Tag: NJPW news

Tetsuya Naito reacts to Hiromu Takahashi leaving NJPW

Posted on by Joseph Currier

In an interview with Tokyo Sports, Tetsuya Naito reacted to the news that Hiromu Takahashi is leaving NJPW.

It was confirmed this week that Takahashi will have his final NJPW match at the New Beginning in Osaka on February 11. He becomes the latest former Los Ingobernables de Japon member to depart the promotion, after Naito, BUSHI, and EVIL have already left. What’s next for Takahashi and EVIL remains to be seen as we await their next move.

Naito and BUSHI are now freelancers and hold the GHC Tag Team titles in Pro Wrestling NOAH. In the Tokyo Sports interview, Naito said he did not tell Takahashi what to do during this process.

“[Takahashi] was deeply committed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling. I never imagined him leaving; it’s sad. Well, maybe I felt that way too,” Naito said. “I had heard that other options were emerging for him. That said, I didn’t tell him anything like ‘You should do this.’ Honestly, my feeling is that he took a step forward. I want to support that step he took.”

Takahashi has described his departure as “super positive” and said it did not result from dissatisfaction with NJPW. He is leaving to pursue a “new dream,” though it is not yet known if he’s heading to an overseas destination like WWE or AEW or becoming a freelancer like Naito.

During the Tokyo Sports interview, Naito questioned why so many wrestlers are leaving NJPW and said he fears the pattern will continue unless NJPW investigates why this is happening. He also expressed optimism that the departures could allow the remaining wrestlers to step up and seize an opportunity that they otherwise might not have gotten.

Hiromu Takahashi comments on ‘super positive’ NJPW departure

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Hiromu Takahashi is departing NJPW, but there is no bad blood between him and the company.

It was announced last night that Takahashi is leaving NJPW and will have his final match for the promotion at the New Beginning in Osaka on February 11. Tokyo Sports has published an article on the situation, writing that Takahashi’s NJPW contract expired at the end of January and he informed NJPW that he would not be renewing. The article includes comments from Takahashi, who described his departure as “super positive” and said he’s leaving to pursue a “new dream.”

“I want to deny the idea that I’m leaving because I’m dissatisfied (with New Japan). I think it’s natural for any working adult to have dissatisfaction with their company. That’s precisely why I don’t want people to think I left for such a simple reason.” Takahashi said. “I’m leaving with ambition. It’s a super positive departure.”

Takahashi’s next destination has not been revealed yet. Tokyo Sports speculates that his “new dream” could be heading overseas to WWE or AEW, though the article also mentions the possibility of Takahashi becoming a freelancer like his mentor Tetsuya Naito. Naito, BUSHI, and EVIL — former stablemates of Takahashi in Los Ingobernables de Japon — are all no longer with NJPW. At the moment, Naito & BUSHI are the GHC Tag Team Champions in Pro Wrestling NOAH.

“This departure was not influenced by the comings and goings of wrestlers he was close to, like Naito or EVIL. It was solely the result of Hiromu personally pursuing a new dream as a wrestler,” Tokyo Sports wrote. “Hiromu emphasized that his actions stemmed from deep internal conflict and careful consideration: ‘The age of 36, when Okada-san and Nakamura-san left, was something that really stuck with me. I wondered if 36 was a kind of line (for taking on new challenges).’ He emphasized this action came after much internal struggle and careful consideration.”

Takahashi is among the greatest junior heavyweight wrestlers in NJPW history. In their statement announcing his departure, NJPW wished Takahashi the best in the future and encouraged fans to show their support for him during the time he has left in the company. His last match at the New Beginning in Osaka will be Takahashi teaming with Taiji Ishimori against Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young.

Shingo Takagi to miss NJPW events, return date already set

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Shingo Takagi is set to miss some upcoming NJPW events, but he won’t be out of action long.

NJPW has announced that Takagi is off the remaining shows on the company’s Road to New Beginning tour. He’ll be returning in time for the New Beginning in Osaka, though, where he’s set to team with Drilla Moloney against Great-O-Khan & HENARE.

Takagi’s absence is due to what NJPW claims is a ribcage and torso injury. There was an angle earlier this week where he and his faction members in Unbound Company were beaten down by United Empire. That led to Yota Tsuji finally agreeing to defend his IWGP Heavyweight Championship against United Empire’s Jake Lee at New Beginning in Osaka.

“After damage sustained January 19 and 20 in Korakuen Hall, Shingo Takagi will miss forthcoming cards due to a left ribcage and torso injury,” NJPW announced. “We apologize to fans looking forward to seeing Takagi wrestle, and appreciate your understanding. 

