Author: Padraig Fahy

  • [The Jukebox] #73 – Takeharu Ishimoto – Twister

    [The Jukebox] #73 – Takeharu Ishimoto – Twister

    In a much simpler time, 2007, Square-Enix released a new IP on the Nintendo DS, called The World Ends With You (TWEWY). An RPG utilising the DS’ bottom touch screen to move your character and using badges to unleash attacks such as fire, ice and other elements.

    The game was set in Tokyo’s suburb Shibuya, and while most of the landmarks were duplicated into the video game, some names of businesses being modified, like the infamous department store 109 becoming “104” and Starbucks becoming “Outback Cafe”.

    In the 2021 sequel, NEO: TWEWY, the game is once again set in Shibuya and this time it kept the names of Tower Records and Parco in the game. 104 and Outback retain their names from the first game.

    (Sidenote: While they share the names, Tower Records in Japan and Tower Records in Ireland operate independently from each other, but it would be so so SO nice if I could get some Japanese only music in the Irish stores. They have some Anime movies (Mainly Studio Ghibli titles) but it would be cool to get some pop/dance/OST)

    Twister while not the main theme, became synonymous with the franchise as it has been remixed many many times (25 times in fact) for battles, boss battles and final battles for the iOS Release, the Final Mix release, NEO: TWEWY release and the anime intro!


    Original 2007 Version
    2018 “Final Remix” Version
    2021 “NEO: TWEWY” Version
    2021 TWEWY Anime Intro Version 

    Lyrics:

    “Brain wave, main wave”
    Psycho got a high kick
    Collect and select
    Show me your best set
    “Crystals, blisters”
    It’s all over now
    Psycho cane
    You’re so keen
    I need more candy canes
    “Cold cake, cold break”
    Freak got a high kick
    Mr. Twister
    Moist with roistering
    Stick it up
    Take it up
    Step aside and see the world
    Effect has defects
    “Take a bow to the moon (Bow-wow to the moon)”
    “Brain wave, main wave”
    Psycho got a high kick
    Collect and select
    Show me your best set
    “Crystals, blisters”
    It’s all over now
    Psycho cane
    You’re so keen
    I need more candy canes
    “Cold cake, cold break”
    Freak got a high kick
    Mr. Twister
    Moist with roistering
    Stick it up
    Take it up
    Step aside and see the world
    Effect has defects
    “Take a bow to the moon (Bow-wow to the moon)”
    “Morning rays, hairspray Queens”
    “Get on their way to their nests, the west”
    “Honest, they once had a dream”
    “Belles of society, in the shells of their unity”
    Cornet ‘n spinet
    “The sound flows, follows till they’re home”
    Dragged by the power of dreams
    That power is yet unknown
    “Morning rays, hairspray Queens”
    “Get on their way to their nests, the west”
    “Honest, they once had a dream”
    “Belles of society, in the shells of their unity”
    Cornet ‘n spinet
    “The sound flows, follows till they’re home”
    Dragged by the power of dreams
    That power is yet unknown

  • WWE Wrestlemania 38 Night 2 PPV Predictions

    WWE Wrestlemania 38 Night 2 PPV Predictions

    It’s Night 2 of Wrestlemania 38 and here are my predictions for the most stupendous Wrestlemania Sunday of all time

    (I am doing this late, so just my predictions)

    Non-Title Matches

    • Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston vs. Sheamus & Ridge Holland

    See my post from yesterday with my prediction. It was cut from the card due to time constraints.

    • Johnny Knoxville vs. Sami Zayn (Anything Goes Match)

    Johnny Knoxville to win!

    • Pat McAfee vs. Austin Theory

    Pat McAfee to win!

    • Bobby Lashley vs. Omos

    Bobby Lashley to win!

    • Edge vs. AJ Styles

    Edge to win!

    Title Matches

    • RK-Bro (C) vs. The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy in a Triple Threat for the RAW Tag Team Championships

    The Street Profits to become the NEW RAW Tag Team Champions

    • Queen Zelina & Carmella (C) vs. Sasha Banks & Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan vs. Natalya & Shayna Baszler in a Fatal 4-Way for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship

    Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan to become the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions

    • WWE Champion Brock Lesnar (C) vs Universal Champion Roman Reigns (C) in a Winner Take All Championship Unification Match.

