Photo Credit: AJPW
By: Lewis Carlan
The All Japan Pro-Wrestling Champion Carnival 2026 tournament is down to it’s final four. The remaining competitors are Go Shiozaki, Rei Saito, Hideki Suzuki and Dragongate Open The Dream Gate Champion Madoka Kikuta.
On May 17th at Ota Ward General Gymnasium the three remaining Champion Carnival 2026 are as follows:
A press conference was held with the Champion Carnival 2026 final four on May 8th and a confidently arrogant Madoka Kikuta indicated that he was going to destroy AJPW and smash everything AJPW fans want to see.
From Madoka Kikuta:
“I’m going to destroy All Japan Pro Wrestling. That’s all. I’m not carrying Dragon Gate on my shoulders or anything. The only reason I brought this (Dream Gate Championship) belt here is because it’s mine. It’s just like my house keys. Madoka Kikuta is worth more than this belt. I get a thrill out of destroying what people are looking forward to. I have no intention of showing All Japan fans what they want to see. I’m going to smash everything they want to see, everything they want, and every emotion they hold. What you guys want to see is anything ‘other’ than Madoka Kikuta winning the title, right? That’s why I’m going to win. If I win, 80%, no, 100% of the fans will go crazy. I want to laugh at that. I’ll sit on top of the trophy and hold up the Dream Gate belt.” (Translated via Deepl.com)
Kikuta defeated Ren Ayabe on May 5th to punch his ticket to the semi-finals of the tournament and a showdown with Go Shiozaki on May 17th.
The winner of the Champion Carnival 2026 will earn a shot at the current AJPW Triple Crown Champion Kento Miyahara. It will be very interesting to see if we end up with a AJPW Triple Crown Champion Kento Miyahara vs Dragongate Open The Dream Gate Champion Madoka Kikuta encounter in the near future. According to Kikuta, this is exactly what is going to happen but he needs to win his next two bouts to make that sceanrio happen.
Date:
May 9, 2026
Category:
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