4/7 Tokyo Ariake Coliseum 12,000
In the most bizarre and unless I'm missing something idiotic result in company history, Yoshinari Ogawa won the GHC heavyweight from Jun Akiyama. The finish came when Akiyama went for his 3rd exploder Ogawa countered with a henkei kubigatame (version of the small package) to score the huge upset win in just 4:20. Ogawa is the 3rd champ. I guess these days if you hang around long enough and are the bookers buddy they'll eventually will give you the title? While Akiyama has been somewhat disappointing to me in the ring the last few years, he's been NOAH's key player and a big part of some of NJ's biggest shows. He's drawn pretty well by today's standards. On the other hand, Ogawa is a junior heavyweight with a pathetic move set that rightfully has never been taken seriously against the big boys. This title win won't help him any. I wonder how the fans will react to him now because his support since moving up from the junior division into the role as Misawa's main partner was based on being the underdog. What this result does is allow Akiyama to lose to some NJ guys, for instance he owes Nagata a job, before regaining the title. The thing is, champion or not, a loss to Nagata shouldn't hurt Akiyama or NOAH because they are of a similar age, talent, and standing. The same cannot be said for Ogawa, although with the way the loss was done the idea seems to be that people will write it off as a fluke and hopefully this will help get heat earlier in matches and for some underdogs (in a way Hashi's win helps there too but truthfully that match will also only be seen as a disappointment). It seems like this move was done with the logic that NJ can't screw up our title, but to me it hurts NOAH more to ruin your big show by having Akiyama lose to an unworthy champ in less than five minutes then go on with this weak champion than it does to simply have their champion do payback in a non-title match.
Morishima & Rikio made their 2nd defense of the GHC tag, defeating the NJ team of Nakanishi & Yoshie when Morishima backdropped Yoshie at 24:07.
Taue beat Omori in 8:26 to earn the next shot at the GHC heavyweight. That match will be a no win situation for him.
Misawa beat Fuyuki with his running elbow at 15:43.
Hashi won the GHC junior title from Marufuji in 21:28 because Marufuji couldn't continue with a knee injury. The title was then vacated.
Liger & Minoru Tanaka defeated Kikuchi & Kanemaru when the ref stopped the match because at 16:35 Kikuchi was trapped in Tanaka's udehishigigyakujujigatame.
Scorpio pinned Sano at 10:56.

The 4/7 Tokyo Ariake Coliseum show has:
Akiyama defending the GHC heavyweight against Yoshinari Ogawa
Taue vs. Omori for the next shot at the GHC heavyweight
Marufuji defending the GHC junior title against Hashi
Misawa's match is TBA since they are doing an angle with Fuyuki wanting to face him

2/17 Tokyo Nippon Budokan 16,500 sellout
Akiyama & Nagata beat Misawa & Kobashi when Akiyama pinned Kobashi at 26:49 following his one hand clutch exploder. The story of the match was supposed to be Kobashi proving his knees were strong enough to withstand Akiyama's attack, even though he'd eventually succumb to Akiyama. Unfortunately, they didn't hold up. Kobashi had to have 50 cc's of blood drained from his left knee after the match and was told he'd need yet another operation to repair further ligament damage that would keep him out another year. Kobashi has already had 5 operations on his left knee and four on the right in the last 13 months, and that's just since his last short lived comeback.
No Fear lost the GHC tag titles to Morishima & Rikio when Rikio pinned Omori in a powerbomb at 16:01
Marufuji successfully defended the GHC junior title, pinning Juventud at 24:57 following his shiranui.
Kikuchi & Kanemaru beat. Liger & Inoue when Kanemaru used a suichoku rakka shiki no brainbuster on Inoue at 17:38. After the match there was a post match brawl with Kenzo Suzuki, Minoru Tanaka, & Hiroshi Tanahashi against several of NOAH's less experienced wrestlers.

The main matches on the 2/17 Tokyo Nippon Budokan show that features Kobashi's return and NJ participation are:
Misawa & Kobashi against Akiyama & Nagata
No Fear defending the GHC tag titles against Morishima & Rikio
Marufuji defending the GHC junior title against Juventud
Kikuchi & Kanemaru vs. Liger & Inoue. If this is supposed to be an attempt to interest people in NOAH vs. NJ juniors at the very least they should have Sano in Kikuchi's place.

