Michi-chan's RAW Derby is a new video series, produced in 2025 from Michi-chan Sports. From 2007~2009, I traveled the state in search of derby and took a camera with me. The video that I shot was originally used for our series The Arizona Derby Report/Michi-chan's REAL Derby that aired 7 episodes, plus additional features and multi-part "Jam by Jam" videos. In many of these cases, I recorded all or most of the entire bout.
At least 15 years has passed since those videos were recorded and a lot has changed in derby. Some of the changes I like, some of them, not so much. Regardless, this is our game made by the skaters and for the skaters. Progress happens. Don't let this early Gen-Xer stop the progress.
But at the same time, we must respect the roots of modern resurgence roller derby. What started as a no holds barred fandango in a now-defunct skating rink in Tempe, Arizona had blossomed into different flavors of derby, all at different temperature levels.
Michi-chan's RAW Derby takes the many hours of derby footage that I have and puts it together to relive the way we used to play the game in those early days. This was from a time when the blockers would get a head start from the jammers and lapping the other team's jammer was a grand slam worth an extra point. This was a time when the home teams ruled the house and "extended take downs" were tolerated.
Michi-chan's RAW Derby presents these recorded bouts, in most cases, "Jam by Jam". It was like you were there. Depending on the league, you will hear my commentary, jam by jam calls and in some cases, the league's own announcer.
Please join us on this adventure as we relive the golden age of modern roller derby in Arizona. For some out there, this was your mother's roller derby!
All episodes will premiere on Thursdays (except Thanksgiving) at 7:30PM Arizona Time from September 18~December 18, 2025. (10:30PM EDT between September 18~October 30 & 9:30PM PST between November 6~December 18).
Remember to subscribe to the Michi-chan Sports YouTube channel so you don't miss any of the action.
Season One
Released September 11, 2025.
This is the initial preview of the bouts that will be included in the 13-episode first season.
Episode 1: Arizona Derby Dames 2008
Released September 18, 2025
In the premiere episode of Michi-chan's RAW Derby, we have a never-seen before bout between the Brutal Beauties and the Bombshells of Arizona Derby Dames. This bout was recorded on July 12, 2008 at the Castle Sports Club.
Episode 2: Arizona Roller Derby 2009
Released: September 25, 2025
In this episode, we check out WFTDA 3.1 rules, back before everything was changed in 2012 & 2013. This bout features the Bruisers and the Surly Gurlies of Arizona Roller Derby from February 7, 2009. This bout was previously released in highlight form on Michi-chan's REAL Derby episode 6, but this part was lost due to YouTube copyright policies at the time. We have recently also restored that portion of Episode 6 with the highlight reel on it. But in the RAW Derby episode, you see the entire bout.
Related Content:
Original highlight reel from Michi-chan's REAL Derby: Episode 6 recently restored by Michi-chan Sports.
Episode 3: Renegade Rollergirls 2008
Released October 2, 2025
This is a taste of "no rules" roller derby. The Renegade Rollergirls played the style of derby that goes back to when the modern resurgence of the sport started in 2003. This bout was recorded on May 16, 2008 with the Arizona Renegades taking on the Renegade Rollergirls from Orange County, CA. Renegade style has always been a Michi favorite!
Related content:
Original highlight reel from Arizona Derby Report (2008) on the original Michi-chan YouTube channel.
Episode 4: Tucson Derby Brats 2008
Released October 9, 2025
The first junior (under 18) roller derby leagues were in Tucson and Seattle. The Derby Brats program was created by Tucson Roller Derby Skaters in 2006. They Derby Brats made their debut in Austin in 2007 and then later that year, they made their Arizona debut in Phoenix. Michi-chan had been recording the history of this program during those early days. This bout is from November 23, 2008 featuring two teams, Injustice League and Natural Disasters. The Injustice League was skating with a roster of only 5. One skater in this bout, Pixie, would graduate after this bout as she turned 18 and was no longer qualified in the Derby Brats. We will see her skate with the big girls as LUC3F3R in the Tucson Roller Derby bout featured in Episode 5 of RAW Derby. During the intermissions, we include early 2007 footage of the Brats, including their Arizona debut.
Episode 5: Tucson Roller Derby 2009
Premieres October 16, 2025.
The Iron Curtain, with recent Derby brat graduate LUC3F3R will take on the Copper Queens. Recorded March 28, 2009. This was the last full bout ever recorded by Michi-chan.
Episode 6: Arizona Roller Derby
Premieres October 23, 2025
The Brawlarinas take on the Bad News Beaters at the Castle Sports Club. Recorded March 14, 2009. This bout includes a memorial to AZRD/TRD volunteer EMT Joe Bones. It also features half time promotions such as Queen of the Rink and No-Rules Match Race.
Episode 7: Arizona Derby Dames 2008
Premieres October 30, 2025
It would not be Halloween without those prettiest girls in the morgue. The Coffin Draggers take on the Bombshells. Recorded at Castle Sports Club on June 14, 2008.
Episode 8: Renegade Rollergirls 2008
Premieres November 6, 2025
The no-rules Arizona Renegades play the Renegade Rollergirls from San Diego. Recorded July 11, 2008 from the Marrs Properties Warehouse, also known as the 5th & Madison Event Center.
Episode 9: Arizona Derby Dames 2008
Premieres November 13, 2025
This bout features the AZDD Season 3 expansion team, the School Yard Scrappers take on the AZDD Season 4 expansion team, the Runaway Brides. Recorded at the Castle Sports Club on July 12, 2008.
Episode 10: Tucson Roller Derby 2009
Premieres November 20, 2025
We are back at Bladeworld to see TRD's other two home teams. The Furious Truckstop Waitresses, with popular half-pint jammers Peaches Rodriguez and Sloppy Flo take on Sami Automatic and the rest of VICE Squad. Recorded May 17, 2008.
Thanksgiving Break
Premieres November 27, 2025
Michi-chan's RAW Derby is taking the week off for Thanksgiving. Not a full bout, but we are working on some freshly reproduced content from the archive.
Episode 11: Arizona Derby Dames 2008
Premieres December 4, 2025
The Brutal Beauties take on the School Yard Scrappers from the Castle Sports Club. Recorded May 10, 2008. This is the bout where Michi-chan was tackled and humped by Red Rocker of the Brutal Beauties (for the second time).
Episode 12: Phoenix City Rollers (Arizona Bruisers) 2008
Premieres December 11, 2025
In late 2007, the Arizona Roller Derby team The Bruisers wanted more autonomy and to be treated more like an independent team. This lead to a huge derby drama incident that took place smack dab in the middle of the Michi-chan era. The result was AZRD's fourth league split. Many of the Bruisers skaters along with several other AZRD skaters would break away from the league and start their own, but they took the Bruisers name with them. The league name would eventually be changed to the Phoenix City Rollers and then abruptly fold. This is a scrimmage bout that was held at Casey At The Bat on January 19, 2008 between the Arizona Bruisers and a short squad of skaters from Tucson Roller Derby's Copper Queens. Ironically, AZRD rushed at the last minute to form a new Bruisers team and later that evening, there was a bout with the "AZRD Bruisers".
Episode 13 (Season Finale): Michi-chan's Holiday Present
Premieres December 18, 2025
We're not going to tell you what it is yet, but we will say, that it is some of the most intense footage ever recorded by Michi-chan Roller Sports Productions. But for now, we will leave you in anticipation (though I think some already know which bout we are thinking of).
