(NOAH) Betrayal, reunion: exposing the hidden side!

15th June 2023

Battle News.com

Starting with Katsuhiko Nakajima's astonishing reunion announcement at the Ryogoku Kokugikan event on May 4th, AXIZ restarted at Korakuen Hall on May 14th. Regarding the reunion, why did Katsuhiko Nakajima revive AXIZ, and what where Go Shiozaki's thoughts at that time? 

We asked both wrestlers about the future prospects. 

Q: Why did you decide to reunite AXIZ, Nakajima? 

NAKAJIMA: In just a few words, because of Go Shiozaki. Maybe it's because it's Go-san (laughs)

SHIOZAKI: It's embarrassing (laughs)

NAKAJIMA: Isn't that the story? (laughs)

SHIOZAKI: Isn't not that kind of story, it's not a love story (laughs). At that time (May 4th, Ryogoku Kokugikan), was my comeback match, and I was beaten. So, the moment I was dragged up, I got the strike stance and I thought, "Oh, I'm going to get hit" (by the Karate slap), and I'm readying myself, and then there was the handshake to reunite. I have wanted to have a reunion for a long time, and it's a bit different to say that that I'm relieved that Katsu-san took action, but it was like steam being released. Personally for me, I need AXIZ, and I think it is absolutely necessary to raise Noah, and I think it's necessary for a part to raise Noah. Now that we have reunited, I think Noah will become more interesting, right? 

Q: What was your state of mind when you broke up in 2020?

NAKAJIMA: I betrayed you, and while I betrayed you, I was the one who said to get back together

SHIOZAKI laughs

NAKAJIMA: I'm really selfish (laughs)

SHIOZAKI: At that time, I had lost the match (the GHC Heavyweight Tag Championship), and was hit by the Vertical Spike. Immediately after that I was so out of it, that it didn't sink in properly. Seeing what happened after that was so shocking that I couldn't put it into words. For me it was devastating. He was someone I always needed. Whether I was teaming up with or fighting against, I thought he was essential, so I didn't think about saying, "I don't need him".

NAKAJIMA: At that time, I should have said that AXIZ was doing really well, and it was time to move on, but I thought it would be better if we separated. Maybe it was for myself, maybe it was for Go-san's sake, I think I made that choice for both of us. 

Q: I'm sure you faced each other many times during the period you were separated, but what was your state of mind during that? 

SHIOZAKI: It was the same when we were teaming up, and I fought against Kongoh's Katsuhiko Nakajima. For me personally, I always had the feeling that we were competing with each other, and each other would grow bigger and bigger, so for me, it was nothing but a plus.

NAKAJIMA: Whether I fight Go-san or team up with him, it's stimulating and of course rewaring. But it figures, I don't like facing you.

SHIOZAKI: You don't like it? (laughs)

NAKAJIMA: Because it usually hurts (laughs) It's better to be on your side, isn't it? Look at it this way, you don't have to hurt me. 

SHIOZAKI: No, but... (laughs) I wonder what I want to receive...huh? 

NAKAJIMA: Well, it's kinda funny (laughs) It's strange that you would want to receive that (laughs)

SHIOZAKI: It's kind of weird (laughs) But in this way is it a position I want to accept because it suits me....? It's characteristic of me that I want to accept it (laughs)...I want to accept it (laughs)

NAKAJIMA: Well, it's strange (laughs) You can't edit this (smile)

SHIOZAKI: It's becoming a strange story (laughs) The meaning came from working together, because he was also an opponent.

NAKAJIMA: Huh? I need a break.

SHIOZAKI: Hahahaha! 

Q: Please tell us the origin of the name AXIZ again.

NAKAJIMA: AXIZ, right? 

SHIOZAKI: Is it really AXIZ? 

NAKAJIMA: Well, yes, but Go-san, do you remember? When the two of us started to tag, we talked about forming a team, so what should we name it? The two of us investigated various things from that conversation. How many years ago was that? About five years? Wasn't it about five years ago when Noah was having a hard time? There were parts that the seniors depended on, and we were talking about the feeling that we should somehow change Noah in our generation. From the topic that we had to be the centre, the two of us researched various things, and it was there that I discovered the word "AXIZ". 

SHIOZAKI: "Jiku"* you mean?

NAKAJIMA: There is a meaning of "centre" or "axis". 

SHIOZAKI: There is no such thing as just right, but it's just right for the part that really has to be that way for the two of us, it has to be that kind of existence. In terms of timing, it starts with "A" and ends with "Z", it's not about controlling everything, but in the sense of going to the centre of everything the word "AXIZ" was created by changing the "S" to a "Z". 

NAKAJIMA: On the contrary I had no different words to compare it so, that's how much I felt at home with "AXIZ".

Q: You call each other "Go-san" and "Katsu-san", but when did it become like that?

NAKAJIMA: From the beginning, but sometimes he would say "Nakajima Senshu*" (laughs)

SHIOZAKI: He's light hearted (laughs), but he's basically "Katsu-san"

Q: Is it from the first time you met?

