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00:00at the Budokan in Tokyo Japan this is incredible once-in-a-lifetime
00:07WWE vs pro-wrestling Noa perhaps this could be the first of many who knows but today it's all
00:14about these two men the genius of the arc representing Noa on home turf
00:19phenomenal opponent such a tremendous success around the world and especially
00:25here in Japan Mike two-time IWGP heavyweight champion former leader of
00:30the Bullet Club Styles is unbelievable he has been all over the world he's won
00:38titles all over the world absolutely legendary wrestler over here but Marufuji is no slouch he has been in
00:48Noa for years and years has done everything in this company and has been
00:53the rock of Noa exactly he's been flying the flag isn't he since day one cartwheel
00:58for Marufuji dropkick he outmaneuvers AJ Styles there now he understands fully the
01:04task that he's up against today the phenomenal one he's in there with a
01:09genius I think he knows exactly the challenge he has in front of him right
01:16now Marufuji chance ring out there was immense respect between these two at the
01:21press conference yesterday Mike of course travel all the way to Japan for a
01:27fight without a serious tremendous amount of respect for your opponent like
01:32this both relishing and savoring perhaps one time only experience AJ Styles said
01:48yesterday he was envious the fact that Marufuji has wrestled the likes of Noa
01:52Great, Mitsuha Misawa, Kenta Kobashi and he said that's what makes the genius of
01:56art so dangerous Mike but then again we're talking about the former leader of
02:01the Bullet Club that's wrestled all around Japan himself former IWGP
02:07champion but has never been in the pro-wrestling Noa ring
02:14pro-wrestling Noa for Marufuji today AJ Styles said he received a list potential
02:20opponents for today and as soon as he saw Marufuji that was it for him
02:24that was the match that was the most sought after
02:29and you know when we go back we talk about others that have sought out this
02:33particular gentleman and you have to ask yourself why Will Ospreay came over in
02:39Japan before he went to America he wanted Marufuji
02:56heavyweight champion he's creating some distance between him and AJ now that's a
03:01wise move for Marufuji it's the reason he's called the genius of the art AJ
03:08Styles champion Japan he hasn't shared these in five years last appearance here
03:13was in 2019 he's competed in Japan 92 times between 2003 and 2019 he's got 39
03:22singles matches under his belt in Japan he's 126 he's lost 13 and he can do it
03:33all still at 47 years old this man can do it all he is jacked he's all get up
03:40he's in the best condition of his career that was in particular for the matches
03:45against Cody Rhodes WWE undisputed champion backlash in France it's in the
03:52sauna said they're not things that he wants to do but this stage of his career
03:5547 in order to stay at the top of his game things that he has to do it's a
04:01necessity Marufuji is no sledge either style unbelievable AJ Styles for so many
04:15years Harry TNA wrestling on his back finally made the jump to the WWE in 2016
04:21in the Royal Rumble so much success in that time he's also at the distinction
04:26the Undertaker's final opponent at WrestleMania in 2020 in the special
04:32boneyard match as well Mike incredible he is just at the top of his game even
04:38still you just wonder where the peak is he's been at the peak for so long I'm
04:46speaking of different kind of pick this is pick the interest of fans around the
04:49world it's also the interest of other members of the WWE roster Karl Anderson
04:53Luke Gallows and Cody Rhodes have all been talking about this they've been
04:57saying how special a talent Marufuji is but Karl Anderson former GHE tag team
05:03champion he said AJ Styles is the best wrestler in the world
05:14slabs of muscle under his frame this year AJ Styles came up just short in
05:19those two matches in Scotland push American might live right to his limit
05:30both occasions speaking of muscles though he's grinding in his Marufuji on
05:35AJ Styles arm making sure those muscles are well worked
05:41little shot there from AJ Styles just wiping the feet from under Marufuji
05:52important not just the pro wrestling or the spiritual home this company but also
05:56for Marufuji captured his first GHE heavyweight championship here in 2006
06:01when he conquered Yokoyama relentless attack now from AJ Styles he's pushing
06:07the pace and AJ's showing he hasn't forgotten what it's like to wrestle in
06:11Japan he's going hard holding nothing back
06:19in and out of the ring for Marufuji
06:23oh working over that knee that has been a problem for a while and it will be a
06:37problem in this match for sure yes definitely and you can tell AJ Styles
06:41has done his homework he knows full well the difficulty the problems over the
06:44years that Marufuji's had with his knees. Knee bust up there for Marufuji. He's had numerous minor
06:53surgeries in recent years on the knees just to drain fluid away he can still
07:02roll back the years on any given occasion especially when he's in there
07:06with someone special like AJ Styles. Shots to the body for Marufuji. Stiff right
07:13hand from AJ. Hard kneel for Marufuji but he's struggling on that left knee Mike. He tried for the flare but the knee wasn't
07:23there. Textbook AJ Styles in that diving forearm. A little Marufuji could do
07:29about that. Marufuji breathing heavy now. Pendulum backbreaker from AJ Styles.
