#GHC National Championship

[wrestlingmgc]

GHC National Champion Masakatsu Funaki

[pwrestlingxpress]

Match Card for July 9th NOAH Event

After the events of "Star Navigation 2023: Kenoh vs. Go Shiozaki"; we have the official match card for the July 9th event taking place in Hachioji as part of the "Sunny Voyage" series.

At this time, with the exception of the main event, match card is not finalized. It is expected to be finalized after June 24th where most of the NOAH wrestlers will be competing in an event to celebrate Kenoh's 15th year in professional wrestling. With that said...here's the official match card.

Atsushi Kotoge vs. Hiroki

Super Crazy and Kai Fujimura vs. Yoshinari Ogawa and LEONA

Shuji Kondo and Hajime Ohara vs. Alejandro and Seiki Yoshioka

Naomichi Marufuji, Mohammed Yone, Masa Kitamiya, and Yoshiki Inamura vs. Saxon Huxley, Kazuyuki Fujita, Hideaki Suzuki, and Shuhei Taniguchi

Stallion Rogers and Dante Leon vs. Ninja Mack and Adam Brooks

Kenoh and Manabu Soya vs. Kaito Kiyomiya and Daiki Inaba

HAYATA, Eita, Go Shiozaki, and Katsuhiko Nakajima vs. Tadasuke, YO-HEY, Jack Morris, and Jake Lee

GHC National Championship: AMAKUSA (Challenger) vs. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. (Champion)

A very intriguing match set for July 9th that could change pending on these 2 matches taking place this Saturday (June 24th):

June 24, 2023: Match #4: Go Shiozaki, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Mohammed Yone, and GAINA vs. Saxon Huxley, Timothy Thatcher, Kazuyuki Fujita, and Shuhei Taniguchi

June 24, 2023: Semi-Main Event: Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr., Kaito Kiyomiya, HAYATA, and Eita vs. Jake Lee, Jack Morris, YO-HEY, and Tadasuke

Should AXIZ (Go Shiozaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima) pin the champions (Timothy Thatcher or Saxon Huxley) this Saturday in 8-man tag action, their match for July 9th along with another 8-man tag match could be changed. Please keep your eyes out on social media for any match card changes to the event.

Now...if this card is the official final card, be interesting to see how Jake Lee and Jack Morris will interact with each other. Same thing with Go Shiozaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima as the N-1 Victory inches closer to reality. Both GLG Members as well as the team of AXIZ are slated to face each other (Lee vs. Morris) (Shiozaki vs. Nakajima) in block competition this year.

Lastly...this event will be Kaito Kiyomiya's last match for Pro Wrestling NOAH until September 3rd due to him appearing in NJPW's G1 Climax Tournament starting on July 15th. It'll be interesting to see if anyone else from his block besides Yota Tsuji makes a surprise appearance. After this Sunday, all but Kiyomiya will be free from competing until G1 Climax begins on July 15th in Sapporo. At the same time, this will also be the Pro Wrestling NOAH debut for Adam Brooks who is slated to be a part of the N-1 Victory Tournament starting on August 6th.

"Sunny Voyage 2023 in Hachioji" comes to Wrestle Universe on July 9th at 4:00 PM Local Time/3:00 AM Eastern/2:00 AM Central/12 Midnight Pacific. Go to timeanddate.com and type in the city you're currently live in to find the start time to the event in your area.

[thefightjournal]

Hijo del DR Wagner JR VS Psycho Clown - GHC National Championship

[gdwessel]

NOAH, AJPW, STARDOM, Dragon Gate Supercard Results for Emperor’s Birthday Holiday 2/23/2022 With Title Matches & Changes Galore; DDT’s COVID-19 Woes Continue To Wreak Havoc On Ultimate Tag League, DDT/TJPW 2/23/2022 Results

Today is the 62nd birthday for the Reiwa Emperor Naruhito. It is a national holiday in Japan, so there is a bunch of wrestling happening, with a bunch of title defenses across a bunch of promotions.

Pro Wrestling NOAH

NOAH ran Gain Control 2022 in Nagoya today, live on ABEMA and Wrestle Universe. Two title defenses, and a match to fill a third title, took place on this show.

Gain Control 2022 in Nagoya - 2/23/2022, Aichi Nagoya Congress Center Event Hall (ABEMA, Wrestle Universe)

King Tany & Muhammad Yone [Funky Express] d. Akitoshi Saito & Masao Inoue [Funky Express] (Yone > Inoue, Kinniku Buster, 11:58)

Nio [Kongo] d. Kinya Okada (Stuka Splash, 9:58)

NOSAWA Rongai & Kotaro Suzuki [Perros del Mal de Japon] d. Yoshinari Ogawa [STINGER] & Yasutaka Yano (Suzuki > Yano, Excalibur, 6:42)

Tadasuke, Hajime Ohara & ALEJA [Kongo] d. Hao, Junta Miyawaki & Kai Fujimura (Tadasuke > Fujimura, Fuyuki Special, 14:42)

Masato Tanaka [M’s Alliance] DCO Kendo Kashin [Sugiura-gun] (11:01)

Naomichi Marufuji [M’s Alliance] & Takashi Sugiura [Sugiura-gun] d. Masa Kitamiya & Yoshiki Inamura (Sugiura > Inamura, Olympic Qualifying Slam, 20:22)

GHC Juniorheavyweight Tag Team Championship Decision Match: Atsushi Kotoge & YO-HEY d. HAYATA & Yuya Susumu [STINGER] (YO-HEY > Susumu, Super Face G, 26:58) - Kotoge/YO-HEY are the 49th champions

GHC Juniorheavyweight Championship: Daisuke Harada © d. Super Crazy [Perros del Mal de Japon] (Hurricanrana, 18:57) - Harada succeeds his 2nd defense

Go Shiozaki, Kaito Kiyomiya & Daiki Inaba d. Kenoh, Masakatsu Funaki & Manabu Soya [Kongo] (Kiyomiya > Soya, Double Armlock, 21:21)

GHC Heavyweight Championship: Kazuyuki Fujita [Sugiura-gun] d. Katsuhiko Nakajima [Kongo] © (Powerbomb, 21:11) - Nakajima fails his 5th defense - Fujita is the 37th champion

Good golly, Miss Molly. Kazuyuki Fujita can now be one of the all-time worst IWGP *and* GHC Heavyweight Champions of all time. What can I say, besides, CyberFight love their 50+ year-old champions. I really don’t know what purpose this serves to NOAH. God I hate Kazuyuki Fujita.

So I guess Hajime Ohara is part of Kongo now. I can’t keep up with the changes in that stable anymore. YO-HEY comes good for Ohara’s old partner Kotoge, as they now fill the vacant junior tag belts. Hope this reign lasts more than a week, given the vacations of the belts the last month. One day BIG TANK Yoshiki Inamura will beat Takashi Sugiura. Super Crazy does not get to hold two promotions’ junior titles in the span of a couple of months. Masao Inoue returned to the ring in an inter-Funky-Express match.

NOAH’s next show is on Friday from Yokohama Radiant Hall.

All Japan Pro Wrestling

A Triple Crown match highlighted today’s Korakuen Hall rally for AJPW. Three other title matches took place on this one too. Hokuto Omori and Yusuke Kodama were pulled from this show as being close contacts to an undetermined positive COVID-19 case.

Excite Series 2022 Night 5 - 2/23/2022, Tokyo Korakuen Hall (AJPW.tv)

Ryuki Honda [TOTAL ECLIPSE] d. Ryo Inoue (Lariat, 4:00)

Dan Tamura [Evolution] & Ryuji Hijikata d. Takuho Kato & Kazumasa Yoshida (Tamura > Yoshida, 6:49)

Shuji Ishikawa, Takao Omori & Black Menso-re d. Yuma Aoyagi, Atsuki Aoyagi & Rising HAYATO [NEXTREAM] (Ishikawa > HAYATO, Fire Thunder Bomb, 9:02)

KAZMA SAKAMOTO, Takayuki Ueki & Seigo Tachibana d. Yoshitatsu, Izanagi & Devil Murasaki (KAZMA > Yoshitatsu, Schoolboy, 8:22)

GAORA TV Championship: Shigehiro Irie © d. Isami Kodaka (Flying Headbutt, 10:22) - Irie succeeds his 2nd defense

World Juniorheavyweight Championship: Hikaru Sato [Evolution] d. SUGI © (Cross Armbreaker, 9:51) - SUGI fails his 3rd defense - Sato is the 61st champion

World Tag Team Championship: Suwama & Shotaro Ashino [Evolution] © d. Koji Doi & Kuma Arashi [TOTAL ECLIPSE] (Ashino > Doi, T-Bone Suplex, 18:26) - Runaway SUPLEX succeed their 3rd defense

Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship: Kento Miyahara [NEXTREAM] © d. Abdullah Kobayashi [BJW] (German Suplex Hold, 16:06) - Miyahara succeeds his 1st defense

I don’t think there were any surprises here today, including the junior title change. AJPW will not put the Triple Crown on a wrestler contracted to Big Japan. Sato is far superior a wrestler to SUGI. But hey, Shigehiro Irie retained his title, and we like him a lot around these parts.

It would not surprise me to see Shuji Ishikawa challenge Kento coming up either.

The Excite Series wraps up Sunday in Chiba.

STARDOM

STARDOM held Cinderella Journey in Nagaoka today, live on PPV. I don’t think you can still get it; both links I tried, failed. Four title matches on this one.

