(NOAH) EVENT RECAP: THE GIFT 2023 in MAKUHARI ~KEIJI MUTO HAPPY BIRTHDAY~ (Saturday, December 23rd - Makuhari Messe Hall 6, Chiba)

"Kenoh has taught me a lot of things. 

I can confidently say that my hobby is watching professional wrestling.

It's nice to have something to look forward to

I love professional wrestling ❤️

I love Noah"

Noah's last show of 2023 started with a double birthday celebration. At the start of the show, Naomichi Marufuji and Alejandro came to the ring, carrying flowers and cake, and called Keiji Mutoh out, so they could give him gifts for his sixty-first birthday. After thanking the fans for coming today, Mutoh said;

"I'm honored to still be in the ring even though I'm retired. Thanks to the blessings of professional wrestling, I live a calm and peaceful life every day. I always hope to be able to give something back to professional wrestling, so thank you for your support. Big news has arrived; Tanahashi has become the president of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Shall I set something up? (*Naomichi Marufuji started laughing*) I'm not the only one who has a birthday today...."

The crowd chanted for Manabu Soya, and Mutoh said, ""Yes! I'm retired, but he's still active, right?" Soya came down to the ring and said; 

"Thank you. I turned thirty-nine today! I’m glad I have the same birthday as Mutoh-san! I guess I wasn't the only one to celebrate like this in the ring. Happy birthday Muto-san!"

Mutoh then called on the fans to support Soya in the title match, and after flowers were given to Mutoh (which I think Soya might have wanted), and Soya was given cake (no wonder he wanted the flowers, confectionary is a dangerous thing to have backstage in Noah as it usually ends up getting pinched by the other wrestlers), and they posed for a commemorative picture as the crowd chanted "Happy Birthday". Today was also Takashi Sugiura's 23rd debut anniversary, and he quietly received flowers backstage. 

The event today was not live, but will be streamed on WrestleUniverse from 18:00 JST on the 26th December (subscription required to view). 

MATCH ONE

Shuhei Taniguchi vs Yu Owada

Winner: Shuhei Taniguchi with Kesa-gatame (a judo hold) (8 minutes, 21 seconds)

MATCH TWO

Go Shiozaki, Atsushi Kotoge & Taichi Ozawa vs Funky Express (Mohammed Yone & Akitoshi Saito) & Super Crazy

Fans felt that young Taichi Ozawa is growing and fitted well into this match, and even better, he was on the winning team. As ever there was the usual comedy between Atsushi Kotoge and Mohammed Yone. Kotoge tried to halt Yone with the "Disco Fever" pose, but Yone charged at him. Even Go Shiozaki got in on this, as at the end of the match he shook hands with Ozawa, but not Kotoge.

Winner: Go Shiozaki with the Gowan Lariat on Akitoshi Saito (12 minutes, 5 seconds)

MATCH THREE

Hi69 vs Eita

Winner: Eita with the Imperial Uno (8 minutes, 15 seconds)

Backstage, Eita said he would win the GHC Junior in Ariake, and become the "true face" of the Noah Juniors. 

MATCH FOUR

Takashi Sugiura, Hajime Ohara & Kai Fujimura vs Kazuyuki Fujita, Shuji Kondo & Junta Miyawaki

Junta Miyawaki chugged down RED VIPER tonic with Kazuyuki Fujita and Shuji Kondo, who told Takashi Sugiura to "squeeze him even more", when Sugiura had him in a hold. This time he didn't cut in and try and break it. 

Winner: Shuji Kondo with the Overdose on Kai Fujimura (15 minutes, 40 seconds)

After the match Kondo warned Miyawaki that the upcoming six man was not going to be easy, and Miyawaki needed to realize that stubborness in being a Noah Born, and that Noah wasn't beaten that easily. He told him to make sure that he practiced until the 2nd January. 

MATCH FIVE

Good Looking Guys (Jake Lee, YO-HEY & Tadasuke) vs Naomichi Marufuji, Alejandro & TERRY YAKI

Light hearted match for the end of the year in which Jake Lee, who played off against Naomichi Marufuji, (and when he was "conducting the crowd", got snuck up on by him and when Jake's break was clean, got a full on deeply respectful bow), got chopped and then when he was bent over the barriers, YO-HEY pointed out to him that those chops hurt. Jake also asked the people in the front row to cheer loudly for Tadasuke. Alejandro used the Space Rolling Elbow as today is Mutoh's birthday. Jake also seems to have developed a somewhat nasty streak, as apparently he tried to tear Alejandro's mask off, much to the boos of the crowd.

Winner: YO-HEY with the dropkick on TERRY YAKI (12 minutes, 25 seconds)

Backstage, Tadasuke said he wanted to sing a song. YO-HEY said to save that until they won the titles at Ariake Arena. 

MATCH SIX

Yoshinari Ogawa vs HAYATA

Technical match, half grudge (with Yoshinari Ogawa attacking HAYATA'S left arm) and half Ariake Arena pre-match (with HAYATA using Hiroshi Tanahashi's slingblade, which was something that the commentators had picked up on recently)

Winner: HAYATA with the Crossfix (14 minutes, 49 seconds)

HAYATA left soon after the match, and left Ogawa in the ring frustrated at the loss. Backstage, HAYATA made a rare comment when he said in a way which sounded almost like a warning, "Congratulations on your appointment as President Tanahashi-san" (I can't remember HAYATA ever congratulating anyone on anything), "I'll get the slingblade". 

MATCH SEVEN

Kenoh, Kaito Kiyomiya & Ryohei Oiwa vs Manabu Soya, Masa Kitamiya & Daiki Inaba

Winner: Manabu Soya with the Trajectory on Kenoh (20 minutes, 54 seconds)

In their final pre match before Ariake on the 2nd January and in Noah's final match of 2023, Manabu Soya had beaten Kenoh, the GHC Heavyweight Champion. As Kenoh was helped out by the seconds, and Soya celebrated from the ring by raising his arms and staring at him, Daiki Inaba spoke on the mic;

"January 2nd! Ariake Arena! Kiyomiya, Oiwa...I'm going straight to the top in the match on January 2nd...and I'll be the one to take it in Ariake!"

Shuji Kondo and Junta Miyawaki, who are also part of the six man match against House of Torture, got in the ring. Kondo pointing out that he too was part of Noah, and shaking hands with Kiyomiya promised that they too (meaning himself and Miyawaki) would do their best with the others. Kiyomiya shrieked, "Let's take everyone here to Ariake Arena". He probably would have said more, but Masa Kitamiya snatched the microphone from him and said; 

"Not only will you guys have an important match on January 2nd, I will too. On January 2nd, I will defeat Tomohiro Ishii in Ariake! And I will advance to the top of Noah!"

Then it was Manabu Soya's turn to snatch the microphone; 

"I'll take the GHC Heavyweight belt from Kenoh!! Let's create a spectacular view of Ariake together. Let's do it! Let's do it! Let's do it! Let's go! LET'S GO! LET'S GO TO ARIAKE!"

Despite their own personal issues, matches and grudges, everyone agreed to unite for Ariake, and kind of struck a pose in the ring with bulging muscles, determined looks and extended chests after making a "hyuh" sound. Backstage, Manabu Soya declared that together in Ariake on the 2nd January, they would show their power. 

With thanks to: kimikimimaito_x, Shishikazu, Kei & Abeshin

Attendance: 366

Picture credits: Pro Wrestling DX, BBM Mobile

Noah's next event: ABEMA presents NOAH "THE NEW YEAR" 2024 (Tuesday, January 2nd - Ariake Arena, Tokyo) - live on WRESTLEUNIVERSE & ABEMA