SETUP Thailand: Under Pressure - Full Recap

Date: Saturday, July 26, 2025
Venue: Circus Studio, Bangkok

SETUP Thailand returned with one of its strongest cards this year for Under Pressure, held at the intimate Circus Studio in Bangkok. The evening featured faction warfare, title matches, debuts, and a game-changing main event. A sleek new ring canvas elevated the visual presentation, though dim lighting slightly hindered visibility. Nonetheless, a fully packed crowd and clear storytelling made this an enjoyable entry in SETUP's recent run.

Shivam dominated The Kappas

SETUP’s biggest star didn’t waste any time. Shivam made short work of The Kappas in a dominant handicap match. From the opening bell, he bulldozed through the pair with minimal resistance. A one-arm slam dispatched one opponent, followed by his spinning vertical suplex–neckbreaker finisher to end the match in under two minutes. After the win, Shivam delivered a message to the camera, though audio issues prevented the crowd from hearing it. Regardless, it was a quick and brutal showcase of Shivam’s supremacy.

Jeney upset SPW Tag Champion BGJ (Big Good Jack)

This unique bout featured special rules where Jeney only needed a two-count to win. BGJ leaned fully into the heel role, overpowering Jeney with slams and chinlocks while taunting the crowd. But Jeney’s resilience paid off—after wearing down Jack’s patience, she caught him off guard with a quick roll-up for the two-count victory. A surprising underdog triumph in a match that had the fans more on edge than I expected considering the punishment Jeney has taken infront of them. Clearly BGJ's chinlocks were worrysome to the fans. I would have liked to see a video packed prior to this match to outline the feud as it was an intriguing storyline that perhaps many didn't follow.

Winner-Takes-All Tag Title Match: Anot Alonzo went to a double countout with P. Suchart

Fighting for both the SETUP and IWA Tag Team titles, Alonzo and Suchart delivered a fiery clash with strong character work and creative spots. The bout began like a street brawl and evolved into a modern indie-style sprint with fast counters and high-impact moves. Alonzo hit a top-rope powerbomb, but Suchart answered with a breathtaking running dive, followed by repeatedly slamming Alonzo with his motorbike—yes, literally. The standout moment came when Suchart delivered a rope-rebound elbow drop while Alonzo was tied in the Tree of Woe. In a rare and intriguing finish, both men collapsed from sheer exhaustion and failed to answer the ten-count, ending the match in a draw. Unorthodox, but fits with what this is, too ticked off former allys trying to slug it out to the end.

Suchart might be one of the best character wrestlers in the region as well, he knows exactly who he is meant to be and he walks like it, dresses like it, talks like it and wrestles like it. The last was clear here where he wrestled like a drunk motodop driver in a conflict (agressive but sloppy) while Alonso plays the rich guy well with his moves having style, finesse as if he's learnt from the best.

Blick Drewz vs. Pondhub never started due to unexpected developments)

What started as a grudge match took a strange turn. Drewz opened with a Thai-language promo—possibly calling out Terry Diesel—before being confronted by Pondhub. Then the lights dimmed and a mysterious version of Flame Drake appeared, dressed all in white with blank eyes, revealing a supernatural twist to his character. Terry Diesel stormed in and laid waste to both men, before oddly bowing to Drake. Whatever story is unfolding, it suggests a potential reunification of Drewz and Pondhub, and a fascinating new chapter for Drake.

Uprising Tournament Final: Gunn pinned Kru Pol

With a shot at the Openweight Title on the line, Kru Pol and Gunn gave it their all. Pol, dressed in new white gear, came across as a fresh underdog babyface, with Gunn playing the aggressive spoiler. The action moved at a steady pace—Pol hit multiple top-rope dives, but Gunn’s veteran instincts led to a crushing brainbuster and the win. Post-match, Pol received a video message from his school principal at St. John Innocent, who offered a training grant if Pol could beat international opponents. A charming development that grounds Pol’s journey in a uniquely Thai cultural context.

But the celebration didn’t last. As Gunn received his contract for the title shot, Shivam and The Statement Andreuw Tang launched a vicious beatdown. Even the suit-wearing official got attacked, until an unnamed polo-clad staff member (Paksa?) briefly fought back before being flattened by Shivam. Shivam then signed the title contract, though what that means remains unclear. The angle was chaotic, and perhaps less accessible to non-Thai-speaking fans, but intriguing nonetheless.

SETUP All Asia Women’s Championship: Matcha (c) vs. Ram Kaichow

Ram Kaichow came dressed as a spooky nun, commanding the crowd with her veteran presence and sly expressions. The crowd backed her from the outset, though Matcha’s role was harder to pin down. The action was hard-hitting and drawn from the Joshi playbook—Ram hit a flying face drop and 619, while Matcha fired back with powerful German suplexes. In the finish, Ram pulled powder from under the ring, kicked the ref low, and got disqualified after blinding Matcha. She then attacked the ref again. The match was compelling and aggressive, though it felt a few minutes short of reaching its full potential. Matcha continues to adapt well to any opponent—one of her strongest qualities.

Main Event – IWA x SETUP World Championship: Jonathon Johnson (c) vs. Chris Brookes vs. Andreuw Tang

A chaotic, high-energy triple threat closed the show. Tang initially tried to size up his taller opponents but was promptly tossed from the ring. Johnson and Brookes began with crisp chain wrestling, only for Tang to return with a cheap shot on Johnson. Johnson later paid homage to Hulk Hogan with the big boot and leg drop (which missed). Brookes, as always, added a dose of inventive chaos—slapping Tang with a stretchy band from the upper balcony, then unleashing an umbrella attack. Tang responded with a brutal kendo stick assault.

The finish came after a flurry of suplexes and reversals: Johnson hit an Attitude Adjustment followed by a senton bomb to pin Tang and retain the championship. A well-executed, main-event style match that had the crowd buzzing.

But the drama didn’t end there. As Johnson gave a heartfelt thank-you speech—showing respect to both Brookes and Tang—Brookes low-blowed him and, with RGT members, laid waste to the SETUP roster. Shivam and Tang held Johnson down for an unprotected chairshot, as Brookes officially joined The Real Global Threat. Shivam declared the group the faces of Southeast Asian wrestling. Johnson, left battered and betrayed, stood tall in defeat as fans rallied behind him.

Final Thoughts

Under Pressure is arguably SETUP’s most complete show to date. Every match had direction, stakes, and progression. Shivam and Tang’s growing dominance is now amplified by Chris Brookes’ alignment with RGT—giving the group international legitimacy. The closing angle may divide fans, especially with the headshot, but it achieved its purpose: pushing SETUP into a new phase of faction warfare and raising the stakes going forward.

The path ahead is now clear. RGT will look to dominate more promotions across the region. But SETUP’s locker room, led by a bruised but determined Jonathon Johnson, will need to regroup, refocus, and unite to protect their home turf.

Keep up to date with SETUP on their Facebook and you can watch Under Pressure free now here.