Naomichi Marufuji and Kota Ibushi Go Beyond the Dream

As pro wrestling continues its course, Naomichi Marufuji and Kota Ibushi have spoken with Pro Wrestling NOAH about their upcoming Dream Match.

By: R. Faliani

Despite the controversy behind Pro Wrestling NOAH choosing Naomichi Marufuji vs. Kota Ibushi as the definitive Main Event of NOAH The New Year 2024, both wrestlers had the pleasure to sit and talk about their upcoming match, and what it meant for both considering everything that’s on the line. Of course, the first one to talk about this match was the protagonist, Marufuji, due to the special nature of this envelope. Beyond NOAH’s choice of matter lies the dream of a man who just entered his 25th Anniversary this year, and it’s in the last years of his career.

When asked about his opponent, and why did he choose him, Marufuji answered with enough determination to showcase his vision of pro wrestling and what he plans to achieve with this match:

“I think Ibushi is one of the few wrestlers who can express what I envision in pro wrestling as it is. I also come up with interesting wrestling ideas and reflect them in my matches. In that sense, we have a bit of the same flavor.”

Ibushi, on the other hand, did nothing but reflect on the idea that Marufuji is choosing where and when to retire, considering Kota is not one to envision when to retire, rather than feeling it:

“Mr. Marufuji is the type who decides that sort of thing. He has five years left. So I hope I can play a role in that time.”

Both men, as two souls bonded by one dream, explained why this match was as big as it was and as important. Marufuji recalled the fact that this match was canceled two times in the last 15 years or so, and given the fact that this includes two of the most valuable and game-changing wrestlers of all time, it makes sense as to why this match was chosen by Marufuji in this scenario. When asked about his feelings on this match, Marufuji said:

 “In this world of professional wrestling, there was a chance this encounter could happen. I had a match scheduled with Ibushi, but it was postponed due to a mutual injury, and after that, he moved his home base overseas. So I’m very excited to see him again.”

Ibushi also declared his interest in this match, and he talked about the controversy behind the match’s placement and how he didn’t believe in the idea of his match taking protagonism from others in the card:

“In my mind, I don’t care about the placement or the order of the matches. The first match is fine, the second match is fine, and so on. I think the most exciting match in any order is the best one, and I don’t even think that this so-called “dream match” should be against other matches, just as long as everyone is happy. I don’t think of it as a showdown against other matches at all. I want to make this show a success. That’s because I will be there.”

Ibushi then doubled down on this statement and declared it was not his fault his match was going to be the Main Event, and in true Kota fashion, he asked the fans what they wished were the Main Event in another case:

“I want to ask you: What would you like to be the main event? I think it would be better if the person who wants to do it becomes the main event. But that’s the company’s decision. I can’t go against that.”

When Marufuji was asked about this situation, he said something similar:

“It doesn’t matter. I think the fans who are watching the event should be satisfied with the event, even though we don’t know “what might happen after the event” or “what we have to do.” etc. I hope the fans who are watching the show are satisfied with it.”

And then he certainly expressed his desire to put on a great show, bigger than what the GHC matches have to offer in the same card:

“As for the GHC matches, I want them to be great matches, and we intend to put on a match that will be as good as any other GHC Championship match. I don’t want to talk about the details anymore; I will just do my best to put on a good match.”

25 Years of Naomichi Marufuji and the Genius of the Ark

After a long talk, NOAH’s YouTube channel decided to ask Ibushi what did he thought of the concept of retirement. Ibushi’s answer, contrary to what many could imagine considering his state in the last months and how his recovery is going slowly and steadily, can surprise you and many more, due to his philosophical approach to this situation, and how he thought of retirement after his aforementioned shoulder injury:

“(I thought about retiring because) my shoulder injury was the biggest thing that ever happened in my career. I can’t move as much as in the past as everyone wants me to. I have to use different techniques in that area. Of course, with my career, I can change it up by doing different things, but if someone says, “That’s not what we want to see,” then that’s the end of me. That’s the end of the road for me. So, in my case, it could end tomorrow.”

What’s interesting to see in this match, and how the stakes are high, is that this match is between two men who are in the apparent last years of their careers, even if they want to admit it or not. For Marufuji, a wrestler that has always brought nothing but the best he can offer, this match could be his chance to show he still has “it”. We don’t say he needs to carry with the company again, but we say that he can do a great job in the Main Event of Ariake Arena, due to his way of wrestling and his style that has aged as a fine wine.

Naomichi Marufuji: Like a Feather

The thing is that, while this match for Marufuji is really important, we shouldn’t take our eyes off Ibushi’s performance, and how this is his big chance to showcase his new style and how his recovery has been. We know for a fact that he’s not on the same level as 2021 or even 2022 for that matter, but as the lights of Ariake shine on him, we may see a renowned Kota doing a great performance as he was used to before, or at least we can see him pulling up a great match. Either way, both men have a lot to prove to their fans and this scenario can be a true test of might and willpower.