- 2 years ago
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00:00The man who stood at the top of the WWE
00:05once died in Japan.
00:09I wrestled in Japan for almost two years.
00:11I know all about it.
00:12I gotta tell you, sometimes there's nothing better.
00:15Maru Fujii is one of the best I've ever seen in a ring.
00:18Or should I say, phenomenal.
00:20He shared the ring with me.
00:22What can be seen beyond this corridor?
00:27Of course, I'm going to beat Noa.
00:29I'm going to give Noa a chance.
00:35Despair?
00:46Hope?
00:49Of course, I want to give the fans,
00:51the fans who support me,
00:54hope and motivation.
00:57I want them to see that.
01:01It won't be an easy match.
01:04The world vs. Noa
01:06begins now!
01:15Double Main Event 1
01:17Special Single Match
01:19AJ Styles vs. Maru Fujii
01:29You don't want none.
01:34It's time
01:37for Main Event
01:41No. 1!
01:45It's time for the first part
01:47of our Double Main Event.
01:49The WWE Superstar,
01:51the phenomenal
01:53AJ Styles
01:56is here in pro-wrestling Noa.
02:06I cannot believe what we're seeing right now.
02:09WWE Superstar AJ Styles
02:13coming out in the brutal card.
02:18All in special ring attire
02:20and a match for the occasion.
02:23Very special milestone for him today.
02:26It's a contest he's wanted for years.
02:29It's a contest the world has waited for
02:32until this day.
02:37Two-time WWE Champion.
02:43One!
03:03Introducing first,
03:06WWE Superstar,
03:11the Phenomenal
03:14AJ Styles!
03:22Two-time WWE Champion,
03:24AJ Styles
03:26is in the pro-wrestling Noa ring
03:28for the first time in his illustrious career.
03:35About to go up against fellow greatness
03:37and the genius of the arch,
03:39Naomichi Marufuji.
03:41AJ making his return to Japan
03:43for the first time in five years.
03:46Absolutely incredible.
03:48AJ has sought out
03:50Naomichi Marufuji
03:52for tonight's co-main event.
04:10AJ Styles looking so amped up.
04:12He's looking so hungry in the ring right now, Mike.
04:20Hysteric rings out
04:22at the Nippon Budokan.
04:30Four-time GHC Heavyweight Champion,
04:33the genius of the arch,
04:35Naomichi Marufuji
04:37represents Noa today.
04:39Against that match,
04:41the Phenomenal,
04:43AJ Styles.
04:45Such an innovator.
04:47Such a career.
04:49Naomichi Marufuji
04:51is one of the best in the world.
04:54You're a wrestler's favorite wrestler.
04:57One of the most celebrated
04:59wrestlers of all time.
05:01There's a reason he's sought out
05:03by the greats of the game internationally.
05:07Marufuji!
05:12Man who lives and breathes pro-wrestling,
05:14Noa.
05:16Accomplished it all.
05:17He's currently
05:19one half of the GHC Tag Team Champion
05:21for Takeshi Sakura.
05:25This has got a big fight feel to it, Mike.
05:28Where does this go?
05:31The hidden portal has opened here in Tokyo.
05:34A true dream match,
05:36seemingly would have been impossible
05:38just a few years ago.
05:39And there you see
05:40WWE Hall of Famer
05:42on your left, Keiji Muto,
05:44and kickboxing superstar, Takeru.
05:46All the stars are here today, Mike.
05:48It's a star-studded event
05:50at the Budokan
05:52in Tokyo, Japan.
05:53This is incredible.
05:55Once in a lifetime.
05:57WWE versus pro-wrestling Noa.
06:01Perhaps this could be the first of many.
06:03Who knows?
06:04But today,
06:05the genius of the arc
06:07representing Noa on home turf
06:09against a phenomenal opponent
06:12who's had tremendous success around the world,
06:14and especially here in Japan, Mike.
06:17Two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion,
06:19former leader of the Bullet Club.
06:23Styles is unbelievable.
06:26He has been all over the world.
06:28He's won titles all over the world.
06:31Absolutely legendary
06:34wrestler over here.
06:35But Marafuji is no slouch.
06:37He has been in Noa for years and years,
06:40has done everything in this company,
06:42and has been the rock of Noa.
