(NOAH) EVENT RECAP: ABEMA presents N-1 VICTORY 2023 - FINAL NIGHT (Sunday August 27th, Culttz Kawasaki, Kawasaki)

Noah's end of summer always feels like it is celebrated at Culttz Kawasaki, it is the turning point of the seasons and with the second part of the year over, it is time to look towards autumn and winter. The event always feels like the last fireworks festival before the autumn season, and fireworks is what we got tonight. 

As Culttz Kawasaki has been Hajime Ohara's project since Noah started coming here a few years ago, he has been instrumental in arranging everything but the booking. By involving local businesses he has gotten them involved with promotion of the show, and made things possible for the partially sighted/blind members of the community to enjoy Noah by use of audio aids so they can listen to commentary and know what is going on, and the use of braille programs. In the past he has also arranged for children and elderly to be given soya milk, but I am not sure if that happened this year. No wonder then he was sent flowers by local businesses and his shirts sold out in no time. 

Although he never appeared in the ring for Noah (but did appear in a way as he took part in autograph sessions during a tour in 2004, something that most of the roster in Noah these days would not remember), a ten bell salute was held for Terry Funk, with Naomichi Marufuji doing the honors. Funk's history with Noah is once again on the road that leads back (all things tend to do) to Giant Baba and All Japan, which means that due to Funk becoming Jumbo Tsuruta's mentor and coaching him during Tsuruta's Amarillo expedition, some of that has passed down to Noah through Tsuruta to Yoshinari Ogawa, Mitsuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi and so on. In a moment of farce following the ceremony, G-Man managed to crotch himself when trying to climb over the metal barriers.

Event can be viewed on WrestleUniverse. English and Japanese commentary is available.

MATCH ONE

Shuji Kondo, Hajime Ohara & Seiki Yoshioka vs Good Looking Guys (Anthony Green, YO-HEY & Tadasuke)

Huge cheers and whistles for the hometown boy, Hajime Ohara, with Seiki Yoshioka seen whipping up the crowd, who were vocal right from the start. However, the hometown boy wasn't going to have too great an evening as while the match was chaos (and Yoshioka went flying into the crowd after a moonsault, but without trashing any tables this time), it was Ohara who ate the pin thanks to YO-HEY's boots equaling his face.

WINNER: YO-HEY with a dropkick on Hajime Ohara (6 minutes, 48 seconds)

YO-HEY said that there seemed to be a hero in Kawasaki today (Ohara), but it was GLG who had won. Then GLG did their usual thing of walking around in a circle, each one saying a letter, "G", "L", "G", as they passed the camera. 

MATCH TWO

N-1 VICTORY 2023

B Block

Saxon Huxley & Yuma Anzai

Not quite a squash match, more one that Yuma Anzai had no chance of winning. 

Winner: Saxon Huxley with the Neck Hanging Bomb

Final points: Saxon Huxley 6, Yuma Anzai 4

Backstage Anzai reflected that he could only win two points on his own merit (the other two were given in leiu as Daiki Inaba is injured), but at least his N-1 was not as bad as Yoshiki Inamura's was going to turn out to be. 

MATCH THREE

N-1 VICTORY 2023

A BLOCK

Yoshiki Inamura vs Yuki Yoshioka

Yoshiki Inamura attacked Yuki Yoshioka right at the start of the match with a massive shoulder tackle, knocking Yoshioka to the floor, and going for the desperation pin. This was his last chance to salvage some points, but sadly this was not meant to be. 

Winner: Yuki Yoshioka with the Battle Hook (7 minutes, 26 seconds)

Final points: Yuki Yoshioka 8, Yoshiki Inamura 0

Backstage, Inamura announced that as he was worried about the current situation, he had decided that he was going to go on excursion, starting with the UK. He did plan to visit other countries too, but wherever he went, he was not going to return to Noah until he felt that he was strong enough to make his mark. Inamura's farewell match will be at the N-1 Championship night in Osaka on the 3rd September, this will also be the night (and the match) when Takashi Sugiura returns from injury. 

MATCH FOUR

N-1 VICTORY 2023

A BLOCK

Masa Kitamiya vs Timothy Thatcher

Timothy Thatcher bided his time before locking in the first of the armbars, Masa Kitamiya made it to the ropes. Following this, Thatcher's face was a mixture between his habitual grimace and a kid who looked like his ice cream had blown away. Kitamiya took pleasure in a savage attack on his knees, but when he went for the second one, Thatcher, the slippery master of reversals locked in the Fujiwara Armbar, and Kitamiya tapped.

