Pro Wrestling NOAH Star Navigation Premium (January 11th, 2025) Review

I will start off this review by saying that Pro Wrestling NOAH is my favorite promotion in the world today behind WWE. This Japanese promotion has existed since 2000, and has had many of the greatest wrestlers to ever live battle it out in between those ropes. From the three of the Four Pillars of Heaven, the likes of Yoshihiro Takayama, KENTA, Naomichi Marufuji, and Katsuhiko Nakajima all fighting it out over the past two and a half decades have made me fall in love with this promotion very quickly, and right now they are on fire. The working relationship with WWE and some great stars like Kaito Kiyomiya, KENOH, and Masa Kitamiya working with incredible storylines and interesting factions makes this something that is so fun to watch. So, let us set sail for Star Navigation Premium!

As for history and stories for the show, I will talk about them once I get to matches

Match 1: 4v4 Tag Team Match

Eita, Shuji Kondo, AMAKUSA, and Junta Miyawaki vs RATEL's (HAYATA, YO-HEY, Tadasuke, and Yuto Kikuchi)

The recently reformed RATEL's group is full of some of my favorite people in the entire NOAH roster. HAYATA and YO-HEY are two of the most charismatic people I've ever seen in the wrestling business. Such incredibly talented people who were often rivals and had great matches against each other, but are now teaming out of respect. But the addition of YO-HEY's former Good Looking Guys (yes, they had a group called Goo Looking Guys) in Tadasuke is a great choice, and Yuto Kikuchi is somebody I haven't seen as much of but he fits in perfectly.

Meanwhile the other team has the new GHC (Global Honor Crown) Jr. Heavyweight Champion in Eita, who is incredibly talented and is finally getting a chance to showcase his skill in a major way, even if he did get pinned by HAYATA in the previous show. A good way to build a rivalry, but I hope that Eita wins to keep the new era going. Shuji Kondo is somebody that I am fine with. Not the biggest fan ever, but he fits in well with this role he currently has with being a bit of a match filler or good enough workhorse whenever he is needed. AMAKUSA is one of the most unique and creative high flyers I've ever seen, despite his age and experience. So influential and does some amazing stuff. He was at the top of the division for a while, but recently has felt somewhat directionless for me. He is teaming with the very young rookie in Miyawaki, but the team has just wrestled decent enough matches for a while. I hope that they can capture some gold or major wins, as it is only beneficial for either of them.

We start off the match between Eita and HAYATA. Champion and Challenger (despite HAYATA also being a champion, but he has his eyes set on reclaiming singles gold against Eita). They have a long history together, having wrestled 49 matches together since June 2021, but only one singles match where HAYATA actually beat Eita for the very same title he has now back in April 2022. They don't do too much, having to save some stuff for their inevitable championship match.

But we then get Tadasuke and Miyawaki wrestle for a bit. Both incredibly talented and charismatic men showing off. Tadasuke was somebody I noticed very quickly while he was wrestling as part of the KONGO faction, but he was sort of a weak link for me. He was fine enough, but not the best in a group packed full of stars. Then he joined Good Looking Guys and was great teaming with YO-HEY, but I still didn't see him as much more than just some guy. Miyawaki meanwhile has a very obvious bright future ahead of him. He is incredibly athletic and agile. We then move on to Kikuchi and AMAKUSA, who have an incredbly high flying and fun display of action and avoiding moves. A lot of flips and dives and flying fun. I would love to see a long, main event match with the two just going wild. It would be so much fun to see, and they clearly have great chemistry with Kikuchi even stealing poses and taunts from AMAKUSA. Finally we get the combo of YO-HEY and Kondo, who have wrestled in a whole lot of tag matches. They've only ever had one singles match, which Kondo won in early 2024. Kondo being a Jr. Heavyweight yet being the biggest and most powerful one in the division is a lot of fun, able to throw others around and be a dominant force that works so well with the flying type. We go back to Eita and HAYATA wrestling in what becomes a bit of a chaotic battle for about a minute, but Eita gets the surprising roll up win. He just pinned and defeated the man who will be challenging him, which is intriguing but makes me imagine we might get a match where HAYATA defends his Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championships maybe against Eita and Kondo, but I don't know what their plans are yet. I am very excited to see how well they do though. It was a short and basic match, which is often what happens in opening contests of c-level Japan shows and tours. This was what it was and served its role. Crowd was invested and really lit up with the sudden victory, whch was great to see.

