Go Shiozaki: Difference between revisions

|birth_place=[[Kumamoto]], [[Kumamoto Prefecture|Kumamoto]], [[Japan]]<ref name=Cage/>

{{nihongo|'''Go Shiozaki'''|潮﨑 豪|Shiozaki Gō|born January 21, 1982}} is a Japanese [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], currently signed to the [[Pro Wrestling Noah]]. [[Professional wrestling promotion|promotion]] where heHe is a record-holding five time former [[GHC Heavyweight Champion]]. He made his debut for the promotionPro Wrestling Noah in July 2004 and initially remained with itPro Wrestling Noah until the end of 2012. Inwhen Januaryhe 2013,jumped Shiozaki joinedto [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW),. whereIn AJPW, he became a one-time [[Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship|Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion]] and a two-time [[World Tag Team Championship (AJPW)|World Tag Team Champion]], before resigning from the promotion in September 2015. Afterwards, he returned to Noah, where, in May 2016, he won the GHC Heavyweight Championship for the third time. He has also worked for [[United States|American]] promotions [[Ring of Honor]] (ROH) and [[Full Impact Pro]] (FIP), winning the latter's [[FIP World Heavyweight Championship|World Heavyweight Championship]]. In August 2016, Shiozaki was appointed the chairman of Noah's wrestlers' association.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noah.co.jp/news_detail.php?news_id=8982|script-title=ja:潮崎豪選手、新選手会長就任のお知らせと会見の模様|work=[[Pro Wrestling Noah]]|date=2016-08-25|access-date=2016-08-26|language=ja}}</ref>

In youth he would play baseball, which he started in the third grade of elementary school, he served as a catcher who was assigned the 4th and 5th batters   and won the eastern district of [[Kumamoto]], his hometown. Similarly, in elementary school, he played against Miho Koga ,a female professional golfer who was the fourth baseball player in Ace and later became a junior in the first grade of [[Tokai University]], in a youth baseball game . At Kumamoto City Nishihara Junior High School  , he joined the basketball club, served as a center forward in the position, and was appointed captain in the third year. Even after going on to high school, he continued to play basketball, becoming a regular player from the second year and achieving the best four in [[Kumamoto Prefecture]]  .

After graduating from high school, he failed to take the police recruitment exam and lived a [[freeter]] life while attending a civil servant prep school. One day, he heard on TV that [[Mitsuharu Misawa]], the founder of [[Pro Wrestling Noah]] said, "Anyone can be a professional wrestler if he has the guts."   One day while reading the back of the "Weekly Wrestling" magazine, he saw an article about [[Kenta Kobayashi|Kenta Koabayashi]] (later KENTA). The article would mention that Kobayashi had passed the AJPW rookie test, without having any background in martial arts, something Shiozaki was lacking as well. Go would later mention that this article would inspire him, and this was when he began thinking of becoming a professional wrestler.

=== Pro Wrestling Noah (2003–2012) ===

Shiozaki made his [[Ring of Honor]] (ROH) debut during ROH's August 2006 tour of England.<ref name="Slam story">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2008/07/11/6134921.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151213151542/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2008/07/11/6134921.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 13, 2015|title=The Americanization of Go Shiozaki|last=Oliver|first=Greg|access-date=2008-09-18|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]}}</ref> In July 2007, he wrestled [[Bryan Danielson]] in ROH's debut show in Tokyo, Japan. He unsuccessfully wrestled [[ROH World Championship|ROH World Champion]] [[Nigel McGuinness]] in a title match on a Noah show in January 2008 before joining the ROH roster as a regular during February's event Eye of the Storm.<ref name="Slam story"/>

