Pro Wrestling NOAH Roster Snapshot

Hey guys, it’s tournament season in Japan and you know what that means, we’re going to be getting some recaps of it, and the big one that I am excited for is of course Pro Wrestling NOAH’s N1 Victory. Yes, it’s clearly a ripoff of the G1 but hey they’re all stealing from the Carnival. Anyway let me break down the philosophy, the roster, the champions, and who is going to be in the tournament.

The Style:

NOAH, befitting its origin as an All Japan splinter federation, still keeps some principles of the King’s Road style (move escalation, i.e. going from holds to strikes to throws to finishes to super finishes to super mega finishes) but given that its founder was ex-junior Mitsuharu Misawa NOAH has embodied more of those principles of Japanese junior wrestling, i.e. strike hard, strike fast, and strike without mercy. NOAH is a physically intense promotion where guys will wallop the living sense out of each other with kicks, forearms, and of course…chops. Additionally while not quite rising to the level of Inokism (err, well okay sometimes rising to that level) the influence of MMA has definitely changed NOAH matches where flash submissions and KOs are part of match ending psychology. Tag matches also have their unique flair, while their junior tag matches still have a heavy emphasis on double-teams and quick tags, the heavyweight tag scene focuses more on mini-singles matches and the psychology is less “what can these two partners do together” but more on optimizing tags to isolate a weakened and vulnerable opponent to defeat them.

The Titles:

GHC Heavyweight Championship: The top of the mountain and the most important and prestigious belt in the company and the one that basically all the major stars are looking for.

GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship: NOAH cares about juniors more than other Japanese companies do, and likewise the Junior title has been pretty well protected, there are a lot of very famous names in its history and is still decently respected.

GHC National Championship: The Red Belt! Designed to be exclusively defended in Japan (though given the pandemic and NOAH’s business position, that isn’t all that important a stipulation) this is a secondary men’s title that has at times reached just below the Heavyweight title but is now probably below the Juniors belt in importance. Coincidentally that’s when they transitioned the title from a heavyweight exclusive belt to an openweight title.

GHC Tag Team Championship: Tag team wrestling is pretty dang important in NOAH so the titles are likewise a pretty big deal. The belts have recently been held by two stablemates but historically there are a ton of runs that are just “two big singles stars that aren’t in the singles title picture so they’re teaming” and that also fits a lot of the NOAH tag psychology mentioned above.

GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship: Like rats drowning in a sack is how the NOAH juniors division has been described as it relates to teams, stables, groupings, betrayals, and partnerships, so while the singles title has had a fair amount of stability, the junior tag titles float a bit more around because somebody is always backstabbing somebody else.

GHC Hardcore Championship: A pretty dang insignificant belt that was revived for NOAH’s recent experiment in recreating 1995 Raw called Monday Magic, the White Belt is always fought for in hardcore rules but it’s not like the title is defended frequently or important people are chasing after it.

Heavyweight Roster:

Kaito Kiyomiya: The ace of NOAH (finally), the Supernova, Galaxy View, it’s been a long, long journey for Kaito to finally reach the point he’s at but he’s now here. While he realistically has the build of a junior, his extraordinary athleticism, charisma, and good looks (oh man he’s so pretty), has marked him as a main-event star from a VERY early age (he won the GHC title when he was 22 years old) but long periods of aimless booking and honestly aimless character work left him adrift until just now. While he was billed as a successor of Misawa and then had a long feud with Mutoh that ended with him utilizing both of their offense (he does Tiger Drivers and Shining Wizards as signature moves) but it was embracing his role as an ultra-whitemeat sympathetic southern-style babyface that pushed him over the top. He’s also part of the All Rebellion stable.

Go Shiozaki: The former ace of NOAH who is now finally (hopefully) back after a long string of injury recoveries and some less than optimal booking, while Kaito sometimes resembles a boy, Go is definitely a man, even if his physique is not the greatest and I think he might be allergic to the sun, he’s a handsome, blonde-haired brawler, who while he is often adorned in green, is definitely the protege of Kobashi. Go is the master of the chop, allegedly chopping people so hard he has nerve damage in his arms, and while he finishes guys with a lariat, he will break out a moonsault once in a blue moon. This might be his last run but he’s looking to make it count as he once again bellows “I AM NOAH!”

