Atsuki Aoyagi Retains AJPW Jr Heavyweight Title At AJPW “NEW YEAR WARS 2026”

By: Lewis Carlan

The All Japan Pro-Wrestling NEW YEAR WARS 2026 tour continued on Jan 3rd as 1,205 fans filled Korakuen Hall for the event.

The featured bout for AJPW NEW YEAR WARS 2026 was an AJPW Jr Heavyweight Title bout as the champion Atsuki Aoyagi made the fourth defense of his third reign against KURAMA.

Aoyagi was able to retain his title after a Firebird Splash on KURAMA that ended the match at the 20:04 mark. KURAMA offered a spirited effort but Aoyagi proved to be too much for his challenger.

Midway through the match, KURAMA removed his mask and was revealed to be former Pro Wrestling NOAH prospect Yasutaka Yano. Yano along with Kinya Okada were arrested on the suspicion of touching a woman in an ‘obscene manner’ back in April 2023. After an apology by Yano to the woman, all charges were dropped against him.

During his backstage post-match interview, Yano confirmed that he will start from scratch and will compete for AJPW as a trainee. He appeared thankful to AJPW for giving him an opportunity another chance.

Seigo Tachibana confronted Aoyagi after the match and challenged him for the AJPW Jr. Heavyweight Title.

In other action, Daisuke Sekimoto defeated Shotaro Ashino to become the new GAORA TV Champion. This is Sekimoto’s first title since leaving Big Japan Pro-Wrestling and becoming a freelancer.

Here are the full results for AJPW NEW YEAR WARS 2026 on Jan. 3rd courtesy of purolove.com:

• Yuko Miyamoto, Fuminori Abe, Seigo Tachibana & Kota Sekifuda defeated Rising HAYATo, Dan Tamura, Shota Kofuji & “Mr. Saito” Naruki Doi (11:11) after Tachibana’s Yankee Hammer against Kofuji.
• Hokuto Omori, Kuma Arashi & Cyrus defeated MUSASHI, Seiki Yoshioka & Ryo Inoue (9:39) after a reverse splash by Cyrus against Inoue.
• HAVOC vs. Baka no Jidai: Xyon, Odyssey & Go Shiozaki defeated Hideki Suzuki, Kengo Mashimo  & Hikaru Sato (9:24) after a diving headbutt by Xyon against Sato.
• Ren Ayabe, Talos & Yuma Anzai defeated Kento Miyahara, Jun Saito & Ryuki Honda (13:29) as Talos pinned Honda after a double chokeslam.
• GAORA TV Title: Daisuke Sekimoto defeated Shotaro Ashino (c) (16:38)[/B] with the Big Bang Catastrophe – title change.
• AJPW World Jr. Heavyweight Title: Atsuki Aoyagi (c) defeated KURAMA (20:04) with a Firebird Splash (4th defense).

This event can be seen on AJPW.TV subscription streaming service.