SETUP Paranoid Preview

SETUP Thailand return with their 6th PLE-level event (if you include the IWA Thailand branded shows) in the 2025 calendar this Saturday, September 27th.

At first glance, Paranoid looked like it might be a stop-gap event—a filler before the big Japan debut in November. But as the card has taken shape, it feels more like a “No Way Out” type of show—or for those who never touched a VHS tape, an “Elimination Chamber.” In other words: a lineup of high-profile clashes that build momentum without pulling focus from the larger storylines. With three (arguably four) massive title matches and a heavy injection of MYPW talent, Paranoid now looks like an essential stop on the road to New Beginnings.

Where We Left Off

At Under Pressure back in July, the most talked-about development might actually have been the promotion’s slick new blue ring apron. Joking aside, the show left plenty of threads hanging.

Shivam thought he had finally rid SETUP of the Kappa World Order, only for Jeney to shock everyone with an upset victory over BGJ in their special rules match. Sources in Thailand tell SEA Wrestling that Jeney hasn’t stopped bragging about the win since—did you know he’s also wrestled in Singapore?

P. Suchart and Anont Alonzo nearly tore each other apart fighting over their half of the tag titles, with the brawl escalating all the way to a Honda Wave before ending in a double count-out. Blick Drewz and Pondhub never even got their scheduled match, as a transformed Flame Drake—now “Naga Nai”—appeared with Terry Diesel, leaving more questions than answers.

Elsewhere, Gunn defeated Kru Pol, prompting the Headmaster to order Kru to test himself against international talent moving forward. Ram Kaichow’s temper got the better of her, costing her a revenge shot at Matcha and the All Asia Women’s Championship by way of disqualification. And in the main event, Jonathan Johnson delivered a strong defense of the IWA Thailand World Championship against Andreuw Tang and Chris Brookes. But his celebration was short-lived: Brookes blindsided him, aligning with Real Global Threat. Together, RGT not only left JJ bloodied, but also attacked the entire SETUP roster while basking in their own “victory speech.”

Now, after weeks of waiting and even showing restraint during DEXCON, the question remains: can Jonathan Johnson finally get his revenge?

Matches Announced

3-Way Tag Team Match

Kappa Kozo & Kappa Jr. vs. Matcha & Kevin Weng vs. Jeney & Kru Pol

The stakes are high in this three-way collision.

Jeney & Kru Pol enter carrying heavy pressure. Jeney is still riding high from his upset over BGJ, while Kru Pol is fighting with the weight of expectation from his school—his scholarship hopes may rest entirely on a win here. For this team, “win or bust” isn’t a saying—it’s reality.

Matcha & Kevin Weng form an uneasy alliance. Weng, returning from injury, is desperate to reestablish himself with a statement win. Matcha, meanwhile, has promised to reveal his next title defense in Japan after this match. For him, victory here is about dominance and making his momentum undeniable on the road to the bigger stage.

Kappa Kozo & Kappa Jr. have one eye firmly on Japan, but so far Kozo hasn’t strung together the convincing wins to silence his doubters. This bout is their proving ground.

Three teams, three very different motivations—only one walks out with momentum.

IWA Japan SETUP World Tag Team Championship

LOVExFRDM (Fienic Rose & Syawal) vs. Good Deal (Anont Alonzo & P. Suchart)

The World Tag Team Titles are on the line once again as Good Deal gear up for their 7th defense.

At SETUP EP.23, champions Anont Alonzo and P. Suchart fought to a draw—keeping their belts, but exposing deep cracks in their partnership. The tension hasn’t eased since, but IWA Japan has made its stance clear: defend or step aside. That means Good Deal have no choice but to pull it together for this challenge.

Their challengers are LOVExFRDM, one of Malaysia’s most dynamic tag teams. Known for their flashy, high-energy style—and unapologetically playful edge—Fienic Rose and Syawal want more than just wins. They’re determined to bring fun back to wrestling while pushing LGBTQ+ visibility further into the spotlight. For them, this isn’t just about titles; it’s about making history.

