(NOAH/LIMIT BREAK) "Checking the answers from that day" with Shiozaki. Interview with World Heavyweight Champion Akitoshi Saito

27th May 2024

Pro Wrestling DX

Q: What are your honest thoughts on the World Heavyweight Championship match against Shiozaki? 

SAITO: This is the third time I have faced Shiozaki in a singles title match. The first of course, was right after what happened with Misawa-san. The second time was without spectators due to the coronavirus pandemic. At that time I lost, but after the match I left behind the words, "I'll move on. I'm going to start living my life, I'm going to start moving on from where I stopped before". The result of that journey is now, and I think it will be the "answer" of the path I have taken, as we face off, as TEAM NOAH, for the third time.

Q: In the 2009 Memorial and the 2020 Misawa Memorial shows, the two previous GHC matches between Shiozaki and Saito, have been held under Misawa's name. This time, the atmosphere is different. 

SAITO: I think that also has some meaning. That is because up until now, we had been in a situation where Shiozaki was the champion and I was the challenger, so we were wondering what we could convey to each other, but this time it is the other way around. I am finally wearing a belt, and Shiozaki is challenging me. So I wonder if I finally have something to convey to the challenger, Shiozaki. But, if the viewer feels a strong sense of Misawa's presence, then I think there is a lie in what I said when I said I would "start taking a step". That's why I want to show a fight that goes one step further than that. I think that when I am able to do that, it will be proof of what I have accomplished. 

Q: What kind of person is Go Shiozaki to you?

SAITO: I've known him since he joined Noah, when he was a new trainee. From then on, things happened in 2009 (Misawa's last match), and we both were the tag team champions together, and although he is my junior, I respect him now. At this point, I don't think there's a feeling of being a senior/junior. I don't mean this in a cold way, but I respect him as a wrestler. 

Q: What kind of match would you like to have in a title match when you face Shiozaki at this timing? 

SAITO: What kind of match will we have, and what will we convey? I think there is the image of the world's great champions and champion images, but for me, I wonder if it is okay to be myself?* Usually, wrestlers have an idea of "this is what I want to convey!" by expressing the emotions that occur when they face each other, and they are one step ahead of the audience. But this time, I'll start at the starting line with the everyone, and see what we can feel and what we can convey from there. 

Q: What if everyone, including the viewers, were able to create a message...?

SAITO: Well, you don't know what's going to happen, and I think all sorts of emotions will arise while you're fighting. Then, how did it turn out, how did it reach everyone's hearts, and what was it that I was able to do? I want to know the answer. Also, as I always say, even though I am wearing the belt, I am always a challenger at heart, and so this time as well, I will be taking on the challenge of holding the belt as champion. 

Q: And, it becomes a situation where TEAM NOAH is fighting for ZERO1's belt...

SAITO: I think there are a variety of opinions. Naturally, as it's the ZERO1 gold, I am sure that some will say that a ZERO1 wrestler should come and take it back, but the one who currently holds the belt, is Akitoshi Saito. When I look back on my history, I have always been an outsider. That's why I believe that with the belts of other promotions, I can encourage people to seriously think about Noah. 

Q: Are you aiming to put up a great match in the TEAM NOAH showdown for the World Heavyweight title, and show off to the ZERO1 team competing against you? 

SAITO: There is also that. You might be thinking, "Wouldn't this be more interesting than just fighting and competing against each other?" Of course, the ZER01 wrestlers wouldn't feel good about it, saying "It's out belt, isn't it?", and there were people who were actually asking if TEAM NOAH were going to compete for the ZERO1 belt. But I don't know what the answer will be, but I think it will be more interesting to do something that is unthinkable.

Q: For you, it seems refreshing to be the main singles champion in the LIMIT BREAK tournament for the second time in a row.

SAITO: It's fresh like this, isn it? (Laughs). That's why I think some ripples were created. Also, when working with Shiozaki, there are always some obstacles. The first time I did it, my back was so bad that I couldn't stand the next day, and the second time I did it, I hurt my neck. I always think that it only happens when I fight Shiozaki, but personally it feels amazing. I think it's the destiny for such things to be born. 

Q: Naturally, I don't think that the keyword "Misawa" will disappear when you two fight, but what is the biggest difference from past matches? 

SAITO: Certainly, if wrestlers like I and Go Shiozaki stand on the opposite sides, then I don't think that feeling will ever go away. But, there is one thing that is clearly different this time. In the previous fights, I was looking for answers within myself, but this time, I'm wondering if it's just a matter of matching the answers. After what I did last time, I said "I am going to start my own path", and went from there. Check my answers to see if it is correct. This is something I have been asking myself for about fifteen years (since Misawa-san passed away), and I have finally put the answers together...is this correct? What do you think? I think it's because we're both on the same team, TEAM NOAH, and looking in the same direction, that we come up with the answers together, that we can match them. 

Q: Finally, please express your enthusiasm. 

SAITO: Naturally, because we trust each other, we will do our best without cutting corners and letting out guard down. Shio* agrees with me. That's why I don't know what kind of fight it will be, but I think we will fight with all our might. I want you to keep your eyes peeled, and take in the history and emotions of that time. Thank you!

  

Notes

*The original word was "life sized". In English this doesn't make too much sense as it doesn't convey the meaning of being yourself, somewhat humble, and aiming too high or too low. If anything, in English it kind of means to be a little larger than life.

*Shio: Noah's nickname for Go Shiozaki, which was given to him probably by Misawa.

Translated from Pro Wrestling DX

Picture credit: Pro Wrestling DX