The Nine in Six or Nine talks chants and championships
Burning Spirit in Kobe on Sunday September 25 will see Master Wato and Ryusuke Taguchi seek their second reign with the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. Should they be successful, they’ll drink in the adulation of fans who got to chant for Wato for the first time in his post excursion career recently, but they have tough competition in the United Empire team that deposed them this June, TJP and Francesco Akira. We spoke to Wato about the cheers and potential championships to come.
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Hearing Wato chants was really something special
–So first off, how was it performing in front of cheering crowds at last a couple of weeks ago?
Wato: Oh, it was awesome!
–You made your first appearance as Master Wato in an empty arena, and you’ve been wrestling without cheers ever since.
Wato: Right. Hearing the first ‘Wato’ chants was really something special. I felt, like, finally I’m back now, back with these chanting crowds. It’s hard to put into words how amazing it was, but just when I made my entrance there was this wave of emotion.
–Do you think it affected how you performed in the ring?
Wato: I think so, yeah. It really made a huge difference motivation wise, I really felt that. Now I want to work super hard to make sure the fans chant my name louder next time they can, which I hope is soon.
–And hopefully all around the country?
Wato: Yeah. I want it all back, full cheering crowds, being able to slap hands with the fans, everything.
–It was a limited crowd in Korakuen Hall, but sold out of the allocation.
Wato: Obviously being in front of a sold out crowd hits different, and more so when they can cheer.
That was my first title, so I want to make it mine
–So this championship match in Kobe all came about when you and Taguchi lobbied for a rematch on August 20 in Roppongi. When did that idea come together?
Wato: I feel responsible for the fact that those IWGP Jr. tag titles went to the United Empire, and haven’t been in the country the last couple of months. I feel all the more responsible considering I was the one who lost the match. So I think the ones to take those belts back should be the ones who lost it, and that’s why I asked Taguchi.
–How do you feel about the belts themselves? It was your first championship in NJPW.
Wato: Right. They’re special definitely. That was my first title, so I want to make it mine. More than just hold it, I want people to see those belts and think ‘Six or Nine’.
–Taguchi has been talking a lot like Masahiro Chono of late. Do you have any idea where that came from?
Wato: That was pretty out of left field. I didn’t know about it until he said it. I asked him afterward and he said it came in his head right before he started speaking, all ad-libbed.
–It just popped in his head?
Wato: Right, so then I realised he was going for a ChoTen tag thing all of a sudden and I was trying to roll with it…
–Come to think of it that does work with your relationship to Tenzan…
Wato: Maybe I should start yelling ‘Come on!’ or something. It’s kinda a hook, see if I will go along with the whole deal or not.
I went to Kobe World Hall for eight years as a fan. To have a title match there…
–How do you feel looking back on that June 20 match when you lost the belts to TJP and Francesco Akira?
Wato: The impression I’ve always had is them being just really fast, so it’s all about how to deal with that speed.
–Do you think that speed was your downfall back in June?
Wato: I think so, yeah. I could never get into a rhythm against them, and I’m definitely responsible for the loss.
–You faced TJP one on one during Best of the Super Jr…
Wato: He’s a real technician. With a lot of guys it’s about how they fill the space in the ring, and he does it in a way that no Japanese wrestlers do, I reckon. He’s a very different type of wrestler.
–And Akira?
Wato: He’ll come at you full pace, straight ahead, so I think he complements TJP really well.
–Do you have a plan in mind for Sunday?
Wato: Of course, heh. Not that I’ll say here, but we will definitely win with Number 9.
–And do you think Taguchi is fired up, too?
Wato: Definitely. I really think he feels he needs this one.
–The match is in Kobe, and you being from Osaka, you’re just down the road. Is it important this match is in World Hall?
Wato: I went there to watch wrestling as a fan for like, eight years straight, so it’s cool to have a title match there. My family will be there Sunday, and I want them to see me in top shape and winning the belt for sure.
I’ve learned a lot from Jado
–Since Jado left BULLET CLUB, you’ve been training a lot with him- what kind of figure has he been to you?
Wato: I always saw him as a heel wrestler and now here he is on the Hontai side of things. He’s an interesting guy, he definitely likes his ribs, but he’s a lot of fun, I just still can’t quite get over how strange the situation is, heh.
–How is it training alongside the ‘massive heater’?
Wato: That’s been a huge plus to me. You can probably see it in the way I look, it’s had a big influence.
–You’ve definitely added muscle as of late.
Wato: It took time, but I’m able to lift more than he can now (laughs).
–Does he give you much advice on your matches?
Wato: Just like Tenzan san does, he gives me a chat before and after every match- you can do this in such and such a way as well, kinda thing. I’ve learned a ton from him.
–It’s a bit of a complicated triangle between you, Tenzan and Jado. Is it ever awkward between the three of you?
Wato: I don’t know what Tenzan san thinks about it, but to me both of them are important to me as seniors, so it’s not about listening to one over the other.
–I see. So no jealousy from Tenzan?
Wato: I’d be flattered if there was! If it comes down to it, we could have Jado vs Tenzan and I’ll be the referee.
–Any final thoughts before Sunday in Kobe?
Wato: I’m going to be in the best shape of my life to take those belts back with Taguchi in Kobe World Hall. I’d love for you to come out and see it!
