Vietnam Pro Wrestling - The Rumble - Full Preview and Predictions

It’s been a few months since Vietnam Pro Wrestling took its traditional summer break, and the roster is hungry to get back in the ring to fight for one of the top prizes in the region. That’s what The Rumble is all about. The active roster — plus visiting guests — will step into the ever-challenging combat zone of Asia’s greatest battle royal. The prize? An anytime, anywhere shot at a title of their choosing.

This year, the promotion has some outstanding visitors from Southeast Asia to stack the card on an already hotly anticipated show. Da Butcherman will make his long-awaited return to Vietnam. The Lyrical Lightning is back to address the boos from VPW fans when The Juicy Boyz went up against local favorites. And perhaps most anticipated of all, the Vietnam debut of one of the most talked-about wrestlers in the region — The Filipino Fighting Rooster himself, SETUP 24/7 Champion and Real Global Threat member Jake De Leon.

Where did we leave off

If you want more detail, then you should certainly read the Ultimate Collision recap in SEA Wrestling Issue 4. However, in brief — at Ultimate Collision, we saw the untimely downfall of The Rocky Horror Show in what was supposed to be their championship moment. Thanks to an anything-goes stipulation, Rocky appointing himself as referee, and a few mistimed spots between the heels, Ares captured the title to become a three-time champion. VAIB Studios was deafening for hours after his win as fans celebrated the huge upset.

Earlier that night, Rocky escalated his feud with Hy Draco by throwing a fireball into the young flyer’s face. The Juicy Boyz tried to humiliate The Classic Night but instead found themselves sent packing back to Malaysia — just another pair who underestimated Vietnam’s talented, fun-loving duo. And in the night’s surprise return, An D stormed the ring to foil the Vortex Rebellion’s beatdown on now-former member KPY.

Let’s take a look at the four exciting matches coming up this weekend.

Match 1: Da Butcherman (SPW) vs. “Asia’s Strongest” Sid Nguyen (VPW)

This one’s a unique pairing — a clash of power and agility that could steal the show. Sid Nguyen is a very different challenge for Da Butcherman, and the reverse is just as true.

In recent months, Da Butcherman has collided with some of Southeast Asia’s biggest heavyweight bruisers, including Carlo Cannon (MYPW), Shivam (SETUP), and Jomar (PUSO). It’s been some time since he’s stood across from a smaller, more nimble opponent like “Asia’s Strongest” Sid Nguyen.

On the other side of the ring, Sid has tested himself against lightning-quick competition such as Vortex Rebellion, Jack Alexander (MYPW), and Rocky Huynh. This is a clash of styles few saw coming — but in Southeast Asia, it’s never unusual for two wrestlers on hot streaks to find their paths crossing. Butcherman has been tearing through opponents during his unforgettable SPW SEA Title reign, while Sid is riding high after his recent tournament victory in Da Nang.

Only one can leave with the win. SEA Wrestling is backing the hometown hero, Sid Nguyen, to get the edge with the crowd firmly in his corner. The real question is: if Sid pulls it off, will Da Butcherman invite him to Singapore for a future title shot?

Match 2: VPW Tag Team Championship — Vortex Rebellion © (Kira & Xumin Long) vs. The Classic Night (Billy & Bobby)

This could be the crowd favorite of the night. You won’t find two teams more polarizing in Vietnam Pro Wrestling right now. On one side, Vortex Rebellion — cocky, arrogant, cunning, and more than willing to bend every rule in the book. Kira and Xumin Long will throw everything at this match to keep hold of their titles, and with D. Austin lurking at ringside, they’ve got an extra weapon ready to tip the scales. Billy & Bobby have spoiled plenty of heels’ plans before, but this time they’ll have to deal with Xumin’s aerial offense and the threat of interference.

On the other side, The Classic Night embody strength, honor, passion, and heart. Over the last year, this already beloved team has become the soul of VPW’s shows. They came within a hair of beating Vortex Rebellion for the gold twice last year, only to be denied by blatant cheating. Since then, they’ve sharpened their skills, grown more confident, and developed a keen awareness of every in-ring trick. Right now, no team in VPW deserves the tag belts more than Billy & Bobby.

But deserving a win and getting one are two very different things. This is love vs. hate, good vs. evil — a battle for more than just the championships. Our prediction? We’re going with the hometown heroes, Billy & Bobby, to finally reclaim the VPW Tag Team Titles.

Match 3: VPW Openweight Championship – “The Unstoppable Force” Ares © w/ Phuong Nam vs. SETUP 24/7 Champion Jake De Leon

Ares’ rise to the top hasn’t been accidental—it’s been built on a trail of bodies. The reigning Openweight Champion has bulldozed through some of the best international talent to ever step between Vietnam Pro Wrestling’s yellow ropes. So it’s fitting that his first challenger is none other than one of Southeast Asia’s absolute elite.

For those unfamiliar, Jake De Leon is a legend of Philippine wrestling—“Mr. Philippine Wrestling” himself. Just as Rocky & Sid were foundational to building the wrestling scene in Vietnam, Jake was part of the genesis of the sport in the Philippines. Over the years, he’s captured championships across the region, taken his now-arch-nemesis Zack Sabre Jr. to the limit, and holds the rare distinction that the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion has never beaten him. Right now, he’s also the reigning SETUP 24/7 Champion, a title he’s been working overtime to elevate.

