(NOAH) The more things change, the more they stay the same ~ interview with Takashi Sugiura
November 2018
Puroresu Weekly
Q: You have defended the GHC Heavyweight Championship for more than six months, but did you ever think/ that you could have defended it this far?
SUGIURA: Honestly, I never thought this far ahead when I took it.
Q: Last year you were hospitalized due to heart issues?
SUGIURA: There were various things, but it was always a long-lasting motivation that I would challenge for the belt. I happened to have surgery, and the opportunity came I guess. I did not change my mindset.
Q: When you took the belt from Kenoh in March of this year, the generational struggle had not started yet in earnest.
SUGIURA: It was only Maru* that challenged from the veterans. I thought that it would be inevitable the challenge would come from the guys below, as his career is stacked.
Q: You intended to become an obstacle?
SUGIURA: Well, I didn't think that in the beginning, I thought that I wasn't an old man just yet, and I thought I should do it with the same attitude, and then the feelings started to sprout into a bud.
Q: When did it happen?
SUGIURA: Not until Maru. I wonder thought if it was the 18th August with Shiozaki in Kawasaki?
Q: Did you get the feeling of it being pushed up?
SUGIURA: Only when the challengers came from the younger generation.
Q: Have you been affected by the fact that the generational struggle was full blown at the "Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial Match" in June?
SUGIURA: Everything just overlapped. I knew it would happen when I put on the belt.
Q: What if Kenoh had kept it?
SUGIURA: What he has now might never have been born.
Q: You are in the current situation that you are wearing the belt, and the defense is piling up.
SUGIURA: I want to snatch things back from the younger generation.
Q: Which is stronger, the feeling that you don't want to lose to the younger guys or that you want to come out with the younger athletes?
SUGIURA: I don't want to lose to them, and those feelings haven't changed for a long time. I would want to appear with them, as I'd like them to learn by experiences in having title matches and showing them how to do it in various ways.
Q: Do you mean that you want to convey the frame of mind as the top wrestler?
SUGIURA: The thought came when I had some time to myself. All I had ever thought of was winning and going to the top. I want the younger wrestlers to grow up into experiencing that so they can see what is around them (rough translation). I feel like I am ten years younger in any sense.
Next part does not translate well. The interviewer says that he was not aware of the depth of Sugiura's feelings, and he mentions that "Weekly Pro said that "weakness was observed, but the scene continued where he endured the opponents battle, and the fans cheering increased".
Sugiura agrees, but says he can't force it, and thinks he should take it as it is.
Q: Did you feel like that in the old days?
SUGIURA: There was no such thing.
Q: How did you see yourself?
SUGIURA: Young Sugiura was stronger. I didn't pay much attention to it and did it without being concerned about it, so I guess it was natural. So it could not be helped, young guys and others came in, intense and aiming high.
Q: You have also come to terms with the younger wrestlers being intense too?
SUGIURA: Ah well. Such things are handed down, and if you don't care about it in the match, then I expect it will be over. If you are that person, you think you can go on like that, there are certain beliefs that young guys can attack.
Q: You are very tough, why is that?
SUGIURA: I was born strong (laughs). I debuted at 30, but I felt like I was debuting at 20. I am 48 years old now, so that would make me 38. I guess this is the best time for me (smile). When I am 58, thats when I think I will weaken slightly (smile), but as I am late ten years, I will be 48 years old then.
Q: Getting back to the Generation struggle, what are you conscious of?
SUGIURA: Does it look like it's rising?
Q: I feel it is very easy to understand what the confrontation is made up of
SUGIURA: Maybe it is easy to understand, because I keep winning.
Q: In the tag division, Marufuji and Akitoshi Saito are showing the youngsters their strength as GHC Tag champions.
SUGIURA: People are interested, because someone like Saito comes out. Until now Saito participated in the opening matches, but has returned to the front with the generational struggle.
They discuss Katsuhiko Nakajima for a bit. Sugiura says that Nakajima has evolved, maybe not at first sight, but he certainly has changed over the era.
Q: Marufuji has adapted well to the current era too.
