Two World Tag League finalists wage a pre-final war of words
The pre- World Tag and Super Jr Tag League final press conference in Sendai on December 13 saw Aussie Open go face to face with Wednesday opponents Bishamon, a war of words ensuing before the final itself. The second ranked team in the league itself before the final, Bishamon were in the de facto challengers’ position, and Hirooki Goto would speak first.
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Bishamon
Goto: Well, we have lost to them in the league, and I think there aren’t many who have us pegged as favourites. But we aren’t going to back down an inch. We’ll give it all we have.
YOSHI-HASHI: I wanna celebrate like only we can tomorrow- as painful as that celebration may be, as my man here said the other day…
Aussie Open
Davis: I’m very much looking forward to making it 2-0 against Bishamon tomorrow.
Fletcher: Quite frankly I’ve never been more excited for anything my entire life. We’ve spent three years thinking about this moment, and more than that I’ve been thinking about this since I was 12 years old. I’ve wanted to be in an NJPW ring since I was 12. I don’t say that to make you all go ‘that’s so cute Kyle!’ No. I say it, because I want all of you to understand, and I want Goto and YOSHI-HASHI to understand the commitment and sacrifice that it’s taken for us to stand here on this stage today. To stand in the finals of World Tag League. So as I said, I’ve never been more excited in my entire life.
–Your thoughts on the league so far?
Goto: I saw our opponents’ matches as well, and I really was reminded that they’re a world class tag team. To face a world class team like them in the final of World Tag League is a really thrilling opportunity.
YOSHI-HASHI: It’s been an even tougher league than last year. There are a lot of new foreign wrestlers that are at a really high level. Every match has been super tough, I have to admit.
Davis: World Tag League 2022 has been a grueling competition for us, and we’ve enjoyed very much participating in it.
Fletcher: World Tag League this year has been very enjoyable for both myself and Davis. I’ve been enjoying exploring the country of Japan for the first time, which has been a real big plus for us. But when it comes to the tournament itself, we have enjoyed stepping in the ring with world class competition every single night. Forgive me if I’m mistaken, but I think this World Tag League has had the most buzz around it out of every World Tag League in history. You can thank us for that. Every single match Aussie Open has had has been the match of the tournament.
So quite frankly I’ve enjoyed it a lot. I’ve enjoyed it from a perspective from being able to be in japan for the first time, and to be in the ring with the best teams in the world. But it won’t be complete unless we win tomorrow.
–What is the vision you have for yourself should you win?
Goto: Well, after we win, we have to think about the tag belts that are overseas right now. YOSHI-HASHI, I mean, YOH-chan. He and I, our bonds are stronger than ever thanks to this series. I’m not sure about the YOH-chan Goh-chan stuff, but the belts? They’re definitely ours.
YOSHI-HASHI: The IWGP belts are a given. But also we lost twice in the league, to Aussie Open and Toru and Hiroshi. I want to beast Aussie Open, take the titles and then get revenge on Toru and Hiroshi. So first my hope is that we take those trophies.
Davis: Our plan is to raise those trophies above our heads, go on to Wrestle Kingdom, and beat FTR for those tag team championships.
Fletcher: As Davis mentioned, we’ve had our sights set on FTR for a very long time. So after we win those trophies, raise them above our heads and get showered in streamers, we are going to beat FTR for those IWGP Tag Team Championships. The match that we had with them at Royal Quest II is still being credited as a match of the year contender. When was the last time people were saying that about an IWGP Tag Team Championship match? Certainly not when those guys were champions.
Bishamon Goto, YOSHI-HASHI, there is no bad blood between us. We respect the heck out of you, and we respect that you have been at the top of the tag team division, but when you have been at the top, the division has been an afterthought in this company. Our vision is that after we go to Wrestle Kingdom and take those championships, we go on to make them the most prestigious championships in the entire world. So there is a reason we wore black here today, and it’s because tomorrow is your funeral. We will not be beaten tomorrow, there is not a doubt in either of our minds. Bring your best and we will show you why we run the world.
