Peatzilla | MP
By: Noah Leatherland
As NJPW hurtles towards a Wrestle Kingdom stacked with crossovers, there is another international talent starting to make an impact on their cerulean blue mat. Having put in years of hard work in the Southeast Asian wrestling scene, Ares has finally made it to New Japan Pro Wrestling. With a massive opportunity coming against Yota Tsuji on November 20th, Ares is looking to prove exactly why he is called The Unstoppable Force.
Ares has made a name for himself as a leading figure in the Southeast Asian wrestling circuit. Hailing from Vietnam, he has taken his talents across the sub-continent, to countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia. He has held the Vietnam Pro Wrestling Openweight Championship three times so far in his career, with the chance to claim it a fourth time on the horizon. Becoming such a successful member of VPW, Ares’s talent caught the eye of Yota Tsuji and New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Back in August, Tsuji made the trip to Vietnam. There, he trained with the VPW roster and made a special appearance at VPW The Rumble. Impressed with what he saw from Ares, Tsuji invited the Vietnamese star to journey to Japan and train in the New Japan Dojo. It was an invitation that Ares gladly accepted. Then, Ares became the first male Vietnamese wrestler to compete for NJPW as he teamed with Tsuji on the Road to King of Pro Wrestling.
Having seen what Ares could do as a tag team partner, Tsuji made the challenge for November 20th. Once again, it was an opportunity that Ares was quick to jump on, roared on by the support of the VPW fans. Now, at NJPW Bound for Unbound, Ares will go one-on-one with the reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
Monthly Puroresu had the chance to interview Ares ahead of the biggest match of his career so far.
Photo Credit: Vietnam Pro Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
For fans who might not know, how would you describe the pro wrestling scene in Southeast Asia?
Ares:
Professional wrestling is still relatively new in Southeast Asia, but I believe we’re experiencing a very exciting period of growth. Today, there are wrestling promotions in countries like Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Each country is developing its own identity and helping introduce professional wrestling to new audiences. From my perspective, I believe Vietnam is currently leading the way in Southeast Asia in many aspects of professional wrestling. We’ve made incredible progress in recent years, and I’m extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished at Vietnam Pro Wrestling.
What’s most exciting is seeing how much the entire region continues to develop every year. We’re beginning to see wrestlers from Southeast Asia establish themselves as international stars. Some have earned opportunities to compete in Japan, like myself. Others have traveled to the United States, and some have even reached WWE. These opportunities are showing the world that Southeast Asia has talented professional wrestlers who deserve to compete on the biggest stages. I believe we’re only at the beginning of what professional wrestling in Southeast Asia can become.
Monthly Puroresu:
Who are your biggest influences and inspirations in pro wrestling?
Ares:
There are three wrestlers who have had a particularly strong influence on me. The first is The Undertaker. He is an absolute legend of professional wrestling. Everything he accomplished, both inside and outside the ring, was remarkable. What I admire most is not just his incredible career, but also the way he has shared his knowledge and offered valuable advice to younger wrestlers. I have tremendous respect for him.
The second is Chris Jericho, who has dedicated so many years of his life to professional wrestling. What makes him special is that his influence extends far beyond WWE and AEW. He has also inspired and supported wrestling promotions around the world, including Vietnam Pro Wrestling. He came to Vietnam and helped bring our story to the world through the documentary VIETSLAM: Squashing the Cultural Gap, which tells the inspiring story of Vietnam Pro Wrestling, our struggles, our determination, and how far we’ve come against the odds. His involvement has helped open doors to opportunities that we once could only dream of. I’m incredibly grateful for everything he has done to support professional wrestling in Vietnam.
Finally, Yota Tsuji. He is one of NJPW’s biggest stars and someone who has played an incredible role in my career. I believe he is helping lead the way in discovering and developing wrestling talent across Asia. He came to Vietnam to share his knowledge and training with us, invited me to the New Japan Dojo, and then gave me the unbelievable opportunity to team with him against Zack Sabre Jr. and Ryohei Oiwa at the legendary Korakuen Hall. Now, that journey has led to a one-on-one match against Yota himself. Knowing that he is preparing to face Kenny Omega in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 21 makes this opportunity even more special. To stand across the ring from him at the peak of his career, as he prepares for one of the biggest matches of his life, is an absolute honor. It’s something I could never have imagined when I first started wrestling in Vietnam.