Kenta Kobashi, sporting bleach blond hair, announced that he'd return to the ring for NOAH's big show on 2/17/02 at Tokyo Nippon Budokan. This would put Kobashi's absense from the ring at nearly 400 days.

The year end major show on 12/9 at Tokyo Ariake Coliseum has Akiyama defending the heavyweight title against Vader, the winner of the 11/25 Takaiwa vs. Kikuchi jr. title match defending against Marufuji, and Taue & Izumida vs. Honda & Inoue.

7/27 Tokyo Nippon Budokan 16,500 sellout
Jun Akiyama captured the GHC Heavykyu Senshuken, pinning Mitsuharu Misawa at 24:11 following a one hand clutch exploder. Akiyama withstood 52 elbows and a Tigerdriver off the top rope! Misawa tried his emerald frowjion, but Akiyama avoided it. Misawa was satisfied with his performance, giving his all even if it wasn't enough. Also, from his executive standpoint he was pleased since their first show at the crews previous home base was a sellout (and without relying on outsiders like AJ has to). Akiyama did the Nagata lock II in the match and said he wants to team with Nagata, who was at ringside, which is weird because you'd think they'd have their singles matches before forming a team. I guess since their age and athletic background are similar they are going to try to do a new generation type of thing, which seems to go along with the passing the guard theme of Akiyama's 1st singles title win. Nagata had a tear in his eye when he congradulated Akiyama for the win.
No Fear beat Morishima & Rikio when Takayama pinned Rikio at 12:47.
Kanemaru successfully defended the GHC Junior Heavykyu Senshuken, pinning Donovan Morgan at 17:22 following a suichoku rakka shiki no brainbuster.
Ogawa pinned Michael Modest at 13:09.

NOAH is looking into a talent exchange with a Korean wrestling company. The president of that company was at today's show and Misawa will go to one of their shows next month. If it works out, the trading would start in the fall.

Misawa readily accepted Akiyama's rules for the 7/27 match.
Masao Inoue marriage to 30-year-old Hako Kawauchi, which actually took place on 7/7, was announced.

Akiyama wants his title match with Misawa to be under 3 count only rules so there's no grabbing anyone's foot to prevent from losing (by ring out) and (since neither ever really give up although Akiyama did make Misawa submit last August) no ability for the ref to give up for him (stop the match).

7/22 Hiroshima Sun Plaza 3,600
Misawa & Sano beat Akiyama & Akitoshi Saito when Misawa pinned Akiyama with his emerald frowjion at 9:26. This is the first time Misawa has cleanly pinned Akiyama in NOAH. He also beat him in the GHC semifinals, but since there was a double ring out first apparently Nikkan Sports doesn't count this. There isn't much logic to Misawa finally getting the win before the big show on the 27th, IMO. If Misawa wins again then it's anticlimactic because we just saw him beat Akiyama with his best move, even if in tag, and if Akiyama wins it's not surprising in the sense that Misawa getting a fall here makes it the obvious tradeoff result. If they have a match of the year calibre match like they are capable of then this result will be quickly forgotten no matter who wins on the 27th. Since Nagata is at ringside (it would be silly to have an outsider there unless he's then going to fight one of the two, but numerous angles for interpromotional matches have been started in the last year without ever delivering in the ring because the match isn't agreed upon before anything surfaces publicly) and his natural program is with Akiyama, it would seem likely that Akiyama will win to avenge the two losses mentioned above and then have a big match (or series) later in the year with Nagata.
Taue pinned Ogawa at 10:55.
Vader pinned Sugiura at 4;10 following his chokeslam.
Omori pinned Marufuji at 13:02 following his ax bomber.
Rikio pinned Scorpio at 11:50.

NTV will broadcast some of the 7/27 Budokan show that night, including the GHC match, since it's the big anniversary show and interest is high(er). This is the first time NTV has broadcast a NOAH show on the same day (well, technically it's on late enough that it's the next day).

Akiyama wants Kobashi to be in his corner when he challenges Misawa for the GHC on 7/27 at Nippon Budokan.

Yuji Nagata wants to challenge Misawa for the GHC title. On paper, it's definitely one of the best new matches for match quality.

