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Chris Jericho’s career in and out of Japan has spanned four different decades. His unique ability to reinvent his wrestling persona and ad new in-ring tactics is unquestionably unrivaled, and in his exclusive interview with Monthly Puroresu, Jericho discusses the role Japan played at different stages in his career. From “Lionheart” Jericho to Alpha vs. Omega and his “Greatest Hit” with Hiroshi Tanahashi and the coming of The Painmaker – read our unfiltered discussion for the first time in print for our Fall Edition exclusive.

STARDOM may be the hottest promotion going, but outside of the title picture, storyline drama seems to get lost in the hype – especially from a Western fan’s perspective, where social media is critical to following along. Senior Writer Trent Breward examines the non-linear storytelling of STARDOM, and puts a looking glass to the types of lower card matches joshi fans want more build around. And over in TJPW, we take a look at how their pillars are slowly falling to the young talent filling the ranks and producing a joshi alternative with a growing, fervent fan base.

If you blinked, you might have missed a new AJPW Jr. Heavyweight Champion was crowned. We look at the rise and incredible talent of ATSUKI AOYAGI, who defeated Tiger Mask at the promotion’s 50th Anniversary event.  And NJPW has its cornerstones in their title picture, with new and  returning foreign talent gunning for a prominent spot  in Japan. JONAH has been a highlight reel example of how western-trained talent can make a real impact on the IWGP title scene, and we like him to help re-establish the NEVER Openweight Title picture.

In our NOTES FROM THE UNDERGROUND feature, you can hear straight from the wrestlers chopping it up in Actwres girl’Z, PW Secret Base, New Japan STRONG and Pure J. And for fans who stream puro, we’ve added another 5 Cult Classic Matches you won’t want to miss.

The historical influences of Catch Wrestling on Puroresu has been expertly traced by author and historian Steven Bell, who retraces the footsteps of Karl Gotch and Billy Robinson all the way back to their origins: THE SNAKE PIT.