Kenoh: An eternal grump and a forever troll, the absurdly haired Kenoh has worn many different hats in NOAH’s history but now he’s a sorta Bugs Bunny babyface whose foul-mouth and constant irritations to heels has earned him incredible love from the fans. Forever rivals with Kaito he’s managed to stalk his way into the champs heart by just never going away. Who knows where his future leads but it will assuredly involve him absolutely kicking the soul out of somebody.

Takashi Sugiura: The Killing Machine, Sugiura is a mid-50s guy who is still in incredible shape, the most decorated wrestler in NOAH history he is clearly past his peak but still he finds a way to contribute to the roster (he’s one half of the current tag champions right now) and unlike a lot of the old guys NOAH brings in there seems to be no issue with Sugiura doing the job to younger cats. An accomplished amateur wrestler who served in the Japanese military, Sugiura works a brutal, physical style where he’ll grind people down in wars before submitting them with an ankle lock or pinning them after an Olympic Slam (hrm…). He’s not in the N1 this year but his presence in the uppercard of NOAH has not yet vanished.

Naomichi Marufuji: The Genius of the Ark, probably the best known NOAH guy in the west, Marufuji is definitely not the guy he once was but has managed to adapt his innovative, experimental style throughout injuries and physical decline. While once an exciting high-flier, Marufuji now works as a sort of veteran kickboxer, utilizing strikes outta nowhere to get flash KOs on his opponent. Still protected, he is one-half of the heavyweight tag titles afterall, he is not part of the N1 and probably will never be again, instead focusing on a series of dream matches as he heads towards his amorphous retirement.

Kazuyuki Fujita: Another former world champion, Fujita’s rep is primarily in the world of MMA where his incredible toughness has granted him a legendary reputation that he still coasts on. A bald, burly bruiser with limited technique, he is the biggest example of Inokisms stronghold in NOAH but his digestion drink peddling gimmick has revealed a softer side, he will not be in the N1 as that would involve him potentially doing a job.

El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Junior: He had a cup of coffee with the world title as well, but Dr. Wagner Jr’s son is probably best known for his run with the National title. Very over with the crowds, the Aztec Warrior has a ton of super over mannerisms and taunts, not a very traditional NOAH type worker, EHDDWJ’s mix of lucha high-flying and pudgy old luchador brawling makes him stand out. He basically also always has incredible entrance gear.

Ulka Sasaki: Debuting less than seven months ago, Ulka, a MMA vet who even was in UFC, his transition into wrestling is an on-screen angle, where commentators will put over his prodigious striking and submission abilities but put over how vulnerable he is to the tricks and differences of pro wrestling. Self-styled as the Tengu, this ethereal super-rookie is going to make his N1 debut and it will be a true test of what he’s capable of as a potential future star of the company, and a test of what he can do as reigning National champion.

Jack Morris: Another popular foreigner, Jack Morris is an incredibly ripped Scot whose long hair and physique might remind viewers of a very popular Scottish wrestler right now. While his offense is mostly a grab-bag of Puro 101 stuff (Tiger Driver, SSP, Busaiku Knees!) he is over as a handsome devil with flexible morality, though now that he’s been betrayed and abandoned by former stableboss Jake Lee we’ll see what Jack does on his own again.

Manabu Soya: Speaking of abandoned stable members, Manabu Soya, once Kenoh’s right hand in the Kongoh stable has been left behind, and after a title match against Kenoh (who was heavyweight champion earlier this year!) he once again had to deal with injuries (guy has had a number of gnarly health problems, usually involving nerve damage) but now is back and has gotten himself into incredible shape. Soya is a wildcard in the N1 as he went pretty deep last year and now he’s back as his own man and has put in incredible work in the gym.

Masa Kitamiya: A bulky, beefy, mohawked man, Masa is an incredibly credible and respected tag wrestler who has never really broken out as a singles but perhaps this will be the year. A peer of Kento Miyahara and Katsuhiko Nakajima, he obviously hasn’t reached their heights but he has gotten some buzz this year with a series of matches with Tomohiro Ishii. Maybe this is the year Masa finally breaks out as a singles guy, but I don’t know if I’d personally bet on that.

YOICHI: Another big guy looking to make an impact, he’s honestly one of the presumptive favorites as he just came back and had one heck of a match with Kaito that he lost. He’s now taken upon the garb of a samurai and expanded his moveset tremendously. Yoshiki Inamura seems to be dead, but YOICHI is here and we’ll see what the guy can do.

