Keiji Muto: It always seemed like a faraway world on the other side of the TV screen. But I feel truly happy to be able to stand in that world now.

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Keiji Muto
President and professional wrestler of All Japan Pro Wrestling Co., Ltd.
Born December 23, 1962 in Fujiyoshida, Yamanashi Prefecture. Height: 188cm, Weight: 110kg

What made Keiji Muto decide to take up professional wrestling?

What made you decide to take up professional wrestling?
"I did judo in my student days, so after graduating from high school I went on to Tohoku Judo College in Sendai (now Sendai Osteopathic College). At that time I was living a fulfilling life, even competing in the National Athletic Meet. After graduating from vocational school, I returned to my hometown to work as an osteopath, but I couldn't answer patients' questions about their illnesses with confidence. At that time, I regretted not studying harder (laughs). I've always loved wrestling, but it always seemed like a distant world beyond the prawn tube. However, I'm truly happy to be able to stand in that world now."

Thoughts of professional wrestlers and President Kim of Japan Pro Wrestling

How did you become president? And are there any differences between the work of a professional wrestler in the ring and that of a business owner?
"I first got a job at New Japan Pro-Wrestling (hereafter referred to as New Japan) and worked hard there for 20 years. However, around the time I left the front line for a while, the wrestling world began to decline as a business. Under these circumstances, Inoki was thinking of changing New Japan to a fighting sports style like PRIDE or K-1, which are now struggling, but I couldn't agree to it. This is because I felt that if pro wrestling was to be dominated by that style, it would completely destroy the career I had built in my 20s when I trained in the United States, the birthplace of pro wrestling. A period of confusion ensued, and during this time, All Japan Press (hereafter referred to as All Japan), led by Giant Baba, split up. With an opening now, and with the ambition to establish my own castle, I decided to work with All Japan. Then, as a manager, I realized that managing a pro wrestling business is extremely difficult. Pro wrestlers As a wrestler, I have just under a year of experience, so I'm confident that I can beat anyone in the ring and that I can compete on the world stage. However, that is an entirely different matter from management. First of all, right after I became president, I didn't know what to do, and our performance plummeted. But even so, I survived through many difficult times and avoided being eliminated. I think that kind of determination has led me to where I am today. I also had a lot of trouble winning people's hearts. When I moved to All Japan, several wrestlers from New Japan and employees who shared my views came with me, but none of those employees remain today. Even if we shared the same views, there were some discrepancies in our thinking. One of the things I learned from being president was how difficult it is to lead people together."

A wrestling-loving student journalist and Muto-san discuss wrestling

What does professional wrestling mean to you, Muto?
"To me, professional wrestling is both a business and an art. This year marks the 36th year for All Japan alone, and it's rare for other companies to continue for this long. In addition, the potential and name value of professional wrestling are incomparable to other martial arts.
I believe that it is worth more than anything. Even when it comes to children's pranks, professional wrestling is often synonymous with it. It is proof that professional wrestling has permeated the world. Like the original American professional wrestling organization WWE, it is active in the global market.
There are some incredible companies out there, so I hope that All Japan Pro Wrestling will one day become like that too."
What is your most memorable match in your long career?
"I've forgotten about the past while continuing to take ukemi (laughs). To be honest, all of my matches are works of art, so I don't want to rank them better or worse. If I had to pick one, it would be the match against Takada Nobuhiko at Tokyo Dome on October 9, 1995. That match really raised my name value. In fact, the other day I had a chance to have dinner with Giants manager Hara, and he told me that he had come to watch that match. The day before the match was Manager Hara's retirement as a player. It was a moment of great honour that he remembered it as one of those memories."

A passionate message to students!

Do you have any words of advice for today's students?
"I would encourage students who want to get into professional wrestling to knock on the door of All Japan. Wrestlers currently active on the front lines, such as Tanahashi, Makabe (both from New Japan Pro Wrestling) and HG (Hustle), all started out in student wrestling. But with professional wrestling, what's important is how much you love it, rather than physical strength. I would like students to take that passion and become people who will support the world of professional wrestling in the future. I also want the young people to work hard so that our generation can enjoy retirement."

From the August 2008 issue of the Student Newspaper