(NOAH) Noah's Misawa defeats Kojima in Kojima's first All Japan participation

Weekly Pro

18th December 2024 (Issue no 2332)

(Originally published in the August 4th and December 10th 2004 issues)

"It felt more like the first time rather than the first time in four years. The venue was at Ryogoku, so it didn't really feel like All Japan."

Time has flown since Mitsuharu Misawa left All Japan and launched Noah. That time has likely resolved a lot of issues.

On July 18th 2004, Misawa stood in the ring at his former home All Japan Pro Wrestling's Ryogoku Kokugikan event, and found himself facing Satoshi Kojima. This was their first match. Before the match, Misawa shook hands with referee Kyohei Wada, and there was, no doubt, some nostalgia involved. But it wasn't just nostalgia that was there, as Kojima was shaking hands with him for the first time. 

As the serious atmosphere gave way to some serious wrestling, Kojima struck first with a rule-breaking Tiger Driver. Misawa picked up on that sentiment, and with the cheers of the crowd behind him, he won with the Tiger Driver '91 just before a full-time draw. It is extremely rare for this move to be used on anyone other than the Four Heavenly Kings, which shows just how much he cared about it. Misawa said it felt like more a "nice to meet you" than a "welcome back", but seeing his fighting style and finish, the fans in the arena were all saying "welcome back".

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