A weekly hour long chat about pro wrestling outside of the main stream. Looking at bigger issues that effect the genre, historical profiles, major events news, previews and reviews from Japan, Mexico, and Europe. A wrestling show about the path less trodden.

The Truepenny Show

The Wrestling Rewind

James is joined by Darragh O'Connor of the Wrestling Rewind to talk about a classic card from New Year's Eve 2010. As BJW, DDT and Kaentai Dojo come together for an epic show.

Tenka Sanbun no Kei Ōmisoka New Year's Eve Special

This month we do things a little different as I introduce my friend Sonal to AJPW. We watched the 03/08 show together and discuss her first impressions and which wrestlers she liked the most.

Episode 8 Ren Ayabe, Hokuto Gun, and Tears of Blood, with guest Sonal

James and Marcus continue their exploration of the career of Akira Hokuto as she leaves AJW for GAEA and by extension a run in WCW to start of proceedings and then on to the final stages of her career where she faces the demons of her past in the Crush Gals and LCO. The rounding with thoughts on her retirement and effect on the wrestling industry. Follow along with our playlist here:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDFKuMLm7OZCK2QcBGHipLeLcnRH41CrN&feature=shared

The Beginner's Guide to Japan Part 93 - The Life and Times of Akira Hokuo Pt 2

James and Marcus look at all the action from Marvelous' K Hall show from August with a killer main event of Takumi Iroha and Sareee defneding the AAAW tag titles against Team 200KG. They then move on to this year's edition of Death Before Dishonor as Athena continue's her majestic reign as ROH women's Champion.

Marvelous in Korakuen Hall & Ring of Honor Death Before Dishonor 2025

James and Christy start their first adventure outside of a NJPW Tournament for the Today At series as they take in the start of the NOAH N1 Victory Tournament. They pay tribute to the tragic passing of Jaka and  Taishin Nagao, and delve into the the first matches of the tournament proper as well as picking their own favourites for the tournament.  

Today At NOAH N1 Victory 2025 Night 1

James and Christy are joined by Ruth to talk nights 2 & 3 of the NOAH N1 Victory Tournament. The matches come thick and fast as the company moves out into wider Japan from their Tokyo start point. Kazuyuki Fujita uses his preeminent power, size and veteran whiles to pull out an early lead  in Block A while over in Block B Jack Morris is making his presence felt. The team round the matches and discuss all the usual asides like hair cuts, abs and No Neck Ned. 

Today At NOAH N1 Victory 2025 Night 2 & 3

James and Christy are joined once again by Ruth as they look at Night 4 of the N1 Victory Tournament. KENTA tries to regain some momentum against Masa Kitamiya in the main event and Kaito Kiyomiya faces Kazuyuki Fujita in the semi main.

Today At NOAH N1 Victory 2025 Night 4

James brings you the results of nights 5 & 6 of the N1 Victory tournament!

Today At NOAH N1 Victory 2025 Night 5 & 6

James and Christy are joined by Ruth and Sarah Kurchak to talk nights 5, 6 & 7 of the N1 Victory Tournament. The tournament is heading to the final night of block action on Sunday and some incredible performances start to split from the field. Down the table, Ulka Sasaki continues to impress, but top names Jack Morris, Galeno and Kitamiya are breaking through with perennial favourites Kenoh, Maraifuji and Kioyomia continue the pressure. 

Today At NOAH N1 Victory 2025 Nights 5, 6 & 7

James and Christy welcome Ruth back to look at the last day of N1 Victory Block action. With Naomichi Marufuji, Jack Morris and Galeno still in contention in Block B and Kaito Kiyomiya, Masa Kitamiya and KENTA all in contetion in Block A, there is everything to play for in NOAH's Premier Heavyweight Tournament.

Today At NOAH N1 Victory 2025 Night 8

James and Christy run down all the results of an emotional final day of the N1 Victory tournament with Jack Morris becoming the first non Japanese wrestler to make the final facing up against long time NOAH Stalwart and Team 2000 X member Masa Kitamiya. 

