(NOAH) Reiwa mutant species

Weekly Pro

29th January 2025

Kenoh vs OZAWA ends in a no contest due to Yoshi-Tatsu's interference...TEAM 2000X wins against All Rebellion in an all-out battle. 

Get captivated by OZAWA's new style of pro-wrestling—unbound by convention.

KSD, who was used as a test subject on the Kenoh Channel, and who was mocked for astonishing physical abilities and high-level pro wrestling-Q, also made an appearance. 

The anticipation surrounding OZAWA instantly transformed the atmosphere across the entirety of Noah. 

The first Korakuen Hall event of the year drew a capacity crowd of 1,535 fans. It is also reported that the pro-wrestling streaming service "Wrestle Universe" saw an exceptional surge in new subscriptions.

On the 1st January OZAWA showcased an innovative fighting style against Kaito Kiyomiya at the Nippon Budokan—one that captivated the audience with astonishing physical prowess while simultaneously and thoroughly taunting his opponent. He captured the GHC Heavyweight Championship for the first time, achieving the feat in just two years and four months—the shortest career span in history. 

As eyewitnesses shared the impact of the event via word-of-mouth and social media, OZAWA instantly became a figure commanding the attention of everyone in the professional wrestling world. Following the customary New Year's greetings, OZAWA has become the talk of the town—already emerging as a trending topic this year.

Yet, the fact remains: he reached the pinnacle of the sport with a career spanning just two years and four months. In the world of professional wrestling, where experience is paramount, there is a very real possibility—as Kenoh suggests—that he could turn out to be nothing more than a "flash in the pan."

There is the anticipation surrounding a "supernova"—a potential star whose true limits remain unseen. There is the fighting style that defies convention. And, underlying it all, a sense of precariousness—the lingering fear that, sooner or later, his flaws might be exposed...perhaps it is the complex intertwining of these elements that has sparked interest in OZAWA—a "Reiwa-era mutation."

That is precisely why this was a crucial match, a true test of his mettle. Although the GHC Heavyweight Championship was not on the line (since Kenoh had lost a singles match to KENTA at the Nippon Budokan on January 1st) in a sense, this was a "defense" of the attention pro-wrestling fans were focusing on him.

In stark contrast to Kenoh, who was radiating tension, OZAWA adopted a nonchalant, elusive demeanour. Perhaps as a countermeasure against strikes, he stood in an upright stance, using comical movements to toy with his opponent while simultaneously captivating the crowd—only to suddenly clasp his hands together in prayer. 

He paid homage to Jinsei Shinzaki—Kenoh's mentor—by striking a nimble pose after executing an arm drag and even performing the "rope-walk" manoeuvre. Thanks to his natural athleticism and high pro-wrestling IQ, he has already established a unique style of his own.

OZAWA paid homage to Jinsei Shinzaki, (Kenoh's mentor), by striking a nimble pose after executing an arm drag and even performing the "rope-walk" manoeuvre. Thanks to his natural athleticism and high pro-wrestling IQ, he has already established a unique style of his own. At this point, it became clear that he was no mere "one-hit wonder", (as he had been in his match against Kaito Kiyomiya), but rather a brilliant, exceptional talent capable of devising and executing a diverse array of taunts tailored specifically to each opponent.

When Kenoh fought back, OZAWA would pin him against the ringside barricade, lick his cheek, occasionally bite him outright, or, much like Ric Flair, feign a loss of fighting spirit to catch his opponent off guard.

The ultimate example of his versatile, unconventional fighting style is his modified Asai DDT, initiated with a cheek-to-cheek rub. It was his way of settling an old score—a grudge from back before his overseas excursion, when he served as a human guinea pig for the "KSD (Kenoh Special Destino)," a move devised by Aikido instructor Ryuji Hakusen on the "Kenoh Channel."

In the match, OZAWA managed to evade a "Real Rebel" attack, only to be caught in a "Kenoh Special"—at which point Yoshi-Tatsu stormed the ring, resulting in a no-contest. Immediately afterward, an impromptu all-out confrontation broke out between TEAM2000X and All Rebellion; amidst the chaotic brawl, OZAWA secured a victory over Alejandro.

It serves as a reminder that the January 1st event at Nippon Budokan was merely the beginning. Unconstrained by conventional wisdom, OZAWA continues to deliver, from the Noah ring, the kind of excitement that only professional wrestling can provide within an increasingly diverse entertainment landscape.