Stacey McInnes – From Lioness to Officer
The Return of the Tank – Frank Masoe Steps Back into the Ring
Andrew Villalobos – Motivation Lights the Fire, Discipline Keeps It Alight
Heart, Body, Technique – The Transformation of Michael Richards
Tangi Ropati – When You Invest In Yourself and Others
Fale Dojo 2021 February Intake
Fale Dojo Boxing Team Victorious At Fight Night Event
“Switchblade” Jay White and Toa Henare – Verbalising NZ Strong Style
Hikuleo – Product of the Fale Dojo and NJPW Dojo Pathway
Interview with Frank Masoe – Fale Dojo Boxing Trainer
Stacey McInnes – From Lioness to Officer
Stacey McInnes is a proud Fale Dojo graduate. The Kiwi-born McInnes gained her initial training in pro wrestling while living overseas before returning to NZ in 2019 to broaden her ...
The Return of the Tank – Frank Masoe Steps Back into the Ring
Frank Masoe made his return to the ring, representing Fale Dojo in the main event of the Return of the King show. Held recently in Featherston, New Zealand, the event ...
Andrew Villalobos – Motivation Lights the Fire, Discipline Keeps It Alight
Of all the intakes that have come through Fale Dojo / NJPW New Zealand Dojo, the June 2018 intake holds the distinction of the entire class being selected to advance ...
Heart, Body, Technique – The Transformation of Michael Richards
Michael Richards is a senior member of the Fale Dojo / NJPW New Zealand Dojo young lions. As a graduate of the June 2018 intake, Richards earned the opportunity to ...
Tangi Ropati – When You Invest In Yourself and Others
When the Fale Dojo / NJPW New Zealand Dojo General Community Classes relaunched in February 2020, the plans were implemented by Tangi Ropati. Ropati joined the Dojo staff as Head ...
Fale Dojo 2021 February Intake
Fale Dojo / NJPW New Zealand Dojo welcomed the first intake for 2021. Having commenced on the 15th of February, the three-month professional wrestling training course is constructed and led ...
Fale Dojo Boxing Team Victorious At Fight Night Event
The Fale Dojo Boxing Team, under the guidance of Frank ‘the Tank’ Masoe, competed recently at the HardKnocks 13 Fight Night event promoted by HardKnocks Boxing. Auckland’s ABA stadium, the ...
“Switchblade” Jay White and Toa Henare – Verbalising NZ Strong Style
On 10 March 2021, New Zealand’s rich and multi-layered cultural identity was showcased in the main event of a New Japan Pro-Wrestling show. NZ’s own international stars “Switchblade” Jay White ...
NJPW 49th Anniversary Show Results – 04/03/2021
NJPW 49th Anniversary Show Results – 04/03/2021 Tokyo, Japan Nippon Budokan English Speaking Commentary: Kevin Kelly, Chris Charlton & Gino Gambino SUZUKI-gun – DOUKI, ZACK SABRE JR., MINORU SUZUKI & ...
Hikuleo – Product of the Fale Dojo and NJPW Dojo Pathway
When the Fale Dojo professional wrestling training school was created by Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale in 2016, his initial purpose was to present it to his community so that young ...
Interview with Frank Masoe – Fale Dojo Boxing Trainer
Fale Dojo is pleased to welcome Frank “The Tank” Masoe – heavyweight boxer, as part of the coaching staff. Masoe will teach boxing as part of the Dojo’s General Community ...
Fale Dojo 2021 Reopening
Fale Dojo 2021 General Community Classes, Schedule and Trainers. Fale Dojo is ready to once again offer its world-class training and fitness programme to the New Zealand public through the ...
NZ Strong Style – An Ally, Not A Colony, Part II
This article is a follow up to a piece published in November 2018. Titled NZ Strong Style – An Ally, Not A Colony, it discussed how the New Zealand and ...
Fale Dojo interview with Gino Gambino
Gino Gambino is a Fale Dojo / NJPW New Zealand Dojo graduate, he is also the Dojo’s Australian liaison. Gambino’s role is to help set up Dojo try-outs in Australia ...
Fale Dojo interview with “Sniper of the Skies” Robbie Eagles
Dedication, Respect, Sacrifice, Integrity, Hard Work and Fighting Warrior Spirit! These attributes are what the Fale Dojo trainers look for in a person that attends and takes part in a ...
