(NOAH) Preparing for the top, Marufuji's aim of "2nd place"
2nd April 2019
Tokyo Sports Web\Yahoo Japan
Noah's genius, Naomichi Marufuji (39), announced on the 1st the guidelines for the reborn group.
Lidet, who became the parent company in February, have given Marufuji (via the President Hiroyuki Suzuiki (48), the responsibility of "wrestling manager*". Marufuji, who has been put in charge of a heavy duty, has a set an unexpected goal, "first of all, I aim absolutely for second place".
Behind the words "first place", there was a great confidence and determination in the retreat (i.e. to second place, translators note).
The promotions logo and the mat were newborn at Noah's first big event (Yokohama on March 10th), and Marufuji was defeated by Kaito Kiyomiya (22), the GHC Heavyweight champion, at the commemorative event.
He will also miss "Global Tag League" which will start in Osaka on the 6th.
Has Noah's genius burned out?
The current situation is quite the opposite.
Marufuji says that he was happy to see the growth of Kiyomiya. He doesn't want to participate in the league because "if the single was useless, the tag will be also", and he didn't want to make it an escape route. He will show a new battle in the next tour, in his own way.
So how then will people in the league fight him? There is the challenge from the juniors. Make no mistake, the challenge will not be insignificant.
Mr. Suzuki, the new owner, repeated it thoroughly in conversation while sounding out his future prospects and intentions at the front, when asking him to "aim for a solid second place as the wrestler-manager."
It is true that New Japan Pro Wrestling is continuing on going its own way alone, but why second place?
Marufuji responded that no matter how you look at it, New Japan is number one. Even if it is part of the three majors*, Noah does not have the persuasive power to say it is suddenly 1st place. It is All Japan's victory that they are second. The procedure for becoming first place is to get to second place.
There was a time when Noah was first.
Mr. Suzuki said, that the phrase "puroresu remains in the heart" is unclear in reality. There has been no one out there like Misawa, who could clearly guide the wrestlers in the ring and give their opinion as a group, and he would like Marufuji to take charge of that. They would give support by having an idea of the number of spectator and sales in clear figures.
He added, "In the next three years, we will be firmly in second place. I want to surpass New Japan. I think that by setting these goals, everyone will be aware of going in the same direction."
Marufuji said, "I do not know how long it will take, but I will will put Noah at the top of the industry again. I cannot quit until I get there (laughs). Please support us".
Global League has also undergone an evolution too, as the decision has been made to hold the "N-1 Victory" (which opens on August 18th in Nagoya).
On this historic day when the new era "Reiwa*" has been announced, Marufuji made up his mind.
The times are again changing, and again he is prepared to lead Noah to the top.
Link to original article from Tokyo Sports Web\Yahoo Japan (in Japanese)
Picture credit: Tokyo Sports Web\Yahoo Japan
*Its the same as being a "player coach", a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties
*Major promotions; once upon a time Noah, All Japan and New Japan were called "The Big Three".
*Reiwa "Fortunate Harmony" is the new Japanese era name that Naruhito will take when his father, Emperor Hirohito, abdicates.
Tokyo Sports Web\Yahoo Japan
Lidet, who became the parent company in February, have given Marufuji (via the President Hiroyuki Suzuiki (48), the responsibility of "wrestling manager*". Marufuji, who has been put in charge of a heavy duty, has a set an unexpected goal, "first of all, I aim absolutely for second place".
Behind the words "first place", there was a great confidence and determination in the retreat (i.e. to second place, translators note).
The promotions logo and the mat were newborn at Noah's first big event (Yokohama on March 10th), and Marufuji was defeated by Kaito Kiyomiya (22), the GHC Heavyweight champion, at the commemorative event.
He will also miss "Global Tag League" which will start in Osaka on the 6th.
Has Noah's genius burned out?
The current situation is quite the opposite.
Marufuji says that he was happy to see the growth of Kiyomiya. He doesn't want to participate in the league because "if the single was useless, the tag will be also", and he didn't want to make it an escape route. He will show a new battle in the next tour, in his own way.
So how then will people in the league fight him? There is the challenge from the juniors. Make no mistake, the challenge will not be insignificant.
Mr. Suzuki, the new owner, repeated it thoroughly in conversation while sounding out his future prospects and intentions at the front, when asking him to "aim for a solid second place as the wrestler-manager."
It is true that New Japan Pro Wrestling is continuing on going its own way alone, but why second place?
Marufuji responded that no matter how you look at it, New Japan is number one. Even if it is part of the three majors*, Noah does not have the persuasive power to say it is suddenly 1st place. It is All Japan's victory that they are second. The procedure for becoming first place is to get to second place.
There was a time when Noah was first.
Mr. Suzuki said, that the phrase "puroresu remains in the heart" is unclear in reality. There has been no one out there like Misawa, who could clearly guide the wrestlers in the ring and give their opinion as a group, and he would like Marufuji to take charge of that. They would give support by having an idea of the number of spectator and sales in clear figures.
He added, "In the next three years, we will be firmly in second place. I want to surpass New Japan. I think that by setting these goals, everyone will be aware of going in the same direction."
Marufuji said, "I do not know how long it will take, but I will will put Noah at the top of the industry again. I cannot quit until I get there (laughs). Please support us".
Global League has also undergone an evolution too, as the decision has been made to hold the "N-1 Victory" (which opens on August 18th in Nagoya).
On this historic day when the new era "Reiwa*" has been announced, Marufuji made up his mind.
The times are again changing, and again he is prepared to lead Noah to the top.
Link to original article from Tokyo Sports Web\Yahoo Japan (in Japanese)
Picture credit: Tokyo Sports Web\Yahoo Japan
*Its the same as being a "player coach", a member of a sports team who simultaneously holds both playing and coaching duties
*Major promotions; once upon a time Noah, All Japan and New Japan were called "The Big Three".
*Reiwa "Fortunate Harmony" is the new Japanese era name that Naruhito will take when his father, Emperor Hirohito, abdicates.
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