Cinderella Journey 2022 in Nagaoka - 2/23/2022, Niigata Aore Nagaoka (PPV)

Future Of Stardom Next Challenger 3-Way Match: - Rina [Oedo Tai] d. Waka Tsukiyama [Cosmic Angels] & Mai Sakurai [Donna del Mondo] (Rina > Tsukiyama, Gory Bomb, 6:09) - Mai Sakurai [Donna del Mondo] d. Waka Tsukiyama [Cosmic Angels] (8:06)

Future Of Stardom Championship: Hanan [STARS] © d. Momo Kohgo [Queen’s Quest] (Backdrop Hold, 5:20) - Hanan succeeds her 2nd defense

Ruaka & Momo Watanabe [Oedo Tai] d. Utami Hayashishita & Lady C [Queen’s Quest] (Ruaka > C, Freezer Bomb, 7:34)

Mayu Iwatani [STARS] & Tam Nakano [Cosmic Angels] d. Saki Kashima & Fukigen Death [Oedo Tai] (Iwatani > Kashima, Moonsault Press, 10:04)

Syuri, Maika & Himeka [Donna del Mondo] TLD Giulia, MIRAI & Thekla [Donna del Mondo] (20:00)

Goddess Of Stardom Championship: Koguma & Hazuki [STARS] © d. Mina Shirakawa & Unagi Sayaka [Cosmic Angels] (Koguma > Shirakawa, Diving Body Press, 12:28) - Koguma/Hazuki succeed their 2nd defense

High Speed Championship: AZM [Queen’s Quest] d. Starlight Kid [Oedo Tai] © (Numero Uno, 17:03) - Starlight Kid fails her 6th defense - AZM is the 22nd champion

Wonder Of Stardom Championship: Saya Kamitani [Queen’s Quest] © d. Natsupoi [Donna del Mondo] (Phoenix Splash, 21:55) - Kamitani succeeds her 2nd defense

Immediately after retaining her title, Saya Kamitani nominated both her table leader Utami Hayashishita, and Cosmic Angels’ leader Tam Nakano, as challengers to her title for both nights at Ryogoku on 3/26 & 3/27/2022. Momo Watanabe challenged Koguma & Hazuki for their titles, with a special mystery partner to team with her. The crux of the opener is to determine the challengers for Hanan on both nights of Ryogoku, which will now be Rina and Mai Sakurai, both. Seems like an awfully busy time for STARDOM.

STARDOM return this weekend with shows Saturday and Sunday.

Dragon Gate

DG held Memorial Gate 2022 in Wakayama today, which you can see now on Dragon Gate Network. Featured today was the first defense of the Open The Twin Gate titles for Dragon Dia & Yuki Yoshioka.

Memorial Gate 2022 in Wakayama - 2/23/2022, Wakayama Prefectural Gymnasium (Dragon Gate Network)

Susumu Yokosuka, Big Boss Shimizu & U-T [Natural Vibes] TLD KAI, BxB Hulk & Shun Skywalker [Z-Brats] (15:00)

Takashi Yoshida & Ho Ho Lun d. Strong Machine J & Shachihoko Boy (Yoshida > Boy, Release Powerbomb, 3:49)

SB KENTo & Diamante [Z-Brats] d. Yosuke Santa Maria & Punch Tominaga (KENTo > Yosuke, SB Shooter, 0:34)

YAMATO, Dragon Kid, Ben-K, Keisuke Okuda & Kagetora [HIGH-END] d. Ultimo Dragon, Masaaki Mochizuki, Don Fujii, Yasushi Kanda & Shuji Kondo (Kagetora > Kanda, Kagenui, 12:24)

Open The Brave Gate #1 Contender 5-Way Match: Takuma Fujiwara d. Riki Iihashi, Ishin Iihashi, Takumi Hayakawa & Ryu Fuda (Fujiwara > Ishin, Schoolboy, 7:32)

Naruki Doi, Kota Minoura & Kaito Ishida d. Kzy, Genki Horiguchi & Jacky “Funky” Kamei [Natural Vibes] (Minoura > Horiguchi, Gang, 9:58)

HYO [Z-Brats] d. Eita (Schoolboy with ropes, 7:37)

Open The Twin Gate Championship: Dragon Dia & Yuki Yoshioka © d. Jason Lee & La Estrella (Yoshioka > Estrella, Frog Splash, 17:58) - DiaYoshi succeed their 1st defense

Dragon Dia remains a double-crown champion after he & Yoshioka beat Dia’s former MASQUERADE mates in Lee & Estrella. I don’t know if DiaYoshi is the name, but it sounded good and DG-esque. Dia will now face Takuma Fujiwara to defend the Brave Gate title after Fujiwara beat his dojo class fellows. I was kinda rooting for Ryu Fuda actually. That match will be at Champion Gate in Osaka on 3/5/2022.

Naruki Doi’s Unit With No Name gets a good prelude win over Natural Vibes, as we head for that Open The Triangle Gate match, also on 3/5/2022.

HYO gets another one over on Eita, the man he deposed to turn R.E.D. into Z-Brats. In other Z-Brats goings on, after a week or so of Big Boss Shimizu beating HYO in prelude matches, and getting a direct win over KAI, now Z-Brats is starting to get one over on Shimizu, first with KAI interfering to cause Shimizu’s loss to Jason Lee on Sunday, and now a time limit draw in the opener to add some intrigue to the KAI v. Shimizu Open The Dream Gate title defense that is coming 3/6/2022 in Osaka.

The Truth Gate 2022 tour wraps up Saturday in Tsushima, and on Sunday with another streamed show from Kobe.

DDT / Tokyo Joshi

The COVID-19 issues for DDT continue, as Hideki Okatani has now tested positive as well. Eruption are now effectively out of the tournament – their match that was to take place today v. Yuji Hino & Yukio Naya is a forfeit, and due to Kazuki Hirata being out, the Eruption v. Hirata & Shuji Kondo match for the Final on Saturday will be a double-forfeit. Neither team were in the running at this point as it was. So today’s Ultimate Tag League show had no actual Ultimate Tag League matches on it. Yuji Hino & Yukio Naya end the League with 4 points, not in the running for the Final as that will come down to Burning v. The 37KAMIINA on Sunday for A Block.

DDT Ultimate Tag League 2022 In Fukushima!! - 2/23/2022, Will Fukushima (Wrestle Universe)

Kazusada Higuchi d. Yuki Ishida (Brain Claw, 10:00)

Danshoku Dino & Yuki iino [Pheromones] NC Toru Owashi & Naomi Yoshimura [DISASTER BOX] (13:08)

Chris Brookes d. Yukio Naya (Death By Roll-Up, 12:41)

HARASHIMA [DISASTER BOX] & Antonio Honda d. Yukio Sakaguchi [Eruption] & Gorgeous Matsuno (Honda > Matsuno, Crushed La Magistral Cradle, 13:07)

Daisuke Sasaki & MJ Paul [DAMNATION TA] d. Yuji Hino & Akito (Sasaki > Akito, Crossface, 12:43)

Tetsuya Endo, Jun Akiyama & Yusuke Okada [Burning] d. Yuki Ueno, Shunma Katsumata & MAO [The 37KAMIINA] (Endo > Katsumata, Best Burning Star Press In The Universe, 19:27)

Burning get the win in a prelude match to the Final on Sunday against The 37KAMIINA. Post-main, Endo and Akiyama basically said The 37KAMIINA ain’t shit without Konosuke Takeshita. Endo says he will beat Takeshita at Korakuen Hall Sunday, and for the KO-D Openweight title at Ryogoku. Endo also ripped MAO’s favorite Gorgeous Matsuno shirt, for which MAO swore revenge. Speaking of Gorgeous Matsuno, at age 60, given CyberFight’s proclivities towards titling up older wrestlers, he may like his chances here soon.

Current Ultimate Tag League 2022 Standings:

A Block Akiyama/Endo – 6pts (3W 0D 0L) Takeshita/Ueno – 4pts (2W 0D 1L) Hino/Naya – 4pts (2W 0D 2L) Higuchi/Okatani – 2pts (1W 0D 3L) Kondo/Hirata – 0pts (0W 0D 4L)

B Block HARASHIMA/Yoshimura – 4pts (2W 0D 1L) Sasaki/Paul – 4pts (2W 0D 2L) Iino/Imanari – 4pts (2W 0D 1L) Brookes/Takanashi – 2pts (1W 0D 2L) MAO/Katsumata – 2pts (1W 0D 2L) The Final show is Sunday from Tokyo Korakuen Hall. Block A comes down to Burning v. The 37KAMIINA. Block B is still up for grabs between DISASTER BOX & Pheromones; DAMNATION TA are out, having had 4 matches (One of them was a forfeit win however). The Final will be the Block winners in the main event. Hopefully this card stands.

DDT Ultimate Tag League 2022 The Final!! - 2/27/2022, Tokyo Korakuen Hall (Wrestle Universe)

Soma Takao, Yusuke Okada & Yuya Koroku v. Toru Owashi, Toi Kojima & Yuki Ishida

3-Way Match: Danshoku Dino [Pheromones] v. Antonio Honda v. Hiroshi Yamato

Daisuke Sasaki, Minoru Fujita & MJ Paul [DAMNATION TA] v. Yuji Hino, Akito & Yukio Naya

Ultimate Tag League 2022 B Block: Chris Brookes & Masahiro Takanashi v. Shunma Katsumata & MAO [The 37KAMIINA]

Ultimate Tag League 2022 B Block: HARASHIMA & Naomi Yoshimura [DISASTER BOX] v. Yuki Iino & Yumehito Imanari [Pheromones]

Ultimate Tag League 2022 A Block: Tetsuya Endo & Jun Akiyama [Burning] v. Konosuke Takeshita & Yuki Ueno [The 37KAMIINA]

Yukio Sakaguchi & Saki Akai [Eruption] v. Sanshiro Takagi & Maya Yukihi

Ultimate Tag League 2022 Final: WINNER A Block v. WINNER B Block

Tokyo Joshi also ran today, a second show this week from Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall. Miyu Yamashita and Maki Itoh are still out due to positive COVID-19 tests.

