(NOAH CHRONOLOGY) KATSUHIKO NAKAJIMA - GHC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Won: "GRAND SQUARE in Osaka 2021", Osaka Edion Arena, 10th October.
Number of title reigns: 1
Number of defenses: 4
Lost: "GAIN CONTROL 2022 in NAGOYA", Aichi/Nagoya Congress Centre Event Hall, Wednesday February 23rd
Total number of days held: 137
CHALLENGERS
1. Masato Tanaka
2. Kenoh (GHC National vs GHC Heavyweight)
3. Go Shiozaki
4. Masa Kitamiya
5. Kazuyuki Fujita
vs MASATO TANAKA
Title match: "LEC Cleanup! presents DEMOLITION STAGE 2021 in FUKUOKA", Fukuoka International Centre, October 30th.
As the referee handed Nakajima the belt, the Noah of four years ago when he had first become GHC Heavyweight Champion in a very difficult time as a nice (but bland) young man, must have seemed a million miles away. Nakajima could now start his reign of terror, and have the title reign he always should have had and couldn't have had in a turbulent era. As Marufuji rolled off the apron and into the arms of Masaaki Mochizuki, Nakajima said on the microphone;
"I devoured Naomichi Marufuji, the N-1 and the GHC Heavyweight. Devouring, devouring and devouring, is not enough"
Nakajima's first challenger appeared in the form of Masato Tanaka, who made his bid by saying;
"You haven't devoured me yet, and I am going to take a bite out of everything. Let me challenge you for that belt"
Nakajima accepted Masato Tanaka's challenge, and it has been set for the 30th October in Fukuoka, which is Nakajima's hometown. After Kenoh had gone, Kongoh got in the ring, and for the first time ever, Nakajima actually stood and posed with them, holding the GHC Heavyweight up, but there are divisions in the group with Soya's increasing dissatisfaction with his situation and Kenoh's growing realization of a common ground with Kaito Kiyomiya. Once Kongoh had gone, Nakajima made a short speech;
"The era is moving. I have finally taken the GHC Heavyweight! I AM NOAH"
17th October 2021, Club Citta, Kawasaki
Katsuhiko Nakajima made his first appearance as GHC Heavyweight Champion, teaming with the challenger to the GHC National title, Masaaki Mochizuki, against the GHC National Champion, Takashi Sugiura and Nakajima's own challenger to the GHC Heavyweight, Masato Tanaka. Unlike the juniors in the previous match, the heavyweights kept to their own teams apart from their own unit alliances, if anything Sugiura and Tanaka (Sugiura Army and M's alliance) returned unofficially as The Bullet Yankees, the name of their old team, and Tanaka event at one point was seen to prevent Mochizuki from getting to the ropes.
After Nakajima had locked up with Tanaka, Tanaka went to tag Sugiura in. Nakajima, being irritating and with his usual smug grin, refused to tag Mochi in. Sugi wasn't going to start the match otherwise, and so Mochi literally took things into his own hands by grabbing Nakajima's hand and forcing him to tag in. Nakajima continued his streak of being irritating by then tagging himself in, ducking Sugiura and tagging Mochi in. Mochi, did it back to him and Nakajima got some vicious (but probably well deserved elbows) before Tanaka came back. While all of this was playing out in the ring, a very unimpressed Masa Kitamiya was on commentary, snorting at Nakajima being champion and referring to Tanaka and Sugiura as "the old men".
As ever, Nakajima could not resist either his ego or the cameras, and while he wound Sugiura up with a kick to break a submission, Sugiura introduced him to his own boot when he knocked him off the apron. Soon afterwards, Tanaka wiped the smile off his face completely and his head smacked backwards and forwards like a pinball as he took elbows and punches from Sugiura and Tanaka at the same time. His "helper" Mochi might have helped to break the pin then, but ultimately it was The Bullet Yankees who put a stop to Nakajima's "hunting".
WINNER: Masato Tanaka with the Sliding D on Katsuhiko Nakajima (29 minutes, 18 seconds)
Masato Tanaka closed out the show by speaking on the microphone, he spoke about being the Dangan Yankees again and how when they were together, they could not lose and if he won the championship, from Nakajima, he will challenge Sugi again for a belt, something Sugi himself is looking forward to. Tanaka left Nakajima with a warning;
"Nakajima! Neither I or the Dangan Yankees can lose! I am going to devour you deliciously, and tear the belt from your waist!"
