(NOAH) Kenoh, "Shiozaki clings too much to the old Noah, it's a shame he doesn't have the ability to read the times" - interview just before the GHC Heavyweight match

12th January 2024

Pro Wrestling DX

Q: What is the first thing on your mind as you prepare for the GHC match against Go Shiozaki?

KENOH: It's about establishing the GHC's authority. The value of the GHC Heavyweight has decreased since the semi finals at Ariake on the 2nd January. This year, that has to be reestablished. 

Q: The order of the matches was controversial. Marufuji vs Ibushi held in the main event at Ariake Arena, was controversial in every sense of the word. 

KENOH: Yeah, I'm sure there weren't many people who went home satisfied with that main event at Ariake Arena. If the main focus had been the GHC, I think the result would have been different, but as the champion, it is all my responsibility. First of all, Noah has not been able to convey the value of the GHC, so we have to fight hard to demonstrate that, and after watching Ibushi vs Marufuji, that feeling became even stronger than before. 

A: A GHC match against Go Shiozaki, who is particular about the GHC, seems perfect for that, but when the challenge was announced, you first said "No". 

KENOH: Looking at Go Shiozaki's recent fights, the answer is no. In fact, even though he challenged for the GHC last September and lost (to the then champion, Jake Lee), the span has been short. But he still beat me in the N-1 finals, right? But he didn't tell me that, and told me to let him challenge. I didn't like his way of thinking, so I first said "No". 

Q: So why did you ask him to give you "I AM NOAH" instead? 

KENOH: Looking at Go Shiozaki lately, it doesn't look like he's fighting for Noah, so I don't want him to use those words. In 2020 (when Shiozaki was the champion for a year), I was convinced even when he said "I AM NOAH", but lately he hasn't been like that, so I want to strip him of "I AM NOAH" first. 

Q: Rather than wanting that title, it's that appearance you want to bring down. 

KENOH: That's right

Q: Shiozaki has launched a new unit, "TEAM NOAH" to bring back Noah's fight? 

KENOH: It was all about the reaction of the mutherfuckers at Ariake Arena when the members were bought in. It was a joke. I think that when you create a new unit, you initially get support, but judging by the reaction at Ariake Arena, you can feel that there is no support for it. 

Q: Shiozaki also has the same desire to change Noah, and seems to be in the position that, "As Noah, there are things that we must value and that must not change."

KENOH: Even if it is said that there is no Noah struggle, I think there are few people who are satisfied with the current situation, right? He's clinging too much to the old Noah, and if you look around the venue, you'll see that the fan base has been revamped. It's a shame that he doesn't have the ability to read the times. In the end, doesn't he have a stronger desire to bring Noah back, rather than to change it? 

Q: What is your impression of "TEAM NOAH?"

KENOH: Even though they say they want to get back into the fight, there are no hardliners. So, therefore? It's just a label, and even though they are called "TEAM NOAH", there is no trueborn. Go Shiozaki made his debut in Noah, but since he left once, I don't think he falls under the category of a straight-up member.

Q: Your position in the "Ark Reform" is not to regain its position, but rather to establish the authority of the GHC once again, while creating something that no one has seen before.

KENOH: That's right, the times are advancing. If we don't offer something that fits the current times, then no one will follow us.

Q: Shiozaki said that you should bring your own Noah against each other.

KENOH: Professional wrestlers do things without having to say things like that. It's a shame he has gone out of his way to say that, and it's kind of low-level. It would probably resonate better with the audience, if he had said something more twisted. Once again, I feel like I'm one or two steps better in comparison at attacking. If we don't go beyond the customers imagination, they won't even pay attention to what Noah is like now, right?

Q: Finally, what is missing from the current Noah? 

KENOH: It figures, there isn't enough communication. The same goes for Shiozaki, but all the Noah wrestlers aren't communicating enough. I will reform that area, and create an organization that can communicate properly, and to do that I need to be at the forefront, and so I need a belt. 

Translated from Pro Wrestling DX

Picture credit: Pro Wrestling DX