Yota Tsuji Invites Vietnam Pro Wrestling’s Ares to the NJPW Dojo

By: Noah Leatherland

Yota Tsuji has been representing NJPW across Southeast Asia, appearing at Vietnam Pro Wrestling and hosting a training seminar. At VPW The Rumble, Tsuji invited one of their top stars, Ares, to the NJPW Dojo.

There were tears of pride flowing at Tsuji’s invite from many of those in attendance. Ares attendance at the NJPW Dojo will be a big step in bolstering the pro wrestling scene in Vietnam, and strengthening VPW’s relationship with NJPW.

Ares is currently in his third reign as the VPW Openweight Champion, the top belt in the Vietnamese promotion. He shared his feelings on this huge moment in his career on Instagram:

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Ever since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of becoming a professional wrestler.

In 2020, I discovered Vietnam Pro Wrestling (VPW) online, and by 2021, I attended my first tryout—a place I never imagined would become my second family. Since then, I’ve been fortunate enough to become the VPW champion in three consecutive years and have had the opportunity to represent Vietnam in competitions throughout Southeast Asia.

My life has been shaped by many decisions that have influenced who I am today. Some were right, some were wrong, but I’ve always believed that every decision comes with its own reasons and challenges. The best decision of my life was joining VPW. And I’m grateful to myself for not giving up on pursuing a passion that everyone around me doubted. The Undertaker once said at the Hall of Fame: “Fight for your dreams, and your dreams will fight for you”—this quote has always stayed with me, constantly reminding me never to stop.

Last night, that dream came true: Yota Tsuji—the IWGP Heavyweight Champion of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW)—came all the way to Vietnam and stepped into the VPW ring to invite me to the professional wrestling training program at the NJPW Dojo. And I have officially become the first wrestler from VPW and Vietnam to make it onto the world stage.

I’d like to express my gratitude to NJPW, including Chairman Naoki Sugabayashi, Chairman Hiroshi Tanahashi, IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji, and everyone at NJPW who gave me this opportunity.

To the VPW family: The first person I always want to thank is Rocky Huỳnh for helping me take my first steps on this journey. I’d also like to thank X-Pat and Jody for their tireless efforts in developing VPW, and of course, I can’t forget all my brothers—from trainers, wrestlers, and referees to the ring boys. Without all of you, there would be no Ares as we know him today, so this achievement belongs to all of us.

To all VPW fans: thank you for your cheers, messages, hugs, and countless words of encouragement—they’ve all helped make Ares “Unstoppable.”

The journey ahead may be difficult and full of surprises we can’t foresee, but one thing is certain: I will keep moving forward no matter what.

(Quotes translated via DeepL)

You can read more about the expanding wrestling scene in Southeast Asia here on Monthly Puroresu.