WWE Superstar and GHC Tag Team Champion Omos is enjoying his time in Japan and recently opened up about his experience overseas. This week, the Nigerian Giant was stopped for an impromptu interview in which he gave insight into his time abroad.
Favorite Thing: Omos appreciates how people in Japan have been “super nice” to him since he arrived in the country.
Dealing With Food: It took Omos some time to handle the Japanese cuisine given that this is his first time in the country. Omos is now “beginning to figure it out” and now loves yakiniku. The term refers to bite-size pieces of meat and vegetables that are grilled.
Culture Shock: The biggest shock for Omos has been that there are a lot of social rules in Japan compared to his time in the U.S. Adapting to Japan’s gyms, which feature both indoor and outdoor facilities, has also proven to be different for the seven-foot wrestler.
Omos’ time with NOAH demonstrates the current management of WWE being far more open to working with other promotions. It remains to be seen when we’ll next see Omos in a WWE ring, but the GHC Tag Team Champion is certainly making waves in Japan.
Fans can expect to see much more of Omos in Pro Wrestling NOAH, following his victory at New Year 2025. At the January 1, event, Omos won the GHC Tag Titles with Jack Morris, making the Nigerian Giant the first active WWE Superstar to win NOAH gold.
Yesterday, January 2, Omos was in action once again as he, Morris, and Yu Owada defeated El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., Galeno Del Mal & Saxon Huxley. Now, NOAH has confirmed that Omos will be in action at least three more times in January 2025.
WWE star Omos in Pro Wrestling NOAH:
?1/1 w/ JM v NM/TS ? WON GHC Tag ?1/2 w/ T2X v Wagner’s/Huxley ? ?1/11 w/ JM v AR – LIVE on WU, English ?1/12 v Alejandro/Kai – VOD to follow ?1/19 w/ Owada v Fujita/Soya – VOD to follow#noah_ghc#WWEpic.twitter.com/FQ1oRZZviw
This schedule is certainly different than what fans have seen of Omos in WWE, or rather, what they’ve not seen. The former Raw Tag Team Champion has not been used on TV since April 2024, when he competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Omos’ most recent singles match on TV saw him earn a squash win in May 2023.
Omos has his supporters in WWE, but there’s no word on any plans for his return to the largest wrestling promotion on the planet. In the meantime, the GHC Tag Team Champion will continue to represent WWE in NOAH, where he’s quickly become a featured attraction.
WWE Superstar Omos has kicked 2025 off to a strong start by becoming one-half of the GHC Tag Team Champions. At Pro Wrestling NOAH’s New Year 2025 event, Omos teamed with Jack Morris to end the reign of Naomichi Marufuji and Takashi Sugiura. The new champions were joined by former WWE Superstar Yoshi Tatsu.
This match marked Omos’ in-ring debut for NOAH, who last competed in WWE during the April 5, 2024, edition of SmackDown as part of the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
— ?????????? ?PRO WRESTLING NOAH (@noah_ghc) January 1, 2025
Omos’ involvement with NOAH is the latest example of WWE being willing to work with other promotions. In 2024 alone, WWE partnered with NOAH, Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, Marigold, and TNA Wrestling. However, Omos is the first WWE Superstar to win a non-WWE championship since the Sports Entertainment juggernaut began working with other promotions.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Omos, now that the Nigerian Giant has the GHC Tag Team Championships in his colossal clutches.
Pro Wrestling Noah is set to present The New Year 2025 special from Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan on January 1. One of the matches on the card is Naomichi Marufuji and Takashi Sugiura defending the GHC World Tag Team Championships.
Jack Morris has been confirmed as one of the challengers for the tag titles but his partner has been kept a mystery. Morris has promised that he’d bring ‘the biggest X in history’ to challenge the current champions.
This surprise was apparently spoiled by the promotion as Omos when they accidentally added the current WWE star to their official roster page early:
Update: NOAH has since official confirmed Omos’s debut for the New Year special:
Omos was regularly featured on WWE TV under the Vince McMahon administration after signing with the company in 2019 and making his main roster debut in mid-2020.
He has mostly been kept off TV since 2023 after Triple H took over creative, however. His only 2 televised matches this year have been battle royal appearances in Royal Rumble and Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
The unexplained absence has resulted in all kind of rumors about Omos’ WWE status but hopefully, the NOAH appearance will pave the way for his return to the Endeavor-owned promotion.
WWE’s collaborative relationship with Pro Wrestling NOAH picked up some serious steam this week when Yoshiki Inamura visited the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. On X, WWE NXT head Shawn Michaels hyped up the arrival of the 31-year-old wrestler to clips of his time at the PC. Michaels added that Inamura “is going to be a problem for anyone he steps in the ring with” to footage of him wrestling in the Performance Center.
I’m excited to welcome @noah_ghc Wrestler @noah_yoshiki to #WWENXT. This hard-hitting young man is going to be a problem for anyone he steps in the ring with.
WWE has seen a strong collaboration with NOAH in 2024, as part of the Sports Entertainment juggernaut’s willingness to work with others under its current administration. In May, Yasuaki Okamoto spoke of strengthening NOAH’s relationship with WWE after being appointed the new President of CyberFight Inc, the parent company of NOAH.
It didn’t take long for Okamoto’s plans to come to fruition, as AJ Styyles would compete at NOAH Destination in July. In August and September, NXT’s Josh Briggs and Tavion Heights were part of the NOAH N-1 Victory 2024 tournament, making this growing relationship between WWE and NOAH more significant. In January 2023, WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura was granted the opportunity to face The Great Muta at a NOAH show as part of the latter’s retirement tour.