“Takagi is scheduled to return to action February 11 at New Beginning in Osaka. NJPW joins fans in wishing Takagi a full, fast recovery.”

It was recently revealed that Takagi is now a married man, with him getting married to fellow wrestler Natsupoi.

NJPW reveals full card for New Beginning in Osaka

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW has revealed the full card for New Beginning in Osaka, the company’s biggest event since Wrestle Kingdom.

An IWGP Heavyweight Championship match headlines the February 11 show with Yota Tsuji defending against Jake Lee. It’s the first defense for Tsuji after claiming the title from Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom. Lee was set up as his first challenger that night — and Tsuji finally accepted his challenge after Lee and United Empire beat down Tsuji’s Unbound Company faction.

Tsuji is a double champion now, holding both the IWGP Championship and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. He is not defending the latter title at New Beginning in Osaka, but there will be a number one contender’s match between Gabe Kidd and Andrade El Idolo to determine his next challenger.

Among the new additions to the card is a grudge match between David Finlay and Callum Newman, who has bragged about being the only foreigner in NJPW signed to a multi-year contract.

A rematch for the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles is also set after Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Oleg Boltin won the belts from Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson earlier this week.

Edion Arena is hosting the New Beginning event, which will air live on NJPW World. Here is the full lineup:

NJPW New Beginning in Osaka 2026 (Wednesday, February 11) —

  • IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji defends against Jake Lee
  • IWGP Tag Team Champions The Knock Out Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defend against Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura
  • NEVER Openweight Champion Aaron Wolf defends against Ren Narita
  • David Finlay vs. Callum Newman
  • IWGP Global title number one contender’s match: Gabe Kidd vs. Andrade El Idolo
  • NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Oleg Boltin defend against Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson
  • Shingo Takagi & Drilla Moloney vs. Great-O-Khan & HENARE
  • Hiromu Takahashi & Taiji Ishimori vs. Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young

Yota Tsuji’s first IWGP title challenger confirmed

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Jake Lee is officially first in line to challenge Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Championship.

In an angle that took place today, Tsuji finally agreed to defend his IWGP Championship against Lee at New Beginning in Osaka on February 11. The match will be formally announced by NJPW when the full card is revealed in the coming days.

A match between Tsuji and Lee has been building since Wrestle Kingdom 20, when Tsuji was attacked by Lee following his victory over Konosuke Takeshita. Lee returned to NJPW that night when he was unveiled as the newest member of United Empire. Tsuji did not immediately accept Lee’s challenge, instead saying that Lee needed to show why he was worthy of a title shot.

United Empire (Lee, Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, Francesco Akira & Jakob Austin Young) defeated Unbound Company (Tsuji, Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi, Taiji Ishimori & Gedo) in a 10-man tag match at today’s Road to New Beginning event. To get the victory, Lee pinned Takagi while the rest of United Empire held Tsuji back and forced him to watch.

After the match, United Empire beat down Unbound Company as they continued to force Tsuji to look on. The champion then agreed to face Lee at New Beginning in Osaka, saying he could not watch United Empire do this to his friends.

Tsuji holds both the IWGP Championship and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship at the moment. He’s set a clear distinction between the titles, saying the IWGP Championship will be defended in Japan against the best competition NJPW has to offer. The Global title will be defended overseas and in Japan against “invaders” from outside the company.

Edion Arena is hosting the New Beginning in Osaka, with the following matches either official or having been set up:

NJPW New Beginning in Osaka 2026 (Wednesday, February 11) —

  • IWGP Champion Yota Tsuji defends against Jake Lee
  • IWGP Tag Team Champions The Knock Out Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defend against Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura
  • NEVER Openweight Champion Aaron Wolf defends against Ren Narita
  • Global title number one contender’s match: Gabe Kidd vs. Andrade El Idolo (not yet official)

NJPW Young Lion Cup 2026 finals set

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Either Katsuya Murashima or Shoma Kato is set to be crowned the winner of NJPW Young Lion Cup 2026.

The semifinal round of the tournament took place on Tuesday with Murashima and Kato advancing with respective victories over Daiki Nagai and Masatora Yasuda. Submissions ended both matches with Murashima using a Boston crab to defeat Nagai and Kato tapping out Yasuda with a Fujiwara armbar. The finals will now take place at NJPW’s Road to New Beginning event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on February 1.

As the most senior of the Young Lions currently in NJPW’s Dojo, Murashima and Kato received byes to the semifinals. The opening round of the tournament saw Nagai defeat Zane Jay and Yasuda defeat Tatsuya Matsumoto. Jay is taking a step up in his career despite the loss, joining United Empire as its newest member.

