(NOAH) POST MATCH INTERVIEWS: NOAH the BEST 2023 (Yokohama Budokan, Saturday December 2nd)

LEONA

"In 2023, I came to Noah for the first time in five years, and started with a loss to Eita. I know that I have no choice but to accumulate wins one by one, and only by achieving each of my own goals, will I be able to take revenge on Eita. I know that I will have a chance to make it come true. In 2023, I fought in Noah with a burning desire in myself, and 2024 will continue like this. There is still some of 2023 left, but I'm going to try to get my revenge and forget about that feeling of having to take revenge on Eita as well". 

ALEJANDRO

"There is just one month left exactly until 2nd January at Ariake. In a month's time, Ninja and I be wearing the GHC Junior Tag Team Championship belts."

MASA KITAMIYA

"No matter what, I just have to keep looking forward. The tag the other way didn't work, but I just have to keep moving forward and not get discouraged. However, I want to say something selfish about New Japan's Tomohiro Ishii. I want to have a singles match with him. I have been intrigued by him ever since I fought him at the Yokohama Arena in early January. It's not some crazy idea. Please understand my selfishiness. That's all."

DAGA

"Eita, you really never learn, do you? Come on, you knew what I was going to do, right? I'm manipulating your psychology. I'm the best junior champion, and I will continue to be the champion forever. See you on January 2nd."

KAITO KIYOMIYA, RYOHEI OIWA & EL HIJO DEL DR WAGNER JNR

KIYOMIYA: Thank you

OIWA: Thank you

*They shake hands* 

WAGNER JNR: Tomorrow, I'm going back to Mexico, but I'll be back on January 2nd, because we are the future of pro wrestling. 

OIWA: Today is December 2nd. It's been exactly three months since I came to Noah. Three months have passed in the blink of an eye. The time I have spent with Kaito, has passed in the blink of an eye. But I am still looking ahead, and from tomorrow onwards, I'll keep going without stopping. 

KIYOMIYA: That's true. We haven't decided where we're going, so lets go wherever he want. For that reason, we have to take it one day at a time. It's true that every day is a day with a new feeling, but in order to create more and more of this on our own, let's go up with Noah.

OIWA: Please!

KIYOMIYA: Okay!

WAGNER JNR: Viva Mexico, Viva Japan, Viva Noah!

JACK MORRIS

"The Yokohama Budokan was the first venue I set foot in sixteen months ago, and at that time, no one knew about me. But now, I am holding the GHC tag belts, and today I successfully defended the GHC National, and now I have two belts. Ohara is a really great wrestler, but unfortunately he couldn't beat me, because I am in the best shape right now, and you could say that I am the best of the best right now. If there is anyone who wants to challenge me for the GHC National, then anyone can challenge me. I'm open to anyone. I'll do it, but there is no one on this earth who can take this belt away from me."

HAJIME OHARA

"GHC National Match: Fail. Unfortunately, I was unable to pass. But I'm not giving up. I will definitely do my best as a professional wrestling ronin student* without giving up until the day the cherry blossoms bloom*. Please watch me, I won't give up."

Ronin: A master-less Samurai usually, but Ohara is using the meaning which means another chance to enter university after failing the entrance exam

Cherry blossoms bloom: springtime

GOOD LOOKING GUYS

JACK: Jack defended, and YO-HEY got a clean pin at the end. YO-HEY, say something. 

YO-HEY: I want to say so many things, but can I start by saying one thing? Today, I think the person who did the best job behind the scenes and supported us in the background, was our Daddy*. Daddy, he couldn't hold back, so he grabbed the microphone himself before the match started, and said those words to Kondo. I was very happy. If there is anything more you would like to say, say it.

TADASUKE: I just said what I thought in the ring. Stop throwing your weight around in Noah. That's all. 

YO-HEY: I am very happy that Tadasuke has made such a statement, but we still have the clear issue of what we need to do next. You all understand, right? It will be the Ariake Arena on January 2nd, and towards that end, Tadasuke and I will definitely take the belt from those brothers, and become the junior tag team champions once again. Everyone, please check it our. Leader, please.

JAKE: It's time to finish, so let's go. 

YO-HEY: OK!

Note - Tadasuke is known as "Taddy Daddy". 

NAOMICHI MARUFUJI

Q: Ibushi came out? 

