Category: In Depth
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The Budokan Rebellion: a play of light and shadow
The Budokan Rebellion is more than the destruction of one man and the elevation of another. It is the culmination of and synthesis of two parallel visions and the creation of a rivalry that has the potential to shape NOAH’s future.
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Flight of the Eagle: Yuuto Kikuchi
The story of those six months between Kikuchi’s first foray into the NOAH ring and the confirmation of his place within it is one of friendship, betrayal, jealousy, and ambition. This is the story of how Yuuto Kikuchi became the Black Eagle.
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Blooming Season: Masaaki Mochizuki vs Ryu Fuda
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Ryu Fuda’s young career has been defined by struggle. Debuting as part of the class of 2021, Fuda distinguished himself from his classmates – and most of his promotion – by focusing his offense on hard kicks and strikes, befitting of his background in Muay Thai.
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The Violence It Takes To Become Gentle
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On May 5th, 2024 at Dragongate’s annual Dead or Alive show, five wrestlers representing three different units made their way into the steel cage for the main event. Hyo, current Brave Gate champion representing BigHug; Kzy and Jacky “Funky” Kamei of Natural Vibes; Shun Skywalker and Jason Lee of Z-Brats.
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Year of the Dragon: Ryuya Matsufusa Rising.
In January 2024, Billy Ken Kid and Ryuya Matsufusa had a match for the Osaka Pro Wrestling Light Heavyweight Championship. Catching viewers attention with Matsufusa’s babyface performance and Billy’s relentless attacks that showed both all and none of his 50 years, the match was a breakout hit, escaping the usually small western fanbase to make…
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HOUSE OF TORTURE: It’s Not Rule-Breaking, It’s Called Being A Family.
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“That within the best of us, there is some evil, and within the worst of us, there is some good.”- Martin Luther King Jr. The tried and true in pro wrestling when it comes to villainous factions within the sport is underhand tactics, being someone you aren’t, and not caring about anyone other than yourself.…
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Little Legacy
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The most important tag match of 2023 happened on January 29th. Well, for me anyway. On January 29th 2023 DDT Tag champions ShunMAO, in between a hectic schedule appearances in the US, faced the recently reformed Ω/Omega team of Makoto Oishi and Shiori Asahi. At a basic level, the match is one pair of idiots…
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Jake Lee; GHC
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Jake Lee entered NOAH on 1st January 2023 an outsider, entering in the same costume and to the same entrance theme he used just weeks before in AJPW. Those elements haven’t changed but Jake’s hands (or at least his gloves) are now, quite literally, dyed the same green as the company whose highest belt he…
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Operation HEAT: A Difference In Power
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To reclaim the SAMURAI GYM signboard, but also take Minoru’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship from his grasp, YUJIRO would be the next from the group to step-up. On May 22, 2007, he’d get what was built as a double crown match. Winner would indeed take all in this one.
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AMAKUSA: Thnks fr th mmrs
AMAKUSA is a genius. In a matter of months he has overcome being cast as NOAH’s perennial loser, won (and lost) the GHC Junior Heavyweight championship and managed to turn denial of his past identities into a t-shirt slogan. Just in case you’re at all uncertain of my position I’ll say it again – AMAKUSA…