In the semi main event Alpha Wolf & Dragon Bane GHC Junior Tag Champs defend against All Rebellion (Alejandro & Kai Fujimura) who have been hounding them the whole tour.  

Today At NOAH N1 Victory 2025 Final Night

James and Marcus look at two shows from Marigold, their DreamStar Tournament final night in Korakuen Hall in Tokyo with all the final block action and the final match of the tournament too! Meanwhile this week Sendai had its Big Show of the year where Sendai Girls World Champion Chihiro Hashimoto defends her title against perennial contender Mika Iwata, along with an incredible series of legends in supporting roles. 

Marigold Dreamstar GP & Big Show in Sendai 2025

James, Christy and Marcus get together to discuss the Stardom September Show from Korakuen Hall. As AZM and Saya Kamitani go title for title with the NJPW Strong and World Wonder Ring Stardom Titles are on the line with a packed card including the Wonder of Stardom Championship match between Champion Hina and challenger HANAKO!

Stardom at Korakuen Hall September 2025

For the month of September we talk about the Royal Road tournament, Kento Miyahara, and our love for Taishin Nagao.

Episode 9 - Tournament Drama, Kento Miyahara, and Heartbreak, with guest Milo

James and Marcus take a break from their high octane diet of Joshi, Joshi and more Joshi and take a trip back in time. Going back to 1986 they look at the very first Crockett Cup to celebrate the history of tag team wrestling in the best way possible as we head into Tag Team Tournament Season!

NWA JCP UWF Crockett Cup 1986

James, Marcus & Christy talk AJPW as they have their GIant Dream show in Tokyo. With four title matches, this is one of the most significant AJPW shows of the year. Kento Miyahara cashes in his Royal Road Tournament Victory against Triple Crown Champion Jun Saito, The AJPW World Tag team titles, Junior Heavyweight and the GAORA TV title are also on the line. 

AJPW Giant Dream 2025

James and Christy are back with their sixth Tournament of the Year to cover on Today At as they go back to New Japan after the N1 Victory tournament in NOAH. The subject is Super J Tag League, and with a whole host of new teams featuring talent from CMLL, Dragongate and DDT, as well as the superstars of the Division War Dogs Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X, Ichiban Sweet Boys Kosei Fujita & Robbie Eagles, Master Wato & YOH, and tag team champions SHO & DOUKI from House of Torture. 

TODAY AT SUPER J TAG LEAGUE 2025

James and Christy generally chat around the subject of wrestling and Nights 2 & 3 of the Super J Tag League as it continues on its merry and confusing way. Douki and Sho headline both nights as they expect to be on top by the end of the tournament but there are tight showings from former champs Ichiban Sweet Boys & Mastwe Wato and YOH who start whole new line of thought on team naming. 

TODAY AT SUPER J TAG LEAGUE 2025 NIGHT 2 & 3 - PORTMANTEAU

James and Christy bring you all the action from Night 4 of New Japan's Super J Tag League, with less tournament matches and more Multi Man tags this shown flowed along nicely with some significant results as KUSHID and Yuki Yoshioka take on the Ichiban Sweet Boys in the main event. 

TODAY AT SUPER J TAG LEAGUE 2025 NIGHT 4: GET DOWN WITH THE SICKNESS

James and Christy talk nights 5 & 6 of the Super J Tag League as the tournament starts to wind up with the final few matches starting to decide Block Results. Ichiban Sweet Boys, War Dogs, Wa-YOH and The House of Torture are still int the running but there is plenty to talk about lower down the card! 

TODAY AT SUPER J TAG LEAGUE 2025 NIGHT 5 & 6 REACHING THE POINT OF NO RETURN

James & Christy watch the last two nights of block action from Super J Tag League 2025. As things wind up the four top seeded teams top each block with the house of torture going up against Master Wato and YOH in Block A and the War Dogs facing down TMDK in Block B!

