Best in the world. Greatest of all time. Wrestler of the year. MVP.
There are no shortage of adages to describe the top calibre of wrestlers. But the title of genius has always been reserved for one man.
Naomichi Marufuji’s fingerprints are all over wrestling. Whichever promotion you watch, whether it be on live TV or on the independents, Marufuji’s influence is unmistakably there.
The masterful innovator forced pro-wrestling to keep up with his brilliance as he upped the ante throughout the 2000s; debuting ingenious moves that had never been seen before, elevating NOAH’s junior heavyweight division and becoming the embodiment of NOAH itself as he became a heavyweight.
Marufuji’s legacy is set in stone in every possible metric. In between the ropes there are few that can match him, a three time winner of Tokyo Sports’ coveted Match of the Year award. His accolades span multiple promotions, a four time GHC Heavyweight Champion in his home of NOAH but also a former junior heavyweight champion in both NJPW and AJPW.
Now in the twilight of his career, retirement is being mentioned in hushed voices. But that doesn’t mean Marufuji has any intentions of slowing down. In 2023 alone he reunited with old friend and rival KENTA to challenge for the GHC Tag Team Championships, as well as challenging for the GHC Heavyweight Championship and competing in The Great Muta’s final match.
Marufuji’s 2023 will mostly be remembered for his transcendent match against Will Ospreay though, a match to celebrate Marufuji’s 25th anniversary in pro-wrestling and a bout that was voted match of the year by the legendary Kenta Kobashi.
That 2023 momentum will carry into 2024 as Marufuji is primed for another dream match. At NOAH The New Year 2024, live on Wrestle Universe from Ariake Arena on 2nd January 2024, he will be in the main event to go one-on-one with the maverick Kota Ibushi for the first time in his career.
Ahead of the event, Wrestle Inn spoke to Marufuji about the upcoming match against Ibushi, the road to his retirement and his match against Will Ospreay, as well as looking back on his NOAH career and more.
Q: At NOAH The New Year 2024 you will face off against Kota Ibushi, who you haven’t competed against in more than 15 years. How are you feeling heading into the match?
Marufuji: I am genuinely looking forward to the match, although both of us are getting older and our careers are different from our past matches.
Q: This match will mark the first ever singles meeting between you. What are your thoughts on Kota Ibushi as a competitor?
Marufuji: “Crazy genius,” in a good way.
Q: Your match will be the main event of the show, over the GHC Heavyweight Championship, which has been a topic of conversation among fans. What are your thoughts on your match main eventing over the GHC title?
Marufuji: I will do my best in the match whether it’s the main event or not. However, I want to be aware of the meaning of being placed in the main event.
Q: CyberFight Director Narihiro Takeda recently said “we must make the most historic matches happen, now that we’re on the road to Marufuji’s retirement.” Between your tremendous match with Will Ospreay and the upcoming match against Kota Ibushi, it seems that we are being treated to dream Marufuji matches. Which wrestlers are you eager to compete with before you retire?
Marufuji: I don’t have a “who” at this point, but I am interested in wrestlers I have never faced before. Not only domestic wrestlers, but also foreign ones.
Q: Your match with Ospreay was a special occasion for not only the fans, but for yourself and Ospreay too. In an interview with Sports Illustrated you said that the word “genius” is appropriate for him. “Genius” is a title that has often been used to describe yourself throughout your career. Did you see the match as a passing of the torch moment, and passing the “genius” title to Ospreay?
Marufuji: I have never thought of myself as a genius, so after the match, I realized once again that this kind of man is called a “genius.”
Q: Recently you were challenged to a singles match by TJPW’s Miyu Yamashita, to which you responded “you’re one of the few women’s wrestlers I’d be happy to do it with.” What is it about Yamashita that makes you happy to wrestle her?
Marufuji: I’m interested in a wrestler who seriously thinks about wrestling, practices hard, and performs well in front of the fans.
Q: You have achieved inimitable success during your NOAH career, being one of the most decorated wrestlers in the company’s history. What have been your proudest moments in NOAH?
Marufuji: When I meet people who fell in love with NOAH as a wrestling organization because of my matches.
Q: Your rivalry with KENTA is regarded as one of the greatest feuds in wrestling history, by both fans and wrestlers who marvel at the innovation. A decade removed from your last singles match with KENTA, how do you feel about the generational matches you had with him?
Marufuji: Although he is my junior, he was the reason why I’m here today, and I am happy to hear about the results of his serious efforts in pro wrestling.
Q: What would define a successful 2024 for you?
Marufuji: A further leap forward for NOAH.
Q: Do you have a final message you would like to share with your international fans?
Marufuji: I want people who have never seen Marufuji to get to know him. I hope you will take advantage of the content on things like Wrestle Universe to see Japanese wrestling, but when I fly overseas, I will see you at the venue.
Thank you to NOAH for arranging this interview and to Naomichi Marufuji for generously taking time to answer these questions.
You can follow NOAH on Twitter @noahglobal and Marufuji @noah_marufuji_, and you can sign up to Wrestle Universe for just ¥900 (approximately $6.50) every month to watch not only NOAH, but also DDT, TJPW and more!
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