(NOAH) "I'll show Gabe Kidd the severity of a GHC match, and settle this once and for all!" We ask Kaito Kiyomiya, the angry champion, what he really thinks.

11th June 2024

Noah.co.jp

Q: A title match with Gabe Kidd has been scheduled for the Yokohama BUNTAI event on June 16th. 

KIYOMIYA: Naturally, he stole my belt. We've had a long-standing feud, so I want to settle it with Gabe Kidd at the Yokohama BUNTAI in my first defense.

Q: What kind of feelings did you have about being attached after the May 6th ALL TOGETHER match?

KIYOMIYA: Well, it really pisses me off. I'm talking calmly now, but I'm really fired up. Gabe Kidd...I can't forgive you.

Q: I heard that in your past matches against Kazuchika Okada, you were very conscious of the fact that you were fighting against New Japan, how about this time? 

KIYOMIYA: At that time, it was New Japan vs Noah, and what it really meant was that I was fighting with the top of New Japan Pro Wrestling, wearing the GHC Heavyweight, and fighting while representing Noah. Of course, I am always conscious of New Japan Pro Wrestling, but this time, I really want to punish Gabe Kidd. That's how I feel.

Q: Do you have any special emotion for Gabe Kidd?

KIYOMIYA: Rather than any special emotion, but more an angry feeling of "what is this guy?" It started at the G1 CLIMAX press conference. I didn't have much to do with him, and didn't really pay him any attention, but then he suddenly came at me, and like the G1, he's always doing surprise attacks. I really don't like the style of using dirty tricks to get the opponent to notice you. I'm going to crush him thoroughly and settle this once and for all. 

Q: Gabe said he first noticed you because of your pose in a past photo. (According to Gabe, it was Katsuyori Shibata's pose).

KIYOMIYA: That sounds like complete quibble. I think maybe it was him doing the pose, but I don't really understand why Shibata's name came into this. 

Q: I think Gabe respected Shibata

KIYOMIYA: Hmmm, he's really trashing him right now

Q: Gabe's comments suggest that it will be a brutal match. 

KIYOMIYA: Of course, I think he should try if he can. I've been working on a strategy to counter Gabe's style, so please look forward to the match on the day. GHC means a global noble battle, and I'm going to make him understand at the Yokohama BUNTAI, how tough the GH battle is.

Q: You have formed a new unit, "ALL REBELLION". What kind of relationship have you built with Kenoh? 

KIYOMIYA: Well, I do think he's a bit of a pain in the ass (laughs), but Kenoh and I have been rivals for nine years, both as enemies and as friends, ever since I became a wrestler. It's very encouraging to have him next to me, and from now on we will work together as a team to change Noah. 

Q: What kind of "revolution" do you want to achieve with ALL REBELLION? 

KIYOMIYA: I think Noah wrestlers can be more assertive, but I think that the young wrestlers especially are not energetic. When I came back from other promotions, I felt that the young people in Noah were a little dispirited. And that includes me too. I don't think Noah up until now had much brightness. The younger wrestlers may not be able to compete with the older wrestlers in terms of technique or match records, but if each wrestler has the individuality of being an individual wrestler, I think that will come out on the ring. If you are always cheerful and positive, the situation in the ring will definitely change, and the comments will change too. First of all, it's the momentum of the young people. I think that the future of Noah will definitely be for the young people to assert themselves from the bottom up, and create momentum. I want to create that momentum. I want to create an environment where people can see me and think, "Kiyomiya, that's interesting, maybe I can show more emotion too," and since I'm the champion now, I think I can be a model for everyone. I want to change myself so that everyone can think, "Maybe I should change myself too."

Q: For the sake of that revolution, the fight against Gabe is a fight that you cannot afford to lose. 

KIYOMIYA: Yes. This is my first title defense since becoming champion, so it's a revolution. I want to change Noah by showing matches that will put a smile on the faces of the fans who are looking forward to what I'll do when I say "Revolution". 

Q: Finally, please give us a word of enthusiasm.

KIYOMIYA: On June 16th, I will defeat Gabe Kidd at the Yokohama BUNTAI and settle things once and for all! Let's all work together to create a new Noah.

Translated from Noah.co.jp

Picture credit: Noah.co.jp