(NOAH) CHAMP TALK: HAYATA

Weekly Pro

July 19th 2023 

Q: In October last year, you lost the GHC Junior Championship after injuring your left arm in a title defense against Ninja Mack. After that, you were forced to take a long absence.

HAYATA: A loss is a loss. I had a good rest.

Q: I don't remember long term absence

HAYATA: Up until now, I've been a little absent due to the flu* and a rib injury, but I haven't been absent for such a long time since I debuted.

Q: Your strong

HAYATA: Speaking of which, the doctor told me that I have strong bones. I don't take calcium, but I think its because I smoke.

Q: .......

HAYATA: I can only thank Ninja for giving me a day off.

Q: When you returned in February this year, you defeated AMAKUSA in April and regained the GHC Junior Championship. What are your impressions of AMAKUSA, who made a name for himself in the Noah juniors during your absence?

HAYATA: He worked hard while I was absent.

Q: Did you watch him in action?

HAYATA: That question, is a stupid question. 

Q:...When you returned to the GHC Junior Championship, you nominated Ninja Mack as your challenger.

HAYATA: I wanted to defend the belt against Ninja as soon as possible as a thanks for giving me a good rest.

Q: On the 4th May after defeating Ninja Mack's challenge in Ryogoku and Dante Leon's challenge in Nagoya on June 17th, you said "Looking to the outside world"

HAYATA: This is my 5th GHC Junior. I have beaten most of the Noah Juniors, so the next challenger is the champion class of another promotion, or an overseas wrestler.

Q: At ALL TOGETHER on the 9th June, you faced the IWGP Junior Champion Hiromu Takahashi and then the World Junior Champion Atsuki Aoyagi. Did that match inspire you?

HAYATA: Well, of course. 

Q: How was the match?

HAYATA: I wasn't deeply involved with anyone, basically I was surveying the whole scene.

Q: What was your impression of the wrestlers that occured at that time?

HAYATA: Aoyagi brothers don't have a lot of belts. Not much of an impression. 

Q: As a side note, after that match you said, "If it's Hiromu Takahashi, we can do it while we both have belts"

HAYATA: It was the spur of the moment

Q: After losing the World Junior Championship, Aoyagi came to challenge for the GHC Junior Championship.

HAYATA: I wanted him to come with his belt

Q: How did you feel when you received his challenge on the 9th July in Hachioji?

HAYATA: Because I wanted to do it with someone from the outside, I was happy that he came all the way, but he was empty handed.

Q: Aoyagi said, "I thought HAYATA was cool. Of course, his expression and demeanor was different, but I'm pretty sure it's the belt." 

HAYATA: Well, of course.

Q: The title match has just been arranged for July 20th in Shinjuku

HAYATA: Looking forward to it. Up until now, there have been pre-matches, but this time it's settled in one go. On the contrary, there has been no title match with this much sense of tension. 

Q: What about versus All Japan?

HAYATA: I used to appear quite a lot once.

Q: From 2007 to 2016, you participated eight times. 

HAYATA: I worked with Aoyagi's older brother* and Jake Lee   

Q: What should Aoyagi watch out for?

HAYATA: Youth.

Q: He's 23 years old

HAYATA: He may be an ace in the All Japan Juniors, but I will teach him that there is something better. Look forward to it.

Translated from Weekly Pro

Picture credit: Weekly Pro

(Issue No.2254)

Notes

Flu: Fans asked YO-HEY how Wife was. YO-HEY later reflected that he thought that HAYATA got sick due to the strain of being GHC Junior Champion.

Older brother: HAYATA doesn't use his name as using "older brother" (biological), is more polite.