(NOAH) Post match interviews: ABEMA presents NOAH "THE NEW YEAR" 2024 (2nd January 2024, Ariake Arena)

YU OWADA

"I've lost to Ozawa-san in singles matches over and over again, but today I finally got my first win. I still want to beat Ozawa-san again, and win against the better wrestlers, so I will continue to work harder and do my best. Thank you for today"

GOOD LOOKING GUYS (YO-HEY & TADASUKE) 

YO-HEY: Okay! Daddy! Ever since this title match was decided, Tadasuke and I have been thinking only about getting this belt, and now that we are here in 2024, we are doing what we said. I've been wanting this belt for a long time, and I've had many things on my mind, but can I just say one thing? We, professional wrestlers, can only do professional wrestling, and through professional wrestling, we may be able to encourage everyone. That's why if you don't give up, no matter how strong your opponent is, your dreams will come true. Everyone, let's work together as professional wrestlers and GLG to do our best. Hey, Tadasuke! First time in 2024, please!

TADASUKE: OK! 2024 also G!L!G! Thank you! 

GOOD LOOKING GUYS (JAKE LEE, JACK MORRIS & ANTHONY GREEN) 

*The three of them enter applauding*

JAKE: The first time in the New Year was Anthony, who won the match. We are a great team, a good team, but each of us has to stand out. It was a painful reminder that as a team, we are still far from perfection. So, in order to increase our leadership, I will aim for the belt once again. This is a declaration, a declaration of war, and...

*Jack Morris speaks in English* 

JAKE: Could you please provide me with a nice translation today?

MORRIS: There was a guy who attacked me, Titus Alexander. It felt like he was challenging me as a double champion, which is exactly what I wanted. Like I said in Yokohama, when I was in Japan the last time, I'll take on anyone. There is no doubt that anyone can come, so Titus Alexander, if you want to challenge me, I'm up for it. 

JAKE (to Anthony Green): In Japanese? 

GREEN: Japanese? 

JAKE: OK

GREEN: OK. Strong Zero...

JAKE: However, since there was an earthquake, I would like to say something different. I think what we're doing is providing something that makes people think, "Let's try our hardest tomorrow." So I want to help those people, and including GLG and the Noah wrestlers, want to give you encouragement. I also want to wrestle there once things settle down. So, everyone, please hold out a little more. I want you to watch our matches, and afterwards, do your best. I'm sure we can see a bright future. That's why we have to train to go even higher, and we have to win the belts, so we appreciate your continued support of GLG. 

TOMOHIRO ISHII

"Kitamiya, do you know why you lost today? I'll tell you why, because you were thinking about what happens after the match with me. What? Beating Ishii is for the GHC? Seriously? Don't fuck around. Stop bullshitting me. You're going to have a singles with me, and you're in trouble if you can't think about the future. You've got to take it one match at a time. This match was made possible by you putting my name out. You owe me payback, so use that card whenever you can."

MASA KITAMIYA

"There is no way I can start from a loss. I haven't started yet! 2024 hasn't even started yet! TOMOHIRO ISHII! I'll keep chasing you until I win! I'm persistent! I'm persistent! Prepare yourself!!"

GO SHIOZAKI

*TEAM NOAH shake hands*

SHIOZAKI: Like I said in the ring earlier, the audience is returning to Noah and the excitement is coming back, but like I said in the ring, it's not enough. It's still not enough. The Noah that I'm watching, the Noah that I've been fighting for, I'll build Noah with this team until we get there. 

SATOSHI KOJIMA

"It's dangerous to use a lariat like this, so think about your opponent. Well, since I didn't win, I don't have the right to say anything, and since I didn't win, I won't say what I was going to say. However, I joined Pro Wrestling Noah last year, and I'm still able to come here like this, which makes me the happiest professional wrestler today. I still don't know what will happen in the future, but if I can't win, there may be no use for me. I'm currently working woth Noah, All Japan, New Japan and many other places, even overseas, and I think I'm really great in all those groups. Beautiful, shy, it doesn't matter, it is all my true feelings, and no matter what people say, I will continue to work hard in this wonderful ring. Thank you very much."

NAGISA NOZAKI & THE GREAT SAKUYA

NOZAKI: Did everyone see it? This is the Great Sakuya. She's super cool, isn't she? I fell in love with Sakuya, and want to continue to fight alongside her. Everyone, please look forward to it! Thank you!

*Sakuya makes no comment*

MIYUKI TAKASE & HARUKA UMESAKI

TAKASE: What was that? The Great Sakuya. Ah, shit! Is this what you want to do? Are you a Noah girl? Sakuya-san, is this what you want to do? It might have left an impact, but if things had stayed the way they were, we would have won. You do things like that because you can't win, right? Yes? I won't say it opening, but I understand. I understand what you want to do, so it's fine, please just come as you are. 

UMESAKI: I want one match just to win 

TAKASE: No matter what happens next, I'll officially win 

UMESAKI: Please watch (note, this is honorific speech which doesn't translate well) 

TAKASE: This kind of win is not needed in Luminous

TAKASHI SUGIURA & ULKA SASAKI

SUGIURA: Today begins Ulka Sasaki's journey as a professional wrestler. I am also on my own journey, so follow me. 

