KENOH Wins The GHC Heavyweight Title For The 4th Time, Will Make First Defense Against KENTA

By: Lewis Carlan

Pro Wrestling NOAH superstar KENOH cemented his status as one of the greatest wrestlers the promotion has ever seen as he dethroned the seemingly unbeatable OZAWA to become a four time GHC Heavyweight Champion. This ties him with Takashi Suguira and Naomichi Marufuji for second on the all time list for most GHC Heavyweight Championship reigns. Go Shiozaki leads the field with a total of five reigns.

Korakuen Hall was sold out as NOAH presented NEW DEPARTURE Day 1 on July 19th. In the main event, OZAWA placed his GHC Heavyweight Title on the line for the seventh time against KENOH. The match ended at the 22:11 mark when the referee stopped the match after KENOH hit OZAWA with a Super Octopus Kick and scored a knockout.

After entering into his fourth reign as GHC Heavyweight Champion, KENOH didn’t waste anytime and nominated KENTA as his first challenger. KENTA accepted and the two will meet on July 20th at NEW DEPARTURE Day 2 at Korakuen Hall.

KENOH last faced KENTA in a singles match back on Jan. 1st 2025. KENTA was victorious over KENOH in that bout and hopes to score another victory to end the reign of the new GHC Heavyweight Champion quickly.

KENOH and KENTA each made post-match backstage comments regarding their upcoming GHC Heavyweight Championship bout.

From KENOH:

“I won the GHC Heavyweight Title. I came to NOAH for one reason—to take KENTA’s head. And along the way, I fell in love with NOAH. So tomorrow, with this belt on the line, I’ll take your head… with gratitude in my heart.”

From KENTA:

“After a brutal match like today’s, it’s obvious KENOH’s at a disadvantage going into tomorrow. But he’s still stepping up for a title fight. Not answering that kind of fighting spirit would be unmanly. KENOH—I’ll see you in the ring.”

Pro Wrestling NOAH’s NEW DEPARTURE Day 2 can be seen live on Wrestle Universe subscription streaming service.