Puso Wrestling: Bakunawa – Review

Thanks to the Puso wrestling team's dedication all three excellently produced parts of their recent Bakunawa show held on the 14th September are now available for free on Youtube. The fans in attendance at The Brawlpit on that Sunday night were treated to an absolutely first class night of Pinoy wrestling that would have sent nobody home disappointed and likely helped to shift a fair share of Alamat tickets on the day it was announced.

NOTE: This is a review based on the "TV" version of the show - we have not reviewed the excellent Ken Cifer Vs Sage Matthews match or the pre show match.

Moon Eater Match – Robin Sane vs Nigel San Jose vs Crystal vs Ravena

We kicked off the show with pure Puso weirdness — a four-way “Moon Eater Match.” Each wrestler started with a moon piece; pinning someone earned you their moons, and the winner would be whoever held all four. A clever rule set that created some gloriously confusing moments in the opening minutes.

Ravena leaned all the way into his smug celebrity persona early on, quickly making himself everyone’s target — but the man still found a way to snatch an early roll-up on Sane to claim two moons. Seconds later, Nigel San Jose planted him with a stiff suplex to even the score. The commentary team sounded half-baffled, half-entertained, but it did a fine job of showing how the stipulation worked: non-elimination, high risk, constant motion.

Crystal and Sane shared an athletic, fast-paced exchange that reminded everyone how sharp both are when they hit that cruiserweight gear. Ravena snuck back in with a cheeky roll-up — tights grabbed, of course — to take Crystal’s moon. Then things went completely Puso as Sane brought out puppet Bin Bin, San Jose got his hotdog friend involved, and the two briefly teamed up for a double powerbomb on Ravena. Sane snagged another moon, and suddenly the whole field was alive again.

From there, the match hit another level. Strong-style exchanges between Sane and San Jose gave way to Crystal booting both in the face and almost pinning them simultaneously, but Nigel powered out. She then rolled Sane up to steal a moon, and when Nigel went for his finisher on Sane, Crystal craftily slipped behind and scored the final fall to win.

Fun, chaotic, and charmingly clumsy at times — the kind of match where confusion becomes part of the entertainment. Once everyone found their footing with the stipulation, it turned into a really enjoyable opener. Nigel didn’t look too thrilled losing to Crystal again, which might not be over yet.

Tag Match – Hakai Mateo & Alien Friend vs Super Friends (El Katipunero & Patricia Ligaia)

We cut backstage where Main Maxx paced, followed by a tense scene between Hakai Mateo and Alien Friend — the kind that tells you trouble’s coming. After an awkward “apology” and a toilet break, Mateo caught AF getting a bit too close to his Waifu photo. He played it cool… for now.

Hakai came out sporting new light-up glasses and a confident strut, Alien Friend close behind. The Super Friends entered together to a big pop — always a welcome sight at the Brawl Pit.

The match opened with El Katipunero and Alien Friend trading crisp, almost dance-like holds — photogenic stuff that showcased the chemistry of Puso’s masked roster. AF showed off some comedic kung fu before tagging in Patricia Ligaia, who’s improved massively this year. Her technique and confidence stood out, but AF countered with an airplane spin that set off a comedy sequence ending in Ligaia pinning the ref while AF made the count himself.

Tags cycled through fast. Mateo charged in, laying in heavy offense until Ligaia’s agility turned the tide. The pace picked up with frequent tags and double-team spots — including a great double UFO spin that popped the crowd. But the fun ended abruptly when Mateo accidentally collided with Alien Friend, and everything unraveled.

Frustration took over. Mateo bodyslammed Ligaia hard, then tried to reclaim control with brute force. A chaotic exchange followed where Mateo’s Waifu picture became the center of disaster — it got stuck on Alien Friend’s face, sending Mateo into a rage. He beat down everyone in sight — his partner, the Super Friends, even the referee — for a DQ loss.

Post-match, Mateo smashed Alien Friend with the Waifu photo as the Super Friends tried to intervene. Ligaia tore up the photo and threw it at Mateo, who stormed out. Pure Puso storytelling — absurd, emotional, and completely engaging. The whole tag division feels richer for angles like this.

Jomar vs Danny Zamora

A change of tone next as Jomar faced Danny Zamora — two heelish technicians in a bout that felt like a palate cleanser after the chaos. Early on, they went to work with crisp chain wrestling and armlocks that wouldn’t have been out of place in BritWres or NJPW’s undercards.

The story centered on Jomar’s training under Fabio Makisig, showing his evolution toward a more technical, calculated style. When Zamora feigned a knee injury, throwing up the X sign, the crowd bit hard — until he blindsided Jomar with a cheap shot. Classic heel move that reignited the energy.

Brawling spilled to ringside, with chairs teased and tempers flaring. Back inside, Jomar nearly sealed it with a reverse suplex, but Zamora stole the win with a low blow and a backstabber. Simple, mean, and effective storytelling that did exactly what it needed to.

