Horrible Yet...AWESOME...But Still Horrible News :(

12/10 Great Voyage '06 Tokyo Nippon Budokan Results

Mitsuharu Misawa became the 11th GHC Heavyweight Champion today, pinning his one time protege Naomichi Marufuji in the main event today. Misawa, who is the first wrestler in NOAH history to become champion for the third time, had vowed that this was perhaps his last title challenge and this showed in the drive and determination for victory he displayed. Today's record crowd of 16,800 willed on the NOAH president, who used an avalanche style version of the Emerald Frosion to gain victory. After the match, Takeshi Morishima entered the ring and declared his intention to challenge for the belt. Misawa accepted, predicting that the match would be a severe fight.

Kenta Kobashi made his return to Pro Wrestling NOAH after the 4th match, being met with a hero's reception from the crowd. Dressed in a suit, Kobashi said that he had been recovering gradually, and that he would return to the ring without fail.

SUWA announced after his loss in the 5th match that he would be retiring before the Spring of 2007, and that he hoped to make the most of his remaining time competing for NOAH.

NOAH "Great Voyage '06", 12/10/06 (NTV/G+ Live)
Tokyo Nippon Budokan
16,800 Fans - Super No Vacancy

1. Tamon Honda, Junji Izumida & Tsuyoshi Kikuchi beat Kentaro Shiga, Kishin Kawabata & Mitsuo Momota (14:13) when Izumida used a schoolboy on Momota.
2. Masao Inoue & Daisuke Ikeda beat Yoshinari Ogawa & Ricky Marvin (12:16) when Ikeda used a brainbuster on Marvin.
3. Takeshi Morishima beat Go Shiosaki (4:45) with a backdrop.
4. Jun Akiyama & Makoto Hashi beat Akitoshi Saito & Shuhei Taniguchi (15:56) when Hashi pinned Taniguchi after Akiyama used the Exploder.
5. Akira Taue, Mushiking Terry, Taiji Ishimori & Atsushi Aoki beat SUWA, TARU, Shuji Kondo & "brother" YASSHI (15:02) when Taue used the Ore Ga Taue on SUWA.
6. GHC Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Title: Takashi Sugiura & Yoshinobu Kanemaru (c) beat NOSAWA & MAZADA (26:06) when Kanemaru used the Touch Out on NOSAWA. (1st defense)
7. Takeshi Rikio, Mohammed Yone & KENTA beat Yoshihiro Takayama, Minoru Suzuki & Takuma Sano (22:44) when Rikio used the Muso on Sano.
8. GHC Heavyweight Title: Mitsuharu Misawa beat Naomichi Marufuji (c) (25:32) with an avalanche-style Emerald Frosion to become the 11th champion.

My Thoughts:

1) Boo for Nao losing. He should have had a longer run. It might look bad that the first Junior o win the GHC title lost it in just 3 months. Hopefully Misawa won't not book another Junior to win the title for awhile. I can definitely see KENTA winning it down the line since he's NOAH's prominant ace.

2) MISAWA VS. JOE....who else wants it?

Judging from just his ROH matches including his defense against Nigel and the first 5 minutes or so of his defense against KENTA, I don't like taking the belt off Marufuji, but whatever.  Japan actually knows what they're doing when it comes to wrestling.The_Dude14

have you seen Kobashi/KENTA vs. Misawa/Marufuji? one of the best Heavy/Junior tag matches since the golden year of 96

I'm not so much annoyed with the decision of removing the belt from Marufuji as i am with the new champion. Takayama's still around, ain't he? Last time i checked, the guy was over like hell and was able to pull out decent matches for a man his size. Marufuji would've looked fine losing to Takayama, since no one would really expect Marufuji to beat Takayama due to the size difference. Marufuji would've left with the respect of the crowd and you would've had a decent short term transitional champion in Takayama.

Considering Morishima couldn't even take out Misawa earlier this year (which may seem like laughably illogical and self indulgent booking given the fact that he's way past his prime and pretty out of shape, but that's a whole different story) , Marufuji doesn't come out of this match looking too bad, but it could've been much better.

I like Marufuji, but facts are facts. The guy didn't draw squat in the Budokan with KENTA, which is the Japanese equivalent of MSG. For that reason, I can understand why Misawa would put the belt on himself, because like it or not, Misawa has enough credibility as a legend to bring in decent business for the time being. Even if Morishima doesn't get the belt this year, they need to start pushing him hard. Don't put him over every big name opponent left and right, but give him some high profile matches, and eventually wins when the time is right.

As for KENTA, i definitely think it was a mistake to put the GHC heavyweight title on Marufuji before him. The only thing keeping KENTA from being a bonafide heavyweight is his actual weight. He has the credibility, the charisma, and marketability of a top ace. Give him some time to bulk up a little and he might be taken seriously.

And SUWA retiring? :(

AND HELL YES, KOBASHI'S COMING BACK!!!!

I'm not so much annoyed with the decision of removing the belt from Marufuji as i am with the new champion. Takayama's still around, ain't he? Last time i checked, the guy was over like hell and was able to pull out decent matches for a man his size. Marufuji would've looked fine losing to Takayama, since no one would really expect Marufuji to beat Takayama due to the size difference. Marufuji would've left with the respect of the crowd and you would've had a decent short term transitional champion in Takayama.

Considering Morishima couldn't even take out Misawa earlier this year (which may seem like laughably illogical and self indulgent booking given the fact that he's way past his prime and pretty out of shape, but that's a whole different story) , Marufuji doesn't come out of this match looking too bad, but it could've been much better.

_Muta

i wouldn't doubt either Morishima or KENTA (maybe another junior, but i don't see who) could take the belt from Misawa cuz past his prime or not, Misawa can really bring out the best with the younger guys.

oh wait, maybe not Morishima yet since him and Yone just won the GHC tag titles. i could see GO getting some bigger matches and then challenging somewhere towards summer navigation tour.

And SUWA retiring? :(

_Muta

i know, i was shocked too. he's only been wrestling not even 10 years.

hey _Muta, did you hear what happened Mutoh? he collapsed in his hotel room on 11/27 and hit his head on the side of something (i think a table). everyone is saying he's been in horrible condition these last few months.