Xyon McKell
@xyonmckell.bsky.social
A riddle wrapped in nerdiness.
Derailments of Thought: personal blog about wrestling, games, books, art, & other randomness.
derailmentsofthought.wordpress.com
http://ko-fi.com/xyonmckell
Derailments of Thought: personal blog about wrestling, games, books, art, & other randomness.
derailmentsofthought.wordpress.com
http://ko-fi.com/xyonmckell
Pinned
Xyon McKell
@xyonmckell.bsky.social
· Nov 19
As a Bluesy intro to my (sporadicly updated) personal blog, here's a thread of spotlight posts: career retrospectives & tributes I've written about/for several amazing women wrestlers over the years including retirements, major career changes, & sadly a few memorials.
Finally wrote up thoughts on Ribbonmania 2025.
Including Risa Sera's last #iceribbon match and Yuuka's return (with some info on developments since then).
derailmentsofthought.com/2026/01/11/i...
Including Risa Sera's last #iceribbon match and Yuuka's return (with some info on developments since then).
derailmentsofthought.com/2026/01/11/i...
Ice Ribbon Ribbonmania 2025
Show aired live December 31, 2025. New Year’s Eve means it’s time once again for Ribbonmania. Ribbonmania is Ice Ribbon’s big annual year end show at Korakuen Hall. I’ve bee…
derailmentsofthought.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Finally wrote up thoughts on Ribbonmania 2025.
Including Risa Sera's last #iceribbon match and Yuuka's return (with some info on developments since then).
derailmentsofthought.com/2026/01/11/i...
Including Risa Sera's last #iceribbon match and Yuuka's return (with some info on developments since then).
derailmentsofthought.com/2026/01/11/i...
Today's the day. Risa Sera will wrap up her career with a self produced show tonight (Japan time). Show can be purchased/seen on ippv.
Here's a retrospective on her career I wrote last month looking back on having watched her wrestle since late 2015.
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/15/r...
Here's a retrospective on her career I wrote last month looking back on having watched her wrestle since late 2015.
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/15/r...
Retirement Reflections – Sonoko Kato & Risa Sera
Time flies. Here’s a quick look back on some personal highlights of the careers of a couple wrestlers who made a lasting impression when I first saw them near exactly a decade ago. Also pleas…
derailmentsofthought.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Today's the day. Risa Sera will wrap up her career with a self produced show tonight (Japan time). Show can be purchased/seen on ippv.
Here's a retrospective on her career I wrote last month looking back on having watched her wrestle since late 2015.
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/15/r...
Here's a retrospective on her career I wrote last month looking back on having watched her wrestle since late 2015.
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/15/r...
The three days of year end Ichigaya shows are all going to be aired same day.
#ChocoPro 497 premieres in an hour (8am EST).
No card was announced ahead of time but the thumbnail shows this year's roster tag (Mei, Erii, Hiyori, & Kaho vs Sakura & Gen 4).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvy1...
#ChocoPro 497 premieres in an hour (8am EST).
No card was announced ahead of time but the thumbnail shows this year's roster tag (Mei, Erii, Hiyori, & Kaho vs Sakura & Gen 4).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvy1...
#chocopro 497 - New year's Eve Special Show! 2025/12/31
YouTube video by ChocoPro wrestling
www.youtube.com
December 31, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The three days of year end Ichigaya shows are all going to be aired same day.
#ChocoPro 497 premieres in an hour (8am EST).
No card was announced ahead of time but the thumbnail shows this year's roster tag (Mei, Erii, Hiyori, & Kaho vs Sakura & Gen 4).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvy1...
#ChocoPro 497 premieres in an hour (8am EST).
No card was announced ahead of time but the thumbnail shows this year's roster tag (Mei, Erii, Hiyori, & Kaho vs Sakura & Gen 4).
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mvy1...
The first time I saw Risa and Maya wrestle it was live and was like their second match ever under the Azure Revolution team name. A full decade ago.
Crazy getting to watch them team at one last Ribbonmania.
#iceribbon
Crazy getting to watch them team at one last Ribbonmania.
#iceribbon
December 31, 2025 at 5:50 AM
The first time I saw Risa and Maya wrestle it was live and was like their second match ever under the Azure Revolution team name. A full decade ago.
