NOAH Destination 2024

NOAH's "RIZIN" PPV Delivers Thrills and Upsets at Nippon Budokan

July 12th, Tokyo, Japan - The Nippon Budokan played host to Pro Wrestling NOAH's latest pay-per-view spectacular, "RIZIN", a card that boasted an intriguing mix of established stars, rising talent, and championship showdowns. And while the event was not without its surprises, it ultimately proved a resounding success for fans in attendance and those watching at home.

The evening kicked off with a trio of pre-show matches, each offering glimpses into NOAH's vast and varied roster. The first of these saw All Rebellion (Alejandro and Cristobal) emerge victorious over Junta Miyawaki, Ninja Mack, Hajime Ohara, and Super Crazy in a chaotic three-way tag team match. Daiki Inaba, Manabu Soya, and Masa Kitamiya then joined forces to take down REAL and Takashi Sugiura in a high-energy six-man tag contest, while AKIRA, Eita, and Shuji Kondo similarly outmaneuvered Ryohei Oiwa, Yoshinari Ogawa, and Yu Owada.

The main card got underway with Kenoh earning a hard-fought singles win over Yuji Nagata in a bout that showcased the former's impressive mat skills. The first of several six-man tag matches followed, as GLG (Jake Lee, Tadasuke, and YO-HEY) came out on top against their GLG counterparts (Anthony Greene, Jack Morris, and LJ Cleary).

Championship action arrived next in the form of two title tilts. Go Shiozaki successfully defended his ZERO1 World Heavyweight Championship against Akitoshi Saito, while Ulka Sasaki emerged victorious over HAYATA to retain his GHC National Title. The evening's junior title match saw AMAKUSA overcome Daga to claim the GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship.

In other tag team action, El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno Del Mal proved too much for Alpha Wolf and Dragon Bane. These bouts served as effective precursors to the night's headlining matches.

AJ Styles and Naomichi Marufuji delivered a show-stealing singles contest, with Styles ultimately securing victory in 25:27. This thrilling affair was closely followed by the GHC Heavyweight Championship main event. Kaito Kiyomiya capitalized on a momentary lapse from YOICHI to claim the gold, capping off an action-packed evening at the Nippon Budokan.

While not every match reached its full potential, "RIZIN" proved a resounding success for NOAH and its fans. The event's mix of established stars, up-and-coming talent, and championship showdowns ensured that there was something for everyone to enjoy. For those in attendance at the Nippon Budokan, it was an unforgettable night of professional wrestling.

Final Thoughts

The main event between AJ Styles and Naomichi Marufuji will be remembered as one of the greatest matches of 2024. Both competitors showcased their incredible athleticism and grappling skills, leaving fans on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Kaito Kiyomiya's victory over YOICHI in the GHC Heavyweight Championship main event marked a significant milestone in his young career. With this win, he cements himself as one of NOAH's top stars going forward.

Ulka Sasaki's GHC National Title defense against HAYATA was an excellent showcase for both competitors' technical abilities and submission skills.

The evening's tag team matches, while not always the most memorable, served their purpose in providing some fun, fast-paced action to spice up the card.

Overall Grade: B+

Recommendation: Fans of professional wrestling owe it to themselves to seek out a replay of "RIZIN". The event boasted an impressive array of talent, with many matches deserving of further examination. For those who missed the live broadcast, this is an absolute must-see.

Stay tuned for further updates and analysis from zohash.com!

Card Details

Date: 12 Jul 2024
Promotion: Pro Wrestling NOAH
Arena: Nippon Budokan
Attendance: 4196
Type: Pay Per View
Broadcast Type: Live
Broadcast Date: 12 Jul 2024

Matches

All Rebellion (Alejandro and Cristobal) defeat Junta Miyawaki and Ninja Mack and Hajime Ohara and Super Crazy in a Pre-Show Three Way Tag Team Match
Match Time: 08:48
Daiki Inaba, Manabu Soya and Masa Kitamiya defeat REAL and Takashi Sugiura in a Pre-Show Six Man Tag Team Match
Match Time: 09:55
AKIRA, Eita and Shuji Kondo defeat Ryohei Oiwa, Yoshinari Ogawa and Yu Owada in a Pre-Show Six Man Tag Team Match
Match Time: 12:00
Kenoh defeat Yuji Nagata in a Singles Match
Match Time: 12:05
GLG (Jake Lee, Tadasuke and YO-HEY) defeat GLG (Anthony Greene, Jack Morris and LJ Cleary) in a Six Man Tag Team Match
Match Time: 13:44
Go Shiozaki(C) defeat Akitoshi Saito in a ZERO1 World Heavyweight Title Match
Ulka Sasaki(C) defeat HAYATA in a GHC National Title Match
AMAKUSA(C) defeat Daga in a GHC Junior Heavyweight Title Match
El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. and Galeno Del Mal defeat Alpha Wolf and Dragon Bane in a Tag Team Match
Match Time: 13:43
AJ Styles defeat Naomichi Marufuji in a Singles Match
Match Time: 25:27
Kaito Kiyomiya(C) defeat YOICHI in a GHC Heavyweight Title Match
Match Time: 25:31