Keiji Muto’s thoughts ahead of his third Retirement Road match

Keiji Muto shares his true feelings ahead of his reunion with Hiroshi Tanahashi after a long absence

By J. Curbelo

Keiji Muto, who has decided to wrestle against Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma of New Japan—Muto’s old home. After he left professional wrestling, what did Keiji Muto think about these three wrestlers? And how will he feel about his reunion in the ring with his beloved disciple Hiroshi Tanahashi?

Interview below from Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Official YouTube Channel.

―The opponents in the third round of the Retirement Road are Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, and Honma of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Honma has been selected, but please tell us your impressions of these three players.

Keiji Muto: “Tanahashi was my Young Boy when he was young. When I said, ‘Would you like to walk my path? Together?’” He got it. Professional wrestling is a sport where you have to show your way of life. So, though we’ve parted ways, I’ve had a lot of experiences since then, and I’m still here. Tanahashi is also protecting New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and is now said to be the ace of New Japan. Makabe is my junior. He was Choshu’s power-assistant. I did Mr. Choshu’s retirement match about three years ago, I think? I remember wrestling against him. At that time, Makabe chopped Riki Choshu’s neck [with a lariat]; Choshu handed over the guidance. Makabe is a wrestler with power, but there is a young player named Inamura on my team. This guy’s power is amazing, too. By all means, I want you to enjoy Inamura’s power. Homma also had an attendant during my All Japan Pro-Wrestling era. You know, he’s an interesting guy. I just don’t know what he’s talking about [because of his gravelly voice.] When Honma was in AJPW, I think our team communication didn’t go too well.”

―In an interview, Tanahashi said, “Since we are going to have a match, I don’t want to give you flowers.”

Keiji Muto: “The pro wrestler Keiji Muto was born and raised in New Japan Pro Wrestling. This time, while I do want to stand in the NJPW ring, I have to ask Tanahashi to decide if it’s a good thing to go up to the ring or not. A response with a clear point must be made, so I can show him a strong Keiji Muto. I’m here.”

―Do you mean that the future may will change depending on the 10.30 Ariake Arena event?

Keiji Muto: “Yes. As I said earlier, the starting point of professional wrestling is to draw a line from a point. I have to create the last point.”

―Do you think that you stand out from New Japan Pro-Wrestling?

Keiji Muto: “Each person has their own sensibilities as to how they should stand out, whether they should be conspicuous or inconspicuous. It’s not . . . ‘stand out’ . . . it’s ‘I want to show you my way of life.’ I don’t know when Tanahashi will retire, but I have to show my back to his juniors from now on. There will be parts that are not there. After all, I have to retire from my job,
but I have to say, well, at the age of 58 (2021 Tokyo Sports Pro Wrestling Grand Prix), I won the best bout among hundreds of wrestlers. Standing out like that is aesthetic. At the press conference Tanahashi also said that it would be nice if fans cheered a lot at the 10.30 Ariake event, or if they cheer a lot for Muto because he’s “a devil.” Maybe it’s a match where the boos fly. Because there will be. Maybe we can try something like that.”

―Do you have an image of what kind of match you want to show the audience?

Keiji Muto: “No, no. No, but it’s one of my few matches left. Yesterday (9.25 Nagoya) was the same idea, a tag match, but it’s about using all the power you have at that time. I want to do it. No regrets.”

―Tanahashi said that he was always nervous when he was your attendant. Did you feel he was?

Keiji Muto: “I didn’t feel nervous, well . . . I felt that he was making an effort. After a meeting, now the Ace is like a signboard of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, but I quit. There was a time when he really struggled. After wrestling against me, after winning against me, he has grown rapidly to the present day. I was making an effort. He was a practice bug. The only difference is that my body is bigger than his. To make up for that, while Tanahashi is a little smaller, I really practiced. It’s not just about practice, but also about nutrition and things like that. I was there, and I think that’s why Tanahashi exists today.”