Pro Wrestling NOAH kicked off the new year with its highly anticipated event, 'The New Year 2025,' at the iconic Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. This year's showcase featured exciting matches and notable championship title changes, attracting wrestling fans from around the globe.
The event saw several thrilling bouts, including the finals of the GHC Tag Team Championship, where WWE’s Omos, alongside partner Jack Morris, made history by becoming the first WWE-signed wrestler to capture gold in Pro Wrestling NOAH. They faced the reigning champions, Naomichi Marufuji and Takashi Sugiura, and emerged victorious, showcasing impressive teamwork and physical dominance. The bout ended with Omos pinning Marufuji, leading to Team 2000X's historic victory.
WWE United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura also graced the ring at the event, marking his return to NOAH after two years. His match against Ulka Sasaki showcased Nakamura's signature style and charisma, capturing the audience’s attention from the get-go. Despite Sasaki’s initial control with submission holds, Nakamura employed his cunning tactics; after blinding Sasaki with mist and delivering two devastating Kinshasa kicks, he secured the victory.
Overall results from 'The New Year 2025' event were as follows:
- Battle Royal: Tadasuke defeated Daiki Odashima, Harutoki, Shuhei Taniguchi, Yu Owada, Yuto Kikuchi.
- GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: RATEL'S (HAYATA & YO-HEY) (c) defeated All Rebellion (Alejandro & Kai Fujimura) and AMAKUSA & Junta Miyawaki.
- Tag Team Match: Go Shiozaki, Atsushi Kotoge, Hajime Ohara & Mohammed Yone defeated Kazuyuki Fujita, Black Menso-re, Tetsuya Endo & Shuji Ishikawa.
- Singles Match: Daiki Odashima vs. Kazuyuki Fujita ended in a time-limit draw.
- Galeno Del Mal defeated El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.
- KENTA defeated Kenoh.
- GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship – Best Two Out Of Three Falls: Eita defeated Daga (c).
- GHC National Championship: Manabu Soya (c) defeated Masa Kitamiya.
- GHC Tag Team Championship: Team 2000X (Jack Morris & Omos) defeated Naomichi Marufuji & Takashi Sugiura (c).
- Shinsuke Nakamura defeated Ulka Sasaki.
- GHC Heavyweight Championship: Taishi Ozawa defeated Kaito Kiyomiya (c).
This event not only showcased the best of Pro Wrestling NOAH but also highlighted the growing relations between WWE and NOAH, particularly with Nakamura’s and Omos’ presence. Nakamura’s return to NOAH was significant for his fans, as it marked his first appearance since defeating the legendary Great Muta at the same event the previous year.
Nakamura's match against Sasaki displayed his versatility as he integrated his WWE persona with the NOAH style. Fans witnessed Nakamura reclaiming his place at the forefront of Japanese wrestling, and his signature entrance, complete with the United States Championship, set the tone for what turned out to be another triumphant chapter in his career. This thrilling encounter left fans speculating about the possibility of future appearances by Nakamura at NOAH events.
With Omos now holding the GHC Tag Team Championship, eyes are on both him and Nakamura as they navigate their careers across different promotions. Their performances at 'The New Year 2025' have certainly set expectations high for what's next to come from these superstars. The event concluded with both gratitude and excitement within the wrestling community, as fans are left eager for the next chapter in the fascinating partnership between WWE and Pro Wrestling NOAH.