SUGIURA: "Maru" is good. I think we are united. Its good to see.
They discuss Marufuji a little more and Sugiura said he has reached the status of veteran now* and his style is connected to his aging. Sugiura says that although he understands that Marufuji wants to build on hos career, there are some things he does not understand about him, and Marufuji does not change.
SUGIURA: Well, I think the others who I have done the defensive matches with have changed. Atsushi Kotoge has gone another direction.
Q: I actually think that Kotoge is probably the most scary change, since there is no one who has pivoted to the top of Noah in that style so far.
Sugiura says that if Kotoge wants to keep it up, he needs to change it, its not good if he does nothing with it. If he doesn't change it, then he won't progress. However, something was triggered in him, and since he is supported by the fans, he is doing something right.
So, Kotoge is in Block B, the same as Sugiura. Takayama went into the first Global League in 2010 as the champion, but he didn't make it to the finals, that being Yoshihiro Takayama vs Jun Akiyama.
Q: Is the league difficult as champion?
SUGIURA: I'm not focusing on the title match alone. Every match is a title match I think. I have to keep winning.
Q: Its a situation that is targeted.
SUGIURA: It is tough
Q: Is there anything you think to keep winning?
SUGIURA: Don't get pinned
Sugiura says that his dream is to continue without injury for his 20th anniversary in 2020.
Q: Who are you interested in Global League in the same block as you?
SUGIURA: As expected, the fight with Shiozaki. After that...Kiyomiya, I want you to be more stirred up.
Q: How has he been since he returned from training overseas?
SUGIURA: Lackluster, isn't it?
Q: At first it was a spectacular triumph.
SUGIURA: His peak has not ended (laugh).
Sugiura says that he thinks that Kiyomiya's main problem is that he too nice. He thinks that while Kiyomiya is still young, it would be better for him to go back to being reckless rather than awkward, he has to make a good match strangely lovely or else the day may come when there is no "green mist" burning with desire.
But there is nothing to worry about.
He has a strong core, and "is different from Masao Inoue".
Q: You are one of three people who have supporyed Noah from the beginning. Is it strength or a difference in experience?
SUGIURA: I did it knowing the good times, and the painful times.
Q: You have come against Kenoh his opposition, saying that he will destroy the Misawa generation and create a new Noah?
SUGIURA: I think he is the most concious of it, but its true, I knew this a long time ago.
Q: At the Budōkan in September 2010, you asked the audience "Is the Budōkan without Misawa, Kobashi and Akiyama, unsatisfactory?" Did you know the answer?
SUGIURA: I didn't get an answer, and now Kenoh and others are repeating it with "Marufuji and Sugiura". I guess there is no answer.
Q: The generation struggle this time is different because the younger generation can actually fight against their elders in Marufuji and Sugiura.
Sugiura says that he thinks that is a good thing, and its easier to understand, and they return to the previous story (Sugiura having sidestepped any talk of weakness)
Q: Recently, Katsuhiko Nakajima has been attacking?
SUGIURA: He is sneaky. I took his kicks. But, thanks to him, I think I had a different match than I did before, even though I have had many GHC matches. Its like a Noah that never existed, not being a battle of counted offense and defense, and I think that was a good thing.
They talk about Sugiura's long reign from December 2009 until July 2011, and about Go Shiozaki, who Sugiura said has defeated him three times, and they even discuss briefly some of his time (Shiozaki's) in New Japan, and the challenge to Sugiura from Hirooki Goto and Togi Makabe.
Sugiura is then asked about people at home in Noah, who are outside of Noah (i.e. freelancers, those who have left etc).
"There are guys, who can express ideas clearly, and KAZMA SAKAMOTO is among them! I think he is excellent, but he cannot participate all the time. Originally, Taniguchi should have taken more of the lead, but he cannot (wry smile). Even though he has left, KENTA."
Inside of Noah he mentions Marufuji.
Q: Who would you like to face in the finals?
SUGIURA: I would like to face Marufuji one last time.