MARUFUJI: Welcome, Ibushi-kun. On the 2nd January at Ariake, I didn't have a set card in mind either, but the best opponent came to see me. What should we do? Should we tag? Is a six man okay? There is no need to do something so tedious, right? It's a singles match, so do a singles with me. We've had two so far. Some people really wouldn't be fated to do it without being a pro wrestler, but it looks like the time has finally come to do it in a singles match. 

Q: What was your impression when you faced him? 

MARUFUJI: He's full of confidence, and he's great no matter where he goes. As expected, I'm looking forward to it. He is the person I want to be with myself, and the opponent I want to be with myself, and the opponent I want to be with, even though I don't know how many years I have left, and in the time that I have left, I want to be truly in love with him. For the first time next year, let's do it one-on-one on the best stage.

GO SHIOZAKI

"Let me tell you one thing, there is something that is bothering me. The other day at MONDAY MAGIC, Satoshi Kojima, I can't move on unless I beat him. Satoshi Kojima, come out!"

JUNTA MIYAWAKI & SHUJI KONDO

MIYAWAKI: Shit!

KONDO: You've lost again, asshole! Has it been a month? You haven't changed at all. 

MIYAWAKI: Yes

KONDO: Please change something

MIYAWAKI: Yes

KONDO: Change something by yourself

MIYAWAKI: Yes

KONDO: For example, you can firm up your abdominal muscles. Firm abdominal muscles, a six pack within three months. 

MIYAWAKI: Yes

KONDO: You will have firm abs in three months. I will check on you then.

MIYAWAKI: Yes. 

MANABU SOYA & TATSUMI FUJINAMI

SOYA: Fujinami-san, thank you very much for today (they shake hands) I'm truly honored to be able to team up with Fujinami-san today. I consider Fujinami-san to be my father in the world of professional wrestling, and I definitely want him to see me again wearing the belt (bows) 

FUJINAMI: Bowing like that doesn't suit you. I've watched you growing up for a while, so the youth that you were is irrelevant to us, and I've given up of all that too. I've been looking forward to your growth, so today in the ring I started off by striking you a little, but I was able to put that aside and feel refreshed. Now it's your turn to test your own strength and wrap that belt tightly around your waist. 

SOYA: Yes, I understand, thank you very much (they shake hands again). 

FUJINAMI: Well done

SOYA: Thank you

Q: What are the key points for Soya to win the GHC Heavyweight?

FUJINAMI: He will win. That is what I want too, and in my heart I feel that he should put the belt on tightly with the intention of returning that feeling. 

Q: Was the slap at the end filled with that feeling? 

FUJINAMI: That's right, that's right. Well, it's such a small thing, but in my own rash of youth, I probably wanted to outdo Inoki-san in many ways. There is a long history in the professional wrestling world. However, Manabu Soya has grown this big now, and I'm looking forward to that part of his growth as well. At first I was hesistant too, but as long as I'm still active, then I can't stop his growth over something as trivial as that. Please watch Mayabu Soya's future. I'm looking forward to it too. 

Q: What was it like when you looked at Soya's Dragon Sleeper?

FUJINAMI: I was already looking at it once he did it, and of course he would have more power than me, so I guess he remembered the time when he worked with me a long time ago. It was like a modified version of the Dragon Screw, but he threw it like a Judo throw with a variation of a single carry. It seems like he just came up with it on the spur of the moment. I'm sure that he is aware of that as well, so please look forward to the championship match. 

KENOH & JINSEI SHINZAKI

KENOH: Shit! I was able to team up with Shinzaki-san, who is also my mentor, for the first time in a while. Shinzaki-san, I'm sorry for today.

SHINZAKI: Well, at the very end today, I lost my momentum and caused some damage to Kenoh, so I'm sorry. 

KENOH: No, I will repay my debt and this regret with the 2nd January GHC Heavyweight Championship. Thank you very much for today.

SHINZAKI: Yes

Q: Is there any encouragement for the title match? 

SHINZAKI: He might have been a bit surprised by Soya's new techniques today, but from what I have seen of his movements in the ring, Kenoh's superiority remains unwavering. I think he should take on the title match with confidence. 

KENOH: I just have to welcome the 2nd January Ariake with confidence. 

Q: Has your impression of Soya been changed? 

KENOH: Maybe, maybe, but the last move was the Dragon Sleeper, right? Is that true? It's like he learned one new skill, and he learned that one from the master who he betrayed 15 or 16 years ago, which may be a big deal.

Translated from Noah.co.jp

Picture credit: Noah.co.jp