    Brock Lesnar to become both WWE and Universal Champion.

  • WWE Wrestlemania 38 Night 1 PPV Predictions

    WWE Wrestlemania 38 Night 1 PPV Predictions

    The most stupendous 2 night event, Wrestlemania, WWE’s flagship Pay-Per-View takes places this weekend from the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

    This will be the 2nd time that WWE will hold the event over 2 nights. Wrestlemania 37 last year, the first PPV with a crowd since March 2020 really solidified that you don’t have to have a 6 hour PPV (Looking at you Wrestlemania 35)

    As there is going to be a lot of matches on the card for tonight, I will keep the predictions concise.

    Note: At time of writing, these matches are scheduled to happen tonight, matches may not happen, competitors may change and matches may have moved to tomorrow


    UPDATE:

    • Seth Rollins vs ???

    Well, this has been confirmed in the last few mins (at 5:30pm IST on 2nd April 2022) It’s quite obvious that the person that is going to face Seth is Cody Rhodes.

    I can see Cody winning his return match at Mania. Should be a fun one.

    Non-Title Matches

    • King Woods & Kofi Kingston vs Sheamus & Ridge Holland

    The small stable that Sheamus has with Ridge Holland and B U T C H (fka. Pete Dunne) has really grown on me since the introduction of B U T C H and them being the heels, I can see them taking the victory from Woods and Kofi.

    There is nothing at stake if Kofi and Woods lose so hopefully the heels go over here.

    Sheamus & Ridge Holland to win.

    • Drew McIntyre vs Happy Corbin

    This hasn’t been the best build for these. It feels like that we have seen this match, plenty of times. I could see Madcap Moss turning on Corbin which will cost him this match.

    Drew needs to get back into the title picture as him floundering around in the mid-card is not doing him any favours.

    Drew to win.

    • Rey & Dominik Mysterio vs The Miz & Logan Paul

    I hate this feud. This is nothing more than to make Logan Paul look good here and as much as I despise him, I suppose he’ll do as a competitor here. I would like to see Ray & Dom win this but there is no reason for them to do so.

    The Miz & Logan Paul to win…

    • “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to ‘confront’ Kevin Owens

    I don’t see this becoming a match, but more so a brawl to build up to another PPV… perhaps Summerslam and then have the two face off. If they do a match, Stone Cold to win. But I see this as a fun closure of Night 1 regardless of what happens.

    Title Matches

    • The Usos (C) vs Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship

    I like Shin & Boogs but the story isn’t about them, it’s about the Usos and whether they can ‘do the job’ and keep the titles in the Bloodline. I feel a shake up coming with the Usos is coming but not yet… Perhaps at BackLash or another PPV but for now The Usos to retain.

    • Becky Lynch (C) vs Bianca Belair for the RAW Women’s Championship

    As much as I adore Becky for being an Irish badass, you can’t look past the fact that Bianca is here and is here to get revenge for the Summerslam loss.

    I’m torn though, Becky would be untouchable if she can retain the title, but then questions would need to be answered about Bianca… If she can’t beat Becky, what is the point of her being there? Is she going to admit defeat or are we going to go for another match down the line at Summerslam and then let her have the big moment then?

    Becky Lynch to retain!

    • Charlotte Flair (C) vs Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women’s Championship

    Well, there is nothing much to say about this. Take the title off Charlotte and give it back to her later in the year to pad the number up again. A great excuse for Ronda to get that big Wrestlemania moment that she didn’t get at Wrestlemania 35.

    Her running rampant in the SmackDown’s Women’s locker room will keep her tied over until some big returns like Asuka and Bayley happen and then have a big match at Summerslam.

    Ronda to win the championship.

  • NXT Stand & Deliver PPV 2022 Predictions

    NXT Stand & Deliver PPV 2022 Predictions

    After a 17-month hiatus, I am proud to announce that I am back to doing WWE and AEW PPV Predictions.

    This is my predictions for  NXT TakeOver Stand & Deliver PPV 2022.