As for what Yoshiki Inamura’s future with NOAH and WWE NXT looks like, that remains to be seen. Nevertheless, fans are excited to see what the Japanese star will do and what other crossovers we could see from both sides of this budding partnership.
Both AJ Styles and IYO SKY were successful in this week’s matches that took place outside of WWE as the company continues to work with other promotions.
For Styles, he defeated Naomichi Marufuji at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Destination 2024 event. This match marked Styles’ first non-WWE match in eight-and-a-half years and his first time ever competing for NOAH. Styles had quite the entrance that saw him don a black mask; a staple of his time competing in Japan.
— ?????????? ?PRO WRESTLING NOAH (@noah_ghc) July 13, 2024
Despite a valiant effort by Marufuji, a three-time GHC World Champion, it was Styles who got the win with his Styles Clash. After the match, Styles and Marufuji shared a sign of respect in the ring by bowing to each other.
Styles wasn’t the only top WWE name in action outside of the company today. IYO SKY competed in her first non-WWE match since 2017 at the Marigold ‘Summer Destiny’ event. At the show, SKY defeated Utami Hayashishita.
It remains to be seen what companies WWE will work with next, though many feel it is likely under the post-McMahon administration. In the meantime, WWE NXT will continue to welcome TNA talent and don’t be surprised if we see Superstars appearing outside the Sports Entertainment juggernaut.
AJ Styles is grateful for the opportunity to compete in Pro Wrestling NOAH this week, an opportunity he believes would not have been possible just a few years ago.
At NOAH’s Destination 2024 event, Styles will compete against three-time GHC World Champion Naomichi Marufuji. Despite a lofty career in Japan, the match will mark Styles’ NOAH debut and his first match outside WWE since January 2016.
Speaking to the press ahead of NOAH Destination 2024, Styles said that his match demonstrates how WWE’s new era is willing to work with others.
“This is showing the Triple H era of what WWE is all about. Because I’m not the only one that is wrestling in Japan tomorrow night. IYO Sky is also wrestling along with myself. And that just goes to show what Triple His trying to bring throughout the world and WWE. Whether it be in NOAH or somewhere else, having the opportunity to wrestle there, it’s big for everybody. And it just shows how we were willing and able to work together so that we all can make pro wrestling as big as we possibly can.”
Aj Styles speaks on his Noah match and HHH's vision:
This is showing the Triple H era of what wwe is all about. Cause I'm not the only one that is wrestling in Japan tomorrow night. IYO Sky is also wrestling. Along with myself and that just goes to show what HHH is trying to… pic.twitter.com/kdi6bD1KJ0
As Styles alluded to in his speech, IYO SKY will be competing this weekend for Rossy Ogawa’s Marigold Wrestling promotion. The former WWE Women’s Champion will face Utami Hayashishita at the promotion’s Summer Dreams event. When asked about the match, SKY was similarly glad that she is now able to wrestle with talent outside WWE.
“When I signed with WWE, I didn’t think I would wrestle in a ring outside of WWE, so I am surprised to wrestle in a Japanese women’s promotion’s ring. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart to Utami Hayashishita, Rossy Ogawa, and my boss Triple H.”
Opening The Prohibited Portal
WWE’s leadership under Triple H has certainly been more open to working with other companies than Vince McMahon. In January, Jordynne Grace competed in the Women’s Royal Rumble match. The reigning TNA Knockouts World Champion has also competed in WWE NXT as of late and challenged Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez at Battleground.
Frankie Kazarian and Joe Hendry competed in an NXT battle royal not too long ago and Hendry made his return to the gold brand this week. The July 9, episode also saw TNA’s The Rascalz reunite with Wes Lee and set up a six-man tag for next week against Gallus.
Over in TNA, fans have seen the No Quarter Catch Crew bring the fight as Charlie Dempsey defeated Zachary Wentz this week. At TNA Against All Odds, Jordynne Grace retained her Knockouts Title against Taum Paxley and more recently retained against Izzi Dame.
Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport has also been getting in on this crossover fun as Dempsey and Shayna Baszler competed at Bloodsport X in April. Baszler, who won her fight with TNA’s Masha Slamovich, will return to Bloodsport later this month where she’ll face Miyu Yamashita.
The forbidden door reopens this weekend, as WWE Superstar AJ Styles returns to Japan to wrestle a match for Pro Wrestling NOAH. The Japanese promotion shocked the wrestling world last month by announcing Styles would be the next opponent of the legendary Naomichi Marufuji.
Styles vs. Marufuji is scheduled for July 13 at Destination from Tokyo, Japan at the Nippon Budokan. The dream match will mark the former WWE Champion’s debut in Noah and the first encounter between the legends.
Before the crossover matchup, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes spoke with NOAH to share his thoughts on the upcoming contest. He spoke highly of both wrestling legends and also credited Marufuji for inspiring his move set.
“…It’s not hyperbole to say that Marufuji, on the other side of the ring, is how important he is to modern pro wrestling and modern sports entertainment,” said Rhodes.
“I mean, if you hit the ropes behind another guy, you call that a Marufuji. That’s a Marufuji forearm. That’s what I do. It’s part of my comeback that I have in my own matches.”
