(NOAH) Sugiura crushed Marufuji in the 2nd defence: "Myself and Marufuji are comrades".

30th May 2018
Yahoo.co.jp

In Noah's GHC Heavyweight Championship, the champion Takashi Sugiura succeeded in defending the belt for the second time, by rejecting the challenge of Naomichi Marufuji.

The two veterans, who have both pulled Noah, developed an intense battle with mutual meaning. Sugiura attacked with rough blows and elbow and knee strikes, while Marufuji fought with sharp chops, and various kicks etc, but Sugiura also used the side suplex from the apron, which made Marufuji strike back with hard maneouvres. At one time Marufuji decided consecutively on the Shiranui and different versions of the Shiranui, but Sugiura managed to struggle up. Lastly, Sugiura endured a wide range of kicks from Marufuji but endured it. He narrowed his neck into the front lock following the Olympic slam, and took the victory from there.

After the match, Kenoh and Kaito Kiyomiya came to the ring and put themselves forward as the next challenger. It was suggested that Kenoh and Kiyomiya face each other on June 10th in a number one contenders fight, and the two squared up. Furthermore, The Aggression (Katsuhiko Nakajima and Masa Kitamiya, who had recaptured the GHC Heavyweight tag championship) also came out to warn "do not forget about us" and left.

To this Sugiura said, "In short, I only have to deal with the youngsters. Lets get this out of the way now, anyone can do it. If you want to take a bite out of me, come and fight for this belt". He continued to say "Despite the past and differing opinions on that and the future, I am proud that I was able to wrestle Marufuji at Korakuen in front of everyone today. Whether Noah has been good or bad, Marufuji and I have always fought. Thank you Marufuji". A great cheer came from the overpacked crowd at his words.

Regarding the younger generation, Sugiura welcomed the next generation and gave the advice that "although this varies from the old days of Noah, don't miss the opportunities, I want more action from you." He appreciates their appeal.

After the match he exchanged words with Kenta Kobashi, who was in the broadcasting seat, "Pop will do his best to succeed." Then he added "It was a good match. The best of luck!"

Finally, when asked about his long and hostile relationship with Marufuji he said, "although we fight as adversaries, we face the same direction. I'm not making a speech" he answered intensely.

Please click here to read original article (in Japanese)