07:45Working him over with a barrage of offense and at the same time still
07:50staying methodical is knee Mike. He's pacing himself is AJ Styles that comes
07:55with all his years of experience. So decorated. Marufuji trying to fight back here. He's gripping the tights of AJ. We need a timely response from
08:12Marufuji here. Snap suplex from AJ. AJ wants you to go you're gonna go. He willed that
08:23suplex into existence. Knows exactly when to push the pace. Senses any weakness in his
08:31opponent. Capitalizes instantly. AJ acknowledging the crowd's Marufuji
08:39chants. Downward elbow from AJ. And you've got to love Japan the crowd is silent
08:48and loud all at the same time. Irish whip. Marufuji goes into the corner. AJ gets lifted up and over onto the apron. Could it be time?
09:04Marufuji cuts off AJ. Just when it looked like he was going for that phenomenal forearm perhaps Mike. Genius move from the genius of the arc right there.
09:13Took out his base. Did so by connecting with the ropes which unbalanced AJ and
09:21sent him out onto the floor. What does Marufuji do here though? Does he try and
09:28regain his composure or does he go and confront AJ on the outside? This is the
09:33question. You know he's been dealing with injuries for a while now but if anybody
09:39can uncork some brilliance. Some magic. It's now Michi Marufuji.
09:49Marufuji looking to open up AJ now. This doesn't bode well for the two-time WWE
09:57champion. First chop of our double main event part one.
10:12Sickening chops. It's going to be some lacerations across the chest of AJ.
10:19An onchalant kicks to the face now from Marufuji. Signature offense. Stamp on the foot.
10:27And that new spin kick he's added to his arsenal recently. Irish whip. AJ Styles
10:35reverses it. Marufuji into the corner. Marufuji gets a boot up. On the ropes. AJ connects with a kick.
10:43Marufuji with the Marufuji rope. Cody Rhodes American nightmare. He said he calls up the Marufuji in his interview. Exactly.
10:58There's the foot stomp. Another move that was innovated by Marufuji.
11:03Marufuji. Marufuji now. This is a good spell for him Mike. Styles looks a little bit shocked. I don't know if he imagined that he'd be dealing with this level of offense to be honest.
11:20Marufuji's got to deal with the strength now of AJ. Suplex. This is with a loop kick. AJ suplex into the turnbuckle.
11:43He's definitely turned the tide over there. It's a move so dangerous that he's used to such great effect over the years.
11:54Marufuji's crashed into the turnbuckle. Marufuji trying to regain his composure as the slide out of the ring but.
12:04AJ Styles has got arguably a wider repertoire than perhaps anyone in the sport Mike.
12:12Little moments like that that can turn a contest around. And he's not afraid to go to the sky.
12:18In for a plancha. In for a kick then. Blocked by Marufuji. Knee buster onto the apron. Right here in front of us now on the outside.
12:35Marufuji springboard dropkick. Beautifully done.
12:40Styles now regaining his composure if he can. But Marufuji looks ready to pounce.
12:56Marufuji turns his way around and he gets driven into the guardrail.
13:01Back comes Marufuji with a lariat. AJ on top of our announce table now. Gets sent here by Marufuji.
13:15You knew it was going to happen. It's only a matter of time.
13:18Here right in front of us here at the announce table. This shows the serious nature of this contest.
13:24It's one that both men desperately want to win. They know that they'll get one chance at this Mike.
13:31Springboard off the guardrail. Phenomenal forearm. Phenomenal forearm right in front of us.
13:42That was the first commentating standing up. My god. What a maneuver.
13:47AJ Styles chance ring out in the Nippon Budokan.
13:53I'm ecstatic of these fans to get to see AJ Styles back in person. First time in five years wrestling in Japan.
14:02He's built up quite the legacy here.
14:13Springboard phenomenal forearm from the guardrail on the outside.
14:18Marufuji is still down.
14:20Super kick from Marufuji right there.
14:34Shiranui. Shiranui on the guardrail. Oh my lord.
