Japanese wrestling legend Minor Suzuki recently spoke with the NJPW press about his decision to skip out on this year’s G1 Climax tournament, and instead work a tour of the United States, which included a surprise appearance at ALL OUT and a showdown with Jon Moxley in AEW. Highlights are below.
On deciding to take opportunities in the states and miss the G1 Climax:
Well, I had an offer from a promotion over there, and I really wasn’t sure whether I should take it. There’s the whole quarantining for two weeks when you come back deal, and it would have meant missing the G1. But as I was mulling it over, more and more offers were coming in. It kept snowballing, so I took that as a sign. Well, someone looking down, maybe. I figured that this could turn into a real chance for me, so I told my agent that I didn’t need any time off, just fill my schedule with matches. And here we are.
On taking the opportunities placed in front of him and challenging himself in America:
“When it came down to it, going to America was the bigger challenge and adventure to me personally than the G1. That’s why I chose the US. It’s not a value judgement. I said before, right? I’m not contracted. I’m not a New Japan guy. I choose all my own paths, take responsibility for all my own actions and live the way I want. There might be some morons who want to analyse those choices I make for myself, but it’s all about making my own road. It isn’t about my interest in them. They want me. There’s a lot of companies in the US. If they want me there, and the conditions are right, well I’ll head there and tear apart anybody put in front of me.”