Clark Connors discusses the rest of his BOSJ campaign
Currently at 0-3, Clark Connors did not have an ideal start to his Best of the Super Jr. 29 campaign, but with six matches still to go, is fixed on rampaging through the rest of the competition. We talked to Clark about that competition to come.
Taguchi is always thinking, that’s why he’s the Coach
–So Clark, let’s continue our look at the BOSJ tournament. From May 24 in Korakuen both blocks will come together in ten match cards. It’s a very different environment for the wrestlers and the fans, and a very demanding schedule. Is that something you’re mindful of?
Clark: I am, and I’m mindful of my place on the card as well. At first I was disappointed to not be in any main events, but those matches earlier on in the night, guys tend to be fresher and there’s more energy. You typically see the third match on the night be faster than the main event as a result. I think in terms of where the schedules work out, I’ll be fresher than a lot of those guys, and that’s going to help me.
–That first night you’ll be with Ryusuke Taguchi.
Clark: Taguchi is always thinking, that’s why he’s the Coach. When you see those hip attacks come out, and when he’s being more comedic, that’s him trying to out think his opponents, and I think that’s where my experience lately has helped.
–On STRONG.
Clark: Yeah. It’s something I tried playing mind games with Lawlor, or when I wrestled in TJP, I wrapped up my knee so he would think it was hurt. I have a plan to make sure I get to wrestle the Taguchi I want to wrestle, I just won’t give it away just in case he sees this.
–The next night in Korakuen, you have Francesco Akira.
Clark: I’m going to beat his ass. You don’t even need to ask me a question. I’m going to beat him to a pulp and welcome him to NJPW the old fashioned way.
–Akira is coming in as part of the United Empire. You’ve had your issues with TJP over the past few months, and the group as grown their presence in the US over the last few months.
Clark: I’ll admit, and this isn’t something I say lightly: Will Ospreay might be the best wrestler in the world. I mean that. Having him as a leader will make anything better. I understand why that’s a group people will want to join. They aren’t a bunch of cheaters, even if they cut corners here and there… I join a lot of people in not liking them, but I have a lot of respect for them… Except TJP.
I’m no heel master, but I heel pretty good
–May 26, you face Yoshinobu Kanemaru.
Clark: I’ve wrestled him a few times, and we actually had a singles match before back in 2019, or was it 2020? Just before COVID struck.
–Lion’s Break in Anaheim in 2019.
Clark: Right. It was a really good experience for me. I got to see how smart he is as a wrestler. But I think my game is so different, and so much improved now, that he’s going to have to really bend the rules if he wants to break me.
–We often talk about how Young Lions are so well trained in the fundamentals that they can be in big trouble as soon as a match goes out to the floor. Is that something you’re wary of when it comes to a Kanemaru?
Clark: I like to go up against people in their environment and face them where they’re at their strongest. I don’t go outside often, but I’ve been doing it more. If this match does go out to the floor, it would be a good learning experience if anything, and I have more than a few tricks up my sleeve. I might not be a heel master, but I heel pretty good (laugh).
Whatever it takes I want to beat Ishimori
–Your next match in Chiba is with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Taiji Ishimori.
Clark: I watched him wrestle Desperado (at Dontaku). Those two guys know one another really well, and they were at the top of their game. Ishimori knows his opponents’ weaknesses and ow to exploit them perfectly. I know if Ishimori gets the Bone Lock, then that’s it, but he also tends to be very explosive. That’s where my weight advantage will come in, because he’ll have a hard time picking me up.
–You have a power edge.
Clark: Ishimori is in phenomenal shape, he’s a little muscle goblin. But I think I do have the edge in that area at least. This might be the toughest match for me, but whatever it takes I want to get a win and secure myself a title shot somewhere down the line.
With or without the title, Hiromu is the guy
–Sunday May 29 you have Hiromu Takahashi in Ota.
Clark: I’m looking forward to trying myself against Hiromu. When I first came to Japan, he was still out with his neck injury, and then we never got to interact before I went back to the US and the pandemic happened.
–Since then the feeling has been that Hiromu, El Desperado and Ishimori have come to make a ‘big three’ of the division. Are you looking to change that order?
Clark: Yeah. I mean the idea is that he is the guy with or without the title and that just makes me want to beat him more. This is really going to be a big match for me, and a chance to show this wild guy how Wild I can be.
–You finish your campaign with Alex Zayne. If anything can be a STRONG showcase it’s this, with you both coming from that brand.
Clark: I have nothing but respect for everything that Zayne’s done. Here’s this guy who started out in his backyard, became an innovative high flying dude. He went through the indies, got to be in STRONG, and then WWE, then back to STRONG and now BOSJ.
–He’s had a heck of a rise.
Clark: That said, I’m going to beat the hell out of him (laughs). I think it all comes down to me having that inner confidence. He’ll be prone to having this imposter syndrome, it’s going to get in his head that he’s come all this way to be in the best tournament in the world, and the pressure might be too much for him. It’s never gonna be too much for me.
Budokan has so much history- it’ll be great to be there
–The final is in the Nippon Budokan June 3. Fans still talk about the G1 Climax final in 2019 and what you and the LA Dojo did there. How do you feel about going back there?
Clark: I’m really excited. We just beat the hell out of one another those years ago, and who would think we’d all be friends now?
–Of course, Yuya Uemura and Ren Narita are now part of the LA Dojo themselves.
Clark: So we’re friends for the most part (laughs). Tsuji’s not too bad a guy either, really. I’m excited to be back. It’s got so much history and it’s great to be there, in the main event, winning BOSJ 29.
–Who would you want in that final from B Block?
Clark: I think they’re all great, but I’ll give you a top three- Desperado for the same reason I want to beat Takahashi, Wheeler Yuta because if I beat him I might get a shot at the ROH Pure Championship as well as the IWGP, and TJP because, well, Shakespeare baby (grins).
–One last message for the fans watching BOSJ?
Clark: Let’s keep it simple. Let’s get wild!
