VPW The Rumble Results: Da Butcherman Wins Vietnam Title, Yota Tsuji Offers Ares NJPW Dojo Spot

Vietnam Pro Wrestling: The Rumble Results

At the end of last night, "The Founder" Rocky Huynh, the first Vietnamese born wrestler, asked me to define the night in one word. That word was "unforgettable". With less of a haze on my mind I might have used "era defining", "monumental", "pride", "passion" or even "perfection".

The Rumble, which took place last night, 22 August 2026, really was one of the most unforgettable shows in VPW history. Not just for an excellent show of in-ring action, not just for the new debuts and surprise appearances, and not just for the fact that IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji was there.

It was what he offered Ares: a New Japan Pro Wrestling Dojo spot. Ares accepted graciously, as the true champion he has been, before making his way out to celebrate with his fans and with his tear shedding peers. This is a journey he may well be taking alone, but the moment was shared with all of us who have supported the development of Ares into the world class wrestler he is, and VPW into one of the fastest growing wrestling organisations in the world today.

Results

Hy Draco defeated Miles Karu (with Da Butcherman) in an amazing, fast paced, action filled contest, using the elbow drop off the top to pin Karu.

An D defeated Hai Nguyen with one strike and a pinfall. Unsurprisingly, Hai Nguyen asked for a rematch and put on a highly competitive and technical bout with An D before once again being pinned, leaving An D 2 for 2.

Ares defeated Xiumin Long in an action packed, interference filled contest. After the bout, Xiumin Long attacked Ares with a metal tray. The stipulation was that Vortex Rebellion would disband if Ares won, so the faction is now finished, although it seems two of the three members may already have new journeys ahead.

The Rumble itself featured 25 entrants and came down to Ares and Da Butcherman, with Da Butcherman eliminating the VPW Vietnam Champion last to win the match. He immediately requested a rematch, low blowed Ares, and after a short contest hit the Meathook Suplex to win the VPW Vietnam Championship.

Highlights from the Rumble

• This was a very open playing field compared to previous years, with 25 entrants and no clear favourite going in.

• Four new VPW Academy debuts occurred: Darren Tran, Flying Felix, Ba Tu and Charli Chang. Tran, Felix and Ba Tu started the match, with Tran and Felix eliminating Ba Tu before Felix turned on his friend Darren Tran.

• Charli Chang made her in-ring debut as the first VPW homegrown female wrestler. She told me her ring outfit was designed by the same costume designer who produces Chelsea Marie's outfits, and possibly those of other Filipina wrestlers.

• Kylie Devyn, a Russian wrestler best known for her work with the Independent Wrestling Federation in Moscow, was the other female entrant in the match. She has previously worked for Sunny Z's PSE Asia promotion.

• X-Pat and Phuong Nam allied again to take on the female wrestlers but did not fare well, and despite protesting that they were feminists, both were eliminated quickly.

• Henry returned to in-ring action after a long spell away and immediately low blowed his tag partner Khoa Truong, ending their strained friendship.

• Henry then looked to form an alliance with Kira. Speculation: the two would make an interesting future tag team.

• Xiumin Long and Jimmy AG teamed up in a heel alliance to dominate the field until Ares came out. Speculation: this could be a new version of The Mystic Warriors, set to dominate the tag division in the coming months.

• Phong Tran made his return but ended up once again trapped under a chair and assaulted by Juicy Meat. He also used his Popstar outfit and music rather than VTX.

• Surprisingly, Damien Wolfe was absent from the Rumble.

Following the title change, Yota Tsuji marched down to the ring and offered the dojo spot to Ares to send the fans home.

The next VPW main show will be on 24 October. It is not yet confirmed when Ares will report to the dojo, as he has been announced for SETUP's show next week. He may also be fulfilling dates for VPW and possibly SPW in November.