News

Mitchell’s Talking Smack Report! (5/22/21)

Talking Smack, Strong Style!

Published

2 years ago

May 22, 2021

Steven Mitchell

A king and a champion are here for Talking Smack!

After a furious Fatal 4 Way for the WWE Intercontinental Championship, Apollo Crews is here to celebrate! But will he comment on the assist that helped him?

Kayla Braxton welcomes us back to the show!

Fresh off #WrestleManiaBacklash, we saw new champions emerge, and a rather interesting Friday Night SmackDown. How is Paul Heyman doing? He’s realizing he’s not a morning person. Well she figured as much. He might not even be an afternoon or evening person or any time person. How rude! She apologizes, and just wants a good show. She doesn’t need to apologize to him to have a good show. He’s a living legend! An icon! A national treasure! Today’s great, whether these two get along or not! That’s because of the Special Counsel is right here! He done? Yes.

Kayla wants to start things off with amazing news, because the WWE is returning to event touring in July! It will be July 16th, SmackDown kicking off Money in the Bank weekend! Houston, Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas, get ready! Kayla is sure Heyman is pumped for this, because all he does is yap yap yap here in the ThunderDome, so now he can do that in front of live fans. Oh is that all he does? He’s reduced to “yap yap?” Kayla apologizes again but yes, that’s what he does. Does she find it hard to hide her disdain for him? She doesn’t have an issue hiding it. It’s pretty easy not to hide it. To keep going- Well yes, keep on with the yakkity yak.

Kayla brings up the “Parade of Champions” that Bayley interrupted. Heyman says they’re like an old Jewish married couple going on and on, “bitching and moaning.” Please no, Kayla doesn’t want that image. Why? She just doesn’t want to. But Heyman imagines going to West Palm Beach, play mahjong and shuffleboard, then take a nap. Stop! If Heyman wants to talk so much, let’s talk Seth Rollins and Cesaro as it pertains to Roman Reigns. Heyman says that doesn’t pertain to Roman nor himself, because that is Rollins’ problem with Cesaro and Cesaro’s problem with Rollins. Heyman has no dog in this fight.

But Cesaro made a challenge for a rematch to Roman. Heyman wants to answer that question. “Yak. Yak. Yak. Because that’s all I do! It’s amazing that the Chairman of the Board, Vince McMahon, cherishes my involvement in the WWE so much for some shmuck who just sits here and all he does is yak, yak, yak.” Kayla’s turn. Well, we’re going to have another exciting episode, and we have the King of Strong Style and the WWE Intercontinental Champion, and certainly more on Rollins and Cesaro, whether or not Heyman has a “dog in that fight.”

Shinsuke Nakamura joins Talking Smack!

Heyman teases Kayla over “welcome on him now,” like he has a stain or something, but the King of Strong Style is here, still wearing Baron Corbin’s crown. Kayla says it looks much better on Nakamura than Corbin. Probably because Corbin doesn’t have the luscious locks like Nakamura. Nakamura thanks Kayla, and says that since he is the King of Strong Style, he should have a crown. Nakamura says in Japanese that as a king, he of course needs this crown. He also likes the set, the table and the casters. Heyman says he can translate. Nakamura waits on Heyman then, and Heyman says this will trend on Twitter for the week. Okay then…

Kayla notes that Nakamura had back-to-back matches with Corbin, lost the first and had some help on the second with the guitarist, Rick Boogz. But how has it been wearing the crown? Kayla shares Nakamura’s Instagram posts the last week. Did anyone honk at him with the crown? Nakamura responds in Japanese, and says he loves his cat, and his coffee. Kayla just agrees with everything. Heyman, your translation? Heyman wants Kayla to take this seriously. Heyman says Nakamura is a true king and he congratulates him. All the stuff with Corbin, and Heyman throws Yiddish in here and there so the language barrier might be even stronger now.

Does it ever drive Nakamura nuts that we might see King Nakamura VS Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Nakamura says it’s always on his mind. Does Heyman promise? Yes! They shake hands, and says Nakamura’s kingdom is in good hands. Heyman will send Nakamura’s regards to Roman Reigns. Nakamura appreciates that. Kayla is happy this went well, and thanks Nakamura for his time. And she doubts Heyman understands what happened at all. Maybe someone can translate before next Friday. Heyman says that was the most articulate and well-spoken guest on this show! If Heyman were to hold a promo class, that Kayla would not want to be part of…

Is she just purposefully lobbing softballs to him? Maybe. But after another break, we’ll have the Intercontinental Champion and his Commander!