Rhodes added that he’d be open to having a match against Marufuji in the future. The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion believes Styles will look to impress this weekend.
“… I can see AJ Styles, really showing out in Japan.”
– Cody Rhodes
: Cody Rhodes Previews AJ Styles vs. Naomichi Marufuji
More On AJ Styles vs. Naomichi Marufuji
Styles and Marufuji have enjoyed an ongoing successful career and are respected amongst their peers. Styles is on the short list of wrestlers who have won major titles in New Japan Pro Wrestling, TNA Wrestling, and WWE. Marufuji is a four-time GHC Heavyweight Champion and is currently on his ninth reign as a GHC Tag Team Champion.
? ?7.13?????? ? ABEMA PPV(???????) ONLINE LIVE ??? ??????????? ?
— ?????????? ?PRO WRESTLING NOAH (@noah_ghc) July 9, 2024
Both fan favorites have inspired other wrestlers with their accolades and longevity in the wrestling business. This weekend, Styles and Marufuji have the opportunity to showcase why they are still among the best wrestlers in the world. In the previews of their dream match, ‘The Phenomenal One’ has expressed that he wants to tear the house down with his opponent.
NOAH’s Destination event is looking to be an event fans will not want to miss.
AJ Styles may not be the only WWE Superstar competing in NOAH this year if the promotion’s very own Naomichi Marufuji has anything to say about it.
The Phenomenal former WWE Champion will wrestle at NOAH’s Destination 2024 on July 13 against Marufuji. Despite a lofty career in Japan, this match will be Styles’ first time competing for NOAH. Marufuji on the other hand, has spent close to a quarter of a century with NOAH after debuting in 2000. He is a four-time GHC Heavyweight Champion and was appointed NOAH’s Vice President in 2009.
Sitting down with Planeta Wrestling, Marufuji discussed the upcoming match with Styles. The NOAH President was excited to step into the ring with the former WWE World Champion (h/t Fightful.)
“He (Styles) is a great fighter in every way and one of the best in the world. I want the fans to really enjoy my exchanges during the match with him, and I think we can achieve that.”
Marufuji added that he is interested in all WWE Superstars as potential names for NOAH events, but isn’t sure he’s ready to one day work a WWE show.
“I am interested in all WWE wrestlers. I want to invite several wrestlers to compete in the NOAH ring. To compete in the WWE ring, I think I need more training before that, so I can’t say I want to do it right now.”
Marufuji is certainly interested in doing much more with WWE which would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. The company’s new administration has been more open to working with other promotions including Rossy Ogawa’s Marigold, Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, and TNA Wrestling. These crossovers have left fans very excited to see what’s to come and fans can expect much more to come in the future.
Pro Wrestling NOAH and WWE could be working a lot more closely in the coming months, at least if the new president of CyberFight has his way.
Yasuaki Okamoto has been appointed the new President of CyberFight Inc, the parent company of NOAH. During an introductory press conference, Okamoto shared that his goal is to strengthen the promotion’s relationship with WWE.
New announcement regarding the appointment of the new president! ①
Okamoto’s appointment and goals with WWE wasn’t the only major announcement. In the press conference, it was confirmed that Keiji Muto has been appointed as a NOAH scouting advisor
Muto competed for years for Pro Wrestling NOAH and is best known for his legendary tenure as The Great Muta. It’s fitting that Muto was part of the same press conference in which Okamoto shared his goals in relation to WWE. In January 2023, WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura was granted the opportunity to face Muta at a NOAH show as part of the latter’s retirement tour.
For a very long time, WWE refused to work with other companies though that stance has softened considerably in recent years. The 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble saw then-IMPACT Knockouts Champion Mickie James while TNA Knockout World Champion Jordynne Grace was part of the 2024 match.
Even the idea of AEW and WWE working together can’t be counted out, with Tony Khan being open to a ‘World Cup’ event featuring talent from both companies. WWE President Nick Khan is considering potential collaborations with other promotions though nothing is currently publicly confirmed to be in the works.
New details have come to light regarding Kota Ibushi’s health issues.
The Japanese star aggravated what’s believed to be a previous injury while working a match against Naomichi Marufuji at NOAH’s New Year special on January 2.
The high-flying star was said to be in a lot of pain after this match and was taken to hospital immediately afterward. The wrestling promotion shared an update on his diagnosis with us, revealing additional injuries to his right ankle:
“Kota Ibushi, who sustained an injury at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Ariake Arena event on January 2nd, has been diagnosed with a right tibiofibular ligament tear and a right ankle lateral ligament complex injury as a result of a more thorough examination than his initial diagnosis.”
Ibushi is expected to undergo another detailed examination to determine further course of treatment. We will keep you updated on the matter.
Kota Ibushi’s Future In Wrestling
The 41-year-old has been dealing with persisting health issues going back to his time with NJPW. He has only wrestled a total of 8 matches since parting ways with the promotion in November 2021, and most of them have been tag team bouts.
After the latest injury setback, Kota Ibushi shared a number of heartfelt messages with his fans on Twitter. In one such tweet yesterday, he hinted at potentially retiring from the sport after fulfilling his current obligations:
“I came here with the goal of being able to do it for 20 years, and I think it’s about time. There are still a lot of things left on my contract, but I want to complete them!
“I try not to talk too darkly or think about the future, but I have to take care of my mother and other things, so I’ll talk about it when the time comes! Don’t miss a match.”
We should expect a firm update on Ibushi’s future in wrestling once a more detailed timetable for his recovery is revealed.
