Interviewer: Your title match against Ryohei Oiwa at Ryogoku on October 12 was an absolute war.
Yota Tsuji: I definitely felt Oiwa’s momentum. Right after the bell rang, the “Oiwa” chants were pretty loud, weren’t they? Even at that point, I was grinning on the inside. It was the exact atmosphere I had been looking for, so I thought to myself, “Now this is good.”
In the actual match, I controlled the pace early on by targeting his lower back, but Oiwa refused to be outdone in that situation and gradually brought out his own strengths. In the end, he had me cornered with that “Big Rock” theme of his. Just as I had forgotten about the Big Rock, he came flying at me with THE GRIP. I feel like I was able to absorb and take everything of the pro wrestling he wanted to embody right now.
Interviewer: The crowd was completely electric, too.
Yota Tsuji: I felt a heat similar to around 2018 when I debuted. Once the pandemic hit, that heat disappeared for a time, but starting with this year’s G1, Kobe was a super no-vacancy sellout, and this autumn Ryogoku show drew our largest post-pandemic attendance. New Japan Pro-Wrestling is building real momentum, and I can physically feel the heat from those days coming back.
Interviewer: Once again, your Fire Blaster counter was razor-sharp.
Yota Tsuji: Reversing his headlock into THE GRIP by spinning along with him and countering right into the Fire Blaster—even I have to admit, that was pure genius (laughs). Ever since I acquired the Fire Blaster back in June, my options have expanded dramatically, and the breadth of my matches has widened. Since the G1, I’ve also been conscious of how to fight as a champion, and I’m actively changing up my style from within. I really feel like that is steadily bearing fruit.
Also, I mentioned this on the mic after the match, but while we were fighting, for some reason I found myself picturing the scene of Oiwa wearing the championship belt around his waist.
Interviewer: Before the match, you said you couldn’t picture him like that at all.
Yota Tsuji: I couldn’t, yet through the course of the match, I unconsciously envisioned him that way. That’s why those words came out afterward. Honestly, I think anyone who watched that match felt that even though Oiwa fell short in the result, “This isn’t the end for him,” and walked away with a sense of anticipation. Even in defeat, he didn’t lower expectations for himself one bit.
What’s more, even people who might want to complain about my victory this time… well, I don’t think there actually is anyone complaining. If I may say so myself, it made me realize all over again that the match was completed as a single work of art. The G1 final between Oiwa and (Yuya) Uemura was like that too, and I think my match with Oiwa this time was also one of those artistic masterpieces. It’s not a question of which one was better or who was more impressive; both matches had their own distinct merits and greatness.
Interviewer: The battles of the current generation are truly taking shape.
Yota Tsuji: They really are. For a while there, stars kept leaving one after another, and there was a period where people were saying, “New Japan is finished.” However, each of us is firmly holding onto our own individuality and steadily proving that “New Japan Pro-Wrestling is right here.” I believe this is going to lead directly into the golden age I envision. We can’t let it end at “New Japan is doing fine.” I said earlier that the heat from back then has returned, but we have to create something that surpasses it.
Interviewer: Well then, at that same Ryogoku show, you were ambushed by Kenny Omega, and a non-title 3-way match including Oleg Boltin has been set for Hiroshima on November 3.
Yota Tsuji: At the very end of Ryogoku, Kenny stole the spotlight, didn’t he?
Interviewer: Just as you were about to close out the show, Kenny appeared on the video screen to issue a challenge. Even before that, you had been saying you wouldn’t accept a challenge made purely via video message.
Yota Tsuji: Even after winning the belt from KONOSUKE TAKESHITA at the January 4 Tokyo Dome show, I made it clear that “I will only accept challenges from those who are qualified,” and I think this was another case of that. As I’ve always said, the IWGP Heavyweight Championship is a belt that everyone aspires to hold. The belt I possess right now is not something you can challenge for just by sending in a video letter. Also, everyone seems to misunderstand and think I boycotted AEW, but I didn’t boycott them (wry smile).
Interviewer: In Kenny’s message, didn’t he imply that you didn’t come to America because you hated the idea of participating in Forbidden Door?
Yota Tsuji: All I did was hint at a boycott, saying, “If they’re going to treat the IWGP lightly, I won’t do it.”
Interviewer: Meaning you wanted to avoid a situation where the IWGP Heavyweight title is booked in the first half of the card?
Yota Tsuji: To begin with, I didn’t even have a match on the card (at Forbidden Door). Well, I suppose the word “boycott” just carried a lot of impact. Still, the fact that it actually led to this current situation is, from my perspective, “Mission accomplished.” After all, it shows he cares about New Japan, doesn’t it?
Interviewer: Deep down, you mean?
Yota Tsuji: Kenny wants to be involved with New Japan too, right? From my point of view, it’s like, “Well then, come to Japan.”
Interviewer: Just when you thought it was only a video message… the first person to come out afterward was actually Oleg Boltin.
Yota Tsuji: That’s right. Honestly, I lost to Boltin in the G1, so I think he has every right to challenge me. However, a 3-way match has already been decided for this show. From Boltin’s perspective, he might be thinking, “What the hell…” across the board, though Boltin is probably the type of guy to think, “Well, if it’s a 3-way, I just have to win it there, right?” I really like that kind of Boltin. And of course, depending on the result… I have my own thoughts on what comes next.
