Kenny Omega Claims NJPW is “Dead in the F–king Water” if Tanahashi Beats Him at Wrestle Kingdom 13
Kenny Omega and Hiroshi Tanahashi recently sat down with members of the Japanese media for a press conference, in order to officially announce the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 13.
The bout is being built around the 20-year veteran and seven-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, who has largely been out of the spotlight for the last three years, trying to prove that he deserves one last shot at the big-time. You also have the dichotomy of Tanahashi’s old-school mentality up against Kenny Omega’s new age, worldwide expansionism.
The next few pages feature a full transcription of the Wrestle Kingdom 13 press conference, as the two world class superstars had their very first opportunity to officially set the stage face-to-face for their highly anticipated collision on January 4, 2019,
Photo Credit: NJPW/TV Asahi
TANAHASHI:
“It’s been awhile. To be here in the main event of the Tokyo Dome. I haven’t been able to collect my thoughts yet so please, ask me later if my words aren’t enough.”
“My intent with pro-wrestling is to liven things, and allow everyone to have a good time. And I always look towards my victory in the end. If you just look at the surface, I thought that Kenny and I had similar ideas. But yesterday, after I watched the main event – visuals, athletics, everything – looking at it all, it was all there and it was all amazing, but after the match ended I was reminded that it was a title match for the IWGP. That’s what I was left with.”
“The IWGP… Authority… The way they treat the IWGP title.. The IWGP belt is not just an accessory. And there is something that has been bothering me for quite a while. If I have to criticize that match, Ibushi and Cody are companions. It started with shaking hands and had fierce offense and defense, but before all that they started by shaking hands. Then why did they use a table? Was that necessary? I found myself asking ‘why’ many times during that match. What? Why? Why would you use a table on teammates?”
“Leading to today, I’ve always wanted to spread pro-wrestling. For those watching for the first time, they shouldn’t be left questioning what’s going on. Kenny has the eyes of the world and more and more people have found pro-wrestling. But the way he wrestles, it’s not easy for those watching for the first time. There are so many questions. This is what I believe. I know that there is a big difference in condition between me and Kenny, but I’ll find a way to manage somehow. I’ve wrestled in the Tokyo Dome many times before, but this will be my best effort, for sure. And I will put the belt around my waist once again.”
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