Pro Wrestling NOAH
Summer Epic 2026
July 18, 2026
INTEX Osaka Hall 5
Osaka, Japan

Watch: Wrestle Universe

Atsushi Kotoge, Hajime Ohara, Hi69 & Mohammed Yone def. Hiroto Tsuruya, Katsumi Inahata, Midori Takahashi & Yuto Koyanagi

This was the first of two “dark matches” before the big event and featured Team NOAH taking on the “Ark Rookies.” I spent most of this match trying not to focus on NOAH’s newest venue in Osaka, the INTEX Osaka Hall 5. I have to say that I am not a fan. The building has no character and sounded empty with many fans clearly in attendance. There was not much to see here, the rookies continue to improve, and Kotogoe pinned Takahashi for the win in Kotoge’s hometown. Skippable 

White Raven Squad (HAYATA & Tetsuya Endo) def. Black Menso-re & RYUSEI 

This was the second of two dark matches and featured the odd pairing of Black Menso-re & LTJ’s RYUSEI taking on HAYATA & Endo, who has fallen down the card rapidly in recent weeks. RYUSEI went after Endo before the bell as the tensions between these two continue to escalate. Endo’s fall down the card would be worrying if not for the obvious focus on his issues with RYUSEI. Well, really, it’s the other way around. RYSUEI is the one who seems to have an issue with Endo, but you get the point. There has been clear focus on the development of young talent within NOAH’s booking in 2026 on the undercard, and I’m all for it. Endo got the pin on RYUSEI after a “God’s Right Knee,” for the 1-2-3. Purposeful

Another Osaka native, Harutoki came to the ring to open the main show and welcome the jam-packed crowd to Summer Epic and ensured that he will soon return from injury. That was followed by another incredible opening video package going over all of the matches on the card. Man, I love NOAH’s production!

GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title Match
Alejandro & Dragon Bane (c) def. Love and Peace (JACKY KAMEI & Riiita)

First, I wish that I was surprised by NOAH having a Dragongate referee officiate an interpromotional GHC Title match, on a NOAH show, but I wasn’t. Minor nitpicks aside; you could close your eyes and picture this match. It was fast-paced, energetic, crisp, a lot of fun and a great way to open the show. Dragon Bane got the pin after hitting KAMAI with a “Santa Maria,” making it 4 defenses so far for the Jr. Tag Champs. In my opinion this match was not long enough but they did what they could with the time given. Now please give me Dragon Bane vs JACKY KAMAI, and I will forgive the length of this match. Fun Opener, Too Short

SMACK THE BEAST/5 Minute Challenge/Singles Match
Yoshiki Inamura def. Kazuyuki Fujita 

These two came into this match with “all business” attitudes but Inamura pinned Fujita after a powerbomb around the 4-minute mark, just as the match got going. It was nice to see Inamura finally overcome old “Ironhead,” but this was the second match in a row that was hampered by its length. I know there was only a five-minute time limit, and I was against that idea from the start. I am all for professional wrestling as a whole, shortening the length of events especially after watching AEW’s Forbidden Door a few weeks ago, but these were two matches in a row that I was looking forward to that left me feeling short changed. In my opinion the way to format a show is making the events shorter by having less matches, not shortening the length of anticipated matches. Too Short II

After the match Fujita finally shook Inamura’s hand and also raised it in a show of respect which was the right move and good to see.

N-1 Victory 2026 Entry Four Way Ladder Match
Alpha Wolf def. Tadasuke, Jun Masaoka, Daiki Odashima, AMAKUSA, Kid Lykos & Kid Lykos II

First, let’s start with the positives. This match was non-stop action like a multi-man ladder match should be. It was also very nice to see some infighting within Team 2000X, first, because this match was every man for themselves with only one contract hanging above and second, I want this faction to implode from within and go away forever. Now for the negatives. It was full of the usual ladder match tropes, including Tadasuke putting the ladder over his head and spinning it as other members of the match ran into it face-first for some reason. How about not running towards a spinning ladder in plain sight?!? There were also a lot of wrestlers inexplicably disappearing so the people in the ring could “get their shit in.” Alpha Wolf got the very abrupt win around the ten-minute mark. I am ok with Alpha Wolf winning here even though the story pointed towards Odashima. I would be happy if for the next few years, Odashima tried and failed to enter the N-1 so when he does it feels like a big deal. I really was hoping that there would be some level of original thought since this was NOAH’s first attempt at a ladder match but there wasn’t so I hope this is their first and only attempt. Unoriginal