Going Rogue – The Transformation of Bad Luck Fale
On 4 April 2010, Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale made his New Japan Pro-Wrestling debut. Previous to this, Fale underwent two years of intense and vigorous training at the world-renowned NJPW ...
Fale Dojo interview with “Switchblade” Jay White
It wasn’t too long ago when “Switchblade” Jay White was regarded as a ‘foreigner’. In one context, White is a foreigner (gaijin) to the New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) landscape, and ...
Fale Dojo 2020 September Intake
Fale Dojo / NJPW New Zealand Dojo welcomed the final intake for 2020. The three-month professional wrestling course commenced in the first week of September. The programme is led by ...
Johnny Gardner – When You Invest in Yourself and Others
Johnny Gardner is one of many students to train at Fale Dojo where he participated in the three-month professional wrestling course. Gardner, a New Zealander was living in Brisbane, Australia ...
Fale Dojo 2020 June Intake
Fale Dojo / NJPW New Zealand Dojo welcomed the second intake for 2020 which commenced on the first week of June. The three-month professional wrestling course is led by Toks ...
Interview with Bad Luck Fale
This article discusses the baddest man in pro wrestling, Bad Luck Fale. Along with his fellow Tongans, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Hikuleo, this Polynesian branch of the Bullet Club are ...
Fale Dojo Reopens
Fale Dojo has reopened and is ready to once again offer its world-class training and fitness programme to the New Zealand public. As a fitness facility, the Dojo is equipped ...
New Zealand Strong Style, Japanese Strong Style – Leading With Empathy and Integrity
We are living in interesting times, the COVID-19 pandemic has shut down much of the world. In New Zealand, the government led by our Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, took the ...
Fale Dojo 2020 February Intake – Part Two
As the Head Coach of the Fale Dojo three-month professional wrestling course, Tony Kozina is responsible for providing the young lions with their initial training. The objective is to introduce ...
Fale Dojo 2020 February Intake – Part One
The Fale Dojo’s first intake for 2020 began training on the second week of February. As always with every class, a large portion of the young lions converge on South ...
Blindsided by Panic, Blessed with Time
Shopping as a low vision person comes with its difficulties. I’ve had this access need all of my life and it’s allowed me to adapt and take things in my ...
Jordan Allan-Wright – The First of Fale’s Pride
When the Fale Dojo facility opened in 2016, a core group of students helped establish the foundation of the three-month professional wrestling course. Jordan Allan-Wright was part of the first ...
Patrick Schischka – The Young Lion’s Journey
2019 was a year of significant milestones for Patrick Schischka. From his formal training at the Fale Dojo and the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo to wrestling on the Liger ...
Fale Dojo interview with Trainer, Vik Pawaar
Vik Pawaar was one of the first to train at Fale Dojo when its Auckland premises opened 2016. As a graduate of the inaugural three-month professional wrestling course, Pawaar learned ...
The real winners at inaugural People’s Choice Accessibility Awards for Business
The Access Alliance People’s Choice Awards was presented on Friday, 21st of February at the Sudima Auckland Airport. The event recognised businesses and organisations who were going above and beyond ...
Fale Dojo interview with Trainer, Gina Gee
Gina Gee is the first female trainer to join the Fale Dojo coaching staff. Gina brings her remarkable background and experience in combat fighting, adding significant skills and knowledge to ...
Fale Dojo interview with Head Trainer, Tangi Ropati
Fale Dojo is excited to welcome Tangi Ropati on board as part of the coaching staff. Ropati brings a wealth of sporting achievements in rugby league, fitness, and bodybuilding. He ...
NEW BEGINNINGS AS FALE DOJO WELCOMES NEW ERA BECOMING NJPW NEW ZEALAND DOJO, NJPW NZ TRYOUTS IN MAY, NEW TRAINERS, NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH COCA-COLA!
FALE DOJO BECOMES NEW JAPAN PRO WRESTLING NEW ZEALAND DOJO: Fale Dojo (Auckland, NZ) is now an official part of the New Japan Pro Wrestling training system. Going forward internationally, ...
Beehive Lunch Bar
I have recently started buying my lunch at the Beehive Lunch Bar located across the road from the Blind & Low Vision NZ building in Parnell. I have nominated this ...
