EVENT RECAP
With Naomichi Marufuji’s absence (plus the titles being challenged for outside of NOAH), Kiyomiya and Sugiura having one match, and Kazuyuki Fujita not around, the main storyline this week has very much been RATELS vs STINGER.
Yokohama Radiant Halls, Friday 7th February 2020 (“HIGHER GROUND”, Night 1)
Post match interviews
Junta Miyawaki continues his quest to defeat one of his seniors, and he came very close to doing that to YO-HEY. YO-HEY, however, picked up the win (despite Junta’s reversal of one of the GAMEN-G that YO-HEY used), and confirmed on his Twitter that the “Yokohama Curse”, had not afflicted him this time, and he was fine – except his left nipple was hard to find as it was confused about the issue over the tag belts with STINGER.
However, the “Yokohama Curse” might not have affected YO-HEY this time, as it seemed to be targeting HAYATA as in a typically fast paced RATELS match against STINGER, HAYATA went for a top rope somersault, and due to the pace he hit his opponents (and Harada) outside the ring, and then slid through several chairs. Outside the ring, Harada managed to get back on the count of 19, but was sneak pinned by Ogawa.
After the match, Kotaro Suzuki and Atsushi Kotoge said that they wouldn’t be giving a title shot to YO-HEY and HAYATA. Suzuki was speaking in terms of the stock market, and said the values of the belt would drop. They also introduced a new rule as they were happy to take a title challenge from anyone other than RATELS, saying that if you could pin one of them, then you could challenge. They also introduced an “X” sign to indicate they were saying no.
Kaito Kiyomiya and Takashi Sugiura had a pre-match. Sugiura battering Kiyomiya with elbows, and Kiyomiya returning them, at one point knocking Sugiura down. After the match (in which Sugiura pinned Hitoshi Kumano), Sugiura got on the microphone and said, “Fucking kid! I am not giving any scenery or era up to you!”. Backstage Sugiura cut a grumpy promo, which could be best summed up by Grandpa Simpson’s phrase, “I’m an old man, I hate everything”.
Although Go Shiozaki has not had a pre-match with Kazuyuki Fujita at this part of the tour, he has made a point of addressing the crowd each evening, saying that as this is NOAH’s 20th anniversary he will dye NOAH his colors, he will protect NOAH and he will never let it become as Kazuyuki Fujita calls it “a mud boat”.
Aore Nagaoka Arena, Saturday 8th February 2020, (“HIGHER GROUND”, Night 2)
Post match promos
Junta Miyawaki got a singles win today, but it was not over a senior, he beat Kinya Okada.
HAYATA was taped up (which is unusual for him, but understandable after Yokohama) on his shoulder and ribs, fans noted that he looked to be in pain at times. Once again YO-HEY and HAYATA were unsuccessful in pinning Kotoge and Kotaro, and they made an X to tell them this after Kotoge pinned YO-HEY. Backstage RATELS came up with a plan, HAYATA, who was due to have a singles match with Haoh, would swap with Tadasuke to take on STINGER with YO-HEY and Daisuke Harada the next day in Fukushima.
Daisuke Harada has warned Yoshinari Ogawa that he can’t run from him. He had better make the title match.
YO-HEY was told backstage by Kotoge and Kotaro that he and HAYATA were not getting a title match. YO-HEY’S solution to their refusal is to say that they didn’t make an “X” properly, and therefore he is not accepting their refusal.
Fukushima Toyota Crown Arena Sun Arena, Sunday 9th February 2020, (“HIGHER GROUND, Night 3)
RATELS run of bad luck continued, with HAYATA’S injuries catching up with him in the very same arena that Atsushi Kotoge was injured at last year. Knocked outside (or else rolling outside, I am afraid I don’t have the details), he was unable to carry on and seen to by Daisuke Harada and Tadasuke, before being helped out by the seconds and to the medics office. At the time of writing, I don’t have any information as to whether he will miss time or not, but YO-HEY is of the opinion that “Wife” needs to rest and take it easy, and that the match at Korakuen next week will still go ahead. With HAYATA out of the match, this left two of RATELS facing three of STINGER, and the match came to a head with YO-HEY & Atsushi Kotoge getting counted out. Furious, Daisuke Harada grabbed the GHC Junior Heavyweight title, and held it over Ogawa.