Apollo Crews and Azeez join Talking Smack!

Apollo kisses the belt as he places it, and asks dear Kayla how she is doing. Not that it really matters, because all that matters is how he feels! And he’s a bit tired. He hasn’t partied like that for a very long time. Azeez knows what he means. But STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion! Go ahead and ask him things. Kayla can see he’s very excited, how satisfying was it to win that tough Fatal 4 Way? The odds were not with him, but he still walked out champion. Yes, the odds were stacked against him, but he beat everyone’s favorites! And this title is still his! Apollo agrees that was tough, but he’s a warrior built for those moments.

You put Apollo in a situation like that and he finds a way to come out on top! This is his title! Next question. Kayla then asks what everyone wants to know. What everyone wants to know is that Apollo is STILL WWE Intercontinental Champion! But we can’t deflect or deny. Well, side note before this question. SOON, live audiences will get to see THEIR Intercontinental Champion in person! That is the moment we’ve all be waiting for! Okay, now Kayla can talk. Kayla wants to know about the “very obvious distraction,” a certain figure that appeared, in one Aleister Black. Aleister’s return to the ring, as it were, caused a distraction. Was this a plan Apollo had created with Aleister?

Apollo has no idea what she means. He doesn’t know Aleister that well, and this footage, he’s not sure, he has some champagne in his eyes so he isn’t sure what’s happening. Apollo uses his scarf to dab his eyes. Oh, he sees himself smiling and still being champion. Can Heyman talk to this? If this were Kayla, and she means no disrespect, but she wouldn’t have as much satisfaction if she didn’t win this on her own. How can she say she means no disrespect and then disrespect him? She can’t do that. But there are many camera angles. Azeez steps forward and scares Heyman, but Apollo says it is alright. Apollo is the champion, Heyman is a good person who wouldn’t harm Apollo.

Kayla says if they don’t like what she’s saying, take it out on Heyman. No, don’t do that. Heyman wishes to speak to Apollo. It may not seem respectful but this is respectful. Apollo understands. Azeez, it’s alright. Heyman says that this thing with Aleister Black… BS. Apollo likes that! Heyman says that he’s envious, really. He’s been reaching out to Aleister for weeks, he has had ideas for him, and yet Aleister ghosted him. Disappeared, poof! But then suddenly- Kayla scoffs and Heyman tells her that she shouldn’t be so hyper sexualized right now, especially in front of Apollo. Apollo says that’s alright. But Heyman says Aleister must be in his back pocket.

Apollo says he has nothing to admit there. Aleister didn’t talk to Heyman, maybe his phone broke. Apollo can only speak for himself and the title. Heyman does have a point, this was a tough match. Big E hit the Big Ending, Apollo blacked out. When he came to, he was having his hand raised. Okay, Apollo has to go, he has an appointment and has to feed his dogs. Azeez, fire up the jet. Apollo likes Heyman, he’s very good. See you around! Azeez pats Heyman on the shoulder, and follows Apollo out. Kayla thanks Apollo for his time and says that when we return, Heyman will get his chance to do what he does best, and yap yap yap. Oh stop flirting. Heyman wishes that was this was.

Talking Smack returns once more.

Kayla knows there’s a few more things to discuss. For one, a big tag match between The Street Profits and The Usos. This will be the Usos’ first tag match together in over a year, and they’re ready to prove themselves to everyone, including The Tribal Chief, “whom Paul, might seem not pleased with this happening.” Heyman doesn’t have to be pleased, it’s Roman who has to be pleased, because Jey is the Right Hand Man. That’s what Kayla was saying. Well she didn’t word it that way, because she was all “Talking Smack yak yak yak.” Heyman gives concise points and derogatories, which he never gets because Kayla just goes yak yak yak.

