Kazuchika Okada, one of Japanese pro wrestling’s biggest breakout stars in years, dominated the 2012 Tokyo Sports awards. Not only did he become the MVP aged just 25 but his memorable match with Tanahashi on June 16th, when Tanahashi won the IWGP Heavyweight Title back from Okada, was named Best Bout. Along with these two awards, Shinsuke Nakamura added a third for New Japan by winning the Technique Prize while New Japan legend Seiji Sakaguchi picked up a Lifetime Achievement Prize.

Tokyo Sports 2012 MVP: Kazuchika Okada
Tokyo Sports 2012 Best Bout: Kazuchika Okada vs. Hiroshi Tanahashi (6/16 @ Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium)
Tokyo Sports 2012 Technique Award: Shinsuke Nakamura

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Satoshi Kojima failed in his attempt to win the GHC Heavyweight Title in the main event of NOAH’s Sumo Hall show on which the legendary Kenta Kobashi announced he is retiring from pro wrestling. NOAH has been struggling more and more since the death of Misawa but was able to draw a reasonable attendance of 7,500 (if real) for the show.

NOAH “GREAT VOYAGE 2012 IN RYOGOKU VOL. 2″, 12/9/12
Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan
7,500 Fans

- GHC Heavyweight Title: Takeshi Morishima (c) beat Satoshi Kojima (20:17) with a backdrop suplex (8th defense).