(NOAH): Kakihara leaves! And as a freelancer... "It's like going on a journey," says Misawa. The next ring Kakihara will step into is...

Weekly Pro
5th September 2000 (Issue No.993)

Kakki, also known as Masahito Kakihara, has decided to leave Noah.
Kakihara had been absent from All Japan Pro Wrestling since February this year due to a neck injury, and made his comeback at Noah's inauguration show on August 5th. In his comeback match, Kakihara made his presence felt with his fierce fighting style, mainly punches. However, he was clearly different from usual, with a tense exchange between him and Ogawa* during the match and him leaving by himself afterwards.  He missed the match the following day due to poor health. After discussing it with President Misawa on August 8, it was decided that he would officially leave the company.
Misawa commented on this matter before the match on the 19th, and when asked about the main reason for his departure, he said, "From now on, he'll be working as a freelancer. Well, I guess he just wanted to test his abilities in various ways. There may be some stylistic issues, but I think he wants to try out different things. He's been injured for a while and he was probably worried about the match on the 5th, but it's his life." Misawa also said that the reason for Kakihara's departure was, "so he could travel". He also revealed that he would be open to Kakihara returning to Noah in the future*.
After the inaugural match, Kakihara said, "I can do it without teaming up with anyone. I just want to aim high."
Does this mean he chose to go freelance as a way to aim high? RINGS, Pancrase, PRIDE...which ring will Kakihara step into next?  

Notes
Ogawa: Yoshinari
Kakihara's return: As of 2025, he has never returned to Noah. 

Picture blurbs
Yoshihiro Takayama put him on blast by commenting, "If you're going to try your best elsewhere, just give your notice. That's all. How do you feel, Kakihara? Since I'm here now, I don't understand why people would quit."