Peatzilla | MP
By: Lewis Carlan
Ever since his debut as a Young Lion for New Japan Pro-Wrestling back in April 2017, Shota Umino has been destined for greatness as he exhibited tremendous potential. Eight years have passed since his debut and Umino is now one of the top superstars within NJPW. He is bound to be one of the leaders for NJPW over the next 10-15 years.
Umino participated in the G1 Climax 35 this year and finished with career best 12 points which included huge tournament victories over the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. and G1 Climax 35 winner Konosuke Takeshita.
The 28 year old superstar made it to the playoff round of the G1 Climax 35 before being eliminated by rival Yota Tsuji.
With a few months left to go in 2025, Umino is looking ahead to the World Tag League 2025 and Wrestle Kingdom 20 at the Tokyo Dome.
Shota Umino granted an interview to Monthly Puroresu as we discussed the G1 Climax 35 and a number of other topics.
Here is the Monthly Puroresu interview with NJPW superstar Shota Umino:
Monthly Puroresu:
This year at the G1 Climax 35 tournament, you finished with 12 points which is the most you have ever gotten. Are you satisfied with your improvement over last year or do you have a feeling of disappointment about not winning the tournament and what do you feel you need to do if you wish to take your career to the next level to win next years G1 Climax tournament.
Shota Umino:
Shota Umino:
Tsuji is a fantastic wrestler, and I really like his style in the ring. I think I have the best in ring chemistry with him out of anybody in what people call the new generation.
Photo Credit: NJPW
Monthly Puroresu:
You defeated the current IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr in a G1 Block B match. Should Sabre remain champion after King of Pro Wrestling, do you feel you deserve an opportunity at the title and would you like to challenge him again in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 20?
Shota Umino:
I beat the world champion, and I beat the guy that won the G1 in Konosuke Takeshita. Obviously those two wins are huge, and I think I earned a right to challenge. The dream scenario would be I would win the belt from one of them, and then call out Hiroshi Tanahashi for his final match. But I won’t challenge until I feel the circumstances are truly right, and I don’t think the circumstances are truly right now.
Photo Credit: NJPW
Monthly Puroresu:
You debuted back in 2017, what do you feel are the main differences between you in 2017 and in 2025?
Shota Umino:
I haven’t really changed, and I mean that in a good way. I’ve always come through my career feeling that NJPW is the best wrestling in the world, and that I want to prove that point to everybody that watches. I felt that in 2017, and I feel it now.
Manuel Gouaiche | MP
Monthly Puroresu:
Do any of the current Young Lions such as Katsuya Murashima or Shoma Kato ever seek you out for mentoring and if so what type of advice would you give to them?
Shota Umino:
I’ll work with the Young Lions and teach them a few different things wherever I can. Really the most important thing is to have heart and wrestle with feeling. Just the real fundamentals of what we do. I think Daiki Nagai has the most potential of the lot right now. He’ll be a huge star soon enough. And Aaron Wolf, I’m really glad he chose NJPW and I’m excited to see what he can do. He won’t be beating me though.
Monthly Puroresu:
The World Tag League 2025 is coming up, do you plan on participating and who would you like to team with this year? Also, you have mentioned previously that you loved teaming with Hiroshi Tanahashi-san and Yuya Uemura-san. Before Tanahashi retires, do you think you may want to challenge for the Never Openweight Six Man Titles with that unit?
Shota Umino:
I’d love to! I really enjoyed teaming with Uemura recently, and I think that would be a cool World Tag League team. I’m looking forward to tag league season.
Photo Credit: NJPW/Shota Umino
Monthly Puroresu:
In your eight years of competition, what is your proudest accomplishment up until now?
Shota Umino:
Any match I had with Ospreay. He really brought out the best in me.
Photo Credit: NJPW/Shota Umino
Monthly Puroresu:
The incredible career of Hiroshi Tanahashi-san is coming to end. What does Tanahashi-san mean to you and what does he mean to NJPW?
Shota Umino:
Tanahashi to me is NJPW. They’re one of the same. Tanahashi is a true treasure to the wrestling world.
Monthly Puroresu:
What does the future hold for Shota Umino? Is the goal to win a major title before the end of 2025?
Shota Umino:
I’m constantly thinking of the IWGP World Heavyweight title. That’s always why I compete, but I won’t challenge unless the time is right. Tagging with Tanahashi and Uemura would definitely be interesting toward the end of the year!
Monthly Puroresu would like to extend our sincere gratitude to New Japan Pro-Wrestling for facilitating this interview with Shota Umino and providing the English text translation.
Date:
September 10, 2025
