Manuel Ish | MP
By: Lewis Carlan
From 2022 through 2024, Cyrus was a very familiar and very popular face within All Japan Pro-Wrestling. Fans had grown accustomed to the chaos Cyrus was bringing to AJPW events and his opponents openly expressed their fear for this monster.
While in AJPW, Cyrus has aligned himself with Hokuto Omori’s faction Hokuto-gun and had been a part of the unit since Aug. 2024. With Hokuto-gun, Cyrus held the AJPW TV Six Man Tag Team Championship with Omori and Kuma Arashi from Oct. 23 2024 through Jan. 2nd 2025.
On Jan. 3rd 2025, Cyrus teamed with Omori & Arashi as they faced and were defeated by Kento Miyahara, Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Ryo Inoue. Unbeknownst to AJPW fans, this was going to be the last time they would see Cyrus for nearly a year.
Cyrus was scheduled to compete in the AJPW Champion Carnival tournament in April 2025. Unfortunately on March 28th 2025, All Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that Cyrus would be out of action indefinitely due to a health issue. Cyrus was forced to miss the Champion Carnival 2025 tournament. The exact health related issue that affected Cyrus was not disclosed.
On May 18th 2025, Cyrus posted very good news via X which indicated that he was medically cleared by doctors to resume in-ring action and training once again. He pointed out that he missed Japan and it’s the best place on Earth to compete as a pro-wrestler.
Following Cyrus’ announcement that he was medically cleared, Hokuto Omori posted on X that “Cyrus will always have a place as long as the Hokuto Army existed” and told him not to rush into rehabilitation.
On June 1st 2025, Omori & Kuma Arashi were set to team with a mystery wrestler in a six man tag match at Super Power Series 2025. There was much speculation that the mystery wrestler was going to be Cyrus but that would not be the case as it was revealed that Talos was the surprise wrestler.
Despite being medically cleared, it appeared that AJPW wanted to make absolutely sure that Cyrus was fit for competition. It took over seven months after Cyrus confirmed he was cleared before we saw the return of the monster within AJPW.
AJPW made the announcement of Cyrus’ return at the Dec. 10th Real World Tag League Finals event at Korakuen Hall. Cyrus appeared on the big screen to let Hokuto-army and the fans know that he would be back in AJPW on Dec. 31st.
In his long-awaited return match, Cyrus teamed with Hokuto Omori & Kuma Arashi against Talos, Ren Ayabe & Daisuke Sekimoto and Xyon, Oddyssey & Shotaro Ashino in a three team showdown.
When Cyrus’ music hit on Dec. 31st at AJPW New Years Eve 2025, you could see the excitement on his face as well as the cheering of the crowd who were thrilled to see him back.
With Cyrus now back in AJPW after nearly a year, he must re-establish himself as the resident monster of the promotion. While he had been away, a few more super heavyweights have arrived in the form of Talos, Xyon & Oddyssey, Cyrus has faced off against all three in various matches since he has been back in AJPW.
On Jan. 25th, Cyrus will enter into a crucial singles bout with former AJPW Triple Crown Champion Jun Saito. This match is expected to be a hard-hitting war as the two bulls will collide inside the squared circle.
Cyrus knows if he can defeat Saito, not only can he lay claim that the resident monster of AJPW is truly back, he will position himself for a potential Triple Crown Title opportunity down the road.
Photo Credit:AJPW
Monthly Puroresu was able to catch up with Cyrus on one of his off days for an exclusive interview as we discussed his return to AJPW.
As you will see, Cyrus is not a man of many words and appears to prefer to keep things close to his chest.
Here is the Monthly Puroresu exclusive interview with AJPW star Cyrus:
Monthly Puroresu:
On Dec 31, you are returned to AJPW after being away for a year. How did it feel being back inside an AJPW ring?
Cyrus:
It felt amazing. It truly felt like this is where I belong.
Monthly Puroresu:
You were involved in a six man three way tag that involved two other super heavyweights Oddyssey and Talos. What are your thoughts on those two and do you feel you need to re-establish yourself as the #1 super heavyweight in AJPW.
Cyrus:
I feel they are very talented and bring a unique set of skills and style. No I don’t feel that I need to re-establish myself. Everyone has a unique difference.
Monthly Puroresu:
You received a great fan response when you appeared after being away for a year, How gratifying was that?
Cyrus:
It was amazing it truly showed me where I belong in the sport of wrestling.
Photo Credit: AJPW
Monthly Puroresu:
You are facing Jun Saito on Jan. 25. Do you feel it is crucial for you to win this match to re-establish yourself as a legitimate threat in AJPW?
Cyrus:
No not at all. To be put in this position I feel I am already established with AJPW. And I will always be a threat.
Monthly Puroresu:
Should you win, do you feel you should be positioned for a Triple Crown Title match?
Cyrus:
If I win then yes because I have just beaten one of the main roster guys. But that is for AJPW to decide.
Monthly Puroresu:
You were out for almost a year with undisclosed health issues, many fans were wondering what those health issues were and how are you are current feeling.
Cyrus:
I don’t want to go into the health issues but I was cleared by my doctor in May 2025 and I am currently feeling fine.
Monthly Puroresu:
Are you still under contract with AJPW? Or are you back to being a freelancer.
Cyrus:
Right now I am still under contract through January.
Monthly Puroresu:
Your thoughts on Kento Miyahara being in his seventh reign at Triple Crown Champion and do you have any plans to challenge him now that he has gotten past Yuma Anzai?
Cyrus:
I think it’s amazing. I truly feel that he is one of the best in the world and I would love to challenge him at some point if the opportunity presents itself.
Monthly Puroresu:
The Champion Carnival normally begins in April, do you have plans on participating in Champion Carnival 2026 and what was it like competing in the 2023 and 2024 Champion Carnivals?
Cyrus:
I’m not sure yet. It was amazing competing in the carnival. It’s a great feeling to be put in the ring with some of the best players.
Monthly Puroresu:
What are your goals for AJPW 2026?
Cyrus:
I’m not sure on it yet. I’m still trying to feel everything out.
Monthly Puroresu:
What was the main reason behind aligning yourself with Hokuto-gun.
Cyrus:
I aligned myself with Hokuto-gun because of Kuma [Arashi]. He and I have been wrestling together since 2019.
Monthly Puroresu:
What is it about for being in an AJPW ring that seems to bring out the very best in you?
Cyrus:
I feel it’s about all the legends that have been there and the history. It just feels different.
Photo Credit: AJPW
Monthly Puroresu:
I have to ask, many fans want to see the top rope moonsault again. Can we expect to see on the upcoming tour?
Cyrus:
Haha When the time and moment comes it will happen.
Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Cyrus for granting us this interview.
Date:
January 23, 2026