06:45Exactly. He's been flying the flag, isn't he, since day one?
06:47Cartwheel from Marafuji.
06:48Dropkick.
06:49He outmaneuvers AJ Styles there.
06:52Now he understands fully
06:54the task that he's up against today,
06:56the phenomenal one.
06:58He's in there with a genius.
07:01I think he knows exactly
07:03the challenge he has in front of him right now.
07:06Marafuji chantering up.
07:08There was immense respect between these two
07:10at the press conference yesterday, Mike.
07:12Oh, of course.
07:14Noa travel all the way to Japan
07:16for a fight without
07:18a serious, tremendous amount of respect
07:20for your opponent like this.
07:22Both relishing and savoring
07:24this perhaps one-time-only experience.
07:28Noa travel.
07:29Modern-day great AJ Styles
07:31selling everywhere he's been.
07:33Setting a fast pace here
07:35in the early going.
07:37AJ Styles said yesterday he was envious
07:39of the fact that Marafuji has wrestled
07:41the likes of Noa Graves, Mitsuha Misawa,
07:43Kenta Kobashi, and he said that's what
07:45makes the genius of the art so dangerous, Mike.
07:48But then again, we're talking about
07:50the former leader of the Bullet Club
07:52that's wrestled all around Japan himself.
07:56Former IWGP champion.
07:58But has never been
08:00in the pro-wrestling Noa ring.
08:19And you know, when we go back,
08:20we talk about others that have sought
08:22out this particular gentleman.
08:24And you have to ask yourself why.
08:26Will Ospreay came over in Japan.
08:29Before he went to America,
08:31he wanted Marafuji.
08:35The speed of Marafuji, yeah.
08:37Great dropkick though from AJ Styles.
08:40Gorgeous dropkick.
08:42Phenomenal response. Wipes out Marafuji.
08:44Four-time GHE heavyweight champion.
08:47He's creating some distance
08:49between him and AJ now.
08:50That's a wise move from Marafuji.
08:52It's the reason he's called the genius of the art.
08:57AJ Styles chanting Japan.
08:59He hasn't heard these in five years.
09:02Last appearance here was in 2019.
09:05He's competed in Japan 92 times
09:07between 2003 and 2019.
09:11He's got 39 single matches
09:14under his belt in Japan.
09:16He's won 26, he's lost 13.
09:22And he can do it all.
09:24Still at 47 years old,
09:26this man can do it all.
09:27He is jacked.
09:29It's all get up.
09:30He's in the best condition of his career.
09:32That was in particular
09:34for the matches against Cody Rhodes,
09:35WWE undisputed champion.
09:37Backlash in France.
09:39He's going for the cold plunge.
09:41He's in the sauna.
09:42He said they're not things that he wants to do,
09:44but this stage of his career at 47,
09:46in order to stay at the top of his game,
09:49those are things that he has to do.
09:50It's a necessity.
09:52And Marafuji is no slouch either.
09:56It's incredibly impressive style.
10:02Unbelievable.
10:22Incredible.
10:24He is just at the top of his game,
10:26even still.
10:29You just wonder where the peak is.
10:31He's been at the peak for so long.
10:34And speaking of different kind of peak,
10:36this has piqued the interest of fans around the world.
10:38It's also piqued the interest of other members
10:40of the WWE roster.
10:41Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, even Cody Rhodes
10:44have all been talking about this.
10:45They've been saying how special a talent Marafuji is.
10:49But Karl Anderson, former GHE Tag Team Champion,
10:53he said AJ Styles is the best wrestler in the world.
10:57No, no, no.
10:58I believe it.
11:03He's had slabs of muscle under his frame this year,
11:05hasn't he?
11:06AJ Styles came up just short in those two matches
11:09against Cody Rhodes.
11:10Backlash.
11:13High quick match in Scotland.
11:16Pushed American Nightmare right to his limit
11:19on both occasions.
11:21Speaking of muscles though,
11:22he's grinding in his Marafuji on AJ Styles' arm.
11:27Making sure those muscles are well worked over.
11:31Brutal shot there from AJ Styles.
11:32Just wiping the feet from under Marafuji.
11:39Very neat.
11:40He's very important, not just to pro-wrestling,
11:43this is a spiritual home for this company,
11:45but also for Marafuji.
