IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji and Challenger Ryohei Oiwa Make Their Title Match Official, Exchange Comments at Press Conference

By: Lewis Carlan

On Oct. 12th, New Japan Pro-Wrestling will present King of Pro-Wrestling 2026 at Ryogoku Sumo Hall in Tokyo. The main event is scheduled to be the IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji making the second defense of his second title reign against the G1 Climax 36 winner Ryohei Oiwa.

A special press conference was held on Oct. 5th in Tokyo as Tsuji and Oiwa put pen to paper as they each signed the contract to make their championship match official.

Photo Credit: New Japan Pro-Wrestling

Both Tsuji and Oiwa were given the opportunity to issue statements during the press conference. Oiwa was the first to speak as he vowed to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title on Oct. 12th and become a new standard of IWGP Champion.

From Ryohei Oiwa

“You don’t need me to remind you that winning the G1 made me the strongest of the summer. But I lost to three people over this G1. Shingo Takagi, Yuto-Ice and the man next to me, Yota Tsuji. All three from Unbound Co., all three the same team, so I need revenge over the team leader and I will get it on October 12. I’ll win that belt and become the new standard of IWGP champion. My big dream is far from over.”

Photo Credit: New Japan Pro-Wrestling

Tsuji was next and stated he is excited to face Oiwa and told his challenger to give it his best shot because he is ready for the G1 Climax 36 winner.

From Yota Tsuji:

“I’m surprised at Oiwa’s momentum. He went from having to play in to winning the whole G1, and that’s an incredible achievement. I’m excited to face him. Oiwa must be coming in with a ton of confidence to face me, so I hope that he uses the style he’s worked hard to cultivate to try and beat me. Oiwa, give it your best shot. I’m ready.”

Photo Credit: New Japan Pro-Wrestling

While their championship match is set for Oct. 12, the two rivals will get a chance to test each other’s skills as they will face-off in four preliminary bouts ahead of their big showdown. The first preliminary match is set for Oct. 6th with Tsuji teaming with Shingo Takagi as they face Oiwa and his partner Hartley Jackson in Korakuen Hall.