Winner: Timothy Thatcher with the Fujiwara Armbar (10 minutes, 26 seconds)

Final points: Timothy Thatcher 8, Masa Kitamiya 7

MATCH FIVE

N-1 VICTORY 2023

A BLOCK

Jack Morris vs Adam Brooks

Adam Brooks was not in the mood for a Jack Morris striptease (especially since Jack had waved for him to stand back), and Jack was shimmying his kilt when he got jumped to the boos of the fans. Brooks didn't care what they thought, but his knees (which have been vulnerable since the match against Masa Kitamiya earlier in the league) were a factor and one which weakened him.

Winner: Jack Morris with the Cobra Twist (10 minutes, 11 seconds)

Final points: Jack Morris 9, Adam Brooks 4

MATCH SIX

STINGER (Chris Ridgeway, Daga & Yoshinari Ogawa) vs Atsushi Kotoge, HI69 & Kai Fujimura

STINGER came out in new thug getup. Yoshinari Ogawa hadn't changed of course (he hasn't and doesn't) and stood in the ring in his shades and leather jacket, glaring at his opponents. Chris Ridgeway and Daga, however, had coordinated themselves in jackets with chains hanging off of them and walked to the ring expecting the crowd to cheer their arrogance, Ridgeway en route pointing out one of Noah's English commentary team who were wearing one of his t-shirts. Tadasuke was on Japanese commentary, normally this would be like throwing a Molotov cocktail, but fortunately there was bigger business at hand and they ignored him. Hi69 looked focused, Atsushi Kotoge was in one of his twitchy moods, and naturally with Ogawa in a snit, and STINGER out to dismiss their challengers even in the pre match, you can imagine just what this match was like. Kai Fujimura, however, had a breakout moment against Daga, but ended up getting punched out of the air with a Superman punch.

Winner: Daga with the Diablo Wings on Kai Fujimura (11 minutes, 17 seconds)

The match was no contest between the champions and challengers, but as STINGER have gone (or perhaps can go) from sadistic bullies to a pack of yobs, they threw the ref out of the ring and then started stamping down Kai Fujimura, and then scattered when Hi69 and Kotoge ran into the ring. Backstage, Daga said that they were able to prove that they were both the strongest and the best tag team, and to make a point about how little their opponents mattered, he said he was on vacation in Mexico when he heard they were the challengers. He added that the win was easy, just like asking for another glass of beer. He said he felt like they were already celebrating in Osaka. 

MATCH SEVEN

Naomichi Marufuji, Masato Tanaka, Stallion Rogers, Alejandro & Junta Miyawaki vs Kaito Kiyomiya, Kazuyuki Fujita, Lance Anoa'i, HAYATA & Eita

Kazuyuki Fujita handed out his Red Viper tonic to his team. Surprisingly (or perhaps not) it was quiet shy HAYATA who seemed the most pleased by it, and he even joined in the toast and downed the stuff. It was Kaito Kiyomiya who was the most difficult to persuade, but in the end, he joined in too. Fujita must have magic powers as he managed to get Noah's most fussy and Noah's most stubborn (bar one) to join in. Everyone at ringside was given a bottle, even Tadasuke. When the opponents entered the ring, Fujita gave a bottle to Naomichi Marufuji. This is because Marufuji usually complains that Fujita doesn't give him one, although Fujita does not give them to his opponents. Marufuji tucked it away until later, Fujita a little indignant that he didn't want to drink it now.

There was nothing serious in this match, and although Junta Miyawaki seemed to be encouraged to target HAYATA by his seniors, he didn't make a challenge. Marufuji lurked behind Kiyomiya, who was showing off to the crowd, and it sounded like Eita yelled "Cowabunga" after kicking Alejandro in the face. 

Then came Marufuji's Popeye moment. After squaring up to Fujita, Marufuji drank the tonic, which gave him super powers, and after flexing his pecs, he got into a chop battle with Fujita, in which Fujita took down his straps. This continued outside the ring, and through the melee brawl. 

Winner: Kaito Kiyomiya with the Transformed Shining Wizard on Stallion Rogers (14 minutes, 14 seconds)

Backstage, Kiyomiya had some words for Yoshinari Ogawa. Ogawa hadn't been pleased with Kiyomiya's G1 performance, and even less pleased with his "leading role" statement and his "ripping off" of other people, which Ogawa has never been able to tolerate in his students. Kiyomiya said his experience this summer had changed him, and he was going to overturn everything in Osaka. 

The final matches were to determine the two winners from A and B Block, who would go on to face each other in Osaka for the N-1 VICTORY 2023 league championship. A Block was simple, Kenoh needed to defeat Jake Lee to win, while Jake needed a victory whether it be pinfall or time limit draw. In B Block there were three contenders; Go Shiozaki, Katsuhiko Nakajima and Manabu Soya. Nakajima needed a victory, Shiozaki needed Soya to win and Soya needed Shiozaki to lose, if he won then they would draw, if there was a time limit draw then Soya would win. Things were going to get very complicated, leading to Noah making history for the first time in the N-1 VICTORY. 

