Karen Peterson (POST Puroresu) and JP Houlihan (GRAPPL Spotlight) review Netflix’s The Queen of the Villains, the historical dramatic presentation of the rise of Dump Matsumoto. The series focuses on the evolution of Kaoru Matsumoto, a young wrestling hopeful to one of the most hated wrestlers in Japan. Kaoru’s turbulent home life, the meteoric rise of The Crush Gals, the machinations of the Matsunaga Brothers, and the toxic hierarchical dojo culture all feed into the powder keg that propels Matsumoto into darkness.
Karen and JP also discuss the stereotypes and expectations of women in Japanese society, entertainment, and sports, taking off the wrestling fan hat and viewing the series from a casual viewer perspective, the involvement of Chigusa Nagayo and the MARVELOUS wrestlers in the training of the talent, as well as idol culture, parasocialism, approaching the series from the times of the 70’s and 80’s, and the complicated ties of wrestling to the entertainment industry.
YouTube Members: video.postwrestling.com
Recommended Media
- Transformed Bodies and Gender: Experiences of Women Pro-Wrestlers in Japan – By Dr. Keiko Aiba, Meiji Gakuin University, Union Press (2017)
- Sisterhood of the Squared Circle: The History and Rise of Women’s Wrestling – By Pat Laprade & Dan Murphy (2017)
Articles and Documentaries
- The Wrestling Observer Newsletter by Dave Meltzer *Subscription required
- All Japan Women Out of Business (April 4, 2005)*
- Takashi Matsunaga Dies (July 20, 2009)*
- GAEA Girls Documentary (2000; Subtitled) by Kim Longiotto & Jano Williams
- Netflix JP Documentary on Queen of the Villains
Additional Show Notes & Recommendations in Dream Slam Monthly. Vol. 21 Queen of the Villains.
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