But moving on, there’s only a few minutes left. The big tag match, but Kayla was saying that Roman isn’t pleased. Jimmy is pulling Jey’s attention away from the most important thing, which is Roman, and he won’t let the Usos make history together. Jey’s been making history as #MainEventJey, the Right Hand Man! Record ratings because at the helm of the main event, the thing the whole show leads to, it is Jey Uso! Jey is a singles superstar who is reducing himself to the tag team commodity with his brother, who has yet to fall in line! But Jimmy will, sooner rather than later. He has to. He will have to acknowledge Roman Reigns.

There is a lot of family drama going on at this very moment because of Jimmy Uso being so independent and rebellious that he thinks he can stand up to Roman Reigns. What has happened to everyone who has stood up against Roman? Heyman ran it down at the start of SmackDown: no one stays standing. What do we call WrestleMania? The Grandest Stage of Them All, the Showcase of the Immortals. And what happened? One immortal exploited WrestleMania 37 for his own benefit and showcased his own immortality and gave you THE WrestleMania Moment of the DECADE, and it’s only 2021.

“The most declaratively dominant pinfall in the history of WrestleMania main events was one immortal’s showcase when Edge and Daniel Bryan were stacked on top of each other and pinned as if it wasn’t a Triple Threat but a Handicap match by your Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. This is who is the single biggest attraction, in not just SmackDown, not just Raw, not just NXT, but in all of WWE and all of sports entertainment today.” Heyman will paraphrase Kayla in saying he could yak yak yak all day long, but that doesn’t make him wrong. Is anyone really on Roman’s tier today? We saw Bobby Lashley get pinned by Kofi Kingston on Raw!

Well, Heyman watched highlights on his phone because he doesn’t watch Raw. It doesn’t compare to SmackDown. And why is that? Because SmackDown benefits from the graces of the presence of your Tribal Chief, the most preeminent champion in WWE, the true GOAT, Greatest of All Time, the End All Be All and the one who will defend his title against anyone who wants to step up and see what he can do to them at Hell in a Cell, the Reigns-ing, Defending, Undisputed, Uncontroverted, WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman…! Reigns…! With that, Talking Smack signs off.

My Thoughts:

A very good Talking Smack, Heyman’s banter with Kayla was great as always. Heyman’s promo to end the night was great, too, and really adds weight to Roman VS Jimmy at Hell in a Cell happening. I’m pretty sure Heyman doesn’t really know what Nakamura said in Japanese, not that I had a better idea. A little surprised we didn’t get Boogz here, makes me wonder what they’re planning with how he did Nakamura’s entrance music. But Nakamura VS Roman would be a very good match. Apollo has great charisma, and I like how he was dancing around the issue of Aleister Black showing up at the end of the title match. I’m sure Aleister was there more to attack Big E rather than help Apollo. Not sure who’s next for Apollo, but he’ll make it a good build either way.

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Up Next

News From Cook’s Corner 5.24.21: Just When I Thought I Was Out

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s Raw Talk Report! (5/17/21)

(NOAH) NOAH NEWSLETTER VOL.194 ~ 12TH MARCH 2023

Pre-matches, retirements and cross promotion challenges! NOAH keeps things interesting going into Spring!

Published

1 week ago

March 13, 2023

Hi5ame

NEWS

Daisuke Harada’s retirement

Daisuke Harada wrestled his last match at Korakuen Hall on the 9th March, bringing a seventeen year career to a close. The match was only a minute, and Harada took no bumps and took no damage to his neck. The last move of his career was Misawa’s Rolling Elbow, although he did set up The Katayama German Suplex. Fortunately, time ran out then and the referee looked as if he had to hold Harada back from continuing. His opponent, Atsushi Kotoge (who he calls his “eternal rival”) had come to the ring highly emotional and had buried his face in the turnbuckle when Harada’s music sounded, he was in tears again when Harada made his speech;

“Are you kidding me, aren’t I the one who wants to cry the most? My pro wrestling life started with you, and I’m really happy that it ended with you. Because of you, I was able to come to NOAH and continue wrestling because you were here, and because of you I was able to wrestle for one last minute. I am really grateful to you. From the day I entered Osaka Pro Wrestling, I was cocky junior, but until today have been indebted to you. Thank you for your help today!”

