Wrestling Omakase #289: TJPW Grand Princess Review, NJPW Sakura Genesis Preview, Sareee-ism Chapter X & STARDOM New Blood 30 w/ Arametha
🎧 Listen to the full episode on Voices of Wrestling
Dragon Dia leaving Dragon Gate
Dragon Dia had previously requested to leave the company. However, as this occurred during his exclusive contract period, various adjustments and responses were necessary. Since discussions were conducted through his agent, we were unable to have a constructive and smooth discussion.
Dragon Dia notified us through his agent that he would be leaving the company at the end of February 2026. From a company's perspective, we simply could not accept his departure, leaving behind our fans and those involved.
TJPW attendance
Tokyo Joshi Pro Grand Princess 26 was a big success for them, 3,089 fans. That would be their biggest number in the U.S. ever for sure.
NOAH roster departures
It sounds like NOAH is about to lose two more people. It sounds like they're about to lose Daga and Jack Morris.
NJPW talent departures
I would tell some people who are AEW slash Dragon Gate fans, don't celebrate so hard when AEW signs New Japan people because it comes down. This shit comes downhill. New Japan is going to fill those spots somehow.
NJPW recruitment strategy
It feels like the first year that New Japan specifically is doing that as a strategy. Up until this point when they were replenishing talent, they were trying to do it from the younger talent already there.
Joshi vs Men's wrestling landscape
The joshi scene is just way deeper than the men's scene when it comes to young talent right now. When I go to make my 30 under 30 list, my short list is like 45 joshi and like 15 men's wrestlers.
NJPW roster depth
It takes so long for Young Lions to be trained to the level that they want them at that even if the dojo is packed full right now, that's still assets that are years and years away from maturing.
Marigold vs TJPW attendance
I'm very skeptical of a Rossi number, especially a big round Rossi number for Marigold. I would bet the actual number of people was very similar if not more for this TJPW show.
MLB ABS system
I see so many journalists and posters describe the strike zone system as AI driven, but it's not. It's mostly software imaging and some machine learning. We stopped calling that AI years ago for some reason.
