New Year, New Contracts: As part of a cost cutting and perhaps a longer term downsizing measure, NOAH renewed the contracts of its twenty two main roster talent in early January, before dropping NOAH regulars Jun Izumida, Kishin Kawabata, Tsuyoshi Kikuchi, Makoto Hashi and Tamon Honda from the main roster to free agent status, presumably leaving the door open for their return in the future. Kentaro Shiga was also announced as freelance, perhaps indicating some links with the promotion in the future as well. Both Shiga and Honda have since announced they will be appearing on New Japan’s January 31st show at Differ Ariake. In other big news stemming from the contract renewals, Jun Akiyama has announced that 2010 will be his last year as an in ring competitor, citing mounting injuries including a back injury which forced him to relinquish the GHC Heavyweight Title last year, and from suffering post traumatic stress disorder, which has been increasingly worse since the death of Misawa.

More Injuries In NOAH: Along with Akiyama being injured, Kenta Kobashi once again has had to step away from his in ring work due to an injury in his elbow which has been causing him numbness in his fingers. Based on doctors advice, who diagnosed him with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, they strongly suggested he had surgery otherwise he could be left with constant numbness in his fingers and an end to his wrestling career. Cubital Tunnel Syndrome is caused due to a repetitive strain and can cause nerve damage, so this is perhaps a side effect of the thousands of chops Kobashi has thrown over the years.

Go Shiozaki is also out with injury, believed to be a shoulder injury which will probably put him on the shelf for around six months. After being elevated to the top of NOAH last year, Shiozaki had the potential to be a new figurehead for the promotion due to the increasing age and injuries of their top stars.

Also injured is Kotaro Suzuki, who since suffering a back injury in December has been forced to take some time off and relinquish the GHC Jr. Tag Team Titles, which leads me on to…

Jr. Tag Title Tournament: A small four team tournament has been announced for mid February to name new champions, with Naomichi Marufuji and Atsushi Aoki taking on Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Genba Hirayangi on February 6th in Differ Ariake, and Taiji Ishimori teaming with Ricky Marvin to take on the gaijin team of Eddie Edwards and Bobby Fish on February 14th. The two winning teams meet on the 16th in Osaka.

Global Tag League: Moving the tournament to their first tour of the year, NOAH has changed the format of their Global Tag League from a single block tournament with the top of the league being named the winner, to a two block system with the two leading teams facing each other. Thus far, with just one match left in each block, Yoshihiro Takayama and Takuma Sano are leading Block A, and Takashi Sugiura and Shuhei Taniguchi at the top of Block B, with both teams on four points. However, dependant on how the matches go, it looks like their could be a draw at the top of both blocks, which could lead to a semi-final round being fought. The current plan sees the final takes place on January 24th at Korakuen Hall, with the winner of Block A taking on the winner of Block B. Also on the card is Jun Akiyama against Naomichi Marufuji.



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