Konosuke Takeshita And Yota Tsuji Exchange Comments At NJPW WRESTLE KINGDOM 20 Press Conference

By: Lewis Carlan

On Jan. 4, 2026, New Japan Pro-Wrestling will hold the 20th edition of its annual event WRESTLE KINGDOM at the Tokyo Dome.

One of the featured bouts will see the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita battling the IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji in a massive double title match.

A press conference was held today to promote WRESTLE KINGDOM 20. The  two champions came face to face as they discussed their upcoming match.

Takeshita and Tsuji engaged in a verbal exchange during the press conference which the NJPW Global X account graciously translated to English.

Here is the exchange between both champions:

From Yota Tsuji:

“I have something I have to do. I need to restore the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. I don’t think fans have a good impression of double title matches. But to get the IWGP Heavyweight back, I needed to have this Global title, and now I need to have this double title match. Now I have it, I plan to create a new golden era for NJPW.”

From Konosuke Takeshita:

“It’s special to be an IWGP Champion in the Tokyo Dome, so let me be real here. As I became a fan, it was right as Antonio Inoki was retiring. For a time, TV, news, the papers, pro-wrestling was everywhere. To have seen wrestlers be in that building, and now to be a champion and wrestle there, is no greater honour.  I wrestle in America, but I believe that in terms of heart, skill, pride and spirit, there is nothing to beat Japanese wrestling.  The wrestlers, the staff and the fans being here to support this sport is why we are here today. So that’s why I need to express this to parents, children, staff, media, worldwide. I want people to be proud to say that ‘I was there’ to see this match. And Tsuji, you need to have this match to show a bright future for NJPW right? So we will bring pro-wrestling to a new level together, and then I will win, and I will show the world just who is at the very pinnacle of it.”

Photo Credit: NJPW

From Yota Tsuji:

“I really don’t think there is anybody that can top Takeshita as a wrestler with his experience, athletic ability and mind. So beating him will make the wrestling world even more exciting. To bounce off what he said, maybe in business terms, America is on a bigger stage, but in the ring, nothing can beat NJPW.”

From Konosuke Takeshita:

“If I beat him, I get two belts. I am triple contracted, and that’s a tough schedule, but with two belts, I have double the title defences, and I come and wrestle in Japan more. I will defend both titles separately and would have no plans to unify them.”

From Yota Tsuji:

“What I want is not a unification. I want to split the world title. I want the IWGP Heavyweight title back. How does that affect the other belts? That isn’t for me to say right now. I am the Global champion, not the world champion. So all I’ll say right now is I win and I want the IWGP Heavyweight title back.”

Photo Credit: NJPW

From Konosuke Takeshita:

“As someone who wrestles a lot in America, let me say this. Sometimes in America, you can have the top title defended in the first match of the card. If that’s how the fans are more drawn in and how it best affects the entire event then so be it. At the Tokyo Dome, there is a very important match with Hiroshi Tanahashi as well. So where this match is on the card really doesn’t matter to me and I don’t think it will to Tsuji. What matters is that this is the best ever event in NJPW history, and the best send off to Tanahashi.”

From Yota Tsuji:

“I think the top title should be in the main event, because the top title is what every wrestler aspires to. But recently in NJPW, the IWGP isn’t necessarily in the main event. I have no control over that right now, so I will just focus on my own performance. As for Takeshita not being in Japan all the time, I think that is something fans feel a certain sadness toward. But I don’t think that’s all bad. Freshness is important. You see Yuto-Ice and OSKAR, they bring a freshness and impact wrestling hasn’t seen for a long time. Someone doing something different is important. I know Takeshita has said he wouldn’t turn down NJPW bookings. But I wonder, if all this is the case, and you put your life on the line to win that title, then what is it you actually want to do? I feel slightly let down by what you’re saying here. But I do plan on January 4 to have a match that proves NJPW is the best in the world.”

Photo Credit: NJPW