On January 26, 2013, Shiozaki, [[Atsushi Aoki]], [[Jun Akiyama]], [[Kotaro Suzuki]] and [[Yoshinobu Kanemaru]], all of whom had quit Noah at the same time, announced that they had joined [[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] (AJPW), forming the "[[Burning (professional wrestling)|Burning]]" stable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130127-00000003-spnavi |script-title=ja:秋山、潮崎らノア退団5選手が全日本プロレスに参戦 |date=2013-01-27 |work=Sports Navi |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |access-date=2013-01-26 |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130130071307/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130127-00000003-spnavi |archive-date=2013-01-30 }}</ref> On March 17, Shiozaki and Akiyama defeated Get Wild ([[Manabu Soya]] and [[Takao Omori]]) to win the [[World Tag Team Championship (AJPW)|World Tag Team Championship]].<ref name=AJPW031713>{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=344 |title=2013 プロレスLove in 両国～Basic&Dynamic～ |access-date=2013-03-17 |work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224085129/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=344 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }}</ref> On May 11, Shiozaki made a one-night return to Noah to take part in Kenta Kobashi's retirement match at [[Final Burning in Budokan]], where he, Kenta, Maybach Taniguchi and Yoshinobu Kanemaru were defeated by Kobashi, Jun Akiyama, [[Keiji Mutoh]] and Kensuke Sasaki.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.noah.co.jp/tour_detail.php?tour_id=1126|script-title=ja:2013年5月11日(土)|access-date=2013-05-11|work=[[Pro Wrestling Noah]]|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130420052008/http://noah.co.jp/tour_detail.php?tour_id=1126|archive-date=2013-04-20|url-status=dead}}</ref> On July 5, following a mass exodus led by Keiji Mutoh, it was announced that Shiozaki, along with the rest of Burning, had signed an exclusive contract with All Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130706-00000015-dal |script-title=ja:秋山13年ぶり！電撃"王道"復帰「全日本の名前の下に頑張りたい」 |date=2013-07-06 |access-date=2013-07-14 |work=Sports Navi |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130723223837/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130706-00000015-dal |archive-date=2013-07-23 }}</ref> Afterwards, Shiozaki set his sights on the [[Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship]], defeating reigning champion [[Kohei Suwama|Suwama]] in a non-title [[Professional wrestling match types#Series variations|Two Out of Three Falls match]] on July 14, the launching day of the post-Mutoh All Japan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130715-00000000-spnavi |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130714224723/http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/sports/fight/headlines/article/20130715-00000000-spnavi |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-07-14 |script-title=ja:新生全日本が船出 潮崎が三冠王者・諏訪魔との３本勝負に勝利 |date=2013-07-15 |access-date=2013-07-14 |work=Sports Navi |publisher=[[Yahoo!]] |language=ja }}</ref> Shiozaki received his shot at the title on August 25, but was defeated by Suwama.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=412 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131222224013/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=412 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2013-12-22 |title=Summer Impact 2013～ The beginning of evolution ～ |access-date=2013-08-25 |work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] |language=ja }}</ref> In September, Shiozaki made it to the finals of the [[Ōdō Tournament#2013|2013 Ōdō Tournament]], after wins over Burning stablemates Kotaro Suzuki and Yoshinobu Kanemaru as well as top World Tag Team Championship contender [[Joe Doering]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=416|script-title=ja:「王道トーナメント ～2013オープン選手権～」|access-date=2013-09-23|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224103337/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=416|archive-date=2013-12-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=415|script-title=ja:「王道トーナメント ～2013オープン選手権～」|access-date=2013-09-23|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224112910/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=415|archive-date=2013-12-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=420|script-title=ja:「王道トーナメント ～2013オープン選手権～」|access-date=2013-09-23|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224092420/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=420|archive-date=2013-12-24}}</ref> before losing to [[Akebono Tarō|Akebono]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=421 |script-title=ja:「王道トーナメント ～2013オープン選手権～」 |access-date=2013-09-23 |work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224113244/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=421 |archive-date=2013-12-24 }}</ref> On October 22, Shiozaki and Akiyama lost the World Tag Team Championship to [[Evolution (AJPW)|Evolution]] ([[Joe Doering]] and Suwama).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=428|title=Anniversary Tour|access-date=2013-10-23|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224103348/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=428|archive-date=2013-12-24}}</ref> The following day, Shiozaki announced that he wanted to leave Burning in order to win the Triple Crown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/197587/|script-title=ja:秋山がバーニング解体し大森と新タッグ|date=2013-10-24|access-date=2013-10-24|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja|archive-date=2013-10-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027115209/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/197587/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/197959/|script-title=ja:潮﨑が秋山との決別を正式表明|date=2013-10-26|access-date=2013-10-26|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref> On November 18, Shiozaki announced that he was forming a new stable named "[[Xceed (professional wrestling)|Xceed]]", revealing [[Kenzo Suzuki|Kenso]] as the first member of the group.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=2219|title=潮﨑選手が新ユニット「Xceed」結成を宣言！！|date=2013-11-18|access-date=2013-11-18|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224105844/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/news/detail.php?id=2219|archive-date=2013-12-24}}</ref> However, in the stable's first match three days later, Kenso turned on Shiozaki and aligned himself with [[Chris Raaber|Bambi Killer]] and [[D'Lo Brown]]. Shiozaki was then saved by Atsushi Aoki, [[Kento Miyahara]] and Kotaro Suzuki, who became the newest members of Xceed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/battle/2013/11/002033.php|title=Xcced初陣でKensoがいきなり潮崎を裏切り、全日本に反旗！前哨戦で三冠王者と世界ジュニア王者が揃って挑戦者に完敗！|date=2013-11-22|access-date=2013-11-21|work=Battle News|language=ja}}</ref> In December, Shiozaki and Miyahara made it to the finals of the [[World's Strongest Tag Determination League#2013|2013 World's Strongest Tag Determination League]], before losing to Evolution (Joe Doering and Suwama).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=445|script-title=ja:2013 世界最強タッグ決定リーグ戦|access-date=2013-12-08|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=ja|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224102051/http://pre.all-japan.co.jp/schedule/tour03.php?taikai_id=445|archive-date=2013-12-24}}</ref> On February 23, 2014, Shiozaki received another shot at the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, but was defeated by the defending champion, Akebono.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/1240/ |title=エールクリエイトpresents 2014 沖縄Impact vol.1 |access-date=2014-02-23 |work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227082529/http://www.all-japan.co.jp/post_tour/1240/ |archive-date=2014-02-27 }}</ref> In April, Shiozaki participated in the 2014 [[Champion Carnival]], where he was leading his block before suffering a broken thumb, which forced him to pull out of the tournament and forfeit his final round-robin match with Jun Akiyama.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/index.php?QBlog-20140425-3|title=ゼウス戦で指を骨折した潮崎が欠場！秋山との公式戦は不戦敗に！The Bodyguardが諏訪魔戦に向けてコメント|date=2014-04-25|access-date=2014-04-25|work=Battle News|language=ja}}</ref>

