Episode 327: Half Year Awards 2026
Eastern Lariat
The Eastern Lariat returns with the big annual Half Year Awards show! For the 8th time now, we discuss YOUR and OUR choices in 12 different categories to track down the very best in japanese pro-wrestling in the fist half of 2026! Across all categories, STRIGGA and Dylan make arguments for and against wrestlers, create cases and while doing so also look at the grand scheme of the japanese pro-wrestling scene right now. With your ballots as guidelines, this show once again offers a comprehensive look at the state of puroresu.
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Episode 326: DRAGONGATE Kobe World Review (w/Special Guest Amy Hay)
Eastern Lariat
Episode 326: DRAGONGATE Kobe World 2026 Review (w/Special Guest Amy Hay) The biggest show of the year for DG is in the books and for it I decided to bring along one of my favorite people and also one of my favorite people to see/listen to opinions on wrestling about, the Writer of her world famous Gear of the Year list for 5 years running, Amy! We talk about DG's Kobe Pro Wrestling Festival and go over the climactic final climbing of the mountain for one of DG's most beloved stars, with the ultimate Kzy Time achievement! In addition we talk about the card and how things are looking at...
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Episode 325: Nihon Ichi Kakkoii
Eastern Lariat
Who's gonna be nihon ichi kakkoii, the coolest guy in Japan, this summer? STRIGGA & Dylan first discuss New Japan Pro Wrestling's recent set of events going back to Dominion and the G1 Qualifier show in Korakuen Hall and then transition to early G1 predictions after going through both blocks. They rate the blocks, participants and the composition of the tournament itself as some of the entrants raise questions regarding the internal logic of some choices. Another big talking point addresses the future top guy and where guys like Aaron Wolf, Yuya Uemura and Yuto-Ice fit in. While The...
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Episode 324: Pro Wres Therapy Session
Eastern Lariat
After a Best of the Super Juniors final that left STRIGGA & Dylan with plenty to say, the two review the tournament's conclusion that left a lot to be desired for their liking. They rate all the participants, discuss noteworthy matches and moments and from there on discuss the upcoming Dominion card that – much like the BOSJ – leaves a lot to be desired.More interesting than the in-ring itself is the biggest business story of the year as Bushiroad sold its shares to TV Asahi and CyberAgent. What does this mean for New Japan's future? What does that mean for its relationship with other...
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Episode 323: Tournament Edition
Eastern Lariat
STRIGGA & Dylan return for episode 323 of The Eastern Lariat to discuss the conclusion of AJPW’s Champion Carnival, where Hideki Suzuki emerged victorious while Go Shiozaki suffered a heartbreaking defeat after coming so far. The show also covers the two opening nights of NJPW’s Best of the Super Junior, as well as the latest developments in DDT and GLEAT and their King of DDT and G-CLASS tournaments set up the semi finals.
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Episode 322: Secret Sauce
Eastern Lariat
STRIGGA & Dylan celebrate Dylan's 10th Anniversary show the only way they know and could: With a jam-packed episode covering current and upcoming events, stories and matches from seven japanese promotions. They kick things off with the joshi block on the show with Sendai Girls in Korakuen from 4/12, Stardom's All Star Grand Queendom card for 4/26, and Marvelous heading to Yokohama Buntai on May 5. Turning to the men's side, Pro Wrestling NOAH enters the conversation with Apex Conquest 2026 in Nagoya, a card that brought its own share of intrigue with the return of Shane Haste, while Dragon...
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Episode 321: Easter Potpourri
Eastern Lariat
Returning from a hiatus, The Eastern Lariat jumps right back into the mix of japanese pro wrestling starting with TJPW’s Texas Tour and Grand Princess, where Yuki Arai stood tall above all. Then they shift to Sendai Girls with Chihiro Hashimoto continuing to be the measuring stick of joshi wrestling. Since the world of professional wrestling is ever evolving, STRIGGA & Dylan also discuss the departures of Chi Chi & ZONES from Evolution and Dragon Dia aka. DIA from DRAGONGATE. This leads right away to NJPW and the preview of Sakura Genesis plus the roster for the Best of the Super...
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Episode 320: Osaka Pro, Shinjuku FACE Closing, Solo Catchup
Eastern Lariat
Halfway through the show STRIGGA had an unexpected and unfortunate situation where is X (formerly known as Twitter) account @STRIGGA was hacked. Therefore Dylan went solo for the last half or so after the 42 minute mark. We apologize for the inconvenience and will make it up one day! On the return effort with Strig back from WxW we talk a bit about the state of the scene as well as an unexpected foray into the US and even Australian indies, but it leads us to Dylan's pick for a promotion to watch: Osaka Pro! We talked about the recent Tag Festival and the great storyline with VerteX and...
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Episode 319: A New Beginning?
Eastern Lariat
This week, the Eastern Lariat dives into a possibly defining show for New Japan Pro Wrestling on 2/11: Tsuji remains champ, Jake Lee looked goofy and Tsuji called out Bushiroad – a lot to unwind for STRIGGA & Dylan! They also discuss the big question: where exactly do you go with Olympic gold medalist Aaron Wolf from here? Who's stepping up after Finlay and Hiromu being added to the list of departures? Maybe Callum Newman? The New Japan Cup may provide some answers. Dylan also plugs his obituary for Tadao Yasuda and STRIGGA is hyped for Katsuya Murashima moving to Europe. After 90...
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Episode 318: New Year Potpourri
Eastern Lariat
Welcome to the 2026 edition of the New Year Potpourri! After Wrestle Kingdom and the Year End Awards, this show looks back how the first month of the year went for some of the top companies in Japan. Of course STRIGGA & Dylan start off by breaking down EVIL leaving NJPW and reflecting his legacy with the company. Was he a true top guy? From there on, the Eastern Lariat talks about the identity of Hayabusa and his match on Monday Magic including some more developments in the new season of the show. Then, the show takes a closer look at DDT’s busy January including the D GENERATIONS...
info_outlineAfter a Best of the Super Juniors final that left STRIGGA & Dylan with plenty to say, the two review the tournament's conclusion that left a lot to be desired for their liking. They rate all the participants, discuss noteworthy matches and moments and from there on discuss the upcoming Dominion card that – much like the BOSJ – leaves a lot to be desired.
More interesting than the in-ring itself is the biggest business story of the year as Bushiroad sold its shares to TV Asahi and CyberAgent. What does this mean for New Japan's future? What does that mean for its relationship with other companies, and the balance of power within the industry?
The second promotion discussed is DRAGONGATE and the latest developments over there causing headaches and worries about the future, including Shun Skywalker's exit. What does it mean for DRAGONGATE's identity going forward, and is the company entering a period of major transition?