The Super Friends Welcome a New Member

A wholesome follow-up backstage showed the Super Friends consoling Alien Friend after Mateo’s meltdown. After some group hugs and laughter, it looked like AF had officially joined the Super Friends. The crowd in the comments section of the stream seemed to love this little emotional breather.

Joey Rosas vs Jake De Leon

Before the match, a recap rolled of Rosas’ three “challenges” against JDL — chess, basketball, and battle archery — all victories leading to this final showdown. JDL insisted Joey be introduced as “Joseph,” while Rosas had the announcer introduce Jake as “an Unc,” which set the tone perfectly.

JDL dominated early, taunting and grinding down Rosas with methodical submissions — crossface, rings of Saturn, and some vicious strikes. But Joey’s size and power eventually evened the field. A string of heavy slams and a near-fall on a backdrop got the fans believing.

Momentum swung wildly. JDL’s arrogance cost him more than once — a missed rolling thunderbird, a showboating flex that led straight into a Rosas crossbody. They traded close calls until JDL resorted to a kiss of death and a Golden Flowsion to seal the win.

After the bell, Isaiah Valencia appeared to confront Rosas, only for Nigel San Jose to blindside him. The two laid out both Rosas and Crystal, who tried to help. The post-match beatdown ended with a GG Driver on Crystal — a clear sign that alliances were forming, and the landscape in Puso was shifting again.

A solid match with simple storytelling and strong pacing — not flashy, but very well done. Sometimes less really is more.

Chelsea Marie & Joya vs Badd Butts (Yappy & Ancham)

After a quick recap segment, it was time for one of the night’s biggest highlights — the visiting ICE Ribbon duo Badd Butts taking on Chelsea Marie and Joya. The champions were greeted with a streamer shower, the energy in the Pit turning electric.

Early on, Badd Butts controlled the tempo with playful aggression — including a few comedic moments (yes, the Yappy spanking spot made its return). But make no mistake, the visitors’ chemistry and experience were clear. Ancham’s timing and Yappy’s charisma gave them the edge through much of the opening stretch.

Joya took the brunt of the damage before finally tagging Chelsea, who came in hot with long-leg corner chokes, splashes, and a burst of power offense. A flurry of double judo throws and stereo Vaqueras brought the house down.

The finish came after a chaotic final sequence: Ancham pulled the ref to save a pin, a thunderhead landed, and Badd Butts hit a nasty double-team driver for the win.

This was an absolute show-stealer — arguably the best women’s match in Southeast Asia this year. When the Joshi talent crosses over, it consistently elevates the entire scene. Post-match tension saw Chelsea reject Joya’s apology, fists flying as their alliance shattered ahead of Alamat. Perfect setup for the next chapter.

Puso Pinoy Wrestling Championship – Main Maxx (c) vs Fabio Makisig

A pre-match promo showed Fabio reflecting on legacy while Maxx declared his need for validation — simple, emotional, and perfectly fitting for the main event.

The match opened slow and deliberate, almost like a World of Sport bout. The crowd was silent, hanging on every hold as Fabio controlled the early tempo. Maxx’s composure and ring awareness gave him the edge when things broke down into strikes.

A Boston Crab shifted momentum, leading to a brawl outside where Maxx threw cans and Fabio retaliated with aerials and chair tosses. The story was clear: the veteran versus the challenger who needed to prove himself.

The intensity built through a brutal chop battle, double knockdowns, and exchanges that echoed classic NOAH-style wars. Maxx hit his power spots — splashes, a running powerslam, a huge Revolution X — but Fabio refused to die. Even after taking a blitzkrieg powerbomb and hidden blade, Fabio fought out and countered into submissions.

Then chaos struck: Danny Zamora pulled the ref out and attacked both men. Fabio, torn between rage and pride, turned on Zamora and drove him out with Jomar’s help. Back to one-on-one, Fabio unleashed three PKs for a two-count, but Maxx roared back with another Revolution X, a hidden blade, and finally a frog splash to seal the win.

An outstanding main event — deliberate pacing, emotional peaks, and real weight behind every move. This wasn’t just wrestling; it was a fight, athleticism and art all rolled into one.

After the match, Fabio showed respect to Maxx, who addressed the crowd, thanking his rival and the fans before calling out Jake De Leon — the one man he hasn’t beaten. JDL interrupted, cut a vicious promo about being “good but not great,” and then blasted Maxx with a Rooster Kick and belt shot to close the show.

Final Thoughts

Bakunawa delivered everything you want from a Puso Wrestling event: creative gimmicks, character-driven drama, and matches that blend humor, heart, and hard-hitting action. Every division progressed, every storyline advanced, and the closing segment set up Alamat as a must-see.

From Crystal’s crafty win to the emotional eruption of Hakai Mateo, from Badd Butts’ excellence to the heavyweight classic between Maxx and Fabio — this was Puso firing on all cylinders.

And with Main Maxx vs. Jake De Leon now set for Alamat, it’s safe to say: the moon has been eaten, but the fire’s just begun.