TNA/NJPW 1.04.08 Show to Air on Spike

Posted by: Stuart @ www.PuroresuFan.com



Kotetsu Yamamoto oversaw the signing ceremony for Kurt Angle vs. Yuji Nagata for the controversial IWGP 3rd Belt yesterday. The two great men of the pro wrestling world will finally have their dream match at the Tokyo Dome on January 4th, 2008. Nagata said he has been longing for this match for years, and that although he has fought many great wrestlers, he believes this will be the biggest match of his career. If he can win it, he believes he will be able to decorate his entire life as a wrestler in glory. Angle pointed out that he had beaten the man no one in New Japan had been able to - Brock Lesnar - to win the IWGP 3rd Belt, and thus considers himself the true IWGP Heavyweight Champion. Angle believes his match with Nagata will happen on a different scale, a different level than ordinary pro wrestling matches. This, "the battle of the century", is one he is ready for, but is sure he will win with his ankle lock. Due to Booker T missing his flight, Angle faced Nagata's sworn friend, Kendo Kashin, at the IGF show the other day, beating him in a little under 10 minutes.

Nagata asked Angle WHY he wasn't carrying the IWGP 3rd Belt, the very prize that will be on the line when they battle. Angle said he felt no reason to bring it today, but that he will certainly have it in January 4th. He also thinks he will defeat Nagata in under 15 minutes, so is perhaps slightly overconfident. Nagata mentioned that he did see Angle's fight with Kashin and thought it was wonderful, but Angle warned him not to consult that match, because he knows he has to and plans to fight on another level, with more effort, when he faces Nagata. Angle then revealed that if he does defeat Nagata, he would like to fight the winner of Tanahashi vs. Nakamura in a match to unify the two IWGP belts.

At the opposite side of the card, RISE members Milano Collection AT, Minoru, and Prince Devitt will battle two of TNA's biggest names, Christian Cage and AJ Styles, along with the reputable Petey Williams, in a match that will begin the January 4th series between New Japan and TNA. Milano, Minoru, and AJ attended the press conference yesterday and spoke enthusiastically of the match. Milano said this is his first January 4th show in New Japan, so is going to make it a special event and take the "Milano girls" for a showy entrance. Milano is interested in learning who is better - RISE or TNA - though is sure he knows the answer to that question. Minoru is determined to avenge his and Devitt's loss to TNA juniors from November 11th, even though neither Christopher Daniels or Senshi will be involved in this one. Minoru is most interested in AJ, and said he still remembers a match from ZERO-ONE (now ZERO1-MAX) from several years ago between Styles and Senshi (who opened the IGF show the other day, with Styles winning) that has always stuck out in his mind. He also mentioned how he has a small grudge with Petey Williams, going back to a battle royal during his TNA stint, where Petey double crossed him. Since that shameful scene aired on PPV in America one year and eight months ago, he looks forward to gaining sweet revenge on PPV in Japan.

AJ Styles is very excited to appear in the Tokyo Dome, and although six men will be involved in his match, he's sure he will take the leading role. After he wins, he plans to throw a party in Roppongi at the Hard Rock Cafe, and of course expects President Sugabayashi to pay the bill. AJ and Minoru got into a little push and shove at the end of the interview, going face to face, with Tiger Hattori having to play peacemaker and get in between them.