SETUP Thailand Updates — April 2025

Zack Sabre Jr. Heads to Bangkok After Regional Tour

It’s official: Zack Sabre Jr., now the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, will return to Thailand for SETUP EP.22: The Fallen Kingdom on May 31. After electrifying the crowd at Bangkok Strong Style, ZSJ praised Thailand’s wrestling scene—and now he’s back to prove it’s worth the hype.

Before that, ZSJ will tour the region:

• May 18 – DEXCON in the Philippines

• May 30 – SPW in Singapore

• May 31 – Main eventing EP.22 in Bangkok

The match card for EP.22 is still under wraps, but with ZSJ involved, expect fireworks.

The Bangkok Rockstar Takes Control

Terry Diesel, legendary Thai wrestler and 3-time national champ, is stepping into a new role as SETUP’s General Manager and Matchmaker. After announcing an indefinite break from competition, Diesel now becomes the face and force behind the scenes.

He officially begins at EP.22 and is expected to bring a mix of classic storytelling and modern matchmaking. Reports also suggest his health is improving, and fans are already whispering about a possible return to the ring. Until then, the Bangkok Rockstar is running the show.

The World’s Cutest Vampire Returns to the Ring

Disappearing since her last bout at Year-End Climax, the one and only Vampire Princess returns to SETUP this May. Known for her cryptic aura and 2,389 years of undead wisdom, she’s ready to witness the “Falling Kingdom” firsthand.

Is she here to help save SETUP—or bury it deeper into the shadows? Either way, fans shouldn’t miss this rare chance to see the World’s Cutest Vampire back in action before she vanishes again.

BONG FEST Results — Chaos, Cheating & A Crowned Challenger

Bong Fest lit up the scene with wild matches and bigger implications for SETUP’s future:

• Anont Alonzo vs Flame Drake

• Thanachai vs Blick Drewz (Exhibition)

• Mr. Suchart vs Steve the Teacher

• No DQ Match: Chalee vs Kappa Kamen

• IWA Japan World Title Tournament Final: Mikey Wild vs Shivam vs Jonathan Johnson

In the night’s main event, Jonathan Johnson sealed his place in history by winning the IWA Japan World Title Tournament Final. In a chaotic triple threat, he hit a Swanton Bomb on Mikey Wild to secure the pin and become the #1 contender for the IWA Japan SETUP World Championship.

He now prepares to challenge Ultramantis Black, with more details on that international clash to come.

The match also saw Shivam pull every trick in the Real Global Threat playbook, but with Mikey Wild keeping the odds balanced, Shivam couldn’t isolate Johnson. His loss ended his title ambitions—for now. But with Shivam’s ego bruised, some fear he’ll lash out in typical RGT fashion…

Either way, it makes EP.22: The Fallen Kingdom unmissable.

Matcha Set for Japan Tour with TJPW

Matcha returns to Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling this Golden Week, representing SEA wrestling alongside Alexis Lee and Noir Phoenix Diana in two major shows:

• May 3 (Saitama):
  TEAM SEA (Matcha, Alexis Lee, Noir Phoenix Diana) vs TEAM TJPW (Mizuki, Arisu Endo, Pom Harajuku)

• May 5 (Osaka):
  Main Event – Princess Tag Team Championship
  SEA STORM (Matcha & Alexis Lee) challenge Kyoraku Kyomei (Hyper Misao & Shoko Nakajima)

Also on May 5:
SETUP All Asia Women’s Championship
Raku (c) vs Noir Phoenix Diana
Winner defends at EP.22: The Fallen Kingdom.

With stakes this high, Golden Week could mark a seismic shift in Southeast Asia’s women’s wrestling landscape.

Shivam Issues Warning: Real Global Threat Is Just Getting Started

In a new online promo, Shivam spoke out after Bong Fest to reaffirm his vision: Real Global Threat isn’t just a tag team—it’s a mission.

He claims RGT is here to "dominate and control all of Southeast Asian wrestling." With allies in every region and eyes on every championship, the group’s influence is spreading fast.

Though Shivam took a major hit at Bong Fest, he’s not done. Expect more interference, more chaos—and possibly a new plan revealed at EP.22.