Shota Umino: “Hey Me From 2029, Don’t Lose Again You Bastard!”

By: R. Faliani

After his loss at the hands of Jon Moxley, Shota Umino went backstage and decided to make a promise and bow to himself 5 years from now. The Musketeer was not happy with this loss at all, but he wanted to make sure his future self understood its message, as he declared he didn’t want to lose any more in 5 years, and he wanted to carry the company for good. The promise he made to himself was clear: Don’t lose again, and hear this message in 5 years to see where you’re standing.

【新日本】海野翔太　憧れのIWGPとモクスリーにあと一歩届かず「こんなところで諦めてたまるか！」｜東スポWEB #njpwhttps://t.co/6csPPq8dc5

— 東スポ　プロレス格闘技担当 (@tospo_battle) May 12, 2024

This message was a way to express the feelings he had for such a big loss in his New Japan Pro Wrestling career but it was also a way for Umino to realize what the last five years have come to since he knew Moxley back in Dominion 2019. He became Mox’s protege, but Umino wants to stop that and become something bigger than his master. Therefore, he sends that message to his future self, and he’s tired of losing and being considered inferior. He wants his future self to know he will not be forgiven if he’s not carrying New Japan by 2029.