Public presser sees Tsuji and Goto open up
A public press conference on March 19 saw Yota Tsuji and Hirooki Goto give their last public thoughts ahead of the next day’s New Japan Cup final in Nagaoka.
Both were brief in their opening comments, and fitting with the theme of the match being a first time finalist taking on a former three time winner, it was Tsuji that was first to speak.
‘I’ve been thinking,’ remarked Tsuji ‘of where this changing of the guard thing ends. Where that finish line is. I think the changing of the guard ends when we stop talking about it. That happens when I’m at the top of NJPW. Once that becomes the new normal, that’s when the changing of the guard ends, and tomorrow at the New Japan Cup final is when the new era begins.’
Hirooki Goto was similarly pensive in his remarks, stating ‘I came here thanks to some luck, and certainly not on my power alone. I’ve had the support of the people, and I think I’ve had the blessing of my late father as well. Tomorrow I make the most of that blessing and win the Cup for the fourth time.’
That led to questions from the press:
–What do you think of your opponent tomorrow?
Tsuji: Goto has obviously won the Cup three times before. He has legendary toughness, a lot of originality in the moves he does as well. I can’t afford to let my guard down, but i plan to wrestle my pace and take him out.
Goto: Out of everyone in this new generation people are talking about, Tsuji’s the one with the most momentum, and I think he’s the most capable. But then I don’t really care about this talk of the new generation, and the new era. I still want to forge the Goto Era.
–You talked yesterday about proving you made the right choice by joining CHAOS. Can you expand on that a little?
Goto: In 2016, I was in the final against Tetsuya Naito. If I win the New Japan Cup this year, I get to challenge the man who beat me that night. So in that respect, coming full circle would be proof I made the right decisions. If I win, if I beat Naito, if I get the title. Then it all worked out.
–Tsuji, how do you feel about your tournament up to now?
Tsuji: First I had Jeff Cobb, and like I said backstage, that was a real power fight. ELP, a lot of high flying, and I won that too. After that, Narita and EVIL, the kind of messed up match HOUSE OF TORTURE creates. And yeah, I had the help of Hiromu, BUSHI and Takagi, but at the end of the day, I was able to win in their style of fight. I’ve wrestled four matches, and Goto, with two byes, only two. But in a clash of wills I promise that mine will come out stronger.
–You talked about the change of the guard in your opening comment. Your opponent tomorrow has won more Cups than anyone, and if he were to win tomorrow, would be the oldest Cyup winner in history. Is that something you’re mindful of?
Tsuji: There’s no better opponent in this situation. It just goes to show what a heck of a business pro-wrestling is.
–For you Goto, do you feel you want to deliver a message to Tsuji tomorrow given his comments today?
Goto: I’m 45 this year. 21 years in the business. He might have the edge on me physically, but he doesn’t know the depths that I’ve been to, that I can withstand. He’ll know tomorrow the kind of strength I have.
–The winner of the Cup challenges Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship April 6 in Ryogoku Sumo Hall. How significant is that to you?
Tsuji: I’ve said it since I came back from excursion- I’m here to change the hierarchy in Los Ingobernables De Japon. That’s what I plan to do by winning the Cup and coming for Naito’s head. It’s the perfect story.
