Last thoughts before WTL final in Kumamoto
A public press conference on December 9 in Kumamoto saw Bishamon and the Guerrillas of Destiny face to face mere hours before they do battle in the World Tag League final.
Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI entered the press conference to the delight of the crowd in attendance, but El Phantasmo and Hikuleo went a step further, appearing as the assistants to Santa Jado and giving presents to the masses before settling in for the official comments, Hikuleo first to speak.
‘Kumamoto, Merry Christmas. Bishamon, Merry Christmas. GoD is here to bring Christmas joy to Kumamoto. Bishamon is a very very good tag team. One of the best ever. Two times World Tag League champions, but tomorrow it ends. It’s time for a new generation in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.’
El Phantasmo continued ‘I couldn’t help but here what Hikuleo said, the key word of a newer and younger generation taking over NJPW. One thing that is very interesting is that Hikuleo is a young guy just like Tsuji, Shota, Uemura, Narita. But why do people not see him with those guys? He got further in the G1 than any of us did, he’s a former STRONG Openweight Champion and a current STRONG Openweight Tag Team Champion. You’re so good, you’re not a young boy. I’m happy to be your partner.
I’m a decent professional wrestler, too. I don’t have very many accomplishments or titles, but I have the hearts of you all and that’s good enough for me. But let’s be real. This World Tag League this year has been very difficult. 15, 16, 17 matches, one day off, eight hour bus rides. Today is our only day of rest and we’re here at a press conference. My neck hurts really bad. It’s the same thing that happened in the G1. But this time in Tag League I have friends in my corner, family that can back me up when I’m down, and I’m going to show you just how much fighting spirit I have in me.
Tomorrow, GoD will win World Tag League, and then in three weeks, GoD will walk into the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom and we will do the threepeat by beating you guys three times in a row, and the GoD will become the 100th IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.’ Jado would add in closing, ‘Ho ho ho.’
Speaking in response, YOSHI-HASHI stated ‘As these guys said, the schedule this series has been very difficult. Our bodies are hurting just as much as yours. We both went through a lot to get here. But the finals are tomorrow. Whether our bodies are hurting or not, the bond I have with my partner is strong enough to win World Tag League. You’ll experience the best of Bishamon tomorrow and me and Go-chan will threepeat as World Tag League winners.’
Following up, Hirooki Goto greeted the crowd with a ‘good evening. I’m very tired, but we made it here, thanks to Yoh-chan. Tomorrow we’ll show the bonds that only Bishamon have and do the threepeat. I’ve been wrestling for 20 years, YOH-chan 15 and even though I’m a veteran now, I won’t be letting go of my era yet.’
El Phantasmo made sure everyone in the venue took a big group photo together, as the battle for hearts and minds was won by GoD on the evening. The battle for the WTL trophies takes place in Kumamoto Sunday afternoon.