NAKAJIMA: No, no, just since AXIZ was formed. Until there, there was a sense of distance. There was, right? 

SHIOZAKI: Yes

NAKAJIMA: That's why both of us worked hard, and if anything, I was stronger than I was aware before we teamed up

SHIOZAKI: Really. I had a strong sense of awareness.

NAKAJIMA: I mean, "I don't want to lose to this guy".

SHIOZAKI: Since teaming as AXIZ, the way I call him as changed, and my thoughts are a bit different. Even if we team up together, I have the impression and feeling that one enhances the other, so my way of thinking has changed in that respect as well. 

Q: AXIZ is so popular, that there was a long line at the autograph session. 

NAKAJIMA: Thank you for the last autograph session

SHIOZAKI: In Kobe, there were so many fans that they circled the venue, and the autograph session went right up until just before the first match started.

NAKAJIMA: It was about an hour

SHIOZAKI: There was a joy in knowing that they had waited for us that long. I could feel everyone's feelings. 

Q: The photobooks were re-released, but it is said that they sold out immediately. 

NAKAJIMA: How about that? (smiles)

SHIOZAKI: Thank you. I'm really grateful to everyone who bought one, the point is there is also a new photobook...

NAKAJIMA: Eh?! Make?!

SHIOZAKI: Shouldn't that be the case? The fact that it has sold out quickly, means that they want us to make a new one (laughs)

NAKAJIMA: What? Is that what you are talking about? 

Q: Thank you. Now, please let us know about the subject of the ring again. At the June 17th Nagoya event, a revenge match from Korakuen Hall on May 14th, vs Kenoh and Manabu Soya has been set up?

SHIOZAKI: The first shot of the AXIZ reunion is those two opponents. At that time, I was beaten. Well, it may not have been that long, but with the way that AXIZ'S skills are improving, we're progressing at an immeasurable speed. I would like to show the momentum, the difference in momentum, and win the next time. 

NAKAJIMA: They're the champions, right? They have the All Japan tag belts, and so I am very happy to be able to have another match. I think they are worthwhile opponents. But, in AXIZ's first match, they were able to show us their power, we've been able to show our strength, so the next time we will show the momentum and the strength of AXIZ.

Q: Do you have any awareness about the "Kongoh" part?

NAKAJIMA: Not really. I probably have the experience of Katsuhiko Nakajima from Kongoh, and of course I appreciate that. But, looking to the future, we want to move forward and we want to move up with AXIZ.

Q: Both of you will celebrate the 20th anniversary of your debut next year, do you have any plans for the future?

NAKAJIMA: What?! It's been 20 years!?

SHIOZAKI: Really?! Oh yeah!

NAKAJIMA: Next year will be the 20th anniversary of our debuts. I think there is a meaning being able to reunite in that.

SHIOZAKI: I think it's good timing. You see, even if the fans who are coming now, know Katsuhiko Nakajima of Kongoh, they may not know Katsuhiko Nakajima of AXIZ. I think there are many people like that.

NAKAJIMA: In the first place, I didn't have two years in AXIZ, right? (Note, AXIZ formed in April 2019 and disbanded in August 2020) But I was in Kongoh for three years, so rather than posing with AXIZ, I spent more time sitting in the corner with Kongoh. 

SHIOZAKI: Okay, but we have to go beyond that again, with the AXIZ pose.

NAKAJIMA: Well, this is not the time, we've just reunited, so the prospects are nothing. We are still confirming each other and wondering how far we can go, but the goal is first of all, a belt. An easy to understand goal. As proof of the reunion, I think I want a belt. But since we've just reunited, that's modest, right?

SHIOZAKI: I will be modest. I have also had a reunion and I have just returned, so I'm "modesty" here (smile)

NAKAJIMA: Yet I'm not humble

SHIOZAKI: Well,  but I also have goals for both AXIZ and Go Shiozaki. Even if I bring it out to the front, I'll be "modest" (laughs)

Q: Thank you, lastly, please give a message to your fans. 

SHIOZAKI: AXIZ have reunited and had a few matches, but from now on, as proof of the fact that AXIZ has firmly reunited, we will aim higher and higher and fight to incorporate everything, so please look forward to it!

NAKAJIMA: Keep an eye on the new AXIZ

NOTES

"Jiku" - Japanese for "AXIZ". I chose to put this in as Go Shiozaki used the Japanese word, not the English one.  

"Senshu" - honorific applied to the surname of wrestlers in lieu of "San", which means "Player" (usually anglicized to "Athlete" if it must be used). Polite way of saying someone's occupation. Motoko Baba was often addressed as "Motoko Owner" (i.e of All Japan). There is no equivalent in English, other than saying someone was "President Sanshiro" or using the word "Dr", "Officer" etc.  

Translated from Battle News.com

Picture credit: Battle News.com

Go Shiozaki laugh count: 12