Photo Credit: New Japan Pro Wrestling
By: Ian McCord
On August 9th, Tetsuya Naito made headlines when he won the GHC Heavyweight Championship at NOAH’s LEGACY RISE 2026 at Korakuen Hall. Days later, after advancing into the semifinals of NJPW’s G1 Climax 36, IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji had some things to say about his former stablemate’s recent championship win.
Following his win over Jake Lee on August 12th in Hamamatsu, Yota Tsuji commented on Naito’s latest achievement in winning Pro Wrestling NOAH’s top prize to Tokyo Sports. Tsuji declared that seeing Naito win another major championship has given him more respect for his former LIJ brethren.
From Yota Tsuji:
“I’d like to offer my heartfelt congratulations on becoming champion. He’s someone I once looked up to, and a comrade I fought alongside. A wrestler is someone who gets back up after being knocked down, and seeing him do just that made me realize once again that he truly embodies what it means to be a professional wrestler—I have even greater respect for him now.”
Tsuji then commented on NOAH and NJPW both holding events at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in October following their respective N-1 VICTORY and G1 Climax tournaments. He stated that with Naito set to make his first GHC Heavyweight Championship defense at NOAH’s Ryogoku event, and the possibility of him defending the IWGP Heavyweight Title at NJPW’s event against the G1 winner, the possible difference in attendance could become a talking point when comparing the two promotions.
Image Credit: Pro Wrestling NOAH
From Yota Tsuji:
“If we hold the Ryogoku event under similar circumstances, the current gap between New Japan and NOAH in terms of ‘attendance’ should become clearly evident.”
Tsuji said if he wins the G1 then there would be no one to challenge him at NJPW’s Ryogoku event, and in theory could call his own shot. He then suggested that if Naito is still driven by a competitive spirit and wants to make NOAH the superior promotion, then he should challenge the champion of his former home, NJPW.
From Yota Tsuji:
“It should be obvious to anyone that if I win the G1, that whole dynamic would fall apart. I wonder what’s gotten into someone who thinks so deeply about pro wrestling. I don’t think we need to beat around the bush by comparing attendance figures or anything like that. If you’ve left New Japan and are driven by a competitive spirit to make NOAH number one, isn’t fighting the quickest way to do it? Why not just throw down the gauntlet and challenge me, the champion?”
Tsuji wrapped things up by welcoming the idea of facing the new GHC Heavyweight Champion Tetsuya Naito in a NJPW ring, calling it a challenge he would accept anytime.
From Yota Tsuji:
“My stance remains unchanged: I won’t compete in an IWGP match unless the opponent and circumstances are right. But if it means facing Mr. Naito—a former IWGP World Champion who has also become a NOAH champion—in a New Japan ring, I’d gladly accept the challenge anytime.”
(Quotes courtesy of Tokyo Sports. English Translation via DeepL)
Tsuji and Naito have faced off in two singles matches thus far in their careers, with Naito walking out the victor on both occasions. At the time of reporting, Tetsuya Naito has yet to respond to Yota Tsuji’s comments.
Date:
August 13, 2026
Category:
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