ULKA: Please

SUGIURA: Let's go, let's go. Ulka's future is a pro wrestling journey. Let's go. Let's fully immerse ourselves in pro wrestling. If you have anything you want to say...

*Sugiura leaves*

ULKA: It was intense, but now I feel like I understand the greatness and the rigor of professional wrestling, as well as just how much fun it is. I think the journey ahead will be a long one, but let's walk together.

ZACK SABRE JNR

"Arigato Gozaimashita (shakes hands with Yoshinari Ogawa, they hug, and Ogawa leaves) Arigato Gozaimashita. (Speaking in Japanese) It was fun (English) I am very happy to have teamed up with my mentor, Ogawa-san. I teamed up with Ogawa-san, who had a huge impact on my career and was very influential, but I ended up leaving Noah, so coming back and teaming up with him is something really special for me. However, I feel really bad about Tanahashi appearing here. I've worked hard so far to protect this belt, but he's only been President for less than a week, and I don't know what New Japan Pro Wrestling's system is like, but I'm going to defeat him at the Tokyo Dome and become the Prime Minister. I intend to work towards becoming the Prime Minister that I aspire to be. In any case, I will definitely defeat Tanahashi at the Tokyo Dome"

HIROSHI TANAHASHI

"It's been a long time since I stepped into the Noah ring, and whether it is the Tanahashi effect or the President effect, I feel like I've received a lot of support. A while ago, I thought about the Noah fans allergy of Tanahashi, and I feel that times have changed. So, the most important thing is the match, and I wanted to get a little more involved with it, but there is also something called coincidence in the tag match, so I thought it once again a the end. However, I don't have any worries, and besides everything I will accomplish from now on will be the first time. First as President, First as President. I have a lot of ambitions from now on, like winning the G1 for the first time. When I was given the helm of New Japan as a whole, which is different from New Japan's ring, Noah took the trouble to come on board, so if I were to compare it to a ship, I would take everyone on board. New Japan Pro Wrestling Tokyo Dome show will be held tomorrow. Thank you for your support. That last comment is from the President." 

DAGA

"We had a hell of a fight. I think Eita is a good wrestler, but it is obvious that I am better, and I'm the strongest here. I have defeated HAYATA, Kondo, Eita...however, any Noah wrestler is fine, so if you want this belt then come and take it. Anyone who wants to challenge me, the highest rank, can come out."

EITA

"What was missing? I'm shit. I've finally come this far, but he's still the current champion, so maybe I haven't reached that level yet. A loss is a loss, but I have to change my mind, as 2024 has only begun. I'll show you that I'm the face of Noah Junior."

KAITO KIYOMIYA, RYOHEI OIWA & DAIKI INABA

KIYOMIYA: Did you see that? HOUSE OF TORTURE! Don't ever come into Noah's ring again! HEY! EVIL! Listen carefully! On the 4th January at the Tokyo Dome, I'll deliver you the finishing blow!

OIWA: It's a tough time right now, but this is professional wrestling, and no matter what happens, we get back up. And to convey something to the people who are watching closely, this is professional wrestling, this is how I get my energy from professional wrestling, so now it's my turn to give you energy through professional wrestling. 

INABA: Since I was able to achieve this kind of result on my first go in the New Year, I will continue to push forward into 2024. 

*Kondo and Miyawaki did not make a comment, neither did Umino*

HOUSE OF TORTURE 

EVIL: Bastard Kiyomiya! That's a foul, mutherfucker! Fucking bullshit! Oh, it hurts. HEY! NOAH! That was just a pre-match, at the Tokyo Dome, I'll get rid of them once and for all. Do you understand? Remember it well!

SHO: Fuck you! What's with Noah? Fuck this. Hey, fuck Kondo and Miyawaki. Especially fucking Miyawaki. Fucking clown.

KENOH

"HEY! First of all, Manabu Soya, who I fought with half a year ago and who I have been fighting with for about three years, you've really gotten stronger. I admire you. Since he came to the top of Noah, I guess we could see a little more of Noah's spectacular view. Soya, you've become really strong, and you've worked hard for the past six months with a really strong belief. I'm super happy, but my body is in a lot of pain. Well, that's fine, and Soya is fine, but Shiozaki has here, and he challenged me. Like I said in the ring, the current Go Shiozaki doesn't have the qualifications to take on this challenge yet, but I want his words, "I AM NOAH". On January 13th, Korakuen, the reform of The Ark begins. I will become "I AM NOAH'S KENOH".

GO SHIOZAKI

"Kenoh demanded me to bet "I AM NOAH?" Okay, if it's a GHC gamble, then I will gamble too. That's how much pride I felt wearing Kenoh's GHC Heavyweight belt. I'm going to show off my "I AM NOAH" pride in Korakuen. 

NAOMICHI MARUFUJI

MARUFUJI: Is there something? 

Q: Looking back on the match with Ibushi? 