Photo Credit: Vietnam Pro Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
Yota Tsuji was the one to invite you to the New Japan Dojo, doing so at a VPW show. How did it feel to share that moment with the VPW fans and roster?
Ares:
Over the years, I’ve watched so many emotional moments in professional wrestling. One that I remember very clearly was Ric Flair’s retirement match against Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania XXIV. Watching that unforgettable moment, seeing the emotions between the wrestlers and the connection they shared with the fans, really moved me. I’ve watched many other legendary wrestlers experience emotional moments throughout their careers, especially when they’ve been able to share those experiences with the people who supported them. But I never imagined that one day I would experience something like that myself.
When Yota Tsuji invited me to train at the New Japan Dojo, I was standing in front of our VPW fans and surrounded by my fellow wrestlers, the people who have been alongside me throughout this journey. To be able to share such an incredible opportunity with all of them was truly an honor. It was one of the most emotional moments of my life. It honestly felt like a dream. Coming from Vietnam, I never imagined that I would experience such a special and unforgettable moment in my wrestling career. It’s a memory that will stay with me forever.
Monthly Puroresu:
What was training in the New Japan Dojo like? How did it compare to other kinds of training you have done?
Ares:
Training at the New Japan Dojo was incredibly demanding. In fact, it was far more intense than anything I could have imagined. But I’m extremely grateful for that experience because it pushed me to become stronger, both physically and mentally. It challenged my limits and helped me develop a greater level of determination and resilience. Before going to Japan, we had never experienced such a professional and demanding training environment. The methods, discipline, and intensity were completely different from anything I had encountered before.
Another part of the experience that meant a lot to me was having the opportunity to live and train alongside the New Japan Young Lions. These are the young men who will become the future stars of New Japan Pro Wrestling, and being surrounded by their dedication every single day was incredibly inspiring. I was able to build positive relationships and friendships with them, and I really appreciated how supportive everyone was. They work incredibly hard, not just to improve themselves, but because they genuinely want to contribute to the future success of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Being around people with that kind of passion, discipline, and ambition every day motivated me to push myself even harder.
I learned so much from the training, but I also learned from the people around me. It was an incredible experience, and one that I will never forget.
Monthly Puroresu:
You made your NJPW debut in Korakuen Hall on the Road to King of Pro Wrestling back in October. What was it like to compete in such a historic building?
Ares:
Korakuen Hall is a place that holds enormous significance in Japanese professional wrestling. What made my experience even more special was that, the night before my debut, I had the opportunity to attend Road to King of Pro Wrestling Night 1 and experience my very first New Japan Pro Wrestling event live. I was able to explore Korakuen Hall, experience the atmosphere, and watch the wrestlers compete in such a legendary venue. For that night, I was there as a fan, taking everything in and appreciating the incredible history of the building. But what made it almost unbelievable was knowing that the very next night, I would be stepping into that same ring myself.
It was such a surreal feeling. As a Vietnamese wrestler competing at Korakuen Hall for the very first time, I felt an overwhelming sense of honor and pride. Knowing that I had become a small part of the history of such a legendary venue was something truly special. I believe every professional wrestler dreams of one day stepping into the ring at the world’s most famous and historic wrestling venues. For me, Korakuen Hall was one of those places. To experience it as a fan one night and then return the following night as a professional wrestler making my NJPW debut was something I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Photo Credit: Vietnam Pro Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
With your debut, you became the first male Vietnamese wrestler to compete in NJPW. How does it feel to achieve such an accolade? What is it like to represent VPW, but also Vietnam as a whole?