Tokyo Joshi 2022 Winter - 2/23/2022, Tokyo Ryogoku KFC Hall (Wrestle Universe)

Yuki Kamifuku & Mahiro Kiryu d. Hikari Noa & Kaya Toribami (Kamifuku > Toribami, Famouser, 9:10)

3-Way Match: Suzume d. Haruna Neko & Moka Miyamoto (Suzume > Neko, Jackknife Hold, 9:52)

Hyper Misao d. Marika Kobashi (Hypami Returns, 10:51)

Shoko Nakajima, Nodoka Tenma & Yuki Aino d. Raku, Pom Harajuku & Yuki Arai (Aino > Harajuku, Bakuretsu Bulldog, 14:40)

Rika Tatsumi, Miu Watanabe & Nao Kakuta d. Yuka Sakazaki, Mizuki & Arisu Endo (Tatsumi > Endo, Twist Of Fate, 16:28)

Tatsumi cut a post-match promo about how great it was that she and Yuka Sakazaki joined TJPW as classmates, and how Daydream will beat the Magical Sugar Rabbits at Ryogoku. Nodoka Tenma will have a singles match at Ryogoku as well against her Bakuretsu Sister, Yuki Aino, as we head towards her retirement. Hyper Misao will also face Sanshiro Takagi at Sumo Hall. Misao also protested Marika Kobashi’s “graduation from TJPW” before their match.

BJW, Ice Ribbon and Gatoh Move also held shows today. There may have been even more I don’t know about.

No post tomorrow. I am going to try to do an Upcoming Events post on Saturday, then back to the regularly scheduled posts on Sunday.

[kojobonsu]

*2022 NATIONAL CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP* (To be completed in the qualifier and final phases) 🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭 *PHASE ONE (QUALIFIERS)* 👉🏾Dates: 17-18 December 2022 👉🏾Venue: Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Ridge-Accra 👉🏾Start Time 9am 👉🏾Format: 7 round FIDE RATED swiss open to all ( _Top 5 FIDE Rated players as of 1st December, 2022 are exempted from this phase_ ) *PHASE TWO (FINALS)* 👉🏾Dates: 26-28 December 2022 👉🏾Venue: Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, Ridge-Accra 👉🏾Format: Top 5 from phase one clash with top 5 from the fide ratings list play a 10 player round robin event. *Substitutions will be based on the next-in-line policy.* Entry fee: GHS150 for GCA Paid-up members and players u-18; GHS 200 for all others *TITLES* 1. Winner of the OPEN section will be declared the 2022 National Chess Champion 🇬🇭 2. Winner of the Women only section will be declared the 2022 National Women's Chess Champion.🇬🇭 *PRIZES* OPEN SECTION 1st place - 🥇 + Ghc 2000 2nd place - 🥈 + Ghc1500 3rd place - 🥉 + Ghc1000 FEMALE ONLY SECTION 1st place - 🥇 + Ghc 1500 2nd place - 🥈 + Ghc1000 3rd place - 🥉 + Ghc 800 *Defending Champions* OPEN: Dr. Adu-Poku Kwabena WOMEN: WCM Tobi Felix *_Prizes and National Titles applies to the final phase._* *KINDLY REGISTER WITH THE LINK BELOW:* https://forms.gle/wTnXnqLajDhKPZAT6 (at Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons) https://www.instagram.com/p/CmK2YEBK4V2/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[footballghana]

My mother disowned me but I will still choose Hearts of Oak - Kofi Abanga reveals

In June 2007, the exchange rate of the cedi started at GH¢0.92 to one US dollar, Ghana was preparing to host the African Cup of Nations in 2008, Sellas Tetteh was whittling down his squad for the U-17 Championship and West Ham's Carlos Tevez was being wooed by the two Manchester clubs in what would turn out to be the most interesting saga of the European transfer window.

However, in Ghana, a 19-year-old native of Tafo- Nhyiaeso, nicknamed Tevez by an ever-increasing horde of fans and media was hogging the headlines and relegating all challengers to the back pages.

Aduana Stars' Kofi Abanga 'Tevez' would go on to frustrate and captivate Ghanaian football fans over a tumultuous three months where his actions would appear like that of a damsel unsure of which of her suitors to choose.

Firstly, he would trial with the Phobians for two-weeks and star in their league coronation game against Dansoman-based Liberty Professionals which would lead to assurances of a contract by the club.

However, some indecision on the part of the Hearts management combined with a chance meeting with the supporters chief of Kotoko would conclude with Abanga signing a GHC 10,000 pre-contract agreement with the Porcupine Warriors and training for a month-and-a-half before having a change of heart in August 2007.

Unknown to many who accused him of indecision at the time, what appeared to be a tough decision to ditch Kotoko for the Phobians would also open a rift in the player's relationship with his mother Asibi.

Speaking to GraphicOnline 13 years after starring in perhaps the Ghana Premier League's biggest transfer story, Abanga says it was a no-brainer when the time came for him to choose between Hearts and Kotoko.

"Hearts gave me the platform, before I played in that Coronation match for them, I was not known nationally. There is no way I could have signed for Kotoko, Hearts made me Abanga Tevez,” Abanga told the Graphic Sports in a telephone interview.

Recounting the story of how he was scouted for trials with the Phobians, Abanga says the then Hearts coach Bulgarian Mitko Kostadinov Dobrev and Team Manager Sabahn Quaye were impressed with his performances during the trial.

"I was captain of Aduana in the First Division but two Hearts fans Mr Akoto of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly and the late Kwaku Adusei alias Kanawu facilitated my trials with Hearts in Cape Coast after they saw me in a community kick-about.

"At the time, Hearts were playing their final game of the season and that's how I met Dobrev and the team manager, Sabahn Quaye, they both asked me to come to Accra for trials. I lived with Stephen Ofei when I went to Accra for trials, Sabahn (Quaye) told me I did well in the trials and I went on to play for both the U-20 and senior Hearts team during the Coronation game and that is how I went viral after putting up a good show".

Indeed, although he did not play in play a part in any of the games during their league games. Abanga was involved in the trophy celebrations and captured in the team celebration photos.

The player says this created the perception that he was a part of the Hearts set-up even though he was yet to put pen to paper.

"Sabahn and Tommy Okine said the club was interested and I would be offered a contract. In fact, they told me not to join any club but at the time there was some issues with the management".

It was the end of the season and all the Hearts players including his host Stephen Ofei had gone on holidays, so Abanga had no choice than to return to Kumasi where he was now a neighbourhood celebrity following his performance in the Coronation match.

"One day, I was jogging and some men including Circles Chairman, Kwadwo Nyantakyi who told me the then Kotoko Chairman Sylvester Asare Owusu wanted to see me. I met him at his residence at Santase and he told me he wants me to sign for Kotoko because I was a Kumasi boy.

"I entertained the Kotoko offer because I could not reach Sabahn who was on a national assignment with one of the national teams and also I had not heard from any Hearts officials although they had earlier assured me that they had met the Aduanahene".

Abanga says he led Kotoko on for some days till he was advised by the then Aduana CEO, Mr. Kingsley Osei Bonsu alias Lord Zico to only sign a pre-contract for GHC 10,000 cash. Why? Because Lord Zico told him cheques always bounce in Ghanaian football transactions.

And when the money was presented to Abanga, it was a sight to behold for the 19-year-old: "Lord Zico told me not to accept a cheque, so when they made a pre-contract GHC 10,000 offer on a rainy day I told them I wanted the money in cash and not a cheque. The money was brought to me in a Ghana-must-go bag, in denominations of the new GHC 1. I had never seen such an amount of money in my life at that point, 100 million (before the redenomination)", Abanga recalls with laughter.

"I had not even reached home when I heard the story on radio that I had signed a three-year contract with Kotoko and once I had taken their money, it meant I had to start training on the next Monday".

Riding high in the company of Kotoko Chairman Sylvester Asare on the first day of training with the Porcupine Warriors, a cold reception by Kotoko coach Bashir Hayford at the training grounds would bring Abanga crashing back down to earth.

"On my first day, I went with Chairman who introduced me to Bash, a coach I had played under in the national under-17 set-up. Bash said he knew me and I was being overhyped, I was stunned by the comments and I knew I was in trouble.

"Bash (Bashir Hayford) asked, ‘is it Abanga you people are treating like Maradona?’ In a way, I understood him because Kotoko had a very good midfield at the time with the likes of Copson, Stephen Oduro, and Edmund Owusu-Ansah. In training he treated me like an outsider, I was on the bench for the 11-a-side session but when I came on, I proved to him what the hype was about.

"On my way home, Chairman told me that was the first time he had watched me play and he was impressed. Kotoko signed me on a pre-contract based on supporters’ recommendations".

He says after his first training session, the bond between himself and the Chairman grew stronger as the latter became a firm favourite in his household after he pledged to buy a house for Abanga's mother, Asibi.

However, the pledge would never be redeemed and Asibi would disown her son after he denied her the gift of a house by signing with Accra Hearts of Oak.

"I trained with Kotoko for a month-and-a-half and we were about to head out for a training tour to Germany and Sudan. One day, I was asked to stop training because a letter had come from Aduana that I was still their player and Kotoko had no rights over me.

"Nana Agyemang Badu had come back from China and he could not reach me, this is because Kotoko had given me a new SIM card of their main sponsor while I trained with them. There was no way anybody could reach me".

According to the player, who was about to become the first Division One player to host a press conference from his home, the leadership of Kotoko advised him to hold the novel press briefing and publicly declare for Kotoko.

"The press conference was at my mother's house at Tafo Nhyiayeso, I did not know any pressman at the time. Kotoko invited all the pressmen and I was coached on how to beg Nana with tears for him to release me to them".

Abanga says because of his newfound celebrity he was appointed four bodyguards by Kotoko, the eagle-eyed quartet accompanied him wherever he went. He pleaded with Sylvester Asare to call-off the bodyguards because they were bringing him unwanted attention.

After shaking-off his minders, Abanga had a chance meeting with an acquaintance of the Aduana owner and life patron, Nana Oseadeeyo Agyemang Badu II and within 24-hours and after swapping cars multiple times he arrived at the residence of the Aduana owner.

“I met Prince Omar, he is like an elder brother who took care of me when I was younger at Tafo. He asked me why I was letting people insult the Dormaahene and I accepted I was at fault because of my actions. Soon, I was in his car en-route to Asawase, not knowing that he had called some two radio presenters and when they arrived they convinced me to go to Accra and speak to Nana.

