KENTA Set To Defend The GHC Heavyweight Championship Against Naomichi Marufuji

By: Pep S. Caro

Pro Wrestling NOAH kicked off its 26th year of operations with two sold-out shows at Korakuen Hall. The closing show, New Departure, on July 20th saw KENTA win the GHC Heavyweight Championship after defeating KENOH. This was the first time KENTA had held NOAH’s top prize in over 10 years. KENTA’s celebration included the presence of his mentor and icon of Japanese wrestling, Kenta Kobashi.

Naomichi Marafuji surprised everyone by appearing in the middle of the celebration, which generated a huge reaction among the most nostalgic NOAH fans. Marufuji announced that he wants a shot at KENTA for the GHC Heavyweight Championship. KENTA accepted, which generated an uproar from the fans at Korakuen Hall, but urged Marufuji to find his fire to face him and try to take the title with all his might.

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KENTA「25年前、旗揚げの時には試合も組まれなかった俺がメインイベントで試合をやれたこと、NOAHに戻してもらえたってこと、本当にありがたく、嬉しく思う。何より皆さんのおかげです。皆さんから応援されるチャンピオンで居続けられるように精一杯やっていこうと思います」#noah_ghc#NOAH25th pic.twitter.com/fpR4l1lNvi

— プロレスリング・ノア ｜PRO WRESTLING NOAH (@noah_ghc) July 20, 2025

KENTA and Marufuji have faced each other 14 times in singles matches to date. The first match between the two was in May 2000 in AJPW. The most recent match between the two was in September 2018 at Marufuji’s 20th Anniversary. In those matches, Marufuji defeated KENTA. However, the last time they faced each other in a match for the GHC Heavyweight Championship, KENTA retained it in July 2013. The overall score is in Marufuji’s favor, as he won 10 of the 14 matches, drew once, and KENTA emerged victorious only three times.

Star Navigation Premium 2025 at Korakuen Hall on August 16 will witness a new chapter in this iconic rivalry as KENTA will defend the GHC Heavyweight Championship against Naomichi Marufuji. Tickets are close to selling out again, according to NOAH President Narihiro Takeda. If NOAH achieves another sellout, it will be the 8th consecutive time that the promotion has achieved this since the beginning of 2025. Another example of the great moment that NOAH is currently experiencing.

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👑8.16後楽園【GHCヘビー級選手権】決定‼️‼️
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STAR NAVIGATION PREMIUM 2025
📅8月16日(土)18:30開始/17:30開場
🏢東京・後楽園ホール

👑GHCヘビー級選手権試合
(王者)KENTA
VS
(挑戦者)丸藤正道
※第48代王者の初防衛戦#noah_ghc pic.twitter.com/s24ZWJAgSJ

— プロレスリング・ノア ｜PRO WRESTLING NOAH (@noah_ghc) July 20, 2025