Kenta Kobashi is still determined to return to the ring, and says it'll happen next year. He's lost 15kg from being hospitalized and not being able to train the way he used to. His knees are still irritated and he doesn't think that's going to get any better. He had 120 needles placed in the right and 80 in the left. He's going to have to have another surgery on his knees in either August or September to remove "bolts."

4/15 Tokyo Ariake Coliseum 12,000 sellout
Misawa became the 1st holder of the GHC Heavykyu Senshuken, pinning Takayama at 21:12 with his emerald frowjion.
Akiyama & Taue beat Morishima & Rikio when Taue pinned Rikio at 20:26 following two nodowa otoshis.
Ogawa & Ikeda & Sano defeated Shiga & Kanemaru & Sugiura when Sano pinned Kanemaru in his Tiger suplex hold at 23:36.
Vader KO'd Saito with his Vader hammer at 3:35.
Scorpio pinned Marufuji in his 450 splash at 17:55.

4/12 Osaka Furitsu Taiikukaikan 2 1,800
In a stunning upset, Yoshihiro Takayama advanced to the finals of the GHC Tournament when he defeated Vader at 9:24. The catch is that it was a DQ, but nonetheless Takayama gets a cheap ticket to putting Misawa over in the final.
Akiyama & Shiga & Morishima beat Taue & Izumida & Inoue when Morishima lariated Izumida at 17:07.
Misawa & Ogawa defeated Omori & Asako when Ogawa pinned Asako in his backdrop hold at 17:52.

4/11 Hiroshima Shi Higashiku Sports Center 2,700
The Misawa vs. Akiyama GHC Semifinal went to a double ring out at 13:35 so they immediately had a 2nd match. This time, Misawa pinned Akiyama at 1:30 to advance to the finals.
Omori & Takayama beat Vader & Scorpio when Takayama used the kitchen sink on Scorpio at 8:49.

4/8 Tokyo Differ Ariake 1,800 sellout
Misawa & Ogawabeat Shiga & Morishima when Ogawa pinned Shiga in his backdrop hold at 19:29.
In a GHC Heavyweight Tournament 2nd round match, Akiyama made Rikio submit to a front facelock at 4:02.

4/6 Ishikawa-ken Sangyo Kaikan 2 2,600
The NOAH tag title tournament won't be held until next year when Kobashi returns.
Misawa & Ogawa & Sano beat Omori & Takayama & Asako when Sano went over Asako at 16:25.
In a GHC Heavyweight Tournament 2nd round match, Vader pinned Ikeda at 7:15 following a sky high chokeslam.

4/4 Okuyama Budokan 2,400
Taue & Izumida & Inoue beat Omori & Takayama & Asako when Inoue pinned Asako at 18:05.
In a GHC Heavyweight Tournament 1st round match, Misawa pinned Ogawa at 19:44 following his deadly emerald move that somebody must spell right, but who knows whom it is. Misawa had no qualms about laying his partner out. He did 3 or 4 Tigerdrivers in succession without even going for the cover. The result of Misawa's brutality is that his chum was carted off on a stretcher. The point, the new belt must be precious if Misawa wants it badly enough to sacrifice his comrad for it.
Honda & Ikeda & Rikio defeated Vader & Scorpio & Pitbull when Rikio lariated Pitbull at 8:19.

4/2 Ota Beppu Peekon Plaza 2,400
Omori & Takayama & Asako beat Misawa & Ikeda & Marufuji when Asako used his SDA on Marufuji at 20:13.
In a GHC Heavyweight Tournament 1st round match, Rikio pinned Morishima in a powerbomb at 14:33.
Vader & Scorpio & Pitbull beat Akiyama & Shiga & Kanemaru when Scorpio pinned Kanemaru at 15:15.

4/1 Fukuoka Kokusai Center 3,800
In a GHC Heavyweight Tournament 1st round match, Akiyama pinned Omori at 22:49 following a one hand/wrist clutch exploder that's called exploder '98.
Vader pinned Sano at 10:01 following a chokeslam.

Kobashi was able to begin rehabing by walking in a heated pool.

