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Five promotions that need their own wrestling video games

By Michael Mordenga

TOKYO, JAPAN - APRIL 29: Mei Suruga and AZM compete during the Women's Pro-Wrestling "Stardom" - Cinderella Tournament Final at Ota City General Gymnasium on April 29, 2022 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)
TOKYO, JAPAN - APRIL 29: Mei Suruga and AZM compete during the Women's Pro-Wrestling "Stardom" - Cinderella Tournament Final at Ota City General Gymnasium on April 29, 2022 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images) /
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Wrestling video games are usually reserved for multi-million dollar promotions that are owned by media moguls. WWE, AEW, and NJPW will always be the choice for gamers. While we can always rely on them coming out with a game here are some promotions that need their own wrestling video games.

5. Impact Wrestling

Wait a minute…didn’t these guys already get a game? Yes, they did, but I doubt any wrestling company would be content with their wrestling video games from 2008. When Impact was TNA they came out with an arcade-y and lackluster game that faded into obscurity (the three-dollar bin). Impact is a brand new company that is trying less to imitate the big boys and carving out a safe haven for the future of indie stars. This needs to be recognized by the game companies that make competent wrestling games.

Roster: Petey Williams, Joshua Alexander, Deanna Purrazzo, Su Young, Moose, Speedball Mike, Ace Austin

4. Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW)

This would definitely be an M-rated game as CZW loves its death matches and coarse language. CZW was the spiritual ECW successor before GCW hit the streams. From their Cage of Death match to their inter-gender matches, CZW would be a rowdy time for adults who love wrestling games. Imagine how many light tubes you could crack over your opponent’s skull to get a win.

Roster: Nick Gage, Ruckus, Lio Rush, KC Navarro, Joey Janela

3. Major League Wrestling (MLW)

MLW is always inches away from being in the mainstream spotlight. They put on some of the best authentic wrestling events and their talent is the best mix of Lucha, hardcore, and technical. I am positive that if MLW fought for a game there would be enough meat on the bone to give hardcore wrestling gamers everything they want. MLW would definitely be the go-to place for cruiserweight and middleweight wrestling.

Roster:  Alex Hammerstone, Jacob Fatu, Taya Valkyrie, Holidead, Davey Richards, Bandito, Myron Reed, Ashley Vox, Delmi Exo, Octagon Jr.

2. Kaiju Big Battel

Seeing a Kaiju event is like witnessing Bigfoot in the wilderness: it is beautiful and rare. Men and women dress up in monster costumes and slam their opponents into cardboard buildings. It is my fifth-grade fantasy come true. Technically, Kaiju Big Battel came out with a retro RPG game on Steam, but they do not have anything as glorious as a fighting game. This is free money on the table. All the fantasy of monsters with all the gameplay of wrestling.

Roster: Uchu Chu, Hell Monkey, American Beetle, Dr. Cube, Atomic Trooper Robo, Unicorn Party

1. Gatoh Move

A handful of Japanese wrestlers (mostly female) meet in a rec area and perform wrestling matches on a foam mat. Gatoh Move is cute, creative, and flavorful despite having the lowest budget of all wrestling promotions. This is not some amateur hour that has a cult Youtube following, Gatoh Move has had some champions perform on AEW. Gatoh Move created a genre of pro wrestling that seems as chill as a Summer day playing cornhole.

Roster: Mei Suruga, Lulu Pencil, Emi Sakura, Baliyan Akki

Honorable Mention:    DDT Pro Wrestling (Dramatic Dream Team) is the 2nd choice for Japanese wrestling. This group is more of a parody of mainstream wrestling with a sprinkling of Japanese strong style. I would love to see a game of DDT’s roster with some Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestlers thrown in. DDT relies on slapstick humor and weird spots involving mooning other wrestlers so I don’t know how this would incorporate into wrestling video games.

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