In addition to publishing Monthly Puroresu Issue #11 (ft. queen of joshi wrestlers KAIRI on the cover and an exclusive interview with WWE hall of famer Madusa), I flew back to Tokyo for a week. MP has gone from a passion project to a legitimate LLC with contracts in three short years, also earning me a live sports commentator opportunity in March (more below).
Somehow, between producing the magazine and flying out to Japan, I also managed to take on more freelance clients for copywriting (Pelican Products, Nexon) in addition to driving Uber on the weekends. My goal for the back half of 2023 is to find an org who can put these talents to use on a more full-time basis, but in the meantime I count my blessings while so many people are struggling amidst tech layoffs.
Back in Japan, I worked backstage at Yokohama Arena for the second time in three months – this time at STARDOM Allstar Grand Queendom – where I met MP cover star KAIRI, along with other top talents who were happy to put a face to the MP brand they’ve come to know through social media.
You are still a member of Club Venus🎊
Get a gorgeous limousine for us😝🩵
It's party time🍾#ClubVenus https://t.co/r8caZJPqnL— 白川未奈 Mina Shirakawa (@MinaShirakawa) April 23, 2023
It was a #ddtpro / #ganpro appreciation kinda night, fueled by washoku pic.twitter.com/cAWqHSPquM
— Thom Fain (@ThomFain) April 21, 2023
Right before departing, I shipped my last print copy of Issue #11:
Thank you so much❣️🥹🙏🏻#SOLDOUT https://t.co/LpIi7K2XvK
— Kairi Sane (@KAIRI_official) April 3, 2023
The live SNS coverage I provided from Yokohama was the most-engaged content I or my team has ever produced on social media at Monthly Puroresu.
It was twelve years ago that Mayu Iwatani was on STARDOM's very first show – Birth of Nova – and now she leaves STARDOM's biggest ever show as IWGP Women's champion. There is only one Icon of Stardom – @MayuIwatani. pic.twitter.com/OKXFpu9rNX
— Monthly Puroresu (@MonthlyPuroresu) April 23, 2023
CLUB VENUS IS TAKING OVER. pic.twitter.com/9HtMwzEzLN
— Monthly Puroresu (@MonthlyPuroresu) April 23, 2023
Upset that her beautiful face was busted by Mayu Iwatani, @MercedesVarnado claimed after her IWGP Women’s Title Loss she’s not done with #STARDOM or @njpwglobal by a long mile — and reminded everyone she’s still rich. “You are not the Undertaker, Mayu!” pic.twitter.com/KVkKIvJNNS
— Monthly Puroresu (@MonthlyPuroresu) April 23, 2023
My sports broadcasting opportunity with FiteTV came alongside former WWE commentator Jonny Loquasto. Loquasto was the play by play to my color commentary for Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling’s sold out “Live in LA” pay-per-view. It was the first time their roster had ever traveled to and put on a show in America, and it was a massive success from both a broadcasting standpoint and from the perspective of moving the wrestling zeitgeist.
A few of my calls:
Tag Team action is featured in our next #tjpw bout as Miu Watanabe & Shoko Nakajima collide with Wasteland War Party.
Will @_theyaremax_ strength be too much or will Shoko Nakajima's speed be the difference maker?@tjpw2013
[ LIVE NOW on #FITE 🔴https://t.co/MEgl4CM5dD ] pic.twitter.com/7GL1h0vd1Q
— TrillerTV (@FiteTV) March 31, 2023
https://twitter.com/FiteTV/status/1641888105434173453?s=20
https://twitter.com/FiteTV/status/1641890908319670272
I look forward to ring announcing and continuing my commentary work at a new startup, Spark Joshi Puroresu, who is bringing many Japanese wrestlers I’ve met in Tokyo and LA for their inaugural event in the San Gabriel Valley. If you want to know more on why I think this work is so culturally important, head to monthlypuroresu.com and read my latest op-ed in Monthly Puroresu Special Edition ’23 – REGION BREAK.
Thanks for visiting!