14:40Innovating to this very day. The four time GHE heavyweight champion now meeting Marufuji.
14:45Marufuji just launched AJ Styles head first into the guardrail.
14:52It looked like he's dented the middle of the guardrail with AJ Styles head.
15:00Thought he was going to go the opposite way Mike. Towards the turnbuckle or towards the apron.
15:04I did also.
15:08You never know what is in the mind of now meeting Marufuji. He's always thinking several steps ahead.
15:14Always thinking and targeting the unexpected. That's what made him such a beloved figure here in Japan.
15:23AJ Styles finally back into the ring.
15:26Referee breathes a sense of relief there.
15:32No count outs.
15:36Marufuji with a call out to the back of the head of AJ.
15:45Marufuji wants to finish this Mike.
15:47Again those back of the neck shots are brutal.
15:51Yeah Marufuji possesses KO power with these strikes.
15:54Looking for the Shiranui.
15:56AJ was alert to the danger.
15:59Watch him work.
16:01There's the Ishikawashi from AJ Styles.
16:08Back and forth.
16:09How much pressure did he apply in that pin attempt? Did you see that?
16:13Pucked double leg.
16:14Pucked everything to try and get that coveted W from Marufuji.
16:19But it wasn't enough.
16:21What does it take?
16:27In this kind of setting when you press the buttons of Marufuji.
16:30Pro-wrestling NOAH. Major event.
16:34Double main event.
16:36Huge jam-packed crowd at the Nippon Budokan.
16:39Fighting pride of pro-wrestling NOAH.
16:41AJ Styles.
16:43Climbing up top Mike.
16:44Slap to the face.
16:47High risk.
16:50Headbutts all around.
16:52Marufuji just up in the physicality now.
16:55Right hand from AJ.
16:56Right hand from Marufuji.
16:58Trading shots in a highly precarious position Mike.
17:02Marufuji going for something big.
17:04This is unfamiliar domain in recent times.
17:07But not over the years.
17:08AJ's trying to slip out and end it.
17:10And he's managed so.
17:11Puts the leg away of Marufuji.
17:13Loading him up again now.
17:15Torture rack.
17:18Torture rack.
17:20It's a rack bomb from AJ Styles.
17:26AJ Styles.
17:27It's a rack bomb from AJ Styles.
17:332.9 reoccurring there.
17:35Shades of a burning hammer.
17:37Yep.
17:38I was worried for a moment there.
17:41We've had some serious impacts.
17:43AJ Styles did in fact use Kenta Kobashi's burning hammer.
17:46In that match with Cody Rhodes in Backlash in May.
17:50Gotta wonder if he's not scouted that out in advance of this match.
17:55That wasn't a preparation for Marufuji.
17:58These two are so well matched aren't they?
18:01Juniors who became heavyweight superstars.
18:06AJ gets sent over to the apron.
18:08Big forearm.
18:13Faked him out.
18:14Yep.
18:16Faked him out.
18:17Yep.
18:19AJ Styles is outmaneuvered and outfoxed.
18:22Marufuji.
18:23The 450.
18:25The superman.
18:26He misses.
18:27Marufuji gets both knees up.
18:30That painted superman.
18:34Went for everything there.
18:35He risked it all.
18:36AJ Styles with the 450.
18:37He calls it the superman.
18:39But the intelligence of Marufuji came to the fore.
18:43Marufuji's not happy though.
18:45He used the knee to block it.
18:46Yep.
18:48He had no choice in that scenario there Mike.
18:51That could have been game over.
18:53If AJ Styles connected.
18:58I feel like they're going to claw their way to the middle in this
19:01titanic tussle at the Nippon Budokan.
19:09Trading the center of the canvas now.
19:11Right beside the pro wrestling Noah logo.
19:16Huge overhand right hand.
19:18AJ Styles dishing out offense now.
19:21Marufuji trying to get the blood flowing in those legs again.
19:25Come on.
19:26Come on says AJ Styles.
19:28Huge chop for Marufuji.
19:30Might be regretting that.
19:33AJ replies with one in kind.
19:35Marufuji one of the real specialists though in this
19:37environment Mike.
19:39When it comes to chops.
19:41Marufuji's got him in spades.
19:43That right hand though.
19:45Marufuji's lucky to still have a vertical base.
19:55A sting behind that one.
19:57AJ Styles needed a few seconds to recover there.
20:00Reading it.
20:02Marufuji a little unsteady on his knees.
20:04On his feet over there.
20:06Stay down and a showdown.
20:10Marufuji's building momentum now Mike.
