Yuji Nagata with more thoughts on his American activities
Last month saw Yuji Nagata make his AEW debut, competing for the first time on TNT in 23 years. But that wasn’t all, as he also wrestled on NJPW STRONG, reuniting with Ren Narita in the process. In part two of our interview, Nagata goes in depth on NJPW in America in 2021.
I wanted to bring the ‘six shooter’ talk in check
–Last time we talked about your IWGP US title match with Jon Moxley. How did you feel when you first saw that video message from him?
Nagata: It was clear he wanted to fight me, and I was happy to get the challenge, but the ‘six shooter’ talk got to me a bit. He likes that hardcore style, doesn’t he? I’m not a fan of chairs, tables, all that stuff, and that’s why i responded the way I did, saying pro-wrestling is about clashing wills, not weapons.
–Moxley was careful to address you as ‘Nagata-san’. You get a sense of respect from him.
Nagata: Yeah. I definitely understood that much. I just wanted to bring the ‘six shooter’ talk in check, and make it clear there wouldn’t be any weapons or any of that stuff involved.
–You got the sense that Moxley chose you because you really represent that ‘Strong Style’ philosophy.
Nagata: Right. And in the end, there weren’t any cheap tricks, we just crashed into one another head on. It was a shorter match than I would’ve liked maybe, but it was definitely a fulfilling experience.
America is definitely thinking ‘post COVID’
–How did you feel about the prospect of making a trip to the US during the pandemic?
Nagata: I definitely had my concerns, but there are people making trips back and forth for business, and foreign wrestlers are coming across to Japan quite a lot. So I wasn’t going to let COVID stop me from taking this opportunity, you know? And in the end, I’m definitely happy I went.
–How so?
Nagata: In Japan, the coverage of the pandemic is incredibly negative, and there’s a lot of fear in the media. But in America, yeah there are people wearing masks, and disinfecting everything, but people are definitely thinking ‘post COVID’.
–Things are getting back to normal bit by bit.
Nagata: Right. I went to the TARGET across the street from my hotel, and there was a big sign there advertising walk in vaccinations.
–Right in the supermarket.
Nagata: Yeah. It’s a bit different state to state as well. Florida didn’t have a mask mandate so a lot of people didn’t wear them, but in LA, masks were compulsory. But all in all there was a strong sense of getting this thing wrapped up and moving forward.
Everyone on STRONG is super hungry
–How was your experience on NJPW STRONG?
Nagata: There’s a lot of different guys there. Everyone is super hungry, they want that New Japan contract. There are some people there that are really able to express themselves and bring something of theirs to the table, and some that aren’t quite there, but there are definitely guys that are really fired up at the prospect of signing full time.
–It was a different backstage atmosphere to AEW.
Nagata: I think so, yeah. Everyone came up to say hello to me. There was one kid, with tears in his eyes even, telling me my match with Kurt Angle was his favourite… Kevin Knight! A lot of people were coming up and saying stuff like that.
–What was the atmosphere like before the matches?
Nagata: Very New Japan, for sure. Just like it is here in japan. Same kind of tension and energy. That feeling when everyone is warming up before the matches, you can’t put it into words, but it’s only with New Japan. I’ve never felt that anywhere else in America.
He knows what a Dojo truly is
–Was Katsuyori Shibata at the STRONG matches?
Nagata: He was, and I went to the LA Dojo as well.
–Oh, you did?
Nagata: After the match I had on STRONG, I trained there every day for about a week.
–So while you were in LA, it was really just going back and forth from the hotel to the Dojo?
Nagata: Pretty much. I’m an early riser, so I would get some breakfast and go for a walk, get a coffee on the way and then be at the Dojo around 11. Train there for a few hours, then relax with a beer in the afternoon until dinner.
–Did you teach any of the LA Dojo trainees?
Nagata: Not directly, no. But while I was doing my own thing I would see Shibata drilling the fundamentals with the young kids. Seeing him really work on the basics like that, I really got the impression that he properly understands what a Dojo truly is.
–He gets the Nagata seal of approval.
Nagata: Absolutely. He warms up, then straight into the fundamentals. From bumps, to grappling, to sparring and figuring out moves, everything he does is really sound and properly taught. And he starts and ends with the same greetings and bows, just like in Japan.
–Did any of the guys in LA particularly impress you?
Nagata: They’re all impressive. But the guy I mentioned before, Kevin Knight, he has a lot of upside. And Alex Coughlin, he can really go far. Powerful, good look, well put together.
–You were reunited with Ren Narita on this trip. How has he progressed?
Nagata: he’s managed to put on a bit more mass. He was 80kg when he left Japan, and now he’s about 88, 89. And you definitely see some of Shibata in his offense now. Especially when he gets into a sleeper. He definitely has that Shibata-ism.
–He wrestled on AEW Dark, the YouTube show.
Nagata: He was out there in a big building, but the crowd was only scattered around ringside. I definitely got the impression he didn’t know quite where to look or where to work towards, but he got used to it through the match. I think that’s one skill that’s important to learn.
–I see.
Nagata: In the US, you have to learn to work to the TV cameras. To know where they are as you wrestle and understand how to approach that is a huge, huge skill. That was a valuable learning experience for him.
–Daily’s Place is a very different looking venue.
Nagata: It’s a great place for them. They’ve been there all through the pandemic. It isn’t a huge venue, maybe 5000 capacity, but it’s been a good home for them.
I’m sorry I didn’t bring the belt back with me.
–As you now return to a Japan back under states of emergency, and after cancellations affected the schedules, what are your final thoughts on being able to have that match with Moxley?
Nagata: This really was an important trip for me. Being able to go to the US, show the fans there what Yuji Nagata’s about and have them go crazy. It was definitely something I’ll treasure, and it was a treat to have those fans over there watch the total of 29 years of work for me in this business. It’s because of the work I put in that Moxley wanted to face me, that I was featured in the way that I was. But like I said before, I’m not interested in resting on my laurels but in getting new ones, so the important thing is to keep working hard from here on out.
–Togi Makabe called your match on STRONG for the Japanese announce team. He was talking about how impressive your physique still is.
Nagata: Makes up for all that ribbing on the square he does on his YouTube about me. Needs to get my catchphrase right, too (laughs)
–But you certainly proved the point that you often make; it’s important to be in good enough shape to challenge for a title at any time.
Nagata: I’m always at my best when the bell rings, heh. That’s what I’ve kept in my mind day in and day out for these last 29 years.
–You’ve been a real beam of light for a lot of fans in Japan amid some dark news with the postponements and cancellations.
Nagata: Well, I can only say I’m sorry I didn’t bring the belt home with me.
–Not at all. It was a fantastic challenge.
Nagata: I’m glad to hear it, and I’m glad I could bear up and rise to Moxley’s challenge.