24th October 2021, Aore Nagaoka
Kongoh (Katsuhiko Nakajima vs Manabu Soya) vs The M's alliance (Naomichi Marufuji & Masato Tanaka)
Katsuhiko Nakajima started off against Masato Tanaka. There was no big grin and he was trying to concentrate, I think Nakajima is aware of what happens when his ego takes control, and so was trying to control it. Against Naomichi Marufuji however he could be as sarcastic as he wanted, and when it came to attempting a pin he looked pointedly at Tanaka. Marufuji was a "prey" he was able to play with.
WINNER: Masato Tanaka with the Sliding D on Manabu Soya (22 minutes, 9 seconds)
With flames in his eyes, Nakajima held the belt up to Tanaka before leaving the ring. Tanaka spoke on the microphone to Tanaka telling him;
"Hey! Katsuhiko Nakajima! Bring that belt down to Hakata! I'm looking forward to taking it!"
Katsuhiko Nakajima's response was to grin evilly, sling the belt over his shoulder and walk off.
28th October 2021, Kumamoto Castle Hall
Katsuhiko Nakajima and Masato Tanaka started off, with Nakajima winding Tanaka up (he was in full smug mode) by using the Mitsuharu Misawa "flash tag" (for those not familiar with this, it was when Misawa would grow suddenly bored with fighting an opponent and suddenly tag his partner in, usually much to their surprise).
While the Noah Juniors fought each other, and the referee waved his arms in a protest no one heard, Nakajima's ego ran wild with a highly exaggerated "Shutter Chance" and if more proof was needed, telling Masato Tanaka to hit him. Tanaka did and knocked him down. Later he found himself kicked between Tanaka and Kenoh. Nakajima's ego could afford to delay today and play up to the cameras, which he did before pinning Tanaka, showboating to the cameras.
WINNER: Katsuhiko Nakajima with the vertical spike (21 minutes, 16 seconds)
Savoring his first victory ever over Masato Tanaka, (albeit he later acknowledged this was not the title match), Nakajima bent over him and slowly licked his lips and wiped his mouth.
Title match: 30th October 2021, Fukuoka International Centre
For the title match, Katsuhiko Nakajima painted his wolf logo on his cheek, naturally nothing remained of it by the end of the match. With a smile and a lick of the lips, emboldened by his win yesterday, Nakajima's often uncontrollable ego was allowed to run wild initially as Masato Tanaka seemingly made it easy for him in the initial stages of the match. Grinning, grinding his foot in, pummeling Tanaka with kicks, daring Tanaka to hit him and reaching new heights by shoving Tanaka on the ramp, the wolf was tearing what seemed like a sheep apart easily...but sheep can also disguise themselves and the ramp marked a turning point in the match as Tanaka fought back as a Sliding D evened things out.
Both were savage in attack, Nakajima going from smirk to snarl, as when he had the momentum worked on Tanaka's arms. Tanaka came very close to winning the title, but Nakajima kicked out with only a few seconds to spare more than twice. This carried on, the match going back and forth between them but things were heating up, time was ticking, fans were making a noise like thunder. Nakajima's ego would not allow him to fall in his first title defense, but again it surfaced and he lost precious seconds showboating to the cameras which enabled another Sliding D. He kicked out, but just barely. His face demonic, not sarcastic, when he got the chance Nakajima dragged Tanaka to his feet and hit the last Vertical Spike for the win.
WINNER: Katsuhiko Nakajima with the Vertical Spike (34 minutes, 44 seconds)
With two victories over Masato Tanaka, and one the highest than anything else had ever been so far, and probably always would be, the grin came back and Nakajima heaved himself out of the corner. While leaving the ring, Masato Tanaka (ever the sportsman) applauded him. It had been a brilliant night for Kongoh; they had won all their matches, Kenoh and Haoh were challenging for both the DRAGONGATE Twin Tag Titles and Kenoh was challenging for the GHC National, Nakajima had retained and aside from the GHC Tag and the GHC Junior tag, with Aleja challenging for the GHC Junior they were looking to be the most dominant unit. Nakajima spoke on the microphone;
"I am glad that I was able to defend my belt here in Fukuoka, where I was born. The era is in motion! You can't reverse it! The era is moving fast, it cannot keep pace! The final thing I want to say is, I am Noah!"
vs Kenoh
Title match: LEC Cleanup! presents NOAH the BEST 2021, Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium, Sunday November 28th
WRESTLE UNIVERSE presents DEMOLITION STAGE 2021 in YOKOHAMA - Saturday November 13th, Yokohama Budokan
After yelling at the retreating Masaaki Mochizuki about the era of the old men being over, Kenoh turned his attention to Katsuhiko Nakajima, who had been sitting at commentary, and said;
"I want to wear the GHC Heavyweight and the GHC National belts at the Nippon Budokan. Katsuhiko Nakajima, let’s fight for my belt versus your belt!"