Bragging rights are on the line in the finals with rivals Murashima and Kato attempting to show they’re the top Young Lion in the Dojo system. They debuted at the same time in 2023. Murashima is a former amateur wrestler, while Kato has a background in baseball, MMA, and grappling.

Prior to this, the Young Lion Cup had not taken place since 2019. It was won by Karl Fredericks that year with Yota Tsuji, Shota Umino, and Ren Narita among the others competing.

The February 1 Road to New Beginning event will air live on NJPW World starting at 4:30 a.m. Eastern time/1:30 a.m. Pacific.

IWGP Tag Team title match official for NJPW New Beginning in Osaka

Posted on by Joseph Currier

IWGP Tag Team Champions OSKAR & Yuto-Ice now know the identity of their next title challengers.

A number one contender’s match took place on Monday with Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura prevailing over Tomohiro Ishii & Taichi. With their victory, it’s now confirmed that Umino & Uemura will challenge The Knock Out Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) for the IWGP Tag Team titles at the New Beginning in Osaka on February 11.

Umino & Uemura’s match against Ishii & Taichi headlined NJPW’s Road to New Beginning event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo today. A lariat and Second Chapter finisher from Umino put Ishii away as Uemura stopped Taichi from breaking up the pin.

Following the match, Umino & Uemura got on the microphone and praised Ishii & Taichi before then turning their attention to the champions. Umino & Uemura said they’re frustrated about losing to The Knock Out Brothers in the past — and the only way they can get over that pain is to claim the titles this time.

The Knock Out Brothers were one of pro wrestling’s top tag teams of 2025. WWE was interested in signing them at the start of the year and there were rumors the two could be on their way out of NJPW, but OSKAR & Yuto-Ice have declared that they are not going anywhere.

Edion Arena in Osaka is hosting the February 11 event, which will air live on NJPW World. Only two matches are official at the moment, but the full card is set to be announced imminently.

NJPW New Beginning in Osaka 2026 (Wednesday, February 11) —

  • IWGP Tag Team Champions The Knock Out Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defend against Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura
  • NEVER Openweight Champion Aaron Wolf defends against Ren Narita

Title change takes place at NJPW Road to New Beginning

Posted on by Joseph Currier

TMDK’s reign with the NEVER Openweight Tag Team titles has already come to an end.

At Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Monday, Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Oleg Boltin defeated Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson to claim the NEVER Six-Man belts. It was Goto who got the victory for his team 18 minutes into the match, pinning Oiwa after hitting a GTR. Sabre attempted to break up the pin but was held back by YOSHI-HASHI, while Boltin neutralized Jackson and kept him from getting involved.

Sabre, Oiwa & Jackson were making their first title defense here after having won the belts in a rando at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4. The last team they eliminated to win that match was Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Boltin.

It looks like a rematch could be happening at some point. After the title change today, the two teams went face-to-face and the commentary team speculated that the issues between them are not over. There are also a couple of potential singles bouts that have been set up. In his backstage comments, Oiwa mentioned wanting to face Goto. YOSHI-HASHI also said that he would like to face Sabre, aiming to get payback after Sabre defeated him in last year’s edition of the G1 Climax.

Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Boltin all have history with the NEVER Six-Man belts, but this is their first time holding them as a trio. Goto & YOSHI-HASHI had previous reigns with Tomohiro Ishii and YOH as partners. Boltin has twice held the titles with Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toru Yano.

NJPW World reveals five most-viewed matches of 2025

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW World has revealed the five most-viewed matches that aired on the streaming service in 2025.

Based on view count from January 1-December 31, 2025, Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd from Wrestle Dynasty was the most-watched match. It took place on January 5 of last year and was Omega’s first time wrestling in Japan since 2023.

Here is the full top five:

  1. Kenny Omega vs. Gabe Kidd from Wrestle Dynasty (January 5, 2025)
  2. IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Hirooki Goto from New Beginning in Osaka (February 11, 2025)
  3. IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match: Zack Sabre Jr. vs. Ricochet from Wrestle Dynasty (January 5, 2025)
  4. IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match: Yota Tsuji vs. Gabe Kidd from New Beginning in Osaka (February 11, 2025)
  5. Dog Pound cage match: David Finlay, Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney, Taiji Ishimori & Gabe Kidd vs. EVIL, Ren Narita, SANADA, SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru from Wrestling Dontaku (May 3, 2025)

The Sabre vs. Goto match from New Beginning in Osaka saw Goto finally become IWGP Champion for the first time in his NJPW career, which has spanned more than two decades. Goto was champion for 138 days before dropping the belt back to Sabre.

