(NOAH) "The key wrestlers are the young wrestlers", Naomichi Marufuji lists three wrestlers to watch at the 2nd March Nagoya show

19th February 2024

Tokyo Sports

Noah's Naomichi Marufuji (44) gave an interview on the 19th at Sportiva Arena, a sports bar featuring a permanent ring in Nagoya. In response to the interview, he listed three wrestlers to watch at the Nagoya International Conference Center show to be held on March 2nd. 

A total of eight teams will participate in the newly established, "Victory Challenge Tag League", which will begin on the 24th in Yokohama. A total of seven official shows will be held, with Nagoya being the third. The winning team will be given the right to challenge the GHC tag team champions (Jack Morris & Anthony Green). 

"This time, the format is a little different than in the past, and it is literally a challenge; wrestlers who have never appeared in league matches like this before will appear, and if they win, they will be able to challenge for the belt. There are people with careers, achievements and with belts, but the key wrestlers are the young wrestlers."

Among them, the first to make a name for himself, is Yu Owada (23), who will team up with former GHC Heavyweight Champion, Kenoh. "It's been less than a year since he made his debut as a wrestler, so how much will he be an active part in this tournament? I feel the possibility of connecting to Noah's future". 

He also turned his attention to Ryohei Oiwa (25) and Ulka Sasaki (34). "Oiwa is a New Japan wrestler, who will team up with Kaito Kiyomiya, and Kiyomiya is Noah's present and future. How will they show their useful power as a duo? Ulka is a mixed martial artist who has appeared in RIZIN, but has only appeared in pro wrestling a handful of times, but he has the potential to win if he uses what he has cultivated up until now."

However, he doesn't think that the young wrestlers will win that easily, "I believe that Go Shiozaki and Atsushi Kotoge are the core team that will shape the league, and since I am not participating, I expect Shiozaki and Kotoge to play the role of a wall." 

Nowadays, Noah is being left to the youngsters in a good way, and his regeneration is being born. Although he says with a laugh that his "back is against the wall", his true feelings are, however, different. "I am confident that I can show Noah that Marufuji is here, and I think I will do than better than in the league".

Marufuji's card will be decided at a later date. 

Translated from Tokyo Sports

Picture credit: Tokyo Sports