(NOAH) POST MATCH INTERVIEWS: N-1 VICTORY 2022 (Yokohama Budokan, Thursday August 11th)

MOHAMMED YONE & DAIKI INABA

YONE: Since it is the league matches, I added some flowers, but bang! Small fireworks will keep getting bigger from here. I think it will be great work. 

INABA: I would like to create a heat that is as strong as the highest temperature ever recorded, not just for the N-1.

YONE: That's right. Noah is interesting, and because everyone thinks so, please look forward to what is going to come!

KATSUHIKO NAKAJIMA

"First match, Masa Kitamiya. I have many things with him. Many things, but I can't stumble over him on my important N-1. There is something that only I can do. There is something that only I can deliver to Noah. Keep your eyes on me."

MASATO TANAKA

"When I first faced off against him, I was really nervous because I didn't know what he would do, but in the end, I won. I think I had a lot of fun, but really, no one will let me win easily. A blow in the corner caused damage to my neck, and I want to get rid of it by perfectly by the next match. Masato Tanaka can do that. 

Q: The next match will be against Hideki Suzuki?

TANAKA: Totally I have never won a singles match in the past. If you look at the results this may be so, but this time, following Ryogoku, we are able to have another singles in a short period of time. It's not just being honest for a third time, but there is also the fact that I have to win. As I approach my 30th year as a wrestler, it's boring if Masato Tanaka loses all the time. 

MASAKATSU FUNAKI

"I think he is a good wrestler. However, here is not the time to spent time with him. I felt a little sorry for him, so I finished with a stranglehold. My mind is on the next match against Nakajima. I lost in the semi finals last year, and this time it's revenge for myself. This is a Kongoh team, but there is no mercy here for each other. I want to win".

HIDEKI SUZUKI

SUZUKI: Interpreter! Interpreter! English, please!

*All questioned are asked in English, explained through an interpreter and then answered in Japanese*

Q: How do you feel about today's match?

SUZUKI: It's hot outside, so the audience inside is also hot, and thanks to that, it was thoroughly hot in the ring. I had a good match, which I won.

Q: Looking back on the first match?

SUZUKI: It's a league match, but I think it is the same as tournament; if you don't win the first match, then everything is lost. So, I put everything on the line here. The schedule and the opponent has been decided, and I put everything on the line for today's match and won. 

Q: How is your left knee?

SUZUKI: Things are still the same. It won't get better, it won't get worse, but that is why I am doing this (the knee brace), so there is no problem. 

MASAAKI MOCHIZUKI

"Well, it was a completely true first confrontation, but he's a really unique type of wrestler. I don't know what that is, but it was a field that is not one of my strong points, but I guess I was drawn in. After that, I thought I could do it, but I wonder if I made a mistake in using my stamina in the early stages of wrestling. But, unlike every year, there are seven matches, so this year I won't be finishing with just one loss. There is no such thing as a complete victory with this member. I will retaliate in kind."

THE NOAH JUNIOR REGULARS

(Atsushi Kotoge, YO-HEY & Alejandro)

KOTOGE: The N-1 is being held, but the next task has already been decided. N-Innovation, Shinjuku event, on September 21st! We totally have to make it a success. The last time we managed to sell out (tickets) at the last minute, so from this point, the Noah Junior's will be amazing from here on! In order to show that, let's do our best to deliver a comfortable and refreshing fight during the N-1 period. 

YO-HEY: We are in the midst of the heavyweight N-1, we will do our best without cutting corners in our unique fight.

ALEJANDRO: N-Innovation on the 21st, Shinjuku...

EVERYONE: Let's do our best!

JACK MORRIS

"As I said at the beginning, I think most people don't know me. Did I mention that you can tell what kind of wrestler Jack Morris is by watching Kaito Kiyomiya, who he faced in the first match? As you can see, I was able to finish the first match with a win. I have six matches left. Of course, I came to Noah to win, I didn't just come to fight. I want to keep winning more and more."

KENOH

"I made it through the first round of the N-1 VICTORY. The first match was a win. I'll keep going. What are you going to do without the GHC Heavyweight Champion winning this league? It's uninteresting. The champion loses. Fuck that tradition in pro wrestling. I'll change it. As the champion, I will win the league that will determine the number one in Noah. Didn't I tell you that I am still looking at my next goal? Listen up, Keiji Mutoh! I will let you challenge for the GHC Heavyweight belt.

NAOMICHI MARUFUJI, EL HIJO DEL SANTO & ULTIMO DRAGON

Q: It took the form of defeating NOSAWA? 

ULTIMO: Success or failure, the status is different from Santo. As expected, it's not good for one person to come alone. Actually, DragonGate's Okazaki from DraonGate was there today, but I said no. I think the result would have been the same, even without me. If he wanted, I could have teamed with Santo and do a contra*, but the only think I would say is that it is impossible to hold a match in Mexico that doesn't work in Japan. Too different.

Q: Marufuji, how was it tagging? 

MARUFUJI: Legend and Super Legend, too energetic. It didn't seem like it was my turn. Today is the last time I will be fighting in Japan this month. No, it wasn't my turn. Perhaps it would have been fine with just the principal and those three, and I think it would have been find with Santo alone and those three. There is that much difference. Well, it was a lovely atmosphere. Thank you very much. Gracias.

SANTO: Now touring Japan doing a 10-man tag, 8-man tag, and 6-man tag. The Japan expedition was a very satisfying and wonderful tour, but the only thing that I cannot forgive is that NOSAWA doesn't respect me. On the contrary, I will challenge him. Whether it is Mexico City or anywhere, I will always settle things with him. 

*Mask vs Hair (Máscara Contra Cabellera) 

TAKASHI SUGIURA

Q: This was your first match in seven years with Kojima. How was it? 

SUGIURA: Well, I guess you could say that I'm in good spirits. Same generation, same age. I'm happy to have someone who's energetic and can compete with me, but I can't lose this tournament. 

Q: The next match will be against Okada

SUGIURA: Well, win quickly and rest your body. Another single will follow. I want to prepare for it, because it's just started. 

SATOSHI KOJIMA

(Collapsed in the comment space) "Painful...it was painful. It's not just that I have trouble breathing, I think all matches are painful. I am feeling pain right about now about how much the N-1 can do in only one fight. It's only one match. I know it's going to be tough after just one match. How many more matches do I have to have? It's a tough battle, and this is how I want it to be. I like it, I like it. There aren't many people who want to go into painful things. But, if you are a pro wrestler, then I think it's fine. Throwing myself into this pain, I feel like a pro wrestler for the first time. It's painful, but I think it's really fun."

KAZUYUKI FUJITA

"Problem of demand. Problem of demand. A question of demand and demand. Results are everything! I will say it again. Demand matters. Results are everything!"

Translated from Noah.co.jp

Picture credit: Noah.co.jp