Southeast Asian Wrestling News Roundup: IWGP Gold, Beach Wrestling, SETUP’s Return & More

This week in Southeast Asian wrestling, the region finds itself in the thick of international victories, behind-the-scenes ventures, new content, and major shows both at home and abroad. From golden returns to action on the beach in Da Nang, here’s everything you need to know:

Who Won in Taiwan?

Results from NTW’s latest event in Taiwan are somewhat murky, but initial reports indicate Simon Siah scored a win over Alex Cool, while Shawn Phang suffered a loss to the team of Ghost Wolf & Joker. The masked duo made a statement afterward, hoisting the Grapplemax title aloft—a clear challenge ahead of the Pro Wrestling Festival this July.

Zack Sabre Jr. Wins IWGP World Title (Again!)

Following a standout Southeast Asian tour in May that saw him compete in the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, Zack Sabre Jr. has captured the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship for a second time. ZSJ defeated Hirooki Goto at Tanahashi Jam via referee stoppage after 28 minutes of technical brilliance. Some speculate that the warm hospitality, tropical coconuts, and a fresh roster of SEA opponents sharpened his edge going into the title bout.

Erfie Blackheart Documentary Drops

Singapore’s youngest rising star Erfie Blackheart has just released a short-form documentary on his journey so far. The candid feature, viewable on his Instagram, gives fans a deeper look into the determination and grit of one of the region’s brightest young prospects.

WUW Vlog Launches

Ken Cifer and Ravena of World Underground Wrestling have launched a new YouTube vlog series where they react to matches from other WUW affiliate promotions. This week’s episode explores the wrestling scene in Austria. Catch the video here.

Shaukat Joins "Honey Trap" as Action Director

While dominating APAC Wrestling, Malaysia’s Shaukat has also stepped into the TV world, working as the action director for the new Malaysian drama Honey Trap. The show promises high-octane sequences, thanks in part to Shaukat’s wrestling-infused fight choreography.

This Weekend: Pro Wrestling Summit Hits Da Nang

Wrestling hits the beach this weekend as Da Nang, Vietnam hosts a special two-day Pro Wrestling Summit presented by Japan’s Heat Up promotion. Shows will begin at 5:30 PM Saturday and Sunday on the beachfront.

Confirmed talent includes:

• Rocky Huynh, Sid Nguyen & Khoa Truong (VPW)

• Shivam & The Statement (Real Global Threat)

• Best Bros (Baliyan Akki & Mei Suruga) from ChocoPro

• A full lineup of Heat Up regulars bringing Japanese flair to Vietnamese shores

SETUP Returns July 26 with "Under Pressure"

SETUP Thailand is back with their next major event: "Under Pressure", happening July 26 at Circus Studio in Bangkok.

Featured names include:

• Chris Brookes (DDT)

• Ram Kaichow, seeking revenge on behalf of Raku after her tag loss to Matcha

Expect Matcha to find a new male partner to face off against Ram and Brookes. Tickets are already on sale and demand is rising.

Kamiyu Victorious in MLW New York

Yuki Kamifuku (Kamiyu) defeated Wakana Uehara at MLW’s Summer of the Beasts event in New York on June 26, continuing her international momentum and representing Japanese joshi wrestling abroad.

Jake De Leon Joins Real Global Threat (For Life?)

In a dramatic development, Jake De Leon (JDL) has reportedly signed a lifetime agreement with Real Global Threat in exchange for the SETUP 24/7 Championship. What this means for the title’s defenses remains unclear—will the group defend it collectively, or does JDL remain its primary holder?

This move may signal a temporary absence of JDL from SETUP events, but the group clearly wants to keep their prize in the spotlight.

Coming Up: PUSO Wrestling Karera

Don’t forget—PUSO Wrestling: Karera is happening this Sunday, promising emotional highs and hard-hitting action. A full preview will be released later this week.

That’s all for now. Whether it’s golden triumphs, international tours, or cross-promotional showcases, Southeast Asia continues to shine as one of the most exciting regions in global wrestling today. Stay tuned for more updates, results, and previews at seawrestling.net.