Talent from New Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH came together to share their respect for Jay Briscoe, days after his death this week.
Briscoe died on Tuesday due to a car accident, mere minutes from his home in Laurel, Delaware.
The accident also killed the other driver, while Jay’s daughters, who were in his vehicle at the time, have required surgery.
Wrestle Kingdom 17 Tribute
Today, NJPW has hosted their second night of Wrestle Kingdom 17, featuring talent from their promotion and Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Opening up the main card, both rosters walked to the ring, with Naomichi Marufuji and Hiroshi Tanahashi holding portraits of Jay.
After a ten-bell salute, “Reach for the sky, boy” played through Yokohama Arena.
Briscoe competed for both NJPW and NOAH throughout his career, and held gold in both companies with his brother Mark.
Other Tributes
New Japan and NOAH are just two of the various promotions to pay tribute to the late Briscoe.
After this week’s AEW Dynamite, Tony Khan’s promotion hosted a tribute show that has been shared on Ring of Honor’s YouTube channel.
During the beginning of this week’s episode of IMPACT TV, an “In Memory Of” graphic was shown with Tom Hannifan narrating and sending condolences to his family.
On Twitter, the NWA shared a photo of the Briscoes winning the Crockett Cup and described Jay as an “amazingly talented man.”
During WWE NXT, Vic Joseph offered the brand’s condolences to Jay’s family, while Michael Cole expressed a similar sentiment during last night’s episode of SmackDown on FOX.
Pro Wrestling NOAH dropped a bombshell early this morning as they have announced Shinsuke Nakamura will wrestle the Great Muta on January 1st, 2023 at Budokan Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Keiji Mutoh will be retiring next February and has been announcing dates plus new matches in the process.
While he will be teaming with Sting in his final match for Pro Wrestling NOAH, he will be wrestling as “The Great Muta” to open the 2023 calendar wrestling year against another Japanese legend.
Shinsuke Nakamura is no stranger to big time matches in Japan. Nakamura is a 3-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and 5-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion.
Nakamura last wrestled outside of the WWE organization on January 30th, 2016 in his final New Japan match. That was a six-man tag where his team emerged victorious. A team that included Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii.
The Great Muta and Shinsuke Nakamura have wrestled one other time in their careers. As an active member of the All-Japan roster, Muta crossed over to over New Japan Pro Wrestling and defeated Nakamura on April 27th, 2008 to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
This match will take place on the Pro Wrestling NOAH “The New Year 2023” card. Nakamura took to Twitter this morning saying “This is miracle.”
The fact that we are getting a match between a WWE contracted employee and a legendary performer from Japan who is not under the WWE umbrella is astounding.
What’s more surreal about this bout is it’s taking place outside of the WWE promotion. One thing is for sure, this announcement has already made a lot of waves.
Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Great Muta is not a typo folks. This match between two of the biggest Japanese icons is coming at you in less than two months.
On June 12, 2022, it was announced that Rob Van Dam would make his in-ring debut in CyberFight’s Pro Wrestling Noah at the CyberFight Festival 2022. He teamed with the Stinger duo of Hayata and Yoshinari Ogawa to defeat Kaito Kiyomiya, Daisuke Harada and Yo-Hey.
On July 16, the former WWE Champion made his return to Pro Wrestling NOAH and competed at NOAH Destination 2022. Van Dam & Masato Tanaka defeated NOSAWA Rongai & Super Crazy in a hardcore tag team match.
“The Wrestling Is So Much Better”
When speaking with Steve Fall of NBC Sports Boston, the former ECW World Champion spoke about wrestling in Japan and what it was like to work with Pro Wrestling NOAH.
“Well, so it looks like it’s very likely that it will keep happening. I’ve already gone back. So I wrestled there June 12. And then I came back on July the 16th. Just a couple of weeks ago, and we’re talking about maybe returning in January. So yeah, it’s it’s pretty cool.
I love wrestling in Japan. I started wrestling there in 93′. Somebody, a fan there that every wrestler knows this fan, Masa, he’s, we all know this guy. He had the whole breakdown for me.
This was the 22nd time that I had been to Japan. And he had the breakdown of how many times I’ve been to that building, the Nippon Budokan, and how many times I was there with All Japan, and then FMW, and then New Japan, and IWGP, and WWE, and all these different companies. So, it’s pretty cool. And I have a lot of history there.
Man, the wrestling is so much better. Like, I was watching the other matches, and I was like really proud to be part of that. It’s so different.”
“It Was Actually Like Wrestling”
Van Dam went on to speak about how he believes pro wrestling is better in Japan. He even elaborated on how impressed he was with another match on the card.
“It was actually like wrestling you know. A lot of people complain now that the the newer generation kind of got away from wrestling and now it’s just about stunts, and, you know, flying or whatever and diving on to 80 people catching you. You know, like, the more people that catch you the better. It seems like the biggest spot I don’t know.
But man, Muto, the fabulous Muto, he’s retiring. He’s got five matches left. And this match a few nights ago, a couple weeks ago. That was one of his last five. And I watched him wrestle. I don’t want to brutalize the kid’s name that he wrestled and you wouldn’t probably know him unless you follow. You know, the, the product NOAH. I don’t know.
