Peatzilla | MP
By: Lewis Carlan
All Japan Pro-Wrestling superstar Atsuki Aoyagi made his debut for the promotion back in Feb. 2019 and hasn’t looked back since. Aoyagi followed in the footsteps of his older brother Yuma in joining AJPW and quickly established himself as a force within the promotion as a junior heavyweight.
At only 26 years of age, Atsuki Aoyagi has earned the distinction of being the current face of the AJPW Junior Heavyweight division. Aoyagi is a three time AJPW Jr. Heavyweight Champion with a fourth reign in his sights. He defeated the legendary Tiger Mask in Sept. 2022 to enter into his first reign as the AJPW Jr. Heavyweight Champion.
Photo Credit: AJPW
Aoyagi has travelled to other promotions to challenge some of the best Jr. Heavyweights in the world. In July 2023, Aoyagi stepped inside a Pro Wrestling NOAH ring and challenged HAYATA for the GHC Jr. Heavyweight Title in a match that was highly praised by many fans.
Aoyagi has enjoyed success as a tag team wrestler as well. He has held the All Asia Tag Team Titles with his brother Yuma Aoyagi and has established a goal of winning the AJPW World Tag Team Titles.
In addition, Aoyagi has had moderate success teaming with Rising HAYATO. He is currently teaming with HAYATO in the Zennichi Junior Tag Festival 2026. The duo won their first round bout against Seigo Tachibana & Fuminori Abe back on Feb. 15th.
Atsuki Aoyagi was gracious enough to speak with Monthly Puroresu as he opened up about a number of topics.
Here is the Monthly Puroresu interview with AJPW superstar Atsuki Aoyagi:
Monthly Puroresu:
On Jan 25th, you lost the AJPW Jr Heavyweight Championship to Seigo Tachibana, did the loss come as a surprise to you and did Tachibana earn any more respect from you?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
It was unexpected. After four successful title defenses, my awareness and confidence as champion had grown, so I didn’t think I would lose. I already thought he was a tremendous wrestler in terms of both skill and popularity, but facing the “strong” Tachibana made me respect him even more, and I wanted to win next time.
Monthly Puroresu:
You are currently teaming with Rising HAYATO in the Zennichi Junior Tag Festival 2026 tournament. You pinned Tachibana in the first round of the tournament to advance. Was that a message to Tachibana that you will be back for the Jr Heavyweight Championship and did you feel it was important getting the win over Tachibana and not Fuminori Abe?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
Since it was a victory achieved by both AtsuHAYA (Rising HAYATO & Atsuki Aoyagi), I want to win the World Junior title individually and earn the right to challenge for it.
Photo Credit: AJPW
Monthly Puroresu:
Why do you feel that you and HAYATO have such incredible chemistry?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
To be honest, my first impression of him was that I disliked him. However, I think it’s because we formed a tag team and are working towards the same goal while understanding and improving each other through our life at the dojo and fighting in the ring.
Monthly Puroresu:
You’re a 3 time AJPW Jr Heavyweight Champion, where do you think you rank among the all time AJPW JR Heavyweight greats?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
Considering the “three reigns,” I think I’m at the legendary level. But I also feel the substance hasn’t quite matched that. I want to build a record where I can proudly say I’m No. 1.
Photo Credit: AJPW
Monthly Puroresu:
How do you feel your performance was in 2025 and is there anything you would do differently?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
I was away from the ring for about 10 months due to a meniscus injury. Despite feeling anxious and impatient, I believe I achieved the best possible results.
Monthly Puroresu:
You debuted back in Feb 2019 against Dan Tamura. What do you remember about that match and how you felt after the bout?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
I was so nervous I barely remember anything. However, I’m still proud that I debuted at Korakuen Hall, teaming up with my fellow rookie Dan Tamura against Atsushi Aoki and Hikaru Sato.
Monthly Puroresu:
How do you feel you have grown as a pro-wrestler since your debut?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
As a pro wrestler, I feel I can still grow with every match I have.
Photo Credit: AJPW
Monthly Puroresu:
What led you to becoming a pro-wrestler and joining AJPW?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
I’ve always loved pro wrestling, but seeing my older brother, wrestler Yuma Aoyagi, make his debut match made me decide to become a pro wrestler myself.
Monthly Puroresu:
When will the time come when you feel you have accomplished everything you can as a Jr Heavyweight and graduate to Heavyweight and pursue the Triple Crown Title?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
There’s still a mountain of things I need to accomplish as a junior heavyweight, but I want to have a Triple Crown match with my brother, Yuma Aoyagi.
Monthly Puroresu:
Back in July 2023, you went to Pro Wrestling NOAH and challenged HAYATA for the GHC Jr. Heavyweight Championship. Do you have any more desire to challenge other top junior heavyweights in rival promotions?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
I’m always ready to fight if the chance arises. But I want to make the World Junior Heavyweight belt a title worth targeting for other promotions.
Photo Credit: AJPW
Monthly Puroresu:
Being in the same promotion as your brother Yuma, is there a brotherly competition or even a sibling rivalry to see who the better pro-wrestler is?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
Of course there is. I want to surpass him, but I can’t quite picture how yet. Someday, I will surpass him.
Monthly Puroresu:
Can we expect you to team with Yuma again when he returns and do you have an interest in the AJPW World Tag Team Championship?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
Brothers are inseparable. Winning the world tag titles as the Aoyagi Brothers is our ultimate goal, so I want to achieve that someday.
Photo Credit: AJPW
Monthly Puroresu:
Do you have any desire to compete overseas and if so, are there any overseas opponents you would like to face?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
Absolutely! I want to absorb everything—Lucha, British style, all kinds of things—so I’m open to any opponent.
Monthly Puroresu:
What are goals are you aiming to accomplish in 2026?
Atsuki Aoyagi:
I want to win the Asian Tag Team Championship with Atsuhaya and become a four-time World Junior Heavyweight Champion. If the timing works out, I want to wrestle overseas.
(English translation via Deepl.com)
Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to All Japan Pro-Wrestling for facilitating this interview with Atsuki Aoyagi.
Date:
February 28, 2026
