An inter-promotional, winner-takes-all title match has been announced for Pro Wrestling NOAH’s August 15th show.
The match came about following a tag team match with Takashi Sugiura and Masato Tanaka competing on opposing teams, with the latter picking up the victory.
Post-match, the former ECW World Heavyweight Champion challenged Sugiura for his GHC National Championship, whilst also putting his own ZERO-1 World Heavyweight Title on the line.
Sugiura duly accepted, having reportedly been keen on a double title duel, and the match is now officially set.
The 48-year-old Tanaka claimed the ZERO-1 Heavyweight Championship on January 1st and has registered just one title defence since, defeating former AEW star CIMA in May
Sugiura, who is three years older than Tanaka, is currently enjoying his second reign as National Champion, having captured the belt in April by defeating Kazuyuki Fujita.
He too has one title defence to his name, having bested MMA legend Kazushi Sakuraba at the Mitsuharu Memorial show in May.
The two veterans had the opportunity to test one another earlier this month when they collided in a tag team match at Korakuen Hall.
Though Sugiura’s team came out on top, he and Tanaka engaged in a heated exchange during the post-match, which will add further spice to what promises to be a hard-hitting contest.
Both men have also been announced for the forthcoming N-1 Victory tournament.
With thanks to Hi5ame of NOAH’S ARKIVE