Peatzilla | MP
By: Lewis Carlan
New Japan Pro-Wrestling superstar Ryohei Oiwa has experienced a massive breakout year in 2026.
Back in August, Oiwa, who is a member of the TMDK faction, accomplished a major goal by winning the prestigious G1 Climax tournament for the first time in his career. Oiwa defeated Yuya Uemura in the finals of G1 Climax 36 in a match that has been labelled an instant classic. Oiwa forced Uemura to submit to his Big Rock headlock finisher.
Oiwa went on to unsuccessfully challenge Yota Tsuji for his IWGP Heavyweight Championship in another match that has been highly praised.
Now, Oiwa is engaged in a high profile feud with AEW superstar MJF over who has the best headlock in pro-wrestling. The two will settle their differences at Wrestle Kingdom 21 inside the Tokyo Dome on Jan. 4 2027.
Monthly Puroresu caught up with Ryohei Oiwa recently as the NJPW superstar opened up on a number of topics.
(Please note, this interview was conducted prior to Nov. 3rd)
Monthly Puroresu:
You were the G1 Climax 36 tournament winner. What emotions were running through you after defeating Yuya Uemura to win the tournament? What are your thoughts on Yuya Uemura as a competitor, and would you call him a main rival at this point?
Ryohei Oiwa:
Winning the G1 five years after my debut might seem fast on the face of it, but to me it was a very long five years. After I came back to New Japan, I had a lot of title challenges, but no titles to my name, so there was a lot to overcome. But for my first singles title to be the G1 Climax, that says a whole lot, and it’s proof to me that I made the right choices. Uemura and I both have that same desire to create a new standard for pro-wrestling. In terms of technique, he’s a rival I feel I constantly have to beat, and I think that card of Oiwa vs Uemura is one that can bring about a true new standard in this business.
Photo Credit: New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
You fell short in your attempt to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title against Yota Tsuji. In terms of pursing the IWGP Heavyweight Title, where do you go from here?
Ryohei Oiwa:
When it comes to the match itself, I think it reminded everyone how great NJPW is, and that we have the best wrestling in the world. So in that sense I was happy with it, but the result wasn’t what I wanted obviously. So it’s on me to further develop that new standard and beat Tsuji next time.
Photo Credit: New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
How do you prepare mentally & physically for high profile matches such as the G1 Climax Final and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship bout?
Ryohei Oiwa:
I don’t do anything special for any one match, I have the same training routine every time. Daily routines and rituals, that’s the same too. I always have coffee first thing, a little breakfast, some exercise and then off to the building.
Monthly Puroresu:
What were your feelings about MJF when he challenged you via video message at Road to King of Pro-Wrestling on October 7?
Ryohei Oiwa:
That message came right before my title match, so it really was out of touch. When that first video came, I was focused on Tsuji and MJF wasn’t on my radar, but his insults to Japan and NJPW were unforgivable and the fact is that I am the King of the Headlock.
Photo Credit: New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
How would you describe MJF as a wrestler and as a person overall?
Ryohei Oiwa:
The only impression I have of MJF is that he’s a mouthy bastard who likes to piss people off on social media. I am the Headlock King, and if he comes here, I’ll make sure that he submits to the Big Rock and never shows his face in NJPW again.
Monthly Puroresu:
How valuable was your excursion to Pro Wrestling NOAH? How much were you able to learn while you were competing there?
Ryohei Oiwa:
I’m really glad I had that excursion to NOAH. It was a unique path to take, but it’s where I was able to cultivate the style I have now and it was absolutely the right decision. I’m looking forward to being in the ring with Kiyomiya again. It’s a little nostalgia for me from the NOAH days, but I also want to show him and the people watching how far I’ve been able to grow since coming back.
Photo Credit: Pro Wrestling NOAH
Monthly Puroresu:
The NJPW World Tag League 2026 begins next month. Do you plan on participating and if so, do you have a partner in mind?
Ryohei Oiwa:
Last year I teamed with Zack [Sabre Jr.] and won. In hindsight it was a team of G1 winners so that’s a really impressive pair. It’s be great to be with Zack again, but then again it would be interesting to partner up with [Kosei] Fujita, or to have a super heavy tag with Hartley [Jackson]. The great thing about TMDK is any combination of us can do really cool stuff.
Monthly Puroresu:
Let’s go back to the beginning, what led to you deciding that you wanted to pursue a career in pro-wrestling and did you have the full support of your family in your decision?
Ryohei Oiwa:
The first pro-wrestling I ever watched was World Pro-Wrestling on TV. I saw Hiroshi Tanahashi and Satoshi Kojima wrestling each other and instantly thought then and there that’s what I wanted to do. I was in my last year at junior high, on the baseball team at the time, but I quit right away and went onto the wrestling team instead. My parents were dead set against me wrestling until I was able to get into the NJPW Dojo, but ever since I joined New Japan they’ve been behind me all the way.
Monthly Puroresu:
Your first bout was a time limit draw against Kosei Fujita in Aug. 2021. What do you remember about that match and how you felt before and after the bout?
Ryohei Oiwa:
It was both of our debut matches, and also we both took the tryout at the same time, both joined the Dojo at the same time. So we were complete equals, and that made both of us hungrier I think, that we couldn’t afford to lose to each other. I remember being able to focus on the match pretty well when I was in there, but after the show, when we got back to the Dojo I remember just lying in bed thinking I made a dream come true to be in that ring.
Photo Credit: New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
In closing, what message would like to say to all your fans that have supported you through the years?
Ryohei Oiwa:
I went from the play-ins to the finals and won the G1, but my Big Dream is only just beginning. I will win the IWGP title, be the face of NJPW and show a real Big Dream to you all!
Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to New Japan Pro-Wrestling for facilitating this interview with Ryohei Oiwa and providing the English text translation.
Date:
November 4, 2026