Result: Eita pinned HAYATA

Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

Match 2: 2v2 Tag Team Match Black Menso-re and Mohammed Yone vs Ulka Sasaki and Zozaya

Ulka was a former MMA fighter turned wrestler who has recently come off a major loss against WWE's own Shinsuke Nakamura. Nakamura was the man who inspired Ulka to become a wrestler, so it was a dream come true. But after the loss, I am not 100% sure what the plan is for Ulka. He is incredibly talented despite his experience level and has some amazing charisma and character work. His partner in Zozaya has just come to NOAH in the past 2 weeks or so, and I have seen maybe a single match he has wrestled in. He is incredibly young and been wrestling for about 6 years, but still seems to be in a early stage. He doesn't have much character to him just yet. More just a pretty boy who can fly around.

Meanwhile Menso-re is primarily a comedy wrestler who is entertaining enough, and the crowd always eats his stuff up. He gets some crazy loud reactions which is wild but awesome. Meanwhile Yone is somebody who can either be comedy or incredibly hard hitting. I love watching his stuff, especially back when he was in a group called Funky Express. Side note, Japanese faction names are some of the greatest things ever.

Zozaya gets some time to shine and do some fun agility stuff with Yone, but it quickly goes to Ulka and Menso-re putting on an actual match. Ulka has some added aggression to his character, which is great to see. Some amazing technical transitions as well, like a kick out straight into an ankle lock being a highlight early on. Zozaya had more time to shine against Menso-re, including a impressive carry into a Overhead Suplex of some kind. Not sure fully how to describe it, but he showed off some stuff that the fans got into. Yone came back in to be the big enforcer, hard hitting type. A former 5 time Heavyweight Tag Team Champion and Hardcore Champion in NOAH, I am honestly surprised that Yone hasn't earned more singles gold. Ulka was recently the National Champion for about 60 days, which I was surprised he didn't hold it until the New Year show.

But back in the action, we get a lot of comedy action involving Yone and Menso-re putting on light up glasses and doing some funny moments with trying to throw eachother, but Menso-re kept getting hit.

Zozaya hits an incredibly impressive dive, Ulka gets a quick and dominant beating on Menso-re to finally plant him with a Suplex and win. The crowd was quiet for this match when people weren't doing comedy bits or flying around. This match was nothing too special. More a showcase for Zozaya as well as pushing Ulka's new found aggressive streak which I hope he can use to get some major wins or championships. Would love to see.

Result: Ulka Sasaki pinned Black Menso-re

Star Rating: 2.75/5 Stars

Match 3: 4v4 Tag Team Match

Daiki Odashima, Masa Kitamiya, Naomichi Marufuji & Takashi Sugiura vs Team NOAH (Atsushi Kotoge, Go Shiozaki, Hajime Ohara & Kazuyuki Fujita)

Naomichi is one of the most influential and best wrestlers to ever be on this planet, and he continues to showcase his incredible skill to this day. His recent major matches with the likes of WWE's AJ Styles and his run in the annual round robin tournament the N1 Victory were great stuff. Marufuji and Sugiura, another incredible talent who maybe isn't as well known or influential, were the most recent Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, having lost the belts on January 1st to the newly formed Team 2000x, which included WWE's Omos. A 7'8 Nigerian giant who destroyed both men. Meanwhile, they team with the "young boy" Odashima, which means he is training but allowed to wrestle matches on shows with veterans as a way to gain experience. He doesn't have a character or a moveset at this point, which is the point. And Kitamiya is one of the most badass, awesome wrestlers in the world. A super hard hitting BEAST of a man who will put on such brutal and violent matches.

Across from them include former Ace of NOAH (in Japan, the top star is typically called the Ace) in Go Shiozaki. Recently, he has felt more like a veteran who just wrestles some fun matches and not as many major things recently. That is of course not including his recent ZERO-1 World Title run where he had a great series of matches with the recently retired Akitoshi Saito. But now, he is sort of just...there on shows. I wish he would get a bigger chance to shine. Ohara and Kotoge are two people who I've seen a few times. They are good in their roles and are at their best in tag matches. Once I watch more of them, I might change my tune a bit but for now, they are kind of unremarkable. And then finally Kazuyuki Fujita, who has been wrestling since 1996 and is currently 54 years old. He doesn't typically do much in these matches, only having to wrestle a few minutes while the younger people do all the work and hard hitting stuff.