Walter Yeates’ Exclusive Interview With Ite Lemalu Of The Fale Dojo
Recently, I was interviewed by journalist Walter Yeates in an exclusive where I spoke about my role with Fale Dojo, the Dojo’s mission locally and globally, and partnership with New ...
Fale Dojo Young Lions Oskar Münchow and Jake Taylor join NJPW Dojo
It is with great pleasure we announce that Oskar Münchow and Jake Taylor, graduates from the Fale Dojo three month professional wrestling course, have been accepted to the New Japan ...
International Day of People with Disabilities – “On Display”
The annual International Day of People with Disabilities was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992. The Day was to promote the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons ...
Fale Dojo Exhibition #5 – Silver Lion Showdown Recap
Fale Dojo Exhibition #5 – Silver Lion Showdown, which took place on the 7th of December, began with a welcome from Fale Dojo General Manager/Coach Mark Tui. Tui passed on ...
Meeting with the Cerebral Palsy Youth Alliance
As a voice for young people with disabilities, the Cerebral Palsy Youth Alliance launched a ‘Code of Freedoms’ campaign last year that reinforces the freedoms that every individual with a ...
Fale Dojo Exhibition #5: Silver Lion Showdown, December 7th 2019
Fale Dojo is proud to present Fale Dojo Exhibition #5: Silver Lion Showdown. The event will take place on December 7th at Fale Dojo, 66 Portage Road, Otahuhu, Auckland. The ...
Fale Dojo Exhibition #4 Recap
Fale Dojo Exhibition #4 took place on the 16th of November 2019. The event was complemented with the Dojo’s first Night Market that offered an assortment of food, as well ...
Access Law 2020 Action Forum Event
“It’s time for legislation”. This was the resounding message that Dianne Rogers, the Campaign Coordinator of the Access Alliance, shared at the #ActionLaw2020 Action Forum. Rogers put voice to a ...
Fale Dojo Exhibition #4 – Live Pro Wrestling, November 16
Fale Dojo, the home of New Zealand strong style is pleased to present the upcoming Fale Dojo Exhibition #4 event on November 16, at Fale Dojo, 66 Portage Road, Otahuhu, ...
Fale’s Pride – Aaron Solow to Compete at New Japan Showdown in San Jose
Fale Dojo is excited for one of its graduates, Aaron Solow. The young lion will be wrestling at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s ‘Showdown’ event in California, USA. Solow will be ...
Fale Dojo Exhibition #3 Recap
The third Fale Dojo ‘Exhibition’ event was held this past Labour weekend. The event consisted of seven matches which involved coaches and students from all levels of experience such as ...
Fale Dojo 2019 September Intake
The Fale Dojo September intake has welcomed two new students who have travelled from California, USA and London, England, to receive their formal training in New Zealand strong style from ...
Liam Fury – The Young Lion’s Journey
Liam Fury recently returned from the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo in Tokyo where he underwent the three-month training programme. Fury and fellow young lion, Patrick Schischka graduated together from ...
Fale Dojo Exhibition #3 – the Home of NZ Strong Style! 26 October
Fale Dojo, the home of New Zealand Strong Style is pleased to present its next professional wrestling showcase titled, ‘Fale Dojo Exhibition #3’. This event will take place on October ...
Fale Dojo interview with Tony Kozina
Tony Kozina has returned to New Zealand following three months travelling across the United States and Canada. During his time away, Kozina conducted wrestling seminars and competed on several wrestling ...
Jay White wins IWGP Intercontinental Title
“Switchblade” Jay White has become the IWGP Intercontinental champion. The Fale Dojo graduate recently defeated Tetsuya Naito for the championship in the main event at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s ‘Destruction ...
Fale’s Pride – Michael Richards to Compete at Upcoming NJPW Tour
Fale Dojo is excited for Michael Richards’ upcoming appearance at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s ‘Road to Destruction’ tour. Richards will be a participant in the ‘Young Lion Cup’ tournament which ...
Fale Dojo at NJPW Southern Showdown – Sydney Recap
NJPW Southern Showdown’s second show of the tour took place on the 30th of June at Sydney’s University of New South Wales Roundhouse. The card featured a plethora of talent ...
