PWI Weekly for March 31, 2025
Around The World: The Graps Go La-La La-La-La
FORGET THE FAMILIAR roar of American arenas. In this edition of the PWI Weekly, we’re venturing further afield. From the spectacular lucha of Mexico, to the strong style of Japanese puroresu, via the mat mastery of Europe, international wrestling is a melting pot of magnificence. There is a vast amount of quality wrestling happening worldwide; in 2025, it’s never been easier to check it out. So, grab your passport and journey with us around the grappling globe. If you mostly stick to watching U.S. wrestling, we hope you find something here that interests you and encourages you to check out some international promotions.
TAG TEAM OF THE WEEK
Los Hermanos Chavez may not be a name on the tips of casual fans’ tongues, but the CMLL World tag team champions are one of the finest tandems in wrestling today. The pairing of Angel de Oro and Niebla Roja are now more than three years into their title reign, and, in a division as competitive as CMLL’s tag ranks, that’s no small accomplishment.
Their synergy, honed through familial bonds and years of shared experiences, makes Los Hermanos Chavez a formidable force in the ring. They blend classic lucha style with a modern, dynamic approach that captivates audiences and often leaves opponents a step behind. In 2024, we ranked the brothers at #11 on our annual “Tag Team 100” list. If they continue their winning ways, don’t be surprised to see them crack the top 10 in 2025.
While tag team wrestling might have taken a backseat stateside in recent years, Los Hermanos Chavez are a shining example of the artistry and excitement tandems can create. Right now, Mexico is home to one of the very best teams doing it.
SPOTLIGHT ON …
Aliss Ink is one of the most captivating and increasingly influential figures in European wrestling. With her unique blend of punk rock sensibilities and fierce in-ring presence, the Scandinavian star is quickly setting herself apart from her contemporaries in mainland Europe.
By way of appearances across various European promotions, as well as formative time in Japan, Ink has developed her hard-hitting style. The results speak for themselves, with a CV that includes reigns as BODYSLAM! Women’s champion, wXw Women’s champion, and SLAM Women’s champion. Beyond her technical prowess, however, Ink draws audiences in with her natural charisma and unapologetic attitude.
As the European women’s wrestling scene continues to flourish, Ink is one of its key players. Though she has yet to make a mark on the American scene, don’t be surprised if that happens before long. Her future in the industry looks incredibly promising.
A QUICK WORD ABOUT
When most Western fans talk about Japanese wrestling, the focus tends to be on the “big three” of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and All Japan Pro Wrestling. In recent years, joshi leagues like World Wonder Ring Stardom have arguably challenged those powerhouse promotions. Elsewhere, both Dragongate and DDT garner a fair amount of attention, as well. There is another promotion, however, that retains a cult following both in Japan and around the world—Big Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Renowned for its hardcore and deathmatch style, BJW offers a stark contrast to the more traditional puroresu offered by the aforementioned companies. To dismiss it as simply a deathmatch promotion does Big Japan a disservice, though. BJW has a reputation for cultivating young, dedicated talent and even boasts one of the top junior heavyweight divisions in wrestling.
This year, BJW celebrates 30 years in existence—a credit to the passion and dedication of its wrestlers, as well as its loyal fanbase.
FROM THE VAULT
Big Damo and Donovan Dijak both tasted success in NXT (as Killian Dain and Dominik Dijakovic). But today, they are two of the globe’s most sought-after independent grapplers. On February 2, 2025, the pair faced off at an Over The Top Wrestling show in Belfast, Northern Ireland—a show where PWI was on hand. The closely fought contest saw local lad Damo pick up the win and retain his OTT heavyweight championship.