The Fighting Spirit of Yuto Nakashima

The journey of Yuto Nakashima is one that is remarkably rare. Nakashima, a former professional Mix Martial Arts fighter in his native Japan, crossed over to professional wrestling with the particular goal of joining the ranks of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Nakashima took part in two try-outs to train at the New Japan Dojo in Tokyo, Read More …

Oskar – The Odyssey Continues

Since arriving on the wrestling scene in November 2021, Fale Dojo / NZ Dojo graduate, Oskar Münchow has been working his way up the ranks of Germany’s Westside Xtreme Wrestling. Münchow joined wXw as an unknown newcomer, starting in the organisation’s developmental system, known as the Academy. It was at this place where Münchow honed Read More …

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 by Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale, New Japan Pro-Wrestling star, co-owner and Head Trainer of Fale Dojo. He is joined by his coaching staff consisting of Read More …

“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 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 …

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 people could pursue the same opportunities that he had. As the first non-Japanese graduate of the New Japan Pro-Wrestling Dojo, Fale recognised the significant parallels Read More …

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 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 …

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 Dojo, during which time he immersed himself in the Japanese culture; becoming fluent in the language as well as the Japanese strong style of professional Read More …

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 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 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 Toks ‘Bad Luck’ Fale, New Japan Pro-Wrestling star, Head Trainer and founder of the Dojo. The coaching staff also includes Mark Tui, General Manager / Read More …

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 causing all sorts of havoc at the New Japan Pro Wrestling’s G1 Climax tournament series. Although Fale is currently a prominent topic of discussion in Read More …