Crazy getting to watch them team at one last Ribbonmania.
#iceribbon
Crazy getting to watch them team at one last Ribbonmania.
#iceribbon
Hell of an effort wrestling two matches (unexpectedly to boot) in a return after 9 years away from the ring.
Welcome back to the White Angel of #IceRibbon
Welcome back to the White Angel of #IceRibbon
December 31, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Hell of an effort wrestling two matches (unexpectedly to boot) in a return after 9 years away from the ring.
Welcome back to the White Angel of #IceRibbon
Welcome back to the White Angel of #IceRibbon
Looks like this is a series of singles instead of a triple threat. Even better. Likely first person to win back to back falls wins the match.
#iceribbon
#iceribbon
#IceRibbon revised main event is Kaho vs Yuuka vs Kirari for the now vacated ICE x Infinity Championship
Wild. Welcome back Yuuka.
Wild. Welcome back Yuuka.
Manami Katsu, the reigning ICE x Infinity Champion who was scheduled to defend in the main event of today's big Ribbonmania show, will unfortunately be out with a high fever. Wishing her a speedy and full recovery.
#IceRibbon is working on card changes as we speak. The show starts in 3 hours.
#IceRibbon is working on card changes as we speak. The show starts in 3 hours.
December 31, 2025 at 4:36 AM
Looks like this is a series of singles instead of a triple threat. Even better. Likely first person to win back to back falls wins the match.
#iceribbon
#iceribbon
Here. We. Go.
The match I was most psyched for is now part of the main event for #IceRibbon 's top singles title.
I adore Kirari. Kaho's also great. But man do I want Yuuka to win this.
The match I was most psyched for is now part of the main event for #IceRibbon 's top singles title.
I adore Kirari. Kaho's also great. But man do I want Yuuka to win this.
December 31, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Here. We. Go.
The match I was most psyched for is now part of the main event for #IceRibbon 's top singles title.
I adore Kirari. Kaho's also great. But man do I want Yuuka to win this.
The match I was most psyched for is now part of the main event for #IceRibbon 's top singles title.
I adore Kirari. Kaho's also great. But man do I want Yuuka to win this.
Fun opener.
Riko and Miran had some crazy good chemistry.
Riko and Miran had some crazy good chemistry.
December 31, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Fun opener.
Riko and Miran had some crazy good chemistry.
Riko and Miran had some crazy good chemistry.
#IceRibbon revised main event is Kaho vs Yuuka vs Kirari for the now vacated ICE x Infinity Championship
Wild. Welcome back Yuuka.
Wild. Welcome back Yuuka.
Manami Katsu, the reigning ICE x Infinity Champion who was scheduled to defend in the main event of today's big Ribbonmania show, will unfortunately be out with a high fever. Wishing her a speedy and full recovery.
#IceRibbon is working on card changes as we speak. The show starts in 3 hours.
#IceRibbon is working on card changes as we speak. The show starts in 3 hours.
December 31, 2025 at 2:34 AM
#IceRibbon revised main event is Kaho vs Yuuka vs Kirari for the now vacated ICE x Infinity Championship
Wild. Welcome back Yuuka.
Wild. Welcome back Yuuka.
Yuuka returns to wrestling today, a decade after my first Japan trip when I saw her face Sareee at Ribbonmania 2015.
Can not wait to see her match against Kirari.
#iceribbon
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/11/24/y...
Can not wait to see her match against Kirari.
#iceribbon
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/11/24/y...
YUUKA’S BACK!!!
What awesome news to wake up to. At today’s Ice Ribbon event in Yokohama retired wrestler Yuuka announced her return to the ring at Ribbonmania 2025. Yuuka wrestled for Ice Ribbon with from 2…
derailmentsofthought.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Yuuka returns to wrestling today, a decade after my first Japan trip when I saw her face Sareee at Ribbonmania 2015.
Can not wait to see her match against Kirari.
#iceribbon
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/11/24/y...
Can not wait to see her match against Kirari.
#iceribbon
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/11/24/y...
It's been almost a decade since the only Ice/Gatoh crossover and Yuuka's back, so Sakura should be the surprise replacement for Katsu and Yuuka can be part of the reciprocal match again.
