Peatzilla | MP
By: Lewis Carlan
Since his debut as a Young Lion back in April 2018, “Heat Storm” Yuya Uemura has been given the accolade of being a future superstar for New Japan Pro-Wrestling. It has been quite obvious that Uemura is living up to his expectations as he is now one of the top young stars within NJPW.
Uemura has held one championship since his return from excursion in 2023 which was the now defunct NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling Title and he is looking to add more gold to resume in the future.
In 2024, he participated in his first G1 Climax tournament with the hopes of winning and challenging for the IWGP World Heavyweight Title. Unfortunately for Uemura, he was forced to withdraw from that tournament due to an injury.
With the disappointing withdrawal from the G1 Climax last year behind him, Uemura is back in this year’s G1 Climax 35. He has been placed in the A Block with a number of tough competitors.
Uemura took time out of his busy schedule to grant an interview to us here at Monthly Puroresu as we discussed a number of topics.
Monthly Puroresu:
Last year, you had to leave the G1 Climax 34 early due to an injury which had to be disappointing. As we head into G1 Climax 35 how have you been preparing and what is your goal for this year’s tournament?
Yuya Uemura:
I don’t do anything in particular to get ready for the G1, just my usual routines to be in the best condition I can be.
Monthly Puroresu:
You are in Block A which includes Yota Tsuji and Hiroshi Tanahashi. Who do you see as the opponent that will give you the toughest competition to win your block?
Yuya Uemura:
I think I most want to beat the strongest guys there, and to me those are the guys with wrestling styles similar to mine. So I would say Oiwa and SANADA are the key matches for me.
Monthly Puroresu:
Would you consider anything less than winning the G1 Climax 35 a failure?
Yuya Uemura:
Of course!
Monthly Puroresu:
Your last two singles matches were against Yota Tsuji and Hiroshi Tanahashi and you were defeated in each bout. As both Tsuji & Tanahashi are in your block, do you feel they hold any mental advantage over you?
Yuya Uemura:
No, of course not.
Monthly Puroresu:
You were a member of the Just 5 Guys unit but they have disbanded. Some former members have since joined other units. Are you looking to join another unit as well or will you remain solo for the time being?
Yuya Uemura:
With all the faction changes, it really feels like NJPW has entered a new phase. For me, I think right now I’m in the best spot for me to truly put who I am out there without any pressure- the only pressure is what I put on myself to be at the very center of Hontai.
Monthly Puroresu:
How do you feel you have grown as a competitor since your Young Lion debut in April 2018 and who do you feel is your biggest rival in NJPW?
Yuya Uemura:
I see myself as having grown into being a central figure, and I see a lot of different types of rivals that also want that position and also see themselves that way. That’s great in my book. So I think my top rivals are the ones in my generation, with [Yota] Tsuji on top of the list.
Monthly Puroresu:
What do you hope to accomplish in the second half of 2025?
Yuya Uemura:
The first thing I need to show Japan and the world is that Yuya Uemura is the best pro-wrestler on the planet. To do that, I’ll take the G1 trophy all around Japan, and then I’ll have my eyes on the IWGP title and the Tokyo Dome main event. Then I’ll do all I can to bring pro-wrestling and Yuya Uemura to the whole world.
Monthly Puroresu:
What is your final message for all the competitors in this years G1 Climax 35?
Yuya Uemura:
One of my key aims is to really become worldwide and for pro-wrestling to be a worldwide phenomenon. Winning G1 will take me a good bit closer to that goal. To the fans, to all the kids and the people I’ve been able to meet and to the whole world, you’ll see just how strong Yuya Uemura is. The Heat Storm will fire up your heart!
Thank you Yuya Uemura-san!
Date:
July 19, 2025
