Original Photography & Commentary: Tokio Tsukada
Fans might recall the Super Event that took place on New Year’s Day in 2023 between the Great Muta and WWE superstar Shinsuke Nakamura in Tokyo, as previously discussed in this column. Since that time, nearly two years have gone by. Keiji Muto, also known by his stage name Great Muta, hung up his boots in February 2023 at the Tokyo Dome and now acts as an ambassador for Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Keiji Muto returned to the ring on October 14th at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, thrilling fans with an unexpected announcement of a major event scheduled for New Year’s Day, 2025. In a dramatic reveal, Muto pointed at the arena’s screen which subsequently showed the face of a WWE superstar who had long been absent from the Japanese wrestling scene. This created a considerable stir among the audience.
Amid the suspense, Shinsuke Nakamura appeared on screen, exclaiming, “Yeao!”, and then asked, “Who among you stands before me in the NOAH ring?” His sudden appearance was a remarkable development considering it’s not often a top-tier WWE superstar, who hasn’t been in Japan for a while, participates in another wrestling promotion.
The announcement of this titanic encounter has already started generating global excitement. NOAH’s event titled “THE NEW YEAR 2025”, set for January 1, will be the company’s first New Year’s Day show at the Budokan in two years. Here, fans will be reminded of the ground-breaking 2023 match between The Great Muta and Shinsuke Nakamura that commanded global attention.
Ulka Sasaki, an ex-UFC fighter and Mixed Martial Arts veteran who has competed in events such as RIZIN in Japan, has been named as Nakamura’s opponent. Inspired by the Nakamura vs Muta match, Sasaki transitioned to professional wrestling, debuting against Takashi Sugiura at “ABEMA presents NOAH ‘THE NEW YEAR’ 2024” at Ariake Arena. His impressive debut performance has led to his selection for this upcoming match.
The match venue is the legendary Nihon Budokan, a historic site that has hosted notable occasions such as the 1964 Tokyo Olympics and The Beatles’ Japan tour in 1966. It’s also a beloved spot for martial arts and pro wrestling events. The iconic Budokan is set to host the Super Event live on “ABEMA PPV” with international streaming available.
On the same day, Ulka Sasaki paired up with wrestling icon Josh Barnett to face off against Masakatsu Funaki and Kazuyuki Fujita. The team displayed remarkable synergy with their signature sleeper holds but ultimately, Funaki pulled off a win against Barnett with a heel hold in a captivating match-up.
The evening’s climax featured Kaito Kiyomiya defending his GHC Heavyweight title against Masa Kitamiya for the fifth time. Kitamiya, someone who reminds many of the nationally celebrated Masa Saito, set the pace with his sheer power. Kiyomiya regained momentum utilizing the Shining Wizard, a move passed down from Keiji Muto, eventually outsmarting Kitamiya with a figure-four leg lock, winning the heated match after almost 23 minutes.
The upcoming pro wrestling spectacle on New Year’s Day promises to be another historic landmark in NOAH’s chronicles. Fans are looking forward to Shinsuke Nakamura’s return to Japan and his match against rising star Ulka Sasaki. Combined with the renowned Budokan as the venue, 2025 promises to kick off with a pulse-pounding event for NOAH and its legions of fans.
Also Read: Shinsuke Nakamura’s Return To Pro Wrestling NOAH, NJPW’s Upcoming Battle In The Valley Announced
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