On September 28, Shiozaki defeated Suwama in the finals to win the [[Ōdō Tournament#2014|2014 Ōdō Tournament]] and earn another shot at the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship.<ref name=2014OdoTS>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/317415/|script-title=ja:全日本で初勲章！潮﨑「王道Ｔ」初制覇 ３冠挑戦へ|date=2014-09-29|access-date=2014-09-29|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja}}</ref> Shiozaki received his title shot on October 29, but was defeated by Joe Doering.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/【10-29】全日本プロレス-旗揚げ記念シリーズ-山形大/|script-title=ja:【10.29】全日本プロレス 旗揚げ記念シリーズ 山形大会|date=2014-10-29|access-date=2014-10-29|work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]]|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926040311/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/%E3%80%9010-29%E3%80%91%E5%85%A8%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E3%83%97%E3%83%AD%E3%83%AC%E3%82%B9-%E6%97%97%E6%8F%9A%E3%81%92%E8%A8%98%E5%BF%B5%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA-%E5%B1%B1%E5%BD%A2%E5%A4%A7/|archive-date=2015-09-26|url-status=dead}}</ref> Shiozaki received a rematch with Doering on January 3, 2015, and defeated him to win the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship for the first time.<ref name=TripleCrownBN>{{cite web|url=http://battle-news.com/?p=4373|title=全日本1.3後楽園大会 ドーリングvs.潮崎の三冠戦、鼓太郎＆宮原vs.DKのアジアタッグ、Kensovs.土方のGaora TV王座戦|date=2015-01-04|access-date=2015-01-03|work=Battle News|language=ja}}</ref> He made his first successful title defense on February 7 against [[Zeus (Japanese wrestler)|Zeus]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/【2-7】-2015-エキサイトシリーズ　開幕戦・大阪大会/ |script-title=ja:【2.7】 2015 エキサイトシリーズ 開幕戦・大阪大会 |date=2015-02-07 |access-date=2015-02-07 |work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] |language=ja |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417175508/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/%E3%80%902-7%E3%80%91-2015-%E3%82%A8%E3%82%AD%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A4%E3%83%88%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA%E3%80%80%E9%96%8B%E5%B9%95%E6%88%A6%E3%83%BB%E5%A4%A7%E9%98%AA%E5%A4%A7%E4%BC%9A/ |archive-date=2015-04-17 }}</ref> His second successful defense took place on March 27 against Xceed stablemate Kento Miyahara.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/【3-27】-2015-ドリームパワーシリーズ%E3%80%80最終戦・後楽園/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150410173051/https://www.all-japan.co.jp/archives/match/%E3%80%903-27%E3%80%91-2015-%E3%83%89%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%A0%E3%83%91%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B7%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%BA%E3%80%80%E6%9C%80%E7%B5%82%E6%88%A6%E3%83%BB%E5%BE%8C%E6%A5%BD%E5%9C%92/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2015-04-10 |script-title=ja:【3.27】 2015 ドリームパワーシリーズ 最終戦・後楽園大会 |date=2015-03-27 |access-date=2015-03-28 |work=[[All Japan Pro Wrestling]] |language=ja }}</ref> On May 6, Shiozaki and Miyahara defeated [[Yutaka Yoshie]] and Shiozaki's next Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship challenger Akebono to become the new World Tag Team Champions.<ref name=AJPW050615>{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/cards/ajpw/super-power-series-3915---day-1-32513.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218145753/http://www.profightdb.com/cards/ajpw/super-power-series-3915---day-1-32513.html |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |title=AJPW Super Power Series '15 – Day 1 |work=The Internet Wrestling Database |date=May 6, 2015 |access-date=February 18, 2023}}</ref> By simultaneously holding the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship and the World Tag Team Championship, Shiozaki became the seventh "Quintuple Crown Champion".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/397303/|script-title=ja:世界タッグ奪取！潮﨑悲願の「５冠王」|date=2015-05-07|access-date=2015-05-07|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja|archive-date=2015-05-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150508184317/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/397303/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On May 21, Shiozaki lost the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship to Akebono in his third defense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profightdb.com/cards/ajpw/super-power-series-3915---day-9-32521.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218150128/http://www.profightdb.com/cards/ajpw/super-power-series-3915---day-9-32521.html |archive-date=February 18, 2023 |title=AJPW Super Power Series '15 – Day 9 |work=The Internet Wrestling Database |date=May 21, 2015 |access-date=February 18, 2023}}</ref> On September 28, it was announced that Shiozaki was leaving AJPW the following month and becoming a [[freelancer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/451208/|script-title=ja:全日本プロレスのエース・潮崎が退団！|date=2015-09-28|access-date=2015-09-28|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja|archive-date=2015-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928020246/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/451208/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The announcement also led to Shiozaki and Miyahara vacating the World Tag Team Championship.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.daily.co.jp/newsflash/ring/2015/09/28/0008437868.shtml | script-title=ja:潮崎、全日本退団を電撃表明 世界タッグは返上 | date=2015-09-28 | access-date=2015-09-28 | work=Daily Sports Online | publisher=[[Kobe Shimbun]] | language=ja}}</ref> Shiozaki's final AJPW match took place on October 4, when he and Miyahara defeated Jun Akiyama and Yoshinobu Kanemaru in a tag team match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/454055/|script-title=ja:全日退団 潮﨑狙うはＩＷＧＰ|date=2015-10-05|access-date=2015-10-05|work=[[Tokyo Sports]]|language=ja|archive-date=2016-03-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305011055/http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/454055/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== GHC Heavyweight Championship reign (2015–2016) ====

