(NOAH) Kaito Kiyomiya, who lost against Okada, reveals his intentions! Change in social media that was full of slander.

Tokyo Sports

28th February 2023

Can you climb up? 

Noah's GHC Heavyweight Champion Kaito Kiyomiya (26) faces the biggest crisis of his professional wrestling life. At Keiji Mutoh's retirement on the 21st, he was defeated by Kazuchika Okada (35), the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion of New Japan. The young champion, who has fallen into the depths of hell, has been allowed no respite and in his fifth defense (March 19th, Yokohama Budokan), he will meet the former Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion, Jake Lee (34). 

What does the disappointed man think now? As he prepares for the big match that he absolutely cannot lose, he reveals his intentions. 

"It was a humiliating match". Kiyomiya, who inherited The Shining Wizard, which is synonymous with Mutoh, tried to match Okada's Rainmaker with it, but the result was a complete defeat in 16 minutes and 32 seconds. As a result it was not possible to adorn the retirement match of his teacher. Moreover, it is the fact that the GHC champion lost to the IWGP World Champion, that is so heavy. After the match, while he was unable to say a word, Jake (Lee) coldly told him, "You should rest now", and the title match was decided. Responding to this interview, Kiyomiya said, "I have no choice but to climb up". When asked if he would like to have a rematch with Okada, he responded quietly, "One more time is not something I can say from my current position. Rather than that, I am only thinking about making full use of the many things I learned and the difference I felt in that match. I am only thinking of concentrating on Noah's ring with all my strength". 

After the "face-kicking incident" at New Japan's Yokohama event in January, which triggered the singles match with Okada, Kiyomiya received hundreds of slanderous direct messages on social media. With wanting to make any words positive in mind, he read through all the DMs, and the wind started to change after the singles match and he started hearing voices of support mixed with the slander. 

"Now there are more messages of support than harsh words, and those changes are pushing me forward. There are also views from family and friends. There were many things that I realized for the first time after hitting rock bottom, and of course I want to take those harsh words and use everything as my strength. 

However, the road to a fresh start is never smooth. The next opponent is Jake Lee, who has won the Triple Crown Championship, the highest peak in All Japan, twice. If there is an unexpected embarrassment from both the IWGP World Champion as well as the former Triple Crown Champion, it will not only undermine the GHC's prestige, but the way back will be completely severed. Kiyomiya acknowledges this fact and encourages himself with, "I think it is unacceptable for someone with a belt to lose twice (whether it is a former Triple Crown Champion or someone from the outside)...I really think this will be a bight fight again this time". 

Kiyomiya is 180cm and 98kg, while Jake is 192cm and 110kg. Following Okada, who is 191cm and 107kg, he will be an opponent who surpasses him in physique. Therefore, he will not be letting his guard down. "That sounds very professional wrestler like, or rather, he has both action and ability and he's also cool. Honestly, I envy him for being so big. I also intend to fight to make up for that in my own way. However, he has the innate power and the strength to change the flow of the match in one shot". 

Mutoh, who led Noah since his entry in 2020, is gone. Kiyomiya reflects, "I think that March 19th, after The Dome is over, will be an event to show the new Noah. From that start, I want to lead Noah, so I will definitely win in any form".

Far from zero, he is starting again from minus, but even so, there is only progress now.

Translated from Tokyo Sports

Picture credit: Tokyo Sports