SANADA’s Wrestle Kingdom did not end with the flashlight gift that he had hopes for, but the outgoing champion did have a gift for Tetsuya Naito, chasing away EVIL and making sure El Ingobernable got a long awaited roll call. In return, and after a Just 5 Guys win at new Year Dash, SANADA has been granted a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship again in Sapporo. We spoke to SANADA about his second crack at the whip February 24.
Watch New Beginning in Sapporo live in English on NJPW World!
The crowds were with Naito all through the previews
–The result at Wrestle Kingdom wasn’t what you wanted obviously. But having wrestled in the Tokyo Dome main event for the first time, how was it walking down that ramp?
SANADA: I was nervous before my entrance, in a good way.
–You weren’t biting your nails or anything.
SANADA: No. I think the worst thing anyone can do is be a prisoner to the moment. It’s always important to think about how you can bring the best part of yourself and not be swept up in everything, so I went out there with all the confidence I had.
–There were huge Naito chants for hi sown entrance right before. How did it feel for you standing by?
SANADA: I was in the zone and thinking about my own entrance, so I really didn’t hear, or it didn’t get to me. There was nothing I could do about what the dans would say. So from the semi main event on I was listening to music, talking to the other Just 5 Guys members, just loosening up a little.
–Another day at the office, kind of thing.
SANADA: Like, I know that Naito was trying to needle me on the mic at the end of the year in Korakuen, but I didn’t want to play his game. No matter how much I was pushed I wanted to be true to myself.
–You actually got a few boos in that last preview match.
SANADA: That wasn’t a shock to me; what would be shocking is if there was no reaction at all. A diverse reaction is a good thing in my book, everybody being on the same side isn’t interesting at all.
–To borrow your own words, it felt like the fans were completely on the Naito train.
SANADA: I knew they would be. That’s why I was determined not to. If 99% were going to be behind Naito, I would play to the last 1%. If I played his game, then I wouldn’t be true to myself.
–Your entrance look and gear was quite a surprise.
SANADA: I’ve always liked red. It’s a powerful colour, it has heat and fire to it.
–We usually think of blue with you.
SANADA: I figured everyone would expect me to be in blue, so I wanted to surprise people. I think I’m just a contrarian, really. (laughs)
–A lot of people saw that gear and thought of Keiji Muto.
SANADA: Really?
–Absolutely. You didn’t have that in mind?
SANADA: I really didn’t. I just thought red would be something new and fresh. But it’s up to the audience to perceive things however they want. If it got people talking, that’s the main thing.
It was disappointment, but it was a lot of things that led to those tears
–To go in detail about the match, you had an issue with your neck?
SANADA: People thought it was my shoulder, but it was my neck. Like a trapped nerve, I think; it meant I couldn’t lift my right arm.
–When did that happen?
It was the work that Naito did on my neck, and after I took quite a few hits I really couldn’t lift my arm. I couldn’t get enough strength there at all.
–Did that panic you?
SANADA: No, it was more like, OK, let’s figure out a way to make this work.
–Toward the end of the match, you used your own version of a Destino.
SANADA: I think of it as an ‘Asai Destino’.
–Like Ultimo Dragon’s Asai DDT.
SANADA: I did it in my first singles match with Naito, actually, in August 2018. It’s a hard move.
–And Naito landed a Deadfall as well.
SANADA: I learned how effective the move is, taking it for a change. With the damage to my neck, it was a rough one.
–We talked about not having the support of the fans, but to lose on top of that must have hurt mentally.
SANADA: I did think going into the match that if I lost I’d be in a bad place. But I really never felt completely down. Yeah I was disappointed, but I didn’t at all think I was a failure.
–So you didn’t let it get to you.
SANADA: It was almost like I earned something by losing, in a way. It was almost refreshing, uplifting, kind of?
–That’s very like you.
SANADA: As disappointing as it was to lose, I know that I gave it my all.
–EVIL tried to stop Naito doing his roll call- was you making the save just acting in the spur of the moment?
SANADA: Yeah. The winner of the main event in the Dome has earned that right to close out the show, and that really hit me when everything went down. You can’t end the night on a runin like that, and having been in that big spot for the first time at last, the importance of it all really hit home. In a way I’m thankful to EVIL for doing what he did because it let me show my true character.
–The LIJ history there was kind of poetic as well.
SANADA. It’s interesting how much things change over the years for sure. It reminds you how wrestling can really reward fans for staying with it for a long time.
–You got a big SANADA chant for cutting EVIL off.
SANADA: I might have lost, but it was cool to have the fans on side by the end compared to how they were at the start.
–Some empathy from the crowd after the loss was perhaps part of it as well as your actions getting through to the people.
