Photo Credit: NOAH
By: Ian McCord
The mockery, mind games and suprising compliments from Tetsuya Naito and OZAWA come to a head at NOAH’s APEX CONQUEST 2026 in NAGOYA event on April 12th.
The rivalry between Los Tranquilos de Japon and TEAM 2000X has boiled over and led to comments from other members of the NOAH roster such as KENOH and Kaito Kiyomiya. KENOH’s issues with Naito stem from scores left unsettled during the 2023 Kongo vs LIJ (now LTJ) feud back at Wrestle Kingdom 17 in Yokohama.
The war of words between OZAWA and Tetsuya Naito started back on March 17th during a NOAH event in Hodogaya. After hitting Naito’s signature pose following his match, OZAWA would give his thoughts on Los Tranquilos de Japon during his post-match comments, claiming Naito’s performances since joining NOAH have been disappointing.
From OZAWA:
“Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI, Los Ingo Berna~!… No, wait. I don’t know what your personal circumstances are, but the way you move in the ring just looks… well, disappointing. So today, I showed you what I could do in my prime—use that as a model and learn from it.”
Naito and BUSHI would successfully defend the GHC Tag Team Championships 3 days later on March 20th at LETHAL ODYSSEY TOUR 2026 in Kobe Sambo Hall, defeating Manabu Soya & Shuji Kondo. After the match, OZAWA and Jun Masaoka would step up to challenge with OZAWA getting on the microphone to send a harsh message to Los Tranquilos de Japon.
From OZAWA:
“Step off the ark. That belt isn’t for guys living off past glory. Don’t disrespect the GHC. We’re taking it.”
Naito would accept the challenge from TEAM 2000X and then make a comment about OZAWA being the 2025 Tokyo Sports MVP, leaving many to wonder if Naito was aware that Saya Kamitani had won that accolade.
From Naito:
“Should I talk about the GHC Tag match… or the shot I took at OZAWA? Didn’t win MVP, right? In my book, you were MVP. My apologies—perdón, amigo.”
The match for the GHC Tag Team Championships would be made official for April 12th at NOAH’s APEX CONQUEST 2026 In NAGOYA.
Photo Credit: NOAH
BUSHI would fire a shot towards Jun Masaoka on social media following the official tag title announcement, sending the TEAM 2000X member a back handed compliment while also calling back to his Wrestle Kingdom 17 In Yokohama Arena match against Tadasuke during the best of five series between Kongo and LIJ (now LTJ).
From BUSHI:
“Hey, wait a minute—is this really okay?! Personally, I preferred Tadasuke, even though I lost in the singles. Honestly, nobody even knows who Masaoka is, lol. I think Masaoka is way cooler than Tadasuke, but experts out there—tell me what’s so great about this guy besides his good looks.”
Prior to Los Tranquilos de Japon and TEAM 2000X’s first preliminary meeting on March 25th, Naito would have an interview with Tokyo Sports where he gave his thoughts on OZAWA and cleared the air over calling him the 2025 MVP.
From Tetsuya Naito:
“I really made a mistake there. That’s just how big of an impact OZAWA had last year. It made me think, ‘There used to be a wrestler like this in New Japan—what a waste.’ Even though we’re in the same venue, I can feel how much attention he’s getting, and I’m actually excited about it.”
In the same interview, Naito would respond to OZAWA’s claims of the former IWGP Champion “living off past glories”, comparing OZAWA’s actions to his own from many years ago. Naito would also go on to say that he expected more out of the new top star in NOAH.
From Tetsuya Naito:
“I understand how Tenzan felt back then, and I get why the young OZAWA wants to poke fun at that. But that’s a path I already walked over ten years ago. O-Khan said something similar to me, and I thought, ‘Here we go again.’ Was it too much to expect that OZAWA might see things differently? I wondered if he could only provoke others by imitating them. Ultimately, I felt that he still hasn’t established his own unique identity—that signature move that says, ‘This is who I am.’ I get that he’s physically gifted, but is this really about the difficulty of the moves? If that’s the case, Kamitani—who stopped using that incredibly difficult Phoenix Splash you’re doing now—won the MVP last year… If you’re so determined to copy someone, wouldn’t copying Kamitani be a better way to get closer to that MVP you’ve been craving so much?”
