Yota Tsuji Believes Beating Andrade El Idolo in Japan Will Strengthen the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship

By: Ian McCord

The IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, Yota Tsuji, is set to make his next defense of the title on May 3rd against AEW star Andrade El Idolo on the first night of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestling Dontaku 2026.

Tsuji was originally scheduled to defend the championship against Gabe Kidd, after being attacked by his rival on April 4th at NJPW Sakura Genesis 2026. Gabe Kidd, who is now signed to AEW, was forced to pull out of the match with Tsuji after suffering a shoulder injury at AEW’s Dynasty 2026 show on April 12.

Gabe Kidd’s replacement would come in the form of fellow AEW star Andrade El Idolo, who issued a challenge to Tsuji on the first night of Road to Wrestling Dontaku on April 19th.

Ahead of their match on May 3rd, Tsuji sat down for an interview with New Japan Pro Wrestling where he shared his thoughts on Andrade, explaining his opponents strengths as a professional wrestler.

From Yota Tsuji:

“He really is a global wrestler, in terms of being a total all rounder. There’s no wasted motion in anything that he does. Everything that he’s doing in the ring, or everything that he doesn’t do even, when he moves and when he stops, there’s reasoning to all of it. Whether that’s something conscious or just instinctive, it’s really the sign of a fully formed wrestler. He chips away at you. He knows just what to do and when to do it. You’re fighting with him before the bell even rings. Before he even steps in the building, he controls the conversation just with how he looks with the coat and tie and the whole fit. He understands that wrestling isn’t just about what goes on between the ropes.”

Tsuji would then comment on Andrade El Idolo’s persuasive ability in securing another shot at the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title after losing to him in New Jersey back in February. The champion also explained his hopes to use the title to fix any negative opinions one might have towards NJPW, and said that he believes defeating Andrade in Japan would strengthen the international prestige of the Global Heavyweight Championship.

From Yota Tsuji:

“Well, by the same measure, Tsuji beating Andrade not once but twice is a pretty persuasive statement for me to make to the world. Recently there’s been a lot of looking past or looking down on NJPW, and that’s something I want to use the Global title to fix. It might be the second time for us, but that’s all good in my view; it brings strength to the belt on an international level to beat Andrade in Japan.”

(English Translations courtesy of NJPW)

The first night of NJPW’s Wrestling Dontaku 2026 will air live on NJPW World streaming service on May 3rd.