Kenta Kobayashi

3.2.1. Early Career and Junior Heavyweight Division (2000-2003)

Upon joining the newly formed Pro Wrestling Noah in June 2000, Kenta Kobayashi became the second apprentice to Kenta Kobashi, succeeding Yoshinobu Kanemaru. He remained Kobashi's apprentice for approximately four years until the role was passed to Go Shiozaki. In Noah, Misawa's focus was on building a strong junior heavyweight division, a stark contrast to AJPW where it had often been overlooked.

Kobayashi spent the majority of Noah's first year sidelined with injuries, primarily due to his initial reliance on high-flying maneuvers, which put significant strain on his body. After returning in July 2001, he began to use the mononymous ring name, KENTA. He initially grappled with his style, feeling overshadowed by Marufuji's natural high-flying talent and even by trainees like Kotaro Suzuki. However, under Kobashi's mentorship, KENTA intensified his training, evolving towards a more power-based and hard-hitting style.

In May 2002, KENTA reached the finals of the 5th Junior Heavyweight Tournament, where he pushed Yoshinobu Kanemaru to his limits before losing. This tournament marked a turning point, as he then solidified his signature kick-based style, incorporating his background in kickboxing. Following this success, KENTA's popularity grew, and he formally joined his mentor Kenta Kobashi's faction, Burning, in October 2002.

3.2.2. Junior Heavyweight Championship Success (2003-2011)

KENTA's collaboration with Naomichi Marufuji began on March 1, 2003, as they teamed for the first time. Despite their differing personalities, their chemistry as a tag team, dubbed "Maru-Ken" or "Ikemen Tag" (Handsome Tag), was undeniable. On July 16, they defeated external challengers Jushin Thunder Liger and Takehiro Murahama in the finals of a tournament to become the inaugural GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. This pairing brought significant attention to Noah's junior heavyweight division, drawing in many new female fans due to their exciting matches and appealing looks. They were often praised as "match-making machines" and "junior heavyweight absolute champions," mirroring the success of Kobashi in the heavyweight division.

In 2004, KENTA participated in the "Seven Kick Challenges" (蹴撃七番勝負), a series of seven matches against more established stars to elevate his status, though he only won the first match against Juventud Guerrera, losing the subsequent ones. In April 2004, KENTA and Marufuji challenged for the GHC Tag Team Championship against Mitsuharu Misawa and Yoshinari Ogawa, but were unsuccessful.

KENTA and Marufuji held the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship for nearly two years, successfully defending it nine times against various teams, including El Samurai and Ryusuke Taguchi, Yoshinari Ogawa and Kotaro Suzuki, and Kendo Kashin and Takashi Sugiura. Their reign ended in June 2005 when they lost the titles to Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Takashi Sugiura.

In singles competition, KENTA's first major rivalry began in March 2005 with SUWA. This culminated on July 18 at Destiny, where KENTA defeated Yoshinobu Kanemaru to win his first GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship. He successfully defended the title against SUWA and Kotaro Suzuki (under his alter ego, Mushiking Terry). Simultaneously, KENTA began teaming with Katsuyori Shibata as The Takeover, even challenging for the GHC Tag Team Championship, the heavyweight tag team title.

On March 5, 2006, KENTA faced a significant challenge from his mentor, Kenta Kobashi, ultimately losing to Kobashi's signature move, the Burning Hammer. KENTA lost the GHC Junior Heavyweight title to Takashi Sugiura on June 4, 2006, after a nearly year-long reign. This led KENTA to pursue the GHC Heavyweight Championship, challenging Naomichi Marufuji. Although KENTA lost, the match garnered numerous awards and accolades from the wrestling media, including "Match of the Year" from Nikkan Sports and Tokyo Sports.