(Interview courtesy of Tokyo Sports, English Translation via DeepL)
The first of 4 preview tag matches would be announced for March 25th’s LETHAL ODYSSEY TOUR 2026 in Shinagawa with OZAWA, Masa Kitamiya and Takashi Sugiura taking on Tetsuya Naito, BUSHI and RYUSEI.
Photo Credit: NOAH
OZAWA would continue playing the Naito greatest hits 3 days prior to his first meeting with the ungovernable one.
In Osaka on March 22nd, a 6-man tag match between TEAM 2000X and White Raven Squad would take place in the main event with OZAWA hitting Naito’s Destino onto Tetsuya Endo during the match.
Photo Credit: NOAH
OZAWA would boast of his perfect execution of Naito’s finisher during his post-match comments:
From OZAWA:
“You see that? My Destino. Hit it easy. Tetsuya Naito? You can’t even pull off your own move anymore?”
On March 25th the time for talk would take a brief pause for Naito and OZAWA to have their first in-ring encounter in Shinagawa.
TEAM 2000X would pick up the victory in the first preview match and Tetsuya Naito would share how impressive he thought OZAWA was during his post-match comments, praising the young man who’s been nothing but a thorn in his side.
From Tetsuya Naito:
“Today was my first time experiencing the much-talked-about OZAWA. He was even better than the hype. Facing him at this timing—I’m really looking forward to it. Aside from career and age, he might surpass me in everything. I’m excited to see what I become after going through him.”
OZAWA wouldn’t share the same appreciation for his new found rival, continuing to question the condition of Naito’s knees sharing this to his X account:
From OZAWA:
“Naito still doesn’t look right—his knee’s not there. If he can’t go, I’ll handle everything for him.”
Photo Credit: NOAH
The 2nd preview match would be announced for April 1st at LEGACY RISE 2026 in Korakuen Hall. This time it would be an 8-man tag team action with Naito, BUSHI, Angel Reyes and RYUSEI facing off against OZAWA, Masaoka, Sugiura and Tadasuke.
Photo Credit: NOAH
TEAM 2000X would be victorious against Los Tranquilos de Japon in the 8-man tag match with OZAWA hitting a picture perfect Destino onto RYUSEI for the win in just under 14 minutes.
Naito gave OZAWA’s Destino no attention, rather gave his rival another compliment and follow it with bit of an insult for OZAWA and other members of the NOAH roster.
Photo Credit: NOAH
From Tetsuya Naito:
“In my opinion, OZAWA was last year’s Pro Wrestling Awards MVP. That’s how fascinated I am by him. Did you see the turnout at Korakuen Hall today? It was about 75 percent full. Don’t you think OZAWA, Kiyomiya, and Inamura need to bring in more fans?”
This comment from Naito caught the attention of NOAH star KENOH. Naito and KENOH, like BUSHI and Tadasuke, have history that dates back to the Wrestle Kingdom 17 Best of 5 series between Kongo and LIJ, where Naito defeated KENOH in the main event to win the series.
Photo Credit: NJPW
More recently, Naito and BUSHI continued their winning ways over KENOH by defeating him and then partner Naomichi Marufuji at NOAH’s THE NEW YEAR 2026 in the Budokan on January 1st to become GHC Tag Team Champions.
KENOH would share his thoughts on Naito’s comments regarding the size of the Korakuen crowd by posting this to his X account.
From KENOH:
“Here we go again—the classic New Japan Pro-Wrestling blame game! It sounds like you’re just trying to shift the blame onto others because you don’t want people to think you’ve lost your edge. Of course everyone else feels more responsible than you guys do!!”
Kaito Kiyomiya would be the next to respond to Naito’s comments of poor attendance in Korakuen and also share his interests in seeing OZAWA and Naito face one on one saying this in an interview with Tokyo Sports:
From Kaito Kiyomiya:
“We lost the match, and since I didn’t get involved with OZAWA, I think he’s [Naito] just taking it out on us. I’m not going to let some random old guy from the outside get to me. Is this the flip side of expectations? I don’t know, but does he even have the luxury of time for this right now? Anyway, there’s no point in talking about what’s going on around me. Lately, I’m just a first-half (card) guy, aren’t I? I don’t think I can stay in my current position. I want Naito to face OZAWA head-on, and I have my own things to do. Just watch.”
