(NOAH) "Aren't you being pampered?" - Shinsuke Nakamura doesn't give a passing grade to opponent Ulka, in the New Years Day showdown.

18th November 2024

Nikkan Sports

American WWE Superstar, Shinsuke Nakamura (44), challenged his opponent Ulka Sasaki (35), who will face him at the Pro Wrestling Noah Nippon Budokan event on New Years Day next year, saying "Aren't you being pampered?"

ABEMA, which will be broadcasting "ABEMA presents NOAH "THE NEW YEAR 2025" (January 1st 2025, Nippon Budokan) live on ABEMA PPV exclusively, released a video of an interview with Nakamura, who has been confirmed to be competing on the show, on the 18th on ABEMA'S Pro Wrestling YouTube channel.

Looking back on his fight against Great Muta on New Years Day 2023, Nakamura spoke at length about his relationship with Ulka, and what Ulka called, "fight art". He said, "I don't know how much of a sense of crisis Ulka feels, but from an outsiders perspective, it seems like he's being pampered somehow. But actually, if I were in Ulka's position, I'd feel like I was on the edge of a cliff. I think if he continues like this, he'll have no future, so he's desperately crawling around the ring, trying to hang on, but I think he's not there yet", he said, not giving Ulka a passing grade. He added harshly, "I think that if things drag on like this, I don't think the future we want will come. With this stage prepared, and Ulka nominated, I think the audience will be curious to see what he can do." Nakamura provoked in typical style saying, "I think he should just get rid of the martial artist and wrestler aspects, and come as the real Ulka Sasaki"

WWE superstar AJ Styles also made a surprise appearance at Noah's big midsummer event "DESTINATION 2024" held at the Nippon Budokan in July this year. He clashed with "The Genius of The Ark", Naomichi Marufuji, in a specials singles match, and Nakamura vs Ulka is expected to be just as exciting. 

ABEMA has also decided to live broadcast "Noah Road to BUDOKAN" (December 1st), which is expected to be a prelude to "Noah THE NEW YEAR 2025", for free. The match cards will be announced before the matches on the day of the event, which is unusual, and attention is now focused on the actions of the wrestlers to see what kind of upheaval will occur in the lead up to the show on New Year's Day. 

In addition, a live broadcast of "New Year! Mutoh's Room 2025" will be available as an exclusive content for "ABEMA Premium" members. In this program, ABEMA Pro Wrestling Ambassador Keiji Mutoh will call out the wrestlers immediately after the show, and interview them. We will ask the wrestlers questions from his own unique perspective, which cannot be asked, even backstage. On the 21st of the month, the miracle match between Great Muta and Nakamura in 2023, will be broadcast for free. Be sure to check out ABEMA for some of the best matches in the world of pro wrestling.

Translated from Nikkan Sports.com

Picture credit: Nikkan Sports.com