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The Lion Is Hungry: Daga On Making His Present In NOAH Even Bigger In 2026

1 month ago Manuel Ish | MP

Manuel Ish | MP

The Lion Is Hungry: Daga On Making His Present In NOAH Even Bigger In 2026

By: Pep S. Caro

Pro Wrestling NOAH presents NOAH The New Year at Nippon Budokan on Janurary 1st. One of the matches of the card is a new title defense for Daga and Daiki Odashima, GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships. The Champions will face ALL REBELLION’s Alejandro and Kai Fujimura, and the veterans Eita and Shuji Kondo.

A day before participating in the title defense, I was able to interview Daga, and he was very kind to answer all the questions that covered a variety of topics.

Monthly Puroresu: During the summer, you returned to Dragon Gate for Masaaki Mochizuki’s anniversary. How did it feel to return to Dragon Gate for one night?

Daga: Mochi was the one I faced in my last match in Dragon Gate, and returning to the company to face him brought back some great memories. I always enjoy the Dragon Gate style. I’d like to go back more often.

Monthly Puroresu: One of your goals was achieved, and you participated in the N-1 Victory 2025. You finished the tournament with 4 points, defeating Tetsuya Endo and Kaito Kiyomiya. What were your impressions of your participation? Which match did you consider the most difficult for you?

Daga: Honestly, being in the N-1 Victory was one of my goals since I joined NOAH. I knew I didn’t want to be just a junior heavyweight. As for the victories, well, I beat two of the best wrestlers on the NOAH roster in terms of in-ring performance. I’m satisfied. Kenta wasn’t difficult, but it was tough, and it was a dream come true for me.

Monthly Puroresu: On the day of the N-1 Victory final, you decided to leave TEAM 2000X and protect the young Daiki Odashima. What led you to make these decisions? How did you feel about giving YOSHI-TATSU what he deserved?

Daga: When I was in Team 2000X, when it came to fighting, it was all up to me. OZAWA and Owada followed my advice, but YOSHI-TATSU started sowing discord among the members.

I don’t like being told what to do, and for me, there was no leader. When Daiki was training before his debut, I always saw him at the dojo before everyone else, except me, hahaha. I’m always there before anyone else. But we built a good connection; I even taught him wrestling back then.

Monthly Puroresu: At WRESTLE ODDYSSEY, alongside Daiki, you defeated Los Golpeadores to win the GHC Jr. Championships. What were your feelings about the match? What did winning the titles with Daiki mean to you?

Daga: This was the second time I won that belt. For me, it was a great honor, but I had already had the opportunity to hold them. For Daiki, it was something significant, something that would change his career, so I decided to give it my all. Even that morning I was in the hospital not knowing if I would be able to wrestle. But I made the decision to do it, he gave it his all, and it filled me with emotion.

Monthly Puroresu: Then you competed in the NOAH Jr. Grand Prix 2025. Unfortunately, you lost to Tadasuke in the first round. What were your feelings about the match? What do you think was the deciding factor in losing the match?

Daga: Team 2000X knew there was no chance in a clean fight, so YOSHI-TATSU had to do it. I’m a little disappointed, but time always gives you a chance to get even.

Monthly Puroresu: Your first successful title defense was against Jun Masaoka and Tadasuke of TEAM 2000X. What were your feelings about the match?

Daga: The defense against Team 2000X brought me satisfaction. I knew we wouldn’t lose because I had to get revenge for what they did to me in the tournament.

Monthly Puroresu: At NOAH The New Year 2026, you will defend the Championships against ALL REBELLION (Alejandro and Kai Fujimura) and Eita and Shuji Kondo. What are your expectations for the dynamics we’ll see?

Daga: We want to put on a good match. They are all good wrestlers, so the outcome is uncertain, but we will definitely give it our all, as in every match.

Monthly Puroresu: What do you think of the duo of Alejandro and Kai Fujimura as rivals?

Daga: Alejandro and Kai are very good, and they have a bit of an advantage being brothers! Yes. Did I say that or just think it? Hahaha. But we can counter their techniques and strategies.

Monthly Puroresu: What do you think of the duo of Eita and Shuji Kondo as rivals?

Daga: On the other hand, I’ve faced Eita and Kondo in singles and tag team matches, and I know Eita quite well, so I know what they’re capable of.

Monthly Puroresu: For the third consecutive year, you’ll be entering Nippon Budokan at NOAH’s biggest event of the year as champion. What does that achievement mean to you?

Daga: Being a champion in NOAH is a huge deal. People who really know about pro wrestling know what I’m talking about, and ending and beginning the year as champion is a great blessing and an enormous responsibility.

Monthly Puroresu: We saw you interact in the ring with Naomichi Marufuji again, after several months of interactions on social media. Are we close to seeing the match?

Daga: Marufuji and I have always wanted this match. There’s a story I didn’t know when I arrived at NOAH, but he told me himself, that when I was with TNA (which is where we first met), he said he saw my match and told the person with him that I would be a great fit for NOAH. He also spoke very highly of my wrestling in general.

I hope it happens soon. The NOAH fans want it.

Monthly Puroresu: What are your goals for 2026?

Daga: To grow and give my best. I know that 2026 will be the year when many people will hear the name Daga more loudly.

Monthly Puroresu: Thank you for participating in this interview. To conclude, do you have a message for your fans and the fans of Pro Wrestling NOAH?

Daga: Greetings to all the fans and NOAH fans for following my career.

Date:

January 1, 2026

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