Fale’s Pride – Referee Lloyd Morgan’s NJPW Debut
‘Invest in Yourself’ is a motto that Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale and the Fale Dojo use as motivation within the Dojo community. This motto is a message of encouragement for ...
Fale Dojo 2019 June Intake
The Fale Dojo second intake for 2019 commenced training in the first week of June. It consists of eight young lions, five of whom have travelled from Australia, Japan and ...
Fale Dojo at NJPW Southern Showdown – Melbourne Recap
The wait was over for the Fale Dojo contingent after months of anticipation. The graduates led by Head Trainer Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale converged at the historic Festival Hall in ...
King Haku – Celebrating 30 Years
This article celebrates 30 plus years of King Haku’s royal coronation. This event was televised on the 9th of July edition of the World Wrestling Federation’s flagship show, Superstars of ...
Wrestling is a Metaphor for Life – Bullet Club OG vs. Being the Elite
‘Wrestling is a Metaphor for Life” is a series of articles that looks at past rivalries in pro wrestling. Influenced by popular culture and the social behaviour of the times, ...
Tome and Stevie Filip – Fale Dojo at NJPW Southern Showdown
Tome and Stevie Filip are an established addition to the Australian wrestling scene. The brother tag team from Melbourne known as the “Natural Classics” have competed throughout Australia as well ...
Aaron Solow – Fale Dojo at NJPW Southern Showdown
Aaron Solow is a recent graduate of the Fale Dojo three-month pro wrestling training course. During which he competed in the main event of the first two ‘Fale Dojo Exhibition’ shows. ...
Andrew Villalobos – Fale Dojo at NJPW Southern Showdown
Australia’s Andrew Villalobos trained at the Fale Dojo as part of the June 2018 intake. Following the three-month pro wrestling training course, Villalobos was accepted to the New Japan Dojo ...
Gino Gambino – Fale Dojo at NJPW Southern Showdown
Gino Gambino is a Fale Dojo graduate, he is also the Dojo’s Australian liaison. Gambino’s role is to help set up Dojo try-outs in Australia and put forward talent to ...
Toa Henare – Fale Dojo at NJPW Southern Showdown
Before the Fale Dojo was established at its South Auckland location in 2016, its training programme and philosophy designed by Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale and is based on the New ...
Michael Richards – Fale Dojo at NJPW Southern Showdown
Michael Richards is a product of both the Fale Dojo and New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo systems. Richards is one of four New Zealanders to train at the revered NJPW ...
Tony Kozina – Fale Dojo at NJPW Southern Showdown
Tony Kozina is a seasoned pro of the wrestling business with more than 20 year’s experience. Having wrestled extensively throughout North America, he has captured many championships on his travels, ...
Mark Tui – Fale Dojo at NJPW Southern Showdown
Mark Tui is the General Manager/Coach of Fale Dojo, he is also an experienced pro wrestler and amateur boxer which he applies into the Dojo’s training curriculum. Tui is an ...
Fale Dojo at NJPW Southern Showdown
Fale Dojo is pleased to announce that a contingent from the Dojo will be competing at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s second Australian tour ‘Southern Showdown’ on June 29 and 30 ...
Fale Dojo Scholarship – Giving Back to the Islands and Creating Opportunities
Fale Dojo is proud to announce the first Fale Dojo Scholarship for the Pacific Islands. This initiative will give student-athletes in the Pacific the opportunity to train for the world ...
Fale Dojo Young Lions Tome and Stevie Filip join NJPW Dojo
Fale Dojo is very pleased to announce that two more graduates are heading to the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo in Tokyo. Brothers, Tome and Stevie Filip from the 2019 ...
Fale Dojo Young Lions Liam Fury and Patrick Schischka join NJPW Dojo
Fale Dojo is proud to announce that Liam Fury and Patrick Schischka from the 2019 February intake have been accepted into the New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo in Tokyo where ...
Fale Dojo Exhibition 2 – Showcasing NZ Strong Style
The week leading to Fale Dojo Exhibition #2 was filled with excitement which included the expected training sessions as well as promo videos by Liam Fury, Aaron Solow, Tome and ...
Interview with Fale Dojo referee Lloyd Morgan
The referee is a valuable component in a professional wrestling match. Tasked with the responsibility of cutting through the animosity between the wrestlers in physical conflict, the ref must ensure ...
