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(NOAH) "THE RESEMBLANCE OF MISAWA'S NATURAL SKILL" KAITO KIYOMIYA AND KENTA KOBASHI TALK (VOL 2)

4/27/2018

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21st April 2018
Nikkan Spa 
When on December 22nd 2017, Kaito Kiyomiya returned from Canada on expedition at Korakuen Hall, the venue went quiet. He looked like a different person. Stylish hairstyle, bigger in body...however it was not only his appearance that had changed. The following January he challenged for the GHC Heavyweight belt that Kenoh then possessed. Many fans found Noah's bright new future there.

Kenta Kobashi also has great expectations for him. How is Kobashi looking at Kiyomiya? What is Kiyomiya's future path?

Q: You wrestled quite a few matches in Canada?

Kiyomiya: Yes, about twenty-one.

Kobashi: For how many promotions?

Kiyomiya: About ten. There are a lot of promotions in Canada. The major one was Impact Wrestling, the old TNA.

Kobashi: Canada has a lot of pro-wrestling.

Kiyomiya: It is amazing. Famous American wrestlers come to Canada. Fan excitement is unique overseas.

Kobashi: How did you find the differences?

Kiyomiya: In Japan we attack one after another, but the Canadian wrestlers will appeal indifference after attacking. It fuelled the fans, and so I was able to secretly relax during that time (laugh). It was good for the fans, and I turned it into my own strength.

Kobashi: What did you learn in Canada?

Kiyomiya: After I went to Canada, I could see around me. Even when I entered I could relax even when I felt nervous. I can now see peoples faces, and hear their cheers.

Kobashi: It is important that you are aware of what is around you. Some wrestlers are still nervous and do not look. You are a senior in Noah, aren't you?

Kiyomiya: How is that? (Strained Laugh)

Kobashi: When I heard you were going abroad, I thought it was a good thing. With the circumstances I had, I could not have experienced it, and I would like more wrestlers to experience it. Baba used to say "there is nothing to learn from the US", but I think there are a lot of things to learn in other places, even if Japan is the most technical. It is very important, even if it is just attacking and defending. Even studying other wrestlers I think has been good for you.


Kiyomiya: I had a good experience.

Kobashi: For athletes who go abroad, please do not misunderstand me. Even when you go up a rank when coming back, do not think it is solely to do with your strength. Kiyomiya understands, don't you?

Kiyomiya: I don't know about that (laughs)

Kobashi: What I mean is, is that you know what I am talking about, because you are humble. It is no good unless you combine the humble with the bold and not be arrogant. At twenty-one, you need to do it, if you don't, then when will you? In the old days you would have been considered a senior for doing it because there was a case for it. I guess in a way it still exists. However, you need to look to yourself to rise up.

Q: As a child you were inspired after seeing Misawa on the TV and becoming a pro-wrestler weren't you?

Kiyomiya: I first saw the inaugural GHC Heavyweight Tournament that would decide the first GHC Heavyweight Champion. It was the single match between Misawa and Yoshihiro Takayama. It was a complete shock to me, and I wondered how they were going to survive. I was a child! After that I looked to Misawa as a hero, and I have been watching it ever since.

Q: What was Misawa's appeal?

Kiyomiya: Even when damaged he stood up, and he would return it. In the end, he often won.

Kobashi: But that was seventeen years ago? You can only have been about four.

Kiyomiya: I didn't watch the event live. I think I rented it from a video store. I think I have been watching wrestling since I was a small child.

Q: Kiyomiya uses Misawa's techniques, the green costumes and seems to have inherited him. Is he aware of how big this it?

Kiyomiya: I have no intention of inheriting him, I respect him too much, and I need to establish myself as a professional wrestler and not rely on Misawa's technique and other things. Since I have been watching Misawa matches since I was a child, his moves will come out in my matches and there will be things I do.

Kobashi: By the way, you have also done a ground cobra face lock. Misawa did that once.

Kiyomiya: Really? I didn't know that! My natural tecnique is similar to Misawa? I want to treasure that.

Q: In your view, are you reminded of Misawa in Kiyomiya matches?

Kobashi: I am not reminded, but I see something new with momentum. The momentum jumps out. The desire for Misawa is a good thing to keep in mind, and I feel strongly that should continue.

In Yokohama in the match with Shiozaki, I think he took it a step further. That kind of match should be the representation of Noah from now on, and should be bought to opponents, other matches and to fans. He has to show that to them. In that respect, he has gone further.

Q: Do you have anything you are worried about, or want to ask Mr. Kobashi?

Kiyomiya: In the old days, Japanese wrestlers were super heavyweight. Mr. Kobashi felt he was able to stand up and defeat them, even if they were bigger than he? Even if he fell. I am heavy right now, but I am not super heavy, please let me know your mindset on fighting larger opponents.


Kobashi: If you know you will not lose, you will not lose.

