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TONS OF SUKEBAN NEWS AND NOTES COMING OUT OF NYC DEBUT EVENT

The new Sukeban promotion held their first event last night in New York City and to say it was a rousing success would be accurate.  The promotion intended for the entire show to have a different feel and atmosphere from anything else in the United States and accomplished that, putting together a 2 and a half hour experience that featured one hour with the audience inside what amounted to a Japanese fair setting with free food, beer, sake, soda and water as well as all sorts of candy and snacks that were emblazoned with the promotion's logo, stands and a neon sign designed as photo backdrops with a live DJ playing music before the fans were allowed into the arena, which was set up similar to Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in Tokyo, right down to Sukeban branded pillows for fans to sit on at each level - which the fans got to take home after.

The promotion's debut felt more like a launch event for a women's lifestyle brand than just a pro wrestling show, but once it become time for the wrestling, it was all entertaining all the way through, with the joshi talents all billed under unique names for the promotion (so they had trademarks, obviously) with original costuming, hair, makeup, nails, etc. done from those in the Hollywood realm, giving everything a different feel.  You could see the potential idea here being to brand themselves similar to anime with the idea of licensing everything for fans who pride themselves on their love of the property.

The event streamed live on TikTok, which was chosen as a platform to appeal to and attract a younger demographic.  The show is not currently available for VOD and we have not been able to ascertain whether it will be later on.  A lot of money and effort was obviously put into production for the event.

The promotion also sold really high end looking posters, hoodies, shirts and Tote bags featuring the Sukeban logo as well as the logos of the different factions.  They have put most of that merchandise on sale at this link with the posters being the lone exception thus far.

The one place where they lost potential revenue was not selling meet and greets/autographs and photos with the talents from Japan, because when the show was over, there was a sizable group of fans who returned to the fair area, waiting and willing to spend more money.  Hopefully, they realize that, because Bull Nakano alone had fans waiting and would have had a long line.

We are told there were 60 people total who flew in from Japan for the event.

Speedball Mike Bailey worked as a producer for the show.

AEW's Emi Sakura was at the event visiting.

The legendary Vladimir the Superfan and Ringside Charlie were sitting front row.

The even more legendary Itsuki Yamazaki of the Jumping Bomb Angels was also visiting at the show.  She has lived in NYC for many years now and has a restaurant in the city.

Veda Scott, who did commentary for last night's show along with NYC's own Sam Leterna, tweeted:

The promotion had around 750-850 in attendance for the first event and likely could have filled more if they ran a larger venue.  The original idea was to run somewhere far larger, but it was later decided to go with Capitale because it would easier to "build" production-wise with lighting and atmosphere.  The idea became to keep some mystique about the promotion and that less would mean more.  We are told there were a lot of guests from the NYC cultural circles and influencer types as the idea was to create buzz in a different way outside of your normal professional wrestling circles.

There was a huge pop and legitimate excitement where KONAMI appeared as a surprise performer.

Bull Nakano will be back regularly as the promotion's Commissioner.

Eric Sturrock sent word that Unagi "Ichigo" Sayaka stated that the next event would be this December in Miami, Florida.  We are told that is certainly a possibility that was discussed but that nothing was set in stone yet.  Los Angeles and Chicago were bouncing around as potential cities down the line after the NYC event.

Sukeban's next show is slated to feature Sayaka vs. Commander Nakajima to crown the first Sukeban Champion.

 

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