>>16659801It wasn't until after Suzuki was long gone that the cracks started to form again.
Marufuji, Shiozaki and Sugiura traded the belt back and forth. Nakajima broke the stalemate and was given a monster 300+ day reign before... holy shit... Eddie Edwards. The fuck is wrong with NOAH?
No worries, don't panic. Kenoh rises up and takes back the belt and the pride of NOAH.
Back on track! Short reign for Kenoh but Sugiura is a worthy champ and he puts over Kiyomiya clean. Kiyomiya is far from ready but it's remarkable that NOAH gives him a near 400 day reign before dropping it to Shiozaki.
Shiozaki has the best reign of the COVID era, and that statement isn't limited to Japan. No company on Earth did it better.
How was he rewarded? An aging Muto takes the title off him. Well... to be expected in Japan I guess. Muto was the last active legend from the 80s/90s. Let's hope he puts over younger talent... Kiyomiya: loss, Kitamura: loss. Marufuji ultimately takes the title, and I love Marufuji... but he didn't need the rub. Nakajima drops him and then loses to Fujita. No comments needed. 63 days later Fujita surrenders the title after disagreeing with booking.
Shiozaki regains the title from the illustrious VACANT. 43 days later another aging star needs some faded glory recognition. Kojima takes the title for a whopping 34 days before DOING WHAT MUTO SHOULD HAVE DONE IN 2021 and puts over Kenoh.
Inexplicably, the man who absolutely NEEDS a lengthy defining run is immediately challenged by a guy that NEEDS a big win to solidify their worth. Booking failure 101 as Kiyomiya takes the title. NOAH gets Jake Lee and furiously masterbates over their huge win by giving him a 223 day reign, absolutely crushing every single goddamn NOAH wrestler in the process. Kiyomiya: beaten, Nakajima: bashed, Marufuji: in tatters, Sugiura: dominated, Shiozaki: stepped on.
Finally, the fans are given mercy when Kenoh slays the dragon! I can't hate on Wagner winning.
