New Japan Pro Wrestling returns to North America this weekend for Fighting Spirit Unleashed, and G1 Climax winner Hiroshi Tanahashi gave an interview prior to the show on NJPW’s website. The conversation focused on his goals for New Japan in America, getting to wrestle Billy Gunn, and the newly opened LA dojo.
On Wrestling Billy Gunn:
Billy Gunn! He’s older than me and still looks amazing, just so big and ripped. I always thought ‘I want to be like him’. And then we finally got to wrestle. We both showed our asses in that match, literally. I think some people were going ‘what the hell did Tanahashi go to America to do?’
[I was trying to make “bare butt Tanahashi a thing,] but then the next two times I didn’t get a chance to whip the cheeks out, so that promise fell by the wayside.
Absolutely, [the experience was special.] I’ve got so much respect for him. I’m really glad we could have that match together.
On the July 7 show at the Cow Palace:
The atmosphere was great and the fans were loud, but I wasn’t happy with my spot, only third on the card (with KUSHIDA against Hangman Page and Marty Scurll).
I really felt then that if NJPW was going to keep going to America, we needed to stop trying to alter things to try and make them more American. It should be New Japan Pro Wrestling, as is, in the States. We really need to show that ‘Made In Japan’ aspect, I think.
New Japan opening a LA dojo:
There’s a tremendous upside there, and some really great young guys there who are motivated and want to wrestle New Japan style. (Katsuyori) Shibata is really driving ‘New Japan ism’ home to these kids. He’s got a kendo stick and everything. (Laughs)
[I haven’t worked out there yet,] but I’ve heard a lot of talk. Apparently whenever Shibata says anything they all yell ‘yes sir!’. They all call him ‘sir’.
Shibata has the LA guys doing the exact same regimen we do in Japan. If you tell a bunch of foreign trainees ‘OK, give me 1000 squats!’ they won’t necessarily understand why that’s important, what the meaning behind doing that is. Shibata just tells them to do it. He doesn’t take questions, doesn’t dress it up, just has them do it. And it’s through that, you find out. The only ones left sticking it out are the ones that really want it.
The ones left there now have a lot of respect for Shibata, and a lot of respect for his leadership. I have no doubt the ones that make it to an NJPW ring will all have good prospects.
What he wants to show fans:
I want to show that Made In Japan feel. With NJPW World there are so many fans now that watch our cards live or near live. I want to bring them what they see streaming on their devices in person right in front of them. It reminds me of when WWE came to Japan and I was at the show. It would have been 2002 maybe? The Rock was definitely there (March 1 2002, Yokohama Arena). They had a Japanese ring announcer translating what the English announcer said. Whenever that guy spoke he got booed.
They were saying ‘forget the translation, we want to see the authentic American product’ I think. I think there are American fans that want the same from NJPW. Not something rearranged for ‘American tastes’ but the real deal. That’s what I want to show them.
The full interview has plenty of other interesting quotes, so be sure to check it out.
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