PRO WRESTLING NOAH N-1 TOURNAMENT PREVIEW

The road to glory in Pro Wrestling NOAH begins this September as the 2025 N-1 Victory tournament gets under way. The annual round-robin competition is the promotion’s most prestigious event outside of its championship bouts, carrying the promise of a future GHC Heavyweight Title challenge for the winner.

Running from September 8 to September 23, the tournament will open and close at the iconic Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, with all action streaming live via ABEMA (opening night) and Wrestle Universe (throughout the remainder).

The History and Importance of the N-1 Victory

First launched in 2010 under the name Global League, the competition was later rebranded as the N-1 Victory in 2019. Much like New Japan’s G1 Climax, the N-1 has become the proving ground for NOAH’s elite, testing stamina, skill and adaptability across a gruelling schedule.

Past winners include legends such as Naomichi Marufuji, Takashi Sugiura and Kenoh, with last year’s victor going on to headline NOAH’s year-end spectacular. For wrestlers in both blocks, the N-1 is not only about victories, but about proving themselves as the heartbeat of modern NOAH.

The Competitors – N-1 Victory 2025

Block A

• KENTA – Returning to NOAH once again, the veteran striker brings unmatched big-match pedigree and the aura of a global star.

• Kaito Kiyomiya – The former GHC Heavyweight Champion and NOAH’s brightest home-grown talent, eager to re-establish himself at the very top.

• Manabu Soya – A powerhouse bruiser with a history of delivering hard-hitting block battles.

• Ulka Sasaki – A rising prospect with youthful energy, aiming to make his name against the veterans.

• Kazuyuki Fujita – The MMA-hardened veteran and ex-GHC Champion, still a force of intimidation.

• Tetsuya Endo – Representing DDT, a dynamic athlete bringing flair and unpredictability to the field.

• Masa Kitamiya – A NOAH stalwart known for toughness and never backing down from a fight.

• Daga – The international wildcard, a technical specialist capable of unsettling more established rivals.

Block B

• Galeno – The luchador powerhouse, son of the legendary Dr Wagner Jr., blending lucha tradition with raw strength.

• Naomichi Marufuji – The “Genius of the Ark” and NOAH’s icon, always a contender to win it all.

• Kenoh – Fiery and outspoken, a multiple-time GHC Heavyweight Champion with unfinished business in the N-1.

• Daiki Inaba – A versatile competitor, quietly improving year on year and now chasing a breakout moment.

• Jack Morris – The Scottish star who has become a mainstay in NOAH, combining athleticism with grit.

• Harutoki – One of NOAH’s next generation, determined to test himself on the biggest stage.

• Ricky Knight Jr. – The British heavy-hitter making waves internationally, with a reputation for hard strikes and high intensity.

• OZAWA – The NOAH prospect looking to shock the world by toppling decorated veterans.

Tournament Schedule Highlights

The opening night at Korakuen Hall on September 8 sets the tone, with KENTA vs Kaito Kiyomiya headlining Block A and Naomichi Marufuji vs OZAWA leading Block B.

Other standout clashes include:

• Marufuji vs Kenoh in Okayama on September 11 – a battle of NOAH’s defining figures.

• Kiyomiya vs Fujita in Fukuoka on September 14 – a generational clash steeped in history.

• Kenoh vs Galeno in Utsunomiya on September 21 – power vs fire in a potential group decider.

The tournament culminates on September 23 at Korakuen Hall, where the Block A and Block B winners will collide to crown the 2025 N-1 Victory champion.

The N-1 Victory has built its reputation as one of professional wrestling’s toughest proving grounds. With global stars, rising prospects, and NOAH legends all competing, the 2025 edition promises hard-hitting drama from bell to bell.

For the winner, immortality beckons – and with it, a clear path to the GHC Heavyweight Title.