Kiyomiya: I need to work on that, there are many wrestlers who are larger than I am, and although I have a long time to do it, I need to work on my thoughts which are harder.

Kobashi: Your feelings will toughen. Because you are thinking you are bad, you will gradually build yourself up. Are we all physically different now? All the Japense in the past have faced really big gaijin, and they have not needed any tricks. Wrestlers like Stan Hansen or Abdullah the Butcher, such large wrestlers cannot be lifted, and especially when it comes to a brainbuster or something. Old athletes had a pride, and would not have taken to being thrashed by such a young person like yourself. The competitive nature was funny.

Link to original article from Nikkan Spa (in Japanese)

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(NOAH) Hisame's commentary: Mitsuharu Misawa (past roster spotlight) - six man tag from July 2007

4/27/2018

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Hisame's commentary on the six man tag match which took place in Differ Ariake in July 2007. Go Shiozaki, Akitoshi Saito & Akira Taue vs Ricky Marvin, Yoshinari Ogawa and Mitsuharu Misawa,

This is the first in a series, and I apologize in advance for any sound issues you may come across (I don't have access to hi-tech equipment, and sometimes it may be hard to hear me), this is the first time I have done this, and hope it will be better going forward, so there will be some bugs I will need to work out.

​Please note the image quality is taken from a DVD which is over ten years old, so it may not be perfect.

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(NOAH) "I was prepared to be booed!! Kaito Kiyomiya and the truth of his transformation. Talk with Kenta Kobashi. (Vol 1)

4/14/2018

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​When on December 22nd 2017, Kaito Kiyomiya returned from Canada on expedition at Korakuen Hall, the venue went quiet. He looked like a different person. Stylish hairstyle, bigger in body...however it was not only his appearance that had changed. The following January he challenged for the GHC Heavyweight belt that Kenoh then possessed. Many fans found Noah's bright new future there.

Kenta Kobashi also has great expectations for him. How is Kobashi looking at Kiyomiya? What is Kiyomiya's future path?

Q: What was Mr. Kobashi's opinion when he saw Kiyomiya when he returned from Canada?

Kobashi: I noticed his hairstyle had changed at first. I had to compare photos before I uploaded one to Twitter. He looks better now.
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​Kiyomiya: Thank you very much! I wanted to change and return home. I did not have the strength, but I could change my appearance and I wanted to return home and start anew.

Kobashi: I think its a good look. You have more female fans too.

Kiyomiya: I thought that people would boo, but they seemed happy to support me, so I thought it was good that I changed. 

Kobashi: Why did you think people would boo you?

Kiyomiya: When I entered Korakuen the venue was excited over Kenoh's win, so I did not know how they would react to me. When I entered, the audience became quiet and I was a bit scared.

Kobashi: I did not notice it was so different. However, you made a good enough impact to turn it into cheers.

Q: How has the change in the body and the fight style been?

Kobashi: Before you went to Canada, I told you "please focus on wrestling". Anyway, I guess you took it to heart and pushed ahead in Canada. You made a big leap when you came back, better than I thought. I think that you are growing, such as in physical strength and power. 

Kiyomiya: Thank you. I also think I have gained strength. Even when you fight heavyweight wrestlers, you cannot beat them by tackling them. It was hard to lift them at first, but I began to be able to do it at a push. There are many things you realize during matches.
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​Kobashi: How much do you weigh now?

Kiyomiya: Just 100kg. When I was in Canada, I went up to 105kg or so, but breathing became hard for me during the match, so I had to find the weight and adjust it a little.

Kobashi: That's the way, increase it, stretch it, fall, increase it again, fall. That way you understand your proper weight. It is hard to grasp what you cannot do in the ring otherwise.

Kiyomiya: I use the dropkick, and I found it wasn't possible to have control over my body if it was so undecided.

Kobashi: Why do you care so much about the dropkick?

Kiyomiya: Before I debuted, Marufuji had been watching me practise and he said "your dropkick is good, cherish it". That is why I cherish it.

Kobashi: Because it is one of the most representative moves in wrestling, I think it is good to heighten it. Do drop kicks get noticed in many places? Speaking of them, I hope fans will be more likely to argue over it and say "that guy is amazing", "No! THIS guy is amazing". It used to be like that in the past, and everyone fought about it.

Kiyomiya: Not so much now.

Kobashi: There used to be a sense of tension in the past between both fans and athletes. When going to a wrestling grand prize ceremony, wrestlers from different companies are not allowed to speak with each other, company employees are also forbidden to speak. It was useless to speak in that atmosphere.

Kiyomiya: I think I am on good terms with other wrestlers now.
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Kobashi: In the past fans were fighting, "All Japan is going up!" and "No, New Japan is more amazing!". If the wrestlers say there is no such thing, they will be lying. I felt so tense when I thought of how intense fans got. I want you to become a wrestler who carries the fans thoughts, it was like this a long time ago in Noah amongst the cliques; Misawa vs Kawada's clique, Kobashi's clique vs Taue...

