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Comedy and in-ring skill are often seen as antitheses in western wrestling discourse. Rather than as a tool that any wrestler can use when it suits them, many fans and pundits perceive comedy as a last resort for the talentless, or a mark on the record of otherwise beloved superstars. That does not need to be the case, however. For some wrestlers, comedy can be a weapon, a way to connect with their audience, and even a golden ticket (back) to the top of their promotion. There are few greater examples of this than DRAGONGATE’s Ben-K.
With his impressive size and power-based style, the young wrestler had always stood out in his speed-focused home promotion. While he was less verbose than most in his generation, his in-ring abilities alone were more than enough to make him a crowd favorite and a popular pick for rookie of the year. The expectations facing him were high, but Ben-K more than lived up to them, seizing DRAGONGATE’s top championship from the imposing PAC only three years into his career.
Once his reign was over, however, Ben-K began to slip into a bit of a lull. As great as his talent was, his rather plain presentation was holding him back. While his dojo classmates were coming into their own, Ben-K seemed adrift, unsure of his identity. The audience’s attention shifted. As Ben-K himself would later muse in DRAGONGATE’s Happy Gate Magazine, how was anyone supposed to have fun watching him when he was not even having fun wrestling?
To bring that fun back into his wrestling, monumental changes were needed.
Ben-K turned on his martial arts-based faction HIGH END to instead join the host club-inspired GOLD CLASS, replaced his monk-like robes with rapper chains, sunglasses, and a dressed-up banana, and broke his silence in favor of impromptu speeches and random beat-boxing. A daring jump, but audiences loved it. Soon, Ben-K was not only back at the top of the card, but named as part of DRAGONGATE’s six Reiwa Generation Leaders (literally “Reiwa New Generation”), who are expected to lead the promotion into the future.
In accordance with this task, Ben-K, alongside his “Team Muscle” tag team partner Kota Minoura, will be traveling to both America and the UK this April to increase DRAGONGATE’s international exposure.
Ahead of his journey, Five Star Network’s Kay Quinn had the opportunity to interview Ben-K about a variety of topics pertaining to his identity as a wrestler and his matches in April.
Here is what he had to say:
This April, you will be competing in both America and England. What are your goals for this journey?
Hello, I’m Ben-K from DRAGONGATE. First of all I want to express my gratitude to you for having this interview with me. Thank you very much. I’m currently bringing dreams and excitement to all wrestling fans in the world. In April I will wrestle matches in America and the UK, but my goal is to always bring dreams and excitement to the wrestling fans!
Which opponents are you most interested in facing in either country?
There are too many opponents I want to face, so I can’t quite narrow it down. I’m sorry.
What is the number one thing that international fans who are not yet familiar with your work should know about you before seeing you in action?
Well, I think I’d want them to watch DRAGONGATE, which is my home promotion. To get straight to the point: I think the level of in-ring [work] in DRAGONGATE is pretty high. I’d be happy if [those who] don’t know me watched DRAGONGATE first.
In DRAGONGATE, you are currently known by the moniker “Chiki Chiki Sensei”. How would you explain the meaning of that title to an international audience?
Right! Long story short, it’s my individual expression of myself, but I’m not too hung up about [a specific meaning]. If there’s wrestling fans buying tickets, I will be there, a highschool teacher wrestling in the ring, keeping the beat with chiki chiki.
Your ring name is a reference to legendary warrior monk Benkei, correct? Why did you originally choose it and what does it mean to you now?
That’s right, it originally came from Benkei, a military commander in Japanese history. One day I was told by the company that my name would be “Ben-K” from now on. From the next day forward I said, “I’m Ben-K!”
Seven years have passed since you were given that name. How would you say that you have changed as a wrestler in that time?
I look back at everything having been a step towards my success, and nothing was a failure or a [cause for] remorse for me. I feel like there are a lot of chances for me right now. I will be more internationally noticed and I will bring the legendary wrestling of Japan to the world. I strongly feel like this is the unmistakable fate that God has bestowed upon me. I know I’m the child of the God of pro wrestling.
Ben-K = Son of God
Much of your current presentation is based around rap music. Who are your favourite rappers and what are your favourite rap songs?
Western music is really great, but so is Japanese enka.
So far you have only engaged in a single rap battle in DRAGONGATE, against Natural Vibes leader Kzy, which did not go well for you. Now that you have had more time to practice, are you planning to have a rematch with him at some point?
Much obliged. I am but an amateur, but you’re asking me in earnest. I suppose you’re a journalist that’s thinking favorably [of me]. If you wish, then I’ll battle Kzy in a freestyle [rap battle].
You will be facing Kzy in the ring at Joey Janela’s Spring Break on April 5th, in addition to your former High End faction mates YAMATO and Dragon Kid. How are you feeling ahead of that matchup?
I betrayed HIGH END. But I’m convinced that that was the right decision. And that’s because I’m Ben-K from GOLD CLASS. I feel like what you’re seeing right now is where I should be. But I do respect my former teammates YAMATO and Dragon Kid. I fought alongside some great wrestlers in HIGH END, and I’m responsible for not having a breakthrough [while in the stable], it’s not on the other wrestlers. That’s the unmistakable truth, and how I truly feel.
Supporting you will be fellow Gold Class member Kota Minoura, with whom you are also currently participating in DRAGONGATE’s Rey de Parejas tag team tournament. What are your greatest strengths as a team? What are your greatest weaknesses?
When these questions reached me the results were already in, we were out [of the tournament]. It sucked, but no matter if we lost, all those matches were matches that left the wrestling fans stunned. I don’t have any regrets—on the contrary, I’m very proud of this tag team tournament.
Gold Class changed quite a lot after you joined it. In your opinion, what is the faction’s core identity and how do you play into it?
Thank you. I get asked this a lot, but Japanese fans are posting that, since I’ve joined GOLD CLASS, DRAGONGATE itself has been headed into a great direction, and I feel that that is indeed the case.
Both you and Minoura are members of DRAGONGATE’s Reiwa Generation Leaders (literally “Reiwa New Generation”). What does being a Reiwa Generation Leader mean to you?
You see, for me, the Reiwa Generation Leaders have to be [a group of people] that change the perceptions of the wrestling world and bring dreams and excitement to wrestling fans.
Increasing DRAGONGATE’s international popularity is something you regard as a central goal. What do you see as the best way to accomplish that goal and how does it affect your international matches?
I think that depends. I want to challenge myself in a lot of different areas, be it of course in the ring or in the media or other things. I think it’ll [be about] how much I’ll be able to put my body on the line for this wrestling that I love. I’ll do everything that I can do to carve out [my own path].
Lastly, what are you hoping to accomplish within DRAGONGATE this year?
I really think that DRAGONGATE should go out into the world more. Because even if it’s just one person, I want more people to know about pro wrestling, to know about DRAGONGATE.
As this is the last question I would also like to say, thank you very much for having me. I will definitely make sure that in three years time I will have become an even greater superstar than I am now.
I’m doing my best, so do your best together with me! Thank you! Chiki chiki chiki
Our gratitude to Ben-K (@ben_k_1019) for taking the time to answer our questions. We would also like to thank Ho Ho Lun (@hoholun719) for his help in arranging this interview.
All translation for this interview was handled by Joe (@thefeelite).
Readers who want to know more about Ben-K’s home promotion may also be interested in our Beginner’s Guide, or our interviews with his fellow Reiwa Generation Leaders Shun Skywalker and Strong Machine J.