Kotoge left soon after, and Harada addressed the crowd thanking everyone and hoping that they would be happy with the match (the fans were just as emotional as Kotoge), he thanked NOAH, the medical team and everyone who came today. There was to be no ten count bell or ceremony (Harada finds them a little gloomy) but he wanted to end his career with a bang. Harada left the ring for the last time, raising the arm of the person he said had saved his life (NOAH’s trainer, Nagahama) and shaking hands with the wrestlers at ringside, which included Hitoshi Kumano, before he disappeared one final time behind the curtains. In the lobby, Harada had been sent flowers from Osaka Pro, HUB, Zeus (they sent flowers in his colors of blue and white), Meiko Satomura, THE LEAVE, GLEAT, DDT, Satoshi Kojima – the list went on. Harada hasn’t decided what he is going to do next, but he has vowed to support NOAH as a fan, and has referred to himself as becoming a “Wrestling Genie”. However, he doesn’t seem to be ready to leave NOAH behind just yet, as he still has one final NOAH Junior Space to do.

“Don’t end up like me” – Daisuke Harada, who has announced his retirement, thinks about the unexpected doctor stop without subjective symptoms, the retirement match is a one minute exhibition with a doctor present

“My past matches will be streamed. Please receive Daisuke Harada’s pro wrestling! – free matches released on YouTube that Daisuke Harada has chosen himself

“What to do with Taniguchi?” Takashi Sugiura to “retrain” him

The question of “What to do with Taniguchi” is one that NOAH have wondered periodically over the years, and now the question has arisen again following his six man match when he teamed with Naomichi Marufuji and Masaaki Mochizuki against The Sugiura Army of Takashi Sugiura, Kazuyuki Fujita and Hideki Suzuki. Suzuki had said that he wanted to see Maybach Taniguchi, but instead they got apathetic Shuhei Taniguchi, who ended the match by getting choked out by Takashi Sugiura and the ref called for the bell. After the match Sugiura, stood over Taniguchi, and then left the ring. Marufuji and Mochizuki were a little kinder, Marufuji rolling him out, but they both exchanged knowing glances and Marufuji gave him a weary look as they walked to the back. Takashi Sugiura vented about Taniguchi’s performance, and said he would “retrain him” in their singles match in Yokohama.

All Japan World Heavyweight Tag Challenge accepted

After winning the first pre match against the GHC Heavyweight Tag Champions, Masa Kitamiya and Daiki Inaba, Kenoh and Manabu Soya where confronted in the ring by the All Japan World Heavyweight Tag Champions, Yuma Aoyagi and Naoki Nomura, who (throwing off Managing Director SUWAMA’s threat) accepted the challenge of Kongoh for the belts. Kenoh said that when Kongoh win them, having already won the GHC Heavyweight Tag Titles, they would unify them into what they had named “GHC World Tag”. Title match will take place on the 21st March at All Japan’s show at the Ota Ward General Gymnasium.

STINGER all out war; Eita bloodied, Ogawa taps

Following the emotion of Harada’s retirement and the frustration of Taniguchi’s performance, STINGER went to war. Eita faced off in a singles match against HAYATA, and Chris Ridgeway and Yoshinari Ogawa fought in the match after. Eita had threatened HAYATA that he would make him feel the same pain he caused him the night he bloodied him up and took the belt back at NOAH Junior Night at Ryogoku Kokukigan, but in the event of things, HAYATA jumped him, bust him open by using the belt on him and then attacked him savagely afterwards. The ref was shoved down by HAYATA three times, and on the fourth shove away, he stopped the match. HAYATA gave Eita the 403 Impact on the belt, and shoved his boot into his face as he held the championship up. Backstage, HAYATA (who ironically was the only person out of STINGER, ex STINGER or whatever the tag with Eita is called), said that he had no intention of teaming with Eita, and that in Yokohama, Ogawa will come to his senses. Eita later posted on Twitter a picture of HAYATA standing over him and asking whether HAYATA was proud of himself (I would imagine he was) and saying that if he thinks that Ogawa is going to “come to his senses”, then that’s what HAYATA needs to do, so “get real”.

