Naomichi Marufuji vs. Kota Ibushi set for NOAH The New Year 2024

After facing off against the GLG in tag-team action, Naomichi Marufuji was confronted by a returning Kota Ibushi

By: Steven Jackson

Drama overtook the crowd at the conclusion of the semi main-event of NOAH The Best 2023. After coming up short as part of a ten-man tag-team match against the Good Looking Guys, Naomichi Marufuji was confronted by Kota Ibushi!

The ‘Golden Star‘ entered the NOAH ring for the first time since 2012 and challenged the ‘Genius of the Ark‘ to a one-on-one dream match at NOAH The New Year 2024. After an exchange of words, Naomichi Marufuji told Kota Ibushi that he’ll be waiting for him in the Ariake ring, whereupon Marufuji shook the hand of the current AEW star.

.@noah_marufuji_ "Ibushi, I'll be waiting for you in the Ariake ring" @ibushi_kota #noah_ghc #NOAHTHEBESTpic.twitter.com/LpCUtXGYnL

— Pro Wrestling NOAH Global (@noahglobal) December 2, 2023

A dream match fifteen years in the making, Marufuji and Ibushi have never faced each other in singles competition. Their last encounter was a tag-team match in September 2008 for Ring of Honor that took place in Tokyo. The two men were on opposite sides of the ring, with neither team picking up the victory, as the match went to a time-limit draw.

Going into NOAH The New Year 2024, Kota Ibushi highlighted he’s got a lot more to say, which we’ll be excited to hear leading into the show on 01.02.2024.

本日は12年ぶりにノアさんのリングに上がることが出来た。そして対戦を受け入れてくれた丸藤さんありがとうございます。
本当に色々話したいことはあるのですが、それは後日AbemaやYouTubeで話して行きたいと思っています。#丸藤正道 #飯伏幸太#すれ違いの12年#みんなNOAHに来い

後程話します。 pic.twitter.com/ERYv5KTjVb

— 飯伏 幸太 (@ibushi_kota) December 2, 2023

After Shinsuke Nakamura’s triumphant return at NOAH The New Year 2023 against The Great Muta, Naomichi Marufuji and Kota Ibushi have a lot to live up to. One thing is for sure, given the talent both men have in the ring, we can expect a classic that’ll be talked about for a very long time!

NOAH’s Beating Heart: Naomichi Marufuji