Thank you all for joining us today.
And thank you to those watching the live stream online.
Now begins the post SAKURA GENESIS press conference, presented by Wakasa Seikatsu.
Yesterday's show at Ryogoku was a success, with 9,882 fans in attendance.
Fans all around the world watched live, as well.
Thank you very much.
The main event was the IWGP Heavyweight Championship match,
The champion, Kazuchika Okada faced the NEW JAPAN CUP winner, Zack Sabre Jr.
Okada was successful, extending his streak to 11 straight defenses.
The show closed with Tanahashi confronting Okada, both men sharing the 11 title defense record.
With that, I want to announce the upcoming title matches for the next tour, WRESTLING DONTAKU 2018.
First on April 23rd, at Korakuen Hall,
An IWGP Junior Tag Championship match,
Challengers Takahashi Hiromu and BUSHI vs champions, El Desperado and Kanemaru.
This will be their second title defense.
And on April 24th, also at Korakuen Hall,
An IWGP US Heavyweight Championship match,
The challenger, David Finlay, vs the champion, Jay White.
This will be White's second title defense.
Then on April 27th, in Hiroshima, at Green Arena,
A NEVER Openweight Championship match,
The champion, Hirooki Goto vs the challenger, Juice Robinson.
This will be Goto's third defense.
On April 29th, in Kumamoto, at Grand Messe,
An IWGP Tag Championship match, the champions, SANADA and EVIL vs the challengers, K.E.S.
This will be the champions' second title defense.
And on that same day,
An IWGP Intercontinental Championship match,
The champion, Minoru Suzuki, vs the challenger, Naito Tetsuya.
This will be Suzuki's second title defense.
Moving on...
On May 3rd, in Fukuoka, at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center,
A NEVER 6 Men Openweight Championship match,
Champions, Tama Tonga, Tanga Roa, and Bad Luck Fale vs challengers, Marty Scurll, Nick and Matt Jackson.
This will be champions' fourth title defense.
On May 4th, in Fukuoka, at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center,
An IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship match,
Champion, Will Ospreay vs challenger, Kushida.
This will be Ospreay's third title defense.
And for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship match,
Champion, Kazuchika Okada vs challenger, Hiroshi Tanahashi.
This will be Okada's 12th title defense.
That's the upcoming schedule.
Please check for additional card info.
He was successful at Ryogoku yesterday, and is set for his 12th defense on May 4th,
The IWGP Heavyweight Champion, the Rainmaker, Kazuchika Okada.
Okada, please tell us your thoughts on yesterday's match.
Well, Zack Sabre Jr. was truly…
His submission holds are like nothing else I've seen.
He really was a tough opponent for me.
I was able to fight against many different kinds of opponents before Zack, on this run.
During these 11 defenses, I saw many fighters, from many countries.
But, my next opponent, Hiroshi Tanahashi...
I don't like the fact that we're tied, so I just want to move on to the 12th win.
Thank you.
Now we will take questions. Any questions from the press?
Go ahead.
Tanahashi stepped into the ring after your match,
And you belittled him by just calling him, 'Tanahashi',
What is your opponent on the current Tanahashi?
At this point he's a boring opponent for me.
I recognize all the great things he's done in the past, but he doesn't measure up anymore.
Is that because of his recent injuries?
Yes, his current condition and also his performance.
He is not as strong as he used to be.
If he was still able to perform, I would have already faced him during this run.
The point is that's he's lost his strength and his touch.
What do you think when he still refers to himself as the 'Ace'?
Well, if that's what he wants to call himself, then so be it.
I don't mind if he wants to be known as the 'Ace'. Go ahead.
My only question is, do people really still believe he's the 'Ace'?
I don't think the 'Ace' would be invisible for so long.
The 'Ace' shouldn't be that weak.
But if he truly believes he still deserves that name, without any shame, then go for it.
Thank you.
Any other questions?
Go ahead.
You have faced him during the previous tour, what was your sense of him in the match?
What were your thoughts after not seeing him for a while?
My impression was that he was just the same old Tanahashi.
That's all.
I did feel a bit of nostalgia...
But there were no surprises.
He was just the same old Tanahashi.
I couldn't see anything new or different in this return.
The same like always.
Switching focus, you brought in Ospreay and Zack, both from Britain,
Can you tell us your thoughts on facing these two British wrestlers? Was it especially difficult?
Well, I've fought in many countries. Besides Japan, I've fought in Mexico and America.
So I know about wrestling in those countries.
However, I don't really know about British or European pro-wrestling, so it was very new to me.
The way they fight, how they use counters, submission holds... I learned from that.
It was surprising and difficult, but,
The experiences have been great.
Do you find that raises the prestige of the belt?
Sure.
Both Ospreay and Zack are big deals in Britain. Facing them, made the title a bigger deal there.
Thank you. Any other questions?
Are we good?
Please, go ahead.
You said in the ring yesterday, that you're already looking ahead to 100 defense victories,
At the same time Gedo said there are no challengers left. What comes after Tanahashi?
I'm not sure about that...
Tanahashi was the only one who showed up last night.
I guess everybody else has realized that they don't stand a chance.
I'll think about that when the time comes.
I don't mind if it's Okada vs Gedo.
Oops... don't want to sound disrespectful... Gedo-san. But I'd be willing to go against him.
I didn't want to sound like I don't respect him.
But no matter what Gedo says, I'm sure that a new challenger will emerge.
Maybe it's too early to think about it, but,
They just announced G1 schedule, so hopefully that will motivate a challenger.
I'm not really too concerned about it.
I've been the champion for over 1 year and 10 months...
100 defenses is still a ways off, But it's something to look forward to.
I know it will be tough, but I'm up for it.
Does any part of you want to warn Tanahashi that this may be his last chance at you?
No, I don't actually have that intention.
But I believe he'll realize that he's not the one who can beat Okada.
This match will make him accept the fact that it's not his time anymore.
Thank you. Any other questions? Please, go ahead.
You claimed that Tanahashi has lost a step, Numerically, how would you evaluate him?
If… Tanahashi is on level 50…
I'm on…
I have no idea.
Sorry for asking such a tough question.
This question is even tougher than facing Zack.
But… well...
I guess Tanahashi will realize he's not standing on the level where he can reach this IWGP title.
Thank you.
Any more? Go ahead.
Going back, you had a war with Tanahashi that ended at 2016 Tokyo Dome show,
That was a few years ago, I'm sure you now feel that you've surpassed Tanahashi,
What are your thoughts after facing him again, 2 and half years later?
How should I put this? I don't feel like this is what I've been waiting for.
I believe if he still had it, we would have fought before this point.
That illustrates exactly where Tanahashi stands right now.
It took him 2 and a half years to approach this title again.
You were the one to stop Tanahashi from reaching 12 successful title defenses,
Do you see it as poetic that he now stands in your way?
I just want to say this... If you can do it, then go ahead.
6 years ago...
Nobody believed that I had a chance to beat Tanahashi.
This time, I will make fans believe that he doesn't stand a chance.
Throughout the warm-ups, I'll push him to the edge.
So, Tanahashi, you can't stop me from reaching 12.
Thank you.
Any more?
All good? Thank you.
We move on to the photo op, this will be the end of the live stream.
Thank you for watching.
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