Kings Road Chronicles

Kings Road Chronicles Whether it’s walking the Kings Road, on the Lions Mark or stepping into the world of Joshi, this page has it all. Let’s make the IWC fun again.

24/06/2026

27 years ago today - Korakuen Hall witnessed the finale to one of the greatest shoot-style rivalries in Puro history.

For 2 years, Yoshihisa Yamamoto chased the one man he could never quite catch: Kiyoshi Tamura.

Their rivalry had become one of the defining stories of late-1990s RINGS. Yamamoto represented the future—a fierce, athletic prodigy determined to prove he belonged among the promotion’s elite. Tamura was something else entirely. Not just a star, but a phenomenon. A fighter whose grace, timing, and technical mastery made him seem almost untouchable.

By the time they met for the final time in Korakuen Hall, this was more than a match—it was a final test. Yamamoto threw everything he had at the man who stood as his greatest obstacle, pushing harder than ever before to close the gap.

But Tamura remained a step ahead.

Every scramble, counter, and submission attempt showcased the brilliance that made him the face of RINGS. The crowd could feel Yamamoto getting closer, yet Tamura’s genius always found an answer.

In the end, both were victorious. It was the closing chapter of a rivalry built on ambition, growth, and excellence. Yamamoto proved he belonged among the elite, but on this night, Tamura reminded everyone why he was the standard by which all others were measured.

A masterpiece of shoot-style wrestling and one of the finest performances of both men’s careers.

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24/06/2026

Up until 1996, Hiroshi Hase had been a key member of New Japan for almost a decade and had a reputation as one of the most selfless and respected wrestlers in the industry. It’s that very reputation that led to Hase becoming a member of the Japanese National Diet in 1995, which means that by the beginning of this match Kobashi is wrestling an actual politician…

But Hase is a lot more than that. He’s considered one of the greatest innovators in New Japan history, the student of both Riki Choshu and Stu Hart - his technical style and innovative offence predated Jun Akiyama own style by over 5 years. Hase was a success long before Kobashi had finished being a rookie. His rivalry with Muta and the creation of “the Muta Scale” cemented his legacy and gave him massive popularity.

So when he jumped to All Japan, he chose to work his way up to the main event scene - disposing of the mid card in both singles and tag matches, it was inevitable he would face a Pillar one on one. This wasn’t a typical King’s Road epic built around head drops and escalating violence. Instead, it was a masterclass in strategy, psychology, and perseverance. Hase, the strategist, the Professor of Pain, tries to solve the impossible puzzle of Kobashi. But you cannot break the Iron Man of All Japan.

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Good Lord what a match this one was. Despite Taichi channeling the Kings Road it’s Yuto-Ice that goes on to his first G1...
23/06/2026

Good Lord what a match this one was. Despite Taichi channeling the Kings Road it’s Yuto-Ice that goes on to his first G1 Climax and books his place in A Block.

Honestly, don’t have any words beyond you should watch this. Incredible strike exchanges, Taichi hit two absolute absurd Backdrop Drivers, one that both Jumbo and Steve Williams would’ve popped for. After 25 minutes though it’s Yuto that hits successive Cruella’s to pin the Holy Emperor. It’s ridiculous that for a guy in his mid 40s now, Taichi is the pro’s pro. He’s phenomenal, much like Tenryu was in his late career. I really hope they can find a spot for him in the G1. Or maybe even give him a singles title push.

Earlier in the night Aaron Wolf also booked his place in his first G1, overcoming YOSHI-HASHI to put himself into B Block.

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Having won the Four Way against Master Wato, Kosei Fujita and SHO; it’ll be Francesco Akira that challenges YOH for the ...
23/06/2026

Having won the Four Way against Master Wato, Kosei Fujita and SHO; it’ll be Francesco Akira that challenges YOH for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship in two weeks time on July 6th.

Look he’s decent, I’ll never forget that at one time he was the darling of the Juniors in All Japan…

…but man, do I find him really annoying at times. Hopefully YOH retains.

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On the one hand, Bully what the f**k are you doing?? Don’t play with a Killer when your claim to fame is powerbombing so...
23/06/2026

On the one hand, Bully what the f**k are you doing?? Don’t play with a Killer when your claim to fame is powerbombing someone’s Gran through a table and slowly turning into an Alex Jones lookalike.

On the other hand…Yes! Bully Ray is about to get handled by someone who’s as legit as they come.

In all seriousness, this bitter, gate keeping old guard s**t that Bully has done for years is so worn out and it’s about time someone dealt with it. If this is a work, lame. If this is a shoot…well Bully getting knocked out by a former UFC Champion isn’t the worse thing in the world I guess.

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23/06/2026

What a match. The fourth singles match (if you include the three way that featured Samoa Joe) in the Danielson/KENTA rivalry and a wonderful example of just how good the NOAH/ROH partnership was in the mid 2000s.

While it’s not on the level of the acclaimed World Title match they had a year before, the nuance of it can’t be ignored - as both KENTA & Danielson show that they’ve both learned from their previous matches. It’s layered with counter after counter, as two of the best in the world try to out-sub and out-strike each other. There might be only pride on the line, but that’s all that matters as the Chicago Ridge crowd pops throughout. Yes, there’s some minor complaint over KENTA no-selling GTS, but then again…it is HIS move.

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Good Luck, Bully. You’ll need it.Seriously though this is just the cool stuff I’m posting.You’d need to be a mad man to ...
22/06/2026

Good Luck, Bully. You’ll need it.

Seriously though this is just the cool stuff I’m posting.

You’d need to be a mad man to get on The Warmasters bad side.

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All that training pays off when you pop Giant Baba. Even more so when he’s visibly emotional.We don’t get moments like t...
22/06/2026

All that training pays off when you pop Giant Baba. Even more so when he’s visibly emotional.

We don’t get moments like this anymore.

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22/06/2026

It’s Misawa vs Kawada June 3rd 1994.

21/06/2026

1 year ago inside Yoyogi National Gymnasium, two of the best wrestlers in the world had a classic of epic proportions. With the Karate Girl Syuri 55 Days into her 1st reign as IWGP Women’s Champion, many in the fandom were expecting a long reign. But with reports of Syuri carrying an injury that would require surgery, many others believed that Syuri would need time off and someone would carry the title in her absence.

Enter the Sun God of Joshi; Sareee.

3 months prior at Sareee-ISM Chapter VII both Syuri and Sareee had a match of the ages, arguably the greatest of both their careers. But it had ended in a draw. Neither woman was satisfied with the result, both agreed they would face each other again. After all, to many they’re each other’s mirror. Both stiff as hell in the ring, both purists of the craft, both exuding toughness few others can display, both chasing the same gold. But it had been Syuri that had dethroned the Icon of Joshi Mayu Iwatani, not Sareee. It was Sareee that, since their first meeting way back in 2011 in DIANA, that had failed to ever beat Syuri. But now was her time.

To the astonishment of Haruo Murata, Makoto Oe, Maika and over 2,500 in attendance watching that night, the Sun God took her throne in spectacular fashion.

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