On November 20, 2015, Shiozaki returned to Noah, announcing he wanted to again wrestle in his original home promotion. His interview segment was interrupted by [[Minoru Suzuki]], who offered him a spot in his [[Suzuki-gun]] stable.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noah.co.jp/news_detail.php?news_id=7714|script-title=ja:「Winter Navig. 2015」11月20日(金)後楽園ホール大会 試合後コメント|date=2015-11-21|accessdate=2015-11-20|work=[[Pro Wrestling Noah]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> On November 26, Shiozaki defeated [[Mitsuhiro Kitamiya]] in his Noah return match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noah.co.jp/result.php?tour_id=1513|title=Winter Navig. 2015|accessdate=2015-11-26|work=[[Pro Wrestling Noah]]|language=Japanese|archive-date=2016-03-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054332/http://noah.co.jp/result.php?tour_id=1513|url-status=dead}}</ref> When Takashi Sugiura turned on Noah and joined Suzuki-gun on December 23, Shiozaki announced that he wanted to join the promotion in its battle with Suzuki-gun. Naomichi Marufuji, however, turned his offer down.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noah.co.jp/news_detail.php?news_id=7860|title=「Winter Navig. 2015」12月23日(祝・水)大田区総合体育館大会 試合後コメント|accessdate=2015-12-23|work=[[Pro Wrestling Noah]]|language=Japanese}}</ref> On January 31, 2016, Shiozaki's tag team partner Yoshinobu Kanemaru turned on him and joined Suzuki-gun. At the end of the show, Marufuji, after losing the GHC Heavyweight Championship to Sugiura, finally accepted Shiozaki's help in the war between Noah and Suzuki-gun.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/news/detail.php?nid=15781 | script-title=ja:鈴木軍の無法行為で杉浦がGHCヘビー強奪！ 金丸がまさかの鈴木軍入り！ 潮崎、マスクを脱いだ谷口が丸藤と合流！【1・31ノア横浜大会・試合結果（1）】 | date=2016-02-01 | accessdate=2016-01-31 | work=[[New Japan Pro Wrestling]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On May 28, Shiozaki defeated Sugiura to win the GHC Heavyweight Championship for the third time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noah.co.jp/result.php?tour_id=1588|title=infoNear inc. presents Great Voyage 2016 in Osaka|accessdate=2016-05-28|work=[[Pro Wrestling Noah]]|language=Japanese|archive-date=2016-10-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161021050736/http://noah.co.jp/result.php?tour_id=1588|url-status=dead}}</ref> Shiozaki made his first successful title defense on June 12 against Suzuki-gun member [[Shelton Benjamin|Shelton X Benjamin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/06/12/612-noah-tokyo-japan-results-go-shiozaki-vs-shelton-benjamin-ghc-hvt-title-k-e-s-challenges-ghc-tag-titles-njpw-stars-misawa-memorial-tribute/|title=6/12 Noah in Tokyo, Japan Results – Go Shiozaki vs. Shelton Benjamin for GHC Hvt. Title, K.E.S. challenges for GHC Tag Titles, NJPW stars, Misawa memorial|date=2016-06-12|accessdate=2016-06-12|work=Pro Wrestling Torch}}</ref> The following day, Shiozaki officially re-signed with Noah, ending his days as a freelancer.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/mens_prores/552564/ | script-title=ja:ノア再入団の潮崎が会見　方舟マットを「もっと高みに導きたい」 | date=2016-06-13 | accessdate=2016-06-13 | work=[[Tokyo Sports]] | language=Japanese}}</ref> On July 30, Shiozaki lost the GHC Heavyweight Championship back to Sugiura.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://noah.co.jp/result.php?tour_id=1626|title=日テレG+ presents「第10回日テレG+杯争奪ジュニアヘビー級タッグリーグ戦」|accessdate=2016-07-30|work=[[Pro Wrestling Noah]]|language=Japanese|archive-date=2016-08-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160802010924/http://www.noah.co.jp/result.php?tour_id=1626|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== GHC Tag Team Championship pursuits (2016–2018) ====

