(NOAH) Regarding the newly established title, Akiyama said: "It's meaningless if someone who's already held the Triple Crown wins it." With the new title being created, Kobashi says - "I have the strongest desire for the belt!"
(Issue No. 1003)
One Night Navigation - 28th October, Soka City, Saitama Prefecture, Sports and Health City.
"Kobashi the Black" and "Akiyama the White"—beyond the stark contrast in their color motifs, it is fair to say that the two currently stand at absolute opposite poles.
Akiyama responded to Kobashi’s remarks by saying, in effect, "No, that's not true." Naturally, Kobashi reacted to Akiyama’s own statements in much the same way. Their perspectives never intersected at all.
Yet, as it turns out, both sides appear to be looking toward the same point in two key respects. One might say that while the paths they have taken to get there differ, they are both aiming for the very same summit.
The first instance takes place on December 23rd at the Ariake Coliseum. Kobashi, desiring a singles match against Akiyama for this major event, makes the request to the company, and Akiyama agrees. Here, the perspectives of "black" and "white" intersect. That said, it’s not a done deal just yet; after all, matches against Misawa or Vader are also being considered as main-event options.
Looking across the landscape of Noah, it is immediately apparent that Kobashi and Akiyama are radiating tremendous energy inside the ring. Their showdown at the end of the year is certain to have a major impact on the promotion’s trajectory in 2001. Looking back at the period since the promotion’s inception, it is Akiyama and Kobashi who have truly carried things forward. In that sense, this is a fitting matchup to headline a big event.
"If this is a test to see if I can make it to that stage—the Colosseum—within the next two months, then I intend to go all out, step into the fray, and face off against the likes of Misawa and Vader." (Akiyama).
Akiyama speaks of a "showdown with Misawa or Vader." Ultimately, the decision rests with those who have actually watched Akiyama wrestle—the fans. It comes down to which of these two singles matches the fans desire; which one they truly want to see. In this quest to reach the pinnacle of the coliseum, the battle is, in a very real sense, also a battle for the fans.
And now, the second point.
This concerns a title that will be newly established next year.
Naturally, both Kobashi and Akiyama are aiming to become the inaugural champion. Kobashi, in particular, having been forced to relinquish his Triple Crown title upon the launch of Noah, is especially determined. He even imposes this upon himself as a personal mission, saying, "I must be the one to win it."
Here is Akiyama’s take.
His words clearly highlight the stark contrast between them. While both may share the same goal—reaching the summit—his way of thinking is certainly not the same as Kobashi’s; "It’s meaningless if the belt is won by someone who has already held the Triple Crown title—that’s just more of the same. I believe it has to be someone entirely new—someone who has never held it before."
But Kobashi, too, says as much; "That’s irrelevant. It all comes down to who has the strongest desire to hold the belt—that’s the only thing that matters. And I believe my desire for that belt is the strongest of all."
In this, too, one can discern the structure of a struggle that has remained consistent since the very beginning. Akiyama seeks to discard the old guard and forge a new landscape, while Kobashi stands firm, determined to prevent that from happening.
Given Kobashi's impressive performance, this structure seems likely to continue for some time. However, if there is one clear turning point, it will be triggered by the following statement by Akiyama; "If both the Misawa-Vader match and the Kobashi-Akiyama match were to happen. I think the winners could be made the first and second seeds respectively. The one who fights in the main event could be the first seed, and the one who fights in the semi-main could be the second seed, something like that."
It seems that Akiyama is planning to link the main event at Ariake Coliseum with the new title tournament.
NOTES
Kobashi, Akiyama & The GHC Heavyweight: Unfortunately for both of them, Misawa booked himself to win the title.
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