Throughout 2007, KENTA primarily competed in tag team and six-man tag team matches, often partnering with his protégé, Taiji Ishimori, and Akitoshi Saito. His most notable success during this period came with Ishimori, as they engaged in critically acclaimed matches against a diverse range of opponents, including Ring of Honor (ROH) competitors such as the Briscoe Brothers, Davey Richards, and Bryan Danielson, who were on loan to Noah through the Global Professional Wrestling Alliance (GPWA) talent exchange agreement. KENTA and Ishimori proposed and won the inaugural NTV Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Tournament, defeating Marufuji and Kota Ibushi in the finals. They later captured the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship from Dragon Gate wrestlers BxB Hulk and Shingo Takagi, before losing them to Yoshinobu Kanemaru and Kotaro Suzuki. However, they soon defeated the same team to win the second NTV Junior Heavyweight Tag Team League Tournament, marking their second consecutive win.

In October 2008, KENTA defeated Bryan Danielson to win his second GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship. His first defense was a highly anticipated unification match against Marufuji, who held the World Junior Heavyweight Championship (AJPW). The match ended in a 60-minute draw, allowing both champions to retain their titles, and was hailed by critics as a "Match of the Year" contender. In February 2009, KENTA lost the title to Katsuhiko Nakajima of Kensuke Office, but quickly regained it the following month. However, in October, KENTA was forced to vacate the title due to a severe knee injury (ACL tear and lateral meniscus damage) that sidelined him for over seven months.

KENTA returned from injury on June 6, 2010, losing to Naomichi Marufuji in a GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship number one contender's match. On October 30, 2010, KENTA and Atsushi Aoki won the 2010 Nippon TV Cup Jr. Heavyweight Tag League. Although they earned a shot at the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, they were defeated by New Japan Pro-Wrestling representatives Koji Kanemoto and Tiger Mask IV on November 23, 2010.

On January 29, 2011, KENTA underwent a significant character change, turning heel and joining the "Disobey" stable with Muhammad Yone, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, and Genba Hirayanagi. KENTA adopted a new look and attitude. One week later, on March 5, he turned on Yone, expelling him from the group, and renamed the stable "No Mercy." KENTA later revealed that his condition for joining Kanemaru and Hirayanagi was the expulsion of Yone, whom he deemed "half-hearted" and detrimental to their image. In April, following a three-match series against Yone, KENTA took the microphone to denounce General Manager Ryu Nakata, accusing him of mismanaging Noah during its recession and demanding his resignation, declaring war on Noah's front office. On May 25, KENTA and Yoshinobu Kanemaru won the vacant GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship by defeating Atsushi Aoki and Kotaro Suzuki. On June 11, KENTA suffered a referee stoppage loss to Muhammad Yone after being driven onto a table outside the ring. On June 26, after months of persuasion, KENTA's mentor Yoshihiro Takayama joined No Mercy, betraying his partner Takuma Sano during a tag match against KENTA and Kanemaru, further strengthening the stable. KENTA and Kanemaru reached the finals of the Junior Tag League on July 30, but lost to Aoki and Suzuki. However, they successfully defended their tag titles against Aoki and Suzuki on August 24. On September 23, KENTA confronted GHC Heavyweight Champion Go Shiozaki and earned a number one contender's match against Takashi Sugiura, which he won on October 10. KENTA and Kanemaru eventually lost the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship to Aoki and Suzuki on October 16.

3.2.3. Transition to Heavyweight and GHC Heavyweight Champion (2011-2014)

In November 2011, KENTA entered Noah's Global Tag League, where he began using a new submission maneuver he named "GAME OVER," designed to help him compete against heavyweights. He suffered a 128-second loss to Takashi Sugiura during the tournament but managed to reach the finals before losing to Takeshi Morishima. Later that month, he challenged Go Shiozaki for the GHC Heavyweight Championship but was unsuccessful. In December 2011, KENTA suffered another ACL tear, requiring surgery and sidelining him for six to seven months. Despite his injury, KENTA remained active in Noah, managing No Mercy. In recognition of his performance, Tokyo Sports named KENTA the 2011 Technical Wrestler of the Year. On February 14, 2012, KENTA recruited Shuhei Taniguchi, renaming him Maybach Taniguchi, as the fifth member of No Mercy, and became his spokesperson.