GHC Heavyweight Title #1 Contenders Match
Tetsuya Naito def. Kaito Kiyomiya

Kiyomiya came out first, wearing a t-shirt, with the energy of a deflated balloon. Maybe he is still sad that his ALL REBELLION faction is no more after it was disbanded back on July 5, in Korakuen Hall. The match began on the mat and featured some rest holds which is a good idea with Naito in the state that he is in. The match continued at a slow and plodding pace but, again I think that was the way to go. The pace did begin to pick up after the ten-minute mark as Kiyomiya hit Naito with a series of “Shining Lancers,” after the “Mad Prince” made an appearance. Soon after, Naito hit the “Mad Prince” with a “Destino” with Kiyomiya doing most of the work to pull it off. And soon after that Naito went for the “Destino” again but instead turned that into a small package to get the pin and earn a shot at the GHC Heavyweight Title. With Naito in a major singles match, this one could have been ugly, but it wasn’t. Kaito looked great as always and we have a new #1 contender in Naito, who I really hope does not win the strap, but this is NOAH and they love “outsiders” winning their gold at the expense of their own roster, especially Kiyomiya. Good

After the match a video package introducing a new NOAH Title was shown and here is a translated transcription of the official announcement.

“Pro Wrestling NOAH is pleased to announce the establishment of a new GHC title: the “GHC 200” Championship. This title was created based on a new concept that overturns traditional pro wrestling conventions by limiting match duration to “just 200 seconds” and determining the winner within that limited timeframe. With an extreme time limit that allows for no momentary lapses, this innovative title will feature unprecedented high-speed and intense back-and-forth action. Accordingly, we will hold the inaugural championship tournament over two days and two events: Sunday, August 9, and Monday, August 10, both at Korakuen Hall. On August 10, 2026, please look forward to the birth of the historic first champion, who will etch a new name into NOAH’s history. Please note that the following “GHC200 Special Rules,” optimized for the 200-second time limit, will be applied during this tournament.”

So, this is basically the NOAH “Speed” Championship. I really do not like this idea. The first-round matches are as follows.

• Kaito Kiyomiya vs. Yoshiki Inamura
• KENOH vs. Alpha Wolf
• Tetsuya Endo vs. AMASUKA
• HAYATA vs. Masa Kitamiya

So, if Kiyomiya wants to advance, for example, he has to beat Inamura in less than 200 seconds? I think this title will end up being another Monday Magic title before too long, and that’s ok with me.

Yo-Hey then made his way to the ring to announce that he will return from his ACL injury at the NOAH Korakuen Hall double header on August 9th & 10th.

GHC Junior Heavyweight Title Match
Eita (c) def. BUSHI

Bushi came to the ring holding the GHC Junior Heavyweight Title belt after recently stealing it from Eita after their tag match on July 12. He did hand the belt back to the Dragon Gate referee who is officiating this match too for some reason. During and after that July 12 tag match, Eita’s knee was injured by LTJ, so Bushi, of course, centered his offense on the injured left knee of Eita during this match. Bushi eventually resorted to spraying his black mist right in the face of Eita and for some reason even though the referee didn’t see the act but saw Eita’s face covered in black goo, he did nothing. He did not even offer to wipe the goo off his face. This is a major problem in wrestling these days. Most of the referees are buffoons. Eita did manage to rip off Bushi’s shirt to wipe his own face off as the referee stood by, useless as a solar-powered flashlight. Bushi went for the mist a second time but as the referee was again “not looking,” Eita blocked the mist with his hands and rubbed them into the eyes of Bushi. Eita then locked on the “Numero Uno” to get the submission win. Useless referee aside, this match had some intensity and was well worked. Eita has impressed me so far on this run as champion, as I really liked his main event match at Korakuen Hall against HAYATA on July 5. This was the second defense of the title for Eita so that’s 2 for 2. Pretty Good

After the match, Kai Fujimura ran in and attacked Eita again. Last time, Bushi ruined Fujimura’s attempt at a title challenge but this time nobody “cut in line” and it looks like he will be Eita’s 3rd challenger for the junior strap.  

