japan ➡️Hayabusa's identity, Monday Magic ➡️DDT in January ➡️AJPW in Chiba: Miyahara vs. Talos & more ➡️DRAGONGATE: Shimizu vs. Vibes & more #WrestleSky #PuroSky

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

The dust has settled & the door has been fully shut on 2025. Special Thanks to every single voter who helped make the awards as great as they were as well as once more Obsess Hedera for the official theme song, "Anti-Formalism". Congratulations to all the amazing winners!

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 27/01/2026

Finally. The final and biggest award given in the ELAs. The overall MVP of Japanese wrestling for the year. History was made as the 1st ever Joshi wrestler took home the top prize, confirming Tokyo Sports' MVP as well. Congratulations to the Kenta Kobashi MVP: Saya Kamitani! #WrestleSky #PuroSky

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

The MVPs are judged by not just in-ring work but their star/drawing power, character work, story importance & their overall importance. For the Joshi MVP, it was the biggest landslide win of any award. Congratulations to Saya Kamitani for being the Toyota Trophy winner of 2025! #WrestleSky #PuroSky

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

A moment Dylan on the show called a "triumph of humanity". After 2 decades this man became the top champion of NJPW. A shining example for his children, his deceased dad, and anyone who was lucky enough to see it. Congratulations to @510njpw for having the Best Moment of 2025! #WrestleSky #ELAs

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

Every year it's important, but on this year, fresh off of the Retirement of it's namesake. The Tanahashi Trophy is always awarded to the best pure in-ring wrestler. And '25 is the same as '24. Congratulations to the back to back Best Wrestler of 2024 AND 2025: Sareee! #ELAs #WrestleSky #PuroSky

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

The best Jr. Heavyweight in the business was highly competitive this year but in the end, an old reliable face ended up taking the win after another acclaimed year. Congratulations to NJPW's El Desperado for winning the Liger Award for the Best Jr. Heavyweight of 2025! #ELAs #WrestleSky #PuroSky

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

In just a few months, the Knockout Brothers have flipped NJPW's tag division as a whole on it's head so much so that the voters have spoken and made their choice known. Congratulations to Yuto-Ice & OSKAR for winning the Kawada/Taue 2025 tag team of the year award! #ELAs ##WrestleSky #PuroSky

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

The Best Bout. This year it wasn't just the main event of the show of the year, but the end of the road for one of the most memorable wrestlers in an entire scene's era. The 2025 Best Bout Winner is Tam Nakano vs. Saya Kamitani from Stardom's All Star Grand Queendom. #ELAs #WrestleSky #PuroSky

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

The show of the year award often looks at the most complete show and/or the most special. With this lineup: Saya v. Tam SLK v. AZM Syuri v. Mayu wing*gori v. FWC C-Hash v. Meiko Suzu v. Seira The voters made the pick accordingly. Congrats to Stardom All Star Grand Queendom!

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

With how many other awards they won this year, is it really that surprising? Whether business gains or the product itself, it was a clear choice for our voters. Congratulations to World Wonder Ring Stardlm for winning the promotion of the year for 2025. #ELAs

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

Our closest award of 2025 was so close it came down to the recording itself where the deciding vote was cast. And after such a strong year as Future of Stardom champion, it was earned in a big way. Congratulations to the Most Improved Wrestler of 2025, Stardom's Hina! #wrestlesky #purosky

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

History was made this year as the "Super Rookie" became the first ever wrestler to win the Akiyama Award in their first year wrestling rather than 2nd. After her top 10 finish in the 25 25 & Under List, she continues to dazzle! Congratulations to Marigold's Seri Yamaoka!

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

He started the year as IWGP Champion & main eventing the Dome and ended it winning the World Tag League, the ELA voters had a clear choice for this 1. The British born Front Man of TMDK, @njpw1972.bsky.social's @zacksabrejr.bsky.social takes home the Hansen Award for Best Foreign Wrestler of 2025.

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

A thread of winners for the 2025 ELAs!

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Also check out the opening theme, "Anti-Formalism" From the Nagoya based band, OBSESS HEDERA. They were awesome to work with and it's a great song. Look forward to the future for the girls & guys in it as J-Metal gets stronger and stronger. www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIC0...

youtube.com

「ANTI-FORMALISM」OBSESS HEDERA 2nd Music Video Japanese metal and loud rock band

YouTube video by OBSESS HEDERA

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

The Eastern Lariat Year End Awards 2025 are in the books! STRIGGA & Dylan unveil the ELAs, voted on by the listeners across 12 categories. Join in to hear about the best of japanese pro wrestling in the last year! #ELAs #WrestleSky ##PuroSky #JoshiSky www.cagematch.net?id=128&nr=1351

Eastern Lariat #317: 2025 Eastern Lariat Awards, Best of the Year in Japan « Podcasts « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 16/01/2026