Ares:
This achievement means an incredible amount to me because, for so many years, professional wrestling in Vietnam felt like an impossible dream. We didn’t always have the support of our families or friends. Very few people knew about professional wrestling in Vietnam, and we didn’t have access to the same professional training facilities and opportunities that wrestlers in other countries had. Because of those challenges, the idea of a Vietnamese wrestler one day competing in New Japan Pro Wrestling seemed almost unimaginable.
One person who has inspired me is Viva Van. She is incredibly proud of her Vietnamese heritage. Seeing someone of Vietnamese descent achieve success internationally, including competing in New Japan Pro Wrestling and becoming part of AEW and Ring of Honor, showed me that these opportunities were possible. I remember thinking that if someone with Vietnamese roots could accomplish those things, then why couldn’t someone like me, who was born and raised in Vietnam, dream of doing the same? So when I finally had the opportunity to step into an NJPW ring, I felt an enormous sense of pride. It wasn’t just a personal achievement. It represented something that wrestlers in Vietnam had never imagined would be possible.
I hope this accomplishment shows other Vietnamese wrestlers that there are no limits to what they can achieve if they continue working hard and believing in themselves. To represent Vietnam Pro Wrestling and my country on such a prestigious stage is one of the greatest honors of my life.
Monthly Puroresu:
You have also faced NJPW stars in Vietnam. You competed against Zack Sabre Jr. at VPW Brawl Hallow’s Eve just a few weeks ago. What was it like to face him in front of your home crowd?
Ares:
It was an incredible experience, but also one of the most challenging matches of my career. Zack Sabre Jr. is one of the most technically gifted wrestlers in the world today. He’s competed against some of the greatest names in professional wrestling, including WALTER, who is now known as Gunther in WWE, Bryan Danielson, Kenny Omega, and Hiroshi Tanahashi. To have the opportunity to share the ring with someone of his caliber was a tremendous honor. What made the match especially interesting was how different our wrestling styles are. My style is built around explosive power and physical intensity, while Zack is a master of technical wrestling and submissions.
Facing someone with his ability to control his opponents and put them into incredibly difficult submission holds was a huge challenge. And having to fight my way out of those positions in front of my hometown fans made it even more intense! But I think that’s what made the match so exciting. Our contrasting styles created something special, and the crowd responded to every moment. It was also an opportunity for me to demonstrate everything I had learned from my experiences with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Although I wasn’t able to get the victory, I believe that what Zack and I accomplished together was even more important than the result.
We brought a new level of professional wrestling to Vietnam. We gave our fans the opportunity to witness one of the world’s greatest technical wrestlers competing against a Vietnamese wrestler in their own country. And together, we created an unforgettable match that I believe people will be talking about for years to come. That means a tremendous amount to me.
Monthly Puroresu:
Now, you have a match with Yota Tsuji coming up on November 20th at NJPW Bound for Unbound. How are you preparing for a match with the IWGP Heavyweight Champion?
Ares:
I’ve been training extremely hard, focusing on improving my skills and working on every weakness that I know I still have. I’ve taken everything I learned during my time at the New Japan Dojo and brought that knowledge back to Vietnam. Every single day, I’m applying those lessons to my training and pushing myself to become a better professional wrestler. For me, this match is so important that I’m approaching it as though I’m preparing for a match at Wrestle Kingdom. That’s how much it means to me. I have tremendous respect for Yota Tsuji, and I’m incredibly grateful that he has given me this opportunity. Especially knowing that he is preparing to face Kenny Omega in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 21.
But I believe the greatest respect I can show Yota is to give him the fight of his life. He believed in me. He gave me an opportunity that I never imagined would be possible, and now I want to show him exactly what I’m capable of. I’m not going to Japan just for the experience, and I’m not going there simply to say that I shared the ring with the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. I’m going there to win.
I consider this the biggest match of my life, and I understand exactly how much is at stake. On November 20th, I will do absolutely everything in my power to defeat Yota Tsuji.
Image Credit: New Japan Pro Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
Tsuji has been there at every step of your journey into NJPW – inviting you to the dojo, teaming together in your NJPW debut, and now facing each other at Bound for Unbound. What is your connection like with him?