    Non-Title Matches

    • Tommaso Ciampa vs Tony D’Angelo

    This looks to be the very end of Tommaso’s run in NXT. He has outlived pretty much everyone on the roster and he has done everything that he could possibly do on the rainbow brand and I feel that his time to go to the main roster is well overdue.

    Giving the rub to Tony D 🤌is the right way to tie a nice little bow on this chapter of his professional wrestling career.

    I don’t see Ciampa leaving WWE at all, but I hope to see him full time on the main roster after this weekend and hopefully be in the upper card and gunning for the world title.

    Tony D’Angelo to win.

    • LA Knight vs Gunther

    This is a difficult one to call. Gunter has been in WWE for a few years now and LA Knight has been shooting up in terms of becoming a main event star and I could see him coming along with Tommaso to the main roster and being a great guy on the mic.

    Gunther (And the rest of IMPERIUM) could go to the main roster as well to mix things up and become a dominant force on RAW/SmackDown because I feel that they have done everything already by being in NXT and NXT UK. Gunther had that long NXT UK Championship reign and I don’t see him going after the NXT Championship any time soon, so bring them all up.

    This would be a great match none-the-less and I hope that Gunther wins.

    Title Matches

    • Toxic Attraction (C) vs Raquel Gonzalez & Dakota Kai for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship.

    It was a bit jarring this week when Raquel and Dakota came back together as a tag team, but going into this match and looking at this, it’s quite obvious that Raquel’s and Dakota’s time on NXT is coming to an end. Being on the main roster would be a great addition.

    Both have been great and just like Ciampa, Kai has been in NXT since late 2015 (Signing a contract in late 2016). And with Raquel being as impressive as she has been in the last couple of years, it’s great if the likes of them were rewarded by coming to the main roster.

    They would make a great dent in the WWE Women’s Tag Team scene which is in desperate need of saving. There is no reason for Toxic to lose the titles at this stage. I feel that they can go all the way to <summer ppv event> with the titles…  

    Toxic Attraction to retain the titles.

    • IMPERIUM (C) vs The Creed Brothers vs MSK in a Triple Threat for the NXT Tag Team Championships

    As I have said previously about Gunther, IMPERIUM’s time in NXT is pretty much done. They have had a great run and would be nice to see them being the monster heels on the main roster. They have been great in NXT and NXT UK and would fit in great.

    The Creed Brothers have really grown on me since the Dusty Cup and would be fitting for them to be the new champions. MSK don’t need the titles as they are a charismatic duo that can stand on their own feet without the title.

    I don’t see MSK moving up just yet and for now they could be in a great programme with Creed Bros, the lumberjack dudes (Josh Briggs and his friend)  and perhaps Jacket Time.

    The Creed Brothers to become champions.

    • Carmelo Hayes (C) vs Santos Escobar vs Solo Sikoa vs Grayson Waller vs Cameron Grimes in a Ladder Match for the NXT North American Championship

    This is probably going to be the most fun match of the night. Every time NXT does a ladder match for the title, it is always a blast! This is a harder match to predict given that you have so many men but also so many great opportunities. Through shenanigans, I can see a screwy finish quite easily and given their recent actions, my money would be on Santos Escobar.

    He seems to have been lost in the shuffle ever since losing the NXT Cruiserweight Championship to Carmelo Hayes. Solo and Grayson have only come onto the scene and while I could see a programme between Grayson and Santos, it would leave Solo hanging around in the mid-card.

    For Cameron, I think he is ready for the main roster, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t win it. I would like to see Carmelo retain it until the summer PPV event.

    Santos to win the title if Carmelo doesn’t retain.

    • Mandy Rose (C) vs Cora Jade vs Io Shirai vs Kay Lee Ray in a Fatal 4-Way for the NXT Women’s Championship

    One thing for sure about the NXT Women’s Division, it is STACKED. There is so much great female talent and this has been showcased with the arrival of Mandy Rose from RAW/SD, KLR from NXT UK and Io being well… Io!  

    This has been a great feud. Unfortunately, I don’t think we are going see Toxic Attraction leave with all 3 belts. Mandy (in my opinion) is going to lose the Championship. She has been great as a champion, but I feel that the cowardly heel is not going to help. There may be some interference from Gigi and Jaycie but it won’t work to her advantage.