Jake’s résumé reads like a Southeast Asian wrestling history book—time limit draws with Zack Sabre Jr., appearances around the globe, and matches in iconic venues like Tokyo’s famed Korakuen Hall.

So what does that mean for Ares?

Quite simply, the “Unstoppable Force” has never faced anyone with the complete skill set and ring IQ that the Filipino Fighting Rooster brings to the table. Jake is a master technician, equally comfortable with catch wrestling, high-flying offense, and psychological warfare. The Real Global Threat’s Filipino representative is a dangerous puzzle to solve.

But—and it’s a big but—this is a two-way street. Jake De Leon has also never faced anyone quite like Ares. The champion has smashed through opponents from Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, China, Australia, and even the UK. In his and Phuong Nam’s minds, why should the Philippines be any different?

That said, Pinoy wrestling is its own unique beast. You can bet that De Leon will be grinding it out in the Brawpit every night this week, sharpening every weapon in his arsenal. He’s not just carrying a title belt into this match—he’s carrying the pride of an entire nation.

SEA Wrestling prediction: Too close to call. These are two of our favorites, and we’re not picking sides in this one.

Main Event: VPW 25-Man Over the Top Rumble – Sure Shot Title Contract

First, the prize: the winner gets the Sure Shot Contract—a guaranteed title match of their choosing, any time, anywhere. It’s the biggest opportunity in VPW, and history says it changes careers. The last three winners? All went on to become VPW Openweight Champion in quick succession.

But before anyone raises that contract high, they’ll have to survive 24 other hungry wrestlers in VPW’s most chaotic battlefield. Here’s who we know is confirmed:

• Khoa Truong – The skilled young veteran is still searching for direction after his fiery feud with The British Horror last year. Fresh off a strong showing in Da Nang as part of Team VPW, this could be the year he breaks out of the pack.
  
  

• KPY – Two recent losses haven’t slowed his momentum—if anything, he’s leveled up since leaving Vortex Rebellion. Faster, stronger, sharper, and with two years of Rumble experience, he’s a real contender.
  
  

• Hy Draco – Last year’s Rumble winner. Many legends have gone back-to-back in this match type—Hy Draco has the skills to join them. But will he be more focused on settling scores than securing the Sure Shot?
  
  

• Rocky Huynh – New name, new music, new jacket, new attitude. Could the 2023 winner strike gold again? He’s got the pedigree but also a massive target on his back after alienating more than a few in the locker room.
  
  

• Rensho & Dokuga (Venom Shank) – The chaos merchants of VPW. Expect mist, mayhem, and mischief. Keep your head on a swivel—or keep it down entirely.
  
  

• Miles Karu – “The Lyrical Lightning” returns, claiming Malaysian wrestling—and Malaysian fans—are superior to Vietnam’s. Some of his countrymen disagree, calling this a personal vendetta after his humiliation at the last show.
  
  

• Jake De Leon – If the Filipino Fighting Rooster falls short in his Openweight Title match earlier in the night, he’s promised to enter the Rumble. The big question: will there be enough of him left to compete?
  
  

• Phuong Tran – The former Openweight Champion is back after a long absence and will be looking to make a statement.
  
  

• Damien Wolfe – The inaugural Rumble winner. Ruthless, calculating, and willing to smash friendships to grab gold.
  
  

• Henry – The hungry newcomer has been firing on all cylinders for 12 months. His “Black Bullet” offense could be his ticket to glory.
  
  

• An D – One of VPW’s originals. Just returned and already making noise. Winning this would put him right back in the mix.
  
  

• D. Austin – VPW’s resident giant. In a match where size can dominate, Austin’s sheer mass will be hard to deal with.
  
  

That’s 13 confirmed names. But in a Rumble, surprise entries can change everything. Possible entrants include:

• The Classic Night – If they lose the Tag Title match, expect them to pull double duty.
  
  

• Kira & Xumin Long – Likely to enter just to sabotage KPY and An D.
  
  

• Sid Nguyen – Aggressive, technical, and more dangerous than ever.
  
  

• Da Butcheman – Brutality personified—if he decides to lace up again.
  
  

• Xavier Patricks – A Rumble mainstay who snagged his first elimination last year.
  
  

• Phuong Nam – Says he’s retired… but Rumble night has a way of changing minds.
  
  

• Wonderboy – If Karu’s here, his partner-in-chaos might not be far behind.
  
  

• A new VPW graduate – Past Rumbles have been launching pads for new talent. Could history repeat?
  
  

• Fabio Makisig – Pinoy veteran who’s expressed interest in facing Rocky Huynh.
  
  

• Ares – The champ himself. Last year, he nearly won it all despite defending his title earlier in the night.
  
  

Even with that list, we’re still one short—leaving room for a mystery entrant. That’s part of what makes this the most unpredictable Rumble in Southeast Asian wrestling history.

SEA Wrestling Predictions: Too many wild cards to pick just one. Our three favorites: KPY, An D, and Sid Nguyen.

If you want to see history made, don’t just read about it—be there. A few tickets remain. And if you spot SEA Wrestling front row and slightly off-center, come say hi.

We promise you there’s no night out quite like Vietnam Pro Wrestling in Ho Chi Minh City.