This is the first part of the new journalism interview series Talking New Japan With The Townsend Duo, where journalist Walter Yeates interviews Jonathan and Raleigh Townsend.
A few weeks after publishing a report concerning New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) giving Raleigh Towsend a special moment during the New Japan of America (NJoA) The New Beginning USA tour on January 27th in Raleigh, North Carolina — I was able to speak to 13-year-old Raleigh and his father Jonathan (who also attended the show).
Karami Bryant of The Wrestling Scope informed me of Raleigh’s interaction with Colt Cabana, Toru Yano, and Hiroshi Tanahashi shortly after the event, which led me to reach out to Jonathan to learn more about his and Raleigh’s journey to the event in Raleigh, North Carolina and to learn more about autoimmune encephalitis a condition that nearly took Raleigh’s life. He suffered brain swelling and a 16-hour seizure on September 8, 2019, the day before his parents’ anniversary. Yet, Raleigh has made a full recovery and has returned to physical activity — including professional wrestling training, more on that later.
Talking New Japan With The Townsend Duo Part 1
After settling on an interview time with Jonathan, I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but I quickly learned Jonathan and Raleigh both loved professional wrestling, especially NJPW. “We both just think it’s better than the WWE [World Wrestling Entertainment]…” Raleigh said when I asked why he and Jonathan were interested in NJPW, “We like the strong style aspect of it, less drama…” he continued, explaining why both would drive from Michigan to North Carolina to see the promotion live, in what was a Super Sell Out No Vacancy Durham Armory.
Their passion for the product led me to ask if they first saw New Japan on the New Japan World streaming service, “Actually through AXS TV,” Jonathan quickly answered before explaining Raleigh’s disappointment with the network breaking its contract with NJPW. “I’ve been into New Japan since the 80s and 90s,” Jonathan clarified how he began his interest in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Jonathan and I spent several minutes speaking about late 1980s and early 1990s NJPW, quite refershing for me as I don’t commonly have the opportunity to have those conversations. Jonathan also shared that Japanese exchange students from his high school would send him New Japan content.
We also briefly spoke about AXS TV’s former coverage of NJPW, Jonathan explained that the internet reception in their area isn’t what it should be — making it difficult to live stream anything. Therefore, he and Raleigh didn’t mind the delay that came with most of AXS TV’s coverage of NJPW.
“No. I’m so happy about it. It’s great and wonderful that my buddy here Raleigh is also into it.” Jonathan said when I asked if he ever thought he would see NJPW in the United States of America. He would go on to say that he and Raleigh practice Judo, and appreciates NJPW for how the product is treated like a sport — with respect still being an aspect of the competition. It brought back memories when he referenced the Jyushin Liger and Minoru Suzuki singles match from 2019, as an example of the respect shown after tough competition inside NJPW.
“We’d love it if they came to Michigan,” Jonathan said when asked about New Japan using a touring schedule through their NJoA subsidiary. “Going to New York would be a little bit of a stretch for us,” he continued responding to the portion of my question concerning Wrestle Dynasty, and the special ‘fly-in’ featured events the promotion will still hold within the United States. Jonathan’s dad lives in Virginia, making their journey to Raleigh, North Carolina a bit easier.
Not wanting to forget about Raleigh, I made sure to ask him what got him interested in NJPW, “…I saw Kazuchika Okada wrestle on a special episode,” he said when referencing a Ring Of Honor (ROH) event he watched in the past. Raliegh went on to explain how excited he was when he saw an AXS TV interview for NJPW that featured Okada when he was nine. The featured match that got Raleigh hooked was Okada against Hiroshi Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom (believed to be the famous Wrestle Kingdom 8 match that Blackish may have also referenced in recent weeks).
“Yesss!” The Townsend duo said in unison when asked if the sports presentation of NJPW drew them in over some of the more soap opera presentations of many promotions based in the United States. “All the people we know who like wrestling, love the New Japan style,” Raleigh said while explaining some don’t bother to get New Japan World, and can no longer access programming through AXS TV.
Jonathan added that local wrestlers were impressed with Raleigh having been inside of a New Japan ring. “Hugging Tanahashi was possible the coolest thing I’ve ever done.” Raleigh quickly interjected with enthusiasm in the middle of his father’s story. “From the local wrestlers in Michigan Raleigh gets mad respect for his ties to New Japan.” Jonathan continued with a laugh in his voice.
Part two of the series will look at Raleigh meeting Colt Cabana, Toru Yano, and Hiroshi Tanahahsi inside a NJPW ring, hearing from Katsuyori Shibata, and more.
