Eastern Lariat Special: 2025 Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame Discussion (w/Gerard di Trolio of the Emerald Flowshow)
Release Date: 10/28/2025
Episode 313: Favorite Lucha Dumpling
Eastern Lariat
For the firs time in a long time STRIGGA & Dylan invest a lot of time into DRAGONGATE and analyze the current stable landscape of the promotion guiding you through the different camps and what their aspirations and goals are. In doing so, they also discuss the most recent Gate of Destiny and King of Gate events. From there, they take it to New Japan Pro Wrestling in November and on their road to the Tokyo Dome. This episode was taped before Tanahashi's opponent was announces, so part of this speculation is redundant – it's fun nonetheless! Finally, the Eastern Lariat reviews DDT's...
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Eastern Lariat Special: 2025 Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame Discussion (w/Gerard di Trolio of the Emerald Flowshow)
Eastern Lariat
It's time for the Hall of Fame! Dylan is joined by the Emerald Flowshow and WON Hall of Fame voter Gerard di Trolio to discuss this year's ballot, with particular spotlight on the new candidates on this year. Every single region is covered as he reveals his ballot, with perhaps one Dylan swaying him on somewhat? Buckle up and check out our look at a wrestling history perspective for over 3 hours, with a couple of tangents on the Blue Jays, Gerard showing up to Sweet Daddy Siki's karaoke nights, and who could be next on the pipeline to be placed on the ballot in the future. It was another...
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Episode 312: 10 Years out of the Blue Corner
Eastern Lariat
The guys kick things off with a look at the bad blood between Go Shiozaki and Pro Wrestling NOAH over the ZERO1 Title – a messy situation that All Japan Pro Wrestling could benefit from a lot. From there, it’s over to All Japan, where STRIGGA brings up the point of production values in contrast to NOAH or NJPW. They'll also talk about HAVOC being over with the crowd and how Shiozaki fits into the group and the promotion. From there, they take it to NOAH’s Wrestle Odyssey from Sumo Hall that featured some strong junior matches but plenty of disjointed storytelling. Another question raised...
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Episode 311: Un-affiliated
Eastern Lariat
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Eastern Lariat Special: GAEA Girls 25th Anniversary Review (w/Nello de Angelis)
Eastern Lariat
Eastern Lariat Special: GAEA Girls 25 years after it's release, Dylan is joined by his Wrestle Update co-host and film major, game designer, director Nello de Angelis to give his insights from a directorial standpoint. Hear the two break down the film as well as the content of it as well which focuses on the GAEA Dojo led by legendary Joshi wrestler Chigusa Nagayo which at times devolves into psychological analysis as well as a look at possibly separating the kayfabe from the real The Kim Longinotto & Jana Williams film documents the life of multiple trainees of GAEA over the...
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Episode 310: Glue Guys
Eastern Lariat
STRIGGA & Dyaln are back and cover a lot of ground from late August to mid September! First off, they dive deep into All Japan’s Oudou Tournament and Pro Wrestling NOAH’s N-1 Victory, both of which are shaping the fall landscape in a big way. Over in Marigold, the Dream Star GP ended with two wrestlers gaining a lot from it alongside the surprising news of MIRAI's departure. Might she go back to Stardom? The duo also checks in on Tokyo Joshi Pro's Wrestle Princess VI, Ganbare Pro, Dragon Gate, and DDT to round out another tour across the Japanese scene.
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Episode 309: 2025 NOAH N1 Victory Preview (w/Dr. Jonathan Foye)
Eastern Lariat
On today's Eastern Lariat, it's an extremely special episode as Dylan is joined by the esteemed Pro Wrestling Author Dr. Jonathan Foye. The Ganbaru Author and regular Japanese wrestling live show attendee joins Fox in giving looks at all the competitors in the tournament, their histories, who they are as wrestlers and also we come through at the end with predictions for the finals of the tournament as well as the winner. It was great to have the good doctor on once again and to talk about the company he loves, with insight and info abound! For more coverage of Japanese wrestling, and...
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Eastern Lariat Special: Stardom 5 Star GP FULL Recap/Review (w/Sondre Bjørn)
Eastern Lariat
Special Edition: 5 Star Grand Prix Full Review and Recap We talked about it on the EL but it just wasn't enough for Dylan as he brings in the Dramatic Dream Dragons' Sondre Bjørn into the fold and we go over the entire tournament, with talk about not just the final, but EVERY SINGLE WRESTLER and rank them on a 1/10 scale. We talk about the future and where things could go with Momo as the winner as well as an overall view of the whole tournament. It's A LOT and we get through it together and hope you enjoy! For more coverage of Japanese wrestling, and wrestling past and present...
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Episode 308: Natsu no Potpourri
Eastern Lariat
Welcome to episode 308 of the Eastern Lariat! STRIGGA & Dylan are back to dish out another potpourri of the Japanese wrestling landscape. This week they dive into New Japan’s freshly updated cards for the Destruction tour before they look back at Stardom’s highly successful 5★Star Grand Prix that elevated numerous wrestlers to greater heights. Another joshi tournament is in the focus following that as Tokyo Joshi Pro’s Princess Cup also finished up with talent elevated as well. The Eastern Lariat also covers the latest in All Japan with the Oudou Tournament, quickly break down Pro...