But anyway, man, these guys put on a clinic, like it was so good. And it was like, the story that they told man. I just hadn’t seen anything like that in years. It wasn’t, they barely even like, hit the ropes and saw there was like Muta going for his trademark leg drag. And he would go to do it in the kid would stop and then get him in the move and then they would work their way up for that, work the way up, bam, bam, bam, he goes for it again. This time you know he’s gonna get it boom, you get stopped right back into and they just worked that leg lock and that leg drag and they made so much sense out of it and it was built so that every little thing meant so much and you know, I was humbled.
Actually, I’d already wrestled and I felt, you know, like, not like not worthy. Like, like the fans were over appreciative of my match. I had a hardcore match that night. And it was a tag team match, you know, when your tag team instead of a singles match, if you compare that to a normal job, a lot of times if your singles match, that’s like being the, the waiter, the cashier, the busboy and the cook at the same time, and when you when your tag partner not so.”
Various wrestling promotions hosted Friday, Saturday & Sunday night shows this weekend. West Coast Pro Wrestling, On Point Wrestling, STARDOM, National Wrestling Alliance, Wrestling REVOLVER, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, NJPW STRONG, Pro Wrestling NOAH, Game Changer Wrestling, Revolution Pro Wrestling, and Jersey Championship Wrestling all presented events from 7/8-7/10.
We have compiled results for the independent shows below along with ways to stream them, if possible.
7/8
West Coast Pro Wrestling
West Coast Pro Wrestling hosted its Cruel Summer event in San Fransisco, California. The event took place on July 8 at the United Irish Cultural Center. The event aired on IWTV.
WCPW Cruel Summer Results (7/8)
The Conglomerate (D-Rouge, Alpha Zo & Midas Kreed) def. Manders, Levi Shapiro & Michael Hopkins
Masha Slamovich def. Zeda Zheng
Vinnie Massaro def. Alan Angels
Nick Wayne def. ACH
Kevin Blackwood def. Jordan Cruz
Titus Alexander def. Jack Cartwheel
Speedball Mike Bailey def. Starboy Charlie
West Coast Pro Wrestling Championship: Jacob Fatu (c) def. Tom Lawlor
Motor City Machine Guns def. West Coast Wrecking Crew
On Point Wrestling hosted its Nightmare in Westville event in Westville, New Jersey. The event took place on July 8 at the Skidrow Academy. The event aired on IWTV.
OPW Nightmare in Westville Results (7/8)
On Point Wrestling Championship: Kit Osbourne (c) def. BLK Jeez
AKIRA def. Blanco Loco (w/ Dream Girl Ellie)
Fantastic Four Way: Steve Scott def. Jay Curcio, Azrieal, & Billy Tipton
Jordan Oliver def. Jason Kincaid
TSF (Rosario Grillo & Hunter Knott) def. YDNB (Ellis Taylor & Charlie Tiger)
Axton Ray def. Action Andretti
Matt Tremont def. Mike Law
Dog Collar Match: Marcus Mathers def. Brandon Kirk by Referee Stoppage
STARDOM hosted its New Blood 3 event on July 8. The event took place at the Shinagawa Intercity Hall in Tokyo, Japan. The pay-per-view can be ordered here.
STARDOM New Blood 3 Results (7/8)
Mai Sakurai def. YuuRI
Ami Sourei def. Nanami
STARS (Hanan, Saya Iida & Momo Kohgo) def. JUST TAP OUT (Tomoka Inaba, Aoi & Misa Kagura)
MIRAI vs. Suzu Suzuki ended in a 15-minute draw
After the physical draw between these two, Suzuki called out Giulia. Giulia challenged Suzuki to a tag team Hardcore Match. Mai Sakurai will team with Giulia while Risa Sera will team with Suzuki for the match.
Ram Kaichow def. Waka Tsukiyama
Oedo Tai’s Rina will team with Kaichow at the new NEW BLOOD show to face Waka Tsukiyama and a partner of her choosing.
Young OED (Starlight Kid, Ruaka & Rina) & Haruka Umesaki def. Cosmic Angels (Unagi Sayaka & Mina Shirakawa) & COLOR’S (Rina Amikura & Yuko Sakurai)
Giulia def. Miyu Amasaki
7/9
National Wrestling Alliance
The most recent episode of NWA USA debuted on July 9. The episode is available on their YouTube here.
NWA USA Stream And Results (7/9)
NWA Junior Heavyweight Champion Homicide def. VSK
Jennacide def. Angelina Love
NWA National Champion Jax Dane def. Anthony Andrews
Wrestling REVOLVER
Wrestling REVOLVER hosted its Cage of Horrors event in Clive, Iowa. The event took place on July 9 at the Horizon Events Center. The event aired on FITE.
Wrestling REVOLVER Cage of Horrors Results (7/9)
IMPACT X-Division Championship: ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey (c) def. Steve Manders
STARDOM hosted their MidSummer Champions event on July 9. The event took place at the Tachikawa Stage Garden in Tokyo, Japan. The pay-per-view can be ordered here.
STARDOM MidSummer Champions Results (7/9)
Lady C def. Hina and Yuko Sakurai
Future of Stardom Championship: Hanan (c) def. Waka Tsukiyama
This was V8 in Hanan’s Future of Stardom Championship reign, extending her record.
This was V5 in AZM’s High-Speed Championship reign.
After the match ended, Rina attacked AZM to make a challenge for the championship.
