(NOAH) Kenoh apologizes, saying, "It's my fault that Okada left..." - breaking through the sense of stagnation in New Japan.

2nd February 2024

Tokyo Sports

I want to apologize.

Noah's GHC Heavyweight Champion, Kenoh (39), has unexpectedly apologized. For some reason, he feels responsible for Kazuchika Okada's (36) decision to leave New Japan Pro Wrestling in January. He says he is the reason why he turned his attention overseas. What does the "outspoken champion" have to say ahead of his third defense match (4th January, Sendai Sunplaza Hall) against El Hijo Del Dr Wagner Jnr? 

When Kenoh attended the title match signing for his third defense on the 1st February, he said resolutely, "I want this match to be a turning point for Noah, and I want to show that Noah's future is bright." But there are still things he needs to do as champion. With high aspirations, he continued "The best thing about entertainment is to encourage the people who see it. I want to bring Noah to the highest level of that. Something that will give you vitality for tomorrow." 

It was Okada's departure that has inspired the GHC champion. It is certain that Okada will go to America in the future, with WWE and AEW rising to new heights. Noah seems unaffected at first glance, but Kenoh is no stranger to this. With a grim expression on his face, he reflects on the Rainmaker's decision that led him to his current stance, "I had some thoughts about that. Since Noah couldn't compete, so Kazuchika Okada, the ace of New Japan, turned his attention overseas. He made it seem like he had no unfinished business in Japan". The current state of the professional wrestling world has prompted his decision. "Without competition, nothing would evolve, right? If one company had the monopoly, then it would become a dictatorship and with that in mind, I think the current situation in the professional wrestling world is that New Japan has no competitors." This departure is seen as an event that symbolizes the sense of stagnation within New Japan. With that in mind, Kenoh bowed his head and said, "In that sense, I want to apologize to both the pro wrestling world, and New Japan, because Noah was so slack and couldn't be a competitor, so it's my fault..." Kenoh continued, "The difference is that Noah's wrestlers don't think overseas, but instead think of "defeating New Japan", so that's the difference. That kind of situation is frustrating". This is why he can't let go out of the belt at this point. He continued, "I think Noah's Kenoh is the only one who can act in this situation, an so I'm going to raise Noah up for the sake of the entire professional wrestling world. This will also prevent New Japan from losing wrestlers!"

A man with a burning sense of mission will reshape the balance of power for the benefit of the entire industry.

Translated from Tokyo Sports

Picture credit: Tokyo Sports