About Teppen!

So, what is Teppen!?? What does that even mean!?

Well, simply, Teppen! is Japanese for “top”, or “summit”, “peak”. Now, it’s not named that because I have an inflated sense of confidence and think that this blog will be the greatest ever. No, I honestly want to use this to just spew thoughts out into words. I’m not looking to be the “best” at anything.

But it does carry a bigger meaning for myself – one to remind myself to continue to do better – to keep climbing towards the summit. To keep moving. Over the last few years, with covid, and my previous blog shutting down, I’ve worked on some other personal projects, mostly pro wrestling related. I’ve taken up photography more seriously. I’m learning Japanese.

But it also felt like I had reached a plateau. I got comfortable.

The name “Teppen” comes from pro wrestling. It was the name of a faction within a small promotion called AWG. It was formed after a wrestler named Asahi had joined the company, among much fanfare. She teamed up with likeminded wrestlers and created something truly special. I had always been a fan of hers, in 2023, I even promised her that the next time I’d see her, I’d speak Japanese.

But that time never came. In February of 2024, Asahi passed away at just 21 years old.

2024 was a year of emotion, and the tragedy of such a loss hung over me. It wasn’t until a run of concerts in October where I truly felt inspired again to write. It was a reminder of the power of art. of music. of experience. And sharing that with people.

Teppen! is about sharing those experiences. About embracing and celebrating the things I love. About being an unapologetic fanboy. Because sometimes we just need someone in our corner when it seems like everything is falling apart. I want to use this space to celebrate the underappreciated, the underdogs, the underrated, and maybe be a small part of their journey to the top.

And it’s also about remembering the people who had an impact on my life who are no longer here.

For Joe, Kelly, Asahi, Jean, Debbie, and Montana. Miss you.