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MAR.25.2022

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It’s Coming Home? Zack Sabre Jr. Interviewed

ZSJ speaks on the final four

This weekend, we finally go from 48 to just one to lift the 2022 New Japan Cup. Saturday sees opponents well familiar with one another, as Tetsuya Naito and Kazuchika Okada meet in the main event, and Shingo Takagi collides with Zack Sabre Jr. We chatted with Sabre about their third meeting in a six month span, coming full circle from a different tournament semifinal in 2009.

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–How are you feeling heading into the semifinals? 
 
ZSJ: Well the tournament is coming to a close but I feel like I’m just getting started. I thrive in singles tournaments so I feel in my element right now.
 
–You’re holding up physically?
 
ZSJ: It would be remiss of me to not admit that I took a little bit of a pasting in my matches with GOK & Ospreay, but luckily I’ve got those vegan recovery superpowers so I’m feeling ready to get stuck in.
–Will Ospreay has disputed the finish of your match with him and claimed he did not submit Monday in Nagaoka. Do you have any comment on the matter?
 
ZSJ: Well that moron clearly tapped. I heard he was clamouring for VAR. That would hardly help his cause would it? I felt him tap and the referee saw it. Done mate. 
I was actually calling for VAR myself last year but I’ve decided that automation is going to destroy enough jobs as it is and the referees are doing a much better job recently so we’ll stick to humans.
 
–You and Shingo are tied at one win apiece over the last six months. What do you feel you need to do to beat him Saturday?
 
ZSJ: Firstly to not get blinded by his dazzling new entrance jacket, after that…TEKKERS.  I’m under no illusions about how tough of a match this will be. Takagi is a very versatile wrestler but in essence this is about technique vs power. If I keep my ego in check and don’t attempt to out-strike him I know I can beat him. I’m a tad partial to getting carried away sometimes but I know that I can tap out anyone in this company.
 
–You put Naito on the injured list when you met in the G1. Would you be more confident facing him, or Okada in the finals?
 
ZSJ: Ah yes. Injuring Naito was a true highlight of last year, so the thought of crushing his dreams of winning the cup by defeating him in the finals fills me with immense joy. But similarly the thought of stopping the great almighty Okada from completing step two in his 50th anniversary triple crown sounds equally wonderful.
 
–You don’t feel any path is easier than the other?
 
ZSJ: Exactly. There’s no easy option and I wouldn’t be hoping for it even if there was one.
 
–Four years on from your first Cup win, how have you changed as a competitor?
 
ZSJ: Hunger. And not because I’ve gained 10kg in that time (laughs). I’m fully aware that I am the only wrestler out of the four of us left who hasn’t won an IWGP Heavyweight title. That’s all the motivation I need. They’ve had their time at the top. 
 
–Your 2018 win was a surprise to many, but not so this year, as far as you’re concerned.
 
ZSJ: None of you idiots thought I would win the cup on my first try but I did. And I’m a far superior wrestler now. Throw your brackets in the bin, the cup is mine, darling. 
 
–Should you win Sunday, then what would your plans be for Ryogoku and beyond?
 
ZSJ: What do you bloody think? This 50th Anniversary year belongs to me.

 

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