Shuhei Taniguchi: One of the remaining members of the REAL stable of shooters, Shuhei is a big, rawboned Frankenstein’s monster looking guy whose days as a singles threat are probably long behind him but he’s still a presence in the tag division.

Daiki Inaba: The last and least member of the NOAH beef division, Daiki is notably smaller and less beefy than the other guys, but he’s still willing to take a beating, deliver one back, and job without complaint.

Akitoshi Saito: Somehow still active, this flabby vet is yes, the guy who did the suplex that ended Misawa’s life but it really wasn’t his fault and you shouldn’t blame him for it, but he’s beyond washed and still gets notable singles matches. He’s thankfully not close to the N1 but he will probably show up on the undercard as he’s involved with the Zero1 invasion stable business

Muhammad Yone: Another guy that’s semi-retired, Yone does commentary at times but still wrestles. Possessing a magnificent afro, Yone is less washed up than the other 45+ guys NOAH trots out but he’s still thoroughly a lower-card six-man tag guy and that’s totally okay.

Yu Owada: A rookie, Yu is still in black trunks and short hair but has shown flashes of something with his athleticism and a run in the tage-league as Kenoh’s partner.

Junior Heavyweight Roster:

AMAKUSA: At one point a pretty pathetic jobber, AMAKUSA broke out from his role as putty goon for KONGOH’s juniors division, went to Mexico and returned, reborn as AMAKUSA, for whatever reason he dresses like a 1500s Spanish missionary, but he’s a guy who combines absolutely insane athleticism (he does an upsidedown tope that’s just incredible) and a bevy of clever rollups to round out his amazing underdog babyface energy and top-tier selling. He’s the current junior heavyweight champ.

Daga: The former champion, the Mexican-born Daga is a backbreaking, cheating menace, he’ll make you bleed, he’ll pull your hair, he’ll do anything and everything to win a match and he’ll look good doing it. While not the leader of the Stinger stable, he’s their top guy and one of the students of Ogawa.

Eita: Another guy with a strong lucha influence in his wrestling, Eita is Japanese though he came from DragonGate and is super tiny, even for a junior. A lovable jerk, Eita isn’t afraid to cheat and do dirty stuff but at this point he’s a babyface despite his chicanery and legerdemain.

Shuji Kondo: Another ex-DragonGate guy, Kondo is a bruiser of a junior, big, beefy and tan and wearing excellent Ultimate Warrior tassels. He’s not the guy he once was but he’s one half of the junior tag titles along with Eita and can wind back the clock as needed. Also runs a bakery in his spare time.

HAYATA: The ace of NOAH’s juniors division, HAYATA is another wormy guy with a bevy of offense, definitely a lot more movez-y than others, with his ranas, superkicks, moonsaults, and DDTs, he has the overall look and behavior of a guy that would menace the hero in a sci-fiction movie about 30 minutes in and last until minute 35.

Yoshinari Ogawa: The leader of Stinger, the scumbag heel collective of the NOAH junior division and the trainer and mentor to basically everybody trained in-house in NOAH. Ogawa is not a young man (he started wrestling before Mania 3) but Ratboy has a lot of tricks and spite and he can still be part of good matches. He’s evil Japanese Iggy Pop.

YO-HEY: The High-Flying Playboy, YO-HEY is a preening, arrogant, showboating clown of a wrestler who takes absolute beatings in his matches but comes back with his trademark collection of double knees and dropkicks. He has a long and complex relationship with HAYATA (at one point HAYATA referred to YO-HEY as his wife) and Tadasuke as the junior super stable RATELS and once again seems to have recreated that partnership.

Tadasuke: Another un-traditional junior, Tadasuke finishes with a lariat, but also uses spinebusters, fireman’s carry slams, and other more heavyweight styled offense. He’s a bundle of energy who loves to fire up a crowd with his taunts and even uses the old Arn Anderson feint punch DDT. He was a member of the Good Looking Guys stable with YO-HEY and has reconnected with his old friend HAYATA.

Ninja Mack: A gaijin, Ninja Mack is a squat but hyper athletic American who wears a ninja mask and does a million flips. Has won a fair amount of gold however!

Atsushi Kotoge: He’s had some runs as a heavyweight as well and fills a sort of tweener role between divisions, Kotoge is a dorky babyface who usually has some manner of dyed pink hair. He’s also a guy who has for some reason stolen a bunch of early 2000s American cruiser offense, using a Side Effect, RKO, and Unprettier as his regular offense. He is tremendously uncool but he’s somehow embraced it to the level where the fans love him.