Kiyomiya: I think it was that way (laughs)

Kobashi: I guess fans are killing each other about what is important now. Even so, I cannot read the times, but if Kiyomiya keeps going forward as he is, I think he will go to the top.

Q: Marufuji also says that "Kiyomiya will go to the top within three years".

Kobashi: We will see. He may pick up a bad injury, or else become useless through scandals involving women.

Kiyomiya: I will not (laugh)

Kobashi: I was a triple crown champion in All Japan, and I decided in Noah that "now, it is my era". I had my foot operated on. When I faced Akiyama at the first Noah show and I look back on it I thought, "I am going to do it now", but my legs would not move the next day. I thought it might have been said to the God of Pro-Wrestling, "you don't need him". After that I had knee surgery performed, partially ruptured the ligament again in the return battle, and was off again for half a year. It was painful to hear that "Kobashi is over", but I got back in there and became a champion. Although there may be such things for you, do not give up on yourself, Kiyomiya.

Q: Kiyomiya, do you feel you have hit the wall at the moment?

Kiyomiya: Not now. I think I am at the stage where it is only walls, and whether this particular wall can be broken today. There may be many things, but now it is only a challenge.

Kobashi: I was the same at 21, I saw it all before me. You have to go forward and Kiyomiya is in an important position.

Q: For Noah, Kiyomiya is a key person.

Kobashi: In addition to the youth, it is necessary to put together various things, such as dignity and polish. All the fans can see your progress. They can grow up with Kaito. Many people told me that they had become my fans, even though I did not have a strong push with the company then and no proven track record. Because there was support of the fans, I think we were all able to grow up together, and I would like you to take care of that as well.

Kiyomiya: Since I am only 21 years old, I think I would like to grow with my fans. 

(A volume 2 of this interview is scheduled to be released)

Link to original article (Nikkan Spa) in Japanese
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(NOAH) Go Shiozaki is dedicating the GHC Heavyweight Title challenge to Mitsuharu Misawa

4/14/2018

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13th April 2018

​Go Shiozaki (36) has decided to fulfil the "oath" of nine years on the 12th April. Together with Kaito Kiyomiya (21) he has won "Global Tag League 2018" and on the 29th April in Niigata City, they will challenge for the GHC Tag Championships.
To Shiozaki it is destiny after tagging with Mitsuharu Misawa (46) in 2009. He will capture the championship that he could not at that time, and his mentor in heaven will witness his growth.

After the victory of "Global Tag League 2018", Shiozaki attended an interview held at the Noah office in Tokyo. The brusing on his neck spoke of the battle of the night before where they defeated the team of Takashi Sugiura (47) and Kenoh (33). This will be the second league win for Shiozaki since 2009.

On the 29th April, the challenge to the GHC Tag Team Champions, Katsuhiko Nakajima (30) and Masa Kitamiya (29) has been decided. Kiyomiya said "we are determined to get the belts", to which Shiozaki said "it will make the continuation of my dreams come true". 
Shiozaki will never forget those nine years ago in May. 
In May 2009 he was the partner of Mitsuharu Misawa and they won the 2009 league match. Shiozaki, who was 27 years old, was victorious. The match of the 13th June (the champions at the time were Bison Smith and Akitoshi Saito) in Hiroshima came from that win.

The match ended in referee stop due to an accident to Misawa. Although he has been crowned as tag champion since Misawa passed away, there has always been something on his chest that has always stuck, "it has been the first league victory since then, there are many things to think about, this is why I want to take the belts this time".

During the league he changed his costume from the regular black to new purple and emerald ones, he says it was to show the inheritence of Misawa and Kobashi.
Kiyomiya also wears green tights. 
"I would like to win the belt with a man wearing green, since, like I had then, Misawa is now watching the way he progresses (from heaven) I think".
Shiozaki is determined to show Kiyomiya the way how to grow, while attaining the continuation of the unrealised dream.
Just like that time...

Link to original article (in Japanese)
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"Flight" Information on Naomichi Marufuji's 20th anniversary show

4/7/2018

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​EVENT DETAILS
Name: Flight
Date: 1st September 2018
Venue: Ryōgoku Kokugikan (otherwise known as "Sumo Hall")
Time: 3pm (Japan time)
Broadcast: TBC
Card: TBC

LINKS
Tickets
Official twitter of event
Naomichi Marufuji's official twitter
Official video package on YouTube
Naomichi Marufuji announces venue to live crowd at Korakuen Hall (video)
Press conference with Naomichi Marufuji & President Uchida (translated article)
Press conference with Naomichi Marufuji & President Uchida (video)
"I ask you to give me one day" - short article on Naomichi Marufuji's anniversary plans
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