Ladies and gentlemen, grab your popcorn and wrestling belts, because we’ve got a barnburner on the horizon! Pro Wrestling NOAH, the Japanese wrestling powerhouse, has pulled a major rabbit out of its hat. The one and only “Phenomenal One,” AJ Styles, is making his way back to Japan this summer to square off against the legendary Naomichi Marufuji. This epic showdown is slated for NOAH’s Destination event on July 13 at the iconic Budokan.
The announcement came straight from the horse’s mouth, with AJ Styles himself breaking the news via a video message at NOAH’s Grand Ship event. “This is WWE Superstar, the Phenomenal AJ Styles, and I am here to announce that I will be coming to Japan to face Japanese legend Marufuji at the Budokan for the NOAH event on July 13,” Styles declared, sending shockwaves through the wrestling community.
Styles, ever the respectful competitor, acknowledged Marufuji’s immense talent and storied career. But make no mistake, folks – the Phenomenal One is coming to win. “You’ve been doing this a long time, and your resume speaks for itself, but I’m not coming to Japan to lose. Let’s tear the house down on July 13,” Styles proclaimed. It’s a challenge that promises to bring the roof down and set the wrestling world on fire.
This cross-promotional dream match isn’t the first rodeo for WWE and NOAH. Remember when Shinsuke Nakamura took on Keiji Mutoh in a memorable bout at a NOAH event in 2023? It marked the start of a beautiful friendship between the two promotions. WWE is also sending former Women’s Champion IYO SKY to Japan to face Utami Hayashishita at Rossy Ogawa’s promotion’s Summer Destiny event, also on July 13. Add to that WWE’s recent collaborations with TNA Wrestling, and it’s clear the sports entertainment giant is embracing cross-promotional magic.