(Hey ridiculous as it is I'm sure this happens in some alternate universe... )
(Hey ridiculous as it is I'm sure this happens in some alternate universe... )
December 31, 2025 at 1:13 AM
It's been almost a decade since the only Ice/Gatoh crossover and Yuuka's back, so Sakura should be the surprise replacement for Katsu and Yuuka can be part of the reciprocal match again.
(Hey ridiculous as it is I'm sure this happens in some alternate universe... )
(Hey ridiculous as it is I'm sure this happens in some alternate universe... )
Manami Katsu, the reigning ICE x Infinity Champion who was scheduled to defend in the main event of today's big Ribbonmania show, will unfortunately be out with a high fever. Wishing her a speedy and full recovery.
#IceRibbon is working on card changes as we speak. The show starts in 3 hours.
#IceRibbon is working on card changes as we speak. The show starts in 3 hours.
December 30, 2025 at 11:44 PM
Manami Katsu, the reigning ICE x Infinity Champion who was scheduled to defend in the main event of today's big Ribbonmania show, will unfortunately be out with a high fever. Wishing her a speedy and full recovery.
#IceRibbon is working on card changes as we speak. The show starts in 3 hours.
#IceRibbon is working on card changes as we speak. The show starts in 3 hours.
Reposted by Xyon McKell
December 27, 2025 at 3:45 AM
A decade ago I made my first visit to Japan. Here are some key memories of my various trips.
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/20/i...
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/20/i...
In the Blink of an Eye: Past Japan Trips
Today marks exactly 10 years since the first time I ever set foot in Japan. Crazy how time flies. It was a trip I’d wanted to do for ages and led to an extremely fortunate run of making sever…
derailmentsofthought.com
December 20, 2025 at 4:04 AM
A decade ago I made my first visit to Japan. Here are some key memories of my various trips.
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/20/i...
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/20/i...
Flashback to that time I accidentally got the perfect picture of a single streamer arcing towards Tsukka.
#iceribbon
#iceribbon
December 19, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Flashback to that time I accidentally got the perfect picture of a single streamer arcing towards Tsukka.
#iceribbon
#iceribbon
Which four fighting games mattered the most to YOU growing up?
Marvel Super Heroes
Guilty Gear X
Darkstalkers
DOA2
(Tobal would be on this but I only ever played it's dungeon mode, so it's an edge case and call it #5)
Marvel Super Heroes
Guilty Gear X
Darkstalkers
DOA2
(Tobal would be on this but I only ever played it's dungeon mode, so it's an edge case and call it #5)
Which four fighting games mattered the most to YOU growing up?
Ranma 1/2: Hard Battle
Guilty Gear XX
Darkstalkers 3
Narultimate Hero
Ranma 1/2: Hard Battle
Guilty Gear XX
Darkstalkers 3
Narultimate Hero
Which four fighting games mattered the most to YOU growing up?
Mortal Kombat 3
Dragon Ball GT Final Bout
Killer Instinct Gold
Soul Calibur
Mortal Kombat 3
Dragon Ball GT Final Bout
Killer Instinct Gold
Soul Calibur
December 19, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Which four fighting games mattered the most to YOU growing up?
Marvel Super Heroes
Guilty Gear X
Darkstalkers
DOA2
(Tobal would be on this but I only ever played it's dungeon mode, so it's an edge case and call it #5)
Marvel Super Heroes
Guilty Gear X
Darkstalkers
DOA2
(Tobal would be on this but I only ever played it's dungeon mode, so it's an edge case and call it #5)
Reposted by Xyon McKell
Quick blog entry with info and links about my appearance on Wrestle Omakase podcast's big preview of joshi shows during Wrestle Kingdom week.
#iceribbon #chocopro
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/17/w...
#iceribbon #chocopro
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/17/w...
December 18, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Quick blog entry with info and links about my appearance on Wrestle Omakase podcast's big preview of joshi shows during Wrestle Kingdom week.
#iceribbon #chocopro
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/17/w...
#iceribbon #chocopro
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/17/w...
