(NOAH) Shinsuke Nakamura revelation! Behind the scenes of the "Miracle Muta Battle"

31st October 2022

Tokyo Sports

The next step is happening! 

It was announced on the 30th October that WWE Superstar Shinsuke Nakamura (42) will participate in Noah's Tokyo Nippon Budokan event on January 1st next year, where it was decided he would fight in a singles match with Great Muta, a resident of the demon realm. It is extremely unusual for WWE's main roster to have a match with another promotion, and the fight between Japan's world-class superstars will truly be a "miracle match".  Nakamura gave an interview about the dream card, and expressed his thoughts on behind the scenes of the Muta fight. 

The big surprise that astounded pro wrestling officials and fans around the world, came after the fourth match of Noah's Ariake Arena event in Tokyo. Muta's name was called on the screen as a participant in a match on New Year's Day next year, and Nakamura was announced as his opponent. Due to the retirement of his agent, Keiji Mutoh, Muta will have his last match at the Yokohama Arena on January 22nd next year, in a dream match between himself and Nakamura who is active in the world's largest promotion, WWE. In the video, Nakamura says "What is this? A dream? An illusion? It's unmistakable, it's reality". Smiling fearlessly and rubbing his arms, Nakamura said "No words needed, this is a miracle."

In the past there was an example when KENTA participated in Noah in September 2018, but it can be said that is exceptionally unusual for WWE's main roster to have a match with another promotion. Summarizing the stories involved, immediately after Mutoh's decision to retire, Noah listed Nakamura as a Retirement Road opponent. After an initial disagreement, they continued to negotiate tenaciously with the new management after Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon retired in July. The final agreement was reached on the 26th of this month, and it seems that that tenacity has paid off. There was also a strong hope and effort from Nakamura to being this to fruition himself. In response to an interview with this paper, Nakamura said proudly of this historic step, "There were people in WWE whi were pushing me. All I can say is that it's a miracle. Of course I wanted to. It opened a door that no one could break open, or rather, a realm that no one had ever stepped into. Hahaha...it's a real "Forbidden Door".    

The dream confrontation will be realized at this dramatic timing following the death of "Burning Fighting Spirit" Antonio Inoki, a common teacher, on the 1st. Nakamura boasted, "I think this is fate, and I have worked hard to make this happen. In the past, I have fought Keiji Mutoh twice, but this is my first encounter with Great Muta, the first and last. I truly believe that I am in the midst of a miracle of this era." In addition, he quoted his teacher saying, "However, I don't want to be aware of Inoki here more than necessary, but if I were to say it a little like Inoki, I would say "The next step is happening"

Nakamura will be competing in Japan for the first time in about three and a half years since the WWE Japan Tour (Ryogoku) in June 2019. Moreover, it is shocking and exciting that his return place is Noah, instead of his old home in New Japan. "Well, Shinsuke Nakamura has a reason to fight, because the opponent is Great Muta. I don't think about it because it's Noah or because it's New Japan. It's not that kind of story, so it's really fun". 

2023 in wrestling begins with a "miracle match".

Translated from Tokyo Sports

Picture credit: Tokyo Sports