But the way I would describe this actual match was putting a spotlight on the young Odashima. He managed to get a amateur style takedown on Fujita as well as hold his own againt Ohara, with the crowd incredibly vocal and behind him. He shows a whole lot of promise and fire. Marufuji comes in, and has had a bit of hiw own rough patch recently. He can still put on great matches, especially teaming with his partner Sugiura, but he didn't do a whole lot in this match. The way I describe matches in Japan that are 4 on 4 or even bigger is just "party matches."

Everyone gets their time to hit some moves and do some stuff, but they don't do anything too over the top of crazy. No insane dives or dangerous moves, rather basic slams and running to just keep themselves limber and build up so that way when we get to bigger and more important shows, they are warmed up and don't have any rust or stiffness. This match did exactly what it needed to do, and it can't really be faulted for that.

We did get a pretty awesome Shiozaki and Sugiura section. They once wrestled a 51 minute CLASSIC in 2020, and they have only wrestled one more singls match against each other since then. Perhaps not at the exact same level as they were back then, they are stll able to deliver incredibly hard hitting and violent performances that can be full of drama, even in a short burst like this match.

Everyone runs into the ring to just have a giant brawl for a bit, which is another thing these matches are known for. Crowd goes big and pops for the chaos, but they are incredibly vocal and loud when Shiozaki and Sugiura are the ones fighting it out. A double down (both men using up all of their energy and laying on the mat to recover) lets Sugiura tag in the young Odashima. Odashima gets an incredible moment of excitement and offense on Shiozaki, which had the crowd going wild. Many moments where it seemed like he might upset the veteran and former multi time champion, but Shiozaki just needs one single shot to lay him out and get the advantage. A stiff lariat and a brutal chop almost gets him the win, but Odashima shows heart and spirit which gets the crowd super invested. They are so in love with the rookie, and Shiozaki just continues to beat him with his most powerful moves to keep him down. This really felt like a early star making performance for Odashima, finally ending in Shiozaki laying him out but showing some respect.

The crowd was so hot for this match, getting loud enough to shake the camera at points. The hot and impressive showing by Odashima, the hard hitting fight between Fujita and Kitamiya, and the rewinding time and history with Shiozaki and Sugiura were all the highlights. The crowd at a fever pitch, going insane. Such a great showing of energy and investment for what really was a rather basic match.

Result: Go Shiozaki pinned Daiki Odashima Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

Match 4: Tag Team Match LJ Cleary and Saxon Huxley vs El Hijo De Dr. Wagner Jr and Galeno Del Mal

We get a Good Looking Guy and a caveman teaming up. Saxon returned from a brief hiatus away from Japan to lots of fanfare, and he really is a badass in the ring. His look is great and very reminiscent of the legend Bruiser Brody. Meanwhile he partners with the young and charismatic Cleary, who hasn't really had too much time to shine or showcase his skills. He's good and knows his character down to a science, but I want to see more from him.

Meanwhile, Galeno and Hijo are brothers. Sons of the legendary Dr. Wagner Jr, a massive deal in lucha libre wrestling in Mexico. As he comes out, El Hijo De Dr. Wagner Jr is announced of this being his final match in Pro Wrestling NOAH before going back to Japan. A former National, World Heavyweight, and 2 time Heavyweight Tag Team Champion has been showing out in NOAH since 2019. Such an incredible performer and one who will be missed, but at least he will still be wrestling. Before the match even started, the crowd was going wild and chanting his name like crazy. Such a major match for him.

I feel like it would have been much more important and a much bigger deal if it were different opponents. This felt rather obvious, and like it was just to get 2 random people to lose and not lose too much momentum or credibility. But on the bright side, it gave Cleary and Huxley a big stage to showcase themselves, so it can be positive as well.

This match didn't really need to do anything for the crowd to be as loud as they can be. The loudest reactions of the entire night so far going to Wagner just...well being in the ring. He is incredibly talented and does some amazing moves, but he is going to get cheered no matter what.

Galeno and Saxon get time to shine. Galeno is brand new to NOAH, only having 20 matches for the promotion so far, including a single's match against his brother just a week ago. Galeno is a really big boy, standing at 6'5 and nearly 300 lbs, but can fly around and do some crazy athletic things like handsprings and hurricanranas and dives that always impress me. Meanwhile Saxon wrestled in NOAH for a while, returned to his native European wrestling scene, and then came back for some more good action.

