Peatzilla | MP
By: Lewis Carlan
When one thinks of the best Jr Heavyweight pro-wrestlers in the world and even of all time, the name of New Japan Pro-Wrestling superstar Hiromu Takahashi is certain to come to mind.
In a career that’s lasted over 15 years and still going strong, Takahashi has held the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Championship an incredible five times. In addition, the charismatic Takahashi has held the CMLL World Lightweight Championship and more recently the Pro Wrestling NOAH GHC Jr Heavyweight Title.
On Dec. 19, Takahashi had the distinct honour of being one of Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final opponents before the legend retires from active competition on Jan 4th.
Hiromu Takahashi is set to compete in a ten man tag team bout at the sold out Wrestle Kingdom 20 on Jan. 4th with over 50,000 fans set to be in attendance.
Despite his busy schedule, Takahashi granted an interview to us here at Monthly Puroresu as we discussed numerous topics including Wrestle Kingdom 20, World Tag League, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Pro Wrestling NOAH and much more!
Here is the Monthly Puroresu interview with NJPW superstar Hiromu Takahashi.
(Please note, this interview was conducted prior to Pro Wrestling NOAH’s NOAH “THE NEW YEAR 2026” event.)
Monthly Puroresu:
You recently competed in the NJPW World Tag League with David Finlay and finished with six points. What were your thoughts teaming with Finlay and were you satisfied with on how you two finished?
Hiromu Takahashi:
To be honest, in one word, it was disappointing. 3-4 isn’t a record to be happy with. But I learned a lot and gained a lot from teaming with Finlay. Being a junior in a heavyweight tournament you remember how strong heavyweights are and how tough the individual hits can be. Finlay’s power was crazy!
Monthly Puroresu:
You were one of the final four opponents for Hiroshi Tanahashi. How important was it to you to be one of Tanahashi-san’s final opponents and what does Tanahashi-san mean to you.
Hiromu Takahashi:
Man, that match was just so special it’s hard to put into words. To me, I was born in 1989, so in the first year of the Heisei era in Japan, which means that Tanahashi and NJPW are just synonymous to me. It was a first time last time situation so I knew I had to give it all I had, and I couldn’t waste a single second. Plus I knew in that I wanted to use a Rainmaker to send a message, if he went down to that there would be no way he could beat Okada, so hopefully he gained something important before his last match.
Photo Credit: NJPW
Monthly Puroresu:
You will be participating in a 10 man tag team bout at Wrestle Kingdom 20 with over 50,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome. What is your mindset wrestling in front of that many fans and does it get you nervous at all?
Hiromu Takahashi:
I’m nervous, but I am before every match. If anything, Korakuen Hall makes me more nervous because the people are looking at you that much more closely, but this is the first time I’ll be in front of 50,000 people so I’m stoked.
Monthly Puroresu:
You are the current GHC Jr. Heavyweight champion. Why did you decide to invade Pro Wrestling NOAH?
Hiromu Takahashi:
Really, going to NOAH was a curiosity thing. I wanted to ask the question, what would happen if you took Hiromu Takahashi out of NJPW? It was a chance to face different guys, feel a different atmosphere.
Photo Credit: Pro Wrestling NOAH
Monthly Puroresu:
You are defending the GHC Jr Heavyweight Title on Jan. 1 against AMASUKA. How dangerous of a challenge do you expect from AMASUKA?
Hiromu Takahashi:
AMAKUSA is a great junior, but I’m going to crush him January 1.
Monthly Puroresu:
You have held IWGP Jr Heavyweight Title 5 times. Are you aiming for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and can we expect you to make a challenge for it in the near future?
Hiromu Takahashi:
Absolutely. My dream is to be a junior heavyweight and win the IWGP Heavyweight title. Not the world title, the heavyweight. So that’s why I want Yota to win and bring back the heavyweight title. If he does, I definitely want to challenge.
Monthly Puroresu:
Is there another NJPW All Star Junior Festival in the works for the future?
Hiromu Takahashi:
Hmm. The Olympics are once every four years, so I think All Star Junior Festivals should be once every five years.
Photo c/o Masahiro Kubota, Destruction in Ryogoku, 10.9.23.
Monthly Puroresu:
Who are some of the Jr Heavyweights in NJPW or NOAH that you see as potentially becoming leaders of the division such as you have been?
Hiromu Takahashi:
Clear number one right now is Daiki Odashima. If he stays on the right track he’ll be a top guy. Sky’s the limit.
Monthly Puroresu:
What are your plans for 2026?
Hiromu Takahashi:
I want to keep challenging myself and feeling something new.
Monthly Puroresu:
You have been wrestling for 15 years, are there any opponents that you haven’t faced that you’d like to wrestle?
Hiromu Takahashi:
As far as opponents I want to face, I’ll take anyone on! But I’d really love to be in there with Dragon Lee one more time.
Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to New Japan Pro-Wrestling for facilitating this interview with Hiromu Takahashi and providing the English text translation.
Date:
January 2, 2026
