(NOAH) Shiozaki, Kiyomiya, experiencing the outside

4th June 2020

Tokyo Sports

Noah's GHC Heavyweight champion, Go Shiozaki (38), has a "proactive diplomatic recommendation" to former champion, Kaito Kiyomiya (23) by supporting the young rival who is starting to pay attention to other promotions, in his eagerness to wrestle Kazuchika Okada (32), who is the "rainmaker" of New Japan Pro Wrestling. 

Ironically, the former champion, Kiyomiya, became the centre of the Noah mat while the champion, Shiozaki, has been absent due to acute appendicitis. At the broadcast on the 24th May he said, "I want to experience The Rainmaker!", expressing that he wants to wrestle Okada, who reigns at the top of the industry. After that he developed a "stare battle" with former W-1 champion, Daiki Inaba (32). Having wanted to have a match for a long time, his first confrontation with "Pro Wrestling Master" Keiji Mutoh (57) will happen in a six person tag match broadcast on the 14th June, in a topic which is spreading.

Regarding Kiyomiya's "Rainmaker" remarks which have attracted attention in the industry, Shiozaki says "I think it's good. Because you are the one who is at liberty to speak, be the one who takes responsibility. I want you to bring what you said to fruition". 

Some believe that the mobilisation of the group is something that should be prioritised from anything outside, but the view of the champion who advocates, "I am Noah", thinks differently. "You will definitely nourish yourself when you come into contact with outside wrestlers. I myself grew up by experiencing "ALL TOGETHER" and going overseas. If you face Kiyomiya, who has experienced more of the outside, in the future, he will be able to have a more interesting defense battle. It will benefit Noah."

Ten years ago, on June 19th 2010, Shiozaki entered New Japan's Osaka event, and challenged Togi Makabe for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. The following year, at the Great East Japan Earthquake reconstruction charity event, "ALL TOGETHER" (which was held at the Nippon Budokan), he stood in the ring with New Japan's Hiroshi Tanahashi, and All Japan's SUWAMA as three major champions. Because of this experience, he appeals to Kiyomiya, who is a great hope for the future, about the importance of fighting against other promotions. 

Of course, in order to catch the evolution of rivals, it is necessary to build up a long term regime. 

On the 14th, when the second GHC Heavyweight defense with Akitoshi Saito will be broadcast, it will be the day after the anniversary of the death of Mitsuharu Misawa (46) who died in 2009. Eleven years ago, Shiozaki had been Misawa's partner and Saito was his final opponent. Shiozaki says, "We are destined to fight on that day. We have to have a match that can reach both the fans and heaven." 

Link to original article from Tokyo Sports 

Picture credit: Tokyo Sports