As a typical match like this would go, Galeno gets beat up and worked over for quite a while, not letting his brother get in. Perhaps the most basic formula in a tag match, but it works all the same. A great story being told that makes it somewhat believable that maybe, just MAYBE Wagner will lose his last match. The crowd continues to be white hot, going absolutely insane when Wagner gets his tag in. I maybe personally would've like if this match was longer and Wagner didn't start it so we can fully tell the story of Wagner going in and going crazy, but that's more of an American style thing and not Japanese style.

We get some minor comedy but great stuff with the partners twisting their necks like their father, but they had some awesome moments with the crowd and built the match perfectly into a fever pitch.

LJ and Saxon work incredibly well together, laying out Galeno with some amazing team work that ends in a wild moment where LJ goes for a dive to the outside, but Galeno catches him with ease. A moment the crowd goes insane for and shows the power of the big man. This then leads into a dive from Saxon, a great springboard into Canadian Destroyer from LJ to Wagner, and a great near fall. A real flash of offense and drama that had the crowd going wild. Wagner keeps fighting full of fire and energy with the crowd FIRMLY behind him. A Emerald Flowsion, which is a move that is INCREDIBLY important in Pro Wrestling NOAH, is what finally seals the deal for Wagner to get his final win. An amazing match and farewell for him, with the crowd continuing to rain down praise. He grabs a mic to have everyone chant "Viva Mexico" in a great moment. He calls Pro Wrestling NOAH his home, his family, and gives all the fans a thank you for the past 5 years. A super emotional moment that was so awesome to see.

Result: El Hijo De Dr. Wagner Jr. pinned LJ Cleary

Star Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Match 5: Tag Team Match

TEAM 2000x (Daga and Yu Owada) vs ALL REBELLION (Alejandro and Kai Fujimura)

The biggest story going on in all of Pro Wrestling NOAH is that between the factions TEAM 2000X and ALL REBELLION. The leader of 2000X being the brand new World Heavyweight Champion OZAWA, who was a member of Rebellion before turning on them and their leader Kaito Kiyomiya to get a title match. A very intense, rather violent feud between the groups. This match I sort of describe as the lesser members of each group fighting off. That does a lot of discredit to Daga, who just had a generational run as Jr. Heavyweight Champion, putting on a LOT of amazing matches for the belt across a 373 days and 2 reigns.

Yu Owada meanwhile is a rookie much like Odashima earlier on, having all sorts of incredibly agility and athleticism despite his young age. Owada though recently turned on his mentor Naomichi Marufuji, joining TEAM 2000X just a few days ago. Owada looks great in his new role, reminding me a LOT like a young SANADA over in New Japan, which makes me think he is going to have an incredibly bright future ahead of him. Or dark in this case with the new swag.

Alejandro and Fujimura are people that I don't usually get overly excited for. They are just fine to me, seen as some of the bottom of the card people on the entire roster. They put on good enough matches, I just have issues with investing in them.

Now the crowd for this match was insanely loud and vocal. That has to do with the fact that TEAM 2000X are the most hated group in the company, constantly getting booed and heckled and shouted at. Their manager Yoshi Tatsu is always at ringside, getting involved behind the referee's back and letting the group use dirty tactics or weapons to get an advantage.

They are one of the better teams who are able to get away with it. Looking at groups in other promotions that due that kind of stuff, whether it be House of Torture in New Japan or Death Riders in AEW or Judgement Day in WWE or whatever else, there are always groups that are just dirty and cheating bastards that make the crowd go wild. I felt incredibly confident in exactly how this match was going to go, and I wasn't really that far off.

Daga and Fujimura start off, doing a pretty slow start that picks up into some great moves and counters, only to end in a stand off like is often the case in matches like this. Owada tags in, and so does Alejandro. Just coming into the ring, the crowd goes wild and chants for Alejandro more so because of how much they hate Owada now. Owada barely has to do anything to get boos or reactions, which puts him in a super great position. As for how he will fit into the role, we will have to see. The dude is so incredibly athletic and can do some amazing stuff in the ring, so having him basically wrestle an entirely new style focused on cheating, dirty moves, and strikes rather than his high flying will be interesting to witness. I thought he would've made an amazing young babyface to get a good showcase, but he is doing great even without going on a excursion. Seems like NOAH see a whole lot in him, which makes me excited to see how well he does in the future.

The match was what it was. A showcase of Owada's new personality and moveset without really being much else. Sure it furthered the Rebellion and 2000X feud, but with a majority of the second half of the show being solely matches between members of the factions, this was by far the weakest. At least for me.