Can Good Deal overcome their own implosion to keep the belts in Thailand? Or will LOVExFRDM seize the chance for a career-defining moment?

Special Handicap Match

Naga Nai (w/ Terry Diesel) vs. Blick Drewz & Pondhub

One of the most anticipated matches at Under Pressure never actually happened. Blick Drewz and Pondhub were ready to go, until a transformed Flame Drake—now “Naga Nai”—entered the ring with Terry Diesel at his side.

Nai has framed his change as a spiritual awakening, with Diesel as his first disciple. Together, they’re set on spreading this “power” to a wider audience. But Drewz and Pondhub aren’t buying it—especially since the money Nai borrowed from them has yet to be repaid. They’ve now challenged the pair to a handicap match, with repayment on the line.

Can Naga Nai’s faith and newfound strength carry him through? Or will Drewz and Pondhub prove that truth matters more than belief?

MYPW South East Asia Championship

“The Shaman of Secret Sauce” Jack Alexander (Challenger) vs. “The Leader of RGT” Shivam (Champion)

Shivam’s SEA Championship reign has been one of the most dominant in Southeast Asia, with defenses across borders and even inside Korakuen Hall. Now, he faces his latest challenger: Jack Alexander, making his SETUP debut.

Alexander earned his shot by winning the New Breed Battle Royal in MYPW. But looming in the background is Kaizul, who still holds a valid title opportunity after winning the Journey to Gold tournament. That makes this defense crucial—Kaizul can’t cash in here, so this could be Alexander’s only uncontested shot.

Shivam, however, has no intention of handing the belt back to a MYPW wrestler. His mission has been clear: elevate the SEA Championship to a global prize, and he believes only he can achieve that.

Will Alexander shake up the balance and send the title home to MYPW? Or will Shivam continue his mission as the region’s standard-bearer?

SETUP Thailand Openweight Championship

“The Statement” Andruew Tang (Champion) vs. Gunn (Uprising Series 2025 Winner)

The Uprising Series was designed to spotlight fresh talent and overlooked wrestlers, with the winner promised a shot at Thailand’s top prize. Against the odds, Gunn rose to the occasion, outlasting the field at EP.23: Under Pressure to earn his opportunity.

But his celebration was short-lived, as Tang and Shivam launched a vicious assault that spilled beyond wrestling and into the business sphere, drawing heat from sponsors and media. That fallout might just tilt momentum toward Gunn, who enters Paranoid with fan support and a sense of justice on his side.

Still, dethroning Andruew Tang is no small task. The Statement has held the Openweight Championship as the centerpiece of Thai wrestling, and he’s not about to let an upstart rewrite his legacy without a fight.

IWA Japan SETUP World Heavyweight Championship – International Dream Match

Emman Azman (RGT / MYPW – Challenger) vs. Jonathan Johnson (Champion)

Some rivalries take years to pay off. At SETUP EP.11 in 2023, Emman Azman and Jonathan Johnson faced each other in a tag team match that ended with both men vowing: “One day, we’ll fight one-on-one.” That day has finally come, with the IWA Japan World Heavyweight Championship on the line.

Since then, Emman has become a key figure in Real Global Threat, while Johnson has endured betrayal, isolation, and relentless RGT attacks. For Emman, this is the chance to represent Malaysia, RGT, and his own ambition on the world stage. For Johnson, it’s about standing tall alone, proving he can overcome the odds and carry the belt into A New Dawn in Japan.

Two men, one promise—now fulfilled on the world stage. This is the dream match fans have been waiting for.

Conclusion

SETUP Paranoid has grown into one of the most pivotal shows of the year. From personal rivalries to international title bouts, every match carries weight—not just for Thailand, but for Southeast Asia’s wrestling future. And for fans at home, the excitement will once again be broadcast live on the Soop App, bringing all the action straight to your screen.