Naomichi Marufuji Wants NOAH’s N-1 Victory Tournament To Grow To A Point Where WWE Wrestlers Want To Participate
Marufuji speaks on his aspirations for the N-1.
Pro Wrestling NOAH is in the midst of its N-1 Victory tournament. Before it began, Naomichi Marufuji, who is competing in the 2025 tourney, spoke to NOAH’s official website for an interview.
The conversation shifted over to ways to grow the N-1. He thinks when people are asked about the premier wrestling tournament in Japan, they first think of NJPW’s G1 Climax. Marufuji stated that he wants to grow the N-1 to where WWE wrestlers are looking to be part of it.
“Honestly, if you ask people, ‘What comes to mind when you think of Japan’s pro wrestling league tournament?’ I think most still associate it with New Japan’s G1 CLIMAX. But I want to make ours a league that surpasses that. A league that resonates globally—one where even WWE wrestlers think, I want to compete in N-1! So I’m not leaving it up to others yet, I want to be a part of it, take the lead and do my best to liven things up, and keep putting on a strong front.”
NXT talents Tavion Heights and Josh Briggs competed in the 2024 N-1 Victory tournament.
WWE and NOAH’s collaborations have also seen Yoshiki Inamura become a regular on the NXT program. Omos went over to NOAH and became a GHC Tag Team Champion. In the summer of 2024, Marufuji wrestled AJ Styles in NOAH.
