(NOAH) Yoshiki Inamura proves his evolution in the US: "I was able to remove the limiter," and overcome the the challenge to become the GHC Heavyweight Champion for the first time!


Tokyo Sports
17th October 2025

Yoshiki Inamura (32), who has returned to Noah after a year in WWE NXT in the US, is eager to claim the crown jewel. He will challenge GHC Heavyweight Champion KENTA (44) at the Korakuen Hall event in Tokyo on November 8th, and will use the progress he made in the United States to push forward toward his first championship.

Inamura, who began his training at WWE NXT last November, watched the GHC championship match at Ryogoku on the 11th, and after the match, announced his challenge to KENTA. 
Inamura explained the reason for his return, saying, "I thought now was the time to use my experience in America to present a pure, strong, fair and square fight." During his absence, there had been major upheavals, such as the rise of OZAWA, and he made the choice out of concern for his former home, saying, "Noah's style changed, and it felt like the pure, strong fighting I was aiming for were gone." He also feels a sense of growth during his time at NXT. "I've improved my English, but the biggest thing is that I've been able to remove is the limiters that held me back". 
Inamura actually underwent a personality change since his debut, and that change has been his "niceness." While normally a strength, it can become a weakness in the ring. Even at NXT, the coaches quickly saw through this, and soon after he arrived in the US he was scolded for being "too nice." 
What changed Inamura was the advice of WWE coach Dave Finlay, (father of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's David Finlay), "He told me in practice, 'Don't act like a gentleman in the ring,' and it really took me by surprise."
Although he is exceptionally large in Japan, he is normal size in NXT. "There are a lot of Olympians here, and there are wrestlers who came from American football who are bigger than me. No matter what I did to those wrestlers, I couldn't break them down. I think I was able to train and fight among them and push my limits," he said, successfully shaking off the "niceness" he had. 
Regarding the championship match, Inamura boasts, "Mr. KENTA is the least gentlemanly person in the ring. And he is a strong champion. I will crush him with my physical strength and my "don't be a gentleman" spirit."

Will Inamura, who had a fierce battle with KENTA at the Korakuen Hall event on the 16th, be able to continue on at this rate?

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