ROH & NJPW G1 Supercard – 06/04/2019
ROH & NJPW G1 Supercard – 06/04/2019 New York, New York Madison Square Garden Commentary Team: Ian Riccaboni, Kevin Kelly, Colt Cabana, Caprice Coleman, Mandy Leon, Chris Charleston & Nick ...
Fale Dojo Exhibition – Showcasing New Zealand Strong Style
Fale Dojo Exhibition took place on March 30 at the Dojo’s training facility in Otahuhu, Auckland. The festivities began with a BBQ as well as Silver Lion Sports selling New ...
Fale Dojo Exhibition – Welcome to New Zealand Strong Style
Fale Dojo is pleased to present the first “Fale Dojo Exhibition” event which will take place on Saturday, March 30 at the Fale Dojo training facility in Otahuhu, Auckland. “Exhibition” ...
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 12, Tournament Final Results – 24/03/2019
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 12, Tournament Final Night Results – 24/03/2019 Niigata, Japan Aore Nagaoka Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly, Rocky Romero and Excalibur To recap the journeys so far ...
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 11 Results – 23/03/2019
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 11 Results – 23/03/2019 Niigata, Japan Aore Nagaoka Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly, Rocky Romero and Excalibur TOMOHIRO ISHII vs. KAZUCHIKA OKADA: They trade Forearms, Okada ...
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 10 Results – 21/03/2019
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 10 Results – 21/03/2019 Shizuoka, Japan Act City Hamamatsu Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly, Rocky Romero and Excalibur SANADA vs. COLT CABANA: Colt with a Headscissors, ...
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 9 Results – 20/03/2019
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 9 Results – 20/03/2019 Shizuoka, Japan Twin Messe Shizuoka Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly and Excalibur YOSHI-HASHI vs. TOMOHIRO ISHII: YOSHI tries to match Ishii’s Chops ...
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 8 Results – 17/03/2019
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 8 Results – 17/03/2019 Tokyo, Japan Korakuen Hall Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly and Rocky Romero COLT CABANA vs. TORU YANO: Colt finds a roll of ...
Fale Dojo 2019 February Intake – Part 3
The Fale Dojo February Intake have reached the halfway point in their three-month journey. The students converged from various parts of the world to Otahuhu, Auckland at the Fale Dojo ...
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 7 Results – 16/03/2019
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 7 Results – 16/03/2019 Tokyo, Japan Korakuen Hall Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly and Rocky Romero RYUSUKE TAGUCHI vs. HIROSHI TANAHASHI: Taguchi with an Ankle Lock, ...
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 6 Results – 14/03/2019
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 6 Results – 14/03/2019 Nara, Japan Nara Centennial Hall Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly and Rocky Romero LANCE ARCHER vs. WILL OSPREAY: Archer with a Double ...
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 5 Results – 13/03/2019
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 5 Results – 13/03/2019 Okayama, Japan Zip Arena Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly and Rocky Romero CHASE OWENS W/JADO vs. YOSHI-HASHI: YOSHI blocks the Package Piledriver, ...
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 4 Results – 11/03/2019
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 4 Results – 11/03/2019 Kagawa, Japan Takamatsu City General Gymnasium Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly and Rocky Romero DAVEY BOY SMITH Jr. vs. TORU YANO: Davey ...
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 3 Results – 10/03/2019
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 3 Results – 10/03/2019 Hyogo, Japan Baycom Gymnasium Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly and Rocky Romero RYUSUKE TAGUCHI vs. HIROYOSHI TENZAN: Taguchi is a replacement for ...
Fale Dojo 2019 February Intake – Part 2
The idea of community is vital in the wrestling industry as it is in any profession that functions on the collaboration between people. The wrestling industry – especially is crucially ...
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 2 Results – 09/03/2019
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 2 Results – 09/03/2019 Aichi, Japan Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly and Rocky Romero LANCE ARCHER vs. TOA HENARE: Toa with a Powerbomb ...
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 1 Results – 08/03/2019
NJPW New Japan Cup: Night 1 Results – 08/03/2019 Tokyo, Japan Korakuen Hall Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly and Don Callis They go over the announcement that Jushin Thunder Liger is ...
