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WWE Stars Head to Japan for NOAH's N1 Victory Tournament

Krishn patel

Krishn patel

— 2 min read
WWE Stars Head to Japan for NOAH's N1 Victory Tournament

WWE continues to deepen its ties with major Japanese promotions, sending two NXT stars to compete in Pro Wrestling NOAH's prestigious N1 Victory tournament.

Over the past two years, WWE has established working relationships with Pro Wrestling NOAH, All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), and Dream Star Fighting Marigold. This collaborative spirit has seen WWE stars appear in these promotions, offering unique cross-promotional opportunities for both sides.

In January 2023, Shinsuke Nakamura returned to Japan to face Great Muta in one of the legend's retirement matches. Earlier this year, Charlie Dempsey, son of WWE legend William Regal, competed in three matches for AJPW. Former World Champion AJ Styles made his NOAH debut against Naomichi Marufuji, a dream match for fans. IYO SKY also returned to Japan for the first time in six years to face Utami Hayashishita in a high-profile match for Marigold.

Now, WWE is sending two NXT stars to compete in NOAH's N1 Victory tournament: Josh Briggs and Tavion Heights.

The N1 Victory tournament, similar to NJPW's G1 Climax, is a round-robin tournament. Wrestlers compete in their respective blocks, earning points for wins and draws. The block winners then face off in the finals, with the victor receiving a shot at the prestigious GHC Heavyweight Championship.

Briggs, a seasoned wrestler with experience on the independent scene before joining WWE in 2021, has enjoyed success in tag team competition with Brooks Jensen. However, since their split, he has been striving to establish himself as a singles competitor. This tournament presents a valuable opportunity for Briggs to showcase his skills and gain international exposure.

Heights, a relative newcomer to professional wrestling with only three years of experience, boasts a strong background in Greco-Roman wrestling. His wrestling prowess helped him reach the semi-finals of the 2023 NXT Men's Breakout Tournament. This tournament will be a significant test for Heights, allowing him to compete against established veterans and gain valuable experience in the Japanese wrestling scene.

The N1 Victory tournament begins on August 4th and concludes on September 1st. The full list of competitors is as follows:

A Block:

  • Kaito Kiyomiya
  • Go Shiozaki
  • Masa Kitamiya
  • Rohei Oiwa
  • Jack Morris
  • Dragon Bane
  • Luis Mante
  • Josh Briggs

  • B Block:


  • Kenoh
  • Manabu Soya
  • Ulka Sasaki
  • YOICHI
  • El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr.
  • Alpha Wolf
  • Titus Alexander
  • Tavion Heights

This collaboration between WWE and NOAH highlights the growing trend of cross-promotional partnerships in professional wrestling. These events provide opportunities for wrestlers to showcase their talents on a global stage, introduce new audiences to different styles of wrestling, and foster a greater appreciation for the art of professional wrestling worldwide.

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