“I arrived at Nana’s house at Tema at 2 am and after we had swapped cars three times to evade Kotoko fans, the last car I sat in was driven by Nana Atuahene. Nana directed that the presenters be given a cow, they were very glad. He later asked me which team I would like to join. I told him it was Hearts but I had waited for a contract offer from them for long. He was pleased and told me he would return Kotoko’s signing-on fee, adding that my registration card was already at the Hearts Secretariat. I signed for Hearts on the next Monday”.

Abanga would join Hearts initially on a three-year contract with an attractive monthly salary of GHC 400 (GHC 250 more that Kotoko had offered him). In addition, the Aduana owner, a Hearts fan, would present him with a Golf3 vehicle as an added bonus for joining the Phobians. However, all was not well within his family.

“I cried the whole night because my mother told me I was no longer her son after the news broke. She was unhappy because of the relationship she had with the Kotoko Chairman who had promised to buy her a house. Some Kotoko fans also urged my father to file a police report that his son was missing but when I contacted my late father (Anabila Abanga) and explained everything to him he gave me his support and assured me that he would convince my mother who later apologized to me.”.

Abanga would go on to spend seven years with the Phobians, winning the Ghana Premier League in 2008/2009 season, the GHALCA Top 4 twice, the Homowo Cup and the President’s Cup.

Source: graphic.com.gh

source: https://footballghana.com/

[prowrestlingpost-com]

#AndNEW: Takashi Sugiura Is The Inaugural GHC National Champion

#AndNEW: Takashi Sugiura Is The Inaugural GHC National Champion

During a press conference on October 3rd, Pro Wrestling NOAH would announce that they have created a new championship called the GHC National Championship and the match would take place on their big show on November 2nd called The BEST. The two people that would participate in this match were IMPACT’s very own Michael Elginand former GHC Heavyweight Champion, Takashi Sugiura. This would be a…

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON'S CORNER: WOLF PACK OFF SEASON VOLUME 19

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT -  This is the final look at hockey news until The Hartford Wolf Pack opens training camp. TRAVERSE CITY TOURNAMENT The roster for the New York Rangers that will compete in the 2018 Traverse City tournament is set. The annual prospects tournament that's held in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan or the "UPEE," as its known, will feature prospects from eight NHL teams. The Detroit Red Wings hosted tourney runs from September 7th until the 11th. For the Rangers, this is their 12th straight appearance in the tournament, which was almost postponed this year because of renovations being done on the arena. There are two divisions in the tournament named after legendary Red Wings players. The Rangers will play in the Ted Lindsay division which features Detroit, the Dallas Stars, and, the Minnesota Wild. The other division is named after Gordie Howe and prospects from the St. Louis Blues, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, and the Columbus Blue Jackets will battle it out. This is the 20th year of the tournament. The games are played in the Centre Ice Arena. When the Rangers unveiled their roster, it had ten players on it who spent either all of last season or part of it in Hartford. Leading the charge on the ice will be forwards Lias Andersson, Filip Chytil, and wearing the "C" for the second prospects tournament in a row will be, Ty Ronning. There are other familiar forward names. Gilbert Fontaine is expected to take a stronger role in the offense this fall. Dawson Leedahl is on the roster and then there are two collegians who signed with the team in the offseason and had late-season auditions in Hartford last spring. They are Drew Melanson from Boston University, where he played under new Rangers head coach, David Quinn, and Justin Salvaggio from the UNH Wildcats (HE). On the backline will be the Rangers' highly-regarded prospect, Ryan Lindgren. He played ten games at the end of the season after leaving Minnesota (Big 10). Lastly, there's defensive-minded defenseman Brandon Crawley. The rest of the newcomers include some highly thought of talent acquired in trades or were drafted. Up front, is Brett Howden who was acquired from Tampa Bay in the trade for ex-Wolf Pack duo Ryan McDonagh and J.T. Miller. Two European free agent signees include Sweden's Mikael Lindqvist, and Finnish native, Ville Meskanen. Tim Gettinger from the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL) starts his first pro camp. Two draft picks from June include the Swiss-born, Nico Gross (Oshawa OHL), who was just one of two 17-year-olds who played in last year’s WJC (World Junior Championship). The other was the first overall draft pick by Buffalo, Sweden’s Rasmus Dahlin. The other draftee is defenseman Joey Keane (Barrie Colts OHL). On defense, Sean Day, a Ranger #1 pick two years ago, arrives for his first camp. Libor Hajak was acquired in the Tampa Bay trade. He went to the Memorial Cup final with Regina (WHL) where he was coached by ex-Wolf Pack championship coach, John Paddock, plus former UCONN defenseman and captain Derek Pratt. He signed in the offseason with the Rangers new Double AA affiliate, the Maine (Portland) Mariners. Tyson Helgeson, who played four games at the end of the year, will be there but is heading to Royal Military College in Calgary (CWUAA) after the tourney. In goal, Chris Nell returns for his second tournament after playing for three teams last year. His battery mate has a familiar last name. He's Jeremy Brodeur, the son of the NHL's recently named Hall-Of-Famer, Marty Brodeur. Brodeur the younger, played for the Allen (TX) Americans last year. His father recently left St. Louis where he was an Assistant GM. He's returned to the New Jersey Devils where he will head the team’s business development department. PLAYERS & COACHES MOVEMENT PLUS HOCKEY NEWS Dan DeSalvo becomes the 17th member of last season's Hartford Wolf Pack roster to sign elsewhere. DeSalvo inks an AHL deal with the Cleveland Monsters. Another ex-Sound Tiger defenseman, Jesse Graham, signs with the Utica Comets. Ex-Pack, Tanner Glass, who split last year between Stockton and Calgary, signs with GHC Bordeaux (France-FREL) for next season. He is the 74th AHL’er to sign for Europe this season. Ex-Pack, and New York Ranger, Ryan “Hollywood” Hollweg has been forced to retire due to a knee injury incurred while playing for HC Plzen (Pilsener) of the Czech Republic Elite League (CEL). It was announced the by the team's GM/Head coach and former Ranger and HC Plzen teammate, Martin Straka. Hollweg played six seasons in the Czech Republic and returned last season after a year off from the knee injury, but despite a contract renewal for this season, the injury’s effects stayed with him. In Hollweg's last pro season, he played 41 games with two goals, amassing just four points, and 87 PIM. Ex-Pack, Josef Balej, leaves Medvescak Zagreb (Croatia-AEHL) to MaHK Zlina (Slovakia-SLEL) Brandon DeFazio, the ex-Sound Tiger, and son of former Nighthawk, Dean DeFazio, goes from Kunlun (China-KHL) to Lukko Rauma (Finland-FEL) Another ex-Sound Tiger defenseman, Chris Lee, officially retires from Metallurg Magnitogorsk (Russia-KHL) and saw his number 4 retired. Adrian Gajor, from Plainville, CT, and last played for the Hartford Jr. Wolf Pack, signs with Cracovia Krakow (Poland-PZIHL). Nick Lukko, a Salisbury Prep grad, signs a one-year AHL deal with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Jarrid Priviters (Gunnery Prep) departs the University of Vermont (HE) and who played a few games with Manchester (ECHL) after his college season ended, has signed with Greenville (ECHL). Ex-Pack, Desmond Bergin, who played in two games on emergency recalls with the Wolf Pack last year, re-signs with Adirondack (ECHL). Former UCONN Husky, Brian Morgan, re-signs with Reading (ECHL). He split last year between Pensacola (ECHL) and Reading, Ryan Obuchowski, the former Yale Bulldog, signs again with Toledo (ECHL). Devin Buffalo goes from Dartmouth College (ECACHL) to Greenville (ECHL). Trey Phillips goes from the University of Vermont (HE) to Jacksonville (ECHL) while Demico Hannoun of Northern Michigan (NCHC), leaves early and signs with Indy (ECHL). A Division III player heads to Europe in Tim Santopaolo. He goes from Aurora University (NCHA) to Svegs IK (Sweden Division-2). That makes 197 Division I players who have signed North American pro deals and a grand total of 261 collegiate players have signed North American and European deals. UMASS-Amherst (HE) gets a grad school transfer in Jake Pritchard from St. Lawrence (ECACHL). Julian Pacliero becomes the new assistant coach with UMASS-Lowell (HE). Joe Howe leaves Denver University (NCHC) and takes an assistant coach's position with the University of Alaska (WCHA). Another former Husky, Joona Kunnas, was released in training camp from HC Mulhouse Scorpions (France-FREL) and signed with HC Anglet. Ex-Sound Tiger, Tobias Stephan, has gone from EV Zug (Switzerland-LNA) to HC Lausanne (Switzerland-LNA)  where he signed a three-year deal. Adam Jakopin, the cousin of former Wolf Pack and Beast of New Haven, John Jakopin, goes from Lindenwood University (NAIA), a college club hockey program, to HK Olimpija Ljubljana (Slovenia-AEHL). Nick Hale, of Salisbury Prep, is a Yale University (ECACHL) commit in 2019-20. He will play this season for the Brooks (AB) Bandits (AJHL) DJ King, the son of ex-Whaler Derek King, leaves the US National Development Team playing in the USHL, to play Canadian major junior with the London Knights (OHL). He has dual citizenship and is eligible to play for either of the two country's WJC team in December. Two more sons of Whalers have entered the organized hockey ranks. Geoff Sanderson’s two boys will be playing US College hockey in the near future. Ben Sanderson from the Okotoks Oilers (AJHL) has committed to Colorado College (NCHC) in 2019-20. His youngest son, Jake, goes from the Canadian prep program at The Edge School (CSSHL) to the US National Development U-17 Team this year. That team plays out of Plymouth, MI. He has given a commitment to North Dakota (Big 10) for 2020-21. A very well-written piece from Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times concerning Jerry Bruckheimer, who along with David Bonderman, is on course to bring the NHL to Seattle. The article stated that it looks like a November presentation to the NHL Board Of Governors (BOG) and likely a December BOG vote on their expansion franchise application. If approved, they will become the 32nd NHL team. That should jibe well with the fact that by that time that vote comes, renovations on the Seattle Key Arena will have begun. Bruckheimer also discussed placing a USHL American Junior A franchise in the new building. The USHL is primarily situated in the American Midwest with no Western state teams at all. While building your brand and the sport in the American Northwest is good, he failed to acknowledge the WHL's Seattle Thunderbirds, who have been in the city and the greater Seattle area (now in Kent, WA south of Seattle) for 33 years. The Thunderbirds have built a very strong brand name of their own and have helped grow the sport of hockey at the grassroots level in a city that used to have just an old semi-pro league team in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. There are also three other WHL teams in the state of Washington. One of those three is within an easy driving distance of Seattle. The Everett Silvertips has been in business for 18 years and is North of the city. The Spokane Chiefs have operated for 33 years and are in eastern WA near the Idaho border and a fourth team is in Kennewick, WA near the Oregon border. That team, the Tri-City Americans, have been there for 30 years along with the Portland (OR) Winter Hawks, who make up the US Division of the WHL. The real growth of hockey is currently happening in the American Southwest where Texas, Arizona, and West California, lead the way. Oregon and Washington will try to build upon what has been done over the past 30 plus years in those areas. The NHL has a very important relationship with Canadian major junior hockey and with the governing body, the CHL (Canadian Hockey League). Perhaps some of the BOG will educate Bruckheimer's Seattle Hockey Partners LLC, of that relationship during the courting period. The group needs to be aware and not trample on it during the stampede of euphoria when Seattle gets its NHL team. Read the article HERE. GERLING SCORES CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER AND NAMED MVP The AIHL (Australian Ice Hockey League) Goodall Cup has a new owner, and a former UConn Husky was the hero. The Canberra (CBR) Brave captured their first-ever title winning in overtime after falling short in the final two consecutive years. They have Trevor Gerling to thank for it. At 11:38 of overtime, Gerling was coming as the trailer on the left wing on a three-on-two break. Gerling, in his royal blue uni sporting number 78, was billowing in the back. He took a left-wing drop pass from Wehebe Darge (three assists) and roofed a shot over the right shoulder of Sydney Bears goalie, Anthony Kimlin for their 4-3 title win. The celebration from the packed house was wild at the O’Brien Sports Arena in Melbourne, the yearly hosts of the Grand Final. Ryan Louth had a strong game for Sydney with a goal and two assists. They all came in the second period which allowed the Bears to take a 3-2 lead into the third. Gerling was named the tournament MVP and Canberra, Australia’s capital city was celebrating a major title. The semifinal saw the Canberra (CBR) Brave with Gerling, the league's co-leading scorer with 67 points in 24 regular games played, against the Melbourne Mustangs. The Brave won decisively 5-1 with Gerling scoring two goals and had an assist. Then the Perth Thunder where shut down by the Sydney Bears 3-0 in the other semifinal. CBR set a new AIHL regular season points record in their short season league with 72 points. Gerling was tied for the league's scoring lead with Perth’s Pier-Oliver Grandmaison with 67 points. However, Grandmaison led the league with 43 assists to go along with 34 goals including a hat-trick in the last game of the regular season against the Melbourne Ice in a 6-2 victory. Cheshire’s Rob Malloy and his Newcastle Northstars were knocked out of their chance to capture the fourth and final playoff spot after a 5-4 shootout loss in the second to last game of the season. The game saw Newcastle tally the first two goals in the game and a 3-1 lead in the second period after converting on a five-minute major penalty for a hit to the head. The penalty set off numerous skirmishes for the rest of the period. Newcastle held their lead through the third when Perth mounted a rally to tie the game. Perth won the last game of the year 5-3 to break the tie with 39 seconds in regulation. Malloy finished his sixth AIHL season with 18 assists and 24 points in 25 games. "Not going to lie," said Malloy via e-mail, "I'm pretty happy the season is over. Nothing really worked and it was a pretty frustrating season." He will be involved in international competition when he heads to Queenstown, New Zealand. There he will play in a three-game series next week against the Kiwis where he will catch up with his old pal, Berlin's Adam Blanchette. He will play next year in Serbia for Australia at the IIHF World Championship tournament. Nearby in New Zealand, there is a new Birgel Cup champion. The Southern (Queenstown) Stampede, seeking their fourth straight championship loss to the West Auckland Admirals in a 2-1 championship game win on the road. It was West Auckland’s first ever NZIHL title with Berlin’s Adam Blanchette the team's assistant coaches dream. Read the full article