MATCH EIGHT

N-1 VICTORY 2023

B Block

El Hijo Del Dr Wagner Jnr vs Manabu Soya

Ever the gentleman, El Hijo Del Dr Wagner Jnr asked Manabu Soya for a handshake, but Soya slapped his hand away. During the very rough match (and it wouldn't surprise me if Soya later challenged for the GHC National), El Hijo Del Dr Wagner Jnr found the time to flirt with Rina Matsui by doing his hand sign at her and asking her to join in. Akitoshi Saito was also gentlemanly enough to protect Rina when the match threatened to spill out from the barrier to the announce table. 

WINNER: Manabu Soya with the Jumping DDT (14 minutes, 53 seconds)

Final points: Manabu Soya 9, El Hijo Del Dr Wagner Jnr 8

Dripping with sweat, focused and red eyed, Manabu Soya later appeared at ringside to see what would happen.

MATCH NINE

N-1 VICTORY 2023

B Block

Go Shiozaki vs Katsuhiko Nakajima

Both Go Shiozaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima came out dressed in their AXIZ costumes, this was the first time either had done this during the league. They hadn't done this for anyone else, only each other. Despite the handshake offered by Nakajima, which was taken, the pair were here to win and they looked at each other dead in the eyes as they shook. 

Partners and rivals, you could tell that they were enjoying this no holds barred competition between them.

WINNER: Go Shiozaki with the Gowan Lariat (14 minutes, 53 seconds)

Nakajima's comment backstage was simple. His loss was disappointing and he was frustrated that it had come at the hands of Go Shiozaki (it should also be remembered that it had been Shiozaki who had also eliminated him from the N-1 Rumble), but he wanted Shiozaki to take the top of Noah as AXIZ. Meanwhile in the ring, Noah announced that the playoffs between Shiozaki and Soya would take place after the main event. 

"Kenoh, I haven't lost in the N-1 yet. Are you the one who is going to teach me how to lose?"

Jake Lee

MATCH TEN

N-1 VICTORY 2023

A Block

Kenoh vs Jake Lee

This was the first singles match between Kenoh and Jake Lee. Naomichi Marufuji joined the commentary team, but for once this wasn't like throwing a Molotov cocktail, Kenoh focused on defeating Jake Lee who was both much bigger, heavier and stronger than him, which of course made it difficult when coming to do really anything, but in particular attacks that had worked so well against other opponents like the Kenoh Special. He also had to be inventive, such as countering a chokeslam with a knee to the face when Jake lifted him. Jake used all the advantages he had over Kenoh to full effect such as the slap flurry early on in the match when Jake wouldn't get him go, getting out of submissions and the opening he was given after Kenoh dragged him around the outside of the ring, throwing him into the ring-posts and kicking him, Jake dodged the final time and Kenoh kicked the metal. After that he capitalized, and although Kenoh was seen limping during the match and later in the evening, Jake was forced to eat his sarcastic words. 

WINNER: Kenoh with the Flaming Wheel (22 minutes, 38 seconds)

Final points: Kenoh 10, Jake Lee 10 (Kenoh wins as he has five wins to Jake's four)

Kenoh did indeed give Jake Lee his first defeat. Humiliated, all Jake could do was stare up at Kenoh who was standing on the apron, his fist raised high and glowering down at him, before racing backstage. Kenoh commented that he had defeated Jake Lee "who had boasted that he hadn't even lost once in Noah", but the person he really wanted to face in the championship was Manabu Soya, although he owed Shiozaki payback. 

N-1 VICTORY 2023 BLOCK B PLAYOFF MATCH

Manabu Soya vs Go Shiozaki

Go Shiozaki was battle damaged having only had about a half an hour break between one grueling match, and now he was thrown into another. Manabu Soya had a much longer rest, and was therefore a bit more fresh. Thanks to Nakajima's attacks, Shiozaki found that he could not lift Soya for the Go Flasher, so he went for his injured arm and the momentum win instead. 

WINNER: Go Shiozaki with the Gowan Lariat (22 minutes, 33 seconds)

Soya may have lost at the very last round, but this had indeed been "The Summer of Soya."

Kenoh came limping out to the ring, looking angry and glowered down at Shiozaki with a look of contempt on his face. Shiozaki, who had already had a rough night, had a "oh great" look on his face. In the event of things, I think they were both too tired to start a fight, and they faced off quietly. For once, Noah's most angry man, Kenoh, saying nothing but a few short angry sentences. Kenoh left looking as if he was about to erupt, while Shiozaki closed out the show thanking Katsu (Nakajima), Soya and Kawasaki and saying that he would win in Osaka. 

With thanks to: Metal Noah

Noah's next event: ABEMA presents N-1 VICTORY 2023 (Championship night) - Sunday September 3rd, Osaka Edion Arena Osaka First Stadium

Attendance: 1,694

Picture credit: Noah.co.jp