Cosmic Angels (Tam Nakano, Unagi Sayaka & Mina Shirakawa) & COLOR’S (SAKI & Hikari Shimizu) def. Donna del Mondo (Giulia, Mai Sakurai, Himeka, Maika & Natsupoi) in an Elimination Match
Mai Sakurai eliminated Himeka and Mina Shirakawa via over-the-top-rope
Hikari Shimizu eliminated Mai Sakurai via Spinning Buzzsaw Kick
Maika eliminated Unagi Sayaka via Michinoku Driver II
Maika eliminated Hikari Shimizu via Michinoku Driver II
SAKI eliminated Maika via flash pin
Giulia eliminated SAKI over-the-top-rope
Natsupoi turns on Giulia, eliminating her via German Suplex on the Apron, forcing her over-the-top-rope
Natsupoi rolls off the apron and joins Cosmic Angels after the match
Wonder of Stardom Championship: Saya Kamitani (c) def. Starlight Kid
This was V7 in Kamitani’s Wonder of Stardom Championship reign.
SAKI challenged Kamitani to a Wonder of Stardom Championship match.
Nanae Takahashi revealed she would be KAIRI’s partner against Saya Kamitani. Lady C stepped up as Kamitani’s partner.
World of Stardom Championship: Syuri (c) def. Momo Watanabe
This was V6 in Syuri’s World of Stardom Championship reign.
Tam Nakano challenged Syuri to a World of Stardom Championship match.
Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling
Tokyo Joshi Pro-Wrestling hosted its Summer Sun Princess event in Tokyo, Japan. The event occurred on July 9 at the Ota City General Gymnasium. The event aired on Wrestle Universe.
TJPW Summer Sun Princess Results (7/9)
Moka Miyamoto def. Juria Nagano
Aja Kong, Pom Harajuku, Raku & Yuki Aino def. Hyper Misao, Kaya Toribami, Haruna Neko & Nao Kakuta
International Princess Championship: Alex Windsor def. Maki Itoh (c) to become the new champion
Miyu Yamashita def. Thunder Rosa
After the match, Rosa said Yamashita has an AEW Women’s World Championship match waiting for her when she wants it.
Princess Tag Team Championship: Saki Akai & Yuki Arai def. Magical Sugar Rabbits (Yuka Sakazaki & Mizuki) (c) to become the new champions
Princess of Princess Championship: Shoko Nakajima (c) def. Rika Tatsumi
NJPW STRONG
NJPW aired their newest episode of NJPW Strong on July 9 on NJPW World. The tapings took place on June 19 at the Vermont Hollywood in Los Angeles, California.
NJPW STRONG Results (7/9)
NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Title Tournament First Round: Christopher Daniels & Yuya Uemura def. The Factory (Aaron Solo & Nick Comoroto)
JONAH def. Taylor Rust
NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag Team Title Tournament First Round: TMDK (Mikey Nicholls & Shane Haste) def. West Coast Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson & Royce Isaacs)
After @Mr_Freakbeast puts @Im_YuyaUemura down with a neck breaker, @AaronSoloAEW hits Uemura with a double stomp. Will this be enough to earn The Factory the victory?
6-Man Tag: Kaito Kiyomiya, Yuya Susumu & Yoshinari Ogawa def. Los Perros Del Mal de Japon (Katoro Suzuki, Super Crazy & NOSAWA Rongai)
8-Man Tag: Timothy Thatcher, Hideki Suzuki, El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. & Takashi Sugiura def. Daiki Inaba, Yoshiki Inamura, Masa Kitamiya & Shuhei Taniguchi
Kongo (Hajime Ohara & Kenoh) def. Satoshi Kojima & Atsushi Kotoge
Game Change Wrestling hosted the first part of their Settlement Series events in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. The event took place on July 10 at the Knights of Columbus. The event aired on IWTV.
GCW Settlement Series Part 1 Results (7/10)
Nick Wayne def. Dyln McKay
Big Vin def. Austin Luke
Ellis Taylor def. Charlie Tiger
2 Hot Steve Scott def. Brandon Kirk
Alec Price def. Marcus Mathers
Axton Ray def. Azrieal
Akira def. Janai Kai
Best of 7 Series: Griff Reefer (4) def. Deklan Grant (2)
Yoya def. Charles Mason after BUSSYPREMECOURT reversed the decision.
Jersey Championship Wrestling hosted their Great American Birthday Bash event in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. The event took place on July 10 at the Phil Sheridan Building. The event aired on their YouTube channel.
The “Forbidden Door” has been busted wide open and Japan is no exception.
In fact, NJPW and Pro Wrestling NOAH had been in cahoots long before talk of the “Forbidden Door” began. At one point, the entire Suzuki-gun faction was sent to cause chaos in NOAH, while Naomichi Marufuji had two stellar matches with Kazuchika Okada.
Reports surfaced that things turned sour between the two promotions and the partnership was off. Luckily, NJPW and NOAH have patched things up and are back doing business together.
NJPW & NOAH Reunite
(via NJPW)
Both NJPW and NOAH recently held an “emergency” press conference. During the presser, it was announced that night three of Wrestle Kingdom 16 on Jan. 8 will see cross-promotion matches between the two companies.
The PPV will be airing live on ABEMA. It’ll be available on NJPW World seven days later.
Some fans initially expressed concern and disappointment over a third night for Wrestle Kingdom due to the omission of New Year Dash!!. With this cross-promotion announcement, many are now singing a different tune.
As of this writing, no matches have been announced for the special NJPW-NOAH event. Once more details are available, we’ll be sure to keep you posted.
