SEA Wrestling Weekly News Roundup – 1st August 2025

This weekend offers a rare breather in Southeast Asia’s bustling wrestling scene, with most promotions taking a short break before ramping up again. But don’t let the lull fool you—there’s been no shortage of news. Here’s everything you need to know this week from around the region.

Vietnam

Jake De Leon Debuts in VPW

One of Southeast Asia’s most accomplished veterans, Jake De Leon, has officially joined Vietnam Pro Wrestling (VPW). Announced on Wednesday night, JDL will challenge newly crowned VPW Openweight Champion Ares, a powerhouse facing perhaps the most experienced opponent of his career.

A mainstay of the Philippine scene, JDL is known for his ability to shift match momentum with veteran cunning. Expect fireworks when these two collide, as De Leon looks to bring Vietnamese gold home ahead of the Dexcon events.

SEA Wrestling Commentary: While some fans hoped for a local challenger, many in Vietnam are clearly familiar with JDL’s work, showing how strong regional connections are becoming. This match is a must-watch.

VPW Rumble Developments

Kira has officially entered the VPW Rumble and appears to be setting his sights on An D, suggesting a potential in-ring return for the VPW veteran.

Meanwhile, British Horror announced he’s returning to the UK for an extended break, putting his Rumble participation in doubt and leaving his new ally, Rocky Huynh, potentially exposed.

Also announced late last night was the addition of a VPW Tag Team Title Match. The Classic Night will receive one more shot at the straps against Vortex Rebellion meaning the aforementioned Kira will be pulling double duty. After huge victories against The Natural Classics and The Juicy Boyz recently this title shot is well deserved.

The VPW Rumble takes place 16th August at VAIB Studio, Ho Chi Minh City. With limited tickets left, it promises to be Vietnam’s most chaotic—and entertaining—night out.

Singapore

Grapplemax Reveals Dates Through November

Grapplemax continues its ambitious 2025 calendar with events scheduled every month. Here are the newly announced dates:

• Slam and Savour – 30th August, Timbre-One North
  
  

• Causeway Jam w/ MYPW – 6th September, Ku Ash Theatre, Kuala Lumpur
  
  

• NWE Showcase 4 – 12th September, Grapplemax Studios
  
  

• Amplify 8 – 27th September, Grapplemax Studios
  
  

• TBC Event – 25th October, Venue TBC
  
  

• 9th Anniversary Show – 22nd November, Venue TBC
  
  

Stay tuned for lineup details and major announcements.

Ring of Rebirth Updates

On Tuesday, Ring of Rebirth (ROR) held a special match between Eurasian Dragon and Raj at Phil Studio during a stand-up comedy night—described as an "Attitude Era-style bar brawl." Eurasian Dragon picked up the win.

Their next event, Social Harmony, takes place August 10th, featuring the final quarterfinal in the ROR Championship tournament. The first announced match is Erfie Vs Ahmed Arif

Philippines

Puso’s Karera Now Streaming

The first part of Karera is available free on YouTube. Featured matches include:

• Super Friends (El Katipunero & Patricia Ligaia) vs Ken Cifer & ???
  
  

• HSSL (Joey Rosas & Joya) vs MSG (Ravena & Chelsea Marie)
  
  

Baka Gaijin Match Official

Confirmed this week is a three-way bout between local standouts Nigel San Jose, Saint John Martin, and Danny Zamora. Expect a hard-hitting affair as these veterans clash.

Thailand

Santo Slam Crowns First Thailand Champion

Santo Slam, held last night, marked PSE Thailand’s first event using their own ring. It also saw the crowning of the inaugural Thailand Champion: Blobtang

SETUP Reveals New Logo

SETUP Thailand has unveiled a brand-new logo—a likely sign that a show is on the way. Expect an event in September, as SETUP is unlikely to clash with SPW’s Heartland Havoc weekend due to travel congestion during Singapore’s holiday period.

Top Dojo Reinforce Match Card Update

Top Dojo has revealed more of the lineup for Reinforce, taking place 17th August. Confirmed bouts include:

• KUMA (Exotic KAIJU) vs Golem Thai (Bad Company)
  A rematch between two giants, this fight is critical for KUMA’s redemption arc, especially after recent tensions in his clan following the attack on P-Nutz.
  
  

CHAYUT (Trainee) vs P-Nutz
CHAYUT impressed in his debut exhibition and now faces the seasoned P-Nutz, who may still be recovering physically. Fans are eager to see what new tricks CHAYUT brings to the ring.

Malaysia

First Causeway Jam Match Announced

At Causeway Jam, we’ll see:
Raj & Bobby Sinaga vs Cornelius LOW & a mystery partner

After being attacked by a masked figure at Full Throttle, Raj has accepted help from rising star Bobby Sinaga to even the odds. But who is LOW’s new ally—and what role will they play?

🎟️ Tickets available now at: myticketempire.com/cwj25

That’s a Wrap!

That brings us to the end of this week’s SEA Wrestling news roundup. While it’s a rare quiet weekend in terms of live shows, the scene continues to move at full speed behind the curtain, with big announcements, surprise debuts, and stacked cards coming together across the region.

Vietnam Pro Wrestling heats up with a major international title challenge, while Grapplemax and Top Dojo show no signs of slowing down in Singapore and Thailand respectively. Promotions are clearly stepping up their game as we head deeper into the second half of the year.

If you’re new to Southeast Asian wrestling or just trying to keep up with everything happening, we’ve got you covered. Head over to SEA Wrestling Magazine for long-form features, show reviews, and exclusive interviews that go deeper into the stories shaping the region.

And don’t forget to check out our Promotions Guide to learn more about each company’s history and roster, and our Events Calendar to make sure you never miss a show near you.

Thanks for reading—and as always, support your local wrestling scene!