Q: The recipient of this years MVP of "Wrestling Grand Prix" will be up for discussion soon
SUGIURA: That...no! (laughs)
Q: For the seventh year in a row, New Japan wresters have been selected, but you were in there in 2010. You made defenses against Yoshihiro Takayama and Jun Akiyama.
SUGIURA: 3rd time and fourth time, and then overseas...its fulfilling, because I have been in Noah forever.
Q: Last year, Noah revealed "NOAH the REBORN", as a slogan of the new company.
SUGIURA: That's what I meant. Heavyweight rank is like pieces on a board (the rest doesn't translate well after this, best I can summarize
is that it will get to the point where one day the challenger is an insult to the original meaning), "the six people I have mentioned, where in their own position. Even Kotoge can rise, but he needs to change himself.
Q: I have wanted to hear about this for a long time, is the Suzuki Era Sugiura alive in you?
SUGIURA: I'M alive
Q: What part remains?
SUGIURA: How to put together a match, which is what I thought at the time. I used chairs as a heel, but in the end I wanted it to be for the good of the GHC.
Q: I thought that when the belt was taken from Marufuji, it was by cheating, almost like Nakajima last time. It is easy to have a match without using such a thing.
SUGIURA: I guess that experience is vitality.
Q: The angel and the devil inside you fought when you sold your soul to evil?
SUGIURA: Oh yeah (laughs). My soul was not sold for evil. Something might have been sold, but I could not yield my pride.
"It would be nice for you to get an award"
They discuss how important this would be for Noah to finally be recognized as New Japan have had it for the last seven years, and it reflects their power and force of the promotion in the 2000s. This year Noah has made great strides, especially with Sumo Hall for Marufuji's 20th Anniversary. Sugiura says it has been very good for the youngsters.
Both Noah and Sugiura will celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2010.
Sugiura says that almost 7000 people came to Marufuji's anniversary, and that is a dream he wants to hold on to for his own.
*Maru = Marufuji's nickname within Noah (alongside apparently, "Michi")
*Before All Japan, Sugiura and Marufuji actually met first when Marufuji was about seventeen or eighteen, and Sugiura about twenty-seven at a training camp. They had little do with each other, but Marufuji said he was terrified of him.
Puroresu Weekly
SUGIURA: Honestly, I never thought this far ahead when I took it.
Q: Last year you were hospitalized due to heart issues?
SUGIURA: There were various things, but it was always a long-lasting motivation that I would challenge for the belt. I happened to have surgery, and the opportunity came I guess. I did not change my mindset.
Q: When you took the belt from Kenoh in March of this year, the generational struggle had not started yet in earnest.
SUGIURA: It was only Maru* that challenged from the veterans. I thought that it would be inevitable the challenge would come from the guys below, as his career is stacked.
Q: You intended to become an obstacle?
SUGIURA: Well, I didn't think that in the beginning, I thought that I wasn't an old man just yet, and I thought I should do it with the same attitude, and then the feelings started to sprout into a bud.
Q: When did it happen?
SUGIURA: Not until Maru. I wonder thought if it was the 18th August with Shiozaki in Kawasaki?
Q: Did you get the feeling of it being pushed up?
SUGIURA: Only when the challengers came from the younger generation.
Q: Have you been affected by the fact that the generational struggle was full blown at the "Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial Match" in June?
SUGIURA: Everything just overlapped. I knew it would happen when I put on the belt.
Q: What if Kenoh had kept it?
SUGIURA: What he has now might never have been born.
Q: You are in the current situation that you are wearing the belt, and the defense is piling up.
SUGIURA: I want to snatch things back from the younger generation.
Q: Which is stronger, the feeling that you don't want to lose to the younger guys or that you want to come out with the younger athletes?
SUGIURA: I don't want to lose to them, and those feelings haven't changed for a long time. I would want to appear with them, as I'd like them to learn by experiences in having title matches and showing them how to do it in various ways.
Q: Do you mean that you want to convey the frame of mind as the top wrestler?
