The Biggest Takeaways From an Unprecedented Pinoy Wrestling Weekend

Written in kayfabe. Rivalries, championship claims and storyline developments are presented as they appear on screen.

Pinoy wrestling has just come through one of the most significant weekends in its recent history, and the wall between two of its promotions came down in the process.

What wrestling calls the forbidden door was cranked wide open on Saturday, as World Underground Wrestling Philippines welcomed some of Filipino Pro Wrestling's finest into the Brawl Pit at Fight Night 4. It was the first crossover of its kind in a long time. Then on Sunday, the FPW Secret Base hosted FPW's Pagsubok QC event.

Once upon a time, Secret Base shows were something of a B show, a place for younger and hungrier roster members to stretch their legs and battle for future positions on Astig events and PLE’s. Rebranded, these nights are now becoming equal in stature to those at Bake Studios.

We have already printed the results from both shows. Here are the biggest takeaways.

Joya reigns supreme as the most dominant women’s champion.

Joya is the most dominant women's champion in the Philippines right now. Since winning the Lakambini ng Dexcon Women's World Championship she has been unstoppable, defeating everyone put in front of her. Her latest win saw her overcome Trixia, and FPW's rising female ace Penny Haze in a triple threat match.

That is no small feat. Trixia has been on a revenge tour since returning at the previous Fight Night show, but in two attempts to take down Joya she has come up short. The Fire Starter looks untouchable.

Worth noting: recent press releases from other sources claimed Joya as the holder of the most valuable women's championship in the Philippines. The question is how CWE Vixens Champion Super P responds. Her title may be of American descent, and it sat in the hands of Singapore's Alexis Lee for over 4000 days, but it belongs to her now, a world travelled Pinay wrestler. Does she feel slighted by that claim, and will we find out before or after her upcoming defence against Crystal? In the end, surely both champions have to meet!

Joya is the most dominant women's champion in the Philippines right now. Since winning the Lakambini ng Dexcon Women's World Championship she has been unstoppable, defeating everyone put in front of her. Her latest win saw her overcome Trixia, and FPW's rising female ace Penny Haze in a triple threat match.

That is no small feat. Trixia has been on a revenge tour since returning at the previous Fight Night show, but in two attempts to take down Joya she has come up short. The Fire Starter looks untouchable.

Worth noting: recent press releases from other sources claimed Joya as the holder of the most valuable women's championship in the Philippines. The question is how CWE Vixens Champion Super P responds. Her title may be of American descent, and it sat in the hands of Singapore's Alexis Lee for over 4000 days, but it belongs to her now, a world travelled Pinay wrestler. Does she feel slighted by that claim, and will we find out before or after her upcoming defence against Crystal? In the end, surely both champions have to meet!

Penny Haze returns looking better than ever

Haze did not get much chance to show off the skills she picked up on her recent excursion to Ice Ribbon in Japan, largely because of an arm injury earlier this year. Rehab done and ready for action, she looked to be in the best shape of her career across the weekend. She pushed the far more experienced Joya hard, then took down Ralph Imabayashi on the Sunday in her FPW return match.

So what next? She looks ready for a one on one championship match, and it may be time for more excursions and a proper breakout as a dominant women's wrestler on the wider Southeast Asian scene. With FPW's partnership with Grapplemax, Haze against the likes of Divya or Sarah Coldheart in Singapore would be a fascinating test.

Kid Kwago is back and ready to climb again

For those unaware, Kid Kwago suffered a life-threatening medical issue earlier this year. The young man is back, though it looks like he still needs time to get into full ring shape, as he failed to beat the gigantic Kastigo in his return match. From what we have been told, he still produced some dramatic aerial assaults. With a few more months of rehab and training, he could rise up the card quickly.

Things remain unsettled across the camps

Robin Sane and Quatro ended in a no contest after Devil Danny Cavite interfered in the main event of Fight Night 4. Two men who looked set for a definitive end to their recent friction have been robbed of it (just as the fans have been!). The only thing that stopped further damage being done by the Devil himself was the save from the hero of the underground, the influencer Ravena who was quite open that he himself wants a shot at the FPW Championship.

What happens next between these four is anyone's guess. This one feels a long way from settled.

Mike Madrigal is entering a darker place

Over the past few months we have seen Madrigal take an increasingly aggressive stance. In his last match he did not let up after a win over Mharckie, and was only stopped by a run-in from Joshua Ellevistah . That sets up a no holds barred match at FPW's Unfinished Business. Can Ellevistah elevate himself into the top of the card with a win over FPW's first ever champion?

Not all is rosy for Jan Evander

FPW's Metro Manila Champion saw his match with Rio Rufino end in disqualification on Sunday due to an alleged foreign object. Will Rufino get his rematch, and where exactly does Evander sit on that mysterious heel and face divide as time moves forward?

Main Maxx and Jason Rex, old friends, new questions

Old friends from the early days back in PWR met in what has been described as an emotional, hard-hitting contest at Fight Night 4, with the pair showing real respect for each other afterwards. Is this a one-off on Max's retirement tour, or could something else go down in the future?

Has the WUW Eurasian Title given Hakai Matteo a serious side?

Matteo has taken on a new attitude since becoming champion. We see a focus on hard-hitting underground offence and a championship reign taken seriously. The question is whether the dominant big man has enough to carry this deeper into the year.

What next for both promotions?

Unfinished Business has been announced and is expected in September, likely from Baked Studios as FPW's biggest show of the year. The first match confirmed is the no holds barred or "Walang Batas, Walang Aatras" meeting between Mike Madrigal and Joshua Ellavista on September 22nd.

That leaves the question of who challenges Quatro for the FPW Championship. Rumours suggest another New Japan star, while other camps would prefer a local challenger gets the shot. Both remain speculation at this stage.

World Underground Wrestling has yet to announce another show, but this has been their busiest year in some time and more should follow, whether mat-based events or another night in the Brawl Pit. Whether other promotions in the Philippines or beyond step up to find out what the underground is all about remains to be seen.

The information in this article has been checked with a Pinoy wrestling representative and contains personal speculation. For corrections or comments please email contact@seawrestling.net