Guest Joshua A. Norton Report post Posted April 24, 2005 From http://noah.puroresufan.com/ The day has finally come. Toshiaki Kawada made his first appearance in a NOAH ring to announce to NOAH president Mitsuharu Misawa that he would be participating on the NOAH July 18th "DESTINY" Tokyo Dome show. Any long time followers of Japanese wrestling will be able to appreciate how massive Kawada showing up in NOAH truly is. In further 7/18 related news, it has been confirmed that Kensuke Sasaki will be facing former GHC Heavyweight Champion Kenta Kobashi in a singles match at the Tokyo Dome! This is a dream clash between two of the hardest hitting men in professional wrestling history, and once again it appears as if NOAH's annual Tokyo Dome show will be an epic event. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jingus 0 Report post Posted April 24, 2005 Well, damn. And I thought that Hogan, Piper, and Sable coming back to work for Vince again was a surprise. There's obviously been a massive amount of crossovers and "invasions" in Japanese promotions in the past few years. Is that just because business has been down and the various companies are trying to spark fan interest by hotshotting the territory, or is there a deeper cultural shift that is a symptom on changing attitudes in Japan on how to do business? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Desperate Housewife Report post Posted April 24, 2005 That's easily the greatest picture of all time Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest krazykat72 Report post Posted April 25, 2005 Well, damn. And I thought that Hogan, Piper, and Sable coming back to work for Vince again was a surprise. There's obviously been a massive amount of crossovers and "invasions" in Japanese promotions in the past few years. Is that just because business has been down and the various companies are trying to spark fan interest by hotshotting the territory, or is there a deeper cultural shift that is a symptom on changing attitudes in Japan on how to do business? It's because business is down and NOAH needs something to draw a big crowd to the Tokyo Dome. -Paul Jacobi- Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
I like Forums 0 Report post Posted April 25, 2005 Can some one explain why Kawada in NOAH is a big deal? Is he still with AJPW? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jingus 0 Report post Posted April 25, 2005 He was until recently, when he announced that he was now a "freelance" wrestler. Short version: after Giant Baba died, Misawa abandoned AJPW in 2000 and took almost the entire roster with him to form NOAH. Kawada was one of the few guys who remained loyal and stayed at AJPW. Also, Kawada and Misawa have known each other since they were kids and apparently have a lot of unsettled heat over various issues. Therefore, seeing this picture is a very unexpected development indeed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Joshua A. Norton Report post Posted April 25, 2005 The long version can be found here. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vyce 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2005 Just saw this. Goddamn, that's some great heat right there. The match probably won't be that great (though still might be good), given that both aren't what they used to be, but the heat for the match should be thermonuclear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sass 0 Report post Posted April 26, 2005 This match will probably give All-Japan Misawa vs. Muto/Muta at the next big AJ show if Kawada is working a NOAH show. That's like the only real money match that either company has a shot at selling out the Tokyo Dome with. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Mordecai's Cathedral Report post Posted April 27, 2005 Mitsuharu Misawa will take on Toshiaki Kawada in a match that needs no introduction. It has been confirmed today that the two will meet in a singles match, resuming their over decade long feud. Kawada was an intricate part to the NOAH-All Japan split, being the only native wrestler apart from Masanobu Fuchi not to defect to NOAH; can he channel his anger towards Misawa into a singles victory? Credit: http://noah.puroresufan.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites