(NOAH) Keiji Mutoh's GHC win commemoration, exploring the story of Mitsuharu Misawa.
Boku-Pro
On February 12th, Mutoh took Noah's greatest treasure, the GHC Heavyweight Championship. On January 4th 2009, Keiji Mutoh, who had been challenged by Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, said before the match, "I have always thought that I would fight Tana for the IWGP title in the main event at The Tokyo Dome." Tanahashi's answer when he heard this was to say, "Really, is that true?!" and laugh.
On February 12th, a historic title change took place, and as previously reported, Mutoh had defeated Go Shiozaki in the main event of Noah's Nippon Budokan event and at age 58, he took the GHC Heavyweight Championship. This is his third major title win (he has also won the IWGP and the Triple Crown Heavyweight, with the other two holders being Yoshihiro Takayama and Kensuke Sasaki). After the match, Mutoh said "Perhaps Misawa was cheering for me". While this feels sentimental, it seems that like the words to Tanahashi at the start of the article, Noah's founder was used in a kind of drama, which may not be surprising, especially for Noah's fans in recent years.
This column is a summary of the history between Mutoh and Mitsuharu Misawa.
IN THE 80'S, THEY WEREN'T CONNECTED AT ALL.
Both born in 1962, Misawa's debut as a wrestler was three years before Mutoh's, and at least in the 1980s, I don't think any fans had a viewpoint of anything that would connect the two. To begin with, Misawa became Tiger Mask II (August 26th, 1984) two months before Mutoh's debut (October 4th, 1943). Ultimately, the two would become compared from May 14th 1990, when Misawa took off the Tiger Mask, and declared a full scale capture of the top. Coincidentally, that month, Mutoh also made his triumphant return to New Japan from his second overseas training (April 27th). Here he became established in Japan in earnest, and by extension, the battle between the two was something fans dreamed of in earnest. Sometimes it was even dreamed of in articles by the media.
By that time, the era of the promotions had already started, but even so there were others, the two major promotions were New Japan and All Japan. This did not change, neither did their fighting style, which was said to be in the form of a genius. In later years, Genichiro Tenryu would also remark, "Mutoh is good, Misawa is good." However, in my opinion, the comparison alone showed that the two of them have the accomplishments that is recognized by other top promotions.
It was actually from Misawa that they came to talk about the other. As it was mentioned earlier in this column, in August 1992, an article was published in a sports newspaper that appeared immediately after Misawa had won the Triple Crown for the first time, it quoted Misawa as saying, "I have no choice but to defend against New Japan's Mutoh. It is is the duty of a champion to defeat anyone." However, Misawa was furious at this article, saying "I never said anything like that! I'm sorry Mutoh-san. I was so angry that night, I couldn't sleep". Ultimately, it was decided to break off the relationship with the reporter at that time, not to mention that during that time, All Japan was completely isolated. If anything, I also felt the consideration of Misawa's discretion. Therefore, Mutoh's name was not coupled with Misawa's either. This changed on May 1st 1999, when Mutoh suddenly made a remark after a match at New Japan's Tokuyama City Sports Center event, when he said "Misawa, please win". On May 2nd, the next day, Misawa was due to challenge Vader for the Triple Crown Title at All Japan's Tokyo Dome event.
IN MAY 1999, MUTOH SUDDENLY SENDS SUPPORT.
Backstage, there was a change in All Japan when Giant Baba suddenly died in January of that year. The increasing momentum for Misawa to become president was rising (he would become President on May 7th), and it was at the time of the Tokuyama event, that Mutoh made the following remarks, "I would like to collaborate with All Japan" and further more about Misawa "We both came out penniless from the countryside." Mutoh was born in Yamanashi prefecture, but Misawa grew up in Saitama and devoted himself to amateur wrestling in Tochigi when he was in High School. It is not possible to say that is a rural area...but if anything, I felt there was a longing from Mutoh, who really wanted to connect with Misawa. Plus, Mutoh at this time was holding the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and the day after Misawa had fought Vader, Mutoh was preparing for a defensive match against a formidable opponent. Genichiro Tenryu. Consequently, Misawa succeeded in regaining the Triple Crown, and Mutoh also defended the the IWGP title. After the match he said, "I see Misawa and Kawada beyond the win". I felt Mutoh's sense in these words as a way of dismissing Tenryu who had been raised in All Japan. Misawa, who had become the President of All Japan, made a bold statement when he appeared on a pro wrestling variety show from yesteryear, "The Soul of the Ring" (TV Asahi), when he said "Mutoh has an appeal. I think I want to try him."
THE MUTOH & MISAWA VS NAGATA & AKIYAMA IDEA
The next time they talked about each other was in October 2001.
At the main event of the New Japan Pro Wrestling Tokyo Dome event on the 8th of the same month, Mutoh, who was teaming with Hiroshi Hase to fight Yuji Nagata and Jun Akiyama (Noah), responded to Nagata's "My target is Mutoh!" with "Hmm, I'm sorry, I didn't hear that". Furthermore, on August 11th of the same year, with this card becoming hot, he commented, "I really want to do this with Misawa, but it would be rude to Nagata and Akiyama". In the previous year, Misawa had left All Japan and had established Noah. Now that it was his own promotion, it was much easier for interaction. In fact, Mutoh said after the match when Nagata's team won the tag at The Tokyo Dome, "Next time, I want to have a match with Misawa, Nagata and Akiyama." Misawa responded immediately to this. Speaking after the match at Noah's Jōetsu event, two days after the Mutoh's tag match he said, "I watched the match on TV. Mutoh & Misawa vs Nagata & Akiyama? I would rather watch that card instead of doing it (laughs). I'm interested, because I call myself a genius (laughs)." Mutoh replied the next day as the dream accelerated towards materializing, "Destined to fight? Honestly, I am happy".
Three months later, Mutoh transferred to All Japan. In September 2002, he became the president of the promotion, which made him dependent on no one.
On December 19th 2003, Misawa appeared on a special program to commemorate Noah's expansion into the Tokyo Dome for July the following year, said "There are expectations from fans, and Mutoh is very good." And in May, two months before the Tokyo Dome event, Mutoh declared "I will be a candidate for President Misawa at The Tokyo Dome". However, Masanobu Fuchi was the one to reveal the truth about the negotiations at this time, "This is what was hoped, but the reality is different. They asked me to appear." However, Mutoh spoke about his own match without showing emotion, nonetheless, he felt something for the Misawa match which could not be helped.
In fact, the two had met immediately after Misawa became the president of All Japan.
MEETING MISAWA IN PERSON, MUTOH EXCITED!
On May 13th 1999, two guests appeared at the opening ceremony of the "3rd Pro Wrestling Photo Press Club Photo Exhibition" at Ginza PIC on May 13th 1999. It was the first time in public that they had been seen together. As mentioned earlier, Misawa of All Japan can now meet the top people from other promotions, because the structure has now changed. It was a feat for photo club to have introduced them.
Mutoh was different from the beginning, with the image of a free spirit, he appeared with a bouquet in his hand. Then on noticing Misawa, he rushed up and said, "Congratulations on your appointment as president!". For Mutoh, who is three years a junior to Misawa in terms of career, didn't often praise other wrestlers so much (even his allies Chono and Hashimoto), spoke with a lot of admiration for Misawa.
"It may sound selfish, but I have always thought he is my rival in pro wrestling. Isn't this like a TV drama? It's like my parents have decided on a wife for me, but we have never met. It feels like although I am not interested, I have fallen in love regardless. I was glad to see my sweetheart today".
Against Mutoh expressing his thoughts semi personally, Misawa (who was finally given time to reply), said "I'm embarrassed (laughs)" As mentioned above, Misawa had described Mutoh as an a "Attractive person".
On July 10th 2004, the two teamed up at the aforementioned Tokyo Dome event (Misawa & Yoshinari Ogawa vs Mutoh & Taiyo Kea). After the match, Mutoh said to Misawa in the comment area, "Would you like to see the continuation of your dreams?"
Three months later, on October 31st 2004, the tag team of Mutoh & Misawa took place at All Japan's Sumo Hall event (vs Hiroshi Hase & Kensuke Sasaki). The match, which Mutoh won with good tag co-operation, was also his 20th anniversary special. Afterwards, Mutoh said "I really wanted to form a tag, I'm emotional".
Misawa was Misawa, and at a pre-match press conference he had said, "If the two of us team, I want it to be called a great team, and not to end as a one night relationship. Even after Sumo Hall, I would be happy if someone could come forward as the opponent (laugh)."
Five years later on June 15th, Mutoh responded in an interview to a newspaper as follows, "What about the dream match? What about the single match..."
Misawa had died suddenly two days before due to an accident in the ring.
The dream of the single match had ended.
The day after Misawa's funeral, many reporters rang Mutoh, but he did not answer. He simply posted on his blog, "I can't control my shock and deep sorrow." In an interview one night, he said "I have always dreamed of a singles match. The place is Tokyo Dome. The main event. The result would be a 60 minute draw. Everyone would be happy."
Mutoh never said what he was doing the day after Misawa's death, but later I was told that he had gone to the gym, and was practicing hard.
Three months later, Mutoh participated in the Misawa Memorial event (Kobashi & Takayama vs Mutoh & Taue), after the match he said, "I want to take over the soul". On that evening, Mutoh's custom made gown was an emerald design with 84 green jewel-stones. According to people in the know, the fur on Misawa's last gown was said to have been made out of the beard of the Tiger Mask II mask.
After defeating Shiozaki, Mutoh said, "If I were weak, then President Misawa, who was said to be my everlasting love, was also weak". His next challenger is Kaito Kiyomiya, who admired Misawa and entered Noah, challenged for the title. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of fight Kiyomiya, who never had a match with Misawa, will show with his rival, Mutoh, who lived in the same era. I would like to expect a passionate drama that connects the generations.
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