On December 2, Shiozaki and Maybach Taniguchi defeated Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Lance Archer to win GHC Tag Team Championship. They lost the titles to [[Kenoh]] and [[Masa Kitamiya]] on January 21, 2017. On August 26 Shiozaki and [[Atsushi Kotoge]] defeated Maybach Taniguchi and Naomichi Marufuji to win GHC Tag Team Championship. They lost the titles to [[Muhammad Yone]] and [[Quiet Storm]] on October 1. In November, Shiozaki won his block in the  2017 [[Global League Tournament]] with a record of five wins and one loss and one draw, advancing to the finals.  On November 19, Shiozaki was defeated in the final by [[Kenoh]].

On January 6, 2018 Shiozaki saved [[Kaito Kiyomiya]] from an assault by Kenoh and Takashi Sugiura, the two would form a partnership, later dubbed as "GO-KAI". From March until April, Kiyomiya and Shiozaki took part of the [[Global Tag League]], finishing the tournament with three wins, one loss and three draws, advancing to the finals. In the finals, Kiyomiya and Shiozaki defeated Kenoh and Sugiura to win the tournament. On April 29 at Great Voyage in Niigata, Kiyomiya and Shiozaki defeated [[The Aggression]] ([[Masa Kitamiya]] and [[Katsuhiko Nakajima]]) to win the  [[GHC Tag Team Championship]]. They lost the titles back to The Aggression on May 29. In November, Shiozaki took part in the [[Global League#2018|2018 Global League]], where he finished the tournament with four wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals of the tournament. 

==== AXIZ (2018–2020) ====

In December, Shiozaki and Nakajima celebrated their 15th-anniversary debut match, leading on December 3, Shiozaki defeating Nakajima in their anniversary debut match. Afterwards, Shiozaki challenged Kaito Kiyomiya to a match for the GHC Heavyweight Championship on January 4, 2020. Things started civilly between the champion and the challenger. However, Kiyomiya began showing an egotistical attitude leading to the match, stating that would take the "leading role" at Noah's 20th anniversary year in 2020. Shiozaki didn't appreciate his attitude, leading the two to be separated twice after their match on December 7. On December 12, AXIZ teamed with [[Hitoshi Kumano]] in a winning effort against Kiyomiya, Shuhei Taniguchi, and Masao Inoue, after Shiozaki scored the win for his team, after pinning Kiyomiya. Afterwards, Kiyomiya found the loss regrettable and his arrogance began growing. In their final confrontation, AXIZ defeated Kiyomiya and Taniguchi, with Shiozaki scoring the win for his team, pinning Kiyomiya for the second time. After the match, Shiozaki loomed over Kiyomiya and placed a finger very firmly on his chest before leaving the ring. On January 4, 2020, at New Sunrise, Shiozaki defeated Kaito Kiyomiya to win the GHC Heavyweight Championship. The following day at Reboot, AXIZ lost the GHC Tag Team Championship to [[Masaaki Mochizuki]] and [[Naomichi Marufuji]]. In March, AXIZ took part in the [[Global Tag League#2020|2020 Global Tag League]], making to their second consecutive Global Tag League final by winning their block in the 2020 tournament with a record of two wins and one loss. On April 18, they were defeated in the finals of the tournament by [[Sugiura-gun|Sugiura-gun International]] (Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. and [[Rene Dupree]]). On August 6, on the second night of Departure, after Shiozaki successfully defended the GHC Heavyweight Championship against [[Naomichi Marufuji]], Kenoh challenged Shiozaki to a double-title match for the GHC National and Heavyweight Championships, stating that there could only be one strong champion in Noah. On August 10 at NOAH The Chronicle Vol. 3, Shiozaki faced Kenoh in a 60-minute time limit draw to retain the GHC Heavyweight Championship and unsuccessfully challenging Kenoh for the GHC National Championship. On August 20, AXIZ faced Sugiura-gun ([[Kazushi Sakuraba]] and Takashi Sugiura) in a losing effort for the vacant GHC Tag Team Championship. Afterwards, Nakajima turned on Shiozaki in order to join KONGOH, effectively disbanding AXIZ. From September 18 and October 11, Shiozaki took part in the [[N-1 Victory#2020|2020 N-1 Victory]], finishing the tournament with a record of two wins, and three losses, faillingfailing to advance to the finals due to, losing to Kaito Kiyomiya in their head-to-head match.

