GHC Heavyweight Champion Jake Lee On His Green Journey In Nagoya Challenger Takashi Suguira: “He’s A Monster In Human Skin”

On June 17th, Pro Wrestling NOAH GHC Heavyweight Champion Jake Lee is set to defend his title against Takashi Suguira at the Green Journey In Nagoya 2023 event. Suguira will attempt to become the GHC Heavyweight Champion for the 5th time.

During a press conference today to promote the event Jake Lee and Takashi Suguira were asked to give their impressions of each other. Suguira replied first with this remark:

Well, since he’s the champion, it figures that he’s thought a lot about having matches in Noah, but I haven’t finished bringing it all out in the pre matches yet. I’m worried about whether he’ll be able to handle it if I give it my all in the match the day after tomorrow. 

Jake Lee responded following Suguira’s remark:

In any case, he’s strong, and rather than that, surprisingly he’s 53 years old. I never thought about when I am that age, but I can’t help but think about it*. Myself 19 years later? I wonder if I can maintain my condition and create such a body. I can’t imagine it. So, I sometimes wonder whether this person is really a monster wearing human skin. That’s my impression. Although I am trilled to think that if I fight this monster and win, then I will become an even more amazing monster. If that can be realized in Nagoya, then I feel that there is no need for words anymore. 

Lee, who is the leader of the GLG faction was asked if he will wrestle the match as an individual regardless of his GLG unit:

From the beginning, if I say that I’m going to do this, then the teams policy and direction will be so. So what is it? There is no such thing of being swayed by the team or because this is what the team is about. If I say this, then this, then that, then ah. Of course I’ll listen to what you have to say, but I’m the boss, and now I’m the one with the belt. I think this promotion also needs someone to steer it like that, and that is what I’m going to do.

Suguira was asked about the video message he received from Shinjiro Otani about his title opportunity. Suguira indicated that he can’t lose with Otani watching the match:

 I really appreciate it, and thank you for taking the trouble to message me, even though I think that the treatment and rehabilitation is really difficult. At the same time, I can’t lose, and I think that I have to fight a match that I’m not embarrassed about because Otani is watching. 

This will be Jake Lee’s third defense of the GHC Heavyweight Championship.

Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Green Journey In Nagoya 2023 will air live on Wrestle Universe subscription streaming service.

(H/T goes to puroprogramtranslations.blogspot.com for the transcription and translation)

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