Shane Haste Says He Hates OZAWA, Plans to Show Him His Evil Side at NOAH’s SUMMER EPIC 2026

By: Ian McCord

On July 18th, Shane Haste will face his biggest test since becoming GHC Heavyweight Champion when he takes on OZAWA at NOAH’s SUMMER EPIC 2026 in Osaka.

For the past few weeks, OZAWA has been a thorn in the side of Haste, mistranslating the champion’s words any chance he gets. With their preview tag matches in the rear view, the only thing left to do is for the two to battle it out for NOAH’s top prize.

In an interview with Pro Wrestling NOAH, Haste was asked about the possibility of TEAM 2000X getting involved in his match with OZAWA. The champion responded saying he knows what OZAWA has done in the past, and that he plans to show his challenger his evil side. Haste also mentioned that in his past two defenses of the GHC Heavyweight Championship, he liked his opponents, but can’t say the same for OZAWA, claiming that he hates his next challenger.

Image Credit: Pro Wrestling NOAH

From Shane Haste:

“Yeah, I really think that’s going to happen. I mean, I’ve liked my past opponents as people, but I hate OZAWA. I know what he’s done to the people I care about. I’m generally friendly to everyone, but I know I have an evil side and a quirky side to me, so I might end up showing a side of myself I’ve never shown before to take him down.”

Haste continued, saying he feels that OZAWA is very full of himself, and that he plans to teach him a lesson in Osaka.

From Shane Haste:

“Yeah. When I listen to him on the mic, he talks with this air of ‘Everyone must love me,’ like he’s pretty full of himself. But he didn’t get as many cheers as he expected. He’s not as popular as he claims, and maybe people don’t actually like him? So, in many ways, I’m going to teach him a lesson about reality. I’ll show him that he’s not as great as he thinks he is… So to speak, I want to tear off his mask.”

Also in the interview, Haste was asked his thoughts on the No. 1 contender’s match between Tetsuya Naito and Kaito Kiyomiya, stating that he hopes Kiyomiya walks away with the victory.

Image Credit: Pro Wrestling NOAH

From Shane Haste:

“Kaito Kiyomiya, of course. I absolutely want Kaito to win this one—I want to face him in a GHC Heavyweight title match. I don’t want to accept Naito’s challenge. After all, I beat him at New Japan’s G1 CLIMAX, but he wouldn’t let me challenge for the IWGP Heavyweight title. I’ve known Kaito since he was a new recruit, and it would be awesome to see just how much he’s grown through a title match.”

It was noted that if Haste defeats OZAWA and Kiyomiya he will have defeated three of NOAH’s top talents: Yoshiki Inamura, Kaito Kiyomiya, and OZAWA. Haste acknowledged that fact before switching his attention back to OZAWA, saying it’s not good to get too ahead of yourself.

From Shane Haste:

“That would prove I’m the true top star in NOAH, which would be amazing. But it’s not good to think too far ahead. Right now, I’m focused on OZAWA. I know full well that OZAWA is an opponent I absolutely can’t take lightly. He might act lazy or play pachislot machines to cover his bases in case he loses, but I plan to win in a way that leaves him with absolutely no excuses. I’m going to make him cry right there in the ring.”

(Quotes courtesy of Pro Wrestling NOAH, English Translation via DeepL)

Shane Haste will get the chance to make OZAWA cry in the ring when the two battle for the GHC Heavyweight Championship at NOAH SUMMER EPIC 2026 at INTEX Osaka Hall 5 in Osaka on July 18th. The event will be streaming live on Wrestle UNIVERSE streaming service.