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The South
The opening camera shot is of Dunedin, South Island New Zealand. A.J. Visage, a returning student, is describing his home town of Dunedin and comparing it to South Auckland.
The scene shifts back to the NZ Dojo House in South Auckland. They show Mitch Shoemaker in the Dojo House, a new recruit from Australia. Jake Taylor speaks on the rules of the Dojo House. Lights out by 11 pm each night. Cleaning must be done by 10 pm. Everyone out of bed by 6:55 am. Cleaning begins at 7 am.
Back to A.J. Visage, who explains of his admiration of Fale-san, and how the community of the Dojo has influenced him. He wanted a life experience and wanted to know if wrestling would be for him. A.J. says that he finished college and wanted a break from studies. He wanted to evaluate what he wanted in life. He says his family and friends were nervous and excited for his choice to join the Fale Dojo.
Jake Taylor explains some simple respectful phrases when everyone is ready to eat, everyone says "Itadakimasu!" After a meal, everyone says "Gochisousama deshita!" You even announce to all when you are taking a bath. Taylor explains these are the customs and proper etiquette in Japan. If any recruit gets sent to Japan, they want the transition to be seamless.
Visage explains that everyone is learning how to live together and find out who they are. Each brings new experiences to share with everyone. He has learned to appreciate himself and that he is willing to listen to others. The Dojo reinforces simple life lessons to be successful in the world
Missed a Spot
Back at the Dojo, Toks Fale and Mark Tui are addressing the recruits. Fale tells them there are things they are not doing. Mark explains that the recruits missed some dirty spots on the reception counter at the Dojo. The recruits immediately start cleaning the dirty areas. Tui reminds the senior recruits that they have to be on the younger ones to not make these mistakes. Fale tells them that since they missed that spot, Mark will have a surprise for them.
The Tire
Mark tells them that instead of a run, they will carry a large tire around South Auckland. The recruits will have to use teamwork to carry the tire. The recruits drag a giant tire out of the Dojo. It takes four of them to pick it up. Fale says it is about accountability. If one person makes a mistake, everyone suffers. In a wrestling match, you cannot make a mistake and walk away, because everyone suffers. Four recruits lift the tire above their heads. The other recruits must follow and relieve one who gets tired. The recruits who are not carrying the tire must follow by piggy backing another recruit. They cannot drop the tire because they will start over. The recruits walk with the tire all around the town of South Auckland.
Every Little Move you Make
Tony Kozina and Mark Tui follow in a car. Toks Fale walks behind the group. Kozina gets out of the car and rips into Lloyd Morgan for not performing. Kozina tells Morgan to carry another recruit for the rest of the exercise. Kozina continues to give his critique of Morgan who he feels is under performing and taking shortcuts.
A.J. Visage is interviewed again and he says sometimes there is too much testosterone among the group. He says the training is tough but he is in the best shape of this life. He is learning resiliency in this Dojo. He describes himself as running athlete, not a body builder.
Kozina speaks on the lack of discipline, but everyone is welcome to the school. He says on the Independent wrestling scene, it is "play time" for young wrestlers. He says you have to put in the work and be honest with yourself. It is time to "Man Up" and grow up. He says you cannot take shortcuts in a wrestling match. You could put someone in a wheelchair or end up dead. Kozina takes note of the citizens in South Auckland watching them train and carrying a tire. Kozina says they must think we are crazy.
Visage continues saying that if you want to be a wrestler, you need to do it with the right people. He says the coaches have told him how many recruits lose their way, because they do not get the right training. He continues to say that the conditioning exercises were his favorite part of training. He said it was so hard, but felt like he shined in those exercises.
Mark Tui makes them drop the tire on the sidewalk and tells them to do 30 burpees (type of exercise). Cars are passing as they do their burpees.
Visage continues to speak on the differences in how people handle adversity. Some keep they heads down and be reserved. Some will be loud and boisterous. He mentions "letting your voice out" (Lion's roar). He said he used to confuse this roar with arrogance and cockiness. He describes himself as a reserved person, so he is learning to release his voice and just let it out.