Nakajima said he had no objection and the kick fight from hell, not for a N-1 Victory or just a single title, but belt vs belt and the spot in the main event at the Nippon Budokan in January 2022, has been set.
PREMIUM PRELUDE 2021 - Niigata / Bandaijima Multipurpose Plaza Large Kama (Tuesday 23rd November)
The match was started off by Kenoh and his self appointed challenger, Katsuhiko Nakajima. They circled each other, throwing wary kicks. Kenoh wasn't so hesitant later as he attacked Nakajima when he was on the apron, Nakajima rose to the provocation and was knocked down. Kenoh just wanted the satisfaction of knocking him down in the ring.
The Noah Juniors may be in chaos, but if there is one thing they are all united on, it's that the heavyweights will not and never outdo them and Haoh and Nioh showed this in the match by tearing into each other with as much intensity as Nakajima and Kenoh were.
This is a fast paced match, with a nice little taster for the title match with a sweat spraying kick match (Kenoh was spared the soccer ball kicks, and these went to Haoh). Nakajima decided that he didn't want to pin anyone but Kenoh, and when he went for the pin over Haoh, he broke it and with a big grin and eerie expression stared at Kenoh and threw Haoh into the corner so Kenoh could tag in.
Then it was on.
Kenoh probably would have won if he hadn't gone to run the ropes, and despite everything they threw to each other, the match ended in a draw.
WINNER: Time out draw
As the ref handed them their belts, they squared up with Kenoh pointing between his belt and Nakajima's. Later Kenoh remarked that this would be continued in Yoyogi where he would take Nakajima's belt and go to the Nippon Budokan as the double champion.
Title match
LEC Cleanup! Presents Noah The Best 2021
Sunday November 28th, Yoyogi National Stadium Second Gymnasium
A handshake, a stand off and then the kicks came. Strikes and MMA style jabs. Katsuhiko Nakajima with that smirk on his face and glint in his eyes, a lick of the lips and then he worked on Kenoh's knee and feet after the second lock up. His movements were controlled, slow and deliberate. He could not afford just yet to let his ego gallop away with him. Kenoh was enraged when it did, but not because it had but because he was being humiliated by the Shutter Chance, and had one of his usual bouts of temper after Nakajima threw him into the corner for another one. At one point, Nakajima even dusted his hands.
Outside the ring the fans were going wild clapping and Kongoh (Tadasuke and Soya in particular) were pounding on the apron. At times during the match Kenoh was hanging on to his dreams with his teeth, even when it looked threadbare and there was nothing to cling on to. The hope that Nakajima's ego would carry him away and make him careless was a good thing to bide his time over, and he finally saw and opening when Nakajima went to kick him from the apron, and he almost wrenched his knee from its socket. Following Kenoh's traditional double title PFS to the outside of the ring, Nakajima sought respite, but Kenoh would have followed him into a pit of fire if it meant getting the belt. The PFS (he would take more than one) took a lot of Nakajima, and for a while he remained winded and clutching his ribs. Movement was hard, but he lived for moments like these. After that there would be no more posturing. He could do that later, although the cameras would remain a lure.
The match rolled on, the time rolling on. They were both spent but somehow summoned the courage for a slap war, a kick war to exhaustion and somehow they kicked out and dragged themselves up again and again again. Nakajima ended up taking four PFS in total, with one to his back. Kenoh was running out of options and so he went for the chokehold. Nakajima was caught, not even backing Kenoh and slamming him into the turnbuckle would work. Kenoh dragged him to the centre of the ring, where Nakajima watched the referees face blur into the lights as Kenoh held on fast. He struggled, attacking Kenoh's knees with his elbows to make him let go, it worked and Kenoh loosened his grip.
