–So obviously you have close ties to both of these men in the main event January 4.
Muto: Hmm. Of course, I was on the January 4 card this year.
–Your last match in NJPW.
Muto: But I didn’t tangle with Naito all that much in it. SANADA was in there too, right?
–Right, he started the match with you.
Muto: Ah, yeah, Naito and SANADA were both there. One year goes by fast!
–They were partners that night and opponents this year.
Muto: Well, time changes people. One time partners end up fighting. Naito was in my retirement match, and we ended up having a lot of NJPW guys on that show.
–You nominated Naito on January 21 in Yokohama Arena and then wrestled him a month later, with Kaito Kiyomiya vs Kazuchika Okada and Hiromu Takahashi vs AMAKUSA as the other top matches.
Muto: I mean it’s not like I had the pencil, but SANADA wasn’t on that card, huh.
–He cornered Naito, in a tuxedo no less.
Muto: He came dressed up like that to my locker room. I thought that was no good. He doesn’t have a match and here he is trying to look cool. I thought he looked like a goof. But then not long after he won the world title. So goes to show how things can change.
–Maybe he took your impression to heart.
Muto: I don’t know about that. Apparently he was pretty shocked when he found out I was hot at him about it though. Maybe I did light a spark.
SANADA’s success is proof of how hard I worked
–You were on guest commentary when SANADA defended the IWGP World heavyweight title against EVIL October 9. What were your thoughts?
Muto: Results are everything, and he’s gotten results. After the match when I gave him the belt, I said ‘let’s go for some nice wine sometime’, and he said ‘you’re paying!’ We went for sushi. Real expensive sushi.
–There are a lot of ‘Muto children’ who came up under your influence. Does it mean a lot to you to see SANADA at the top?
Muto: I’m happy to see it, definitely. It’s proof of how hard I worked over 39 years. He got in the business through that audition in AJPW, so who knows where he might have been otherwise.
–SANADA debuted in All Japan, and then really came to prominence in your former home of New Japan. So how about the man who retired you in Naito?
Muto: I’d wrestled him in the Tokyo Dome once before (in 2012). Back then he was younger and fresher. Since then he’s been in some wars. Wrestling him this year I felt that he was definitely bearing some of that damage.
–You felt a change in him.
Muto: But there’s a reason why I picked him as my last opponent. His charisma is second to none, he’s a big draw, and we had history.
–Naito has long said you inspired him to become a pro-wrestler.
Muto: So I went with Naito. Maybe SANADA wouldn’t have drawn the house (laughs)
–In February, you mean.
Muto: Right, at that point then, I should say.
–You wrestled SANADA several times in AJPW and Wrestle-1. Do you feel he’s changed much since?
Muto: I think the sex appeal is definitely there with him. And when I saw him wrestle recently he’s a lot more animated in the ring, which leans into his natural athleticism. He’s always liked classical wrestling and he hasn’t let that go either- I wouldn’t say he’s completely changed, but he’s gradually built those pieces to become more of a complete wrestler.
–You’d say he’s grown in your estimation.
Muto: But when it comes to the crowd connection, Naito is the better man in my view.
–Do you have any advice for SANADA at this point in his career?
Muto: Not really. The thing with him is he isn’t the quickest witted and he isn’t a great talker. Naito’s definitely won there, he’s a great talker, but SANADA’s always struggled. But then again, wrestling isn’t just about talking.
When you have tens of thousands of people all together on the same page, that’s ecstasy to a wrestler
–You’ve experienced a lot of Tokyo Dome main events, but for SANADA, this is his first.
Muto: How old is he?
–35.
Muto: Some of the best do bloom late. How fast you get there isn’t important though. If anything, Japanese fans like people who have gone through struggle to get to the top. That experience is a benefit to him.
–He failed the NJPW tryout in 2005 and here we are 18 years later.
Muto: Hm. When I was 35 the whole business revolved around me, heheh.
–A very Muto response. Your first Dome main event was October 9 1995 against Nobuhiko Takada; is there something special about standing in the ring there?
Muto: A building that size can be challenging. The voices from fans at ringside reach you sooner than the fans in the back, so it’s hard to get everyone on your side all at once. But if you can do that, get tens of thousands all at once chanting your name, there’s nothing like it. For a wrestler, that’s ecstasy, to make one move and have all those people react.
–If you can get them in the palm of your hand.
Muto: Right. But they can’t be all in their heads about it. They should focus on the match itself.
–So who do you think will win January 4?
Muto: Hmm, I don’t have enough of an inside track. I don’t know who’s in the better shape, who might be hurt. I will say this though, even if it gets me heat- SANADA was at a certain end of year party I was at the other day and he was dead drunk. (laughs)
–You think that might affect his wind? There is still time before Wrestle Kingdom…
Muto: Oh, fair point (laughs)
–I know you’re a big drinker, but did you lay off before a big Tokyo Dome show?
Muto: Nah, I was past that point. I’ll be honest, I’ve had some of my best matches hungover. Maybe not at the Dome though. I’m sure these guys are different.
–Naito was Tokyo Sports MVP for 2023, so a lot of fans have him as the favourite.
Muto: Hmm. Well SANADA’s had the belt for a while, but I still don’t see his vision as champion. Without that, it’s a tough time for him to get the crowd support. If he can find that, then he’ll be in perfect shape. The vision is the key.