(Interview courtesy of Tokyo Sports, English Translation via DeepL)
The next preview tag match between LTJ and TEAM 2000X would be on April 4th at NOAH’s LETHAL ODYSSEY TOUR 2026 at the Tama Mirai Messe arena in Tokyo.
Photo Credit: NOAH
OZAWA would be absent from the match, competing in singles competition on April 4th, defeating Midori Takahashi on a card that saw 3 NOAH rookies take on 3 of NOAH’s former and current GHC Heavyweight Champions in Kaito Kiyomiya and Yoshiki Inamura.
The TEAM 2000X squad of Alpha Wolf, Jun Masaoka, Kai Fujimura & Masa Kitamiya would defeat Los Tranquilos de Japon yet again, this time in just over 11 minutes in the semi-main event with Masaoka getting the pin for his team.
Photo Credit: NOAH
During his post-match comments, Jun Masaoka would carry his weight in the trash talk department during OZAWA’s absence having this to say about LTJ:
From Jun Masaoka:
“Hey, were BUSHI and Naito even here today? Didn’t feel their presence at all. While they were laid out outside, we easily beat their weak teammate. Just over a week to 4/12 Nagoya—first, tomorrow. Same result as today. BUSHI, I’m taking it from you.”
Naito would keep the positive vibes going even in defeat during his post-match comments, sharing that he’s been enjoying his time in NOAH thus far, claiming everyday has been fun.
From : Tetsuya Naito
“To keep enjoying these days, we need the GHC Tag titles. We’re absolutely going to defend them. On 4/12 in Nagoya, we’ll show you the pro wrestling of Naito & BUSHI—LOS TRANQUILOS de JAPON as we are now. See you tomorrow at Fujisan Messe.”
The 4th and final preview match took place on April 5th at LETHAL ODYSSEY TOUR 2026 in Fujisan Messe.
Photo Credit: NOAH
The 8-man tag match saw TEAM 2000X members Knull and Masa Kitamiya join OZAWA and Masaoka to face the Los Tranquilos de Japon quartet in the main event.
TEAM 2000X would pull off the clean sweep of LTJ, winning the final preview match at the (14:24) mark.
OZAWA and Masaoka would continue talking down to LTJ during their post-match comments, however OZAWA would mention he’s excited for BUSHI’s autobiography that is scheduled to come out on April 27th.
From Jun Masaoka:
“Last preview match, huh. Not for a second did I feel we were inferior to them. On 4/12 in Nagoya, we’re taking the GHC Tag titles—no doubt.”
From OZAWA:
“Naito! You’re more fired up outside the ring than for the title match! BUSHI… that autobiography—I’m actually looking forward to it.”
Following the 4th loss to TEAM 2000X Naito would continue praising OZAWA for his talent, also letting him know that this ends in Nagoya when LTJ retains the GHC Tag Team Championships.
From Tetsuya Naito:
“OZAWA—I wasn’t wrong about you. You’ve exceeded my expectations. I’ve enjoyed facing you every day… and you feel the same, right? Unfortunately, that ends here. Because in Nagoya, BUSHI and I will defend. And we’ll keep defending until we meet again.”
OZAWA would take to social media following the final preview match on April 5th, showing a bit of respect to his newfound rival but letting him know of his intention to use Naito’s star power as a stepping stone.
From OZAWA:
“To be honest, the move where I lie down on the ring was actually inspired by Naito. Make sure you’re still Tetsuya Naito when you’re in the ring, okay? I’ll be in trouble if you don’t function as my stepping stone.”
(English Translations via DeepL)
The war of words comes to an end on April 12th when Pro Wrestling NOAH has its APEX CONQUEST 2026 in NAGOYA premium event.
This will be Los Tranquilos de Japon’s 3rd defense of the GHC Tag Team Championships.
APEX CONQUEST 2026 in NAGOYA will be streaming live on Wrestle UNIVERSE on April 12th.
Here is the full card for NOAH’s APEX CONQUEST 2026 in NAGOYA on April 12th:
Date:
April 8, 2026
Category:
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