Text and photos exclusively by Tokio Tsukada / Copyright & Courtesy: PRO WRESTLING NOAH
On September 12, Pro Wrestling NOAH held the opening match of its fall championship tournament, “N-1 VICTORY 2026,” at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
Amid thunderous cheers, the main event featured an official N-1 VICTORY 2026 Block B line up. When Kouga’s participation in Block B was announced, the fans at Korakuen erupted in cheers. Kouga—formerly known as Owada-san, who has been on an overseas tour—has finally returned home, and it seems the time has come for him to showcase his growth.
Although Owada-san set off on an overseas tour as a member of TEAM 2000X, attention is also focused on how Kouga will make his mark within NOAH. This was a clash between TEAM 2000X’s OZAWA and Kouga, who had returned to Japan for the first time in a year after his overseas training.
This rematch between the two—who once fought side by side as “Owada-san” in TEAM 2000X—ended with an unexpected outcome.
During the match, OZAWA repeatedly asked his former comrade for a welcoming hug.
Just past the 15-minute mark, Kouga—who had pretended to accept the hug—hit him with a back drop, sparking a fierce back-and-forth battle filled with conflicting emotions.
However, in the end, OZAWA capitalized on a split-second opening by Koga and, at 19 minutes and 36 seconds, secured the three-count with a lightning-fast reverse pin.
The highly anticipated homecoming match came to an unexpected end.
Unable to accept the sudden outcome, Kouga straddled OZAWA as the final bell rang and unleashed a barrage of furious elbows.
Chaos reigned in the ring, but after Kouga left, OZAWA grabbed the microphone and, while reflecting on their history, delivered a chilling prophecy.
“I, OZAWA, hereby prophesy: Kouga will leave Pro Wrestling NOAH . Because anyone who exaggerates their own importance by claiming ‘I am NOAH’ or ‘I Am NOAH’ has, without exception, left NOAH.”
In response to Kouga, who had boasted “I am NOAH” at the press conference the day before, he pointed out the ominous superstition surrounding the Ark Mat. He also eerily declared his own victory in the league tournament: capturing the championship at the Ryogoku Kokugikan event in October, and the return of a former ally.
“Kouga will leave NOAH, but in his place, Owada-san (aka the same person) will return.At the October 25 Ryogoku Kokugikan event, it will be me who faces (GHC Heavyweight Champion) Tetsuya Naito. And I will defeat Tetsuya Naito and claim the GHC Heavyweight belt. Then, the next challenger will be Owada-san. I will reclaim Owada-san through N-1.”
Backstage, OZAWA justified his victory via a roll-up while further revealing his abnormal obsession with awakening the personality of Owada-san that lies dormant within Koga.
“Hey! Did you see that? Hey. My—no, my lightning-fast reverse pin. Hey! Don’t spout all those excuses, you. A three-count is a three-count, and a win is a win. Kouga, you’re taking over Mr. Owada—you’re hijacking his very personality, aren’t you? Mr. Owada wasn’t the kind of wrestler who tried to impress people with his match performance. Kouga, I’m going to take Owada-san back from you right here at N-1 VICTORY.”
Meanwhile, Kouga—who had been caught off guard in the main event—couldn’t hide his humiliation and exploded with rage.
“Hey, Pro Wrestling NOAH —you don’t win like that in a main event. I’m going to teach OZAWA how to wrestle all over again. Remember that, you bastard.”
On one side was OZAWA, who had secured victory and maintained his psychological edge with an ominous prophecy; on the other was Kouga, vowing revenge after his humiliating defeat.
The battles in Block B, swirling with love and hate, have been filled with unfathomable madness right from the opening match.
The unknown challenger, Chen, defeated the battle-hardened veteran Takashi Sugiura in the “N-1” opener and boldly declared his aim to reach the top, stating, “My goal is the GHC Heavyweight Championship belt.”
The official Block B match, scheduled as the sixth bout, ended in a shocking upset. Titus Alexander clashed head-on with Kenoh, who enjoys overwhelming fan support as one of the top contenders. After a tense back-and-forth battle, at 14 minutes and 49 seconds, Titus landed a devastating Big Ugly, securing a decisive victory over Kenoh.
The winner, who earned two valuable points in the opening match, appeared confident backstage. He dismissed the other competitors—who had no doubt he would win—and forcefully asserted that he would stand at the top. Furthermore, he unveiled his grand vision: a challenge for the GHC Heavyweight Championship that lies ahead.
“I’m convinced that I’ve already won this entire tournament with my match against KENTA. I want to say this to every competitor in this league—to everyone who thinks they’ll win: you’re wrong. Titus Alexander will win this league. And what I’m already setting my sights on is the GHC Heavyweight Championship that lies beyond.”
Meanwhile, Kenoh, who suffered a stinging defeat in his opening match, exuded deep despair. At the press conference the day before, backed by fan support, he had raised a rebellion against the promotion’s upper management and entered the fall festival with great momentum, but after his momentum was cut short right from the start, he couldn’t help but voice his frustration.
Kenoh: “Is my N-1 already over? One loss… Damn,”
…Was all he could say.
On one side, a victor confidently setting his sights on the coveted title; on the other, a defeated fighter, his feet swept out from under him, left in disarray. The brutal survival battle in Block B, packed with top-tier competitors, has painted a stark contrast right from the start.
The N-1 Victory tournament has only just begun. With so many twists and turns ahead leading up to the championship match, you won’t want to take your eyes off NOAH.
