(NOAH) First time tag on the memorial match on the 10th June. Sugiura, Marufuji and the generational war; Go Shiozaki and Katsuhiko Nakakima talk.

6th June 2018
Noah.co.jp

On the 10th June at the Mitsuharu Misawa memorial match to be held at Korakuen Hall, Go Shiozaki and Katsuhiko Nakajima will team for the first time. I asked them about their current feelings towards "the Generation war", Sugiura, Naomichi Marufuji and the current mood that "Noah does not need Sugiura and Marufuji now".

NAKAJIMA: I am not planning on this being simply a memorial match.

SHIOZAKI: 10th of June at Korakuen Hall will be a turning point for Noah.

Q: On the 29th May, Katsuhiko Nakajima won the match and took the belts from you, and you will now team at the 10th June at Korakuen Hall?

NAKAJIMA: As an individual, I wanted to leave my mark with "The Aggression". With that thought in mind I wound the belt of the GHC Tag, but this was taken from us in the first defense. So we had a rematch. I wanted then to get results as a team.

Q: In the ring, you have what has been called a "dark side?"

NAKAJIMA: I wonder if it comes out spontaneously. I don't think too much about it, but in that situation I had to do it. It was born with the existence of Go-Kai.

Q: You said that the "championship was grasped by a fluke?"

NAKAJIMA: That is over now, and I can say whatever I want (laughs). I have the belt now.

SHIOZAKI laughs

NAKAJIMA: It was frustrating when we lost the belts and to be won over by Kaito. I don't feel hate or anything, its just that the belts were taken by Go-Kai.

Q: How is Shiozaki who suffered a focused attack on the left knee?

SHIOZAKI: I don't need a knee replacement (laughs). Regarding the match, severe attacks cannot be helped, and it is good to overcome it and win. I don't think it was dirty play just because my limb was weak.

NAKAJIMA: I have never done anything underhand

SHIOZAKI laughs

Q: You used a chair to destroy his right arm...

NAKAJIMA: I don't remember that

Q: Kiyomiya has made history by being the youngest GHC tag champion?

NAKAJIMA: That is a bad mark for The Aggression.

SHIOZAKI laughs

NAKAJIMA: For Noah it means he is the youngest on record, he has worked hard, was this not the power of the Go-Kai team?

Q: There was also the "malicious tackle" during the GHC Tag Championship?

NAKAJIMA: It wasn't me!

SHIOZAKI: That guy is not here!*

Q: It was Masa Kitamiya

NAKAJIMA: He tackled your knees, it was just that kind of thing.

SHIOZAKI: He did it on purpose! I decided to stand up to it.

NAKAJIMA: By the way, no one said to do that. Not President Uchida or coach Inoue.

Q: Coach Inoue said he didn't order you to do it.

SHIOZAKI: It was an aggressive tackle

NAKAJIMA: It was completely a coincidence. It happens (laughs)

Q: Prior to the finish, Shiozaki was kicked in the face by Nakajima?

SHIOZAKI: That's right?

NAKAJIMA: "Malicious Kick" (laugh)

SHIOZAKI: It was worse than being tackled!

NAKAJIMA: I had to do it to win. I know your strength, Shiozaki, and I know that you would not go down easily. Anyway, I wanted the win, so...

Q: After winning in such a way, you will stand in the same corner together on the 10th June at Korakuen?

NAKAJIMA: The big question. I don't know if this is coincidence, or if this is inevitable, but Misawa's memorial match has been arranged as Takashi Sugiura & Naomichi Marufuji vs Shiozaki and Nakajima. This card has been clearly divided into two generations. This is an opportunity, a trigger. I don't mean for this to be simply a memorial match.

Q: The GHC champion has been complaining about the necessity for the generation war?

NAKAJIMA: The image I had has finally become reality

SHIOZAKI: I don't feel the same generation as Marufuji and Sugiura. They were seniors when I debuted, and I adored them both. If they win this match, then I think they have a powerful relationship which is clear to everyone. I'm someone who debuted with Noah, and I want to fight them, rather than pairing with them. The more we see of Marufuji and Sugiura teaming, the more interesting it will be for Noah now. We will threaten that tag. If Shiozaki and Nakajima defeat Sugiura and Marufuji, the current state of Noah will be better understood. This tag match has many meanings, the fight with the partner and with them. Nakajima is aiming for the same. I am going for the target too.

Q: I don't recall Shiozaki and Nakajima ever teaming before?

SHIOZAKI: We have not.

NAKAJIMA: Mostly we have fought. I don't want to have to eat the chop this time (laughs). There have been many six person tags, but this is the first time when it has been just the two of us.

SHIOZAKI: Darkside Nakajima and powerful Shiozaki. It will be fun.

Q: The current situation in Noah is that on the 29th May in the main event at Korakuen, Marufuji and Sugiura fought for the GHC Heavyweight Championship?