    Since October (Halloween Havoc), Mandy has only defended the title twice and it was against Cora Jade and Kay Lee Ray. But I feel that Cora could be the one to get the title. There has been a lot of hype around Cora Jade as of late and while I also like the idea of Kay Lee Ray becoming champion, I don’t think it’s time for her reign yet.

    If they don’t put the title onto Io, I would not be surprised if she is moved to the main roster soon afterwards. She has done a lot on the brand I feel that her time could be up. As for Mandy, I see her staying in NXT with TA but I don’t see her or the others moving up to the main roster any time soon.

    Cora Jade to win the NXT Women’s Championship.

    • Dolph Ziggler (C) vs Bron Breakker for the NXT Championship.

    You would think that this is an easy one to predict. DZ goes down to Florida, gets the title and hot potato it back to Bron at Stand & Deliver. No. Not me.

    I think the show-off is sticking around for a while. He doesn’t need to go back to RAW full time… to do what? Be on Main Event and tag with Robert Roode? Let him stay in Florida for a bit, let him train up some of the guys down there and while that is happening, let him hold that title.

    Plus, I would expect some shenanigans from Robert Roode at some stage in the match.

    Bron is great and don’t get me wrong, he could well be on the main roster by Monday night, but that would be pulling the trigger too soon. WWE should hold off until at least later this year, but ideally this time next year.

    Bron still needs a bit of work on promos in my opinion and a bit more experience in ring. 2022 is going to be a good year for Bron if he can keep up his training and the development of his character. For now:

    Dolph Ziggler to retain the NXT Championship.

  • [The JukeBox] #72 – ‘Bad Boy’ (Razor Ramon) – Jim Johnston

    [The JukeBox] #72 – ‘Bad Boy’ (Razor Ramon) – Jim Johnston

    “In my lifetime I have learned that hard work pays off, dreams come true. Bad times don’t last, but bad guys do.”  ~ Scott Hall

    When someone says the phrase ‘Wrestling Legend’, a few names are often mentioned. Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Kurt Angle, Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.

    Last week, one of those legends left us as Scott Hall passed away at the age of 63.

    Scott was a former:

    • 4 x WWE Intercontinental Champion lasting 437 days
    • 7 x WCW World Tag Team Champion lasting 571 days
    • 2 x WCW United States Champion lasting 66 days
    • WCW World Television Champion lasting 8 days
    • AWA World Tag Team Champion lasting 119 days
    • IMPACT World Tag Team Champion lasting 41 days
    • 2 x WWE Hall of Famer (Single Career 2014, Part of nWo in 2020)

    He was also be in the infamous wrestling stable, New World Order in WCW when him and Kevin Nash joined Hulk Hogan which formed the catalyst for the infamous Monday Night Wars between WCW and WWF.

    Razor Ramon theme 
    New World Order theme
  • [The JukeBox] #71 – Miki Matsubara – Stay with Me

    [The JukeBox] #71 – Miki Matsubara – Stay with Me

    Back in 1979, a few days from her 20th birthday, Miki Matsubara released her debut single Mayonaka no Door (Stay With Me) under the Pony Canyon label but this wasn’t her first foray into music.

    Matsubara’s mother was in a jazz band called the ‘Crazy Cats’ and while attending school, Matsubara was in the rock band ‘Kurei’ and played the keyboard.’

    Stay With Me released on November 5th 1979 and it’s reached 28th on the Oricon charts. Matsubara would have continued success during her music career but Stay With Me is considered her best work.

    In the 90’s, Matsubara worked on music for anime’s and commercials in Japan, most notably for Gundam

    At the end of 2000, Miki Matsubara would inform her friends and colleagues to let her know that she could no longer continue her music career.

    It was revealed that Miki Matsubara had a late diagnosis of uterine cervix cancer. Matsubara would battle the cancer for the last few years of her life. Matsubara died on October 7th 2004 at the age of 44.

    Her music would live on in the great city pop resurgence of the 2010s when her song ‘Stay With Me’ would become a staple of the subgenre alongside Plastic Love.

    The song would get another huge surge of popularity in 2020 when YouTuber, Rainych, created a cover of the song. The popularity would spread to platforms like YouTube, Twitter and TikTok.