Hajime Ohara: Neatly coiffed and tanned, Ohara is more muscular than most juniors and uses a deep collection of backbreakers to subdue his opponents.

Alpha Wolf: Not totally sure if he’s a junior still, as Wolf (and his partner and brother, Dragon Bane) have been added to the N1. Definitely oversized for a junior, the burly Alpha Wolf is the power guy of his tag-team and has a tremendously exciting arsenal of power and high-flying offense. Very exciting tournament for him as we’ll see what he can do as a singles heavyweight.

Dragón Bane: The other half of Los Golpeadores, Dragon Bane is the high-flier of the duo. Smaller and slighter his invitation to the N1 is a bit more eyebrow raising than his hulking sibling but Bane’s fast-paced, high-octane offense will be an interesting addition to the N1 as the youngster (he’s 24!) looks to prove himself.

Alejandro: Despite the name, Alejandro is in fact Japanese, but he does wear a mask and he does do lucha-inspired offense. Part of the junior contingent of Kaito and Kenoh’s All Rebellion stable, Alejandro is mostly there to eat pins but he’s young yet.

Cristobal: An unknown wrestler who is teaming with Alejandro, he wears a full bodysuit and has an affection for flapping his arms like a bird to taunt people. He’s not good but there’s a theory he’s dogging it cause he’s somebody important in disguise.

Hi69: A veteran junior (he debuted in 2000!) Hi69, or Hiroki, is a very workmanlike guy who while doing plenty of high-flying (the sealionsault!) is nonetheless mostly a plain and zero-frills guy. Fills out a card, works as a tag-champion, solid talent.

Junta Miyawaki: A young junior who has his own gear and hair so he’s not just a rookie anymore, Junta still has yet to have any real signature wins or feuds but he does his work well and always feels on the cusp of breaking out.

Super Crazy: Yes it’s that Super Crazy, yes he’s in NOAH, yes he kinda looks awful but he can still move okay, and yes, he’s part of Stinger, I am not taking any other questions.

Guest Stars:

Ryohei Oiwa: While he probably could just be placed in the heavyweight division as a home guy, Oiwa is in fact a New Japan young lion on excursion to NOAH, this massive pile of beef has broken out, first as Kaito’s handsome powerhouse babyface partner, and now as his own man, a dangerous tweener who is between stables and seemingly shuns help and assistance. He’s not going to win, but if he proves he can hang at the top of the card against Japanese heavyweights, Oiwa might lap the Reiwa 4 who are already getting pushed in his home promotion.

Luis Mante: DragonGate guy, and the son in law of Negro Casas, Luis was formerly known as Diamante before losing the match. I think he’s a bit of a power guy in DragonGate but we’ll see how that translates to the N1.

Josh Briggs: NXT’s finest, the tall and sturdy Josh Briggs has one heck of an opportunity. He’s going to see if, like tons of American rednecks have done in the past, he can make it Japan as a dude who wears blue jeans to matches and finishes with a lariat. Will he be worth it? Or will he just be Sham Hansen.

Titus Alexander: A west-coast American indie wrestler, Titus has greatly impressed NOAH head honchos, including Kenta Kobashi of all people, definitely athletic and possessing charisma, it’ll be interesting if he has more than just high spots and sequences and his N1 run will definitely see if he’s worth the praise and focus the company gives him.

Tavion Heights: The least established of the guests, the former Olympian Tavion Heights is another NXT star, this time representing the shooter stable of the No Quarter Catch Crew. Funnily enough NQCC’s leader, Charlie Dempsey has already had his own taste of puro as he wrestled for All Japan’s Triple Crown title earlier this year. He is probably going to lose a lot of matches, but the experience will be invaluable for this athletic, talented, but still green prospect.

Well, that’s the roster, or at least most of it. I might have slipped up and forgotten somebody but hopefully they’re just minor guys who aren’t even really signed to the company and rarely wrestle. Anyway I’m really excited about the tournament and I hope to give you quick and timely recaps as well, should be a good time for everybody and NOAH is in an exciting place right now.

Oh, and I suppose I should bring up the blocks.

A Block: Kaito, Go, Masa, Ryohei, Luis, Jack, Josh, Dragon.

B Block: Kenoh, Ulka, YOICHI, Manabu, EHDDWJ, Titus, Tavion, Alpha.