11:46Captured his first GHE Heavyweight Championship here in 2006
11:50when he conquered Yuya Akiyama.
11:54Relentless attack now from AJ Styles.
11:56He's pushing the pace.
11:57And AJ's showing he hasn't forgotten
11:59what it's like to wrestle in Japan.
12:02He's going hard, holding nothing back.
12:07Yes, showing great respect
12:09in and out of the ring for Marafuji.
12:13Jab!
12:14Jab!
12:16Jab!
12:18Jab!
12:21And working over that knee.
12:23That has been a problem for a while,
12:26and it will be a problem in this match for sure.
12:29Yes, definitely.
12:30And you can tell AJ Styles has done his homework.
12:32He knows full well the difficulty,
12:33the problems over the years that Marafuji's had with his knees.
12:38Knee bust up there.
12:40And for Marafuji,
12:42he's had numerous minor surgeries in recent years on the knees
12:45just to drain fluid away.
12:48Trying to prolong his career.
12:51He can still roll back the years on any given occasion,
12:54especially when he's in there with someone special like AJ Styles.
12:59Shots to the body for Marafuji.
13:02Stiff right hand from AJ.
13:05Hard deal for Marafuji,
13:06but he's struggling on that left knee, Mike.
13:08He tried for the flare,
13:11but the knee wasn't there.
13:13Textbook AJ Styles in that diving forearm.
13:17Little Marafuji could do about that.
13:27Marafuji breathing heavy now.
13:31Pendulum backbreaker from AJ Styles.
13:33Working him over with a barrage of offense.
13:37And at the same time,
13:38he's still staying methodical, isn't he, Mike?
13:40He's pacing himself, is AJ Styles.
13:42That comes with all his years of experience.
13:46So decorated.
13:52Marafuji trying to fight back here.
13:54He's gripping the tights of AJ.
13:58We need a timely response from Marafuji here.
14:01Snap suplex from AJ.
14:06AJ wants you to go.
14:07You're gonna go.
14:09He willed that suplex into existence.
14:12He knows exactly when to push the pace.
14:15Senses any weakness in his opponent.
14:19Capitalizes instantly.
14:24AJ acknowledging the crowd's Marafuji chance.
14:27Downward elbow from AJ.
14:30And you've got to love Japan.
14:31The crowd is silent and loud all at the same time.
14:38Irish whip. Marafuji goes into the corner.
14:42AJ gets lifted up and over onto the apron.
14:46Oh, could it be time?
14:48Oh, Marafuji cuts off AJ.
14:51Just when it looked like he was going to be the winner.
14:53Oh, Marafuji cuts off AJ.
14:56Just when it looked like he was going for that phenomenal forearm perhaps, Mike.
14:59Genius move from the genius of the art right there.
15:03Took out his base.
15:07Yeah, and did so by connecting with the ropes.
15:09Which unbalanced AJ and sent him out onto the floor.
15:15What does Marafuji do here though?
15:17Does he try and regain his composure?
15:19Or does he go and confront AJ on the outside?
15:22This is the question.
15:25You know, he's been dealing with injuries for a while now.
15:27But if anybody can uncork some brilliance.
15:31Some magic.
15:32It's Naomichi Marafuji.
15:39Marafuji looking to open up AJ now.
15:45This doesn't bode well for the two-time WWE champion.
15:48First chop of our double main event part one.
15:58Second for Marafuji.
16:02Sickening chops.
16:04It's going to be some lacerations across the chest of AJ.
16:09An onchalon kicks to the face now from Marafuji.
16:12Signature offense.
16:16Stamp on the foot.
16:19And that new spin kick he's added to his arsenal recently.
16:23Irish whip.
16:24AJ Styles reverses it.
16:25Marafuji into the corner.
16:27Marafuji gets a boot up.
16:30On the ropes.
16:31AJ connects with a kick.
16:34Marafuji on the ropes.
16:36The lariat.
16:37And the Marafuji with the Marafuji rope.
16:40Yep. Cody Rhodes, American Nightmare.
16:42He said he calls up the Marafuji in his interview.
16:45Exactly.
16:49There's the foot stomp.
16:50Another move that was innovated by Marafuji.