[lostinyourears]

Puroresu-Rewind #3 : BxB Hulk(c) vs Uhaa Nation for Open The Dream Gate Title (Dragon Gate 03/01/2015)

Video Link via Rutube

Who’s who?

Uhaa Nation is better known as Apollo Crews now on WWE programming. Before making his WWE debut he would be a staple of Dragon Gate. Calling it his home promotion from 2011-2014, though he wrestled no matches for them in 2012 when he suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for most of that year.

Despite those years in the company Apollo Crews only ever held one title/accolade. That being the Open the Twin Gate Championship in 2013 with the person he is taking on in this match BxB Hulk. The two held those belts for 64 days, which is a pretty middle of the road reign.

BxB Hulk joined Dragon Gate in 2005, the 2nd year of the promotions existence. It being founded in July 2004 by Takashi Okumura, Most of the wrestlers being graduates of Último Dragón's Toryumon Gym. 

It should be no surprise that Hulk who has been with the company since basically the start has more reigns under his belt. 7x Triangle gate champion, 4x Twin gate champion, and having won Summer Adventure Tag League twice and King of Gate Tournament. 

This has thus far been his only Open The Dream Gate Title one of 13 people who have held that belt over 22 reigns. BxB’s reign is 3rd most successful having 7 successful defenses, right behind the 2nd most successful Naruki Doi with 8 defenses and a bit behind CIMA’s top reign which had 13 successful defenses.  

BxB is also the inaugural Open the Freedom Gate Championship which was the Dragon Gate US belt. BxB had 7 defenses for that belt too, though was completely behind #1 with that belt : Johnny Gargano who had 22 defenses as champion. Sadly Dragon Gate US is dormant atm and the belt is also no longer around, Timothy Hatcher gave the belt to Gargano... who is assumed to still be in position of it. 

How’s the match?

Great! I’ll be honest in saying that I went with this match both because it was highly rated on Cagematch.net and because I know most people are aware of Apollo Crews now that he is in the WWE machine. I heard his time in Dragon Gate was good and wanted to look into it for myself, so here we are!

Much like the NOAH match I covered recently, this match has a very breakneck pace from beginning to end. Which might not be everyone’s cup of tea. The cliche being old timers shaking their fists at this match screaming, ‘MUH PSYCHOLOGY!’ I think that would be an unwarranted complaint here. 

There is a misconception in wrestling that the only reason to work a body part is to lead to a submission finish. This match and BxB Hulk prove that misconception as foolish and Uhaa Nation perfectly sells the hurt leg throughout the match. One could argue that he starts selling it a little early, it feels like Hulk got one submission hold off and Uhaa’s leg was destroyed, but I do enjoy that Uhaa never lets you forget his leg is hurt. Neither does BxB as kicks almost always target Uhaa’s leg. 

I mentioned it earlier, but this felt very similar to Katsuhiko Nakajima (c) vs Brian Cage for the GHC Title over in NOAH. Cage/Uhaa Nation both play the powerhouse role, while Nakajima/BxB Hulk are the homegrown guys who’ve been around for ages and were currently the reigning champion. I also liked both about the same. Both are excellent and both are also great gateway matches for North American viewers like myself who know one of the guys from work outside that indiependent Japanese promotion. I’d recommend both of them to people who have never tried either. I’m interested in digging deeper into both NOAH and Dragon Gate in the coming months. 

4.5/5

Highlights : 

BxB Hulk(c) vs Uhaa Nation for Open The Dream Gate Title (Dragon Gate 03/01/2015)

[wrestlingmgc]

GHC National Champion Masaaki Mochizuki

[pwrestlingxpress]

My Take on the official reunion of AXIZ and the rumored reunion of the Golden Lovers

Back in 2018 I wrote two-three opinion articles on the Reunion of the Golden Lovers (Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi). Before anyone reads the rest of this new opinion article I'm typing please click here to read the previous opinion article titled " Six Months Later...Golden Lovers Merge While The Shield Reunites".

Now...this new opinion article will talk about the rumored reunion of the Golden Lovers and the official reunion of AXIZ.

Some of you may now be thinking "AXIZ, who are they and what do they have to do with the Golden Lovers?" The answer to this question is not much but here I want to talk about their history and that's what my plan is.

In December 2018, the Golden Lovers abruptly went on hiatus after winning their final match against Hiroshi Tanahashi and Will Ospreay in Korakuen Hall. A few weeks before that in the same arena, Katsuhiko Nakajima was a finalist for the 2018 Global League Tournament (now N1 Victory) facing Kaito Kiyomiya in which Nakajima lost to the then-22 upstart athlete from Saitama. What happened afterwards was so in the dark that not many knew until they saw it though various photos. After the match between Kiyomiya and Nakajima, Go Shiozaki comes out seemingly to congratulate the winner (both were tag partners through most of 2018) but instead went to console the person that was pinned. Right after that, Shiozaki and Nakajima teamed up to win the GHC Tag Team Championships but lost the belts almost a week later in controversial fashion.

We now fast forward ourselves to February 2019 where by then the Golden Lovers have quietly split up with Kenny Omega gone to AEW and Kota Ibushi staying in NJPW where over in Pro Wrestling NOAH, Katsuhiko Nakajima and Go Shiozaki were given a second chance at regaining the GHC Tag Team Championships and on February 24th, that's what they did. Backstage after winning the titles for a second time, they decided to call themselves "AXIZ".

From that date on until August 2020; AXIZ was seen by many as one of the best tag teams in pro wrestling. According to Cagematch, both AXIZ and the Golden Lovers were ranked in the top 10 tag teams of all time (as of May 7, 2023 at 9:30 PM Eastern) with AXIZ ranked at No. 4; Golden Lovers at No. 9. With that ranking, one can say AXIZ surpassed the Golden Lovers but there's always a debate on which team is better no matter what the ranking is.

