Shota Umino Feels That AEW Looks Down Upon The IWGP And It Needs To Change

By: Lewis Carlan

On June 28th, All Elite Wrestling/New Japan Pro-Wrestling/CMLL/STARDOM will collaborate to present the annual Forbidden Door event in San Jose, California.

At the event, the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Shota Umino is set to defend his title against AEW star PAC.

Photo Credit: NJPW

Recently, the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji hinted at a boycott of Forbidden Door and Umino understands Tsuji’s stance.

Umino feels that AEW has looked down upon the IWGP and that this needs to change. While speaking with Tokyo Sports, Umino explained his feelings toward AEW and why he feels he must compete at the Forbidden Door event.

From Shota Umino:

“I understand how he feels, so I want him to stick to his principles. The concept behind a championship belt is important. Looking at how the IWGP title has been treated in AEW up until now, I think it’s been looked down upon. Maybe it’s time to correct that course. I think the concept of the IWGP Championship has always been that, as champion, you accept challenges from anyone. But now that there are multiple championships carrying the IWGP name, I believe that accepting challenges from anyone overseas is my job as the GLOBAL Champion, a title meant to transcend borders. There’s always the risk of the belt leaving the company if I lose, but including that responsibility, I want to prove to the world that NJPW and the IWGP GLOBAL Championship are the very best. I believe a championship’s reason for existing and its value increase only when its unique characteristics are allowed to shine.”

Umino won the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship on June 14th at NJPW DOMINION. He proved that he will be a fighting champion by accepting PAC’s challenge to defend the title only fourteen days after winning it.

Shota Umino is out to show Tony Khan and AEW that the IWGP is not to be snubbed in any way, shape or form. For this reason, a victory over PAC at Forbidden Door on June 28th is crucial for Umino, NJPW and the IWGP.

(H/T goes to meraWRESTLING for all English quote translations)