16:59There's the one count there to Marafuji now.
17:01This is a good spell for him, Mike.
17:03Yeah, Styles looks a little bit shocked.
17:06I don't know if he imagined that he'd be dealing with this level of offense, to be honest.
17:19Marafuji's got to deal with the strength now of AJ.
17:26Suplex.
17:27This is with a hook kick.
17:29AJ suplex into the turnbuckle.
17:36Definitely turned the tide over there.
17:38It's a move so dangerous that he's used to such great effect over the years.
17:45Marafuji's crash into the turnbuckle.
17:49Marafuji trying to regain his composure.
17:51That's the slide out of the ring, but...
17:54Yeesh.
17:56AJ Styles has got arguably a wider repertoire than perhaps anyone in the sport, Mike.
18:02Little moments like that that can turn a contest around.
18:06And he's not afraid to go to the sky.
18:10A kick then, blocked by Marafuji.
18:13Hebuster onto the apron.
18:14Right here in front of us now, on the outside.
18:24Marafuji springboard dropkick.
18:28Beautifully done.
18:34Styles now regaining his composure if he can.
18:37But Marafuji looks ready to pounce.
18:41Ready to pounce.
18:47Marafuji turns it right around.
18:49He gets driven into the guardrail.
18:57Marafuji with a lariat.
18:58AJ on top of our announce table now.
19:01Gets sent here by Marafuji.
19:06You knew it was going to happen.
19:07It's only a matter of time.
19:09Here right in front of us here at the announce table.
19:12This shows the serious nature of this contest.
19:15It's one that both men desperately want to win.
19:16They know that they'll get one chance at this, Mike.
19:22Springboard off the guardrail.
19:23Phenomenal forearm.
19:24Phenomenal forearm right in front of us.
19:32That was the first commentating standing up.
19:34My god.
19:35What a maneuver.
19:38AJ Styles transferring out to the Nippon Budokan.
19:43How ecstatic are these fans to get to see AJ Styles back in person.
19:47First time in five years wrestling in Japan.
19:52He's built up quite the legacy here.
20:04Springboard phenomenal forearm from the guardrail on the outside.
20:09Marafuji is still down.
20:19Super kick from Marafuji right there.
20:22What did he think he'd get?
20:24Shiranui!
20:25Shiranui on the guardrail.
20:28Oh my lord.
20:30Innovating to this very day.
20:32The four-time GHE heavyweight champion now meeting Marafuji.
20:38He has launched AJ Styles headfirst into the guardrail.
20:43It looked like he's dented the middle of the guardrail with AJ Styles' head.
20:51I thought he was going to go the opposite way, Mike.
20:53Towards the turnbuckle or towards the apron.
20:55I did also.
20:59You never know what is in the mind of Naomi to Marafuji.
21:02He's always thinking several steps ahead.
21:05Always thinking and targeting the unexpected.
21:08That's what made him such a beloved figure here in Japan.
21:13AJ Styles finally back into the ring.
21:17Referee breathing a sense of relief there.
21:23No countouts.
21:27Koji with a co-op to the back of the head of AJ.
21:35Marafuji wants to finish this, Mike.
21:37Again, those back-of-the-neck shots are brutal.
21:41Yeah, Marafuji possesses KO power with these strikes.
21:44Looking for the Shiranui.
21:47AJ was alert to the danger.
21:52Ishigarashi from AJ Styles!
21:58Back and forth.
22:00How much pressure did he apply in that pin attempt?
22:02Did you see that?
22:03Double leg.
22:04Everything to try and get that cover to W from Marafuji.
22:09But it wasn't enough.
22:11And what does it take?
22:17In this kind of setting, when you press the buttons of Marafuji,
22:20pro-wrestling Noa, major event.
22:24Double main event.
22:26Huge jam-packed crowd at the Nippon Budokan.
22:29Fighting pride of pro-wrestling Noa.
22:31AJ Styles climbing up top, Mike.
22:33Slap to the face.
22:36High risk.
22:39Headbutts all around.
22:41Marafuji just upping the physicality now.
22:45Right hand from AJ, right hand from Marafuji.
22:48Trading shots in a highly precarious position, Mike.
22:59Marafuji going for something big.
23:01This is unfamiliar domain in recent times, but not over the years.