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Episode 307: G1 Climax 35 Megashow
Eastern Lariat
STRIGGA & Dylan return with their coverage the final days of NJPW's G1 Climax 35 – the biggest tournament of the Summer. With the final and the road leading to it being pretty controversial, did the tournament hold up the high G1 standards? What does the crowd reactions during Konosuke Takeshita vs. EVIL tell us about the individual performers and the state of the company? From booking choices and patterns to match quality and overall presentation, The Eastern Lariat breaks down what worked, what didn’t, and where New Japan Pro Wrestling stands after the conclusion of the tournament.
info_outlineIt's time for the Hall of Fame! Dylan is joined by the Emerald Flowshow and WON Hall of Fame voter Gerard di Trolio to discuss this year's ballot, with particular spotlight on the new candidates on this year. Every single region is covered as he reveals his ballot, with perhaps one Dylan swaying him on somewhat? Buckle up and check out our look at a wrestling history perspective for over 3 hours, with a couple of tangents on the Blue Jays, Gerard showing up to Sweet Daddy Siki's karaoke nights, and who could be next on the pipeline to be placed on the ballot in the future. It was another edition at the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame for the year 2025. Below is the full ballot and list of candidates:
I FOLLOWED THE HISTORICAL PERFORMERS ERA CANDIDATES (Six maximum)
Ole Anderson
Afa & Sika Anoa'i
Bob Armstrong
Tully Blanchard & Arn Anderson w/J.J. Dillon
British Bulldogs (Dynamite Kid & Davey Boy Smith)
June Byers
Wild Bull Curry
Junkyard Dog
Cowboy Bob Ellis
Pampero Firpo
Black Gordman & Great Goliath
Archie "Mongolian Stomper" Gouldie
Hart Foundation (Bret Hart & Jim Neidhart)
Sputnik Monroe
Dusty Rhodes & Dick Murdoch
Iron Sheik
Sweet Daddy Siki
Ricky Steamboat & Jay Youngblood
Mad Dog & Butcher Vachon
Kevin & Kerry & David Von Erich
I FOLLOWED THE MODERN PERFORMERS IN U.S/CANADA CANDIDATES (Six maximum)
Mark & Jay Briscoe
Edge/Adam Copeland
Bill Dundee
FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheleer)
Bill Goldberg
Samoa Joe
Matt & Jeff Hardy
Becky Lynch
Drew McIntyre
Mercedes Mone/Sasha Banks
Jon Moxley
Kevin Nash & Scott Hall
Randy Orton
C.M. Punk
Cody Rhodes
Seth Rollins
Sabu
Trish Stratus
Rick & Scott Steiner
I FOLLOWED WRESTLING IN JAPAN CANDIDATES (Three maximum)
Satoshi Kojima & Hiroyoshi Tenzan
Yoshiaki Fujiwara
Hayabusa
Masaaki Mochizuki
Antonio Inoki & Seiji Sakaguchi
Zack Sabre Jr.
Meiko Satomura
Io Shirai/Iyo Sky
Tiger Jeet Singh
Yoshihiro Takayama
Manami Toyota & Toshiyo Yamada
I FOLLOWED WRESTLING IN MEXICO CANDIDATES (Three maximum)
Angel Blanco & Dr.Wagner
Sangre Chicana
El Dandy
Dorrell Dixon
Gran Hamada
Los Infernales (El Satanico & Pirata Morgan & MS 1)
El Hijo del Santo & Octagon
La Parka AAA
Mascarita Sagrada
Volador Jr.
I FOLLOWED WRESTLING IN EUROPE/AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND/PACIFIC ISLANDS/AFRICA (four maximum)
Spyros Arion
Dominic DeNucci
George Gordienko
Steve Grey
Billy Joyce
Les Kellett
Killer Karl Kox
Gilbert Leduc
Ted Boy Marino
The Royal Brothers (Bert Royal & Vic Faulkner)
Adrian Street
Jose Tarres
Otto Wanz
NON-WRESTLERS (Seven maximum)
Dave Brown (U.S. & Canada modern)
Zane Bresoff (U.S.& Canada modern)
Bobby Bruns (Japan)
Bob Caudle (U.S. & Canada historical)
Joe Higuchi (Japan)
Jim Johnston (U.S. & Canada modern)
Larry Matysik (U.S.& Canada historical)
James Melby (U.S. & Canada historical)
Bill Mercer (U.S. & Canada historical)
Gorilla Monsoon (U.S. & Canada historical)
Rossy Ogawa (Japan)
Reggie Parks (U.S. & Canada modern)
Morris Sigel (U.S. & Canada historical)
Tony Schiavone (U.S. & Canada modern)
George Scott (U.S. & Canada historical)
Kevin Sullivan (U.S. & Canada historical)
Mike Tenay (U.S. & Canada modern)
Ted Turner (U.S. & Canada modern)
Jesse Ventura (U.S. & Canada historical)
Roy Welch (U.S. & Canada historical)
Stanley Weston (U.S. & Canada historical)
Grand Wizard (U.S & Canada historical)
Koichi Yoshizawa (Japan)
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If you wanna hear more of Gerard and talking about modern NOAH, AJPW, occasionally GLEAT & BJW, check out the Emerald Flowshow!
twitter.com/emeraldflowshow
https://open.spotify.com/show/1sjbd84fZN0VC46hCnyc3V
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