What more? Submissions hadn't worked, and they didn't come up again in the match. Nakajima seemed more interested in either a knock out or a pin as he followed Kenoh's choke out attempt up with sharp kicks to the face. Kenoh's dream vs Nakajima's anniversary was on the line, he went back to slaps but
Nakajima was in full demon mode and it had no effect for a while. They ran on adrenalin, hoping for a solution, but there wasn't one, Nakajima even using lariats which is something he never does. Then the time ran out with Kenoh's dream evaporating, but Nakajima's remaining intact.
Winner: Neither. Time out draw at 60 minutes.
vs GO SHIOZAKI
Title match: ABEMA presents NOAH "THE NEW YEAR" 2022, Saturday January 1st Nippon Budokan
The ref raised both their arms, after which Nakajima fell on the mat and grabbed the microphone. Kenoh knelt down near him. Dazed and exhausted, Nakajima said "Kenoh...", but before he could say anything further the lights dimmed, a green light shone above the entryway and very familiar music started playing as Go Shiozaki stepped out from behind the curtain, and made his way to the ring. Kenoh (who would later rant against Shiozaki as "the guy lazing about at home") left. Shiozaki addressed the crowd first, saying that "I am Noah" has come home!" and confirming he would return at Noah's next show on the 5th December. He then noticed Nakajima and turned to him,
"Nakajima, that belt is mine. It doesn't suit you. On New Year's Day, at the Nippon Budokan. I am next."
Nakajima, his look of exhaustion turning into a snarl responded with, "Shiozaki, I'll do it. It is me who is moving the times. Shiozaki. I am Noah"
Backstage Shiozaki said he had returned for the belt, which he said belonged around his waist. Nakajima vowed to destroy him once and for all, as after all it was he who "was Noah". He also had a message for Kenoh, which he posted on Twitter later. He had various emotions from the day, but there was one emotion that he was sure of and it was, "Thank you for today, Kenoh".
THE WARROAD 2021 in NAGOYA (Aichi/Nagoya Congress Center Event Hall, Sunday December 5th)
Go Shiozaki return match
Kongoh (Katsuhiko Nakajima & Kenoh) vs Go Shiozaki and Kaito Kiyomiya
Go Shiozaki made his return to the ring to a sea of green lights in the crowd. He admitted the match was hard and seemed exhausted but happy afterwards.
Kenoh (who probably has bruised ribs) came to the ring looking more thoughtful than angry, probably because he knew that Kaito Kiyomiya had alluded that since everyone in the match was looking towards The Budokan, he would make his own steps too. Then it was back to yelling at Shiozaki, who Kenoh termed as "lazing about at home" and then returning to "steal the glory". Kenoh would have his revenge, trying to humiliate Shiozaki by standing with one foot on his chest and following this up with small kicks to the head. He was knocked down with chops.
The match culminated with Shiozaki and Nakajima drifting in and out of the ring, coming back in whenever their partners were in danger of being pinned, and then leaving to fight again. Kaito Kiyomiya went for a submission, which must have been hell on Kenoh's bruised ribs, and so he tapped.
MAN CRUSH 2021 (TUESDAY 7TH DECEMBER, KORAKUEN HALL)
Kongoh (Katsuhiko Nakajima & Kenoh) vs Go Shiozaki & Kaito Kiyomiya
With Kaito Kiyomiya challenging Kenoh for the GHC National, the balance of this match was changed. It went from being Go Shiozaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima fighting over the GHC with Kenoh and Kaito Kiyomiya and their history on the sidelines, to the GHC Heavyweight and the GHC National being united to fight against their challengers. Usually the two belts are at war with each other.
Kenoh wanted Kiyomiya, although he wasn't as furious as he usually is when he challenges him. Nakajima of course wanted Shiozaki. Both Kenoh and Nakajima kept their heads, no anger from Kenoh and no grin from Nakajima, it was now a double threat for them both. The match had a completely different atmosphere from Sunday in Nagoya.
Shiozaki, who was in a lot better condition than he had been in Nagoya and didn't seem so fragile as he had been, chopped the hell out of Nakajima the sound echoing around the hall. There were also some cheers and whistles heard from the crowd, who gasped at the force of Nakajima's kicks. Shiozaki ended the match by tearing his elbow pad off and took Nakajima's head off with the Gowan Lariat.
