(NOAH) $10 per time?! Mutoh teaches the moonsault to two NXT wrestlers, while Marufuji teaches "Marufuji" ropework directly

8th August 2024

Pro Wrestling DX

On the 8th, Josh Briggs and Tavion Heights from WWE NXT, who are currently competing in Noah's "N-1 VICTORY 2024", held a public practice with Keiji Mutoh and Naomichi Marufuji. Briggs was taught the moonsault press by Mutoh, and Heights was taught the time-delayed ropework (commonly known as "Marufuji"), by Marufuji, and each of them acquired a powerful "weapon" to conquer the N-1.

The N-1 season has already started, but the two hungry NXT wrestlers visited the Noah dojo in Saitama prefecture in the scorching heat, and received some coaching from Mutoh and Marufuji. 

First up was Briggs. Briggs, who has been watching Mutoh since his days in nWo Japan, showed off the power of his over two meter giant body, with the speed of a football player. He unleashed a lariat that even JBL recognized, blowing a hole in a training dummy and literally proving that he indeed is, "the man with the most destructive power in NXT". Also, he showed off his flying giant side by performing a moonsault, and of course he received direct instruction from the leading expert, Mutoh. Mutoh gave his seal of approval, calling it "beautiful", but allowed him to use the "Mutoh approved moonsault" for "10 dollars per time". Needless to say, this was Mutoh's usual "royalty joke", but Briggs took it seriously, and was delighted saying, "It's cheap!", and was eager to launch during the N-1.

Heights, a former Olympic wrestler, demonstrated a number of brilliant suplexes against the training dummy, while also asking Marufuji to directly teach him the time delay ropework. The time-delay ropework, which Marufuji is said to have originated, is known in the world of professional wrestling as "Marufuji". Marufuji readily agreed, and taught him tips such as "it's not good to be fast, but to match your opponent's speed". Heights also mastered it with the speed of an Olympian, and Marufuji gave his seal of approval. Thus the two men, who had reaped a harvest that would be useful to them even after they returned home, said "After travelling to Japan for sixteen hours, I can't go home empty handed. I'll win, and come to Japan again and challenge Kiyomiya for the GHC Heavyweight. I'll be careful not to go bankrupt from doing too many moonsaults" (Briggs), and Heights said, "I won't lose either, I'll use all my strength to win", as he ignited his fighting spirit to dominate the N-1. 

In addition to this, the four men had a lively discussion about pro wrestling on topics such as, "How do you get ahead in the world of pro wrestling?", "What's the secret to creating new techniques and moves?", "Which WWE superstar would you like to fight?" and "Which WWE superstar would you like to invite to Noah?" The special discussion, full of insight and laughter, will be streamed soon on ABEMA's Pro Wrestling YouTube account.  

Translated from Pro Wrestling DX

Picture credit: Pro Wrestling DX