SUGIURA: The thought came when I had some time to myself. All I had ever thought of was winning and going to the top. I want the younger wrestlers to grow up into experiencing that so they can see what is around them (rough translation). I feel like I am ten years younger in any sense.
Next part does not translate well. The interviewer says that he was not aware of the depth of Sugiura's feelings, and he mentions that "Weekly Pro said that "weakness was observed, but the scene continued where he endured the opponents battle, and the fans cheering increased".
Sugiura agrees, but says he can't force it, and thinks he should take it as it is.
Q: Did you feel like that in the old days?
SUGIURA: There was no such thing.
Q: How did you see yourself?
SUGIURA: Young Sugiura was stronger. I didn't pay much attention to it and did it without being concerned about it, so I guess it was natural. So it could not be helped, young guys and others came in, intense and aiming high.
Q: You have also come to terms with the younger wrestlers being intense too?
SUGIURA: Ah well. Such things are handed down, and if you don't care about it in the match, then I expect it will be over. If you are that person, you think you can go on like that, there are certain beliefs that young guys can attack.
Q: You are very tough, why is that?
SUGIURA: I was born strong (laughs). I debuted at 30, but I felt like I was debuting at 20. I am 48 years old now, so that would make me 38. I guess this is the best time for me (smile). When I am 58, thats when I think I will weaken slightly (smile), but as I am late ten years, I will be 48 years old then.
Q: Getting back to the Generation struggle, what are you conscious of?
SUGIURA: Does it look like it's rising?
Q: I feel it is very easy to understand what the confrontation is made up of
SUGIURA: Maybe it is easy to understand, because I keep winning.
Q: In the tag division, Marufuji and Akitoshi Saito are showing the youngsters their strength as GHC Tag champions.SUGIURA: People are interested, because someone like Saito comes out. Until now Saito participated in the opening matches, but has returned to the front with the generational struggle.
They discuss Katsuhiko Nakajima for a bit. Sugiura says that Nakajima has evolved, maybe not at first sight, but he certainly has changed over the era.
Q: Marufuji has adapted well to the current era too.
SUGIURA: "Maru" is good. I think we are united. Its good to see.
They discuss Marufuji a little more and Sugiura said he has reached the status of veteran now* and his style is connected to his aging. Sugiura says that although he understands that Marufuji wants to build on hos career, there are some things he does not understand about him, and Marufuji does not change.
SUGIURA: Well, I think the others who I have done the defensive matches with have changed. Atsushi Kotoge has gone another direction.
Q: I actually think that Kotoge is probably the most scary change, since there is no one who has pivoted to the top of Noah in that style so far.
Sugiura says that if Kotoge wants to keep it up, he needs to change it, its not good if he does nothing with it. If he doesn't change it, then he won't progress. However, something was triggered in him, and since he is supported by the fans, he is doing something right.
So, Kotoge is in Block B, the same as Sugiura. Takayama went into the first Global League in 2010 as the champion, but he didn't make it to the finals, that being Yoshihiro Takayama vs Jun Akiyama.
Q: Is the league difficult as champion?
SUGIURA: I'm not focusing on the title match alone. Every match is a title match I think. I have to keep winning.
Q: Its a situation that is targeted.
SUGIURA: It is tough
Q: Is there anything you think to keep winning?
SUGIURA: Don't get pinned
Sugiura says that his dream is to continue without injury for his 20th anniversary in 2020.
SUGIURA: As expected, the fight with Shiozaki. After that...Kiyomiya, I want you to be more stirred up.
Q: How has he been since he returned from training overseas?
SUGIURA: Lackluster, isn't it?
Q: At first it was a spectacular triumph.
SUGIURA: His peak has not ended (laugh).
Sugiura says that he thinks that Kiyomiya's main problem is that he too nice. He thinks that while Kiyomiya is still young, it would be better for him to go back to being reckless rather than awkward, he has to make a good match strangely lovely or else the day may come when there is no "green mist" burning with desire.
But there is nothing to worry about.
He has a strong core, and "is different from Masao Inoue".
Q: You are one of three people who have supporyed Noah from the beginning. Is it strength or a difference in experience?
