The New Japan Spring tradition, The New Japan Cup finished up last week with some stunning matches and a lot of surprises. Hiroshi Tanahashi was back from injury, Tetsuya Naito is on the comeback trail, the newly happy and settled and kinda in Bullet Club but kinda not Kota Ibushi, and some startling performances from Zack Sabre Jnr. James Truepenny is joined by Chelsea Spollen and Marcus Green to go match by match and also preview the Strong Style Evolved from Long Beach, California.

James is joined by regular contributors Alex Watt and Chelsea Spollen to talk about LGBTQI stories in pro wrestling. With a return of the Golden Lovers storyline to NJPW, and a wider acceptance of LGBTQI storylines in the wrestling scene, James, Alex and Chelsea look back to an era when these ideas were not quite as acceptable and see how the culture of wrestling has shifted over the years if at all. They also look at the more famous wrestling executives that made a living despite their sexuality back in the day such as Pat Patterson and Jim Barnett and they place they have in wrestling history. Finally the crew look at the Golden Lovers storyline, the way it has been presented and the issues with wrestling as a forum when it comes to telling these kinds of stories.

James is joined this week by Alex Watt to discuss New Japan's 46th Anniversary show, the traditional kick start to the New Japan Cup tour. NJPW try and do something different with this show and the 46th Anniversary was no different. Will Osperay helped bring back tradition as the Junior Heavyweight Champion took on his stable mate and IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. The Junior Heavyweight tag titles were also on the line as Sho and Yo of RP3K defended the titles against LIJ & Suzuki Gun. Minoru Suzuki defended his Intercontinental Title against Togi Makabe and there was some general fun stuff along the way.

Ring of Honor made their annual trip to Tokyo last weekend and James is joined by Simon Heath and Chelsea Spollen of Shoulders Up to discuss the tour. As well as breaking down some business, making comments on the recent Sami Callihan incident and making some other general thoughts on wrestling this week.

But love is indeed, in the air and perhaps the end of Bullet Club. The Golden Lovers return was the main focus of the show and the crew discuss the possibilities that could arise, celebrate Chase Owens sudden Main Event Status, and the ROH World Title and it's Champion Dalton Castle.

FMW reached a financial zenith in 1994. With an Anniversary show down looming at Kawasaki Basebal Stadium, Atsushi Onita put his career on the line to seal the sellout deal and 52,000 fans were in attendance. James is joined by Chelsea Spollen of Shoulder's Up to talk about this period of FMW's time, the artistic resonance it had with its audience and what Onita did next.

James is joined by fellow Total Wrestling writer Marcus Green to review the New Beginnings in Osaka show and round up all the news from NJPW over the last two weeks. Going into what was effectively Los Ignorables de Japon's home town, NJPW set up a faction showdown. LIJ leader Tetsuya Naito wrestled Yoshi Hashi, Bushi took on "Old Man" Gedo, Hiromu Takahashi challenged for Will Osperay's IWGP Junior Heavyweight title, Evil challenged Hirooki Goto for his NEVER Openweight title, and The Rainmaker Kazuchika Okada put his title on the line against SANADA.

James is joined by Alex Watt and Chelsea Spollen to celebrate the biggest women's wrestling show of all time. Big Egg Universe presented by All Japan Women in association with JWP, WWF, LLPW, FMW, Michinoku Pro, MMA organisations, Amateur Wrestling associations, its a ten hour show of everything all the time everywhere. Headlined by the VTOP Tournament, and a WWF Women's title match between hometown hero Bull Nakano and champion Alundra Blayze. Not only was it long it was of astounding quality, with some all time classic matches and all of Joshi's biggest characters at the height of its Golden Era.

This week James is joined by Marcus Green of Total Wrestling Magazine to discuss NJPW New Beginngs.

As NJPW roll into Sapporo for two nights on the New Beginnings tour that pretty much upended the company in 24 hours. in the main event of night one Minoru Suzuki challenges for the IWGP Intercontinental title as the injuries pile up on the champion Hiroshi Tanahashi and the long title reign takes its toll. On night two Kenny Omega defends his IWGP US title against the newly minted CHAOS member "Switchblade" Jay White.

James is joined by the Alexs Watt and Edwards, to discuss the upcoming New Beginnings Tour for New Japan Pro Wrestling. While they are a wee bit late to the party, they do lay out the possible scenarios and long term story arcs of what could happen and how it will shape 2018.

The Beginner's Guide to Japan goes forward with our first look at Japan Women's Project. Founded in 1990, the company had a run of quick success in the early 1990s that put them up there with some of the biggest companies in the world. This cross promotional effort highlighted their two biggest stars; Mayazumi Ozaki as she took on Joshi Legend Chigusa Nagayo to try and prove her brawling worth, while Dynamite Kansai challenges for Aja Kong's WWWA Championship in a brutal affair.

James is joined by Alex Watt to discuss this event that really showed there was other ways to do Joshi, but that stable formula was still the mainstay of what was going on. Hard hitting and direct action.