A Night At Sukeban

Sukeban World Championship Fight
May 19 • Hammerstein Ballroom • New York, NY
Show #79

Sometimes you go to a wrestling show that isn't entirely a wrestling show,

and Norman Reedus is chilling about four feet away from you, for some reason, and he's really into everything that's happening,

and the first joshi you ever met – actually, maybe the first wrestler you ever spoke to? – is the champion,

and the crowd is losing their minds over every move,

and someone you just saw bleed all over Death Vegas is here, as the only person not being repackaged under a different gimmick specific to the in-company universe Sukeban tries to present,

and when I say the crowd is losing their mind over every move, I mean every move, even a basic arm drag,

and Yuu may have retired in Japan, but "Crush Yuu" is still performing in Sukeban, and that makes you happy,

and there’s a surprise unannounced yo-yo performance, so when the guy behind you tries to start a "THIS IS WRESTLING" chant, you quietly appreciate it,

and Norman Reedus is taking more pictures than you are, which is kind of unnerving because that’s your thing,

and there’s a quick two song concert by Molly Santana,

and there are no work rate purists in the crowd,

and there’s a DJ playing loud techno throughout each match, but the match is not choreographed to it, so it's a bit like a New Jack match happening at a rave,

and the show ends after 75 minutes with little fanfare, just a giant low-speed brawl involving everyone who was on the card,

and that’s okay – not every show needs to run past midnight,

and besides, the vibes (sponsored by Nike) were immaculate.