MARUFUJI: Looking back, it seems like something is wrong. Look, I was the one who had to give a solid example to Jake and Kiyomiya, who are on that monitor right now. That's a shame. You said it would be a few more years, but what do you think? Is Marufuji no longer needed? Enough is enough? Isn't that enough? But, however you think, it isn't just wrestling. There are people here in Japan who are dealing with sudden fear, and trying their best to survive. Hey, when you think about those people, you can't be upset about a loss like this. It's certainly a big deal that I lost in the main event at a show like this today, but compared to whether I live or die, I can't be depressed over something like this. So, no matter how much I get criticized, no matter how much I get rejected, no matter how much people complain about me, no matter how much I feel alone, I'm 44 years old and celebrating my 25th anniversary. Even if I am alone, I will go to the top again with my own strength. I'm not an underdog. Don't underestimate Naomichi Marufuji. There is nothing wrong with saying that after losing, but don't take it lightly. It's not cheap

Q: How did it feel to wrestle Ibushi after thirteen years? 

MARUFUJI: To put it bluntly, if we had fought ten or fifteen years ago, we might have been able to create an amazing match. However, there is no point in saying such things, and the year is 2024. This is who we are now. As a professional wrestler, you have to compete in all kinds of situations, and your opponents appear in all kinds of situations, and you have to fight in any situation. Sometimes something comes out of winning, but in professional wrestling, there are definitely times when something comes out of losing. Jake and Kiyomiya came out in the main today, and Kenoh, Soya and Shiozaki did the title match. I think they will continue to do it, because they don't want to lose to guys like me, but I'm still going to be a wall for them. They are definitely strong, young, good, fierce, persuasive, and popular...but why do people still say "Marufuji" when they say Noah? Hey, let's change that. I'm not going to go out of my way to give in. But they have the power to change that. Hey! "NOAH=Marufuji", change that.

Kota Ibushi made no comment due to injury. 

JAKE LEE & KAITO KIYOMIYA

Q: What kind of thoughts did you put into your last message? 

JAKE: First of all, I would like to say this: There are many wrestlers in Noah who want to win the belt and take the helm. That goes for me too and for Kiyomiya, who came out next to me. There is no doubt about it. Even more so than last year. That's why I just put that claim out there. It's nothing special and is coming from a man who was in the second match, so there may be some elements that aren't convincing enough. But it came from here (the heart), I have always been someone from here. So, next time, I will definitely get the opportunity to make another title match, and I will take the helm again, and after that I will make what I wanted to do come true. What do you think? Was that easy to understand? I'm sure everyone would like to hear what Kaito Kiyomiya, who probably has a slightly different opinion, has to say? If you have any questions, not only for me, but also for Kiyomiya, please feel free to apply. Anything will do. 

Q: Your response to Jake's words? 

KIYOMIYA: What everyone is thinking is the same. How can we increase Noah within the current Noah? I thought that everyone felt the same way, but when I think about my current position, I have to be at the center of Noah. As that is what I think, so I will fight so that this year, 2024, people will think of Noah as the year of Kaito Kiyomiya. 

JAKE: If there was nothing else going on, I'd be right next to you like this....but we're enemies and I have no intention of becoming friends. Isn't that so? In that case, I said what I wanted to say in the ring, and I said it here too. Isn't that fine? Don't you think that's fine?

Q: Marufuji said "try changing Noah = Marufuji"

JAKE: "Try changing Noah=Marufuji?" Ah, I see. It's a challenge from the vice president. That's what it means. "Noah=Marufuji", I have no intention of changing that, however, Noah changed when Jake came. Let me put it this way, it doesn't matter who you are, Noah=whoever. However, I can't compromise on this one thing: Noah has changed since Jake came! Is that enough? 

Q: There was controversy over the order of the matches, but now that is over, what do you think? 

JAKE: Now that it's finished? You saw it right? Everyone, enjoy that ultra-heavyweight rhythm battle! It's the job of a big guy like this to make a match like that happen, don't you think?

Q: Should you have done the main?

JAKE: I thought that I should or rather should do the main event. That is my responsibility, and that is also my goal. Is that okay? 

Q: Kiyomiya, how did you take Marufuji's message? 

KIYOMIYA: I think there were wrestlers who were better than Marufuji, and I believe that by striving to become such a great wrestler, the current form of Naomichi Marufuji was formed. In that sense, we are blessed to have such a big presence, and in 2024 I will show you how I will change that.

JAKE: You all want to hear from Kiyomiya, right? That's why I'll leave first. Thank you. 

Q: Regarding the order of matches? 

KIYOMIYA: Regarding the order of matches, such as the semi finals or the main, I think that if each wrestler puts their heart and soul into a match, that enthusiasm will reach the audience, and I think that will help spread Noah. Today at Ariake, the audience was really excited, and I think the feelings of the wrestlers are more important that the order of the matches. As Jake said, each and every wrestler in Noah right now, is thinking of how they can make Noah bigger, and how they can improve themselves. I think everyone has their own thoughts, and I think those feelings will probably be reflected in the ring this year. I will take the core of this ring, so please watch. 

Translated from Noah.co.jp

Picture credit: Noah.co.jp