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Finally, the Hansen. Named after Stan "The Lariat" Hansen, this award is given to those performers who jad the best year in Japan while representing a different country of origin. Who was the best foreigner in Japan in 2025? #ELAs #PuroSky #WrestleSky

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

The Akiyama Award is for the best rookie, someone who debuted in 2024 or 25 as dictated by the ELAs terms on Rookie categorization. There are A LOT of great young talents out there. Which one should take home the crown as the Rookie of the Year? #ELAs #WrestleSky #PuroSky #JoshiSky

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 13/01/2026

Improvement & growth is arguably the entire meaning of life, no matter your path in it. The Most Improved award is to award who from Jan 1 to Dec 31 of 2025 took the biggest step forward from point A to point B. So, who was the one who was the Most Improved of 2025? #ELAs #WrestleSky #PuroSky

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Best Promotion has many facets to be judgedby. There is in-ring quality, but also business growth and the usage of their roster through their booking & stories as well as their ideals as a company. With all that said, what was the best promotion in 2025 in Japanese Pro Wrestling? #ELAs #WrestleSky

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Show of the year. Match quality, structure, it feeling special...so many qualities go into a great singular show and that's not even talking about the buildup to it. But with all that being said, which show held up and stood out as the best of the year? #ELAs #wrestlesky #purosky

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Best Bout. Match of the Year. Whatever you call it, it speaks for itself. What was the best match that took place in Japan in 2025? #ELAs

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

Tag Team wrestling comes in various shapes and sizes depending on the company and the heart for it within each team where two wrestlers work in tandem as a singular entity. Which one had the best year in 2025 and deserves the crown of winning the Kawada/Taue Award? #ELAs

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

The Liger award. The representation of the best Jr. Heavyweight of the year. There's a lot of options with the amount of wrestlers below 100kg & used in the Jr. Heavyweight divisions. Who was the best when it comes to purely the Jr. Heavyweights in Japan in 2025? #ELAs

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Reposted by Eastern Lariat

Sbadoosh @sbadoosh.ch · 10/01/2026

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

In addition to the Tanahashi love and Dome coverage we had heading into his retirement...we already have a Tanahashi Trophy! This award is given to the best wrestler of the year PURELY from an in-ring standpoint. The pound for pound best wrestler. Who was that person in 2025? #ELAs

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

I've always said that Best Moment is my personal favorite award. What was the greatest moment in Japanese wrestling in 2025 that stuck with you the most? #ELAs forms.gle/hh2wU5K5bgRv...

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Reposted by Eastern Lariat

Sbadoosh @sbadoosh.ch · 07/01/2026

Aight here are my picks. MVP: Sareee Was everywhere, always in important positions and more often than not has gotten me to watch. Joshi MVP: Marino Saihara With Sareee getting her flowers elsewhere, Marino has carried AWG on her shoulders, has been double champ and arguably the best performer.

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

The Joshi MVP, the Toyota Trophy is the Joshi exclusive equivalent of the MVP (which women are also allowed to win!) and utilizes the same idea of in-ring, business and overall importance to a company. That said who is the best pick for the Joshi MVP through all of 2025? #ELAs

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

We'll turn our eyes to the #ELAs for our next ep. We've already got some votes but we need more to truly tell the story! Who was the MVP of Japanese Pro Wrestling in 2025? Who led the way in the ring, in terms of business & importance to their company? Who deserves the win most?

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Totally agree. It might be a project I tackle in the future to have a more definitive belief & answer. But in my gut as of now I think he has to be in the same rarified air. Muto is a perfect comp & Misawa was a legend in the business. Tana's almost a mix of the 2 (even tho he liked Kobashi most!).

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

Wrestle Kingdom 20 is in the books and it wasn’t just a show - it was a farewell. STRIGGA & Dylan discuss Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match, his legacy as the Ace, and how NJPW moves on in the post ace era. #njwk20 www.cagematch.net/r/?id=128&nr...

Eastern Lariat #316: Wrestle Kingdom 20 Review « Podcasts « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database

Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

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Now that the dust has settled on #njwk20 from a sold out Tokyo Dome, time to weigh in with some thoughts before the EL records and breaks it all down. #njpw #wrestlesky #purosky Grade on a 1-10 Scale for the whole show: Best Match: Best Cameo in Tana's Retirement Ceremony: Worst Match/Moment:

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Eastern Lariat @easternlariat.bsky.social · 04/01/2026

2026 Predictions! What's likely? What's unlikely? What's gonna happen in NJPW? STARDOM? AJPW? NOAH? MARIGOLD? DG? DDT? TJPW? And of course, GLEAT. All that and more on the 2026 Predictions show! cagematch.net/?id=128&nr=1340

Eastern Lariat #315.5: 2026 Predictions for Japan « Podcasts « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database