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 and Toa Henare, headlined the first round of the 2021 New Japan Cup tournament that was streamed live across the world from Sandan-ike Park Gymnasium Read More …
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 & TAICHI vs. MASTER WATO, GABRIEL KIDD, TOMOAKI HONMA & HIROOKI GOTO: gun jumpstarts the match per usual, Suzuki with a Cravat, but Wato makes the Read More …
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 Australian wrestling scenes would potentially flourish as allies of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, as opposed to the scenario of being colonies of World Wrestling Entertainment’s NXT development Read More …
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 in a different context a foreigner to the western mainstream. Hailing from Auckland, New Zealand, a country that was once a thriving territory of the Read More …
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, the Dojo will now be known as NJPW New Zealand Dojo, however, locally, we will maintain our Fale Dojo brand. “The Dojo will be called Read More …
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 Japan Pro Wrestling. Here is the transcript to the article. ============================================= The following is an exclusive interview with Ite Lemalu, Media Relations Manager of the Read More …
“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 in Kobe’ pay-per-view. With the addition of the Intercontinental title, White, the 26-year-old Aucklander has gained the distinct honour of being a New Japan ‘triple Read More …
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 from New Japan Pro Wrestling who were largely supported by the Fale Dojo contingent that competed for the event. Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale, founder, and Read More …
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 Melbourne, Australia to perform on the first night of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s ‘Southern Showdown’ event. Mark Tui, the General Manager and Coach at Fale Read More …
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 Aldis Honor Rumble: We start with Kenny King and Minoru Suzuki King tries Chops, but those aren’t going to cut it against Suzuki & he Read More …