GHC Tag Team Title Match
Passion MAX (Manabu Soya & Yuki Iino w/ Yo-Hey) (c) def. Team 2000X (Masa Kitamiya & Takashi Sugiura w/ Yoshi Tatsu)

Soya & Iino came to the ring with the returning Yo-Hey and carrying their recently broken Neo Global Tag League trophies, which Kitamiya & Sugiura recently destroyed. Soya presented Kitamiya with a bill for the broken trophies and told him they would have to pay for them if they lost. Paul Völsch recently made a very good point on the Emerald FlowShow. While Passion MAX straddles the line and is almost too goofy at times, it is their commitment to the act that saves it. When the bell rang, I thought to myself, they should call this match the “Beef Blast.” I have no idea why I am sharing this ridiculous inner monologue but that is what this match was, forearms, lariats, headbutts, various slams, suplexes and of course the usual Team 2000X shenanigans featuring another inept referee. Passion MAX got the win after a “Passion IS” to Kitamiya in an okay match that was bogged down by the usual Team 2000X stuff. At least the right team won, which for the most part has been a theme on this night. Okay

GHC National Title Match
Naomichi Marufuji (c) def. Kenoh

Kenoh has recently challenged Marufuji to not only put his National Title on the line in this match but also his position as Executive Vice President of NOAH as Kenoh feels that it should be him leading NOAH into the future. Stewart Fulton put it perfectly on commentary, that these two might disagree on the path but not the destination when it comes to NOAH’s future. Kenoh was the clear antagonist in this match as he not only tried to get under Marufuji’s skin but also tried to ignite a flame within the “Genius of the Ark.” This was a solid and hard-hitting match with some really nice exchanges between them as Marufuji’s 2026 resurgence rolls on in another successful title defense continuing a very good title reign, getting the win after hitting Kenoh with the “Shiranui.”  Good Stuff

KENTA, who was conspicuous by his absence, made his way to the ring after the match and challenged Marufuji to a title match, and the challenge was accepted. I hope that if there was a big NOAH fan who slipped into a coma 20 years ago, and they woke up today, that they were able to watch this all take place. And if so, I would like to have seen the look on that fan’s face. But in all seriousness, the match should be good, and I look forward to it.

GHC Heavyweight Title Match
Shane Haste (c) (w/ KENTA, Hayata & Tetsuya Endo) def. OZAWA (w/ Yoshi Tatsu, Alpha Wolfe, Kai Fujimura & Tadasuke)

Shane Haste enters this match 77 days into his first GHC Heavyweight Title reign against a former champion in OZAWA. Haste challenged OZAWA at the press conference to wrestle this match without Team 2000X at ringside and he would also wrestle the match unaccompanied by the White Raven Squad. Before the bell rang both men sent their stablemates to the back to honor their agreement. OZAWA actually extended his hand after the bell and shook the champion’s hand, which was surprising. The match began with a feeling out process between champion and challenger with Haste controlling the majority of the first five minutes. 

OZAWA then took control and also took a gnarly spill to the floor as he hit Haste with a “Tope con Hilo.” That was when Team 2000X decided to unfortunately make their way back to ringside. It wasn’t long until Yoshi Tatsu distracted the referee and OZAWA nailed Haste with his literal and figurative crutch just before the ten-minute mark. Eventually after pulling the referee out of the ring to avoid him counting to 3 on OZAWA, the Team 2000X members at ringside got into the ring and began to beat down the champion. Soon Haste’s WRS stablemates came to the ring and made the save as both factions battled to the back. I understand why they did this, but I was really hoping for a no-nonsense main event between these two. I am truly starting to wonder if OZAWA is capable of having a great match. He has all the tools to be a star but where is the list of must-see OZAWA matches? It doesn’t exist and I’m starting to worry now that it never will. 

The last few minutes of this match was the clear highlight as there was no outside inference and they were just trying to beat each other in the middle of the ring. Haste got the pinfall victory and his 3rd title defense as OZAWA suffered his second consecutive singles match loss. 

After the match, the number 1 contender, Tetsuya Naito, made his way to the ring to challenge Haste and the champion accepted. Naito referenced Haste’s victory over him in the 2023 G1 Climax tournament which was a nice touch. Haste told Naito that even though Naito, who was IWGP Champion at the time, did not give Haste a title shot after the G1, he would be an honorable champion and give him a shot at the GHC title. Good

Final Thoughts

I have enjoyed NOAH’s consistency with storytelling the past few months, but what this event needed was a good angle that got people talking or a great match that accomplished the same, and neither of those things happened. This was a much better show than NOAH The New Year 2026, but that is not a high bar. I did enjoy this show as a whole but I was expecting a little more, so Summer Epic 2026 gets a thumbs in the middle from me. August 9th & 10th is shaping up to be a big double header, so I am looking forward to that, see you then and so long.