Bodyslam.net Exclusive: An Interview With Pro Wrestling NOAH Legend Naomichi Marufuji
For over 20 years the name Naomichi Marufuji has been synonymous with Pro Wrestling NOAH. Marufuji has held just about every title within NOAH including the GHC Heavyweight Championship four times and the GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Championship eight times. Many of the stars today, including Will Ospreay, cite Marufuji as one of their main influences as to why they decided to pursue a career in professional wrestling.
Marufuji, who currently serves as NOAH’s Vice President, graciously took time out of his schedule to answer a few questions exclusively for Bodyslam.net.
Here is Bodyslam.net’s interview with Naomichi Marufuji:
Q: Keiji Muto chose Tetsuya Naito as his last opponent. Do you have a final opponent in mind when you decide to leave pro wrestling?
Naomichi Marufuji: I haven’t decided yet, but I have decided who I want to have one singles match with even before that.
Q: Miyu Yamashita challenged you a few months back. Are you still open to having that match?
Naomichi Marufuji: I would be positive about it myself if it were her.
Q: Who do you think will lead NOAH for the next 10 or 20 years?
Naomichi Marufuji: There are people I have high expectations for, but I think it is too early to name names here.
Q: What does El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. bring to NOAH as the GHC Heavyweight champion?
Naomichi Marufuji: He will promote the GHC belt to Mexico and other countries that Japanese wrestlers in NOAH can’t reach, and he will further invigorate the fight against Japanese wrestlers in Japan for him.
Q: Would you like an opportunity and challenge El Hijo de Dr Wagner Jr for the GHC Heavyweight Title?
Naomichi Marufuji: With or without the belt, I am very interested in him.
Q: What must NOAH do to become a strong competitor to NJPW in 2024?
Naomichi Marufuji: I think it is essential to raise the level of NOAH’s recognition among the public, to further develop the wrestlers themselves, not only in the ring, but also on social networking sites and in other areas.
Q: What are your thoughts of Titus Alexander and could we see him back in NOAH?
Naomichi Marufuji: I think he will be a player who can play more widely in the world.
Q: What are your goals for NOAH in 2024?
Naomichi Marufuji: We want to be more visible than we were in 2023 and even past that, to attract more people, to increase awareness, and to further develop our young fighters.
Thank you Marufuji-san.
Pro Wrestling NOAH events can be streamed on Wrestle Universe subscription service. The next live NOAH event on Wrestle Universe will be Sunny Voyage 2024 on February 28th.