Interviewer: Kenny, who proposed the 3-way match, also stated that he wants to challenge for the title if he wins it himself.
Yota Tsuji: I said this back when it happened with Jake Lee too, but when I returned from my excursion, I attacked SANADA and earned a title shot right away. The champion doesn’t hold all the authority, yet at the end of the day, I think a lot of it does come down to the champion’s discretion. Back then, I was in the position of being granted a challenge, whereas this time around, I simply cannot accept it.
Interviewer: You won’t allow a title match to be decided easily without a proper reason.
Yota Tsuji: Yes. I genuinely believe the IWGP Heavyweight Championship is the highest peak in the world, and that’s precisely why I don’t want title matches decided so lightly.
Interviewer: We don’t know how the Tokyo Dome card will shape up yet, but November 3 in Hiroshima already has the strong feel of an “NJPW vs. AEW All-Out War.”
Yota Tsuji: Well, it is ironic, though. Up until now, AEW has used New Japan however it pleased, and we weren’t utilizing AEW effectively in return. Once I became champion, I kept saying, “I won’t be used so easily,” and the moment I did, people from AEW started coming over here one after another.
Interviewer: Regarding AEW, Yuto-Ice has also been stirring up an interpromotional war and trading barbs with Will Ospreay. Quite a few roster members will be coming over for Hiroshima as well.
Yota Tsuji: It’s not just me—there is an atmosphere across all of New Japan right now that “we cannot let AEW use us at their convenience,” so I think this current momentum is a very good thing. What Kenny calls “fifty-fifty” is the exact equal relationship I’m aiming for, too. At the same time, it’s also a massive boomerang.
Interviewer: Thinking back on your past statements…
Yota Tsuji: I kept saying, “If this unequal relationship continues, wouldn’t it be better to sever ties altogether?” Now it’s turning into a full-scale confrontation with AEW, and fans are coming to the arenas to see it. Because of that, a massive boomerang is flying right back at me. Still, I think even that is fine. Making those remarks has actually started to form an equal relationship in practice. I feel like, whether it’s a massive boomerang or not, let’s give them an all-out war with AEW! That said, in the Hiroshima 3-way, I’m going out there to take down Kenny.
Interviewer: Your target is Kenny.
Yota Tsuji: Naturally, Boltin is in the match too, so if Boltin pins me there, I won’t have a leg to stand on. Well, I can’t complain if Kenny beats me either, though I think Kenny probably knew from the very beginning that the title wouldn’t be put on the line right away. I figure that’s precisely why his attitude is, “I’ll prove it to you.”
Interviewer: Have you ever faced Kenny before?
Yota Tsuji: Never. I debuted in 2018, served as Tanahashi-san’s attendant, and at the January 4 Tokyo Dome show the following year, Tanahashi-san fought Kenny, Tanahashi-san won, and Kenny left. From my perspective back then, he was someone high above the clouds. However, over these past eight years, I have steadily built up my strength, and now I am wearing the exact same belt he once held. He may have been above the clouds back then, but as things stand right now, I am above him. Because I am the champion.
Translation Notes:
- Kakugo wa Ii ka! (覚悟はいいか！): Literally “Are You Ready?!” or “Are You Prepared?!” Yota Tsuji’s signature catchphrase and the title of his bi-weekly Weekly Pro Wrestling column.
- Big Rock (ビッグロック) & THE GRIP: “Big Rock” is a literal English pun on Ryohei Oiwa’s surname (Oiwa [大岩], meaning “large rock” or “boulder”), which Tsuji uses to refer to Oiwa’s powerhouse identity. THE GRIP is Oiwa’s signature rolling lariat finisher, which he developed during his excursion in Pro Wrestling NOAH.
- Fire Blaster (ファイアーブラスター): While Tsuji’s standard spear is the Gene Blaster, the Fire Blaster refers to his specialized variation/counter maneuver that he unveiled in June, which he used here to spin out of Oiwa’s headlock setup for THE GRIP.
- Super No-Vacancy (超満員 – Chō-man’in): Traditional puroresu box-office terminology indicating a complete, capacity sellout crowd.
- Triumphant Return (凱旋帰国 – Gaisen Kikoku): The standard NJPW term for a Young Lion returning to Japan after completing their overseas learning excursion, at which point they debut their full adult persona (as Tsuji did when attacking SANADA in May 2023).
- Massive Boomerang (特大のブーメラン – Tokudai no Būmeran): Japanese internet and wrestling slang for when a bold criticism you throw out comes curving right back to hit you. Tsuji jokes that his constant complaints about AEW’s unequal booking with NJPW ended up drawing major AEW stars directly to Japan to target him, forcing him to back up his talk.
- Attendant / Young Boy (付き人 – Tsukibito): In traditional Japanese wrestling dojo culture, a rookie is assigned to a senior veteran to carry their bags, manage their schedule, and learn professional etiquette. Tsuji served as Hiroshi Tanahashi’s tsukibito prior to his excursion, giving him a ringside view of the famous Tanahashi vs. Kenny Omega main event at Wrestle Kingdom 13 (January 4, 2019).
- Someone Above the Clouds (雲の上の人 – Kumo no ue no hito): A classic Japanese idiom referring to an untouchable, godlike figure of vastly higher status—used here to contrast how rookie Tsuji viewed Kenny Omega in 2019 versus how champion Tsuji views him in 2026.