Tsuji now holds both the IWGP Championship and Global Heavyweight Championship after defeating Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4. That show was headlined by Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match against Kazuchika Okada, which seems likely to top the 2026 version of this list.

NJPW adds four names to New Beginning USA

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW has announced a few more names who will be making the trip over for New Beginning USA 2026.

On February 27, NJPW comes to CURE Insurance Arena in Trenton, New Jersey for the New Beginning event. It was announced today that Syuri, Tomohiro Ishii, Oleg Boltin, and El Desperado will be among the talent competing. Their matches have not been announced yet.

Syuri enters the show as a double champion following her victory over Saya Kamitani at Wrestle Kingdom 20. She retained the IWGP Women’s Championship in the match and now also holds the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship.

Ishii is the men’s NJPW Strong Openweight Champion, having won the title from Gabe Kidd in April 2025. His only defense so far has been a victory over Drilla Moloney.

This appearance will be Boltin’s first time wrestling in the United States. An amateur wrestler from Kazakhstan, he made his in-ring debut for NJPW in 2023.

So far, the New Beginning card has one confirmed match: El Phantasmo vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the NJPW World Television Championship. It’s also been announced that Yota Tsuji — the IWGP Heavyweight Champion and Global Heavyweight Champion — will be in action.

Two title matches official for NJPW New Beginning in Osaka

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Coming out of Wrestle Kingdom 20, the first two matches are now official for NJPW’s next major event.

The New Beginning in Osaka is set to be held at Edion Arena on February 11. We now have our first two match announcements for the show, with NJPW confirming that the IWGP Tag Team titles and NEVER Openweight Championship will be on the line.

NJPW New Beginning in Osaka 2026 (Wednesday, February 11) —

  • IWGP Tag Team Champions The Knock Out Brothers (OSKAR & Yuto-Ice) defend against either Shota Umino & Yuya Uemura or Tomohiro Ishii & Taichi
  • NEVER Openweight Champion Aaron Wolf defends against Ren Narita

The challengers for OSKAR & Yuto-Ice will be finalized when Umino & Uemura face off against Ishii & Taichi in a number one contender’s match at a Road to New Beginning event on January 19. Both of those teams confronted OSKAR & Yuto-Ice at New Year Dash looking to get a shot at the titles.

WWE is rumored to have been interested in signing OSKAR & Yuto-Ice when their NJPW contracts are up — but the two declared that they aren’t going anywhere after retaining against Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa at New Year Dash.

Wolf, an Olympic gold medalist in judo, won the NEVER Openweight Championship in his pro wrestling debut by defeating EVIL at Wrestle Kingdom 20. Narita is now looking to bring the title back to House of Torture,

Before the Osaka event, there will be a few title bouts happening on the Road to New Beginning tour as well:

Monday, January 19:

  • NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champions Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson defend against Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Oleg Boltin

Tuesday, January 20:

  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion DOUKI defends against El Desperado
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita defend against SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru

NJPW Young Lion Cup tournament returning

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Six up-and-coming NJPW wrestlers are set to battle it out for Young Lion supremacy.

NJPW has announced that the Young Lion Cup — which was last held in 2019 — is returning on the upcoming Road to The New Beginning tour. It’s a single-elimination tournament that will be held over three shows. The winner earns bragging rights as the top Young Lion in NJPW.

Katsuya Murashima, Shoma Kato, Daiki Nagai, Zane Jay, Masatora Yasuda, and Tatsuya Matsumoto are the six participants in the tournament. Due to being the most senior of the Young Lions, Murashima and Kato have received first-round byes.

Here is the full schedule:

NJPW Young Lion Cup 2026 —

Monday, January 19:

  • First-round match: Daiki Nagai vs. Zane Jay
  • First-round match: Masatora Yasuda vs. Tatsuya Matsumoto

Tuesday, January 20:

  • Semifinals: Katsuya Murashima vs. either Daiki Nagai or Zane Jay
  • Semifinals: Shoma Kato vs. either Masatora Yasuda or Tatsuya Matsumoto

Sunday: February 1:

  • Finals: TBD vs. TBD

All three of these Road to The New Beginning events are being held in Tokyo at Korakuen Hall.

Karl Fredericks, who went on to compete for WWE NXT as Eddy Thorpe, was the winner of the 2019 Young Lion Cup. Other participants included Yota Tsuji, Shota Umino, and Ren Narita.

