(NOAH/ALL JAPAN) "Please don't misunderstand my position in the industry" Finally clash at Korakuen Hall on 15th July! What do you think of Katsuhiko Nakajima? "Superstar" Kento Miyahara Interview

10th July 2023

Noah.co.jp

Q: Please tell us how you felt when your singles match with Katsuhiko Nakajima was decided?

MIYAHARA: There was talk that the two of us would fight each other, and I honestly feel that the time has come. At Keiji Mutoh's Tokyo Dome event (21st February 2023), I met him in the ring for the first time in a while, it was a six man tag though. There was a little fire attached to that time, but while we were both active as pro wrestlers in All Japan and Noah, it was a match that always registered with me when pro wrestling fans said, "I want to see it someday". When I saw this card, I wondered if that time had come. 

Q: On February 21st, you fought against each other for the first time in about ten years at the Tokyo Dome.

MIYAHARA: At that time, the story was touched on for 2 - 3 minutes, so it felt like it was just a greeting. However, I didn't feel the ten years that we hadn't fought at that event, so I think I might have saved that for this July 15th. On reflection, I think so. 

Q: Did you ever want to fight Nakajima?

MIYAHARA: No, it feels like we were fighting without fighting. We've never been in direct contact with each other, but this is what makes professional wrestling interesting*. It's not like I'm fighting, but I feel like I am fighting something, like position in the pro wrestling world, right? You were fighting with that sort of thing, weren't you, constantly? I'd be lying if I said I wasn't aware of it. I just think you think so too. 

Q: Do you have any special feelings for Nakajima? 

MIYAHARA: He is the first senior since I entered wrestling, so he is unique. He is the first senior in my life, so that can't be changed. 

Q: Have you seen Nakajima's recent fights? 

MIYAHARA: When I see him, I see him, but you know, I'm a superstar. I would like to tell pro wrestling fans not to misunderstand positions in the industry. The position of the current Kento Miyahara and the current Katsuhiko Nakajima in the industry. Perhaps Mr Katsuhiko Nakajima is a young man, and is trying to fight me with all the wins in the bank when he was World Junior or GHC, if so, I think he will be defeated by this continuous Superstar.

Q: What do you think Nakajima's strength is? 

MIYAHARA: I think he's definitely one of the top three wrestlers in the industry right now when it comes to being "strong". Rather than being in the top three, there is no doubt that he is a wrestler who fights to be both number one and number two. However, I wonder if that "strength" is shown in Pro Wrestling Noah's ring. You were stronger in Kensuke Office, weren't you? That's how I feel. When he appeared in another promotion like Kensuke Office, he was really strong, wasn't he? The ambition of trying to make something in that one match or defeat this guy etc in another, was amazing. That's what I thought when I saw him up close. At that time I was nothing more than a young man, but in the mind of this young wrestler, Nakajima had an expression that he was going to devour something. It's just that now time has passed and because I've become a superstar, this is a story of before wholly becoming a superstar. On July 15th, we may be able to see Katsuhiko Nakajima, who even Noah fans have never seen before. 

Q: Were the two of you on good terms during your time at Kensuke Office?

MIYAHARA: Hmm, this is it, I wonder what Kento Miyahara really thinks about the fact that they are not on good terms with each other in various ways. To put it very simply, it's "bad". Not a good type. However, since we're both professional wrestlers, that is only natural, and this match isn't fought with that kind of concept. I think there are a lot of people who watched pro wrestling during Kensuke Office, who don't watch pro wrestling now. Some people who started watching pro wrestling recently, don't know our relationship from ten years ago. I think this will be a match that fans of all ages will pay attention to. 

Q: At the end of the press conference, you slapped Nakajima. But what was the real meaning? 

MIYAHARA: That's the Kensuke Office way. I said it was a greeting, didn't I?

Q: Does that mean that all the feelings you have accumulated so far, didn't come out in that action? 

MIYAHARA: No, no, no, that kind of thing will only appear in the ring on July 15th. I'm not cheap. I'm not such a cheap guy to show everything at the press conference. I'm a superstar. 

Q: What are your thoughts on "the face of All Japan" fighting in the Noah ring? 

MIYAHARA: I have nothing to say about going into Noah's ring as the face of All Japan on July 15th. I always hear what pro wrestling fans have to say, but there aren't many voices saying that Kento Miyahara attacked Noah in regards to this match. The reason for that is the fact that the two of us are facing each other, and that is more important than this match being All Japan or Pro Wrestling Noah. I can feel that firsthand, so honestly, I don't feel like entering Pro Wrestling Noah as the face of All Japan on that day. 

Q: Rina Matsuki, Noah's ABEMA guest commentator, said she was paying attention to what you said on the mic. 

MIYAHARA: I guess that's correct. If you come into contact with Kento Miyahara, your life will be enriched, because you want to look at Kento Miyahara objectively. She has good taste, doesn't she? What's your point of view? I feel like you are glad to have met Kento Miyahara in your life. Your life will be richer.

Q: Finally, please give a message to your fans.

MIYAHARA: On July 15th, at One Night Dream, Kento Miyahara and Katsuhiko Nakajima, will finally face each other in the ring in an unlimited match. Please look forward to it at Korakuen Hall on July 15th.

Translated from Noah.co.jp 

Picture credits: Noah.co.jp

Note

Miyahara seems to forget that he made his debut against Katsuhiko Nakajima in a singles match.