23:05AJ's trying to slip out and end it, and he's managed so.
23:08Puts the leg away of Marafuji.
23:10Loading him up again now.
23:12Torture rack.
23:15Torture rack.
23:17It's a rack bomb from AJ Styles!
23:232.9 reoccurring there.
23:25Shades of a burning hammer.
23:27Yep.
23:28I was worried for a moment there.
23:31We've had some serious impacts.
23:33AJ Styles did in fact use Kenta Kobashi's burning hammer in that match with Cody Rhodes.
23:38Backlash in May.
23:44Gotta wonder if he's not scouted that out in advance of this match.
23:49That wasn't a preparation for Marafuji.
23:51These two are so well matched, aren't they?
23:54Juniors who became heavyweight superstars.
23:59AJ gets sent over to the apron.
24:01Big forearm.
24:06Faked him out.
24:07Yep.
24:09AJ Styles, he's outmaneuvered and outfoxed.
24:12Marafuji.
24:14450!
24:15The superman, he misses.
24:17Marafuji gets both knees up.
24:20That patented superman.
24:24Went for everything there.
24:25He risked it all, AJ Styles with the 450.
24:27He calls it the superman.
24:29But the intelligence of Marafuji came to the fore.
24:34Marafuji's not happy though.
24:35He used the knee to block it.
24:37Yep.
24:39He had no choice in that scenario there, Mike.
24:42That could have been game over if AJ Styles connected.
24:49I feel like they're going to claw their way to the middle
24:51in this titanic tussle at the Nippon Budokan.
25:00Trading the centre of the canvas now.
25:02Right beside the pro-wrestling NOAH logo.
25:07Huge overhand right hand.
25:09AJ Styles dishing out offense now.
25:12Marafuji trying to get the blood flowing in those legs again.
25:16Come on.
25:17Come on, says AJ Styles.
25:19Huge chop for Marafuji.
25:21Might be regretting that.
25:24AJ replies with one in kind.
25:30Marafuji, one of the real specialists though in this environment, Mike.
25:35When it comes to chops, Marafuji's got them in spades.
25:39That right hand though, Marafuji's lucky to still have a vertical base.
25:45Oh!
25:49Might be a sting behind that one.
25:51AJ Styles needed a few seconds to recover there.
25:54Ah, re-gaining his composure.
25:59Marafuji a little unsteady on his knees, on his feet over there.
26:02Yep, stay down and a showdown.
26:05Oh!
26:06Marafuji's building momentum now, Mike.
26:09AJ Styles down to one knee.
26:11Chopping him down.
26:14Thunderous right hand from AJ Styles.
26:19Tremendous intensity now.
26:24Marafuji releasing into him.
26:26Marafuji into the corner.
26:28Gets the boot up to block AJ.
26:30Signature Marafuji combination, but he misses with a hook kick once again.
26:34Now it's an AJ combination.
26:36Marafuji gets the hook kick this time.
26:39There's the penalty kick from AJ Styles.
26:43Clashes of brilliance from both men, Mike.
26:46Incredible, the Budokan is rocking right now.
26:57Such high stakes.
26:58Such pressure to live up to this dream match.
27:04They get one crack.
27:06Creating something special today.
27:08Both men are giving it their all.
27:11Who can take one major stealth to add to their respective CVs today.
27:20AJ off the ropes for Marafuji though.
27:22Sit down.
27:24Elbow for Marafuji.
27:28Calf crusher from AJ Styles.
27:32Working over that knee still.
27:36He would more than take a submission victory over Marafuji.
27:39At this point he'll take it any way he can.
27:44He's thrown every bit of his offense at Marafuji.
27:47And somehow...
27:49Yeah, he's gone right through the playbook.
27:51AJ Styles' playbook.
27:53Put away some of the biggest names in the sport over the years.
27:58Marafuji's roll through.
27:59AJ Styles' shoulders were down momentarily then.
28:02He's switching through.
28:03Now he's looking for the short arm scissors.
28:05That perfect key lock.
28:06He could switch into an arm bar of Kibura.
28:09Handward pressure momentarily.
28:11Now it's AJ Styles.
28:14Trying to fight back.
28:16Marafuji trying to work on the arm here, Mike.
