Vertical Bison | MP
By: Lewis Carlan
Freelance superstar Seiki Yoshioka is closing in on a pro-wrestling milestone. He is less than two years away from celebrating his twentieth year as a pro-wrestler.
Yoshioka began his career back in March 2008 for Wrestle Gate and since then he has emerged as one of the very best junior heavyweights in world today. He has held Jr. Heavyweight and Cruiserweight titles for numerous promotions including Wrestle 1, Pro Wrestling NOAH, Zero1 and most recently All Japan Pro-Wrestling. Yoshioka has enjoyed success as a tag team wrestler as well holding the GHC Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Titles four times and the All Asia Tag Team Titles twice, both times with MUSASHI.
Photo Credit: All Japan Pro-Wrestling
Since 2024, Yoshioka has been competing primarily for AJPW while remaining a freelancer. Yoshioka accomplished a huge feat in Aug. 2026 when he won the AJPW Zennichi Junior Festival 2026 by defeating AJPW World Jr Heavyweight Champion Dan Tamura in the tournament finals.
On Oct. 3rd, Yoshioka will face Dan Tamura once again, this time with the AJPW World Jr Heavyweight Championship on the line. Yoshioka will be looking to regain the title he held from May 2025 through Aug. 2025 when he challenges Tamura.
In addition, Yoshioka will team with MUSASHI on Oct. 11th as they face Dan Tamura & Seigo Tachibana for the vacant All Asia Tag Team Titles. If Yoshioka & MUSASHI win, it will be their third reign as All Asia Tag Team Champions.
By the time Oct. 11th ends, Seiki Yoshioka could very well be a double champion.
Monthly Puroresu caught up with Seiki Yoshioka in this exclusive interview as we discussed a variety of topics.
Monthly Puroresu:
Congratulations on winning the AJPW Zennichi Junior Festival 2026 tournament. How did it feel winning the tournament and defeating the AJPW World Jr Heavyweight Champion Dan Tamura?
Seiki Yoshioka:
Thank you very much. It’s been a grueling series of matches since the league season began, and at one point I was worried about our point total, but I’m glad I kept fighting without giving up.
Image Credit: All Japan Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
You will now face Dan Tamura on October 3rd with the AJPW World Jr Heavyweight Title on the line. Do you think your current momentum will lead you to regaining the title?
Seiki Yoshioka:
Yes, for me, it’s not a question of whether I can do it, it’s that I have to do it. My hometown of Kumamoto is still fighting hard without giving in, even after being hit by an earthquake. To send energy and courage back to that hometown, I want to win the league championship and claim the title.
Monthly Puroresu:
What kind of match do you expect from Dan Tamura on Oct. 3rd? Do you think he will come at you even stronger than before?
Seiki Yoshioka:
He possesses power and toughness that junior fighters don’t have. In this title match, he’ll likely try to overwhelm me with his power. While it’s important not to get hit by those moves, I believe it’s even more crucial to get back up no matter how many times I’m knocked down and to never let my spirit break.
Image Credit: All Japan Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
Is there any special training you need to do to prepare for a grueling tournament such as the Zennichi Junior Festival 2026?
Seiki Yoshioka:
This time, I cut weight a little to build up my stamina for the back-to-back matches. However, since endurance is also necessary, cutting too much weight can lead to injury, so it was difficult to find the right balance.
Monthly Puroresu:
On Oct. 11th, you will have the opportunity to win the All Asia Tag Team Championship for the third time with MUSASHI as you face Dan Tamura & Seigo Tachibana. What are your thoughts and game plan heading into this bout?
Seiki Yoshioka:
Our team has more experience. We’ll defeat Tamura and Tachibana’s team not only by leveraging our individual strengths but also through our teamwork.
Monthly Puroresu:
How does it feel that you could very well be a double champion after Oct.11th?
Seiki Yoshioka:
I’ve won my usual titles so far, but this might be my first time becoming a double champion within the same organization. My motto is “NEVER ENOUGH,” and I’m excited for this first-ever glory.
Image Credit: All Japan Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
As there have been issues in the past, how is your current relationship with MUSASHI?
Seiki Yoshioka:
I’ve faced problems with MUSASHI several times in the past. Now that we’ve overcome our biggest challenge, our bond has deepened, and he’s become my best partner and greatest rival.
