(NOAH) Mini interview with Akitoshi Saito and Naomichi Marufuji (14th August 2018)
Q: At Korakuen Hall, Saito held the GHC Tag Championships for the 6th time?
SAITO: My thoughts on the GHC Tag are very strong, there is deep emotion for this situation. However, there are things that must done and I am focusing as this only the beginning.
Q: In the past you were partners with Jun Akiyama (2002, 2012), Bison Smith (2008), and Go Shiozaki (2012), please tell us about them?
SAITO: Akiyama was a partner who made me feel like a champion. Bison was a blue-eyed samurai, he was a partner who didn't need words, our minds were connected. Shiozaki is opposite to me in the ring. There are only two partners left, and they were inspirational.
Q: This time you are champion with Marufuji?
SAITO: My current partner is a genius who is also a symbol of Noah's history. Even if you try to shift gear into selfishness, he responds to the situation instantaneously like an F1 Mechanic with E gear*. He is an encouraging partner who lets me do my own thing without worrying about anything. I think that he is a maestro in the ring.
Q: And now you are 6th GHC Champions with Marufuji?
SAITO: I am aiming for a memoriable match with Marufuji. I want it to be the most memorable tag championship of my six times.
Q: Saito, the day after losing the tag championships, lost to Kenoh?
MARUFUJI: Yes. Even though I know that the momentum of the young wrestlers is real.
(He goes on to say that he is obliged to admit that Saito has been nothing but persistent).
Q: And with that momentum, Kenoh has also announced the challenge for the tag titles?
SAITO: I think that should be so. We won't hand a thing over on the way, we will cut through...come with all your strength, and I'll smash you with all of mine!
MARFUJI: He didn't challenge when Kenoh had the single, this time it is the tag belt. I am very much looking forward to defending the belt, although I wish I had more time to say it was "fun".
Q: Kenoh's partner Kaito Kiyomiya put his name forward, to be honest I was surprised, it wasn't that long ago he was tagging with "GoKai" with Shiozaki?
MARUFUJI: Youth and career mean it is okay to try things regardless. Well, he has a long way to go. I've got the 20th Anniversary this year, and there is still a long way to go.
Q: Although a formal date and time has not been announced yet, the title match is an unofficial decision I think. What impressions do you get about the team of Kenoh & Kiyomiya?
MARUFUJI: I don't expect it to be an easy match, but I want you to know that with my motivation and condition and that of Saito's, it will be quite difficult to stop us.
Q: Saito has been using the "Death Brand" frequently as well?
SAITO: It is a technique to use for emphasis, it means it is used with deep feeling.
Q: The generational struggle at the Kawasaki event to be held this weekend, will be the start of the pre-fight title match?
SAITO: Neither generation will pull away. I am looking at it like a match which is fought at the edge of a cliff, this situation has irresistable tension.
MARUFUJI: I agree. Grabbing the circumstances, even the momentum of the elderly, everyone has something. That is our team. I will feel the strength of the five of us, and that of the opponents and customers as well.
Q: Regardless of the tag pre-fight and the team with Saito, is the challenge veteran team's fist priority?
MARUFUJI: That's right! We will win 5-0! We are looking forward to it!
Q: Finally, please give a message to the dans ahead of the Kawasaki event.
MARUFUJI: Who do you think my partner is?
SAITO: Saito-san!
Link to original article from Noah.co.jp (in Japanese)
*Akitoshi Saito evidently watches motorsports
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