AXIZ's second reign as champions ended on June 13th but immediately were given a rematch in which they manage to win back the belts a third time and hold on to the belts until January 5, 2020. The day before that, Go Shiozaki became a 4-time GHC Heavyweight Champion by defeating Kaito Kiyomiya and in the process have one of the longest reigns in its title history. Despite Go now being a singles champion, both him and Nakajima were hoping for another tag title shot after losing them but COVID hit and much changed. On the same night Go Shiozaki was to have his first title defense in his fourth reign as GHC Heavyweight Champion, Katsuhiko Nakajima approached GHC National Champion Takashi Sugiura with the intentions to challenge and win the title. On May 9, 2020 in the main event; Nakajima would pin Sugiura to become the second GHC National Champion.

By the time pro wrestling was back doing live events in some capacity, AXIZ was on top not just in tag team but in singles as well with Go as the GHC Heavyweight Champion and Katsuhiko as the GHC National Champion. Everything seemed to be rolling for the two when wrestling live events resumed but the rolling would stop when the month of August 2020 hit.

August 4, 2020; Katushiko Nakajima would lose the GHC National Championship to Kenoh. 26 days later, after losing a chance to become 4-time GHC Tag Team Champions with Go Shizoaki, Nakajima breaks up AXIZ to join Kongoh. Though AXIZ was done in Nakajima's eyes, as I learned it was not the case for Go. Despite the betrayal, Go still believed himself to be a part of AXIZ and awaited the day Nakajima would return to reform the tag team.

While they waited, Nakajima and Shiozaki would wrestle 3 times in singles competition. First time was November 22, 2020 for the GHC Heavyweight Championship with Nakajima as the challenger (which he earned by winning N1 Victory 2020) and the champion being Shiozaki. Most times I compare this match to the one at "Wrestle Kingdom 15" between Will Ospreay and Kazuchika Okada because of the brutality and the fact the way they fought, it would most times scare me. Despite me saying that, in a match that went nearly 43 minutes, Go retains the title while sustaining an injury in the later minutes of the match itself. The second time they would meet would be on January 1, 2022 where by then it was Katsuhiko Nakajima who was the champion with the now-returning Go Shiozaki being the challenger. On that date, both wrestled what many considered to be a 2022 MOTY contender. Nakajima would emerge victorious from that match with a new finishing move that has not been seen since. The third time they met was on March 23, 2022 in which by then, there was no title, only pride. Go Shiozaki was starting a new streak while Katushiko Nakajima was looking for answers after losing the GHC Heavyweight Championship 35 days after defending it against Shiozaki. The third match went a lot faster than their previous two. Go would emerge victorious in a match that was nearly 20 minutes long. Their previous two matches went over 30 minutes.

Go would go on to win the GHC Heavyweight Championship for a record fifth time but would become the first of three straight V0 Champions when he lost the championship on his first defense to Satoshi Kojima at CyberFight Festival 2022. After losing the title, Go struggled to find himself and ended up eventually being out of action after N1 Victory 2022. Meanwhile, Katsuhiko Nakajima was trying his best to stay on track but in most tag matches, he ended up becoming the guy to eat the pin. At the N1 Victory 2022 block finals, both were in line to win their block but needed help. Neither of them made the finals in which Nakajima's backstage comments could be what I consider the first clue to a AXIZ reunion.

By the time 2023 hits, rumors started to spread on a Golden Lovers reunion that was even seen in various episodes of the YouTube web series "Being The Elite" in which in some scenes (haven't watched the series since 2019 so I'm going based only on photos) Kenny can be seen texting someone. Many believe that to be Kota Ibushi but as of right now, nothing is official yet.

Surprisingly, there were little to no rumors of AXIZ reuniting but seeds were being planted for the possibility. Those seeds in my opinion started on January 4, 2023 when Kongoh went to the Tokyo Dome to confront Los Ingobernables de Japon with the intention to "settle the score".

If you look at the video below, you'll notice that Nakajima does not have the same expression as the rest of Kongoh does which can tell you that it was starting. More than that, while the rest of Kongoh left in an orderly fashion, Nakajima left with the look that said "Sorry about that" as a way of apologizing for the abrupt appearance. He did the same thing at the official "Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Yokohama Arena" press conference which involved 5 of the 6 (at the time) LIJ members and 5 of the 8 (at the time) Kongoh members.

Seeds were planted a lot more when (according to all I was able to read) during the Road to NOAH's Tokyo Dome event on February 21st, Kenoh decided to dig into a history that I think Nakajima didn't want to talk about, that of him and AJPW's Kento Miyahara. The match (which was a 6-man tag) went on with apparently no issues. Kongoh managed to come out victorious, but Nakajima's backstage comments would leave many including Kenoh puzzled.

The possibilities increased a lot more when Go Shiozaki made a surprise appearance in Sendai on April 16th to announce his in-ring return.

Later on that same night, Katsuhiko Nakajima walked in as the challenger for the GHC Heavyweight Championship, this time held by newcomer Jake Lee. Something I didn't notice live but eventually did was the gear that Nakajima was wearing. He was wearing the same ring attire he wore on January 1, 2022. On the build back then, a stipulation was suggested that if Nakajima was to lose the title to Go Shiozaki, he would have to leave Kongoh and reform AXIZ. Since Nakajima won that night, the stipulation never came to fruition. But on that April 16th date, Nakajima walked into the title match against Jake Lee apparently with that stipulation in his mind. He ended up losing the title match in over 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, as rumors continue to spread of the Golden Lovers reuniting, Kenny Omega is reunited with a rival by the name Konosuke Takeshita in which he (as of this typing) has joined Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson to be part of "The Elite". Despite joining though, Kenny remained suspicious of Takeshita's intentions. Those intentions may be the key to the Golden Lovers reuniting again but only time will tell what the intentions may be or already are.

May 4, 2023; Ryogoku Kokukigan; Go Shiozaki returns in 6-man tag action by teaming with Kaito Kiyomiya and Yoshiki Inamura to face the Konogh members of Katsuhiko Nakajima, Kenoh, and Manabu Soya. In the match, Nakajima wore the same gear he wore back on January 1, 2022 and April 16, 2023. Meanwhile, Go Shiozaki comes out in the gear he wore when he won his fourth GHC Heavyweight Championship on January 4, 2020. The 6-man tag turned into somewhat of a blowout as though there were times of shine for Shiozaki and his team, it was not enough to defeat Kongoh. Nakajima would end up getting the winning pin by pinning Shiozaki. It was after the match though that the rumors became reality.

AXIZ officially reunited and on May 14th will have their first match together since August 28, 2020.

My take on this is that....Katsuhiko Nakajima was betrayed by Kenoh. To me, Kenoh betrayed him by abruptly deciding to go to the Tokyo Dome not understanding everyone may have different plans. Then by the time he dug into a history he shouldn't have, that was the end. So on May 4, 2023 in Ryogoku, Nakajima came into Ryogoku with the intention to officially reunite AXIZ. How it happened is in the video above. I've been waiting years to see AXIZ live in action and now on May 14, 2023; me and many will be to get the chance to do just that.

Meanwhile, as we await the reunion of the Golden Lovers, down below is a picture of them reuniting back in January 2018, ten months before AXIZ was formed.

Should the Golden Lovers reunite this could increase the chance of a possible dream match: Golden Lovers vs. AXIZ at either a future NOAH event or at "The Forbidden Door" in late June. The reason I'm saying this is there's not just rumors of a Golden Lovers reunion, there's also rumors about Kota Ibushi joining Pro Wrestling NOAH. It would be something if all these rumors come true. Right now, only one has come to light. AXIZ is back as we await the date the Golden Lovers reunite once again.

[pwrestlingxpress]

N-1 Victory 2023 Participants Announced

After waiting for over two weeks, we now have our field of 16 in Pro Wrestling NOAH's "N-1 Victory 2023" which starts on August 6, 2023 in Yokohama Budokan.

Before revealing the participants; rules are simple. This will be a round-robin tournament where the top point getter from each block will meet in the Grand Final on September 3rd in EDION Arena Osaka. As of typing only match announced is Masakatsu Funaki vs. Josh Barnett. More are expected to be announced after the block matches conclude.

With that being said, let us reveal the 16 participants for this year's "N-1 Victory" starting with A Block (in English ABC Order):

Adam Brooks (Australia) - First time entrant

Yoshiki Inamura - 2nd time competing, first since 2020

Kenoh (Kongo) - 5th straight year competing, 2019 N1 Victory Winner

Masa Kitamiya - 5th straight year competing

Jake Lee (GLG) - First-time entrant; reigning GHC Heavyweight Champion

Jack Morris (GLG) - 2nd straight year competing

Timothy Thatcher (REAL) - First time entrant (was supposed to compete in 2022 but had to withdrawn due to visa issues)

Yuki Yoshioka (Dragon Gate) - First time entrant

Based on this block, GLG members will be facing each other as well as the team of "The Tough". Also, many believe (including myself) that Kenoh is next in line for a shot at the GHC Heavyweight Championship (currently held by Jake Lee). Should he pin Jake Lee, he'll have a chance.

Now let's take a look at B Block (in English ABC Order):

Lance Anoa'i (MLW) - First time entrant

Yuma Anzai (AJPW) - First time entrant

Saxon Huxley (REAL) - First time entrant

Daiki Inaba - second time competing, first since 2021

Katsuhiko Nakajima (AXIZ) - 5th straight year competing, 2020 and 2021 N1 Victory Winner

Go Shiozaki (AXIZ) - 2nd straight year competing, fourth overall (N1 Debut in 2019)

Manabu Soya (Kongo) - 3rd time competing, first since 2021

Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. (Mexico) - second straight year competing, third overall (N1 Debut in 2019); reigning GHC National Champion

And based on this block and this is something that has never happened in their time being with Pro Wrestling NOAH. Go Shiozaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima will be facing each other in block competition for the very first time. Even when the event was known as "Global League" did neither face each other in block competition. Going to be interesting to see how their 1-on-1 match will affect them since reuniting as AXIZ back on May 4th. And the same thing goes for Jack Morris and Jake Lee of GLG. who've been teaming up since Jake Lee's NOAH debut back in January.