KENTA made his in-ring return on July 22, 2012, in a match against Naomichi Marufuji, which he lost. On October 8, KENTA and Maybach Taniguchi defeated Magnus and Samoa Joe to win the GHC Tag Team Championship for the first time, marking KENTA's inaugural heavyweight title. However, their reign was short-lived, as they lost the titles just eighteen days later to Akitoshi Saito and Go Shiozaki. On November 23, KENTA won the 2012 Global League, subsequently declaring his intention to revitalize Noah.



On January 27, 2013, KENTA achieved a significant milestone in his career by defeating Takeshi Morishima to win the GHC Heavyweight Championship at Great Voyage 2013 in Osaka. This victory marked the beginning of a dominant nearly year-long reign. On February 9, his stablemate Maybach Taniguchi turned on him, stealing his championship belt. KENTA then embarked on a South American tour with the Alianza Latinoamericana de Lucha Libre (AULL) promotion, where he won the Torneo Latino Americano de Lucha Libre on February 18, defeating Super Crazy in the finals.

KENTA successfully defended his GHC Heavyweight Championship for the first time against Maybach Taniguchi on March 10. On April 28, KENTA and Yoshihiro Takayama won the 2013 Global Tag League, defeating Katsuhiko Nakajima and Kensuke Sasaki in the finals. On May 11, KENTA participated in Kenta Kobashi's retirement match, where he, Go Shiozaki, Maybach Taniguchi, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru were defeated by Kobashi, Jun Akiyama, Keiji Muto, and Kensuke Sasaki. The following day, KENTA made his second successful defense of the GHC Heavyweight Championship against Takashi Sugiura. He continued his dominant reign with defenses against New Japan Pro-Wrestling representative Toru Yano on June 2, Naomichi Marufuji on July 7, Muhammad Yone on August 4, and both Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls in September. On October 5, KENTA defeated Diamond Ring representative Katsuhiko Nakajima, marking his eighth successful title defense, a new record for the most GHC Heavyweight Championship defenses in a single calendar year. His ninth successful defense came on December 7 against New Japan Pro-Wrestling representative and 2013 Global League winner, Yuji Nagata. KENTA's impressive nearly year-long reign as GHC Heavyweight Champion concluded on January 5, 2014, when he lost the title to Takeshi Morishima in his tenth defense.

On February 3, 2014, KENTA settled his long-standing rivalry with Maybach Taniguchi, defeating him in a No Disqualification match. Later that month, he received another shot at the GHC Heavyweight Championship, then held by Yuji Nagata, but was defeated on February 22.

3.2.4. Departure from Noah (2014)

On April 30, 2014, Pro Wrestling Noah held a press conference where KENTA officially announced his resignation from the promotion. He stated his desire for new challenges, which was widely speculated to be a move to WWE. KENTA wrestled his farewell match for Noah on May 17, teaming with Naomichi Marufuji to defeat Katsuhiko Nakajima and Takashi Sugiura. KENTA secured the victory by pinning Nakajima with a Go 2 Sleep.

KENTA later made sporadic returns to Noah while under contract with WWE and NJPW. On September 1, 2018, he made a one-off return under his WWE ring name, Hideo Itami, losing to Naomichi Marufuji at Marufuji's 20th Anniversary show. On January 2, 2023, KENTA made another one-night return, teaming with Marufuji in an unsuccessful challenge for the GHC Tag Team Championship against Takashi Sugiura and Satoshi Kojima at New Year 2023.

3.4.1. NXT (2014-2017)

On January 27, 2014, KENTA participated in a tryout at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, with Noah's blessing. Although KENTA initially stated he was not seeking a WWE contract but merely fulfilling a dream to experience a WWE workout, Tokyo Sports reported on June 27 that he had signed with WWE. His signing was officially announced during an in-ring segment on July 12 at a WWE house show in Osaka, Japan, with Hulk Hogan presiding. Kobayashi then relocated to Orlando to train at the Performance Center and work in WWE's developmental territory, NXT.