WINNER: Go Shiozaki with the Gowan Lariat (20 minutes, 52 seconds)
MAN CRUSH 2021 - SHIZUOKA / KIRA MESSE NUMAZU (SUNDAY DECEMBER 12TH 2021)
Kongoh (Katsuhiko Nakajima, Kenoh & Manabu Soya) vs Go Shiozaki, Kaito Kiyomiya & Yoshiki Inamura
Everyone in this match had their own agenda; Katsuhiko Nakajima vs Go Shiozaki, Kaito Kiyomiya vs Kenoh, and Yoshiki Inamura vs Manabu Soya. Inamura and Soya are the only two who are not fighting for titles, but their rivalry (the Noah ultra heavyweights have their own fraternity almost), was no less intense.
As he knows Go Shiozaki so well, Katsuhiko Nakajima knows where his weak parts are. Instead of attacking Shiozaki's elbows and shoulders, Nakajima went for Shiozaki's knees, which he probably knows where an issue before his injury, but not so much of one to need rehab on.
WINNER: Kenoh with the PFS on Yoshiki Inamura (19 minutes, 26 seconds)
Normally when the match ends, the heavyweights stop. If they get into arguments, it's normally verbal and at most finger pointing. Today they all became like Noah Juniors with the two champions and their challengers getting into melee fights. Kiyomiya was triumphant over Kenoh, and he stood over him with the belt as Shiozaki and Nakajima fought outside. Once things had calmed down, Nakajima held up the belt with an eerie smile that looked like he was about to rip Shiozaki to shreds. Later on Twitter Nakajima wrote that Shiozaki would never obtain the belt.
MAN CRUSH 2021 (Saturday December 25th, Yokohama Radiant Halls)
Kongoh (Kenoh & Katsuhiko Nakajima) vs Go Shiozaki & Kaito Kiyomiya
When it came to Go Shiozaki vs Katsuhiko Nakajima, I was reminded initially of when Atsushi Kotoge used to call Shiozaki "Papa" and say that Shiozaki and Kiyomiya were "father and son". Kiyomiya had been knocked about by Kenoh and had rolled out of the ring, Shiozaki had an eye on him for a few seconds. After being chopped in the corner, Katsuhiko Nakajima decided that he was going to show how unaffected he was by this and soon after challenged Shiozaki to chop him and then ducked and followed this up with kicks. He also went to attack Shiozaki's shoulder. Kiyomiya chose this moment to break the hold by attacking Kenoh, but was thrown from the ring.
No one could get a pin as the other three were always around to break it. Kenoh, however, found a solution and that was by knocking Kiyomiya out. The referee stopped the match when Kiyomiya was unresponsive.
Winner: Kenoh with a right high kick (16 minutes, 25 seconds)
Kenoh was very helpful, kicking Kiyomiya in the head, throwing the ref out of the ring and then shoving the belt in Kiyomiya's face as he held him up by his hair. When Kenoh had left, it was up to Shiozaki and Inamura to see to Kiyomiya. Shiozaki kind of bought Kiyomiya around by sitting him up and kneeing him in the back and Inamura helped him out.
All Dogs Gather 3! The Sugiura Army produce (27th December 2021, Korakuen Hall)
- Final pre match
Kongoh (Katsuhiko Nakajima, Kenoh, Manabu Soya, Haoh & Nioh) vs Go Shiozaki, Kaito Kiyomiya, Daiki Inaba & Momo No Seishun (Daisuke Harada & Atsushi Kotoge)
Nakajima and Shiozaki pretty much kept a low profile throughout the early stages and the middle of the match, leaving it to Kenoh and Kiyomiya (and the standard Noah Junior chaos), with Kiyomiya catching Kenoh off his guard and taking a kick to the head for his troubles.
It's rare to see Nakajima gnash and bare his teeth, normally he either smirks or he gets that expression where his eyes go hollow, and his fight today against Shiozaki was more brutal than usual with vicious angry hate filled kicks. Even Shiozaki's rolling elbow was met with a kick to the face. In the closing stages of the match, with people fighting everywhere around the ring, and Kenoh wrapping Kiyomiya around the ring-post, Shiozaki and Nakajima closed out their last pre match before the Nippon Budokan on the 1st January. After a soccer ball kick to the head, Nakajima with an eerie grin dragged Shiozaki slowly to his feet, savoring the moment. He rose him up into the Vertical Spike and slammed him down after a long hang time. To rub it in, his took his time pinning him.