Ogawa and Ridgeway had a match that Ogawa had both predicted would be different from HAYATA vs Eita (he doesn’t give Eita much credit in using his brain, while he did admit he has to work hard when it’s Ridgeway) and would be “technique vs technician”. Ridgeway called it “master vs pupil” and demonstrated that Ogawa’s teaching had taught him not only how to attack, but also how to deceive and like a latter day Charlemagne, how to make everything around you into your army. Ridgeway won the match by doing something that very few people have done; he made Ogawa tap. The war between STINGER has just gone up another notch.

“Let me be clear” – crowned tag with Eita, Yoshinari Ogawa breaks the silence on the HAYATA & Ridgeway interception (part 1)

Kaito Kiyomiya loses the first pre-match against Jake Lee

Kaito Kiyomiya’s woes continued when he lost the first pre match to Jake Lee. However, that being said, Kiyomiya was not the person pinned, it was Atsushi Kotoge. Jake Lee had been making comments about Kiyomiya’s somewhat worried demeanor ever since he came to NOAH, back then it was he looked so glum he would probably scare little children, and now it had developed into making exaggerated smiles on his face using two fingers to prop up his mouth (in the manner of “turn that frown, upside down”) and then motioning at Kiyomiya to do this. Kiyomiya wore a faint smile, but Jake even took it one step further, and rearranged Kiyomiya’s lips and cheeks into a grin when he did a rope break. After the match, Jake took the mic and told Kiyomiya that “Kiyomiya, for you, that (GHC Heavyweight) is a bit of a burden I guess. Boo, applause, whatever. Come and see the 19th March, I’ll change NOAH”.

AMAKUSA retains

AMAKUSA retained the GHC Junior Heavyweight title against Hi69. Hi69 let loose in the match, and he looked as if he was wild eyed and drunk on revenge. Fans said that this was one of the best matches that they had seen out of him for a while, although he does tend to be very good in singles matches, especially title ones with a backstory as in depth as the one against AMAKUSA. No challenger has come forward yet, but AMAKUSA has promised that he will “guide this junior treasure to the heavens”

EVENT RECAPS & POST MATCH INTERVIEWS

Star Navigation 2023 (Thursday March 9th, Korakuen Hall)

Post match interviews (Thursday March 9th, Korakuen Hall)

ELSEWHERE IN NOAH

– Naomichi Marufuji had a Twitter conversation with Satoshi Kojima about a lost phone. He said he had lost his phone once and “everyone was searching for it”. From Kojima’s reaction that suggested that he was there and remembered this, I wonder if “everyone” was the roster at one point.

– Katsuhiko Nakajima held his 35th birthday fan event, “Team Katsu” on the 12th March. The event included photos of Nakajima in his two most favorite ring-wear (his current red one and his wolf skin), homemade Chanko, autographs, a chat with Nakajima and fans could even wear one of the costumes if they won a competition. A lot of reviews contained the phrases “when I came around” or “when I regained consciousness”, which refer to Nakajima’s presence.

– Keiji Mutoh took part in Japan’s version of “Are you smarter than a 5th grader?” It turned out that he wasn’t and went home without the money he hoped to use for his retirement. He says that next time he goes on the show, he will bring Riki Choshu.

– Lanzelot, Super Crazy’s nephew, made his NOAH debut on the 9th March at Korakuen Hall.

– Kenoh said he doesn’t remember the name of Naoki Nomura, as his presence was insignificant.

– Tadasuke wrist flicked Kinya Okada away when he got into the ring. Not that Okada was in his way or had any intention of being in the Kongoh pose.

CURRENT CHAMPIONS

GHC Heavyweight Champion: Kaito Kiyomiya
Challenger: Jake Lee, Great Voyage in Yokohama, Yokohama Budokan, 19th March
GHC Junior Champion: AMAKUSA
Challenger: None at the time of writing
GHC Heavyweight Tag Champions: Masa Kitamiya and Daiki Inaba
Challengers: Kongoh (Kenoh and Manabu Soya), Great Voyage in Yokohama, Yokohama Budokan, 19th March
GHC Junior Tag Champions: Yoshinari Ogawa & Eita
Challengers: HAYATA & Chris Ridgeway, Great Voyage in Yokohama, Yokohama Budokan, 19th March
GHC National Champion: El Hijo Del Dr Wagner Jnr
Challenger: None at the time of writing

THIS WEEK IN NOAH

SUNNY VOYAGE 2023

Date: Tuesday, March 14th

Venue: Yokohama Radiant Hall

Start time: 18:00 JST

Broadcast: WrestleUniverse (you must be a subscriber to view)

Yoshiki Inamura will be having the singles match against Kento Miyahara on this day at Shinjuku Face. The All Japan event starts half an hour after NOAH’s does, and while Masa Kitamiya is on the card he is in the second match, so I guess there is plenty of time for him to get to Shinjuku.

