October 1st, 2005 marked what was considered to be a dream match by many in independent wrestling. NOAH superstar and former GHC Heavyweight Champion Kenta Kobashi made his debut in Ring of Honor in New York City to face former ROH world and Pure wrestling champion Samoa Joe. The widely celebrated match between both former world champions (both with title reigns of nearly 2 years) featured an epic battle of painful chops, stiff kicks and high impact manuevers infront of the packed audience of the New Yorker Hotel. Both fan favorites, Joe and Kobashi delivered a match that both fans and critics praised, with Joe nearly defeating Kobashi with the muscle buster. Kobashi regained his momentum and came back to defeat the former ROH champion and deliver what some have considered one of the biggest matches in independent wrestling today.
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