"Raging King Kong" Togi Makabe gives a message to the new generation of wrestlers competing to become the next ace: "Be persistent. Grab your weapons. Keep working hard and pursue it to the end." [Weekly Pro Wrestling]
https://www.bbm-japan.com/article/detail/64103--What is it like promoting a tournament you're not even participating in?
>Makabe: It's really strange (wry smile). At first I didn't want to, but on the other hand, my seniors had promoted us, so I thought, "This is something only I can do, so why not?" and decided to do it. We need to reach today's audience and increase attendance. If that's the case, I thought it would be better for someone who knows about it to do the promotional activities rather than someone who doesn't know anything about it. This is especially important if we want to appeal to people other than New Japan Pro-Wrestling fans. I'm grateful that comedians tease me when I appear on their shows. Right now, I'm always thinking about how to get an audience. Pro wrestling alone isn't enough, and entertainment work alone isn't enough; what else is needed? I'm sure there's something extra, and I've been thinking about what it is. I'm still not sure what it is. It will probably change with the times. I just don't know... It's difficult, isn't it?--At this point, what do you expect from the new generation (Umino Shota, Narita Ren, Tsuji Yota, Uemura Yuya, Oiwa Ryohei)?
>Makabe: To be stubborn. Whether it's techniques, lifestyle, or the image of a wrestler. I want them to pursue what they want to convey and what others see (expect) them to be. Everyone is expected to have a certain color, and a wrestler without a color is just a wrestler. The more they pursue their ideals and what they envision, the more their image of a wrestler will become apparent. I want them to use that as a weapon. 