ARTICLES

Kenoh advises GHC champion Kaito Kiyomiya to retire, “shocked” by “forbidden words” after the battle with Okada

Fan event recap – Kenoh gives a talk in Hachinohe

NOAH FROM THE VAULT

“Donmai, Donmai” – Mitsuharu Misawa’s diary

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

(NOAH) NOAH NEWSLETTER VOL.193 ~ 5TH MARCH 2023

After the retirement of NOSAWA and Keiji Mutoh, it seems someone else is being forced to retire for health concerns! Hisame brings us all of the Emerald Updates!

Published

2 weeks ago

March 6, 2023

Hi5ame

After the retirement of NOSAWA and Keiji Mutoh, it seems someone else is being forced to retire for health concerns! Hisame brings us all of the Emerald Updates!

NEWS

Daisuke Harada announces retirement

NOAH held a press conference/title match signing on the 2nd March, in which Daisuke Harada announced that due to the neck injury that has seen him away from the ring since August 2022, he would be retiring. The decision sadly was come to when investigations in August revealed that Harada was in danger of developing what is known as spinal cord compression (cervical atlantoaxial subluxation), which can cause paralysis, respiratory failure and even death. Harada had no symptoms at all and was still training as much as he could (and with the usual weights he used), although for three months he had to wear a neck brace. Sadly, nothing did any good, and the issue failed to resolve. The specialist called Harada and NOAH’s trainer into his clinic and told them the sad news, Harada would have to retire. Unsurprisingly after an emotional press conference in which Harada announced he would wrestle his final match on Thursday 9th March at Korakuen Hall against his oldest friend and eternal rival, Atsushi Kotoge, he went home and couldn’t stop crying. The other two juniors at the press conference, Hi69 and AMAKUSA, were both visibly moved. Hi69 in particular never attempted to hide the fact and AMAKUSA was lost for words when asked about Harada’s news.

Harada’s final match will be a one minute exhibition match, with the doctor at ringside. The match needs to be short in duration as very sadly now, Harada cannot take any further bumps, so don’t be expecting any top turnbuckle Katayama German Suplexes. Harada himself said he is disappointed to have to retire, but preserving his life is more important. Very sadly he will not be staying on in NOAH, although he was offered the position of a coach or backstage agent. Harada says he had to decline as he knew that it would be hard for him to watch the NOAH Juniors and not be able to join in, but he won’t be abandoning them entirely, he will be watching as a fan. However, President Zeus of the new Osaka Pro, has wondered if Harada might like to come and do some guest commentary, and it is known that (unofficially) Harada did want to make an appearance there, but what Harada will do after retirement remains to be seen.

Related articles

Daisuke Harada, from becoming a professional wrestler until retirement at NOAH’s 9th March Korakuen

“I will write about Harada’s absence up until now” – note by Pro Wrestling NOAH trainer, Kento Nagahama

Daisuke Harada shock retirement, Doctor stop due to neck injury, 9th March retirement match with Kotoge at Korakuen

Kenoh’s fifteen year anniversary

“Maybe every five years; debut as a newcomer, ten years to be fully fledged, 15 years is your mid career, twenty years to be a veteran, and thirty years a legend. There is such an image in pro wrestling.”

Kenoh’s chronology of a pro wrestler.