WINNER: Katsuhiko Nakajima with the Vertical Spike on Go Shiozaki (17 minutes, 44 seconds)
Katsuhiko Nakajima posed with one foot on Shiozaki's chest. He held the belt up as he spoke on the microphone and said;
"Hey, Shiozaki! The Budokan is next. Listen carefully. If you lose, NEVER say "I am Noah" again. I AM NOAH!"
When Shiozaki rolled out of the ring, the referee was doing a concussion test on him (he's fine by the way), and Yoshiki Inamura tucked an ice pack under his neck. Atsushi Kotoge, still devoted to Shiozaki, remained with Harada and they formed part of the team to try to haul him to his feet. Shiozaki would not accept their help in walking backstage. This was his only victory over Nakajima that evening.
Title match
ABEMA presents NOAH "THE NEW YEAR" 2022
1st January 2022, Nippon Budokan
Noah went with the old ways, showing the champion and the challenger backstage. This was last done at "Flight", then before that during the time of the The Suzuki Army (ironically involving Shiozaki), the colors, the setting and even the ambient lighting were startlingly similar to Misawa's long ago.
A lot of the past was channeled into this match which gave it the big match a bittersweet feel combining Noah's past, Noah's present and Noah's future; Go Shiozaki's new Misawa like ring wear, the stare off that had happened when Shiozaki fought Kazuyuki Fujita (which fortunately did not go as long) which heightened the tension, and even the sick bump was recreated too.
It was a very fitting main event for The Budokan with echoes of Misawa & Kobashi or perhaps more fittingly given Nakajima's skillset, Misawa & Kawada.
Go Shiozaki was fighting for his version of Noah, his soul of "I am Noah" (again, very similar to Kobashi's statement about "Burning" being his life), the belt and to have Katsuhiko Nakajima back in AXIZ and fighting for Noah, not the self centered Kongoh. Nakajima was fighting for both the belt and to prove that in the title reign he was always meant to have, "I'm Noah" and Noah's future, he had no interest in AXIZ now terming it as something that happened a long time ago. Shiozaki, and perhaps only Shiozaki could do this, bought out a side of Nakajima that didn't slip easily into sarcasm, didn't play to the cameras, as a pure rage was bought out in him. Nakajima had promised a "secret trick" and he bought out it for the win, The Hokuto Bomb, otherwise known as "Northern Lights Bomb".
Winner: Katsuhiko Nakajima with the Northern Lights Bomb (30 minutes, 10 seconds)
Kongoh got into the ring to celebrate with Nakajima as Shiozaki limped out helped by the trainees. Nakajima and Kenoh both passed the mic between them. Kenoh taking the chance to rant loudly against New Japan, asking what merit they had and saying that they needed Noah's help now. Nakajima said that he would take Noah to a higher stage. Kongoh posed as streamers fell, and like Shiozaki when it was his turn, Nakajima inaugurated the title reign he should always have had in a big way.
It had been a good night for Kongoh
Backstage, Nakajima had some further words for Shiozaki. Leering into the camera he said about Shiozaki;
“Go Shiozaki, as promised you can never say “I am Noah” again. Go and spend the rest of your life being out of date”.
vs Masa Kitamiya
Title match: BUMPER CROP 2022 in SENDAI, Sendai Sunplaza Hall (Sunday, January 16th)
NEW SUNRISE 2022
Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, January 4th
Kongoh (Katsuhiko Nakajima, Kenoh, Manabu Soya, Tadasuke & Aleja) vs Naomichi Marufuji, Masa Kitamiya, Yoshiki Inamura, Daisuke Harada & Hajime Ohara.
Daisuke Harada, dressed in a gleaming white, had an intense look in his eyes. He had said prior to the match on social media that in a team of heavyweights, the juniors were not going to be outdone. Naomichi Marufuji was all business today too, a glance to Harada (they don't get along), a kind of warning to Masa Kitamiya, and a few words with Yoshiki Inamura.
Kongoh filed out looking grim, only Tadasuke smiling and animated as he walked into Korakuen Hall as if he were the main event at a rock concern. He did the usual camera spot, but there was no one there to photobomb him.
Naomichi Marufuji provoked Manabu Soya by flexing his pectorals at him, and got shoved down for his troubles. Tests of strengths are not a good idea either. Throughout the match Marufuji's quest (and really any match they are in, but remember this, it will be significant later) was to overcome Soya which resulted in bear hugs, lariats and being knocked over the barrier at one point after being propelled off of the ring apron. Speaking of Soya, the last time he and Masa Kitamiya were in the ring together, they managed to break the boards. It was probably for the best that today the three of them didn't have a fight together, as Korakuen would probably have come down.
