As the first woman wrestler in her country—and the inaugural All-Asia Women’s champion of SETUP Thailand—MATCHA is living up to the lofty expectations that come with such a role. IN MY LAST COLUMN, I discussed how certain areas of the world go undera

WAS MEANT TO BE “one last hurrah.” So says Shazza McKenzie of her 2022 tour of the American indie circuit, which was chronicled in the two-part IWTV docuseries, Shazza Takes America. The popular Aussie grappler—a former Heart of SHIMMER champion and

For an upcoming book, artist MATT CHARLTON (aka SHINING WIZARD DESIGNS) illustrates a new scene from international wrestling every day. In this column, we serialize some of the more poignant entries. SHOULDERING THE DREAMS and burdens of the crowd wh

Fans wanted STING and CODY RHODES to have shining moments at Revolution and WrestleMania, respectively. Would that be smart booking? Do fans know what’s best for themselves? THIS WRESTLEMANIA SEASON was extra special for me, as well as the other staf

WITH THE DEPARTURE OF Kazuchika Okada, and Hiroshi Tanahashi being named company president of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, many questions surround the future of one of Japan’s premier promotions. Within the last two years, four candidates have returned h

In the follow-up to his acclaimed baseball memoir, The Wax Pack (2020), author BRAD BALUKJIAN delivers a balanced tribute to wrestling’s 1980s “Golden Age.” EVENTUALLY, MOST AVID readers face the same reckoning: the point at which it’s time to ease t

In keeping with his former WWE web column, "Shut Up And Wrestle," BRIAN SOLOMON laments Monday Night Raw’s promo-heavy format. MORE THAN 20 YEARS AGO, I wrote a column for WWE.com that gained me about 14.5 minutes of internet fame, back in the pre-so

ORIGINS & EVOLUTIONS In the debut of this new column, ALFONSO LÓPEZ reflects on the shifting philosophies of AAA and CMLL, Mexican champions at NOAH, and the rivalry between BLUE DEMON JR. and DMT AZUL. THE TIMELESS WAR between the top two promotions

The year 2024 brings new shades of success for BENJAMIN TULL and LuFISTO, while PSYCHO MIKE’S mettle as champion is tested. SOME CALL THEM “BELTS.” Some call them “titles.” And others, more cynical, call them props. But at the end of the day, winning

Longtime Bay Area resident RIGHTEOUS REG shows some love to a favorite local promotion, UGWA. THE UNDERGROUND WRESTLING Alliance is a hidden gem in the South Bay of California for truly independent wrestling. For my generation, it’s the classic rags

After 25 championships, countless classic battles, and four decades in the business, STING emerged triumphant in his final match. STING RECEIVED A HERO’S farewell, as his 38-year career came to a close at AEW Revolution. This icon chose not to fade a

Decades before THE BLOODLINE, the explosion of THE MEGA POWERS (HULK HOGAN & RANDY SAVAGE) rocked the wrestling world to its core. WHEN PEOPLE TALK ABOUT “storytelling” in pro wrestling today, it’s The Bloodline that often gets mentioned. For the pas

One of the West Coast’s hottest factions, LOS SUAVECITOS, pose ahead of Prestige Wrestling’s “A Moment Of Violence” event. From left to right: DANNY ROSE, JOHNNIE ROBBIE, ADRIAN QUEST, and RICKY GEE. ■

Late-2023 saw the beginnings of an unlikely partnership between two of the world’s foremost wrestling promotions—and 2024 brought a boiling rivalry between its wrestlers STARTING IN LATE-JANUARY, some of the most popular luchadores from the world’s o

The international wrestling community remains abuzz about MICHAEL OKU vs. WILL OSPREAY, while PROGRESS crowns a new champion and joins up with DEFY Pro. GREETINGS, GRAPPLE FANS. And welcome back to the “The Irish Whip,” the column that brings you all

Meet BRITTNIE BROOKS and AIRICA DEMIA: two new and notable fan favorites of the independent scene. EACH YEAR, WE SEE INNUMERABLE fresh faces beginning their in-ring journeys. And given that this column is literally called “About Face,” I would be rem

DWAYNE “THE ROCK” JOHNSON and STING were the biggest draws for WWE Smackdown and AEW Dynamite, respectively. DWAYNE JOHNSON CHANGED the entire dynamic in WWE by announcing his intention to face Universal champion Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. Last is

Here’s a list of the TOP 10 WRESTLING-RELATED ITEMS you’ve been talking about lately and our tongue-in-cheek reactions to each: He only has to wrestle three or four more of them to catch up with Ric Flair. Given Paul E.’s penchant to work blue, WWE r

“The Icon” STING ends his career on a high note at AEW Revolution 2024. ■

The first-ever DREAMWAVE Women’s champ, BRITTNIE BROOKS, poses with her prize. In this section, get to know Brooks and other rising stars, learn about recent industry trends, and immerse yourself in laser-sharp analysis of wrestling across multiple c

For decades now, Pro Wrestling Illustrated has helped readers keep tabs on the best and brightest grapplers from around the world. Now, our widely read Ratings section is bigger and better than ever! 1 CODY RHODES (3) #1 contender WWE Undisputed Univ

In this WHAM!-tinged edition of “Quick Count,” PWI Senior Writer AL CASTLE weighs in on power couple BIANCA BELAIR & MONTEZ FORD, post-WWE moves for various wrestlers, and the perils of running live events in Australia. ON THE SURFACE, Netflix’s docu

LA PRINCESA After downing her toughest foe, TIFFANY NIEVES is an inspiration to countless fans, claiming top titles on a quest to make her girlhood dreams come true. “EVERYTHING COMES FROM tragedy.” Thus remarks the reigning Mission Pro champion, “La

Veteran independent wrestler ASHTON STARR returns with another Q&A, this time shining the light on a popular California wrestler, ANTON VOORHEES. IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN to put the spotlight on great talent with another exciting edition of “STARRLIGHT”!

The self-professed “Queen Of Florida” has words of animosity for BILL ALFONSO, praise for “TIMELESS” TONI STORM, and reassurance for ALEX KANE. MY FIRST MEETING WITH Bill Alfonso, behind the scenes of Game Changer Wrestling’s The WRLD on GCW at New Y

With numerous, high-profile wins before super-on-vacancy crowds, Mustafa Ali has taken control of his destiny like on wrestler we've seen in years. Non, he reveals the ingenious campaign strategy that made him one of the industry’s hottest attraction

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From local independents to the largest stages, here’s the latest roundup of live event results. Got a report you’d like to share? Send to pwiresults@yahoo.com (and please do your best to mirror the format used here). LOS ANGELES—Prestige Wrestling “A