Kobayashi debuted on September 11 at NXT TakeOver: Fatal 4-Way, introduced by William Regal. He announced his new ring name, "Hideo Itami," meaning "Hero of Pain," and fended off The Ascension when they interrupted the segment. Itami made his in-ring debut the following day at the NXT tapings, defeating Justin Gabriel, after which he was immediately attacked by The Ascension. Over the subsequent weeks, Itami continued to be targeted by The Ascension, often at a numerical disadvantage, due to a storyline portraying him as a newcomer without allies in the NXT locker room. This changed in November when Finn Bálor debuted as Itami's new partner. Itami and Bálor finally defeated The Ascension at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution on December 11.

Itami then participated in an NXT Championship number one contender's tournament, defeating Tyler Breeze in the first round, which initiated a rivalry between the two. He suffered his first defeat in NXT on January 15, 2015, when he was eliminated from the tournament by Finn Bálor in the semi-finals. At NXT TakeOver: Rival, Itami defeated Breeze in a rematch. Their feud concluded on April 1, 2015, when Itami lost a two-out-of-three falls match to Breeze. On March 27, Itami won the WrestleMania Axxess NXT tournament, defeating Adrian Neville and then Finn Bálor, to earn a spot in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31. He was ultimately eliminated by the eventual winner, Big Show.

On May 20 at NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable, Itami was scheduled to compete in a triple threat match to determine the number one contender for the NXT Championship. However, he was written out of the match due to a legitimate shoulder injury that required surgery, sidelining him for an expected six to eight months. Reports in January 2016 indicated complications with his shoulder, delaying his return.

After over a year of inactivity, Itami returned to the ring on June 30, 2016, at an NXT live event, teaming with TM-61 to defeat Samoa Joe, Blake, and Tino Sabbatelli. His televised return occurred on August 3, where he defeated Cruiserweight Classic competitor Sean Maluta. At NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II, Itami confronted Austin Aries after his match, culminating in Itami attacking Aries with a Go 2 Sleep. On October 12, at an NXT live event, Itami suffered a neck injury following a botched powerslam from Riddick Moss, forcing him out of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic where he was scheduled to team with Kota Ibushi. Despite promising to return for NXT's first show in Japan on December 3, he only participated in an in-ring segment alongside William Regal.

Itami made his televised return on April 19, 2017, confronting NXT Champion Bobby Roode, slapping him, and executing a Go 2 Sleep. This led to a title match at NXT TakeOver: Chicago, where Itami was unsuccessful. On the June 7 episode of NXT, a furious Itami faced Oney Lorcan, a match that ended in a no-contest after Itami delivered three Go 2 Sleeps to Lorcan. This led to Kassius Ohno attempting to save Lorcan, teasing a heel turn and a feud. On the July 5 episode of NXT, Itami teamed with Ohno against Sanity (Killian Dain and Alexander Wolfe), but they lost after Itami refused to tag in Ohno. On July 26, Itami faced Ohno in the main event, intentionally disqualifying himself with a low blow before brutally attacking Ohno with two Go 2 Sleeps, followed by a third onto the steel steps, cementing his full heel turn. On the August 2 episode of NXT, Itami cut a promo demanding respect from fans, which was interrupted by Aleister Black. After a stare down, Black hit Itami with Black Mass. Itami later attempted to assault Black in the parking lot but was separated by other wrestlers. At NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn III, Itami was defeated by Black. His last NXT match was on December 16, where he defeated Fabian Aichner at a live event.

3.4.2. 205 Live and Departure (2017-2019)

On November 21, 2017, it was announced that Hideo Itami would be moving to the main roster as part of the cruiserweight division on 205 Live. He made his main roster debut on the December 18 episode of Raw, assisting Finn Bálor against Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas in a tag team match, which Itami and Bálor won, marking a face turn. On the December 25 episode of Raw, Itami defeated The Brian Kendrick, with Kendrick suffering an injury after receiving a Go 2 Sleep from Itami. This led to a short feud between Itami and Kendrick's tag team partner, Gentleman Jack Gallagher.