3/30 Kumamoto Shi Sogo Taiikukan 2,700
Taue & Honda & Inoue defeated Misawa & Ogawa & Marufuji when Honda pinned Marufuji at 20:42.
No Fear beat Vader & Morishima when Takayama pinned Morishima at 7:10. Vader & Morishima worked on Omori's bad right elbow. The injury is being played up so he has an excuse when he loses to Akiyama on 4/1. Supposedly Omori is going to the hospital tomorrow to have it looked at.
In a GHC Heavyweight Tournament 1st round match, Shiga pinned Scorpio at 13:06 following his swing shiki no DDT.

3/29 Kagoshima Arena 2,800
Vader & Scorpio beat Misawa & Rikio when Vader chokeslammed Rikio at 10:32.
In a GHC Tournament 1st round match, Ikeda pinned Honda following a high kick at 15:16.
No Fear beat Akiyama & Kanemaru when Takayama used the kitchen sink on Kanemaru at 5:41. Akiyama concentrated on destroying Omori's right arm.

Kenta Kobashi was discharged from the hospital and is back home recouperating. Kobashi, whose knees were said to look like that of an 80 year old (even though he turns 34 tomorrow) before the first of four surgeries this year, plans (more likely hopes) to return to the ring early next year. He's going to start walking in a pool first. When he builds up enough strength, he'll switch to walking around his residence in Matsuba.

3/25 Kyoto Shi Taiikukan 3,800
In the first round of the GHC Heavykyu Oza Tournament, Vader pinned Taue following his Big Van crush at 10:46.
Misawa pinned Sano at 18:46 following his running elbow.
Ikeda & Marufuji & Rikio beat Akiyama & Kanemaru & Hashi when Ikeda used his Death Valley bomb on Hashi at 19:33.

3/22 Tokyo Korakuen Hall 2,100 sellout
Misawa & Ogawa & Rikio beat Honma & Sano & Sugiura when Rikio pinned Sugiura at 26:15.
In the first round of the GHC Heavykyu Oza Tournament, Takayama pinned Izumida following a high kick at 8:22.
Omori & Asako defeated Akiyama & Morishima when Asako pinned Morishima in just 2:16. Akiyama KO'd Omori after the match to build heat for their 4/1 tournament match.

3/21 Sagamihara Shiritsu Sogo Taiikukan 2,300
Akiyama & Shiga & Morishima beat Misawa & Ikeda & Marufuji when Shiga used his swing DDT on Marufuji at 20:48.
In the first round of the GHC Heavykyu Oza Tournament, Ogawa pinned Inoue in his backdrop hold at 14:18.

3/18 Tokyo Differ Ariake 1,800
Akiyama & Shiga & Morishima beat Ogawa & Marufuji & Rikio when Shiga made Marufuji submit at 22:42.
In the first round of the GHC Heavykyu Oza Tournament, Misawa pinned Akitoshi Saito at 12:26 with two Tigerdrivers.

Kenta Kobashi's right knee was operated on yet again, the 4th time this year. He may have to have another operation. It's now pretty certain that he won't be wrestling again in 2001, and possible that his career is over.

The winner of the GHC tournament will theoretically recieve 10,000,000 yen.

The Akiyama vs. Omori GHC 1st round match on 4/1 will be the main event of the 1st NOAH show on NTV.

NOAH signed a one year contract with NTV. Their show will air every Friday at midnight.

Misawa is going to take a trip to the US to look for known wrestlers that wouldn't need to be trained. He thinks this is a good time since ECW has unfortunately died (taking watchable US wrestling with it), but most of their quality has already signed on to toil in mediocrity elsewhere. There's a few good juniors to be had, and certainly their undercards could use a whole lot of help. However, they wouldn't get the opportunity to advance beyond the first couple matches so one has to wonder if it would be worth the added expense? Then again, certainly there's plenty of available guys in the US that would be a better utilization of money than Richard Slinger.

The 1st round matches in the GHC Heavykyu Oza Kettei Tournament are:
Misawa vs. Akitoshi Saito 3/18
Masao Inoue vs. Yoshinari Ogawa 3/21
Takayama vs. Izumida 3/22
Taue vs. Vader 3/25
Ikeda vs. Honda 3/29
Scorpio vs. Shiga 3/30
Akiyama vs. Omori 4/1. Akiyama once again claims he's going to win the tournament (probably will), hopefully this time he lasts more than 7 seconds against Omori...
Morishima vs. Rikio 4/2