    Due to this popularity, Matsubara’s first album Pocket Park got a repress on vinyl in late 2020.

    Lyrics – English:

    [Intro]
    To you
    Yes, my love to you
    Yes, my love to you, you
    To you

    [Verse 1]
    I am only me, you are only you
    I said that last night and still feel the same way
    You in your gray jacket with that familiar coffee stain
    Just as you always are
    Our reflection in the display window

    [Chorus]
    Stay with me
    Knocking on midnight’s door
    Begging you not to go home (Ooh)
    That season when I cried right in front of your eyes
    Stay with me
    Saying our favourite words
    Holding on to our little moment (Ooh)
    I’ll never forget it as long as I live

    [Verse 2]
    They say love and affection are two different things
    You told me last night
    Sometimes I think so too
    Winter comes again and your heart has gone away
    If I look back I see
    That I could always feel you by my sidе

    [Chorus]
    Stay with me
    Knocking on midnight’s door
    There’s a holе in my heart (Ooh)
    That season when I cried right in front of your eyes
    Stay with me
    Distracted by my loneliness
    The needle on my record player (Ooh)
    Was stuck on a repeating melody

    [Saxophone Solo]

    [Chorus]
    Stay with me
    Knocking on midnight’s door
    Begging you not to go home (Ooh)
    That season when I cried right in front of your eyes
    Stay with me
    Saying our favourite words
    Holding on to our little moment (Ooh)
    I’ll never forget how warm it felt

    [Chorus]
    Stay with me
    Knocking on midnight’s door
    Begging you not to go home (Ooh)
    That season when I cried right in front of your eyes
    Stay with me
    Saying our favourite words
    Holding on to our little moment (Ooh)
    I’ll never forget how warm it felt

    [Outro]
    Stay with me
    Knocking on midnight’s door
    Begging you not to go home (Ooh)
    That season when I cried right in front of your eyes
    Stay with me

    (Ooh, I’ll never forget how warm it felt)

    Lyrics – Romaji:

    [Intro]
    To you
    Yes, my love to you
    Yes, my love to you, you
    To you

    [Verse 1]
    Watashi wa watashi, anata wa anata to
    Yuube itteta sonna ki mo suru wa
    Gurei no jaketto ni
    Mioboe ga aru kouhii no shimi (Ooh)
    Aikawarazu na no ne
    Shou uindou ni futari utsureba (Ooh)

    [Chorus]
    Stay with me
    Mayonaka no doa o tataki
    Kaeranaide to naita (Ooh)
    Ano kisetsu ga ima me no mae
    Stay with me
    Kuchiguse wo ii nagara
    Futari no toki wo daite (Ooh)
    Mada wasurezu
    Daiji ni shite ita

    [Verse 2]
    Koi to ai to wa chigau monoda yo to
    Yuube iwareta sonna ki mo suru wa
    Nidome no fuyu ga kite
    Hanarete itta anata no kokoro (Ooh)
    Furi kaereba itsumo
    Soko ni anata wo kanjite ita no (Ooh)

    [Chorus]
    Stay with me
    Mayonaka no doa o tataki
    Kokoro ni ana ga aita (Ooh)
    Ano kisetsu ga ima me no mae
    Stay with me
    Sabishisa magirawashite
    Oita rekodo no hari (Ooh)
    Onaji merodi kurikaeshite ita

    [Saxophone Solo]

    [Chorus]
    Stay with me
    Mayonaka no doa o tataki
    Kaeranaide to naita (Ooh)
    Ano kisetsu ga ima me no mae
    Stay with me
    Kuchiguse wo ii nagara
    Futari no toki wo daite (Ooh)
    Mada wasurezu atatameteta

    [Chorus]
    Stay with me
    Mayonaka no doa o tataki
    Kaeranaide to naita (Ooh)
    Ano kisetsu ga ima me no mae
    Stay with me
    Kuchiguse wo ii nagara
    Futari no toki wo daite (Ooh)
    Mada wasurezu atatameteta

    [Outro]
    Stay with me
    Mayonaka no doa o tataki
    Kaeranaide to naita (Ooh)
    Ano kisetsu ga ima me no mae
    Stay with me

    (Ooh, mada wasurezu atatameteta)