On the February 6 episode of 205 Live, Itami was defeated by Roderick Strong in the first round of the WWE Cruiserweight Championship tournament. In the following month, Itami was involved in feuds with fellow Japanese wrestler Akira Tozawa and Mustafa Ali, and was in contention for Cedric Alexander's Cruiserweight Championship. He participated in a fatal four-way match for the Cruiserweight Championship involving Buddy Murphy, Kalisto, and Akira Tozawa at the Royal Rumble, where he was pinned by Murphy.

On January 29, 2019, it was reported that Itami had requested and been granted his release from WWE after a five-year tenure. Many members of the roster shared farewell messages on social media. On February 4, 2019, the WWE Performance Center YouTube channel released a video chronicling Itami's final week in WWE, featuring him working with Daivari and discussing his challenges with learning English. The video concluded with Itami receiving a standing ovation backstage. On February 22, Kobayashi was officially released by WWE, with the company formally announcing his departure on Twitter. In 2020, while working with NJPW, KENTA reflected on his time in WWE, calling them "the most frustrating days of my life."

3.5.1. Debut and Bullet Club Alignment (2019)

KENTA made a surprise debut for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) on June 9, 2019, at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall, appearing as a face alongside his former tag partner, Katsuyori Shibata, who accompanied him as his manager. KENTA announced his participation in the 2019 G1 Climax tournament. His in-ring debut for NJPW took place on July 6, where he defeated Kota Ibushi in his first tournament match. Competing in the A Block, KENTA remained undefeated in singles matches for over a month and a half, securing victories over prominent figures like Hiroshi Tanahashi, Lance Archer, and Evil. His winning streak was broken on July 27 when he suffered his first defeat against then-IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada. KENTA subsequently lost his next four matches against Sanada, Bad Luck Fale, Will Ospreay, and Zack Sabre Jr., concluding the tournament with 8 points (four wins and five losses), thus failing to advance.

On the final night of the tournament, August 12, KENTA participated in a six-man tag team match alongside Chaos members Tomohiro Ishii and Yoshi-Hashi against Bullet Club's Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga, and Tanga Loa. In a shocking turn of events, KENTA betrayed his partners in the closing moments of the match, assisting Bullet Club in securing the victory and turning heel. As KENTA attempted to explain his actions, Katsuyori Shibata rushed into the ring and attacked him, only for the rest of the Bullet Club members to ambush Shibata. KENTA then sat cross-legged over a fallen Shibata, signaling his official alliance with the Bullet Club.

At Royal Quest in London on August 31, KENTA defeated Ishii to win the NEVER Openweight Championship, marking his first championship in NJPW. However, the match drew criticism as Kobayashi suffered a concussion after a back suplex from Ishii, appearing to be knocked out but continuing the match without referee stoppage. He was hospitalized after the show. At Destruction in Kagoshima on September 16, KENTA returned and unsuccessfully challenged Kota Ibushi for the Tokyo Dome IWGP Heavyweight Championship challenge rights certificate.

On September 28, KENTA successfully defended his NEVER Openweight Championship against YOSHI-HASHI in New York. At Power Struggle on November 3, KENTA retained his title against Ishii in a rematch. Following the match, he attacked Hirooki Goto, initiating a new rivalry. KENTA lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Goto at Wrestle Kingdom 14 on January 5, 2020, ending his reign at 127 days with two successful defenses. Later that night, KENTA controversially attacked Tetsuya Naito after his main event victory over Kazuchika Okada, widely referred to as the "worst bad end" in Tokyo Dome history. KENTA then challenged Naito for both the IWGP Intercontinental and IWGP Heavyweight Championships at The New Beginning in Osaka, but was defeated after Bullet Club's interference was thwarted.

3.5.2. IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship (2020-2022)

In August 2020, KENTA competed in the inaugural New Japan Cup USA tournament, with the prize being a guaranteed match for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. KENTA defeated Karl Fredericks in the first round, Jeff Cobb in the semi-finals, and David Finlay in the finals to win the tournament. He then participated in the 2020 G1 Climax in the B Block, but failed to advance with a final score of 10 points. At Power Struggle on November 7, KENTA successfully retained his "Right to Challenge" contract for the United States Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi. He was scheduled to defend the contract against Juice Robinson at Wrestle Kingdom 15, but due to Robinson's injury, Satoshi Kojima was named his replacement. At the event on January 4, 2021, KENTA defeated Kojima to retain the challenge contract.

