(NOAH): Renaissance

Weekly Pro 

5th September 2000 (Issue No.993)

DEPARTURE - FREEDOM AND BELIEF - AUGUST 19TH, DIFFER ARIAKE 

After the match ended, Akiyama and Takayama conspired to attack Kobashi! This shocking scene signaled a new shift in Noah.

The awesomeness of Kobashi and the spirit of Rikio, both burning with a desire for revenge! Both in search of the word "victory"!

"I'll be the compass" ~ The man at the top emanates an overwhelming force that will take him to even greater heights! 

 Jun Akiyama took the initiative in Noah by defeating the three strongest wrestlers, Misawa, Taue and Kobashi, in the promotions first two matches. The greeting he gave on behalf of all the wrestlers before the start of the match, was very typical of Akiyama; "I want to challenge myself, not only in the ring, but in everything I do". This is undoubtedly an antithesis to the previous greeting from Kobashi, who said, "I believe that the essence of professional wrestling lies in the fight in the ring." 

 Thinking back now, it seems that everything that happened that day may have been foreshadowed in this sensational speech. The events that took place after the match were so complex and shocking, that it is necessary to explain them in order.

 The atmosphere of the day was that Kobashi and Rikio, who had a connection with Akiyama in their second match on the journey, would face off against Akiyama directly, which was a point of interest. Rikio, in particular, is a wrestler who has only just made his debut. It will be interesting to see if the courage he displayed when stomping on Akiyama, who continued to choke Kobashi despite the match having ended in the previous show, remains this time.

 Judging from the result, his spirit was palpable throughout his body, and his lofty aspirations have no doubt touched the hearts of the fans. But the reality is that the difference in their careers was clearly evident. Rikio was unable to leave even the tiniest scratch on Akiyama's surface. The honest impression is that Rikio still has a long way to go.

 And then there's Kobashi. 

 He has not forgotten the bitterness of his humiliating defeat at the hands of Akiyama. At the August 15th Minase, Akita event, he commented to him, "I won't let you take the lead".

Article blurbs

Akiyama said he not only wanted to challenge Rikio, but everyone and everything, which was the exact opposite to what Kobashi had said. Afterwards, when the crowd was chanting for him, he raised one finger to the sky, which Weekly Pro said drew the fans and the younger wrestlers. Rikio later called Akiyama out. He did not respond. 

Picture credit: Weekly Pro