(NOAH): The man who challenged Akiyama to a fight a few hours later, Noah's young super heavyweight wrestler, Rikio! There is a glimpse of a giant killer here!

Weekly Pro

22nd August 2000 (Issue 991)

 It was just a few hours before the intrusion into the match between Kenta Kobashi and Jun Akiyama, which made President Mitsuharu Misawa chuckle, saying that "He knew he was going to get beaten, no matter what". "Assailant" Takeshi Rikio showed off his impressive performance in his own match, a preview of what he was going to do.

 "During the preparation period, I trained every day. When I'm alone in the dojo, I tend to become dependent on others, so I've been trying to do my best to avoid that. I hope I can show my passion." 

 Regarding the inaugural match, he made some noble statements befitting a new face*, but I never expected him to do something so outrageous as the main event....he has a bright future!

 The match unfolded into a situation where the small-sized Naomichi Marufuji was caught by the powerful combination of Masao Inoue* and Takeshi Morishima, with Rikio, despite being a junior*, stepping in to rescue him. As soon as he started to go, he was the most powerful of all! Even one shoulder was like a real smash! He took down both Inoue and Morishima one after another, and in furthermore, in addition to being able to move at a speed that was out of keeping with his large size, he created a spectacular scene within the blink of an eye. Also, we must praise Morishima's fighting style, which allowed him to powerfully counterattack every time he was attacked by Rikio. The slugfest which unfolded at an unparalleled height was unlike anything seen by Japanese people before*, and will undoubtedly be Noah's future battle course. 

 Rikio has challenged the new generation flag bearer, who has risen to the top in just two days. I have a feeling he'll be a big winner! 

Blurb notes

- There is mention of the feat of "Inoue's giant body" being knocked down 

- "Rikio is a former sumo wrestler, but he has adapted perfectly to wrestling. He caught Morishima in a hammerlock and took him down while spinning around"

- "Speaking of young super heavyweight wrestlers, Morishima was aware of the appearance of a powerful rival, and he put on a super powerful fight*. He grabbed Rikio's neck and twisted it until it seemed to burst"

- Morishima was said to have showed off more new techniques than anyone else over the two days of the Noah launch. He even pulled out a sidewalk slam, which Weekly Pro said was rare to see in Japanese wrestling

- Rikio did his "Prayer Hand Twist" which was when he grabbed Morishima's head before chokeslamming him

- Inoue won the match via submission over Naomichi Marufuji (Argentine Backbreaker), while Rikio and Morishima duked it outside the ring

Notes

Takeshi Rikio: Rikio left sumo in the late 90s/early 2000s, and was scouted by All Japan soon after. He debuted in May 2000, but unfortunately, Misawa instigated the walk out to Noah just a month later. 

Masao Inoue: Not at this point the bumbling old comedy wrestler, plagued by Takashi Sugiura and his camera, and threatened with divine retribution by Toshiaki Kawada. Inoue at this point was built like a bodybuilder.

Junior: Junior to everyone in the ring. 

"Seen by Japanese people before": I think the writer is forgetting about The Four Pillars

Morishima's super powerful fight: In later years when he became truly superheavyweight, he would be known as "Noah's Monster"

Picture credits: Weekly Pro 

Translated from Weekly Pro/Original article by Tetsuya Kono