The Splendor of Pro-Wrestling NOAH: Ark’s Mighty Miracle
AJ Styles gave a heartfelt nod to Japanese fans who had a massive influence on shaping his wrestling career during a recent visit to Tokyo’s prestigious Budokan venue. This detailed account of the event is brought to you by dedicated reporter, Tokio Tsukada, and editor Kyle Dunning. A special nod goes to Pro-Wrestling NOAH and Wrestle Universe for making this event possible.
The exciting clash between AJ Styles from WWE and Naomichi Marufuji of Pro Wrestling NOAH unfolded on July 13, 2024, at the Budokan. This was part of the blockbuster event Pro Wrestling NOAH ABEMA: DESTINATION 2024, which showcased a duo of main events.
This match unveils the start of a fortified alliance between NOAH and WWE, a crucial announcement shared by NOAH’s newly appointed management firm, CyberFight, back in May. After a five-year hiatus, AJ Styles made a glorious comeback to the Japanese wrestling arena, where he initially carved out his legacy as IWGP Heavyweight Champion and the brains behind the BULLET CLUB in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
AJ Styles’ Grand Reentry to Japan
Despite his strong past ties with New Japan Pro Wrestling, AJ decided to realign with Pro Wrestling NOAH for his reappearance in Japan. He cited his profound respect and sentimental admiration for the promotion as the reason. AJ candidly stated, “I choose NOAH, come here to wrestle at NOAH. I adore Japan. I long for everything here. Returning here is a privilege.“
Noteworthy Moments from the Match
The buzzing match between AJ Styles and Naomichi Marufuji did not fail to enthral the audience with its fast-paced technical manoeuvres. AJ started off with a strong opening, focusing on Marufuji’s left leg with low kicks and strikes. However, the tables turned when Marufuji managed to dropkick AJ off the ropes during his attempted phenomenal forearm, causing AJ a severe struggle to regain his footing. Marufuji seized the opportunity to land a “shiranui” against the steel fence.
AJ rebounded with a mighty dropkick and a Superman Splash, followed by a furious series of back-and-forth moves, with both wrestlers alternately locking in submission holds. After a scintillating 25:27 minutes, AJ claimed the win with a Styles Clash, despite Marufuji’s dogged fight.
Early in the match, Marufuji’s impressive control led fans to think an upset was in the making. His post-match satisfaction mirrored his fierce competitive drive. This high-octane match, streamed live in Japan and the U.S. on ABEMA PPV ON LINE LIVE, significantly increased Marufuji’s international visibility.
Future Collaboration between NOAH and WWE
This spectacle marks the dawn of a dynamic partnership between Pro Wrestling NOAH and WWE, hinting at more inter-promotional matches. AJ Styles underscored the value of this cross-pollination, asserting that “Exchanging talents between WWE and NOAH would be fantastic, gaining experience from both American and Japanese wrestling arenas makes the finest wrestlers in the world. This is what I followed, and it propels my career in a big way.”
The charisma-driven AJ also praised the supportive Japanese fans, saying, “It is invariably the fans who make the match, not wrestlers. We’re just performers. The fans always concoct the best fights. The Japanese fans top others because they respect the wrestlers.”
Bonus Matches
- GHC Heavyweight Championship: Kaito Kiyomiya successfully defended his title against Yoichi Inamura, a former star of sumo wrestling, thanks to the Shining Wizard.
- GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship: AMAKUSA outdid Daga to clinch the new championship.
- GHC National Championship: Ulka Sasaki overpowered Hayata to secure the coveted title.
Final Words
The promising alliance between WWE and NOAH signifies a refreshing epoch in wrestling, delivering an innovative narrative to the sport in Japan, the U.S., and globally. The future panorama of this intriguing partnership promises copious opportunities and nail-biting matches for zealots of wrestling worldwide.