(NOAH) Vader...the storm that is attacking the ark! Morishima sinks in just 163 seconds.

Weekly Pro 24th October 2000

(Issue No. 1000)

7th October 2000

Differ Ariake

"I'm going to teach Misawa, pain" 

Vader's participation in Noah's inaugural series has been confirmed, and he held a press conference the day before the opening event. 

All Japan criticized Vader's participation in Noah as a double contract, but he himself commented that, "I believe that contract with All Japan was completely terminated. It wasn't being handled according to the contract." Citing a breach of contract, he justified his transfer. 

Of course, All Japan Pro Wrestling was not convinced by this claim, and it is difficult to say that the issue of Vader's transfer has been completely resolved. However, it has now been officially decided that Vader, whose participation had been doubted until the last minute, will appear in Noah. Vader, who volunteered to participate in the opening match to signify "starting over from scratch," will face Morishima. 

In his first match in Japan since the Matsumoto show on April 7th, and his debut in Noah, Vader delivered a performance that seemed to blow away all the turmoil surrounding his move. 

Morishima took the initiative. He launched a surprise attack from behind Vader, landing his signature moves: a jumping knee and a lariat. Morishima wanted to end the match in one go, but Vader's counter attack shifted the momentum in Vader's favor. From there, it was Vader's show. He unleashed a barrage of attacks, from a lariat that looked like it would blow Morishima's head off to a reverse splash that looked like it would destroy the ring. And finally, after beating Morishima to a pulp with Vader Hammer and body blows, he completely knocked him out with another intense Vader Hammer.

Given Morishima's remarkable recent growth, there were high expectations for how far he could push Vader, but the match ended in less than three minutes. Vader, who had intended to climb the ladder to Misawa step by step since the first match, brought Misawa within striking distance with the attack he unleashed that day. 

"There's only one reason I came to Noah. I have to fight Misawa. Misawa took my pride. The keyword is pain. I'm going to teach Misawa what pain is" Vader roared. His tension was rising as he vowed revenge for the destruction of his left elbow in the match against Misawa in Matsumoto on April 7th.

The storm that is Vader, is threatening to swallow Misawa and the Noah Ark, all at once. 

Notes

Vader apparently did one of those moves where he broke the count himself, only to attack again. 

Morishima did not have time to even take off his shirt before Vader attacked him.