Just a big reason for that being my lack of interest in Fujimura and Alejandro.

It also felt too obvious that Owada was going to win. He is the brand new bad guy and needs to look good. Daga just had a lengthy title run ended and needs to still look like a threat. Meanwhile Fujimura and Alejandro are the guys who get pinned and lose. That's their role. They make their opponents look really good and can get the crowds really invested, but that's it.

We get some involvement and cheating from Tatsu at ringside, a referee distraction to lead to a sneaky low blow, and Owada getting the quick victory for the match to end with the crowd going wild.

Result: Yu Owada pinned Kai Fujimura

Star Rating: 3/5 Stars

Match 6: Tag Team Match

ALL REBELLION (Kaito Kiyomiya and Harutoki) vs TEAM 2000X (Jack Morris and Omos)

Omos is a wrestler signed to WWE, but hasn't appeared for them in any capacity since March 2024. He was finally sent over to Japan very recently, teaming with the super charismatic and talented Jack Morris. They shockingly won the Heavyweight Tag Team Championships in Omos' debut, pinning the wrestling legend Naomichi Marufuji. Also a quick side note, Morris has some amazing entrance music. But Omos is literally 7'8, towering over just about every other person in the entire company. He is not the best or smoothest wrestler out there, but his giant look and power is all he needs. He has amazing chemistry with his new partner and new faction, acting as a total enforcer for the group.

Meanwhile Kaito was the GHC World Heavyweight Champion for 242 days in his 3rd reign, defending it a record 8 times before he lost it in a shocking loss to Ozawa, the man who lied and turned on him to leave ALL REBELLION and join 2000X. Kaito also won the annual N1 Victory tournament, being the first champion to do so. Despite his age, only 28 years old, he has been the top Ace for years and years. All sorts of great matches, title runs, major wins, and records broken. Kiyomiya is the star that they have, yet recently he began to get to the level of being so good and dominant that the crowd began to boo him. They wanted something new and special. Like how WWE fans turned on John Cena in the 2010s. Kaito is still great, but the new Ozawa and the physical attraction of Omos is more exciting. It's new and fresh, and I am all for it, even as a massive Kaito fan.

Jack Morris is somebody I first saw when he was a part of the Good Looking Guys group. He was overpushed for my liking, becoming undefeated for a while and going on to become both Heavyweight Tag Team and National Champion at the same time. I had a bitter taste in my mouth for a bit, but ever since the group ended he has been showcasing his talents. He has been one of my favorite people to watch, having charisma for days with an incredible look. Not to mention a great skill and prowess that helps him put on great performances in matches, no matter how good the matches themselves may be.

I haven't really talked about Harutoki that much. He's fine. I'm not a big fan, but don't dislike his stuff either. He is new to me and in the few matches I have seen, he's been passable. A good addition to the group, but not the most important by any means.

Omos and Morris have incredible chemistry despite only knowing each other and teaming for about 10 days. Some amazing team offense and working so well together, constantly saving each other and seeming to be knowledgable about not only their own characters, but each other's as well.

Harutoki had a very brief and good run against Omos, but Omos easily laid him out and dominated till the end to get the victory. Being the brand new champions, it was obvious that they would win, which made TEAM 2000X look incredibly powerful and strong. A group that seems like it will be almost impossible to beat.

Result: Omos pinned Harutoki Star Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Match 7: Singles Match KENOH vs OZAWA

One of NOAH's biggest and best stars for a decade or so in KENOH vs the brand new star and World Champion in OZAWA. A veteran vs a rising star. Experience vs Excitement. Respect and Honor vs Cheating and Disrespect.

This match really should be something special.

NOAH is currently building this to be the next massive title match, with OZAWA immediately saying that he wanted KENOH to be his first challenger. OZAWA infiltrated ALL REBELLION before "faking" an injury in order to attack the group and join 2000X, leading to all of this chaos and animosity between the groups and its members. A lot of personal histories and dynamics that have made it so exciting to watch unfold.

But what made this match a little more exciting but also predictable was the fact that all of their partners were at ringside. TEAM 2000X and ALL REBELLION all surronding the ring.