Kenoh celebrated fifteen years in Pro Wrestling on March 2nd. His goal for his fifteenth anniversary was to celebrate it as GHC Heavyweight Champion, which sadly he was not able to do. As is customary for a “mid career” anniversary, Kenoh will be holding his own show, which will take place in his hometown of Tokushima, Shikoku (aka “this fucking countryside”) on 24th June. No card has been announced as of yet, and Kenoh has hinted he will give details on his YouTube channel. But when asked about the handshake with his Michinoku Pro rival, Hayato “Jnr” Fujita, who has been calling for a match with Kenoh, Kenoh said coyly that he is “still waiting to hear from him about that”

Kitamiya no show, enter Inamura

Following on from the friction between the Kensuke Office boys (Katsuhiko Nakajima, Kento Miyahara and Masa Kitamiya), Miyahara demanded that Masa Kitamiya come to All Japan’s event on the 27th February, dressed in a suit and apologize formally to him for not greeting him. Kensuke Office was very strict on this, and his former “errand boy” broke the rules. It may be best that Miyahara doesn’t know what Kitamiya was saying about him on commentary. Anyway, the 27th came and Masa Kitamiya did not show up.

But, whenever someone throws down for NOAH, Yoshiki Inamura will answer the call, and that is exactly what happened. Inamura came to the ring and told Miyahara (loudly) that time had moved on and the new generation of NOAH wasn’t just Kitamiya, it was himself, Yoshiki Inamura and if Miyahara wanted a fight then Inamura would give him one. Miyahara (calling Masa Kitamiya by his real name “Mitsuhiro”) said that Kitamiya didn’t show up because he was scared, and therefore he had sent Inamura in his place. Inamura said he came of his own accord. Miyahara kind of liked this, and said that Inamura sure did know who to attack in All Japan and as he had come here on his own accord, he would give him a match. But, he had his own stipulation, Masa Kitamiya comes with him as a second. Miyahara had earlier said that Kitamiya had grown conceited and needed to be taken down a few pegs. The match has been set for March 14th in Shinjuku. Miyahara said sarcastically after their confrontation that this could turn into “NOAH vs Miyahara”, although probably he basically wants revenge on Katsuhiko Nakajima and Masa Kitamiya above all.

Related articles

Inamura makes a sudden appearance, and requests a match against Miyahara. One on one match in Shinjuku on 14th March decided.

ELSEWHERE IN NOAH

– Kaito Kiyomiya revealed in a recent interview that his post title match treat is to go out and basically eat whatever he wants. He listed ramen, hamburgers and candy, which he would stuff himself with to the point of “not being able to move”.

– Since his retirement, Keiji Mutoh is feeling a lot better and his injury has gotten a lot better. He ran into Tomoaki Honma in a local gym, and then said he fled quickly from him when he heard that Honma had been cheering for him until he was hoarse at his retirement match.

– Kenoh says that he and Manabu Soya will no longer he challenging for the All Japan World Tag Titles thanks to President Suwama bursting in and attacking one of the champions with a chair and demanding that the Voodoo Murders come before Kongoh. Suwama said Kenoh was “talking stupid”

– Junta Miyawai has returned to Mexico following his loss at the Mutoh retirement show. He says he will swallow down that bitter pill and return stronger.

– Naomichi Marufuji and the now retired NOSAWA Rongai made one of their annual road trips to Shizuoka to attend a physiotherapy treatment clinic. Marufuji posted a picture to his Instagram with an arrow pointing to NOSAWA saying, “Retired, but still in need of maintenance”. NOSAWA at that time was photographed smoking and looking out of the window following their traditional stop over meal of eel.

– Satoshi Kojima has left NOAH for the time being. Takashi Sugiura demanded to know if “our love was just a contract” and then likened himself to being “Koji’s gigolo” in that case.

CURRENT CHAMPIONS

GHC Heavyweight Champion: Kaito Kiyomiya
Challenger: Jake Lee, Great Voyage in Yokohama, Yokohama Budokan, 19th March
GHC Junior Champion: AMAKUSA
Challenger: Hi69, Star Navigation 2023, Korakuen Hall, 9th March
GHC Heavyweight Tag Champions: Masa Kitamiya and Daiki Inaba
Challengers: Kongoh (Kenoh and Manabu Soya), Great Voyage in Yokohama, Yokohama Budokan, 19th March
GHC Junior Tag Champions: Yoshinari Ogawa & Eita
Challengers: HAYATA & Chris Ridgeway, Great Voyage in Yokohama, Yokohama Budokan, 19th March
GHC National Champion: El Hijo Del Dr Wagner Jnr
Challenger: TBA