Hiromu Takahashi Says He Will Cross Paths With OZAWA One Day As He Prepares For His GHC JR Title Match With YO-HEY

By: Lewis Carlan

On July 19th at Night 1 of Pro Wrestling NOAH’s New Departure 2025, New Japan Pro-Wrestling superstar Hiromu Takahashi made a surprise appearance and confronted the current GHC Jr Heavyweight Champion YO-HEY. The confrontation led to a tag team match on New Departure Night 2 on July 20th that saw Hiromu Takahashi and AMAKUSA defeat YO-HEY and Yuto Kikuchi.

Takahashi was set to challenge YO-HEY for the GHC Jr. Heavyweight Title on Aug. 11 but YO-HEY was forced to pull out of the match due to a orbital fracture. Yuto Kikuchi stepped in for YO-HEY and faced Takahashi instead on Aug. 11. It took Takahashi a little over 12 minutes to emerge victorious over Kikuchi.

Takahashi participated in an eight man match on Aug. 16 at NOAH’s Star Navigation Premium 2025 as he teamed with Atsushi Kotoge, AMAKUSA & Junta Miyawaki in a losing effort to Eita, Alejandro, Kai Fujimura & Daiki Odashima.

With YO-HEY recovered from his injury, he will now put his title on the line against Takahashi on Sept. 8th.

Image Credit: Pro Wrestling NOAH

As Takahashi had free time on his schedule in July and August due to the G1 Climax 35 tournament, in which he was not an entrant, he could have basically gone to any promotion of his choice to keep his in-ring skills sharp and they would have welcomed him. Takahashi choose Pro Wrestling NOAH. Takahashi spoke with Tokyo Sports recently and he explained why he chose NOAH and how OZAWA influenced his decision:

From Hiromu Takahashi:

“As for why I chose NOAH, the emergence of OZAWA was a big deal for me. He was a hot topic among wrestlers, and I thought an interesting wrestler had emerged, so I got interested in NOAH. Then, when I looked at the NOAH Juniors, my image was limited to people like Kanemaru (Yoshinobu), so I thought it would be interesting to get involved. I think the day will come when we will automatically cross paths (with OZAWA). I think that would have an interesting effect on New Japan. However, I’m a junior wrestler, so right now I want to reach the top of NOAH Junior, and that’s all I have my eyes on”

Photo Credit: Pro Wrestling NOAH

Takahashi also gave his thoughts on GHC Jr Heavyweight Champion YO-HEY:

“He’s a very light fighter, in a good way. I think he’s the type of fighter who thinks that his opponents can’t keep up with his speed, so they have no choice but to match him in order to make the match happen. When someone like that lets their limit go, they’ll be terrifying, so I’d like to be the one to take it off.”

Takahashi is very confident that he will defeat YO-HEY for the GHC Jr Heavyweight Title that Takahashi went as far as saying, if he doesn’t win, he will remain in NOAH full time:

“I’ll stay in NOAH. I’ll be here full-time, and it would even be to the point where I’d have to take a break from New Japan’s series.”

While Takahashi is focused on his upcoming title match with YO-HEY, it is very intriguing to think of a potential Takahashi vs. OZAWA match down the road. Their styles will mesh well and could have a match of the year candidate should they ever step foot in the ring as opponents.

Whatever happens on Sept. 9th, one thing seems to be certain, we should expect to see more of Hiromu Takahashi inside a Pro Wrestling NOAH ring in the near future.