28:18Beautiful sequence right there.
28:20Marafuji with some exotic submissions right there.
28:23Yeah, that perfect key lock it is from Marafuji.
28:25The short arm scissors.
28:28Well versed in submissions.
28:30AJ writhing in pain right now.
28:32Yep.
28:35Marafuji's background in Taekwondo wrestling.
28:37Also trained at the Takara Saiyama Tiger Mask Dojo.
28:42Restless gym.
28:50Marafuji retaining wrist control here.
28:52Hands onto one.
28:54Elbow.
28:55There's the hook kick.
28:57There's the co-op.
29:03Another hook kick from Marafuji and a co-op.
29:06Inside leg kick and a flying knee.
29:09What will press?
29:12Just a two for Marafuji.
29:14Marafuji just looking to dismantle him.
29:16Brutal knees.
29:21Marafuji is just putting everything together at the right time it feels here, Mike.
29:27Great series of attacks there.
29:30Styles feeling around his mouth to make sure he didn't lose a tooth there.
29:33Yep.
29:35He's going to go back.
29:37Chiranui block.
29:38Marafuji so slick from the top.
29:40Elbow from AJ Styles.
29:42Second rope.
29:43Moonsault.
29:44He's looking for the inverted DDT.
29:47Super kick from Marafuji.
29:53Chiranui!
29:54Chiranui lands it!
29:57This is the moment.
29:58Come on!
29:59That's right!
30:03The crowd counting in unison here at Nippon Budokan.
30:08And now Marafuji has overcome AJ Styles in the pro-wrestling O-ring.
30:15Marafuji signaling for the end, Mike.
30:17He's signaling for something special because he knows Styles is not going down for anything less.
30:25He's going to have to reach deep into his arsenal is Marafuji.
30:28He came prepared exactly for that.
30:32Looking for Fisherman perhaps.
30:36AJ Styles.
30:39Going to block this.
30:44Can he get it?
30:45Oh no!
30:46He's got him set up for the Styles Clash!
30:48Marafuji's fighting back with some kicks.
30:52Look at this from Marafuji.
30:54Incredible defense to block the Styles Clash.
30:57Well scouted.
30:58Sunset.
31:03Could load him up from this position.
31:07He can move the arms, it's over.
31:10Powerbomb.
31:14One leg almost over.
31:15Two over.
31:16Styles Clash!
31:17Styles Clash, no.
31:20Marafuji's shoulders are down.
31:21One.
31:22Two.
31:24WWE Superstar AJ Styles defeats Naomichi Marafuji on his co-wrestling NOAH debut.
31:34Unbelievable.
31:36The new WWE Superstar.
31:40The Fight Cavalier.
31:44AJ Styles!
31:49My heart is absolutely pounding Mike.
31:51That was a scintillating matchup between two of the greatest of all time.
31:57They left nothing in the tank.
32:01What an epic, epic match that was.
32:05AJ Styles has his distinguished career.
32:08The scalp of the genius of the art.
32:10The four time GHE Heavyweight Champion.
32:13That's going to mean a lot to AJ Styles.
32:16A special moment in his career.
32:18One that he'll reflect on years into the future and long after he's retired.
32:24This is a country that means a great deal to AJ Styles.
32:27This is a country that means a great deal to AJ Styles.
32:31And it's a win over an opponent who he has tremendous admiration for.
32:37A country that helped build his legacy.
32:41Now cementing his legacy forever.
32:53AJ offers his hand.
32:54Marafuji shakes.
32:58Marafuji lifts up the hand of AJ Styles.
33:05He's conquered on home turf today.
33:08By the two time WWE Champion.
33:11Former Intercontinental Champion.
33:21AJ Styles is just absorbing this victory.
33:25Absorbing his return to Japan.
33:27Five years in the making.
33:31Back to his second home.
33:36And we're hoping there's a lot more to come.
33:39Yeah, let us know on social media.
33:41On the hashtag destination 2024.
33:43Noah underscore GHE.
33:45Hashtag WWE.
33:47If you'd like to see AJ Styles in the arc once again.
33:51Or perhaps another representative of WWE.
33:56A riveting debut.
33:58And victory for AJ Styles in Pro Wrestling Noah.
34:04His legacy through day by day.
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