KENTA Says Facing Shinsuke Nakamura at NOAH The New Year 2026 Would Be “Amazing”

KENTA has voiced his interest in facing Shinsuke Nakamura at Pro Wrestling NOAH’s NOAH The New Year 2026 event. He called the idea “amazing” during an interview with Rolling Stone Japan. His comments arrive as NOAH and WWE continue expanding their working relationship, which allowed Nakamura to appear at the 2025 New Year show, where he defeated Ulka Sasaki.

KENTA explained that the match is not yet confirmed and acknowledged the logistical hurdles of going back and forth. He said it “would be a little awkward,” but added that the possibility remains very real due to the growing working relationship between the companies. He also noted that wrestling Nakamura in a NOAH ring would give him room to showcase elements of his current style that he believes he cannot fully display in the United States.

“That’s right (NOAH & WWE have a relationship). If that were to happen, it’d be amazing. It’s not impossible. It would be a little awkward, though (laughs). We say things like, ‘It would be great if we could have our wrestlers go back and forth and make it interesting,’  but in reality, it’s a little awkward (laughs). But I do think there’s a possibility that I could do something I couldn’t do in America, in the Noah ring, with my current style, against a WWE wrestler. Personally, I’d like to show the coaches at NXT (the WWE-affiliated developmental brand KENTA was part of) in some way.”

The New Year event has long been one of NOAH’s key annual shows, and the recent collaboration with WWE has only increased its importance. Earlier this year, NXT’s Hank Walker and Tank Ledger appeared in NOAH, losing the GHC Tag Team Championship to Takashi Sugiura and Masa Kitamiya, signaling an active exchange between the promotions.

While no bout has been officially announced, KENTA made it clear he sees the opportunity as unique. As NOAH approaches its 2026 kickoff event, fans will look out to see whether discussions advance and if a high-profile showdown with Nakamura becomes part of the final card.

【Interview】
KENTA、折れない理由　“対等”で闘い続ける44歳が語る、NOAH帰還とその真意

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■11年ぶりのNOAH帰還、プロレス観の変化
■KENTA流SNSとマイク論――なぜ彼は“炎上しない”のか？@KENTAG2S @noah_ghc #noah_ghc pic.twitter.com/rSD7oLokIa

— Rolling Stone Japan (@rollingstonejp) November 28, 2025