SUGIURA: I did it knowing the good times, and the painful times.
Q: You have come against Kenoh his opposition, saying that he will destroy the Misawa generation and create a new Noah?
SUGIURA: I think he is the most concious of it, but its true, I knew this a long time ago.
Q: At the Budōkan in September 2010, you asked the audience "Is the Budōkan without Misawa, Kobashi and Akiyama, unsatisfactory?" Did you know the answer?
SUGIURA: I didn't get an answer, and now Kenoh and others are repeating it with "Marufuji and Sugiura". I guess there is no answer.
Q: The generation struggle this time is different because the younger generation can actually fight against their elders in Marufuji and Sugiura.
Sugiura says that he thinks that is a good thing, and its easier to understand, and they return to the previous story (Sugiura having sidestepped any talk of weakness)
Q: Recently, Katsuhiko Nakajima has been attacking?
SUGIURA: He is sneaky. I took his kicks. But, thanks to him, I think I had a different match than I did before, even though I have had many GHC matches. Its like a Noah that never existed, not being a battle of counted offense and defense, and I think that was a good thing.
They talk about Sugiura's long reign from December 2009 until July 2011, and about Go Shiozaki, who Sugiura said has defeated him three times, and they even discuss briefly some of his time (Shiozaki's) in New Japan, and the challenge to Sugiura from Hirooki Goto and Togi Makabe.
Sugiura is then asked about people at home in Noah, who are outside of Noah (i.e. freelancers, those who have left etc).
"There are guys, who can express ideas clearly, and KAZMA SAKAMOTO is among them! I think he is excellent, but he cannot participate all the time. Originally, Taniguchi should have taken more of the lead, but he cannot (wry smile). Even though he has left, KENTA."
Inside of Noah he mentions Marufuji.
Q: Who would you like to face in the finals?
SUGIURA: I would like to face Marufuji one last time.
Q: The recipient of this years MVP of "Wrestling Grand Prix" will be up for discussion soon
Q: For the seventh year in a row, New Japan wresters have been selected, but you were in there in 2010. You made defenses against Yoshihiro Takayama and Jun Akiyama.
SUGIURA: 3rd time and fourth time, and then overseas...its fulfilling, because I have been in Noah forever.
Q: Last year, Noah revealed "NOAH the REBORN", as a slogan of the new company.
SUGIURA: That's what I meant. Heavyweight rank is like pieces on a board (the rest doesn't translate well after this, best I can summarize
is that it will get to the point where one day the challenger is an insult to the original meaning), "the six people I have mentioned, where in their own position. Even Kotoge can rise, but he needs to change himself.
Q: I have wanted to hear about this for a long time, is the Suzuki Era Sugiura alive in you?
SUGIURA: I'M alive
Q: What part remains?
SUGIURA: How to put together a match, which is what I thought at the time. I used chairs as a heel, but in the end I wanted it to be for the good of the GHC.
Q: I thought that when the belt was taken from Marufuji, it was by cheating, almost like Nakajima last time. It is easy to have a match without using such a thing.
SUGIURA: I guess that experience is vitality.
Q: The angel and the devil inside you fought when you sold your soul to evil?
SUGIURA: Oh yeah (laughs). My soul was not sold for evil. Something might have been sold, but I could not yield my pride.
"It would be nice for you to get an award"
They discuss how important this would be for Noah to finally be recognized as New Japan have had it for the last seven years, and it reflects their power and force of the promotion in the 2000s. This year Noah has made great strides, especially with Sumo Hall for Marufuji's 20th Anniversary. Sugiura says it has been very good for the youngsters.
Both Noah and Sugiura will celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2010.
Sugiura says that almost 7000 people came to Marufuji's anniversary, and that is a dream he wants to hold on to for his own.
*Maru = Marufuji's nickname within Noah (alongside apparently, "Michi")
*Before All Japan, Sugiura and Marufuji actually met first when Marufuji was about seventeen or eighteen, and Sugiura about twenty-seven at a training camp. They had little do with each other, but Marufuji said he was terrified of him.
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