==== Record-breaking GHC Heavyweight Champion and return of AXIZ (2021–present) ====

Shortly after losing the title, on March 15, it was announced that Shiozaki would undergo surgery, after dislocating his right biceps tendon, forcing him to be sidelined for eight months. He made his return on November 28 at Noah the Best 2021, challenging his former AXIZ teammate Katsuhiko Nakajima to a title match for the GHC Heavyweight Championship on January 1, at Noah The New Year. On December 27, following a victory in a ten-man tag team match, where Nakajima pinned Shiozaki, he stated that if lost to him at NOAH The New Year, Shiozaki should never repeat his catchphrase "I am Noah" again. At a press conference the following day, Shiozaki agreed to Nakajima's condition of never using his catchphrase "I am Noah" again, on the condition that if he won, Nakajima would be forced to reunite AXIZ with him. At the event, Shiozaki unsucessfullyunsuccessfully challenged Nakajima for the GHC Heavyweight Championship, forcing Shiozaki to abandon his "I am Noah" catchfrase.

After faillingfailed to regain the GHC Heavyweight Championship, Shiozaki underwent a 4 match trial series to challenge for the GHC Heavyweight Championship, but lost all 4 matches. After defeating [[Manabu Soya]] on March 13 at Great Voyage in Yokohama, Shiozaki began his true road to the GHC Heavyweight Championship. On March 23, after avenging his loss to Nakajima, Shiozaki called out [[Kazuyuki Fujita]], challenging him to a title match for GHC Heavyweight Championship at Majestic, which he accepted after mocking Shiozaki's catchphrase. The title match would be turned to a match for the vacant championship, after Fujita contracted COVID-19. At the event, on April 30, Shiozaki defeated Kaito Kiyomiya to win the GHC Heavyweight Championship for the record-breaking fifth time. He lost the title to [[Satoshi Kojima]] on June 12 at CyberFight Festival. In August, Shiozaki took part in the [[N-1 Victory#2022|2022 N-1 Victory]], finishing the tournament, with a record of four wins and three losses, failing to advance to the finals.

The following month, Shiozaki was sidelined with an shoulder injury, which led to him return on April 16 at Green Journey in Sendai, announcing the would make his in-ring return on May 4 at [[Noah Majestic 2023|Majestic]]. At Majestic, Shiozaki teamed with Kaito Kiyomiya and [[Yoshiki Inamura]] in a losing effort to KONGOH (Kenoh, Katsuhiko Nakajima and Manabu Soya). Afterwards, Nakajima decided to leave KONGOH to reform AXIZ with Shiozaki, which he accepted. AXIZ made their return match on May 14, losing to Kenoh and Soya. After a draw between Nakajima and Kenoh on May 31, Shiozaki challenged Kenoh to a match, which he lost on June 22. In August, Shiozaki took part in the [[N-1 Victory#2023|2023 N-1 Victory]], finishing the tournament with a record of four wins, two losses, and a draw against Manabu Soya in their head-to-head match, meaning that both finished leveled on points in their block. This leadled to NOAH setting up a rematch between them to decide, who would advance to the finals, which Shiozaki won on August 27. On September 3, Shiozaki defeated Kenoh in the finals to win the N-1 Victory. On September 24 at [[Noah Grand Ship In Nagoya 2023|Grand Ship In Nagoya]], Shiozaki unsuccessfully challenged [[Jake Lee (wrestler)|Jake Lee]] for the GHC Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bodyslam.net/2023/09/24/pro-wrestling-noah-grand-ship-2023-in-nagoya-results-9-24-2023-new-champions-crowned/|title=Pro Wrestling NOAH GRAND SHIP 2023 In NAGOYA Results (9/24/2023), New Champions Crowned|work=postwrestling.com|first=Lewis|last=Carlan|date=September 24, 2023}}</ref> AXIZ temporarily disbanded when Nakajima left Pro Wrestling Noah in October 2023, but it was later announced that AXIZ would compete in that years [[World's Strongest Tag Determination League|AJPW World's Strongest Tag Determination League]]; AXIZ were announced as participants on November 7, two days after Nakajima won the [[Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship]] against [[Yuma Aoyagi]].

**Outstanding Performance Award (2009)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2009|title=Nikkan Sports Awards – 2009|website= wrestlingscout|date=February 28, 2016|access-date=August 13, 2018|archive-date=March 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313003151/https://sites.google.com/site/wrestlingscout/home/updates/nikkansportsawards-2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Category:21st-century male professional wrestlers]]