20:13AJ Styles down to one knee.
20:15Chopping him down.
20:18Thunderous right hand from AJ Styles.
20:23Tremendous intensity now.
20:25AJ Styles.
20:27AJ Styles.
20:29Tremendous intensity now.
20:34Leasing into him.
20:36Marufuji into the corner.
20:38Gets the block AJ.
20:40Signature Marufuji combination.
20:41But he misses with a hook kick once again.
20:44Now it's an AJ combination.
20:46Marufuji.
20:47Hits the hook kick this time.
20:48There's the penalty kick from AJ Styles.
20:53Flashes of brilliance from both men Mike.
20:55Incredible.
20:56The Budokan is rocking right now.
21:06Such high stakes.
21:08Such pressure to live up to this dream match.
21:13They get one crack.
21:15Creating something special today.
21:18Both men have given it their all.
21:21Who can take one major stealth to add to that.
21:25Respective CVs today.
21:30AJ up the ropes.
21:31Marufuji though.
21:34Elbow from Marufuji.
21:38Calf crusher from AJ Styles.
21:42Working over that knee still.
21:46He would more than take a submission victory over Marufuji.
21:49At this point he'll take it any way he can.
21:52Look at him.
21:54He's thrown every bit of his offense at Marufuji.
21:57And somehow.
21:59He's gone right through the playbook.
22:01AJ Styles' playbook.
22:03Put away some of the biggest names in the sport over the years.
22:07Marufuji's bolt through.
22:09AJ Styles' shoulders were down momentarily then.
22:12Switching through.
22:13Now he's looking for the short arm scissors.
22:14That perfect key lock.
22:16He could switch into an arm bar or kibura.
22:19Handward pressure momentarily.
22:21Now it's AJ Styles.
22:23Trying to fight back.
22:26Marufuji trying to work on the arm here Mike.
22:28Beautiful sequence right there.
22:30Marufuji with some exotic submissions right there.
22:33Yeah that perfect key lock it is from Marufuji.
22:35Short arm scissors.
22:38Well versed in submissions.
22:40AJ writhing in pain right now.
22:42Yep.
22:45Marufuji back rounding.
22:46Marufuji wrestling.
22:47Also trained for Kurosayama.
22:49Tiger Mask.
22:50Dojo.
22:52Breastless gym.
22:59Marufuji retaining wrist control here.
23:01Hands onto one.
23:04Elbow. There's the hook kick.
23:06There's the colo.
23:12Another hook kick from Marufuji.
23:14And a colo.
23:16Inside leg kick and a flying knee.
23:19Black belt press.
23:22Just a two for Marufuji.
23:24Marufuji just looking to dismantle him.
23:26Brutal knees.
23:31Marufuji is just putting everything together at the right time it feels here Mike.
23:37Great series of attacks there.
23:40Styles feeling around his mouth to make sure he didn't lose a tooth there.
23:43Yep.
23:44He's gonna go back.
23:46Shiranui block.
23:47Marufuji so slick over the top.
23:50Elbow from AJ Styles.
23:52Second rope.
23:53Moonsault.
23:54He's looking for the inverted DDT.
23:57Super kick from Marufuji.
24:03Shiranui!
24:04Shiranui lands it!
24:07Is this the moment?
24:12The crowd counting in unison here at Dipon Burdekan.
24:17And now Marufuji has overcome AJ Styles.
24:22In the Pro Wrestling Noah ring.
24:24Marufuji signaling for the end Mike.
24:27He's signaling for something special.
24:30Because he knows Styles is not going down for anything less.
24:35He's gonna have to reach deep into his arsenal is Marufuji.
24:38He came prepared exactly for that.
24:42Looking for Fisherman perhaps.
24:44AJ Styles.
24:47Gonna block this.
24:51Styles.
24:52Can he get it?
24:54Oh no!
24:55He's got him set up for the Styles Clash.
24:57Marufuji's fighting back with some kicks.
25:00He's fighting back.
25:01Look at this from Marufuji.
25:02Incredible defense to block the Styles Clash.
25:05Well scouted.
25:06Sunset.
25:08He can load him up from this position.
25:12He can loop the arms.
25:13It's over.
25:15Powerbomb.
25:19One leg almost over.
25:20Two over.
25:21Styles Clash.
25:23Styles Clash.
25:24No.
25:25Marufuji's shoulders are down.
25:29WWE Superstar AJ Styles.
25:33WWE Superstar AJ Styles defeats Naomiji Marufuji on his pro-wrestling nowhere debut.