(NOAH) "We are not New Japan's second tier promotion! Remember that!" Kenoh's rage with H.O.T and others participating

21st December 2023

Tokyo Sports

Noah's GHC Heavyweight champion, Kenoh (38), is in a very bad mood. He is preparing for his first defense against Manabu Soya (38) at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo on January 2nd next year, but not only did he lose the main event to Naomichi Marufuji and Kota Ibushi, it seems that he is very dissatisfied with the participation of so many wrestlers from New Japan, including the heel unit, "House of Torture" (H.O.T). He blamed Kaito Kiyomiya (27) for being the culprit, and also vented his dissatisfaction with the promotion. 

What was supposed to be a big auspicious New Year's event, has turned into a disaster. The title match for the Noah's highest championship has been relegated to the semi-finals, and the champion is furious. Fans also flooded with harsh comments, saying, "Don't lower the status of the GHC". At the same show as New Japan wrestlers, Satoshi Kojima, Tomohiro Ishii, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Zack Saber Jnr, H.O.T'S participation has been decided. Kenoh, who had publicly stated that he would aim to raise the level of Noah without relying on the help of other promotions, said dissatisfied, "The Noah vs Noah card is our only championship match. I don't know what promotion's card this is, but it's like a card that is a new brand show for New Japan".

What is even less interesting, is the presence of some rare visitors. 

House of Torture invaded Korakuen Hall on the 20th. The entire team attacked Kiyomiya and Ryohei Oiwa, who EVIL and Yujiro Takahashi were fighting at Ariake on the 20th, and even demanded a card change. Kenoh frowned and scolded, "Something strange happened here. Kiyomiya brought in an extra person again, and considering that there would be no pure Noah match, Kiyomiya bought in House of Torture to make himself stand out...Don't you have any pride as Noah?"

Kenoh also directed his anger at Noah saying, "Hey! Noah! We are not New Japan's second tier promotion! Soya and I will have a match that says, "This is Pro Wrestling Noah." Remember that well". For some reason he finished by declaring EVIL's signature phrase. Also using EVIL's signature phrase persistently, he said about the challenger Manabu Soya "Hasn't he suddenly become less energetic since the title match was decided? Well, I'll beat him up for not being energetic. Remember that well"

I don't feel like he is extremely influenced by the heel unit, but at Korakuen Hall, he fought in a six man tag against Soya, and slipped through his Dragon Sleeper and got the win with the Samsun Clutch, and won the GHC pre match. Ariake in the New Year is the only place where he can take out his anger. 

Translated from Tokyo Sports

Picture credit: Tokyo Sports