Looking at the history of Pro Wrestling NOAH – two names stood out in the early days among a field of legends. The protege of Kenta Kobashi known simply as KENTA and the rising star Naomichi Marufuji. Many years have passed since they were simply rookies, and both are now counted as legends in Japan.
KENTA might be with New Japan Pro Wrestling, but tonight unites with Marufuji as they look to take the GHC Tag Team Championships away from Satoshi Kojima & Takashi Sugiura. Kojima & Sugiura have been champions for 98 days, managing two defences – but never against a team as battle tested as MaruKen, who once held the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championships for 690 days.
They never claimed the GHC Tag Team Championships together, but would love to add that accolade to their still growing resumes – though Marufuji is an eight time champion with various partners.. Their last encounter was in 2018, when WWE allowed the then Hideo Itami to travel to Japan to wrestle Marufuji – a similar situation to that of Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event of this show.
KENTA Shares Ring With Naomichi Marufuji For First Time Since 2018, First Time Teaming Since 2014
MaruKen is still one of the more iconic tag teams in NOAH, despite it being nearly a decade since they last teamed. Takashi Sugiura was in that last tag match, losing to MaruKen as he teamed with Katsuhiko Nakajima. KENTA would kick things off with Sugiura, with KENTA shoving Sugiura to the ropes and not allowing a clean break, chopping the chest of “The Killing Machine” himself.
Sugiura would shove KENTA to the ropes next, nailing an open palm strike to the face – kicking off a hard hitting strike exchange in the middle of the ring, before KENTA was thrown with a Belly To Belly Suplex. KENTA came back with a boot to the face, with Sugiura rolling to his feet and nailing a spear. Marufuji would get the tag as KENTA took Sugiura down, slingshotting into the ring with an elbow drop.
Kojima would get the tag, and would trade chops in the middle of the ring with Marufuji. Marufujis chop can cut a chest open, while Kojima’s are like being hit with a frying pan. Kojima would block a running Marufuji with a double cross chop, before taking back out to Sugiura. A rear chinlock would be applied to slow Marufuji down, allowing the champions to gain the advantage.
Kojima would hit an elbow drop and try to force the pinfall, making Marufuij kick out four times to expend energy. Marufuji found his feet to strike with Suigura, switching to the fast kicks – dropping Sugiura with a hook kick and tagging in KENTA. Some kicks would come from KENTA, before Sugiura was run into Kojima on the apron before a powerslam for a two count.
No One Is Holding Back Tonight
KENTA came off the top rope with a lariat for a two count, before applying the STF in the middle of the ring. Suigura would eat a big boot in the corner and came back with one of his own, before being dropped for the stalling dropkick. KENTA would go to the top rope, but was unable to hit the Diving Foot Stomp, with Sugiura hitting the stalling superplex for a two count – Marufuji breaking the pinfall up.
Sugiura & KENTA would trade forearm smashes in the middle of the ring, switching to slaps that risk popping an eardrum. KENTA would have lost out due to the power of Sugiura, but his speed nearly caused a flash KO. Go to Sleep would be set, but Sugiura would slip off the shoulders and hit the lariat.
Kojima would get the tag, and nailed the Machine Gun Chops in the corner – following up with the running elbow smash. From the top rope with the elbow drop, Kojima would get the near fall. KENTA would use the referee as a shield against the Western Lariat, allowing him to nail Kojima with a DDT and complete the tag.
Marufuij would drop both Kojima & Sugiura with dropkicks, before an overhand chop to Kojima in the corner. A hook kick and a lariat would take Kojima down, before the Shiranui was set up, with Kojima barely countering with a cutter. Brainbuster would follow, but Marufuji was able to kick out at two.
Satoshi Kojima & Takeshi Sugiura Defeat NOAH Tag Team Legends
KENTA would take Kojima down with a kick as the Western Lariat was set, but Sugiura would take KENTA out. They’d go after Marufuji two on one, but the speed of The Genius of The Ark allowed him to avoid a big boot – Sugiura taking out Kojima. MaruKen would hit a double kick to drop Sugiura, before Marufuji hit the Shiranui for a two count.
Bicycle Knee Strike would test the jaw of Kojima, before a powerbomb/shiranui combo from MaruKen for a two count – Sugiura saving the match. Angle Slam from Sugiura dropped Marufuij, but Go To Sleep from KENTA would follow – only for fighting spirit to flow, with Sugiura finding the strength for another Angle Slam before collapsing.
Kojima would tank two knee strikes before two stiff Western Lariats – retaining the GHC Tag Team Championships in the process. There’s no shame in losing a hard hitting match like this, with both teams bringing their best.
Who can possibly take down Kojima & Sugiura? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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