Narita turns his back on Shota Umino
The last match for Shota Umino and Ren Narita in World Tag league 2023 on December 6 had a bitter sting in the tail, as Narita turned his back on a friendship from day one with Shooter and turned to the dark side of HOUSE OF TORTURE.
The two faced Yujiro Takahashi and EVIL of HOT in their last league match. After Narita had reportedly encouraged Umino to keep going to the bitter end of the tournament, a fired-up Umino targeted HOT on the entrance, but was turned away along with Narita. As the ‘Son of Strong Style’ took excessively long recovering on the entranceway, Umino was forced to fight on his own, eventually creating enough distance to reach his corner- only for Narita to drop off the apron.
As Narita took a chair and sat in the entranceway, Umino still bravely fought on against overwhelming odds. Taking care of the other members of HOT, Umino was close to winning the match on his own, but as he set EVIL for a Death Rider, Narita got in the ring and choked Umino out. After serving Umino to EVIL for the HOT win, Narita continued the assault, a chair shot to the head of Umino eerily reminiscent of how SHO joined HOUSE OF TORTURE two years ago.
As a disapproving now former partner El Desperado looked on from the announce desk, Narita accepted a HOUSE OF TORTURE T-shirt before heading backstage without a word to the people. It was backstage that the mask fully fell from Narita.
‘I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time,’ sneered Narita. ‘This is the day that handshake was all leading to. I’ve never felt better. Oh, yeah, this is Ren Narita.’
Source: NJPW1972
It was a shocking turn of events at the World Tag League 2023 as Ren Narita betrayed his long-time friend Shota Umino and aligned himself with the notorious HOUSE OF TORTURE faction. The match between Umino and Narita against Yujiro Takahashi and EVIL of HOT started off with high tension, but no one could have predicted the shocking betrayal that would unfold.
Throughout the tournament, Narita had been encouraging Umino to push through and give his all. However, when Umino launched an attack on HOT at the entrance, Narita unexpectedly turned his back on his partner. Umino was left to fend for himself against the formidable opponents, showing incredible resilience and determination.
Despite facing overwhelming odds, Umino managed to hold his ground and even came close to winning the match on his own. However, Narita’s true colors were revealed when he entered the ring and choked out Umino, ultimately handing him over to EVIL for the HOT victory.
The assault didn’t end there, as Narita delivered a chair shot to Umino’s head, reminiscent of SHO’s betrayal and joining of HOUSE OF TORTURE two years prior. Former partner El Desperado watched on disapprovingly from the announce desk, clearly shocked by Narita’s actions.
After the match, Narita accepted a HOUSE OF TORTURE T-shirt, solidifying his allegiance to the faction. Backstage, Narita removed any doubt about his intentions, expressing his satisfaction with his betrayal and declaring himself as Ren Narita.
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