(NOAH) "Only the wrestling world remains in the Showa era", OZAWA declares a reformation, declaring war not only on Kaito Kiyomiya...but on everything.

22nd January 2025

Tokyo Sports

 Noah's GHC Heavyweight Champion OZAWA (28) has declared his intention to "reform" the world of professional wrestling. 

 On the 1st, he defeated Kaito Kiyomiya (28) at the Nippon Budokan, achieving the shortest record in history in winning the highest title in a career of two years and four months. OZAWA is a dark hero, who rose to power by exposing Kiyomiya's private life in an unprecedented way, but at the root of it all, there is doubt, anger and a rebellious spirit towards the nature of the world of wrestling. OZAWA, who had stirred up the championship match with unprecedented methods such as exposing photos of Kiyomiya smoking and his love affairs on social media, took the belt in one go. 

 During the match, the ace of the promotion (Kiyomiya) was booed, while the lawless challenger garnered support, creating a "reversal phenomenon". OZAWA boldly explained in an interview that this was, "The will of the people. I think it was more of a booing towards Pro Wrestling Noah than towards Kaito Kiyomiya. They hoped that the boring feeling up until now would change soon, so with him at the top, the customers don't come, and it's not interesting. That's the result that's been showing". 

 However, this man has no sense of responsibility as a champion. He said with a grin, "I don't think I'm going to change anything. I'm just going to do what I want to do from now on, and there's no just cause. I'm just going to make fun of people who piss me off, and get rid of all the grudges I've had". As for the possibility that the targets of his revelations will extend beyond Kiyomiya, he said, "That's totally possible. People who piss me off, piss me off. I want to go all out against the people I hold grudges against and am angry about". 

 Deep within his high-handed behavior lies his antithesis to the wrestling industry. OZAWA testified that, "Ever since I was a trainee, I've hated the hierarchical relationships that are unique to the wrestling industry. There are only people who work based on their likes and dislikes, and I've been working simply out of anger, and wanting to get rid of my resentment for this boring industry." He added, "Only wrestling is stuck in the Showa era. In the first place, there is no point in doing five hundred or one thousand squats. Since my debut, I haven't had a single moment where that experience has been useful. It didn't improve my jumping ability, it just hurt my knee... there are too many meaningless things". 

 The unstoppable OZAWA also said, "The whole industry is outdated, so more and more people don't know about wrestling, and we're not developing new fans. If it goes on like this, then no one will want to become a wrestler in the first place. I don't think I'm smart, but I hope that if more people can think properly, then the tendency for the people below to just follow orders will change. It's like reforming society, and if all the wrestlers can let loose, I think things will move in a good direction". 

 He will use any means or words to live as he wants. It will be interesting to see whether this "exposure wrestler" can become a revolutionary in the industry.

Translated from Weekly Pro

Picture credit: Weekly Pro

Notes

Showa era: 1926 - 1989