(NOAH) DEPARTURE - POST MATCH PROMOS (5th August 2000, Differ Ariake, Tokyo)

Weekly Pro
22nd August 2000 (Issue 991)

(Misawa's first ever Noah post match promo is eerie, considering how his last Noah match ended, and the dark co-incidence in both the first and the last. Misawa's last ever words were, "Something's wrong. Stop the match".) 

MITSUHARU MISAWA
Q: What are your thoughts on the inaugural match? 
MISAWA: There's a saying that goes "From now on". I didn't give up in the first one. I was unconscious. I didn't even say "give up". I don't even remember when I fell. Wow...Akiyama is heartless.
Q: Did you ever think Akiyama would take both?
MISAWA: I didn't even think he'd get one. 
Q: This will be a confidence boost for Akiyama. 
MISAWA: Well, Akiyama isn't the kind of person who would take that for granted, and he must have really wanted to do it with Kobashi.
Q: Did you accomplish what you wanted to do?
MISAWA: Everyone is trying a little too hard. It's like they're trying to do something but they're not doing it. So they're noticing mistakes in techniques and getting impatient.
Q: Was the show a success?
MISAWA: I wish I could have seen the reaction from outside. Thank you for coming out in this heat.
Q: Are you sure you made the right choice by choosing this path?
MISAWA: I've been thinking about it since before the launch (laughs). I have no intention of looking back. It's not that I thought it was right, I acted because I thought it was right.
Q: How would you rate it today?
MISAWA: Well, I'd give it about sixty points. I mean, there's still room for improvement.

AKIRA TAUE
TAUE: Thoughts? The wrestlers were idiots, the production was good, the audience was into it, and I got carried away. I even brought out some stuff that I don't usually do. It was a good atmosphere. I wanted to put on a good match today. I wanted to put on a match that the audience would enjoy, but it's a win or lose match, and there's no belt on the line, so yeah. The lariat came at the start of the match, and I was caught off guard by that. Wow, that was a good move.
Q: You made a big appeal on the top rope, but...
TAUE: Considering that, it was low, wasn't it? If it's too bad, I'll be in trouble if I take damage next time, so I would like to continue taking on various challenges
Q: Things like the walkway have changed*
TAUE: I'm thinking of riding out on my Harley next time. But how to get back? Well, to get back I'll have to hone my skills and jack up my Harley and spin it around (laughs) Idiot, it weighs 300kg. 

Notes
Walkway: In the All Japan era, the wrestlers would come through the crowd, which was a free for all, with excited fans grabbing the wrestlers and getting punched out of the way by their seconds. Misawa, who hated crowds in the first place (according to "Donmai, Donmai"), abolished this in Noah.

JUN AKIYAMA
AKIYAMA: Did it go as expected? It's just a step towards tomorrow. A passing point. Both? I wanted to do that, and as I said before I started, I had the feeling that I had to make it my own, so I felt like I had to lead the way.
Q: What about the back drop on Kobashi after the match?
AKIYAMA: Hope you enjoyed it. Once this match ends, tomorrows will start. 
Q: What was the atmosphere like at the venue? 
AKIYAMA: Now that we're doing the same thing, we have to compete with others, and it's not about exchange matches or anything like that.


KENTA KOBASHI
KOBASHI: Thoughts? I don't really have any. I'm just glad I was able to step into the ring*. I was really touched when we all greeted each other there for the first time. It was great. 
Q: But you got hit with a backdrop?
KOBASHI: I think it's a reflection of his feelings, and I think it's a good response.
Q: How is your knee? 
KOBASHI: Since I have no choice but to do it, please watch tomorrow's match.  

Notes

Picture credit: Weekly Pro

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