(NOAH) "Mitsuharu Misawa might think, 'What is this?' but we are watching the progress of evolution" ~ Keiji Muto talks about the current state of Pro Wrestling Noah on the 25th anniversary.

11th July 2025

ABEMA TIMES

Muto Keiji, a treasure of the Japanese wrestling world, talks about the past, present and future of Pro Wrestling Noah, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. In a sharp unique style, Mutoh talks about behind-the-scenes stories with Misawa Mitsuharu, the "OZAWA phenomenon" that has taken Noah by storm in recent times, and the future of globalizing professional wrestling.

Q: This year marks the 25th anniversary of Pro Wrestling Noah. Today (June 13th) marks the seventeenth anniversary of of Misawa's death. First of all, what is the first memory that comes to mind when you think of Misawa?

MUTOH: What do I remember*? We had a secret chat at the Westin Hotel in Ebisu, when I went to see Noah at the Tokyo Dome. He was the one paying, so he treated me to some delicious food (laughs).

Q: What was Misawa like?

MUTOH: He had good decision making skills and he wasn't one to waver, but he was very firm and decisive. 

Q: I know it's a little late to say this, but imagine if there was a "what if" moment in history, when a singles match between yourself and Misawa came true? 

MUTOH: Me too. Just recently, there was an event with Chono and some of the Four Heavenly Kings* which is held once a year. I wondered if Mitsuharu Misawa was there, what kind of conversation would have taken place. I wondered if it would be exciting or not, if it would go off topic and turn into a bit of erotic talk (laughs). I really do imagine it. 

Q: Twenty-five years have passed, how do you think Noah is now, Muto-san?

MUTOH: They've been doing really well since the start of this year. I'm watching from afar, but I can really feel how exciting they are. Also, even though I'm watching from afar, I can feel the overall good teamwork.

Q: Do you feel that the audience has changed?

MUTOH: I'm sure they're gaining new fans, and among them, KENTA has returned and I wonder if the old fans are coming back to support them.

Q: Do you find it interesting to watch current Noah?

MUTOH: Compared to the wrestling we did, it feels like it's becoming a bit more modern. like posting information on social media. Also, unlike Showa era wrestling, they're good at talking. In our Showa Era no one understood anything as everyone just barked, as Riki Choshu and Akira Maeda just kept talking with momentum. It was like dogs fighting. Now it's being properly conveyed to the audience, so it's just wonderful. 

Q: To put it bluntly, what do you think of Ozawa?

MUTOH: I think he's good. I saw him betray Kiyomiya (Kaito) in Nagoya, and I still had doubts at that point. Though he's only been wrestling for for a few years, he's more solid in the ring than I expected, and each of his moves is convincing. He doesn't force himself to do them; even the flashy moves are only possible because of his true athletic ability. His moves don't feel forced or dangerous.

Q:What about performance-wise? He does things like dancing, and picking his nose. I wonder what you think of that?

MUTOH: If we had done something like that in Inoki or Choshu Showa era pro wrestling, we wouldn't have been allowed in the ring again. Times have changed now, and it's not just the wrestling world that's changing, society as a whole is changing, so that's not the style of wrestling we have today.

Q: Does it seem like Ozawa is "bringing in new fans"?

MUTOH: No, that's because wrestlers don't do it alone, and even though he's hated now, there's Kiyomiya, and he does solid wrestling. A wrestler is only as good as his opponents, so I think that's how it is getting better overall. Also, the whole group is getting younger, so it seems like the whole group is getting younger overall. After all, no matter how great a wrestler in his fifties is, and no matter how perfect his wrestling is, twenty-year-old girls are never going to scream. I think they will definitely sympathize with the sight of a young wrestler working hard towards his dreams, even if he is still inexperienced. I feel like there are more female fans than usual, and I think it's because they are younger. 

Q: What would Misawa think if he saw Noah now?

MUTOH: If he suddenly saw it now, he might think "What is this?", but we are watching the process of evolution.

Q: What are your expectations for Noah in the future?

MUTOH: I want Noah itself to get bigger, and I want them to compete on a global level. I don't think Pro Wrestling will ever vanish, although Noah might (laughs). I went to Australia last month, and Las Vegas before that, and in August I went to Charlotte, North Carolina, and then I went to New Jersey for an autograph session. Next, I'm being invited to Kuwait in October for an autograph session in the Middle East, and I'm going to New York again in November. There are pro wrestling fans all over the world, so wrestling absolutely exists, so it will never disappear. Noah might disappear though (laughs). They have to work hard, and I want them to compete on a global scale, like competing with WWE.

Translated from ABEMA TIMES

Picture credit: ABEMA TIMES

Notes

Mutoh meeting Misawa: There was another time they met in which All Japan and New Japan got together, and did nothing but complain to each other about their respective promotions!

Four Heavenly Kings: For the newer fans that is Mitsuharu Misawa, Kenta Kobashi, Akira Taue and Toshiaki Kawada. Kawada did not join the walk out to Noah, but yet in some way, all did end their careers in Noah (although Kawada's last match to date was in New Japan, his most substantial time before that was Noah).