If any of the quotes from the following podcasts or video interviews are used, please credit those sources and provide an H/T and link back to POST Wrestling for the transcriptions.
** In his latest blog post for Tokyo Sports, Jushin Thunder Liger weighed in on Kazuchika Okada’s pending exit from New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He thinks it’s good for Okada to test his potential overseas and agrees with his decision. He thinks he’ll land in either WWE or AEW and feels Okada should choose whoever pays him the most. Liger is not worried about the future of NJPW and feels Okada’s exit will leave a big gap for someone or multiple talents to fill. Speaking about the likes of Shota Umino, Yota Tsuji, Ren Narita and Yuya Uemura, he said they’re moving at the same pace and if they could find their own lane and shape a new style of NJPW, the fans would naturally create Okada’s successor.
Personally, I think it is good for him (Kazuchika Okada) to test his potential overseas, and I agree with his decision.
If a pro wrestler wants to spread (their) wings further, the U.S. is your home, and he can make more money if he makes the U.S. his main competition… I predict that Okada will go to WWE or AEW, but I think he should sign a contract with the company that pays him the highest salary, even if it is only one dollar (more).
On the other hand, the remaining members will lose if they say that it has become boring with Okada gone. This is a chance to jump into a big hole, that’s what this is. I think we will see fights that are more exciting than ever before. That’s what New Japan Pro-Wrestling is all about, and that’s why I’m not worried about anything.
From what I have seen, the current new generation (Shota Umino, Ren Narita, Yota Tsuji, and Yuya Uemura) are all side by side, with no one outstanding. But even in 1984, when a large number of wrestlers left the team, I don’t think Muto (Keiji), Chono (Masahiro) and Hashimoto (Shinya) couldn’t have done it alone. Something amazing was born because each of the ‘Fighting Spirit Three Musketeers’ did what they thought was right. If they can compete with each other again this time and come up with a new New Japan Pro-Wrestling style, I think the fans will naturally create a successor to Okada.
** Guest appearing on The Babyfaces Podcast was R-Truth. He stated that he still wants to become World Champion in WWE. He thinks there would be a big reaction to it if it happened. Truth went on to comment on The Judgment Day going after him on Raw. The idea then came to mind of Truth facing Damian Priest for the World Title.
I still wanna win the World Title. I think the roof would come unglued… They (Judgment Day) did do me wrong, they did do me wrong. You know what? You might’ve brought something to existence. Wouldn’t it be crazy if it ends up being me and Damain (Priest) for the title? You never, never know because it’s the wrestling business.
** There’s an interview with Rhea Ripley on the GamesHub site. She spoke highly of Bianca Belair while discussing both of them sharing the cover of the WWE 2K24 video game.
If there was one woman that I got to share (WWE 2K cover) with, I’m glad that it’s Bianca (Belair) – because I’ve seen how hard she works. You have to remember, she didn’t do this profession before coming to WWE. She started at the Performance Center and she’s just succeeded in leaps and bounds. She’s exceeded everyone’s expectations of her, in a way, and she’s been grinding for so long. It’s really cool to see someone so deserving get such a special thing, and I’m glad that we get to make history together once again.
** Kevin Owens was interviewed by University of Delaware’s newspaper.
** NJPW Road to The New Beginning Results (2/1/24) from Nagano Prefectural Budokan in Saku, Japan
– Boltin Oleg & Shoma Kato def. Katsuya Murashima & Togi Makabe
– Toru Yano, YOSHI-HASHI & El Desperado def. HOUSE OF TORTURE (Yujiro Takahashi, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & SHO)
– HOUSE OF TORTURE (Dick Togo, Ren Narita & EVIL) def. YOH, Tomoaki Honma & Shota Umino
– Taiji Ishimori, Chase Owens & KENTA def. Jado, El Phantasmo & Hikuleo
– T.M.D.K. (Kosei Fujita, Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls & Zack Sabre Jr.) def. Tiger Mask, Ryusuke Taguchi, Tomohiro Ishii & Hiroshi Tanahashi
– BULLET CLUB War Dogs (Clark Connors, Gabe Kidd, Alex Coughlin & David Finlay) def. United Empire (Callum Newman, Francesco Akira, TJP & HENARE)
– Los Ingobernables de Japon (BUSHI, Hiromu Takahashi, Yota Tsuji, Shingo Takagi & Tetsuya Naito) def. Just 5 Guys (TAKA Michinoku, DOUKI, Yuya Uemura, Taichi & SANADA)
** February 1st birthdays: Yuzuki & Action Andretti.
** The Bob Culture Podcast rolled out their interview with Otis.
** A new interview with Ash by Elegance was conducted by Medd in the Morning.
** WOW Tag Team Champions The Tonga Twins (Kaoz & Kona) guest appeared on Women’s Wrestling Talk.
If any of the quotes from the following podcasts or video interviews are used, please credit those sources and provide an H/T and link back to POST Wrestling for the transcriptions.
