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You got used to NJPW style and became very popular representing the organization. What was the reason for you to switch to the mask man, HEAT?
I used to be the IWGP Jr. Champion but lost the fight against Kanemoto. Without the belt, I lost direction in what to do, and at the same time, NJPW was going to work with a video game company to create a new hero character. They offered me to do it, and I originally was a Tiger Mask
fan who wanted to wear a mask someday, so I took the offer. NJPW wanted me to wear the mask man outfit only in the big matches like in the Tokyo Dome, not for the regular series. They wanted Tanaka Minoru for all the series, but I didn't agree with that. There was some oppositions, but eventually I got the OK and kept on using the HEAT character.
Just looking at the fans' response and poles, the HEAT character is not popular compared to Tanaka Minoru. It may take more time to prove what HEAT can do, but how do you feel about this?
I know, there was less attention to HEAT compared to wrestling as myself. At the same time, I got married, so I lost many woman fans too but did gain many children fans! They bring many great crayon drawings and give it to me at events. It's a new start, and I wanted to develop this character into something new, but I lost in the 5.2 Tokyo Dome which I put in everything I had. That's why I just left Japan, it didn't make sense for me to stay there. So I just bought a ticket and came to Los Angeles, INOKI DOJO.
Did you find anything here at INOKI DOJO?
I felt gloomy before I left Japan, but now I'm very refreshed. It's great out here. Since I'm here, I don't get distracted by extra media news and am not worried about anything. I'm training like when I was at Fujiwara Gumi Dojo before I debuted, back to the basics. I don't want to go back to Japan anymore, that's my honest feeling.
What is your goal now?
I'm here to get away from all right now. I'll refresh myself, I want to move around freely. I heard from Makabe before that meeting and directly speaking with Mr. Inoki changed many things. After meeting Mr. Inoki, I understood that. This time, I realized, through Fujiwara, Mr. Inoki's training methods and lifestyle was already in me,
so it was very natural for me to understand Mr. Inoki.
This was your first time to talk to him in person?
Yes, in Japan, I see him at events in backstage. But each time, I just introduce myself again and again (laugh).... The system itself is very different here in INOKI DOJO, I feel more of INOKIISM here than the NJPW dojo in Japan. I really can't explain it in words but it's the whole vibe.
Vibe? Meaning there's more freedom?
I can't come up with one exact word, but it's just the whole dojo carrying INOKI fighting spirit. I'm an old school wrestling fan, so maybe that's why I think this way. During every practice and every night when I go home, I take notes, and if you read all of my notebooks, there may be an answer (smile). I've learnt many techniques at team RAW too. Every experience is helping me getting out of the rut, but being here is the biggest accomplishment. I feel things differently, this change of feeling is good.
Many American fans may not understand your situation because they cannot read Weekly Gong or Weekly Pro wrestling, some may even think that you are going into Vali-Tudo by flying away from Japan. Can you help clear this issue?
I'm not looking forward to do Vali-Tudo fights. Actually, it's not about doing NHB or pro wrestling. Back in the days, Mr. Fujiwara used to tell me to maintain and keep good care of my gun (deadly weapon) and use it only when it was neccessary. The gun is not to be used like a machine gun because then it will lose it's beauty. That means, I should never forget to practice my basic grappling skills and the moves to submit my opponent even if I don't use it in every match but to be prepared to use it any time. This makes pro wrestling exciting with the thrill element, nobody knows what's going to happen next.
Are you interested in wrestling in the US?
Yes, very much. I have once wrestled in a dark match in WWF five years ago, but this time it doesn't have to be in front of a huge crowd at a huge arena. I always love the response they give me, and I'd like to wrestle as Tanaka Minoru in front of the American audience.
*After the interview, Tanaka trained at INOKI DOJO for three weeks and decided to experience pro wrestling at Mexico. Tanaka's mind and soul being refreshed, he wore his HEAT costume and restarted his pro wrestling career at CMLL. Regaining confidence and finding his new goals, he headed back to Japan and is currently is in a fued with Jyunshin Thunder Liger's group.
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