10 Questions with Konrad Raab!

[James Peterson]

_{10 QUESTIONS WITH...}

KONRAD RAAB

It's fantastic. I love to learn about the different culture of wrestling around the world and Japan was one of the first countries I learned how different wrestling is to other countries like America, treating the sport like they respect the business in general. I even live in Tokyo Japan as I brought a house in Tokyo last year to save money on hotels all the time and I'm loving it. I also have two other houses in America and Germany as well.

2. What are your views on the current state of the promotion?


It keeps growing every single day, always bringing in new talent non stop. I think the competition is stacked with ton of talent coming from all around the world which makes things very interesting.

3. How did you find competing in the Pride of Puroresu Crown this year?


I got a lot of experience out of it and learned something on every single match I had so in a way, it was great to be able to compete in a tournament I was offered to do and I took it by the horns and be able to compete against some of the best wrestlers in the world.

4. What are your short term and long term goals here in New Japan?


Long term goals are consistently learning more about Japan's culture for wrestling along with the passion they have for the sport. I learned a lot already, even the language as I said earlier, but I want to continue to learn more and grow to become much better wrestler in the ring. Short time goals are obviously to be champion because I wouldn't be here if I didn't want to be champion, but at the same time, I want to earn my shots for titles. At the moment another short goal of mine which I'm working towards at the moment is to honestly lose some more weight so I can compete in the Junior Heavyweight division as well as the Heavyweight division as it's something I've never done in my wrestling career and like to give it a shot.

5. Is there anyone in particular you've been wanting to face?


There's a few guys I'd like to face on Jason Cashe who've I never had the chance of competing, Chris Madison being another. The reason for this is because they never faced me and they've faced my twin brother Lord Raab in other companies, but they never fought me because they know I'm very different to Lord Raab and I need to show them that. Adrian Tanner Jr would be another guy I'd like to face for the same reasons along with Tommy Knox. Of course there's others like Owen Gonsalves, Chandler Scott I'd like to face again. Also Mitsuo Shimada is another guy I'm looking out for to face in the near future as well.

6. Who do you consider allies here in New Japan?

I can consider Chris Madison and Own Gonsalves as allies, even Jason Cashe too because although he hates my twin brother with a passion, we get along as pals. Not a ally of sorts, but I have a huge amount of respect for Chandler Scott who wants to wrestle fair and square.

7. Who do you consider your enemies?


That's a tricky one because I haven't made many enemies to consider them as much, but I guess me and Mitsuo Shimada have some beef going on due to his lack of respect for Chris Madison. Maybe Tommy Knox as well after what he said a few months ago. I can't think of anybody else from the top of my head.

8. What makes New Japan different from any other promotion?


The respect Japanese have for this sport is far beyond from other companies I've been apart of, how extremely competitive it can get when you have tournaments like Pride of Puroresu Crown, tag, even the Junior Heavyweight tournament coming up soon. There's something for everyone here in New Japan and I recommend to anybody who's considering to join to do so because you learn so much about how different wrestling is to America for an example.

9. What makes Konrad Raab different to any other competitor?


That's a very good question. I say I work in the gym double the time to everyone else, people have said I'm one of the nicest guys they've ever met in the business. As to where my nickname comes from, I love to play with ice. I'd even jump into an iced pool if people allow me to. Most people think it's a personality thing, but it's what my hobbies are. In Germany, there's some parts where it's always cold and back in the days, most of the events I done were all related to snow and ice. I even use ice baths to relax from time to time. That makes me who I am today. Also I'm the only wrestler who's not from the UK, Japan or America to wrestle in this company as I'm German and I believe there's never been a German wrestler who's wrestled in Japan.

10. What's next?

I like to wait and see what happens next because that's what I usually do since I never look ahead for the future other than what I've said.