On the January 29 episode of Strong, KENTA was attacked by then-IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley. This led to a highly anticipated championship match between KENTA and Moxley at The New Beginning USA on February 26, where KENTA was ultimately defeated.

In March 2021, KENTA entered the New Japan Cup, defeating Juice Robinson and Minoru Suzuki before losing to Shingo Takagi in the quarter-finals. In July, at Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome, KENTA competed in the New Japan Ranbo for the provisional KOPW Championship, which was won by his Bullet Club stablemate Chase Owens. Two months later, KENTA participated in the G1 Climax 31 tournament in the A Block, finishing with 12 points and failing to advance to the finals.

At Power Struggle on November 6, KENTA defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship. He lost the title back to Tanahashi three months later on Night 2 of Wrestle Kingdom 16 in a No disqualification match, where KENTA suffered a gruesome and bloody injury, sustaining a nasal bone fracture, left hip posterior dislocation fracture, a back laceration requiring sutures, and a left ring finger mallet finger.

After his recovery, KENTA was announced as a participant in the G1 Climax 32 tournament in July 2022, competing in the C Block. He finished the tournament with 6 points, failing to advance to the semi-finals. In October, KENTA entered a tournament to crown the first-ever NJPW World Television Champion, defeating Hirooki Goto in the first round but losing to Sanada in the subsequent round.

3.5.3. STRONG Openweight and IWGP Tag Team Championship Reigns (2022-2025)

In November 2022, KENTA returned to NJPW Strong, defeating Bad Dude Tito in his return match. The following month, he won a battle royal to become the number one contender for the Strong Openweight Championship. KENTA returned to Japan at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, 2023, competing in the New Japan Ranbo but failing to make it to the final four. Back in the United States, KENTA received his championship match for the Strong Openweight Championship at Battle in the Valley on February 18, where he defeated Fred Rosser to win the title.

KENTA returned to Japan to compete in the 2023 New Japan Cup, receiving a bye to the second round, where he was defeated by Sanada. Later that month, KENTA returned to the US to make his first successful Strong Openweight Championship defense at Multiverse United, defeating Minoru Suzuki. The following month, he defended the title against Eddie Edwards at Capital Collision. In May, at Wrestling Dontaku, KENTA lost the Strong Openweight Championship to former Bullet Club stablemate, Hikuleo, ending his reign at 74 days. Despite this, KENTA regained the championship 18 days later, defeating Hikuleo at Resurgence. On July 5, on Night 2 of Independence Day, KENTA lost the Strong Openweight Championship to Eddie Kingston, ending his second reign at 45 days. Later in July, KENTA entered the 2023 G1 Climax tournament in the B Block, finishing with 6 points and failing to advance to the quarterfinals.

On January 5, 2024, at New Year Dash!!, Chase Owens announced KENTA as his partner to challenge the recently crowned IWGP Tag Team Champions and Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions, the Guerrillas of Destiny (El Phantasmo and Hikuleo), which they accepted. After KENTA and Owens unsuccessfully challenged Phantasmo and Hikuleo for the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship on February 4 at The New Beginning in Nagoya, the Guerrillas of Destiny agreed to defend the IWGP Tag Team Championship against them. At The New Beginning in Osaka on February 11, KENTA and Owens defeated Guerrillas of Destiny to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship, marking KENTA's first reign with the title. The following month, KENTA entered the New Japan Cup but was defeated in the first round by Yoshi-Hashi. KENTA and Owens lost the IWGP Tag Team titles to Hirooki Goto and Yoshi-Hashi on April 6 at Sakura Genesis, but they regained them on May 4 at Wrestling Dontaku. KENTA continued to team with Owens for the remainder of 2024.

3.5.4. Departure from New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2025)

On January 6, 2025, at New Year Dash!!, KENTA teamed with Taiji Ishimori in a losing effort against El Desperado and Kushida. This marked KENTA's final appearance in NJPW and his last match as a member of the Bullet Club.