Now, here are those who are not returning from last year's N1 Victory

Kazuyuki Fujita

Masakatsu Funaki (Kongo)

Anthony Green (GLG)

Kaito Kiyomiya - reigning N1 Victory Winner

Satoshi Kojima (NJPW)

Kinya Okada

Masaaki Mochizuki (Dragon Gate)

Takashi Sugiura

Hideaki Suzuki (REAL)

Masato Tanaka (Zero-1)

More than half the field as of right now will not be returning which does of course include Kiyomiya but shockingly also includes Hideaki Suzuki who was in the finals last year. Many (including myself) thought he'd be selected but since he wasn't one of the 16 selected, it is guaranteed that we not only get a new N-1 Victory winner but that we are guaranteed a new final unless that final is Katsuhiko Nakajima and Kenoh which would be a repeat of the 2021 Finals if it happens.

As of this typing, official match cards have yet to be announced but they could be announced later on today. If they're not announced today, then they'll be announced hopefully withing the next couple of days.

ABEMA presents "N-1 Victory 2023" starts August 6th in Yokohama Budokan with all nine events being streamed on ABEMA and Wrestle Universe.

[pwrestlingxpress]

Final Match Card for June 22nd + Match Predictions

After the events for Pro Wrestling NOAH from Saturday and Sunday, we now have the official match card for Episode 5 of "Star Navigation 2023" as another injury has caused a card change once again.

Back on Saturday at "Green Journey 2023 in Nagoya" during his challenge for the GHC Heavyweight Championship against Jake Lee, Takashi Sugiura apparently dislocated his eye that got worse during his 6-man tag match the next day in Osaka. He has since elected to take surgery to repair the eye. At the current time, there is no timetable for his return. Due to the injury, he's been removed from Thursday's show and has been replaced by Daiki Inaba who was to compete in the second match on the card. Akitoshi Saito (who was not booked to compete) will take his spot in that second match.

With that said, here are the predictions for Episode 5 of "Star Navigation 2023"

Opening Match Prediction: I consider this almost too easy to predict at the same time a little hard. Out of all the makeshift Kongo/NOAH teams back in January, it was Katsuhiko Nakajima and Seiki Yoshioka that were the most consistent and that consistency managed them to win the 2023 Scramble Tag Tournament. Now, more than 5 months after winning the tournament, both are together under the main unit banner facing Manabu Soya and Hajime Ohara who were each pinned by Nakajima this past weekend. The prediction here is that the team of Nakajima and Yoshioka will win with Nakajima pinning Ohara once again.

Match #2 Prediction: Night One with Shuhei Taniguchi as the newest member of "REAL" didn't go the way they wanted it to go. Don't think that'll be the case in this second match. "REAL" for the win.

Match #3 Prediction: Last-minute card change as Daiki Inaba replaces Takashi Sugiura in what could've been the last tag match post-title for Lee and Sugiura. Originally would've gone with the team of Sugiura and Legacy but due to Sugiura's injury and the withdrawal, this match here...going with Jake Lee and Jack Morris for the win.

Match #4 Prediction: A very intriguing 6-man tag that could somewhat determine HAYATA's next challenger while at the same time begin a feud between LEONA and Eita. Prediction here is the team of Yoshinari Ogawa, Kai Fujimura, and LEONA getting the win over Kaito Kiyomiya, Eita, and HAYATA. And the feeling is post-match, there maybe a surprise instore for the losing team.

Match #5 Prediction: This is Hi69's last test to see if what he had learned from Kongo is enough for him to move to the next step. So far, he's 0-3 and have to wonder what will happen if he loses this last bout against Shuji Kondo. My prediction for this match is Shuji will win in dominating fashion.

Match #6 Prediction: Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. is looking for his next challenger for the GHC National Championship and apparently has his eyes set on AMAKUSA. Interesting note I learned last year is that the GHC National Championship is an Openweight Championship meaning anyone can challenge it so if AMAKUSA is to be the next challenger, he has to pin the champion. Also, Dante Leon and Ninja Mack, need to keep an eye on those two because though they are teaming up together, cannot really trust Dante Leon. With all the elements in this match, I'm predicting here that the team of Naomichi Marufuji, AMAKUSA, and Atsushi Kotoge emerge victorious.

GHC Junior Tag Team Championship Prediction: Many are predicting here that there will be new champions crowned in Korakuen Hall. Don't think that's happening anytime soon. My prediction is that somehow and someway Tadasuke and YO-HEY emerge victorious but in post-match, will be attacked by the next challenger team.

Main Event Prediction: After Katsuhiko Nakajima and Kenoh went to a 45-minute draw back on May 31st; Go Shiozaki approached Kenoh with the request of a singles match. Though he accepted it, since then Kenoh has basically been stating that Go has done "nothing" before his return while he's been seen (in his eyes) as the one that kept NOAH a float. Not sure if Kenoh knows this but I learned that most athletes while on rehab, never really tweet or post on Instagram. They're mostly silent so that they can focus on getting 100% which is what I believe Go was doing. As for who wins this match, this is must-win for Go Shiozaki. These two have met 4 times (2 of them taking place in Korakuen Hall) with the record being 0-3-1 in favor of Kenoh. Back in 2020, Shiozaki almost beat Kenoh in a double-title match but the clock ran out. Will that be the same case this time around? Unlike NJPW websites, a time-limit is never listed until we see on-screen, so it's unknown what the time-limit to the main event is but if this match is 30 minutes, they'll go the full 30. If it's 45 minutes, then I believe Go will win with minutes to spare. Again, this match, must-win for Go Shiozaki. Has to beat Kenoh to prove to himself and to the world that he still has it. And the feeling is that should he emerge victorious, then he'll call out Timothy Thatcher for a singles match while at the same time declare himself and Nakajima as the next challengers for the GHC Tag Team Championships.

Episode 5 of "Star Navigation 2023" comes Thursday June 22nd at 6:30 PM Local Time/5:30 AM Eastern/4:30 AM Central/2:30 AM Pacific on ABEMA with Japanese Commentary and Wrestle Universe with English Commentary. Go to timeanddate.com and type in the city you're currently live in to find the start time in your area if the start time is not listed on here.

Final note, also on Thursday, we will find out who will be the 2023 N-1 Victory Participants. So far, only Jake Lee has announced his entry. Again, due to Kaito Kiyomiya withdrawing back on June 10th to focus on NJPW's G1 Climax Tournament, we are already guaranteed a new N-1 Victory winner unless that winner ends up being either Kenoh or Katsuhiko Nakajima. Thursday, find out who joins Jake Lee in one of the cruelest tournaments of the summer, N-1 Victory.

[pwrestlingxpress]

New Predictions for "Green Journey 2023 in Nagoya"

Back on June 5th, I made my official predictions for Pro Wrestling NOAH's "Green Journey 2023 in Nagoya" (click here to read those original predictions which does include the match card for the NJPW event taking place that very same day) . Due to the injury though to Junta Miyawaki that occurred at "All Together Again" last Friday, I'm making down below a new prediction list here. Some predictions could remain the same while other will change.

With that said, here is the new set of match result predictions for "Green Journey 2023 in Nagoya"

Opening Match prediction: When I originally made this match prediction, I said I was going with the team of Mohammed Yone, Super Crazy, and Alejandro for the win. But since this match has been changed and moved from the #2 position to the opening position, my prediction has changed. Going with Akitoshi Saito, Stallion Rogers, and Seiki Yoshioka with the win as Taishi Ozawa will be pinned in the new opening bout.

Match #2 prediction: What was the original opening match is now the second match and right now...my prediction for this one stays the same. Hiroki already lost to Kenoh in dominating fashion. I don't expect the same here but I do expect Hajime Ohara to come out victorious over the former Kongo member.

Match #3 Prediction: When this match was originally announced as Kaito Kiyomiya, Junta Miyawaki, and AMAKUSA vs. Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. , Yoshinari Ogawa, and Kai Fujimura; my first impression was this could be a preview to who the next challenger would be for the GHC National Championship. Then when Kaito Kiyomiya was announced for NJPW's G1 Climax 33 starting on July 15th; kind of leaned towards his team winning so that he can make a statement. Now...with this match being changed and moved, the prediction for this one does not change. I expect Kaito Kiyomiya, AMAKUSA, and Super Crazy (who is replacing Miyawaki in this match) to win with Kiyomiya sending a strong message to Yota Tsuji who is claiming that Kiyomiya is somewhat weak. In this match, the Supernova will send a strong message to "Gene Blast" and that message is...don't underestimate the power of Pro Wrestling NOAH.

Match #4 Prediction: Another original prediction that'll somewhat remain the same. Hideaki Suzuki still wins in dominating fashion and should Jake Lee emerge victorious in the main event, could be the next challenger for the GHC Heavyweight Championship.

Match #5 Prediction: Consider this one to now be a match under the radar for once it was announced, has barely been talked about. The prediction here remains somewhat the same. Eita and Marufuji with the surprise victory as the crumbling of Atsushi Kotoge continues.

Match #6 Prediction: The original prediction for this match also remains the same with YO-HEY getting pinned here instead of Tadasuke. Jack Morris will show a strong performance but it'll be Chris Ridgeway and Daga that'll have the last word in this next to last tune-up match before June 22nd.

Match #7 Prediction: My original prediction for this match was AXIZ was going to win and as of right now, that prediction stays the same. The question now is will this match continue the downfall of Kenoh now that he has not had to witness 3 departures from Kongo but now is coming to Nagoya with no gold around his waist. This match is one that has to be must-see and must-win for Go Shiozaki here and in Korakuen Hall on June 22nd. Again, he's never beaten Kenoh in singles competition and with the way Kenoh is now...got the feeling this is the once chance that AXIZ has to take advantage of. Again...the original prediction here remains the same. Just going to be interesting on the mindset of Kenoh and Manabu Soya who have to rebound after losing the AJPW World Tag Team Titles 2 nights before.

