Hiromu Takahashi stages press conference, gets surprised by the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion
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Wednesday September 1 saw Hiromu Takahashi stage a special ‘press conference’ on YouTube live, as he reserved time to address his IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship bout with Robbie Eagles. Hiromu invited Eagles to the conference, but with Eagles late to appear, and with social distancing protocols in place, Hiromu started the conference alone.
Hiromu Takahshi’s comments
Hiromu: Put simply, I have to win this match. But it can’t just be about winning. Just like I said after my comeback match, it has to be about showing the world just what junior heavyweight wrestling, and NJPW junior heavyweight wrestling in particular is about. I have to show that, and get the title in the process.
–You returned on August 27. Can you talk about how it felt to get back in the ring?
Hiromu: To be honest, there was a little uncertainty. Before, I was out for 18 months, this time for six. And through that six months, I knew I would be back at around this time, and was working toward that. So there was a little bit of uncertainty, about how to bring that work I’d done into the ring. And frankly there was a little bit of fear. I said in the ring I had a voice inside me that really didn’t want to wrestle that night in Korakuen. That was the fear talking, I think. But when I got in there I remembered how great it felt. Your music playing, going out there, getting in the ring, I remembered that nothing touches it. I’ve done a lot of little appearances over the last six months, but there’s nothing like wrestling.
–It was quite a vicious match with DOUKI. How are you feeling physically?
Hiromu: I was 100%. No problems at all. Midway through that match it was like I forgot I was ever hurt. There were maybe a few confidence issues, perhaps, but that was it. But after that match, the one thing I really want to say is to DOUKI. I had nominated him before this title match coming up, and DOUKI had said that I was looking at him as a tune up opponent.
But I think that DOUKI put that label on himself. If I had nominated someone else? A champion? Desperado? Kazuchika Okada? How would they take that? I never called out DOUKI because I thought he would be a good tune-up, but because he was the best opponent for me. So what I want to say to DOUKI is that he needs to carry himself with more confidence. They guy is tough as hell. Don’t look down on yourself. If he had come in with more confidence, I think he would have pushed me even harder.
–You will be wrestling Robbie Eagles in the MetLife Dome. This is NJPW’s first event in that building since 2014. You weren’t on that card…
Hiromu: That’s right, I was on excursion.
–So how does it feel to be heading into your first match in the MetLife Dome.
Hiromu: While I was away on excursion, and i heard that NJPW was going to run, it was the Seibu Dome then, I was like ‘woah, that’s huge’. That was the G1 Climax final right? I was pretty jealous watching that. They went bigger than the usual Ryogoku building, but at that point the juniors were nowhere near that level. So it’s great to be in there, and in the semi main event. Now I have to really show up.
–The fans are hyped to see your first title match in seven months. Any message for them?
Hiromu: You might go into this match thinking ‘ok, Hiromu’s just coming back, right into this title match’, but I’m going to make you forget I was away. I’m going to show you the absolute best match possible, and I will win… Has Robbie showed up yet?
–Unfortunately not.
Hiromu: So… I called this thing and he isn’t here. I get he’s on his way, but with it just being me…
–We’re getting reports he’s stuck in traffic.
Hiromu: That’s a real disappointment. I’m sorry.
Hiromu left the press conference at this point, but just as the broadcast was scheduled to end, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion arrived, shirtless and with ‘ROBBIE’ written on his chest in Japanese for easy identification.
Robbie Eagles: Hello, hello! I just made it. Hello. I am Robbie Eagles. Mr. Hiromu is number one. I can’t beat him, 100% sure. But I am excited! Mr. Hiromu, I love you. Thank you.
Ever the international ambassador, Eagles offered MC Makoto Abe an ‘Australian super famous’ TimTam before taking questions.
–Did you see Hiromu’s return match? What are your thoughts?
Eagles: He is super strong. Super strong, super good body. Perfect man. He is perfect man. Sorry, I ate all the TimTams in the taxi.
Shockingly, a second Robbie Eagles then appeared at the press conference, causing the first to unmask as master of disguise Hiromu.
Eagles: Now it’s my time to talk. He wanted to announce a press conference, and said it was OK if I came over in workout clothes. I didn’t know about this, didn’t bring a suit. But he didn’t even give me the address. I had to find my way here, but I’m here now. And where is he now? Where’s he gone?
Well let’s talk about some things. Welcome back Hiromu. But you think you’re ready for a title match? I’m not sure you have the correct answer to that question.
Second, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. I don’t have the championship belt here, because I thought that if I did bring it it would only distract you from talking to me like a man and not a whackjob. Now lo and behold, you left the room. You kept saying you wanted one minute with Belt-san. Why won’t Belt-san talk to you? Because it’s an inanimate object. It’s not going to speak to you, and you know why.
You’ve had to relinquish that championship twice over. Twice in a row, you won the championship, and vacated twice due to injury. What’s going to happen this time, on Sunday. I’m the Sniper of the Skies. I target and damage limbs better than anybody. What I see, what I predict? You had your match with DOUKI, we have a warmup tag the night before. But when the championship’s on the line, when you have to fight for what you let go of? You won’t be a time bomb. You’ll be a sparkler at a kid’s party. When you light it, it sizzles, and then you realise it does nothing out. It ends with no bang, it just fizzles out. That’s what’s going to happen Sunday.
You aren’t prepared for this match. You know it. You’re doing your YouTube videos, throwing out your comments, and you aren’t focused. You’re too reckless. You did too much against DOUKI, and I’m sure your body feels like crap. You’ll hide that, but I’ll see it, and that’ll be my target. I might target that scar on your chest, or chop you down from the legs. Or maybe I try something different. Maybe I go for your neck. Maybe I knock you out. I have a ton of options.
I am the champion, and I’ll fight like one. I’m not happy that you can come in for your shot. But am I looking forward to our match? Of course, because you bring out such spirit from everyone you fight. I will prove twice over why I’m worthy of this championship position. I want to show that I am the champion, verified by this match Sunday in the MetLife Dome.
My last message for you Hiromu. Sunday September 5, MetLife Dome, you will surrender to the Sniper.