TODAY AT SUPER J TAG LEAGUE 2025 NIGHT 7 & 8 SHOWDOWN IN OSAKA

James and Christy review NJPW's Final Homecoming, Hiroshi Tanahashi's last stand in his home prefecture before his retirement on January 4th. Also Konuske Takeshita makes his first defense of his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Hirooki Goto, and the there is the final of the Super Junior Tag League as The House of Torture DOUKI and SHOW go up against the War Dogs Robbie X and Taiji Ishimori!

NJPW Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Homecoming

James and Marcus explore the early career of that Wild Man from Borger Texas, with 9 kids and a wife to feed at home, Stan "The Lariat" Hansen. Tracing his early career from training with the Funks and exploring the territory system, his epic unintentional feud with Bruno Sammartino, and his start with AJPw, his move to NJPW, and his move back to AJPW and his mid eighties peak run with Bruiser Brody in AJPW and in the AWA and this is only the first part! 

The Life and Times of Stan "The Lariat" Hansen Part 1

This episode Sonal returns to talk AJPW and together we discuss champion Kento Miyahara protecting AJPW, Shouta Kofuji keeping Taishin's dream alive, an introduction to Yuma Anzai, and Ren Ayabe finding a tall soulmate.

Episode 10 - Champion Kento Miyahara, soulmates, heartbreak, and Yuma Anzai with guest Sonal

James is joined by author, commentator and ring announcer Michelle Cain as they deep dive into DDT's Annual winter festival that is Ultimate Party! With the usual DDT Hijinks compared with some top notch pro wrestling.

DDT Ultimate Party 2025

James and Christy round up the action of the first two night's of this year's World Tag League as New Japan put together some very interesting pairings in what looks to be a non traditional approach to the tournament, but with the established teams of Knockout Brothers and Bishamon as hot favourites.

Segues include:

War Dragon's Bro Love

WXW 16 Karat Gold 

Tana's final opponent and the problems with being perceptive and paying attention

Today at NJPW World Tag 2025 Nights 1 & 2

James and Marcus look at the second half of the career of the Bad Man from Borger Texas, Stan "The Lariat" Hansen. As he helps to elevate the Japanese scene. Come back to prominence in the US with a run in WCW, and his tragic time in Puerto Rico as WWC Champion. Watch our full playlist here:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLOlkhzGHepcB9ce3CtdoEKWT7ThTZE4JN&si=xDaZmdOfQefrniUW 

The Life & Times of Stan The Lariat Hansen Part 2

James looks at this week's action from New Japan's World Tag League on nights 3 & 4.

Today at NJPW World Tag 2025 Nights 3 & 4

James & Christy catch you up on the week's action as NJPW World Tag League continues. El Desperado & Shuji Ishikawa pick up some surprising wins, Toru Yano & Oleg Boltin also impress and some of the bigger names struggle with momentum.

Today at NJPW World Tag 2025 Nights 5 6 & 7

James & Christy deep dive into night 8 of the World Tag League as the slow starters begin to catch up and relationships begin to develop. Hiromu and Finlay become a bit Dierks and Katy, and we kick off with a new opening!

Today at NJPW World Tag 2025 Nights 8

The Truepenny Show joins the Wrestle Talk TV Podcast Network with a show looking at New Japan's New Beginnings shows, a preview of the ongoing J Cup, and the problems the company have with the departure of AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson.  James Truepenny and Alex Watt talk all things NJPW!

The Truepenny Show is a weekly podcast that looks at wider wrestling issues, historical stories, and wrestling news and reviews from the wider wrestling world. If you like Indie Wrestling, Japanese Wrestling, Lucha Libre, World of Sports or even just good old fashioned wrestling from your local town hall, it will be covered at some point on The Truepenny Show.

New Beginnings For New Japan

James Truepenny and Marcus Green look at the best and the worst gimmicks in wrestling history. What makes a good gimmick? What is believable? And what builds believablity in the other worldly characters of the pro wrestling world.