SANADA: However you do it, it’s reaching the people that’s important. I stayed true to me, and I think that’s why the fans chanted for me. Even if I did what I did at the end, if I had played Naito’s game the whole time, maybe the fans would be chanting for Naito after I made the save.
–You had a tear in your eye on your way out.
SANADA: It just hit me. A lot of it was disappointment, but also the whole situation there. We all had our history on the same team, but in the end we were all involved on the biggest stage, in the main event- that was a lot, emotionally.
–You didn’t have to speak to make your feelings known.
SANADA: I learned that the destination was worth the journey. That SANADA chant was a different kind of gift.
–And with that first main event experience under your belt, your next goal will be to win in that spot.
SANADA: Nothing in my life has been straightforward. I’ve learned to take time, to be tested, but not to give up. That’s what got me to the Dome main event, and I’d like to think that will get me to close out the biggest show in wrestling.
I think Just Five Guys can benefit from LIJ’s popularity
–How do you feel looking back on your nine months as champion?
SANADA: One thing that stands out to me is that I got less support after winning the title. I think people get behind the chasers and not the chased. It’s true what they say- even though I have my friends with me, it’s still lonely at the top.
–What was the landscape of pro-wrestling like from the top?
SANADA: Not what I thought. I left a lot undone as champion, not selling out a big show as champion was one thing I can’t forgive myself for, so I want to have another chance at it.
–So, you do have a chance thanks to the challenge you made January 5.
SANADA: I wanted one more chance, and I think that this is the last chance we’ll be able to do Naito vs SANADA at the top of the card. I know Naito likes to talk about it, but now is the only time I can face the Naito of right now. While we can still do it in the main event, I want us to.
–Naito granted the title shot as payback for you making the save after the Dome main event.
SANADA: I don’t think that he owes me anything. On January 5, each of Just 5 Guys and LIJ matches up with one another as well, so we had all those challenges together. LIJ is the most popular faction in the world, so I think J5G can leverage that, heh.
–It would certainly be huge for J5G to beat LIJ in Sapporo.
SANADA: I want us to be stronger as a group, obviously, and this is a huge chance to do just that.
–A direct rematch can have some fans complaining.
SANADA: I’m sure that some people are thinking ‘why again?’. It’s happened in the past maybe, but I’ve never been in this spot, so I think it’ll be unique. I know I have a tough hurdle ahead of me though.
–After the Tokyo Dome already saw a decisive finish, then it could definitely be tough.
SANADA: But I never asked for the easy way through anything. And I think in a way, losing at the Dome has given me some confidence.
–Because of the big match experience?
SANADA: That, and I genuinely think I gained something even through that loss. I want to bring that feeling forward and take Naito on one more time.
–Naito has said that you can’t beat him as you are now, and has suggested you need to change.
SANADA: I’d say he’s the one that’s in trouble. Does he ever change his strategy? He’s in a pattern that I think I can take advantage of.
–So you’re saying you have another side to draw on?
SANADA: On one hand, getting caught up in wanting to do something completely different can put you in trouble at times, but I want a vision to come into focus, and then chase that with all I have.
If I stay standing, the future is bright
–So all that said, how do you think you’ll present yourself heading into this title match in Sapporo this time?
SANADA: I’d like to talk more, but… I have a condition.
–Which is?
SANADA: I think if Naito were to wear that World Heavyweight title around his waist, I might start speaking up more. I mean, the people want to see Naito wear that title, don’t they?
–I’m sure some do.
SANADA: Well whether Naito calls me on that or not is up to him. But I think him wearing that belt would change a lot of things.
–There are a lot of fans hoping to see, and hear a different side of you on this tour…
SANADA: Well, wrestling isn’t all about talking. It’s about passion.
–So you haven’t necessarily rethought how the fans react to you after the Dome?
SANADA: I have to a degree, but not too much. I think if I don’t compromise, if I stay standing as myself, there is a bright future. I don’t want to pander, I want to take each match as it comes and stay true to myself.
–That night in Sapporo, it’s five singles matches between J5G and LIJ. What other match has your attention most?
SANADA: DOUKI’s match for sure. I think he should be gunning for a title shot, and if he can beat Hiromu here that’s really going to influence his career going forward.
–That would really be a big deal for Just 5 Guys as a team.
SANADA: Absolutely. I want the whole group to be stronger, and that includes DOUKI being in the title mix.
–How about TAKA?
SANADA: I want him to show that you can have dreams for yourself and set out to achieve them, even after 30 years in the business. As a group I think we’re all about defying expectations, so I think TAKA can really embody that. And I have full faith in Uemura and Taichi-bro to do their thing.
–The group doesn’t have any titles right now, so the scene is set for a big comeback.
SANADA: That comes from a win and getting the belt back. From there, I want to do everything I couldn’t as champion last time- in the first reign I only defended against younger guys so wrestling the veterans would be interesting.