NJPW rookie Aaron Wolf pays homage to Kurt Angle with move name

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW newcomer Aaron Wolf is paying homage to fellow Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle with one of his wrestling moves.

Wolf, a decorated judo champion, made his pro wrestling debut at Wrestle Kingdom 20 and used a triangle choke to defeat EVIL for the NEVER Openweight Championship. Wolf also performed an Olympic Slam during the match — and the move is set to be a regular part of Wolf’s arsenal. He is asking for the move to be called the Angle Slam as a nod to Kurt Angle and the Olympic heritage they share.

“Aaron Wolf wants his Olympic Slam referred to as the Angle Slam, in reverence to fellow Olympic gold medalist and former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle,” NJPW English-language commentator Walker Stewart tweeted. “That’s badass!”

The move has been called both the Olympic Slam and Angle Slam in the past.

Along with his Olympic and WWE success, Angle did work some NJPW matches in the late 2000s and held a version of the IWGP Championship, though his reign is not officially recognized by NJPW. The 57-year-old Angle is currently a broadcaster and partner in Real American Freestyle.

NJPW is hoping that Wolf will become a significant star as the company enters a new era following the retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi. At New Year Dash, Wolf teamed with Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato in a victory over EVIL, Ren Narita, Don Fale & Dick Togo.

Wolf’s first NEVER title defense will take place at the New Beginning in Osaka on February 11 with him putting the championship on the line against Narita.

NJPW clarifies status of IWGP Championship

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW has officially clarified the status of its top title and explained how the lineage of the championship will be handled.

At Wrestle Kingdom 20, Yota Tsuji defeated Konosuke Takeshita to become a double champion — winning the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and retaining the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. Tsuji then followed through on his promise to bring back the old fourth-generation design of the IWGP Championship that had been retired in 2021 when the belt was unified with the Intercontinental title.

The fan-favorite classic belt design will be sticking around with NJPW officially bringing back the IWGP Championship to replace the newer World Heavyweight title belt. The IWGP Championship and IWGP World Heavyweight Championship lineages have been merged with Tsuji recognized as the 87th champion.

“Now that the (world and heavyweight) lineages are connected, I expect you to lead NJPW into a new world with the title,” NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi said to Tsuji at a press conference.

The Intercontinental title remains retired with double champion Tsuji holding the IWGP Championship and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. Tsuji announced that his two titles will be defended separately and will have different purposes. The IWGP Championship will be defended in Japan against the best that NJPW has to offer. As for the Global title, it will be defended internationally or in Japan against “invaders” from other promotions.

Jake Lee has stepped up as the first challenger for Tsuji’s IWGP Championship, though Tsuji said at the press conference that he is not accepting Lee’s challenge just yet.

“He needs to convince me and the people of why he joined United Empire and why he deserves the chance,” Tsuji said.

Gabe Kidd and Andrade El Idolo have put themselves in Global title contention with the two likely set for a number one contender’s match at the New Beginning.

Following his victory at Wrestle Kingdom, Tsuji announced the formation of a new faction at New Year Dash. The faction is named “Unbound Company” and includes Tsuji, Hiromu Takahashi, Shingo Takagi, and the members of Bullet Club War Dogs.

Will Ospreay gives injury update during surprise NJPW appearance

Posted on by Joseph Currier

AEW star Will Ospreay gave an update on his injury status while making a surprise appearance at NJPW New Year Dash 2026.

The 32-year-old Ospreay has been sidelined since August 2025 due to a neck injury. He’s undergone surgery and is working toward a return. Though it will be a while before that can happen, Ospreay is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel and is looking forward to returning to both AEW and NJPW when he can.

“I can’t come back right now. I still need to recover. It’s going to take me a long time, but I’m getting closer and closer. I’m getting better and better — and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said at New Year Dash. “When I’m good to go, I’m going to handle some business in AEW. I’m going to come back to New Japan Pro Wrestling.”

Ospreay was part of an angle with his former United Empire stablemates at the New Year Dash event. He offered to help support Callum Newman and help get United Empire on the right track. Newman didn’t seem to have much interest in Ospreay’s offer. He initially hugged Ospreay but then went to hit him with a chair before the rest of United Empire intervened.

Speaking backstage after the angle, Ospreay called AEW his home base but said he would like to occasionally wrestle for NJPW as well.

“That’s my main stage, where I fight every week,” Ospreay said about AEW. “But I want to come back. Whether it’s two shows a year, three, or five. I’m determined to make it happen.”

Along with this New Year Dash appearance, Ospreay was in Japan for Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony at Wrestle Kingdom 20.