NAKAJIMA: Sugiura said that he hasn't begun to build his era, and Kenoh that he was going to build his own. There are a lot of "era words" being used in Noah, but the current situation depends on Marufuji and Sugiura to do it, which they cannot do. I think everyone is using the word "era" because they have to break through it. If you think about the future, there is none if it is them. We are aware 100% now what we will not have to rely on. From now on I think it is necessary for us to build it up and with Marufuji and Sugiura in the main event, there are many wrestlers who feel a sense of crisis. I feel a sense of crisis too. Well, thankfully this card has been put together, and I want to hit the ring hard. I want this to be more than just a match, so I want to do this with Shiozaki.

SHIOZAKI: On my part, I want to create an era rather than a generational change. I have to create one. I cannot depend on them, and we have to make our own. June 10th will be a step towards that.

NAKAJIMA: There are many things to look back on, and hope it is not too late? I will go fast at Korakuen.

Q: It will be a very big win against Marufuji and Sugiura in the generation war. For you two, what are Marufuji and Sugiura?

NAKAJIMA: To the fans, Noah = Marufuji and Sugiura. I don't think that can be changed in just one match. It is necessary to amass and then establish a pattern and so on. This is inevitable, this memorial match, and it is an opportunity. I am thinking our team will be able to connect with this.

SHIOZAKI: This match has been made for this event. Although this is not a title match, this is a fight that will decide the future of Noah. Winning here will change Noah's path, and its look will change.

NAKAJIMA: Personally, this has all to do with the axis of the generational struggle, and that is why Shiozaki and I are tagging. I want to make that clear.

Q: After the 10th June, the generational struggle will be a big theme for Noah after the result at Korakuen.

NAKAJIMA: Let me make it clear. Our traces will be packed (doesn't translate well)

Q: On the 10th June, Kenoh vs Kiyomiya for the GHC Heavyweight number one contender will also be determined. Will you assert yourself here too?

NAKAJIMA: Oh yeah. We will go for this too.

Q: When Kenoh or Kiyomiya breaks through?

NAKAJIMA: We have no use for that (laughs)

SHIOZAKI: It's interim management before the next challenger is decided.

Q: The winner of Kenoh vs Kiyomiya will challenge for the GHC Heavyweight on the 26th June at Korakuen?

SHIOZAKI: Even if it is taken from Takashi Sugiura, you can challenge?

NAKAJIMA: That is what everyone is aiming at. I will express my challenge when it is taken.

Q: What would you like to announce to Noah?

NAKAJIMA: This member will make trouble. Well, it is funny. In recent months individual claims have become even stronger. It is inevitable that it has become such a trend. Everyone has the same feeling of crisis, and we also feel a sense that we should be excited for Noah. At one time I thought about Noah and what I wanted to represent, and when I think about it, the first priority should be the generation war. I think it is good to have this kind of image, but the sense of crisis has not changed.

SHIOZAKI: There will be a challenge to the Sugiura and Marufuji generation. Kenoh and Kiyomiya both self asserted at Korakuen. To make Noah more exciting, that is how wrestlers think. Noah will not change unless we all are seen to be doing that. On the 10th June, I think this will be a turning point for Noah.

NAKAJIMA: Noah does not need Sugiura and Marufuji now. From now on its a memorial match for them.

Q: Exciting thongs are being said...so, where do you draw the battlines in the generational war?

SHIOZAKI: Saito (Akitoshi) has joined Marufuji and Sugiura, but what about others? It is in limbo at the moment.

NAKAJIMA: Below that is my generation

Q: In terms of debut, it is said that it is before 2004 or later?

NAKAJIMA: That's easy to understand isn't it?

SHIOZAKI: Personally, I don't feel anything for those two (Marufuji and Sugiura) teaming up. When I am fighting them, I want to benefit. I want to beat them up.

Q: Marufuji has singles victories?

NAKAJIMA: Lets make it the Golden Card?

SHIOZAKI: It is my duty to fight them.

Q: The generation struggle will not be over when Sugiura is not the champion?

NAKAJIMA: Sugiura said that he has not yet created his era, but that is too late for me. That is no good for anyone. The seniors need to move on as soon as possible, and go back to the first half again.

SHIOZAKI: It is no good if we are not at the centre.

NAKAJIMA: Like I said earlier, we are considered afterthoughts, and are restless. There are lots of things to be done, and it is time to encourage people to do it now, rather than two years later.

Q: Now we have reached the end of the interview, please give a message to our readers?

NAKAJIMA: This will be something that will only be seen on this day. I will show these things to you, and I will take it all.

SHIOZAKI: I want you to see Noah's change, I want your eyes to burn at the sight of "Noah The Reborn", at that moment, I will win.

Link to original article from Noah.co.jp (in Japanese)