NOAH

I would star out with the best of dvds first, like Kenta Kobashi, Mitsuharu Misawa, Naomichi Marufuji, or KENTA.

I haven't updated this in forever (almost a year to be exact), but here's a list of my "Must Buy" shows from NOAH I posted on the official IVP message board awhile ago.

Departure (7/10/04) and Destiny (7/18/05)

Level of Recommendation: Very High

Why: Both are considered absolutely essential viewing for first-time NOAH fans. Both are stuffed full of some very good matches all around, and Destiny has such good video quality it's almost freaky. It's like looking through glass. Departure has more quality matches, but Destiny featured some better ones.

Differ Cup 2005, Both Nights

Recommendation: Moderate-to-High

Why: This is a Junior wrestling tournament NOAH style, which is both a good and a bad thing. There's plenty of non-NOAH wrestlers, many of whom get their fair chance to shine, but from the very beginning, this tournament was about KENTA and Naomichi Marufuji. There's better tournaments out there, but this one can easily stand on its own legs and a good way to spend a couple bucks.

Navigate for Evolution 3/5/05

Recommendation: Very High

Why: BECAUSE KOBASHI VS. RIKIO IS YOUR GAWD!

>_>

<_<

To be serious, Kenta Kobashi vs. Takeshi Rikio is one of the stiffest, most emotional, and best matches of both Kenta Kobashi's recent career, and is most likely the match of Rikio's life. Rarely does a match combine great wrestling with great storytelling, and when that happens, you're guaranteed a true classic. Suffice to say, that classic type of match happened that night. The rest of the show is good, but a bit standard for NOAH. Get it for some good action, love it for one hell of a main event.

Navigate for Evolution 03/05/2006

Recommendation: High

Why: I'm unsure if they kept the "Navigate for Evolution" name, but I doubt they changed it. That said, there's some great matches on this thing, highlighted by Suzuki/Akiyama and Kobashi/KENTA. Simply another must-have NOAH show.

Navigation Against the Current 10/9/04

Recommendation: High

Why: Even though everything was still solid, Kenta Kobashi vs. KENTA made this show worth having. Another one of those matches where everything just "clicked".

Great Voyage 12/24/200

Recommendation: High

Why: Kenta Kobashi vs. Jun Akiyama is another one of those deal-breakers that screams "buy me". It's a great match. Everything is again solid, with several being pretty choice. For any who end up disappointed about their Departure '04 match (and to be honest, I kinda was), having this event on hand more than makes up for that match.

Di Colloseo 10/5/04

Recommendation: Moderate

Why: With only three matches, this is a good way to pass the time. You get what you pay for, but the three matches in question are all really good, intense matches. Kobashi vs. Taue is the highlight, but the other two stand on their own two feet and are just about on par with Kobashi/Taue.