OZAWA, despite being relatively new to wrestling with only 2 years of experience, is incredible in the ring. He has the charisma for days, especially with his new character. A cocky, arrogant, SOB who mouths off and doesn't want to wrestle more often than not. Yet he is cunning and smart. He often makes his opponents angry and uses that to get the advantage. He makes fun of them and gets the crowd behind him rather than his opponents. He is amazing in his role. Meanwhile KENOH, who has been incredibly popular and beloved for years, got booed for trying to hurt OZAWA. The long time veteran with a phone book's amount of great matches getting booed and made to look foolish at moments is awesome. Such a great exploration of the feud and interpersonal dynamics. Such a great and fun additional layer to add onto the feud.

I really must say that throughout this match, whether it be his incredibly smooth offense, his massive amount of charisma, his unique and unpredictable movements, or his clear knowledge of how to push his opponent's buttons, OZAWA looked like a total star here against one of the best the company has ever had to offer. OZAWA at one point gives an incredibly nonchalant cover, break dances in the middle of the ring, and goes to hit a move belonging to KENOH's mentor. Really getting under his skin.

Quite early on we get a bit of brawling and faction fighting, but it ends quickly enough, OZAWA honestly dominates a lot of this match, whether through assistance or not. He is made to look like a arrogant narcissist, yet can also back it up in the ring. A dynamic we sadly don't get to see as often in wrestling as should be the case. More often than not, a wrestler with the character of OZAWA would be unable to fight on their own. Needing to do nothing BUT cheat and interference. OZAWA being just as talented wrestling wise as character wise makes him feel so special and awesome. It often feels like OZAWA cheats not because he NEEDS to, but because it's funny to him. It will make his opponents upset and the crowd loved him and endear to him more. It's like he legend Eddie Guerrero in some ways.

As much as I love and appreciate them pushing OZAWA so much for his talent and clearly seeing a massive future for him, it did make KENOH feel a little weak or past his prime. He didn't get all that much offense in, which I wouldn't think is totally the best way to build their inevitable Championship match. But hey, we don't know when that match is going to be yet so they can build to it over the upcoming months.

The match goes on for quite a while just repeating the same things. OZAWA cheating, KENOH getting beat up, OZAWA just being so fluid and effortless. It feels like a match that goes on a bit too long, which honestly makes the ending even more of a let down. A no contest, where nobody wins or loses after this was wild. I don't understand why they just didn't do a tag match from the get go, as this is what happens. The no contest leads to a tag match between the groups. But as for this single's match, it was a great showcase for OZAWA while being a fine enough match for what it was. A good first chapter that will hopefully be added on to. Also, why the heck is it a no contest and not just a dq? Yoshi Tatsu beat up KENOH who fought back! That should mean KENOH wins! Such a weird decision, especially since these types of things are so rare in Japanese wrestling period, but especially in NOAH.

Result: No Contest

Star Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Match 8: 6v4 Tag Team Match

Team 2000X (Daga, Jack Morris, Omos, OZAWA, Yoshitatsu & Yu Owada) vs All Rebellion (Alejandro, Kai Fujimura, Kaito Kiyomiya & Kenoh)

This match just coming about completely unannounced was strange. No promotion really does this outside of WWE. Also, I understand emotions being high, but demanding a match where you are clearly outnumbered is insane. A super weird choice for this show that lead to a somewhat enjoyable brawl of a fight that can barely even be called a match. It was almost all crowd brawling and chaotic fighting for the first half. Omos was really the one who got to show off in this match, tagging in and standing over the star KENOH. It is quite strange considering that this crowd was cheering for everyone, no matter what faction they were apart of. Omos looked like an absolute beast. I also find it a little strange that say Marufuji and Sugiura didn't come out to make it an even 6 v 6, since they lost their belts to Omos and Morris. They would want some revenge, but that's just me being a petty person and wanting more stories that make sense. This match was just...weird to me. A match that honestly shouldn't have happened, as it distracted from the singles match and feud. Heck, let the singles match go to a time limit draw. That would've been better.

But once the chaos disappears, it was just a basic beat down pretending to be a match. ALL REBELLION didn't really have much time to fight back or look all that good. They just got beaten down and bruised up for the entirety of the 7 minutes this match takes place. Even the commentators were shocked. Yoshi Tatsu missed the weapon sneak attack from the floor, making the match feel a little messy by the end. They weren't sure how to recover, which lead to a flat finish. Sure OZAWA got to hit his incredibly beautiful Phoenix Splash, almost overshooting it, but yeah. Just a whatever match.