Reposted by Xyon McKell
Quick blog entry with info and links about my appearance on Wrestle Omakase podcast's big preview of joshi shows during Wrestle Kingdom week.
#iceribbon #chocopro
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/17/w...
#iceribbon #chocopro
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/17/w...
December 18, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Quick blog entry with info and links about my appearance on Wrestle Omakase podcast's big preview of joshi shows during Wrestle Kingdom week.
#iceribbon #chocopro
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/17/w...
#iceribbon #chocopro
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/17/w...
Wrestling Omakase did an in depth preview/year end recap for near every promotion running WK week shows in Tokyo.
Check out the mammoth linked joshi episode which I joined for the #IceRibbon and #ChocoPro sections (around 3:20 in and 4:45 in respectively).
(Links below for related blog content.)
Check out the mammoth linked joshi episode which I joined for the #IceRibbon and #ChocoPro sections (around 3:20 in and 4:45 in respectively).
(Links below for related blog content.)
and now part 2 is up! 12 joshi promotions are covered, everyone from STARDOM to marigold to TJPW to ice ribbon to chocopro to diana and more! plus the news that saya kamitani won tospo MVP broke while we were recording one of the segments which was fun! redcircle.com/shows/wrestl...
Wrestling Omakase #277: Wrestle Kingdom Week 2025-26 Preview Part 2 (STARDOM, Marigold, TJPW, AWG, OZ, ICE, Marvelous, SEAd, ChocoPro, Diana, Pure-J, WAVE)
Listen to Wrestling Omakase on RedCircle
redcircle.com
December 17, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Wrestling Omakase did an in depth preview/year end recap for near every promotion running WK week shows in Tokyo.
Check out the mammoth linked joshi episode which I joined for the #IceRibbon and #ChocoPro sections (around 3:20 in and 4:45 in respectively).
(Links below for related blog content.)
Check out the mammoth linked joshi episode which I joined for the #IceRibbon and #ChocoPro sections (around 3:20 in and 4:45 in respectively).
(Links below for related blog content.)
Reposted by Xyon McKell
it’s our biggest omakase ever- we recap the year that was for 20 different japanese promotions (with 13 guests!) and then look ahead to what they’ll be doing during WK week. starts with part 1 covering the men’s promotions, and part 2 on joshi comes out later this week redcircle.com/shows/wrestl...
Wrestling Omakase #276: Wrestle Kingdom Week 2025-26 Preview Part 1 (NJPW, NOAH, AJPW, DDT, BASARA, Ganbare, BJW & GLEAT)
Listen to Wrestling Omakase on RedCircle
redcircle.com
December 14, 2025 at 6:18 PM
it’s our biggest omakase ever- we recap the year that was for 20 different japanese promotions (with 13 guests!) and then look ahead to what they’ll be doing during WK week. starts with part 1 covering the men’s promotions, and part 2 on joshi comes out later this week redcircle.com/shows/wrestl...
Personal memories of the careers of Sonoko Kato and Risa Sera.
#ozacademy #prominence #iceribbon #shimmer
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/15/r...
#ozacademy #prominence #iceribbon #shimmer
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/15/r...
Retirement Reflections – Sonoko Kato & Risa Sera
Time flies. Here’s a quick look back on some personal highlights of the careers of a couple wrestlers who made a lasting impression when I first saw them near exactly a decade ago. Also pleas…
derailmentsofthought.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Personal memories of the careers of Sonoko Kato and Risa Sera.
#ozacademy #prominence #iceribbon #shimmer
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/15/r...
#ozacademy #prominence #iceribbon #shimmer
derailmentsofthought.com/2025/12/15/r...
Reposted by Xyon McKell
I said it before, will say it again -- generative AI fetishizes "ideas" while sneering at effort, execution, and education. That, despite Gen-AI being built on and out of other people's effort, execution and education.
A.I. and the Fetishization Of Ideas
In writing and in dispensing my (very dubious, probably shady) writing advice, I am often keen to note that ideas are bullshit. Most writers treat them like precious gems when really, ideas are lik…
terribleminds.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
I said it before, will say it again -- generative AI fetishizes "ideas" while sneering at effort, execution, and education. That, despite Gen-AI being built on and out of other people's effort, execution and education.