As ever the presence of the Noah Juniors in the match caused mass brawls, Tadasuke charged the ring and Ohara ended up getting their tandem elbow drops. Aleja was thrown like a doll by Yoshiki Inamura, and for all I know could have gone through the roof. There was a typical wild Tadasuke moment where he was seen headbanging in the corner excitedly as he was the only man left standing on the Kongoh team, everyone else fighting outside the ring or else knocked off the apron. He and Daisuke Harada had a lightning fast exchange.
The end of the match came down to Masa Kitamiya and Katsuhiko Nakajima. After taking the Kongoh tandem kick, which did nothing but fire him up, he took out both Kenoh and Nakajima with lariats. Following this he gave Nakajima two massive suplex slams, a huge lariat and then a top rope bomb. Finishing with the Saito Suplex, he had won the right to challenge.
WINNER: Masa Kitamiya with the Saito Suplex on Katsuhiko Nakajima (15 minutes, 35 seconds)
Masa Kitamiya called for the microphone and challenged Katsuhiko Nakajima for the GHC Heavyweight title
"Hey! Champion! Katsuhiko Nakajima! Don't complain, the NEXT challenger is ME! Masa Kitamiya! I am challenging you! Polish your belt and get ready!"
Naomichi Marufuji said that this title challenge contained elements that can only be understood between Katsuhiko Nakajima and Masa Kitamiya and therefore what we don't know, what we don't understand and what we may never understand, will make it more interesting. For the newer fans reading this, Nakajima and Kitamiya both came from Kensuke Office/Diamond Ring, where they both trained under Kensuke Sasaki. This gives them the "older brother/senior student" relationship.
Title match
BUMPER CROP 2022 in Sendai
Sendai Sunplaza Hall, 16th January
A video package was shown, recapping the relationship of Masa Kitamiya and Katsuhiko Nakajima, both students from the Kensuke Office/Diamond Ring dojo. Ultimately it is the most saddest relationship in Noah.
The same "older brother/senior student" relationship is between Naomichi Marufuji and Kotaro Suzuki, who while they have little to do with each other, Kotaro knows that Marufuji (who he does call "older brother" like Kenta Kobashi used to do to Mitsuharu Misawa), will back him up. Even Kenoh and Kaito Kiyomiya (roughly the same relationship as Takashi Sugiura bought them both into his unit to train them in various ways), who have a stormy relationship, know that when it comes to Noah, one can rely on the other. Fans term their relationship as "a lot of jealousy, but a lot of love". Sadly, Nakajima and Kitamiya cannot claim any of those things. The hatred comes from Kitamiya's side, as he says he has always hated Nakajima from day one, so with them there is a lot of hurt and a lot of bitterness. The match as a result contained an element of anger and malevolence and I think slight hurt on Nakajima's side. The ring, Sendai, even Noah didn't matter. Nothing else in the world mattered but this moment, the supreme revenge for everything one had ever inflicted on the other. It became more than a title match.
Nakajima knew how dangerous Kitamiya could be and worked to wear Kitamiya down. It was a hard thing to do, but he could be worn down. Nakajima worked on him constantly with kicks and punches, although it was frustrating at times because Kitamiya kept bouncing back which provoked him into rage wrestling. For Kitamiya it was different, if he couldn't pin Nakajima (who had reversed the Saito Suplex), perhaps he could make him submit? Too bad Nakajima got to the ropes. Nakajima had another trick, which Kitamiya should have been wise to.
Playing dead.
Dropping his arm limply when lifted, lying on the floor like a deadweight when Kitamiya tried to haul him up, bought Nakajima time to both recover and catch Kitamiya off guard. The reaching for the ropes feebly was a nice touch.
Winner: Katsuhiko Nakajima with the Vertical Spike (20 minutes, 55 seconds)
Orange-san (Noah's bus driver) who was seconding that evening, threw in an ice pack. Nakajima shoved the ref away and for a moment fans thought that he and Kitamiya were going to make up, but no Nakajima threw Kitamiya out of the ring and the ice pack after him. As there were no seconds due to Coronavirus, and with Mr Orange not physically capable of supporting him, Kitamiya crawled backstage.
vs Kazuyuki Fujita
Title match: GAIN CONTROL 2022 in NAGOYA, Nagoya Congress Center Event Hall (Wednesday February 23rd)
Nakajima didn't have to wait long for his next challenger. The Beast emerged from his lair.