Gimmicks

How is Dallas preparing for this year's Wrestlemania? As the "Showcase of the Immortals" touches down in Jerry Jones' rhapsody in brushed steel; AT&T Stadium, we ask the important questions. What is the best way to around travel? What to see when you get there and what you can expect in Dallas should you be going, plus some good old fashioned wrestling analysis. James Truepenny talks to Dallas native Alex Hernandez of shouldersup.net in preparation for Wrestlemania 32! 

A Visitor's Guide to Wrestlemania 32

As TNA release its next series of tapings, resident Wrestletalk.tv TNA expert Marcus Green joins James Truepenny to discuss the spring signings, releases and the action from TNA's shows in Florida and discuss the companies new World's Champion; Drew Galloway.

You can subscribe to the Truepenny Show, and the other Wrestle Talk Podcast Network Shows both here and on I Tunes at https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/wrestletalk/id1086452023?mt=2#episodeGuid=tag%3Asoundcloud%2C2010%3Atracks%2F252052191


TNA Springs Into Action

"So I started an inter-gender wrestling promotion with Mad Man Pondo . . .". Pat Lucey, Co Owner of Gender Wars, is the guest on this week's Truepenny Show and to celebrate Gender War's debut card on the 12th of April, he joined James to discuss inter-gender wrestling, its politics and presentation and how he got into being a promoter. 

Gender Wars

Mike Freland and this week's  guest Tony Cottam start their journey into wrestling news.

Looking at the possibility of Chris Jericho's rumored project with The Elite, and Jim Ross.

The return of Shawn Michaels, and his new hair. 'Cause its the Truepenny Show Channel after all.

WWE in Saudi Arabia and should the cancel Crown Jewel?

Freland's Wrestling Rewind - 01

"Freland's Wrestling Rewind" Mike & Cat discuss WWE MYC, WWE Evolution PPV, the progress women's Wrestling has made from "Bra and Panties" matches to the 5 🌟 performances today! That and a whole lot more!

Freland's Wrestling Rewind - 02

Mike is joined by Cat and Darragh this week to talk about the big stories from wrestling in North America including the fall out from WWE Crown Jewel both wrestling and political and WWe Evolution.

Freland's Wrestling Rewind - Episode3

Mike is joined by Tony Cottam this week to discuss Scott D'Amore and Impact Wrestling's relationship with Ring of Honor, Matt Riddle's transition to NXT, they pay tribute to Jose Lothario and discuss what Tetsuya Natio may or may not have done during his recent contract negotiations with WWE.

FWR - Episode4

Mike goes solo this week and takes a look at the wrestling stories from around North America.

Freland's Wrestling Rewind - Episode5

Five shows that try and give well rounded discussion to everything in wrestling around the world.

The latest show in the Truepenny Show family is All About All Japan as Christy invites guests to discuss Japan's legendary promotion and its rising stars in her own unique way. Featuring guests from across the wrestling commemorate.

The Wrestling Rewind is hosted by Darragh O’Connor and Dave Stephens as they take an in-depth look at the stories in North American pro wrestling from the previous week. They look at WWE, Impact Wrestling, Ring of Honor with a wry sense of humour but go deep on the issues facing the industry in North America.

If it's wrestling and it's a little bit different, The Truepenny Show covers it. James Truepenny and his crew of wrestling experts from around the world; Chelsea Spollen, Christy of Wrestling Sexism and NJPW Gifs, Alex Watt, Alex Edwards, Marcus Green, John Dinsdale of Steel Chair Magazine, Simon Heath, Canadian Indie Expert Anna, Queen of Tokyo and DDT historian Michelle Cain take you on a journey around the pro wrestling world.

Today at . . . is James’ show where he gives a quick round up of the day's action at any given event around the world on any wrestling day. The G1, The Best of Super Juniors, World Tag League and Wrestle Kingdom week have been covered so far with more shows to look at throughout the year.

Tellin' Stories looks back at James' writing  career as he looks back on articles he had written in the past that have become relevant once again or were just a fun read, re read with notes for your listening pleasure.

The Truepenny Show Channel

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