Pro Wrestling NOAH’s New Year Begins with a Tumultuous Start!
Text & Photo Exclusively by Tokio Tsukada (Edited by Kyle Dunning)
Courtesy & Copyrights Reserved by Pro Wrestling NOAH
January 1, 2025. Pro Wrestling NOAH’s New Year event at the Nippon Budokan kicked off with shocking developments as both the GHC Heavyweight Champion and the GHC Tag Team Champions lost their titles. In the GHC Tag Team Championship match, Naomichi Marufuji and Takashi Sugiura defended their titles against Jack Morris and a mystery partner, who had been teased as “Secret X.” A press conference held a few days before the match revealed that “X” was none other than WWE Superstar OMOS.
Fans were astonished by OMOS’s massive stature and commanding presence as he made his debut at the Budokan. Standing 7 feet 4 inches tall, OMOS left an indelible mark as the largest “X” in the event’s history. Throughout the match, OMOS showcased his incredible power, dominating the champions. His imposing size and strength allowed him to dictate the pace, including a moment where he acted as the launching pad for Jack Morris’s diving body press.
In the closing moments, OMOS faced off against Marufuji, delivering a thunderous high shoulder throw before finishing with a devastating Sky High Drop to secure the victory. Afterward, OMOS declared, “I’m the ‘Best Giant’ alive today. I’m a living legend. No one can touch me, no one can see me. I’ve made history,” flashing a confident grin. For NOAH, the loss of the GHC Tag Team Titles to WWE marks a historic and alarming development, as it is the first time these belts have been taken outside the promotion.
The second main event of the evening saw OZAWA challenge Kaito Kiyomiya for the GHC Heavyweight Championship. The buildup to the match was tense, with OZAWA relentlessly provoking Kiyomiya in the weeks leading up to the event. At the pre-match press conference, OZAWA’s personal taunts escalated, leading to a heated exchange. During the match, chaos erupted as Yoshi Tatsu, acting as OZAWA’s second, attacked Kiyomiya outside the ring. OZAWA capitalized on the distraction, unleashing his aggression with moves such as a pine needle attack. Adding to the chaos, members of All Rebellion, including Kenoh, heckled Kiyomiya, creating a tense atmosphere.
OZAWA demonstrated his athleticism by countering Kiyomiya’s tiger suplex and variant tiger driver. He followed up with a leaping shooting star press and avoided Kiyomiya’s Shining Wizard with clever maneuvering. However, the bout took a controversial turn when OZAWA resorted to low blows, drawing loud boos from the crowd. Despite Kiyomiya’s attempts to retaliate, OZAWA seized control with a series of punishing moves, culminating in the “Real Rebel” Phoenix Splash to secure the victory in 29:34. With this win, OZAWA became the GHC Heavyweight Champion just two years and four months after his debut, breaking Kiyomiya’s previous record of three years to reach the top.
Grabbing the microphone, OZAWA declared, “The real level! Hey, you see, this guy has been at the top of NOAH for a long time, and that’s why we’re in the mess we’re in now, isn’t it? Kaito Kiyomiya, you are weaker than I thought you would be! Go home! Go home!” He punctuated his statement by kicking Kiyomiya, who was still down. Backstage, OZAWA doubled down: “Hey, listen to me with your ears plugged! I’m the champion of NOAH! That means I’m the strongest and the best in NOAH. Listen, from now on, you call me Mr. OZAWA. You are weaker than me, so call me Mr. OZAWA out of respect.”
This historic event saw the downfall of both the reigning GHC Heavyweight Champion and the GHC Tag Team Champions, ushering in a new era of dominance under Team 2000X. Omos will continue to gain experience while representing WWE overseas.
Also Read: The Great Muta Delivers New Year’s Surprise For NOAH Fans (Exclusive Photos)
