Five Count: June 16-30.2025

1) Syuri (c) vs. Sareee (Stardom The Conversion 6/21/25) IWGP Women's Title Match. Winner: Sareee. A masterpiece. Two of the best in the world-throwing out all the tropes except the original one: two beasts going toe to toe . Best pure wrestling match I've seen since the Omega/Danielson draw. No bullshit, no table spots, no high spots, no NXT face. Just a steady relentless fight for 30 minutes. The only break was double headbutt spot leading to both wrestlers rolling out for a 20 count– and that was 2/3 into the match. Otherwise Sareee and Syuri just slugged it out- every forearm strike and snug, every knee and kick right on target, every submission hold grabbed an extreme limb or appendage for maximum leverage. Like NBA playoff match where the lead changes every couple minutes neither competitor could sustain the upper hand. In the end, both warriors exhausted, it was just a matter who could find some extra fire and put it away. This night it was Sareee-hitting a series exploders, stacking Syuri hard on her neck each time. A Classic Rating: REAL

2) Darius Carter (c) vs. Darius Lockhart (ASÉ Return Of The King 6/28/25) ASÉ Men's Title Match. Winner: Carter. Solid match with funky finish to keep the belt on Carter. These two got a epic in 'em, but the time isn't right yet. The duelin' Dariuses are the backbone of this young promotion—so keeping Lockhart on the chase is probably the best call longterm. Doesn't hurt that Carter has the heel act down pat. Got that Claudius/Scar nefarious uncle vibe with an older man physique—the kind that is tougher than it looks and a mind that is smarter than he acts. Not afraid to play dirty. Carter on top is a good way get over fresher and younger talent--he's a pro that will make them look good until he sneaks out a victory.

Lockhart battling his way back to the top will be fun to watch. Built like a thick Arn Anderson while using that classic showy British technical wrestling. He's done a good job setting himself apart from the standard cruiserweight indie baby face. He's got a real connection with these local fans so when the time comes for him to win the title--let the pop ensue Rating: Rocks

3) Danny Orion vs. Andrew Cass (West Coast Pro For The Love Of The Game 6/27/25) Winner: Orion. A sweet little 10 minute sprint of a match between to two athletic young guns. Orion and Cass started out with a fast paced series of parries, counters and dodges. Then some hard chops before a finishing run of just throwing bombs. Both guys looked good, but Orion looked to be the more fully realized performer. The 27 year old has got both the moves (including a beaut of crucifix bomb) and personality. While his work was a little busy at times (a few too many handsprings), he looks ready to move up to the bigger indies, and the fringe national promotions (MLW, NWA, TNA) should take a flyer on him.

While Orion stood out, West Coast Pro student Andrew Cass showed a lot of potential and worth keeping an eye on. Good physique that will look better as he fills out and his in ring skills are advanced for his experience level. In a couple of years, wouldn't be surprised if these two meet again for a total banger. Rating: Roar.

4) El Fiscal, La Parka & Octagon Jr vs. Tokyo Bad Boys (AULL 6/19/25) Winner: El Fiscal, La Parka & Octagon Jr. Tokyo Bad Boys are an ice cream sandwich at summer dusk--a sweet treat and nice little refreshing break. The three ex(?)-Dragongate wrestlers (Kento, Nobu San & Takuma) have spent much of the last years having spotfests in AAA and the Mexican indies. This one was a little different, opting for wild brawl, some comedy spots (trigger warning to the allergic), and once in a while an actual wrestling match broke out. For most of the match it was Takuma show with Kento and Nobu playing supporting players. Hi big highlight was kicking La Parka ass around the ring, into the crowd, then into the merch stands where he grabbed and donned his own La Parka mask before hauling him back to the ring. Rowdy Crowd was eating all this up--jeering the Bad Boys and rallying the home team.

Despite the beatdowns and the help of a crooked ref, the luchadors worked there way back to take the upper hand and eventually the win. Octagon Jr was the workhorse and the crowd fave. His work was professional, hitting his spots tight and crisp. Fiscal was a non factor for the first half, but later had a solid series of offense showing good agility for a big man. This new La Parka tho--whew! he aint it. Tall, kinda gangly, just awkward in motion(wrestling or dancing)--wouldn't be surprised if was Joe Pera under that mask. Dude coasting on the goodwill towards the gimmick, but he has none of the charisma of the previous incarnations. As noted tho, crowd was hot for all of it and sent home happy. Ratings: Rocks

5) Mistico vs. Bandido (CMLL Viernes Espectacular 6/27/25) Winner: Mistico. The first time I saw Bandido was at a Defy/Progress show where he, Flamita, and Rey Horus took on British Strong Style. My wrestling knowledge was limited to WWE at the time so Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate and Trent Seven were the impetus for my attendance. However within a few minutes of the match, I fell hard for Bandido—he was such a winning combo of power, athleticism and charisma. Since that night I followed his career, waiting to see when he would break out on the big stage. Finally, after some false starts and injuries, it seems 2025 is going to be his year. He is currently AEW tag champs with Brody Lee and a run of well regarded defenses of his ROH title against the likes of Takeshita and Hechicero.

While this match was not equal to those defense in regards to in ring work, it still something pretty special. For Bandido to main event at Arena Mexico against perhaps the biggest luchador of 21st century is a big deal. Was it possible that he could pin Mistico for a rare single loss? Unlikely and ultimately no, but during there was feeling it could go his way.

Throughout the match, Bandido appeared stronger, faster, and fresher than the Hall of Famer. When he was on defense, he would pop up quicker than Mistico who seemed to struggle to return to his feet. This could have been just the story of the match and/or the truth of the situation: Mistico is decade older and wrestles one of the heaviest schedules of any top star in the world (This year, he has wrestled 150+ matches, 3x the amount Bandido has). Bandido burned brightly-showing off all his big moves: the extended stalling suplex, a beautiful dive over the turnbuckle, the 21 plex. He looked in control and set for the win. However, Mistico would not go down easy—countering the Gorilla press into a DDT, hitting his own diving crossbody to the floor, a sweet springboard avalanche hurricanrana. Of course Mistico always has one killshot in the chamber, and he hit the La Mistica for the submission victory. Not this time, Bandido. Rating: ROCKS