Match #8 Prediction: Still a hard match to predict but based on what I read and heard from Dante Leon, it's kind of clear to me who'll win this match. HAYATA has stated that this match will truly decide who is the GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion. If HAYATA wins, then it'll be him. If Dante wins, then it'll be him. As of right now, I can't see HAYATA retaining because there's this sense that Dante has something in his back pocket. Feel like tomorrow, a new Junior Champion will be crowned in Nagoya.

Semi-main Event match Prediction: Though this match is still hard to predict, I'm sticking with my original prediction here in which we're getting new Tag Team Champions. Feel like it's time for Yoshiki Inamura to become Champion though there's the feeling that this reign could be short-lived because I feel like whoever wins between AXIZ and Kongo two matches earlier will be next in line and many including myself are ready for another AXIZ Tag title reign. Again, Kitamiya and Inamura with the win but their reign will be very short.

Main Event Prediction: The original prediction for this match was Jake Lee over Takashi Sugiura. Despite the encouraging words Sugiura received from Shinjiro Otani and the overwhelming praise heading into this match, I'm still going with the result. Still feel like nothing will stop Jake Lee until the N-1 Victory 2023 begins this August. And...again, whoever wins this match, believe their next challenger will be Hideaki Suzuki.

So...as all read here, based on the original predictions and the new predictions...two have changed as seen above.

"Green Journey 2023 in Nagoya" comes this Saturday (June 17th) at 4:00 AM Eastern on ABEMA in Japanese and Wrestle Universe in English. Go to timeanddate.com and type in the city you live in to find the start time to the event in your area.

[pwrestlingxpress]

NJPW Match Card Set for June 17 + Match Predictions for NOAH's Green Journey in Nagoya 2023

Earlier today, NJPW announced match cards for their televised events in Chiba (for June 10th and 18th) and Hachioji (for June 17th). Down below is the official match card for their June 17th which is part of their "New Japan Road: Road to Strong" tour which starts in Chiba on June 10th. There will be a total of 8 matches on the card 4 of them are pictured down below:

Opening Match: Kosei Fujita vs. Master Wato

Match #2: Yuto Nakashima and Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Boltin Oleg and Tomoaki Honma

Match #3: EVIL, SHO, Yujiro Takahashi, and Dick Togo vs. Hirooki Goto, Togi Makabe, Toru Yano, and Hiroyoshi Tenzan

Match #4: Dan Moloney, Clark Connors, and Gedo vs. Great O-Khan, TJP, and Francesco Akira

Match #5: Alex Coughlin and Gabriel Kidd vs. Oskar Leube and YOSHI-HASHI

Match #6: Shota Umino, Ren Narita, El Desperado, and Tiger Mask vs. Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tomohiro Ishii, and YOH

Semi-main Event: Tetsuya Naito, Shingo Takagi, and BUSHI vs. Taka Michinoku, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, and Taichi

Main Event: Yota Tsuji and Hiromu Takahashi vs. SANADA and DOUKI

"New Japan Road: Road to the Strong" in Hachioji airs on NJPW World at 6 PM Local Time/5 AM Eastern/4 AM Central/2 AM Pacific.

But before that, we will have Pro Wrestling NOAH's "Green Journey in Nagoya 2023" which will air on ABEMA and Wrestle Universe at 5 PM Local Time/4 AM Eastern/3 AM Central/1 AM Pacific on the same day as "New Japan Road" in Hachioji in which right now I will give you my full match predictions for the NOAH event as promised when the match card was officially announced last week.

Opening Match Prediction: I can understand that Hiroki wants to prove himself but by leaving Kongo, he has left a big hole. Already knowing he'll lose to Kenoh, losing to Hajime Ohara is not a option but...with the way he's been going, can't see him beating Ohara. Hajime Ohara will win the opening match.

Match #2 Prediction: This match is very intriguing but if I'm to pick a side then I'm going with the team of Mohammed Yone, Super Crazy, and Alejandro for the win.

Match #3 Prediction: Apparently Hideaki Suzuki is not happy about this match and based on how he is. I'm expecting this singles bout against Shuhei Taniguchi to be a brawl. Hideaki Suzuki will dominate and win in easy fashion.

Match #4 Prediction: When this match was originally announced, I thought that this would be used to determine Hijo del Dr. Wagner's next challenger for the GHC National Championship. But with Kaito Kiyomiya's participation in the G1 announced, this is his chance to show his 7 block opponents (which will be announced on June 10th) what he's made of. I still see Kiyomiya winning and at the same time make a statement as G1 Climax 33 looms for him.

Match #5 Prediction: This is no typo everyone, Naomichi Marufuji is actually teaming up with Eita against Daiki Inaba and Atsushi Kotoge in which I see the crumbling of Kotoge continue. Eita and Marufuji with the surprise victory.

Match #6 Prediction: Welcome back Jack Morris, we missed you. GLG vs. Stinger and Sean Legacy is sure going to be something. My prediction on this match will be very interesting for I have Stinger and Legacy continuing that momentum they've been having since May 4th in Ryogoku. Stinger and Sean Legacy with the win.

Match #7 Prediction: A rematch from May 14th and a preview match for June 22nd all in one match. AXIZ returned on May 14th in a losing effort as Go Shiozaki was pinned by Kenoh in the main event. Since that loss, AXIZ has won their next two matches and it is expected by the time they get to Nagoya they will be 4-1 since reuniting. My prediction is that AXIZ will get the win here but it will be interesting to see if this match will be for the AJPW World Tag Team Championship by then. Also, note...Go Shiozaki has never defeated Kenoh in singles competition. A win here in Nagoya could boost his confidence to get that first win over the Kongo leader in Korakuen Hall five days later.

Match #8 Prediction: Very hard match to predict here but one thing is clear, Dante Leon will do whatever it takes to win back the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship and though I can see him winning somehow I don't. HAYATA will retain but how though remains to be seen.

Semi-main Event Match Prediction: My expectation here is that whoever wins between Kongo and AXIZ two matches earlier will be the next challenger team for the GHC Tag Team Championships. This match is hard to predict because when you have Saxon Huxley in the ring, he's out of control. He's the true definition of being the savage David Finlay wants in his Bullet Club. Anyway, this match...I'm predicting as of right now new tag team champions with AXIZ coming out as the next challenger team. However, should the champion team retain, this could be the chance for Go to exact some revenge because it was Timothy Thatcher that put him on the shelf in Osaka back in September. Nonetheless...here I see new champions but always expect the unexpected when it comes to Saxon Huxley.

Main Event Prediction: There's a saying, be careful what you wish for, you just might get it. My prediction here is a very intriguing one for I see Jake Lee retaining despite being dominated by the challenger Takashi Sugiura throughout most of the tour. Jake Lee's toughest challenge will result in his toughest victory and should he emerge victorious be interesting to see who' will be next.

So, those are my predictions for Pro Wrestling NOAH's "Green Journey in Nagoya 2023". Sorry but no predictions for "New Japan Road". The next NJPW event that I'll do predictions on will be their "Forbidden Door" event at the end of June and their two Independence Day Events during the 4th of July 2023.

"New Japan Road: Road to Strong" in Hachioji airs on NJPW World this Saturday at 5:00 AM Eastern while "Green Journey in Nagoya 2023" airs the same date at 4:00 AM Eastern on ABEMA for Japanese Commentary and Wrestle Universe for English commentary.

Go to timeanddate.com, type in the city you live in to find out the start time to these 2 events in your area.

[pwrestlingxpress]

Match Card set for "Green Journey in Nagoya 2023"

Though these were announced on Thursday, I apologize for never putting up until now but down below is the official match card for Pro Wrestling NOAH's "Green Journey in Nagoya 2023" taking place on June 17, 2023 at the Nagoya Congress Center Event Hall which was one of the venues that hosted the recently concluded NJPW "Best of Super Junior 30" .

Anyway, here is the match card starting with the undercard matches:

Opening the main card will be Hiroki and Hajime Ohara 1-on-1. Then we will have a 6-man tag followed by another singles match between Hideaki Suzuki and Shuhei Taniguchi. After that, 6-man tag action that could preview Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.'s next challenger for the GHC National Championship in which many believe it to be Kaito Kiyomya. This will be followed by a standard tag match that I have a feeling one person (Naomichi Marufuji) is very hesitant at this match because of one word, trust. Then we'll end the undercard with a 6-man tag preview of the GHC Junior Tag Team Championships taking place on June 22nd in Korakuen Hall.

Now we get to the key matches of "Green Journey 2023 in Nagoya"

Kenoh and Manabu Soya (Kongo/AJPW World Tag Team Champions) vs. Go Shiozaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima (AXIZ)

GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship: Dante Leon (Challenger) vs. HAYATA (Champion)

GHC Tag Team Championship: Masa Kitamiya and Yoshiki Inamura (The Tough/Challenger Team) vs. Saxon Huxley and Timothy Thatcher (REAL/Champion Team)

GHC Heavyweight Championship: Takashi Sugiura (Challenger) vs. Jake Lee (GLG/Champion)

So we'll start the key matches with a rematch from May 14th as the ongoing drama between Kenoh and AXIZ reaches the possible final chapter. After that, HAYATA's toughest challenge to date. Do not underestimate Dante Leon. Then in the semi-main, another reunited team looks to stop a monstrous force that can only be contained by calming one down. Then in the main event, perhaps Jake Lee's toughest challenge to date.

"Green Journey in Nagoya" comes June 17th from Nagoya on ABEMA for Japanese commentary and Wrestle Universe for English commentary. Event will start at 4:00 AM Eastern/5:00 PM Japan Time/3:00 AM Central/1:00 AM Pacific. If your start time is not listed, go to timeanddate.com and type in the city you currently live in to find out the start time in your area and enjoy "Green Journey in Nagoya".

One more thing...I will be posting predictions for this event as soon as NJPW's match card for their event which takes place the same day is announced. Expect predictions most likely next weekend.