Result: OZAWA pinned Alejandro

Star Rating: 2.25/5 Stars

Match 9: GHC National Championship Match

Manabu Soya (Champion) vs Tetsuya Endo (Challenger)

Manabu Soya for many many years was a bad guy, cheating and aligning with some of the worst people on the roster. Whether as a heavy in KONGO, or afterwards where he kept his cheating ways. Now, he has won the National title and has been on a quest to redeem himself. Winning the National Championship and being a honorable, fighting champ who gives it his all. Uses his fighting spirit to win with the aisstance of the crowd and their support.

Meanwhile Tetsuya Endo is signed to a partner promotion of NOAH called DDT Pro Wrestling. He has been their Ace for many, many years and sometimes comes over to NOAH or other promotions to have short little runs or matches. Recently, Endo won a match against Atsushi Kotoge in a pretty great match. On the same show, Soya defended his National Championship against Tadasuke in a good match. Afterwards, Endo came out and the two had a very respectful but tense staredown, where he basically said that Endo would be his next challenger. The two came to an agreement.

Endo came out to the ring all smiles and looking happy and respectful. The crowd were firmly behind him, and the commentators mentioned how much Endo loves NOAH and the greatest to ever step in the ring like Jun Akiyama and Kenta Kobashi. They really built up how this was going to be a classic battle of friends and respect. A first time ever dream match with the crowd equally split for both incredibly talented men.

Endo really put on a great showing. The story being told both by the competitors as well as the commentary was the fact that Soya has been pushing himself too hard. Wrestling more often than anybody else in major, competitive, title matches where everyone gives it their all. He is being worn down and running without stopping, burning himself out against the much more fresh and arguably more skilled Endo. It was a match of power against technical ability and speed, with Endo busting out a beautiful Sasuke Special and Springboard moves. The crowd continued to be evenly split, making it feel even more major and important.

We get some great chop exchanges, showing who has the most fighting spirit. Who is the toughest and most resilient. A constant theme of BURNING vs PASSION, the name of each of their respective groups or teams.

We also get an incredibly scary looking moment with headbutts in the corner leading to Endo almost taking a very scary fall, but able to recover and get some offense in. A great battle on the top rope, feeling like the most important moment of the match until that moment. Soya hitting a massive Avalanche Powerslam that somehow doesn't end the match. Endo clearly wants to claim the National Championship, making it feel so important. A great way to make it feel prestigious. So many near falls from both men, especially Soya on Endo. Soya sets up for his finishing move, but Endo is able to escape multiple times. Then, something interesting happens.

Soya suddenly hits a unique version of the Go To Sleep, followed quickly by a Spanish Fly from Endo that nearly gets him the win. Followed up by a Exploder Suplex, the finishing move of his hero Jun Akiyama that commentary mentioned before...

But then... TEAM 2000X come out to the ring once again.

A faction that as much as I love, has been ALL OVER this show to an annoying degree. Endo misses his Burning Star Press, Soya hits a stiff DDT, and Endo kicks out. A dramatic climax of the match, with the crowd going wild. But then things start to get messy.

Soya blasts Endo with a stiff Lariat, but Yoshi Tatsu pulls the referee out of the ring. Why is that not a DQ? Anyways. TEAM 2000X distract Soya and Tatsu attacks Soya. Endo makes the save and takes Tatsu's weapon from him, only to blast Soya with it.

Endo is the newest member of TEAM 2000X, cheating and disrespecting his friendly rival. Disrespecting the company he claimed to honor and love. All to win the important GHC National Championship.

Result: Tetsuya Endo def. Manabu Soya to win the GHC National Championship

Star Rating: 4.25/5 Stars

This whole show was fine. Nothing major aside from the ending. The first 3 matches were just basic filler to get more names on the card. Nothing special. The tag match with Wagner getting the incredibly emotional crowd reaction and farewell as lovely to see. The Rebellion vs 2000X matches were fine enough, but became too repetitive ending in a horrible no contest and bad handicap match. That could have easily been a beat down leading to a big match later on, not needing it to be rushed in one night.

But then that main event.

An awesome match that told an incredible and compelling story, leading to a heel turn that while I am excited for, would've been a whole lot better if the show wasn't already jam packed full of the group. I think they are pushing the group WAY too hard and fast. Of course I understand, as they are getting all of the boos and loud crowd responses, but it's becoming so much. Just a bit of a mess already that I am already a little tired of. Hopefully they can make things fresh and exciting for the coming months,

Overall Rating: 6/10