Ares:
Yota is my mentor. He is the person who helped guide me into the professional environment of the New Japan Dojo. But sometimes, I also think of him as an older brother. He has taught me so much, not only about professional wrestling but also about Japanese culture. He has taken me to different restaurants, introduced me to new experiences, and helped me discover many interesting things about Japan. Most importantly, he has constantly guided me and given me advice about what I need to do to achieve my goals and become a better professional wrestler. But what makes Yota even more special to me is that he hasn’t just helped me personally.
He came to Vietnam and spent time training and working alongside the entire Vietnam Pro Wrestling roster. He shared his knowledge, his experience, and his passion for professional wrestling with everyone. At VPW, we’re a very close family. We’ve been through so much together, and we support each other through everything. So when someone like Yota comes to our country and makes such a positive impact on everyone, that means a tremendous amount to me. I truly believe that Yota Tsuji is exactly the man he says he is. I believe he is someone who can lead New Japan Pro Wrestling into a new era of greatness.
And I don’t just want to watch him accomplish that. I want to stand alongside him and be part of that journey. I want to help bring New Japan Pro Wrestling to new heights and introduce its incredible wrestling to more people across Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Yota has already done so much for me and for VPW, and I hope that one day I can contribute to his vision for the future of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Photo Credit: Vietnam Pro Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
Do you have your eyes on any other members of the NJPW roster that you would like to get in the ring with?
Ares:
I have very big goals for my future in New Japan Pro Wrestling. But first, my number one priority is Yota Tsuji. I want to show him that he was right to believe in me and right to give me this opportunity. I want everyone in New Japan, and everyone watching around the world, to see that Yota made the right decision when he invited a wrestler from Vietnam to compete in NJPW. After that, there are so many wrestlers I want to challenge.
First, Zack Sabre Jr. Zack defeated me in Vietnam, and I would love the opportunity to face him again. But this time, I want to wrestle him in Japan, and I want to get that victory back. Another wrestler is Ryohei Oiwa. I had the opportunity to face him in a tag team match at Korakuen Hall, and I really enjoyed the moments when we collided in the ring. He’s the winner of the 2026 G1 Climax, and I would love the opportunity to face him one-on-one. I want to find out if I have what it takes to defeat someone who has already accomplished something so incredible in New Japan.
And speaking of the G1 Climax, to be completely honest, I want to face everyone! I want to compete against wrestlers like Shingo Takagi, Tomohiro Ishii, and Oleg Boltin. I want to test myself against the very best that New Japan has to offer. And I believe the G1 Climax is the ultimate place to do that. If my journey means I have to compete in Best of the Super Juniors first, then I’m willing to take that opportunity too. That would also be an amazing honor. But my ultimate goal is to enter the G1 Climax, win the tournament, and become the first Vietnamese wrestler in history to accomplish that.
Those are the wrestlers I want to face because I want to challenge myself and become better. But there’s one wrestler I want to face for a much more personal reason. Kenny Omega. Recently, I watched Kenny’s press conference where he questioned whether Yota Tsuji had the experience necessary to lead New Japan Pro Wrestling into the future. And I took that personally. Because I know what Yota’s vision for the future of New Japan looks like. His vision includes opening doors and creating opportunities for wrestlers from places that have often been overlooked, like Vietnam and Southeast Asia. I’m living proof of that vision.
So when Kenny questions whether Yota is the right person to lead New Japan into the future, I don’t just hear him questioning Yota. I hear him questioning people like me. I hear him questioning every single person at Vietnam Pro Wrestling who has fought so hard to build something special in our country. I hear him questioning the potential of professional wrestling across Southeast Asia. Maybe Kenny doesn’t see the same future that Yota does. But I do. And I believe in it.
So Kenny, after Yota beats you at Wrestle Kingdom 21, if you’ve got anything left and you want to come to Vietnam and face me, the door is wide open. And I’ll be waiting to take you out.
Monthly Puroresu:
You also have a match for the VPW Championship coming up on November 28th against Da Butcherman. You’ve already held the belt three times so far in your career. As the top prize in VPW, what does that title mean to you personally?