Fale Dojo 2019 February Intake – Part 1
Fale Dojo is excited to welcome the first of three intakes for 2019. The February intake is the biggest group yet which consists of ten Young Lions. These successful applicants ...
NJPW & ROH Honor Rising Japan: Night 2 Results – 23/02/2019
NJPW & ROH Honor Rising Japan: Night 2 Results – 23/02/2019 Tokyo, Japan Korakuen Hall Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly, Chris Charles and Colt Cabana JONATHAN GRESHAM & TOA HENARE vs. ...
NJPW & ROH Honor Rising Japan: Night 1 Results – 22/02/2019
NJPW & ROH Honor Rising Japan: Night 1 Results – 22/02/2019 Tokyo, Japan Korakuen Hall Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly and Chris Charles REN NARITA vs. MARTY SCURLL: This is Scurll’s ...
When You Invest in Yourself and Others
“You think I’m not ready? Well, look right in front of you I was ready a long time ago!” – ‘Switchblade’ Jay White, New Japan Pro Wrestling IWGP Heavyweight ...
NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka Results – 11/02/2019
NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka Results – 2/11/19 Osaka, Japan Edion Arena Osaka Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly & Don Callis SUZUKI-gun vs. JUSHIN THUNDER LIGER & TEN-KOJI: Tenzan tries to convince ...
Jay White captures the IWGP Championship
Jay White has become the first New Zealander to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. In addition to holding this distinct honour, White, a proud Fale Dojo graduates, is also the ...
When Wrestling Fans Become Elitists
The wrestling world is buzzing over the arrival of All Elite Wrestling. This new promotion was founded by Shahid Khan and his son Tony, and envisioned by Cody Rhodes and ...
NJPW New Year Dash!! Results – 05/01/2019
NJPW New Year Dash!! Results – 1/5/19 Tokyo, Japan Korakuen Hall Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly & Rocky Romero THE KILLER ELITE SQUAD & TAKASHI IIZUKA vs. ROPPONGI 3K & ROCKY ...
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 13 Results – 04/01/2019
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom XIII Results – 1/4/19 Tokyo, Japan Tokyo Dome Commentary Team: Kevin Kelly and Don NEVER Openweight Championship: WILL OSPREAY vs. KOTA IBUSHI (c) Ospreay avoids The Kamigoye, ...
Wrestle Kingdom 13: The Striker vs. The Grappler
It is an exciting time to be a pro wrestling fan. New Japan Pro Wrestling will start the 2019 wrestling calendar with their biggest event, Wrestle Kingdom 13. This extravaganza ...
Remembering ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund
“Well you know something, Mean Gene!” This phrase, made famous by Hulk Hogan is just one of many lines that are associated with ‘Mean’ Gene Okerlund. The legendary wrestling broadcaster ...
The Young Lions journey with Michael Richards and Andrew Villalobos
In October 2018, Michael Richards and Andrew Villalobos joined the ranks of the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Dojo in Tokyo. Prior to moving over to Japan, Richards and Villalobos first completed ...
Remembering the Dynamite Kid
Thomas Billington, known famously as the Dynamite Kid, was one half of the tag team, the British Bulldogs along with Davey Boy Smith. Dynamite was also an integral part of ...
Bullet Club dominates New Japan’s dream team
“You can’t beat me, you can’t beat us, you can’t beat the Bullet Club”. This was the statement that “Switchblade” Jay White roared throughout Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall as Bullet Club ...
NZ Strong Style – An Ally, Not A Colony
Since the reports began to surface about the WWE approaching the wrestlers on the NXT UK brand with new contracts that would prevent them from working with other UK promotions ...
Interview with Fale Dojo Head Trainer Tony Kozina
Tony Kozina is a seasoned pro of the wrestling profession with more than 20 years experience. Nicknamed the “Canadian Cougar”, @TTKozina1 has wrestled extensively throughout North America, having captured many championships ...
Interview with Veteran Wrestling Broadcaster Ken Resnick – His Return to Television
Ken Resnick is a veteran broadcaster. He is remembered for his roles as an interviewer with the American Wrestling Association (AWA), and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) during the 1980s. ...
Bringing a Switchblade to a Gun Fight – Jay White joins Bullet Club OG
The search is over! Bullet Club OGs have welcomed three new members to the group. The reinforcements were made recently at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s King of Pro Wrestling event. ...
