(NOAH) "A core is necessary for change", Shiozaki, who formed "TEAM NOAH", aims for conservative innovation - Interview just before the GHC match.

12th January 2024 

Pro Wrestling DX

Q: First of all, what are your honest thoughts regarding the challenge for the GHC Heavyweight? 

SHIOZAKI: Last September, I challenged Jake, who was the champion at the time, but last time it was a peak Noah showdown between N-1 Champion vs GHC Champion. However, this time I have a strong feeling of "challenge" in the sense that I am taking on the challenge of the GHC in the midst of a new beginning, and that I have launched a unit. 

Q: What was the reason for starting the unit, "TEAM NOAH"?

SHIOZAKI: Last year, I was able to win the N-1, but I was out until May, and I had a strong feeling that it had been a disappointing year, and a strong desire to take action. During that time, I strongly felt that, "I want to bring Noah's fight back to Noah". I found members who had the same thoughts, and I want to embody the "Noah fight" with those five. 

Q: As a unit, do you want to take the initiative by taking the symbolic title of Noah?

SHIOZAKI: Yeah. By winning the GHC, I can show "THE NOAH" through that fight, or rather, I can convey it even more. 

Q: The slogan "Restore NOAH" has been held up, but didn't Jake and Kenoh, who led last year, have that? 

SHIOZAKI: Not enough. I guess they have their own battles, but I think that what I think of as "Noah" is still lacking, and I want to show that missing part through our fights. 

Q: Why did you become a member? 

SHIOZAKI: Akitoshi Saito, Mohammed Yone, Atsushi Kotoge, Hi69 are all veterans. It may be that none of them, except for me, made their debut in Noah, but that's not the case; they are all wrestlers who have been competing in Noah for a long time, and it's all about the "spirit of Noah". I'm excited that the wrestlers who have this will be able to show off Noah from now on!

Q: Kenoh is advocating "Ark Reform", but you yourself want to change Noah, but with a different approach? 

SHIOZAKI: Yes, it's true that evolution and change are important, but it doesn't mean that any direction is good; there are things that we must value and that must not change. I believe there has to be a core for change, and now that Noah has changed significantly, we need to once again show the true nature of Noah's struggle. 

Q: Both are innovative, but while Kenoh's is an reform, yours seems to be a conservative innovation. 

SHIOZAKI: Of course, I'm not going to play it safe, but there are things that must be protected, and Noah must have the ideals and the struggles that Noah has cultivated. Among the people who have been watching Noah for a long time, I think there may be some fans who have left us, so we want to show them something that will bring them back and make them say, "It figures, this is how Noah fights". I also want to make new fans feel proud of Noah and think, "Noah is amazing and different from the rest". 

Q: Kenoh has told you to "stake I AM NOAH", and you accepted. 

SHIOZAKI: Kenoh is putting the GHC on the line, so it's worth it...I want to put my pride on the line. Of course, Kenoh is a great champion and has pride, but he does things differently than me. So, let's bring our own version of Noah, and fight it head on the ring to decide what "I AM NOAH" means now. 

Q: At the beginning of the year of the year of your 20th anniversary, you suddenly have the chance to be the GHC Heavyweight Champion again. 

SHIOZAKI: Yeah, that's why when I look back on the path I have taken with Noah, I feel there is not enough Noah in the current Noah. I want to show my roots and origins once again, so am I a veteran in that regard? That's the story. 

Translated from Pro Wrestling DX

Picture credit: Pro Wrestling DX