Pro Wrestling NOAH has announced that Doug Williams will be heading to the promotion for one final bout. The British wrestling legend appeared in a retirement bout for PROGRESS at Wembley Arena back in September.
Williams spoke to SportBible before the retirement bout against Trent Seven and made these comments:
“It was more their decision than mine,” Williams said. “They approached me with doing a different kind of storyline, which was a disgruntled veteran that was bitter about the new guys taking over. But I switched it on them and said I’m thinking about retiring next year anyway, why don’t we do a storyline that could culminate in that possibly happening?”
Williams will be taking part in a Special single match against Ogawa Yoshinari. The bout will be taking place on December 16th at Yokohama Bunka Gymnasium. This will be Doug’s first bout in NOAH in around a decade.
Doug Williams’ 25-Year Career
Williams started working as a teenager in the 90s with NWA UK Hammerlock. He was then a member of the Ring of Honor roster started their first year in 2002. He would remain with the promotion until 2007.
By 2009, he had already appeared with Impact Wrestling a few times. The promotion would then make the UK a bigger priority and Williams was cast in the British Invasion faction.
Earlier this month, Williams had a chance to earn an NWA World Heavyweight Championship match against Cody but lost to Nick Aldis.
Japanese wrestling legend Naomichi Marufuji recently spoke to Tokyo Sports on his bout with the returning Hideo Itami/KENTA in Pro Wrestling NOAH. The bout took place this past Saturday for Marufuji’s 20th Anniversary show.
During the interview Marufuji expressed his pleasure at being able to face his longtime foe once again. The former GHC Heavyweight Champion claimed that is “grateful” to Triple H for allowing Hideo Itami to return to Japan. Marufuji also stated that if he “hears a voice” he would “definitely go to WWE for one match.”
Marufuji defeated Itami at Saturday’s event after hitting the Pole Shift Emerald Flowsion for the three-count at around the 34 minute mark. This came after Marufuji kicked out of the Go 2 Sleep.
After the bout Marufuji was greeted in-ring by the entire NOAH roster, this was lead by Go Shiozaki. The former GHC Champion thanked Itami personally for returning and also thanked the fans in attendance.
The idea of a Japanese star heading to WWE for a special one-off appearance is not unprecedented. Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger appeared at NXT Brooklyn in 2015 and faced Tyler Breeze in a special attraction match.
In this Tokyo Sports article Marufuji talks about how grateful he is that Triple H allowed Hideo Itami to participate in his show and that he wants to repay the favor. If he "hears a voice" he will definitely go to WWE for one match. #noah_ghchttps://t.co/XtTDXEDYDD
Naomichi Marufuji celebrated his 20th anniversary in wrestling today. A special anniversary show was held today and Marufuji wrestled his former partner KENTA, also known as Hideo Itami.
Before the match, Marufuji admitted he felt some jealousy in 2014 when Itami left for WWE.
“(Itami) and I are on different paths,” Marufuji said to Japanese media recently. “I did feel some jealousy when he went to America because I had decided that I had to do it ‘here.’ I don’t want it to be lost in the meaning of his going to America, I have been thinking about that. Because of the excitement, I want to show content that matches it, and above all the ‘results.'”
Marufuji would continue to speak on his former partner and rival. “He will not give up, and I want to take advantage of my ability to win,” Marufuji continued. “I think he is thinking many things, especially about the reaction of the fans when he was displayed on the monitor at Korakuen. I think that was the most and best ‘real.’ I want him to have an explosion like that at the venue. Everyone had hoped for him, and that was the proof.”
Earlier this year, it was revealed WWE was allowing the cruiserweight to perform on the show.
In 2003, both Tokyo Sports and the Wrestling Observer Newsletter named KENTA and Naomichi Marufuji as the top tag-team in the world. The Wrestling Observer would give them the honor in 2004 as well. In 2006, Tokyo Sports would award them the “Match of the Year” for a match they had against each other.
By 2014, each had established themselves as a top guy in Pro Wrestling NOAH. KENTA was looking to do something else with his career, however. He signed with WWE, reported to the Performance Center, and adopted the name of Hideo Itami.
Tomorrow night will see the long anticipated return to Pro Wrestling: NOAH for WWE 205 Live competitor Hideo Itami/KENTA.
We reported the new working agreement between WWE and NOAH a few months ago, this was around the NOAH Korakuen Hall show in June.
Hideo Itami in WWE
Itami has struggled to find his place in WWE. Expectations were high when he signed with the company in 2014 but injuries set him back and prevented him from moving up the card. He is now part of the 205 Live brand.
Rumors of Itami Going Back To Japan in 2017
Last summer there were rumors that Itami was going to go back to Japan full-time. The rumors started after Itami lost an NXT Championship match at Takeover: Chicago (the first one). Rumors were then that Itami had discussed giving up on WWE and going back to Japan. He then dispelled those rumors in the segment below which aired on NXT programming last summer.
Itami sent out a tweet hyping the match which you can see below, here’s a rough translation: “The best time to get distracted though. Finally tomorrow. Honestly, please call me like you want to call me. No good or bad sticking there at all. Anyway, it is the best one day. Let’s meet tomorrow.”
Top UK independent promotion IPW:UK has confirmed an international Dream Match for their upcoming Pro Wrestling: NOAH co-branded GLOBAL CLASH show which will be taking place on Sunday 23rd September from Mote Hall in Maidstone, England.