Remembering Gorilla Monsoon – 19 Years On
Gorilla Monsoon, the voice of my generation, passed away 19 years ago today. I wasn’t born when Monsoon was an active wrestler, but I always remember hearing Monsoon’s voice on commentary ...
The Pupil Meets the Teacher II – Toa Henare vs Bad Luck Fale
“I’m still breathing, and if I breathe, I fight”. This was the vow made to New Japan Pro Wrestling’s media by a battered yet determined Toa Henare, moments after his ...
NJPW Interview with Bad Luck Fale
This is a transcript of an interview conducted by New Japan Pro Wrestling with Bad Luck Fale. In this piece, Fale talks to NJPW about the origins of the Bullet ...
Fale’s Pride – Young Lions join NJPW Dojo
The team at Fale Dojo have a new reason to be immensely proud of their most recent intakes: Michael Richards, Andrew Villalobos, Ben Payne, and Nathan McCarter have been ...
Christopher Daniels Interview Recap
Christopher Daniels is a 25-year veteran who has very little to do with mainstream wrestling, having spent most of his career wrestling for promotions such as IMPACT! Wrestling, New ...
Bret Hart Pays Tribute to Jim Neidhart
Bret Hart posted to his Instagram, a tribute to his brother in law and tag team partner, Jim Neidhart who passed away on August 13. Bret “Hitman” Hart and ...
Interview with New Japan Pro Wrestling star Toa Henare
Born in Auckland, New Zealand and raised as a Cook Island Maori, Toa Henare knew early in his life that he wanted to be a professional wrestler. He embarked on ...
Strong Style – Changing A Fan’s Perception
Lately, I started following New Japan Pro Wrestling, starting with the G1 Climax 28. The G1 was an awesome introduction to this hot product that has started to expand their ...
Welcome to Fale Dojo
I recently had my first official meeting at the Fale Dojo wrestling training school in South Auckland. I entered the Dojo as a life-long wrestling fan, having to remind ...
The Pupil Meets the Teacher
In front of 13,000 people at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan; Toa Henare, a graduate of Fale Dojo, meets his teacher, Bad Luck Fale in a special singles match at New Japan ...
Remembering Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart
A piece of my childhood passed away today. Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart was known best as half of the 1980s tag team, the Hart Foundation. Along with his ...
Wrestling is a Metaphor 4 LIFE – Diamond Dallas Page vs. the New World Order
The year is 1996, a lot has changed in wrestling since the Hulkamania/Million Dollar Man rivalry, a decade earlier. A shift in power has occurred as the World Wrestling Federation’s ...
Partnership with Fale Dojo
I am very excited to announce ‘Ite Lemalu Writings’ partnership with ‘Fale Dojo’. I recently met with Mark Tui, the General Manager / Coach of Fale Dojo, and his wife ...
Wrestling is a Metaphor for Life – Hulkamania vs. the Million Dollar Man
As a young wrestling fan, I picked up some interesting knowledge I had yet to learn about in primary school; such as the names of American cities and states: As ...
Interview with IMPACT! Wrestling star, Fallah Bahh
Professional wrestling star, Fallah Bahh made his first international appearance on an episode of IMPACT! Wrestling in January 2017. His build and wrestling style reminded me so much of the ...
Simplicity is Success in Music and Wrestling
This article talks about understanding professional wrestling from a musician’s perspective. I have been a wrestling fan since the age of nine, and at an earlier age; I was blessed ...
Rude Awakening – Ravishing Rick Rude, From WWF Player to WCW Leading Man
This article will discuss the wrestling career of the late Ravishing Rick Rude, focusing on the years when Rick Rude wrestled in the World Wrestling Federation from 1987 to 1990 ...
Rey Misterio Jr. vs. Eddie Guerrero, 1997 – How the WCW Cruiserweight Division Changed Wrestling
My name is Ite Lemalu, I am from Auckland, New Zealand, and I grew up watching wrestling from the late 1980s. My favourite wrestlers growing up were Greg Valentine, Bret ...
Ite Lemalu
Thanks for joining me! I’m Ite Lemalu, I am a New Zealand born Samoan with experience in writing (Grad Dip Arts – Film, Media & Television Studies, University of Auckland) ...