Eastern Lariat

The new generation of the Eastern Lariat is here! Amy Hay makes her official debut not as a guest but as a permanent co-host along with the same Dylan we always have. I'm so proud of Amy and it was an easy choice, specifically since she jumps in with among the most unhinged and insane episodes of the show of all time! Many quotables are here this episodes and only 3 of which mention male organs of sorts. Hey! There's fun stuff, and even some interesting wrestling discussion when it comes to NJPW & DG, then the show really goes off when we get to the insanity that is NOAH and Marigold. It was honestly so much fun recording and I really hope you enjoy it too. Enjoy the inmates running the asylum as we discuss King of Pro Wrestling, Kato's Dream Gate win and the Brave Gate tournament, and "preview" the NOAH and Marigold Ryogoku shows coming up. (Sorry, we were making fun of them mostly.) For more coverage of Japanese wrestling, and wrestling past and present please check out our Patreon for literally 1000s of hours of audio and written content as well, including the brand new EL Weekly Newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/easternlariat Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/easternlariat https://www.twitter.com/viva_zero https://www.twitter.com/amyhay___ Follow us on BlueSky: @easternlariat.bsky.social @vivazero.bsky.social @anyhayx.bsky.social Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/easternlariat And give the Godfather of the Eastern Lariat, STRIGGA a follow too! https://www.twitter.com/strigga @strigga.bksy.social

Dylan Fox reunites with Gerard Di Trolio of the Emerald FlowShow for Eastern Lariat's annual Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame special! This year, we're putting the Japanese ballot through the Gordy List, examining each candidate's drawing power, in-ring work, and historical significance before comparing our rankings and making our selections. Yoshihiro Takayama's candidacy gets particular attention, including Dylan's latest research into his career and drawing record. We also tackle the cases for Hayabusa, KENTA, Meiko Satomura, Tiger Jeet Singh, Masaaki Mochizuki, Io Shirai, Zack Sabre Jr., and the rest of the Japanese field. Along the way, we debate peak versus longevity, the weight of influence, and how much exceptional match quality can carry a Hall of Fame case. Then we work through the Historical, Modern, Mexico, Rest of the World, and Non-wrestler categories to round out the 2026 ballot. More than three hours of research, disagreements, reconsiderations, and wrestling history as we sort through who deserves a place in the Hall! 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 For more coverage of Japanese wrestling, and wrestling past and present please check out our Patreon for literally 1000s of hours of audio and written content as well: https://www.patreon.com/easternlariat Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/easternlariat https://www.twitter.com/strigga https://www.twitter.com/viva_zero Follow us on BlueSky: @easternlariat.bsky.social @vivazero.bsky.social @strigga.bksy.social Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/easternlariat

On this episode D&A talk about the show and the match that got everyone talking. DRAGONGATE's Tokyo Infinity Hectopascal, and of course the big news. Ryoya Tanaka's historic Open the Brave Gate title run has come to an end at the hands of the 50 year old DG legend Dragon Kid in a move that provoked both outrage and love, with it being the first time DG made the cover of Weekly Pro in years. We have our own thoughts on it with Amy dropping a 1000IQ idea that Dylan hadn't even thought of and makes the blow of Tanaka losing his belt sting a lot worse. We again take our mantle as a part of the Jiro Shinbashi defense squad and have a lot of fun, hijinks, and metaphorical balls in the process. Dylan & Amy, talking DG and even throw out some NOAH and AJPW recs at the end, as fun is had once again as always when Amy is on. Watch the match for free!: https://youtu.be/RzPg5ygk1V0?si=eILrZUvIOw8utmEo Please follow Amy on both her accounts and keep your eyes out for Gear of the Year, not just her writing but to offer your own picks and suggestions if you want to be a fashionista (but said fancy) like her! www.x.com/amyhay___ www.x.com/altamy___ amyhayx.bluesky.social For more coverage of Japanese wrestling, and wrestling past and present please check out our Patreon for literally 1000s of hours of audio and written content as well, including the brand new EL Weekly Newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/easternlariat Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/easternlariat https://www.twitter.com/viva_zero https://www.twitter.com/strigga Follow us on BlueSky: @easternlariat.bsky.social @vivazero.bsky.social @strigga.bksy.social Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/easternlariat

An epic battle is unfolding. A new challenger comes for Dylan's tournament predictor crown. In years past there have been a variety of genius level opponents who have gone toe to toe with the Fox, and all have fallen. And now. He takes on a new challenger. The Eevee Coin. That's right. The coin that comes in Pokémon TCG deck sets steps up. In a system that will lead the picks to fate against Dylan's scientific approach. Who will come out on top? Why is the coin based on Eevee? What is your favorite Eeveelution? Why is this the preview? All questions that don't get answered. But. Shockingly we come to the exact same winner!? That's right. Let's dive in and focus on the wrestlers of Pro Wrestling NOAH and go up and down their N1 Victory, for 2026! For more coverage of Japanese wrestling, and wrestling past and present please check out our Patreon for literally 1000s of hours of audio and written content as well, including the brand new EL Weekly Newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/easternlariat Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/easternlariat https://www.twitter.com/viva_zero https://www.twitter.com/strigga Follow us on BlueSky: @easternlariat.bsky.social @vivazero.bsky.social @strigga.bksy.social Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/easternlariat

The yearly tradition continues as Sondre Bjørn joins me from his home in Norway after a thrilling ride not just in the World Cup, but a passion in wrestling reignited through both the G1 that D&A covered last week, but the 5STAR Grand Prix from STARDOM. And once again we are going through the entire tournament, breaking down every single wrestler's tournament, and of course the emotionally charged tournament story for Rina as she sealed the deal and became the winner of the 5SGP at just 19 years old! After talking about the tournament we also get into Natsupoi's match with Anou, where Natsupoi fit in, and where everyone in the company is going, along with certain booking gripes throughout that have manifested. After that we give a look at Marigold just for fun as we hope for good but have come away disappointed not just in the lineup but also the lack of promotion and buzz for their tournament. It's almost 3 hours! So look out! And follow Sondre! www.x.com/sondrebjorn For more coverage of Japanese wrestling, and wrestling past and present please check out our Patreon for literally 1000s of hours of audio and written content as well, including the brand new EL Weekly Newsletter: https://www.patreon.com/easternlariat Follow us on Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/easternlariat https://www.twitter.com/viva_zero https://www.twitter.com/strigga Follow us on BlueSky: @easternlariat.bsky.social @vivazero.bsky.social @strigga.bksy.social Follow us on IG: https://www.instagram.com/easternlariat