Photo Credit: Pro Wrestling NOAH
By: Lewis Carlan
The Pro Wrestling NOAH N-1 VICTORY 2026 tournament is set to get underway on Sept. 12 at Korakuen Hall and run through Oct 4th. The N-1 VICTORY is NOAH’s biggest tournament of the year.
Despite the tournament being three weeks away before it begins, NOAH superstar Kaito Kiyomiya has already decided who he wants to face in the finals, should he get there of course.
On Aug 23, Kaito Kiyomiya & Shuji Kondo defeated OZAWA & Masa Kitamiya after Kiyomiya pinned Kitamiya with a figure-four leg lock.
During the post-match backstage interviews, OZAWA had less than pleasant words for Kiyomiya. Kiyomiya responded by challenging his longtime rival to meet him in the N-1 Finals.
From OZAWA:
“Kiyomiya! What was that finish?! ALL REBELLION fell apart because nobody had any faith in you, even Yoshinari Ogawa gave up on you and tore you apart — and you’re still out here saying ‘respect’ while using his move? Have you got no pride?! Dragging out some grandpa pushing 60 and beating him doesn’t mean anything! Have some shame!”
From Kaito Kiyomiya:
“TEAM 2000X, pulling the same petty crap again today! If you’re gonna do it, come at me properly, all the way! It’s not nearly enough! Honestly, retired Ogawa-san has lit more of a fire under me than you have! OZAWA especially — I mean you! You can do better than this! I’ll be waiting for you in the final!”
Kiyomiya wasn’t done as he took to social media and issued the challenge to OZAWA once again.
From Kaito Kiyomiya:
“You know what, you only really come alive when you’re up against me, don’t you? Get yourself to the finals.”
During a recent interview, NOAH legend Yoshinari Ogawa made a comparison that has Kiyomiya all fired up. Ogawa stated that he feels NJPW star Ryohei Oiwa, who is coming off winning the NJPW G1 Climax 36 tournament, has risen higher than Kiyomiya in the world of pro-wrestling.
Kiyomiya suggested that if he wins the upcoming NOAH N-1 VICTORY tournament that the 59 year old Ogawa has to have a singles match with him. That challenge hasn’t been accepted by Ogawa and is unlikely to occur as Ogawa retired back in 2024 due to neck issues.
Since that interview with Ogawa was released, Kiyomiya, who has been struggling over the course of the year, feels he really has something to prove and hopes it begins with a N-1 VICTORY 2026 tournament win over OZAWA.
Of course, both Kiyomiya and OZAWA have to reach the finals of this years N-1 and that won’t be an easy task for either competitor.
Here are the Block line-ups for the N-1 VICTORY 2026 tournament:
BLOCK A
BLOCK B
Date:
August 24, 2026
Category:
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