British wrestling icon Doug Williams will be facing Japanese wrestling legend Naomichi Marufuji in a bout pitting the King of the British Style and one of the pioneers of Japanese Strong Style.
Joining the previously confirmed Naomichi Marufuji and Doug Williams are the following names:
Chris Ridgeway
IPW:UK World Champion Kip Sabian
Kaito Kiyomiya
Mark Haskins
Daisuke Harada
Tadasuke
Yo-Hey
Hayata
IPW:UK has also confirmed that the co-branded NOAH supercard has also changed venue, the company sent out the following message earlier today:
“PW Owner Billy Wood – ‘We are really proud to announce our new relationship which will take place with immediate affect with Mote Hall in Maidstone. Coming up to our anniversary it never sat well with me that our biggest shows were held in a venue that unfortunately due to the nature of the venue lacked disability access and unfortunately made attending the big IPW shows impossible for many. Back in December a fan travelled nearly 2 hours and took health risks to be able to see the show, the truth is that shouldn’t be happening and that moment has stuck with me ever since. With Mote Hall all fans will have access and with our Anniversary selling at the rate it is it’s vital we have a space which accommodates all. We really enjoyed our time at Casino Rooms but now it’s time for a change and with that change we celebrate the biggest weekend in IPW history. Anniversary XIV & IPW/NOAH Global Clash”
IPW:UK has announced that Pro Wrestling NOAH will be making their way to the United Kingdom this September for a one night only ‘Global Clash’ event. The show will be taking place from Rochester’s Casino Rooms alongside IPW:UK’s Anniversary XIV weekender including the Saturday 22nd International Super 8 event.
The first name announced for the Global Clash 2018 is a big one. Pro Wrestling NOAH and Japanese wrestling legend Naomichi Marufuji will be making his way to the United Kingdom for the first time since his Lucha Forever ‘Ultimo Battle’ match against WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne. Marufuji is a former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, Super J Cup winner (2004, 2009), 3 time GHC Heavyweight Champion and GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion amongst a litany of incredible accomplishments over his career.
Tickets for this stellar event are available to purchase now via the official IPW:UK site.
A 12-year Pro Wrestling NOAH mainstay is saying goodbye to the promotion.
Taiji Ishimori announced that he’s leaving NOAH in a move that has stunned the Japanese wrestling community. Ishimori will now become a freelance wrestler. Under the NOAH banner, Ishimori captured GHC Junior Heavyweight gold three times. He is also a six-time GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team champion.
Ishimori had been with NOAH since 2006. Prior, he made numerous appearances for New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling. Most recently, Ishimori made some appearances for Impact Wrestling and even won the X-Division title.
Why Now?
In an interview with Yahoo Sports Japan, Ishimori said that his exit from NOAH is being done with the hopes of ultimately signing with the WWE (translation via F4W Online):
“While I personally do like to fight on the front line of things, I have experienced [a] overseas expedition and [am] more interested in the outside world now. I have been at NOAH for twelve years and a wrestler for sixteen. If I do not make this decision, I will regret it unless I take the first step.”
Cody Hall, son of WWE Hall of Famer Scott Hall, has signed with Japan’s Pro Wrestling NOAH promotion. The company recently inked a partnership agreement with Impact Wrestling.
Hall received a scary injury at NJPWs Invasion Attack 2016 and has been sidelined ever since. He was part of a group of wrestlers who caught Nick Jackson diving off a barrier and injured his neck in the process.
It is believed that negotiations between he and Pro Wrestling NOAH began while he was in recovery. The promotion is said to see potential in the 25-year old.
Since making his NJPW debut in 2015, Hall had been portraying the role as the Bullet Club’s young lion, aka their wrestler in training. It will be interesting to see how NOAH books him moving forward however, if he will be portrayed as a wrestler in training, mid-carder or more.
His first match with NOAH is scheduled for Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on April 14th against Go Shiozaki.
Haruka Eigen, a longtime cult favorite preliminary wrestler in Japan who most recently served as Executive Director of Pro Wrestling NOAH, has passed away at the age of 70. Longtime peer Shinya “The Great” Kojika was the first to break the news in a blog post on Monday. Eigen was an active, full-time pro wrestler from his debut in 1966 through his retirement in 2006, and given his schedule, has to be up there in terms of wrestlers with the most matches in the history of Japan.
Eigen is best known for his role in the “old man” comedy matches that permeated the undercard of All Japan Pro Wrestling starting in the mid-1980s before spreading to Pro Wrestling NOAH when he jumped to the new promotion in 2000. His trademark spot saw him doing ridiculously overdramatic spit takes to sell his opponents’ chops while draped over the ropes and facing the crowd. The spit would visibly travel several rows deep, and it was part of the fun of going to an AJPW or NOAH card to come prepared with a newspaper or an umbrella to protect yourself.
While best known for comedy, Eigen really was a good utility mid card wrestler who had solid matches when not focusing on his comedy shtick, usually against longtime rival Mitsuo Momota. He also holds the distinction of being one of Andre the Giant’s opponents in Andre’s last match, as Andre, Giant Baba, and Rusher Kimura defeated Eigen, Masa Fuchi, and Motoshi Okuma on December 4, 1992. Eigen also had the honor of being on the opposing team for the retirement match of The Intelligent, Sensational Destroyer (Dick Beyer), when Destroyer, son Kurt Beyer, and Baba defeated Eigen, Fuchi, and Masao Inoue.