Monthly Puroresu:
What are some of the activities you enjoy doing when you aren’t competing in the ring?
Seiki Yoshioka:
I like to relax by reading manga. I also study things completely unrelated to workouts or pro wrestling to stay inspired. By doing that, I can discover ways to apply new perspectives to pro wrestling, ones that go beyond just a wrestler’s viewpoint.
Monthly Puroresu:
As you are a freelancer, is there any desire on your part to officially join the AJPW roster?
Seiki Yoshioka:
I don’t know. I’ll leave that to everyone’s imagination. The only thing I can say for sure is that I love AJPW as it is right now. And in pro wrestling, “Never say never.”
Monthly Puroresu:
How do you feel you compare to other Jr. Heavyweights in the world?
Seiki Yoshioka:
There are so many incredibly talented wrestlers out there. Some make things look easy that I can’t do. That’s probably why I can keep living by the motto “NEVER ENOUGH.” That said, there aren’t many wrestlers as fast or as psychologically astute as I am, and I’m confident I can put on a great match with anyone.
Image Credit: All Japan Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
In 2025, you traveled to the UK and competed for REVPRO. What was the experience like in the UK and did you get to do any touring of the country while you were there?
Seiki Yoshioka:
The matches in the UK were a lot of fun. The matches against my friends Chris Ridgeway and Michael O’Keefe, in particular, were fantastic. I also got to meet a lot of great wrestlers. Some of the wrestlers I thought were amazing ended up wrestling in Japan afterward. I only had one day for sightseeing. It was a truly wonderful experience.
Monthly Puroresu:
Do you hope for another overseas tour soon? Is there a specific country you would like to wrestle in?
Seiki Yoshioka:
I’d love to go on another overseas tour. Besides the UK, of course, Italy—where I held a seminar—as well as France and Germany, which offered me opportunities, but I couldn’t visit due to bad timing, are all appealing. Right now, I’d especially like to wrestle in the U.S. I went to watch WrestleMania Week. I’m really curious to see what kind of reaction I’d get if I wrestled there, where so many different promotions gather.
Monthly Puroresu:
You had a lot of success in Pro Wrestling NOAH. Could we ever see you back inside a NOAH ring in the future?
Seiki Yoshioka:
I can’t even imagine that right now.
Photo Credit: All Japan Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
What led you to pursue a career in pro-wrestling and who were some of your inspirations growing up?
Seiki Yoshioka:
The wrestler who got me into pro wrestling was Muta. After that, I was definitely influenced by Muta, who became my mentor. The reason I wanted to become a pro wrestler was HHH. I was deeply moved by how HHH didn’t quit wrestling even after tearing a leg muscle, and how he endured grueling rehab to make a comeback. He’s my eternal hero.
Monthly Puroresu:
Are there any opponents that you haven’t faced that you would like to step into the ring in with?
Seiki Yoshioka:
HHH or Shawn Michaels, I guess. They’ve retired now, though. As for active wrestlers, maybe Hiromu Takahashi or El Desperado. I’ve already faced most of the wrestlers I looked up to in the ring.
Monthly Puroresu:
You are less than two years away from your 20th anniversary as a pro-wrestler. How do you plan on celebrating this milestone?
Seiki Yoshioka:
I haven’t really thought about it. I don’t know how many more years I’ll be able to wrestle, after all. I’ll walk off the ring on my own two feet when the time comes. Until then, I want to do everything I’ve ever wanted to do.
Photo Credit: All Japan Pro-Wrestling
Monthly Puroresu:
What is the biggest difference between 2008 Seiki Yoshioka and 2026 Seiki Yoshioka?
Seiki Yoshioka:
The biggest differences are experience and mentors. I’ve really been blessed with great mentors. Learning from matches with Muta and Shuji Kondo has really deepened my understanding of pro wrestling. I’ve also been influenced by many other wrestlers, like Marufuji, Yoshinari Ogawa, and CIMA.
Monthly Puroresu:
How do you want to be remembered as a pro-wrestler?
Seiki Yoshioka:
I’ve won a lot of titles so far, and I think I’ll go down in the record books, but I want to be remembered by even more fans.
Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Seiki Yoshioka for participating in this interview.
Date:
September 14, 2026