Kazuyuki Fujita.
No words passed between them, Fujita staring at the belt and smiling calmly, Nakajima matched this by holding up the belt.
STEP FORWARD 2022
Friday 11th February, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Kongoh (Kenoh, Katsuhiko Nakajima & Manabu Soya) vs The Sugiura Army (Takashi Sugiura, Kazuyuki Fujita & Kendo Kashin)
Kendo Kashin was suspiciously well behaved, but Kazuyuki Fujita did not want to waste time with the ref checking him. Kenoh was yelling at everyone, and Katsuhiko Nakajima withdrew to the corner. As is the way, the champion and his challenger started off first with Fujita offering Nakajima a handshake. Nakajima did not accept it, and spread his arms. Kashin for reasons known only to him (and where they should probably stay) tried to tag Nakajima in. Nakajima took no notice and got down to the business of trying to figure out his formidable opponent. Against Fujita, the smile was kept away. It flickered on for everyone else though. When tagging out, Fujita was not finished with Nakajima and Nakajima was not finished with Fujita, taking a shot at him on the apron.
Kenoh's nightmares are no doubt filled with images of Kendo Kashin, who today challenged him to a very slow chop match. Kenoh yelled at him, kicked him out of the ring, and then yelled at him some more. Kashin got in and repeated the slow chops. Kenoh looked like he couldn't quite believe what he was seeing. Kashin tried to escape Kenoh later by rolling out of the ring, but he was stopped by Kenoh who ran round to prevent him from going anywhere. He had his revenge though, a well aimed kick to the red crotch. Even referee Shu Nishinaga was drawn into Kashin's zany world at one point.
There was nothing so lighthearted for Nakajima though. No one able to help when Fujita slammed him, but he kicked out. Fujita screamed at him for this and almost took Nakajima's head off with the a kick to the face. He then knelt down and pinned him with one knee.
WINNER: Kazuyuki Fujita with a kick to the face on Katsuhiko Nakajima (20 minutes, 55 seconds)
Kazuyuki Fujita paraded round the ring with the belt, even wearing it over his shoulder. The referee attempted to retrieve it, but he couldn't and Fujita strolled backstage with it and wore it while he made his post match promo.
"I'm Noah! I'm Noah! I'm Noah! What I'm Noah! What's wrong? The belt has come to where it should be. Noah is over!"
Title match: GAIN CONTROL 2022 in NAGOYA, Nagoya Congress Center Event Hall (Wednesday February 23rd)
Kazuyuki Fujita came out wearing his Bane like mask, accompanied by The Sugiura Army. Kendo Kashin was clutching a white plastic bag in anticipation of Fujita's win. Kenoh was at ringside being vocal as ever, yelling at Kazuyuki Fujita while trying to encourage Katsuhiko Nakajima. This was Katsuhiko Nakajima's biggest challenge yet and he had to use his head. Ignore the crowd, ignore the cameras, ignore the photographers, ignore his ego and concentrate solely on Fujita. This was not Shiozaki, Marufuji, Sugiura, Kenoh or anyone else. This was the man they called "The Beast" and was capable of living up to that name. Nakajima had seen and experienced Fujita firsthand, he knew what he was capable of.
The match was torture to watch. For Nakajima there seemed to be no way out. Perhaps he knew he was beat, each time had Fujita down, he got back up. He allowed himself a moment of free reign with his ego at one point. He had deserved it, but it cost him. Fujita was able to recover and fought back, hitting Nakajima half way across the ring each time he punched him. Fujita had the advantage in the vicious slap war too, the chokes which almost turned Nakajima blue. When finally he did have Fujita down and the referee was checking on him, Nakajima threw him to the side and punched Fujita again in rapid succession. Perhaps he should have pinned him then, or even let the ref decide to end the match but whatever the reason, Fujita was given time to recover. He was groggy, but managed to slam Nakajima and then kick him in the head. To drive home the point he went to pin him, dragged him up and then finished with another huge bomb for the win.
WINNER: Kazuyuki Fujita with the Power Bomb (21 minutes, 11 seconds)
Next champion: Kazuyuki Fujita
Links
VS Masato Tanaka
VS Go Shiozaki
Please note there was no title match signing with Masa Kitamiya
Vs Kazuyuki Fujita
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