(NOAH) Young energy, let loose!

Weekly Pro 3rd October 2000

(Issue No. 997)

EXCEEDING OUR DREAMS 2000

Shiga, Morishima, Hashi, Rikioh, asserting themselves in the ring. 

Noah's young wrestlers rose up one after another at the Ariake event on August 19th. These two consecutive matches, which were their first matches since then, were very important ones. Akiyama's thinking is, "Once you've taken action, fight with a sense of responsibility, whether it's the first match or the main event." What he means is that no matter what the order of the matches is, if you don't fight with the same mindset as if you were going up against Kobashi, then there will be no point in taking action.

Shiga faced Kobayashi* in the first match on the first day. He showed unusually tough attacks, including the kitchen sink* and reverse crab, but the impression was that he wanted to make a big splash with even more overwhelming strength. Having taken on Kobayashi, perhaps he should have put on a match that crushed him and demonstrated his fearsomeness, rather than just letting the rookie shine. 

Also competing in the Family Gundan vs. Villain Company* matches were Morishima, Hashi, and Marufuji on the first day, and Hashi and Rikioh on the second day. It's not easy to make your presence felt amongst seasoned veterans like Kimura and Eigen, but even so  Morishima and Rikioh made a strong showing with powerful fights that made the most of their physiques, Marufuji with his elegant flying techniques, and Hashi with his unique, wild fighting style. While they were still not able to beat the veterans, it was true that the fun Important Cultural Property match was made even more intense than usual. And it was also true that it was the hard work of the young wrestlers that brought about that intensity. 

Overall, I could sense that the young wrestlers were going to "give it their all in each and every match". However, the real challenge is yet to come. The accumulation of the smallest things will become assets in the future. 

Notes

Kitchen sink: Nod to Jumbo Tsuruta. 

Family Gundan vs. Villain Company: An All Japan unit of Giant Baba and Rusher Kimura (Family Gundan, who were teaming as sworn brothers) vs a heel stable that Haruka Eigen was in called "The Villain Company". 

Kobayashi: KENTA. He was then going by his real name, Kenta Kobayashi. 

Picture notes

"I was able to show more of myself than ever" ~ Motoko Hashi

"I want to make an impact in this match" ~ Takeshi Morishima