Ares:
To me, the VPW Championship is more than just a title. It is a symbol of Vietnam and everything that Vietnam Pro Wrestling represents. I’ve had the honor of holding that championship three times, and every time I carried it, I felt an enormous responsibility to represent my company and my country. On November 28th, I intend to win that championship back from Da Butcherman. But this match means even more to me because of who my opponent is. Da Butcherman is one of the very best professional wrestlers to come out of Singapore. Despite our rivalry, I have tremendous respect for him and everything he has accomplished.
I believe that he and I represent some of the very best talent that Southeast Asian professional wrestling has to offer. So when we step into the ring on November 28th, I don’t see it as simply a match for the VPW Championship. To me, this match is about proving who the best professional wrestler in Southeast Asia really is. I know how dangerous Butcherman is, and I know what it’s going to take to defeat him. I’m prepared to go to war to win that championship back. And when I do, I want to carry that championship with me to every country where I compete.
I want people around the world to see that title and recognize it as a symbol of Vietnamese professional wrestling. I want to show the world what Vietnam and VPW are capable of.
Image Credit: Vietnam Pro Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
After reaching the heights that few Vietnamese wrestlers have, what is next for Ares? What goals do you have for the future?
Ares:
My next goal is to continue expanding my career internationally and representing Vietnam on the world stage. I want more people around the world to learn about my country. I want them to know that Vietnam has professional wrestlers like myself and so many incredible talents at Vietnam Pro Wrestling who deserve opportunities to compete at the highest level. We’ve worked so hard to build professional wrestling in Vietnam, and I want to help open doors for the next generation of Vietnamese wrestlers. I would love the opportunity to compete in countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. But right now, my main focus is New Japan Pro Wrestling.
I’ve been given an incredible opportunity, and I want to make the absolute most of it. I want to continue improving, climbing the ranks, and proving that I belong alongside the very best wrestlers in the world. And with Yota Tsuji’s guidance, I believe I can continue growing and achieving things that once seemed impossible. One of my biggest ambitions is to compete in New Japan’s major tournaments, especially the G1 Climax. And of course, my ultimate dream is to one day become the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. On November 20th, I will be stepping into the ring against the reigning champion, Yota Tsuji. That means my dream is closer than it has ever been.
Something that once seemed completely impossible no longer feels so far away. For the first time, I feel as though that dream is something I can actually reach out and touch. I believe that if I continue working hard, improving myself, and never giving up, I can achieve it. And when that day comes, I want the entire world to know that a wrestler from Vietnam accomplished something extraordinary.
Monthly Puroresu:
Thank you so much for taking the time to speak to Monthly Puroresu. Do you have a final message for wrestling fans around the world?
Ares:
First, I want to sincerely thank everyone who has supported us throughout this incredible journey. I want to thank every single person at Vietnam Pro Wrestling, my fellow wrestlers, our staff, and everyone who has worked so hard to help build professional wrestling in Vietnam. I also want to thank all of our fans. Whether you’ve attended our live events, watched our videos and content online, or simply shared our story with someone else, your support means everything to us. You’ve been with us since the very beginning, when we had almost nothing, and your support has helped us reach where we are today. None of this would have been possible without you.
I also want to give a very special thank you to Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi, President Hiroshi Tanahashi, Yota Tsuji, and every single person at New Japan Pro Wrestling. Thank you for believing in me, for welcoming me into your world, and for opening doors that I never imagined would be possible. You’ve given not just me, but professional wrestling in Vietnam, an opportunity to step onto one of the biggest stages in our industry. For someone who grew up in Vietnam dreaming of becoming a professional wrestler, I cannot express how much that means to me.
And finally, to all the wrestling fans around the world, I hope you will continue supporting us as we move forward. We will keep working as hard as we can to grow professional wrestling in Vietnam and give you the most incredible and unforgettable moments that this beautiful sport has to offer. Thank you for believing in us. This is only the beginning.
Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Vietnam Pro Wrestling for facilitating this interview with Ares and for the English translations.
Ares faces off against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Yota Tsuji, at Bound for Unbound on November 20th.
Date:
November 13, 2026