Fale continues to explain this tire exercise by saying this builds teamwork and community. If they all work together, then they can accomplish a lot. He says through these exercises they all can see who are not cut for it, who are willing to do the work, and who are willing to be leaders. If everyone works together and share the load, then it will be easy.
Richard Mulu was struggling. Jake Taylor speaks up and tells the group that Richard is struggling, but we are all struggling. He motivates everyone to get back into position and lift the tire and continue the training.
Lloyd's Push
The recruits end at a park. Lloyd Morgan is trailing far behind. Mark Tui and Fale watch as they recruits leave the tire and run towards Lloyd to motivate him for the final few steps.
Motivation
Mark Tui tells the men that his motivation is his son. He said he left his "9 - 5" job to pursue this career. He is motivated to be the best for his son. He tells each of them to find their motivation and asks what is going to motivate them. They recruits get on their knees and do grappling exercises in the grass. Jake Taylor is explaining to his partner how to get out of grapple hold. Fale corrects Taylor and says to just let him do it.
Dan Peru shows off his grappling skills on the grass with several recruits.
Life Retreats
A.J. Visage says that his least favorite part of the training is being in the spotlight. He would rather be a part of the group and help lift everyone up. He says that he may not want to be a wrestler but he would like to be a referee or in the management aspect of pro wrestling. He would like to finish his health degree in school, then perhaps become a medical professional for New Japan, with part-time refereeing on the side.
Visage said that this Dojo was advertised as a "life retreat". He says that coming to the Fale Dojo was important to him to get his mind away from the day to day life. With everything shut down due to the pandemic, he felt it was important to get a perspective on his life.
The recruits return to the Dojo and clean the tire and do more cleaning.
Chanko Nabe
Back at the Dojo House, Fale explains Chanko Nabe, which is a special meal prepared in Japan. The ingredients include fish, chicken or pork, with lots vegetables. It is like a stew. Usually the recruits will learn how to make this dish. However, on this day, Fale brings a professional chef to cook the Chanko Nabe. Fale explains that this is what the pro wrestlers in Japan eat, this is what Sumo wrestlers eat, so his students will learn to eat this as well.
Andrew Villalobos takes a bowl of Chanko Nabe and compliments the chef. Villalobos says "Sugoi", which means "wow" or "amazing" in Japanese.
Trainers:
Toks Fale
Tony Kozina
Mark Tui
Tangi Ropati
Recruits:
Tumanako “T” Te’i (new)
Perenise “Eli” Taito (new)
Warren Walters (new)
Will “Southside” Averil (Returning student)
Dan Peru (Returning student)
Michael Richards (Young lion)
AJ Visage (Returning student)
Lloyd Morgan (Returning student)
Richard Mulu (Returning student)
Andrew “A.V.” Villalobos (Young lion)
Jake Taylor (Young lion)
Sebastian Matters (Returning student)
Tim Hayden (new)
Mitch Shoemaker (new)
My review:
There was no ring to be seen in this episode, yet again, which was great. Fale, Kozina and Tui are building character. Not a wrestling gimmick, but men who can work together to solve problems as a team. The three of them really work well together and compliment each other well. There is no slacking off for the recruits when these three men are watching.
A.J. Visage had a perspective of the Fale Dojo which was unique. He did not want to be wrestling star like Michael Richards or Jake Taylor desire to be. He knew what he wanted to do and what his limitations were. He was still interested in the wrestling business and hopes to be a referee or be in wrestling management. The Fale Dojo has taught him the value of teamwork and that being a piece of the complete puzzle is just as important as the one who holds all the glory. Pairing Visage's story with the Tire exercise was a great comparison.
Michael Richards and Jake Taylor are the senior leaders of the group. Andrew Villalobos and Dan Peru are close behind them.
When looking at Full Sail University and NXT (back when Triple H was in charge), they were preparing many people for different roles, from wrestlers to announcers to commentators to producers to referees. Toks Fale is doing the same thing, with a tiny budget and less resources. Thankfully, he has the trust of New Japan Pro Wrestling to share this story. What Fale is doing is not just preparing the next generation of wrestlers, but he is developing strong independent human beings who can handle anything in life
Please check out New Japan World and http://www.njpwworld.com, to see this documentary.
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