NEWS
Takashi Yoshida and Diamante of DragonGate’s R.E.D challenge for the GHC Heavyweight tag titles
On February 7th at Korakuen Hall, Masaaki Mochizuki came to the ring and said that he had been given permission both by NOAH and by Naomichi Marufuji, to make an open challenge for the GHC Heavyweight tag titles. The challenge was answered by Takashi Yoshida and Diamante of the R.E.D Faction. Yoshida basically told Mochi that he was a feeble thin middle aged old man, and the belt would look much better on them, as they were cool happenin’ dudes, who looked like heavyweights. The match has been set for March 5th at Korakuen Hall. This will be the first time ever that the GHC Heavyweight tag titles will have been defended in Dragon Gate.
“NOAH THE DREAM 2020”
On March 15th, NOAH will hold a fan event. Event (which is somewhat Differ in the “Golden Era”) will feature a fan club photo session, flea market, a chance to mix with both wrestlers and fans for about fifty minutes, “Taniguchi’s Room” and two matches.
“Taniguchi’s room” will be a talk show between Shuhei Taniguchi, and NOAH ring announcer Ally, and special guest. Tadasuke has been wondering who the special guest will be, while Taniguchi is wondering what “Taniguchi’s Room” is.
The two matches held on the evening will be Go Shiozaki vs Junta Miyawaki and Kaito Kiyomiya vs Kinya Okada.
ELSEWHERE IN NOAH
~ Naomichi Marufuji came safely through his operation to remove calcified bone from his knee. He has since been discharged from hospital. During his stay he was dreaming of fish dishes having to live off hospital food, and so his Twitter followers were happy to oblige with pictures. Although he will not be returning to the ring until the end of the month (he has decided on the date, not the doctors), he will be at some shows to sign autographs.
~The GinGin Boys (YO-HEY & Kenshin Chikano) will reunite for one night only on 14th March in DDT for Go Hirata’s 10th anniversary. Just so you know should you be unaware (or perhaps I should prepare you for what you are about to see), “Gingin” is a word which kind of means excitable or ecstatic, and you will probably never look at “I’m Too Sexy” by Right Said Fred in the same way again…as the gimmick is two sleazy male strippers. Fake money to stuff down their pants (should they do that side of things), will be provided.
OUTSIDE THE RING
Setsubun at Honmonji Temple
Katsuhiko Nakajima in Nagaoka as seminar lecturer in parents & children exercise course (Noah.co.jp translated article)
CURRENT CHAMPIONS
- GHC Heavyweight Champion: Go Shiozaki
Challenger: Kazuyashi Fujita (8th March) - GHC Junior Champion: Yoshinari Ogawa
Challenger: Daisuke Harada has won the right to challenge, but NOAH have not announced a date yet. - GHC Heavyweight Tag Champions: MM (Naomichi Marufuji & Masaaki Mochizuki)
R.E.D (Takashi Yoshida and Diamante), DragonGate, March 5th at Korakuen Hall - GHC Junior Tag Champions: STINGER (Kotaro Suzuki & Atsushi Kotoge)
No official challengers as of yet (YO-HEY and HAYATA want to challenge, but they are refusing them) - GHC National Champion: Takashi Sugiura
Challenger: Kaito Kiyomiya (25th February) - IPW Junior Heavyweight Champion: Daisuke Harada
BROADCASTS
AbemaTV will stream the 16th February Korakuen Hall show live at 11.30 JST (please note that you cannot watch this outside of Japan without a VPN).
Samurai TV will air the 24th February NOAH show live (event starts at 5pm JST)
G+ will air NOAH’s show from Yokohama live at 3.45pm JST on March 8th.
THIS WEEK IN NOAH
Wednesday 12th February 2020: Katsuhiko Nakajima will defend the W-1 Championship against Shotaro Ashino at Korakuen Hall.
Friday 14th February 2020: AXIZ will be live on YouTube, discussing their new photobook, in “Endless Love“.
Sunday 16th February 2020: NOAH live at Korakuen Hall via AbemaTV at 11.30 JST.
LINKS
New President Sanshiro Takagi, and a bullish challenge to New Japan
Appointed vice president, Marufuji decides on surgery on his right knee
“Look up “dull” if you want”, Katsuhiko Nakajima, the provocation of W-1’s Enemy
“Let’s do it”, Kiyomiya and Miyahara about Okada’s 2020 All-Star Plan
“Fighting on,” Naomichi Marufuji on the single front even with right knee injury
“HIGHER GROUND 2020”, autograph and fan club schedule
Inside Report: The Ark’s New System, interview with NOAH’s New President Akihiro Takeda (from July 2019, still relevant)
“I am relieved that Mochi will do 90% of the action”, Mochizuki reports tag defense decision to Marufuji who has just had knee surgery, for 5th March at Korakuen
PICTURE CREDITS: PKDX
GIF CREDIT: Noah GHC
