By J. Curbelo
As a part of Keiji Muto’s Retirement Road trios tag match at Ariake Arena, Muto will partner with Naomichi Marufuji, with whom he won the GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Championship with as part of the M’s Alliance group. Together with NOAH’s Yoshiki Inamura, they will take on New Japan Pro Wrestling’s team of Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma. Marufuji was asked what he had in mind for this match.
Interview below from Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Official YouTube Channel.
—At the 10.30 Ariake Arena event, you were selected as Muto’s Retirement Road match partner. First, please tell us how you feel.
Naomichi Marufuji: “The current situation isn’t a title match. ‘I want to wrestling on a meaningful card,’ I thought. Plus Mr. Muto’s Retirement Road has started, and maybe has a limited number of matches. I wanted to create situations, such as standing side by side with Muto. So, if you wish for it, it will come true, I think.”
―The opponents are Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe, and Tomoaki Honma from New Japan Pro-Wrestling. What are your thoughts about them?
Naomichi Marufuji: “I’ve done singles and tags with everyone, so I know everyone is a great wrestler, and it’s been a long time since I’ve made contact with them. After all, though, it’s a match with Keiji Muto, so I’m thinking, ‘What do the audience want to see if I’m involved?’ I think that I want to do it while feeling firmly what I’m looking for, for fun. Maybe something will come out of the match. I want to have fun too, I think.”
―Honestly, who do you want to pin in the match?
Naomichi Marufuji: “Well, I don’t know what to do . . . I wonder if it’s okay to go for a fall on someone . . . I wonder if it’s okay. Well, it’s very interesting for everyone, isn’t it? [To Mr. Muto] I have flowers to give you, nut, even if you don’t get them in Ariake, you’ll be excited [because of the match], Mr. Muto. Let’s have fun. I’m looking forward to seeing you. It’s been a long time since we met.”
―Do you have an image of the match?
Naomichi Marufuji: “No, no, the main character is Keiji Muto. No matter who the opponent is, who the partner is, the main character is Keiji Muto. It’s unwavering, and I think that’s fine. The main character is Keiji Muto. So, I don’t think there’ll be much difference in what I do, just only in this situation, for Keiji Muto. And I’m someone who’d probably get excited about this, so I should simply focus on not losing.
―Does Marufuji get nervous on the big stage?
Naomichi Marufuji: “I’ve never been nervous in 24 years. I love big matches.”
―The ban on cheering for the first time in two and a half years will be lifted at this Ariake Arena event. What do you want to say to fans about it?
Naomichi Marufuji: “Perhaps the fans have forgotten how to speak, so it may not be as good as it used to be, but (to fans) I want you to feel free to speak up. Or rather, I think it’s good to have a match where we can’t help but cheer. While purely remembering the past, those who have never uttered a voice will enjoy cheering, and that day, I think, it would be nice if you could liven up Ariake.
―Please leave a comment for New Japan Pro-Wrestling fans.
Naomichi Marufuji: “Dear New Japan fans: Do you remember me? I’m Naomichi Marufuji from Pro Wrestling NOAH. It’s been a while since I’ve been to New Japan, so there are probably a lot of people who don’t know me. If you don’t mind, I’d like to use this as a starting point, an introduction to Naomichi Marufuji and professional wrestling. I hope you get to know NOAH. Everyone makes pro wrestling exciting.
―Please also leave a comment for Pro Wrestling NOAH fans.
Naomichi Marufuji: “I hope all NOAH fans will trust me and watch the match. I think you know well that Naomichi Marufuji is strong at such times. Let me take care of that.”
―Please also address Keiji Muto’s fans.
Naomichi Marufuji: “Keiji Muto fans, right . . . I have nothing more to say to Keiji Muto fans. If you can really enjoy the pure presence of Keiji Muto and everything, that day by day, I think you can find something that will satisfy you not only for the day, but also for the rest of the day, Anyway, just go directly to the venue. Please come out and ‘feel’ Keiji Muto’s presence.”
• Click here for the viewing page → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXhGFsgDWCw
• Click here for the special event site → https://www.noah.co.jp/thereturn/
Date:
October 27, 2022
Category:
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