Kintamayama 45,144 Posted January 8 (edited) A video of Wakamotoharu glaring at the American Wrestling Organization WWE superstar Omos outside the ring during Pro Wrestling "Noah's" Budokan tournament on New Year's Day, where he was a guest commentator, has gone viral. "Omos glares at guest commentator Wakamotoharu!!!" said Noah's official X account. "The WWE superstar seemed very interested in the sumo wrestler. Wakamotoharu's eyed him back!!" it said, uploading the video. Feeling the intense gaze of the 221 cm tall, 180 kg Omos, Wakamotoharu, 187 cm tall, 146 kg in a kimono, stood up in the broadcast booth and glared back. Omos also took one or two steps closer to the iron fence between them, creating a tense situation where he tried to get over it. The scene was so shocking that Naomichi Marufuji, who fought and lost to Omos as the GHC Tag Team champions in the match on the 1st, quoted the video and commented, "This is an incredible scene." Indeed. Edited January 12 by Kintamayama Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,144 Posted January 8 (edited) Video: https://x.com/CSTodayNews/status/1874632988463714320 Kyokai will not let this go unpunished. Edited January 8 by Kintamayama Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fashiritētā 181 Posted January 8 13 hours ago, Kintamayama said: Video: https://x.com/CSTodayNews/status/1874632988463714320 Kyokai will not let this go unpunished. Seriously? I only ask because I’ve never seen that, other than Hakuho at a New Japan Show, but i dont recall him being punished for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,144 Posted January 9 (edited) 9 hours ago, Fashiritētā said: Seriously? I only ask because I’ve never seen that, other than Hakuho at a New Japan Show, but i dont recall him being punished for it. Wakamotoharu is actively participating in a scripted show. He is part of the show. Hakuhou was a spectator. Unless the Kyokai has decided to be part of this, it's a problem. But since there doesn't seem to be any backlash, well.. Edited January 9 by Kintamayama 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,344 Posted January 10 Considering WMH was there as guest commentator, I'm pretty sure it was an official public appearance that was cleared with the Kyokai in any case. And it's pretty much a time-honoured tradition in pro wrestling that anytime there's a non-wrestling celebrity at the commentary table, somebody is gonna get into it with them, so... 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rokudenashi 323 Posted January 12 FWIW I was at a New Japan show in 2020 sat a couple of rows behind Wakamotoharu (this was between Hatsu and Haru, where he'd just been re-promoted to jūryō). I don't remember hearing of any backlash for that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 3,844 Posted January 12 Can anyone tell me the Japanese term for "pencil neck"? I want to listen for it at the next dustup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,144 Posted January 12 12 hours ago, rokudenashi said: FWIW I was at a New Japan show in 2020 sat a couple of rows behind Wakamotoharu (this was between Hatsu and Haru, where he'd just been re-promoted to jūryō). I don't remember hearing of any backlash for that. Again, he was a spectator. Ornary fan. Here, different case. As pointed out by Asashosakari, he was there officially as a commentator, so I guess that was sanctioned by the Kyokai. My question is, how far can the interaction go without any fuss? It is the sumo world, after all. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tochinofuji 384 Posted January 12 13 minutes ago, Kintamayama said: Again, he was a spectator. Ornary fan. Here, different case. As pointed out by Asashosakari, he was there officially as a commentator, so I guess that was sanctioned by the Kyokai. My question is, how far can the interaction go without any fuss? It is the sumo world, after all. Evidence would seem to suggest at least this far. No fuss yet, the basho has started, and the news cycle has moved. I would imagine that is this was an official appearance as a commentator the expectation that Wakamotoharu would need to interact with the talent to some degree was well understood. Plus, I don't think that it was a bad look for sumo, or would be perceived that way. He behaved perfectly well, he just refused to back down or not show his warrior spirit, as it were. Still, early days yet, but I would have thought if there was going to be any sort of public rebuke it would have happened already. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
