By: Steven R. Jackson
Yuki Ueno debuted in 2016 for DDT and since then, he has become a true ace in their talented roster. Ueno is the longest reigning DDT Universal Champion to date, and after winning the 2022 D-Oh Grand Prix, Ueno has earned the right to face KO-D Openweight Championship Kazusada Higuchi at Nevermind 2022 at Tokyo Dome City Hall.
Heading into the biggest match of his career on December 29th, Yuki Ueno shared his candid thoughts on challenging Kazusada Higuchi, being the DDT Universal Champion, the responsibilities he feels being part of the DDT roster and much more!
Monthly Puroresu: As of this interview, you’ve held the DDT Universal Championship longer than anyone else. Over 400 days as the champion and across two fantastic reigns, how does it feel to be a record setter in DDT?
Photo Credit: twitter.com/taigaPhoto_pw
Yuki Ueno: The UNIVERSAL title is something that’s helped me grow as a wrestler and I’m confident that when you think of Ueno you’ll think ‘UNIVERSAL Champion’. I don’t plan on letting anyone change that image and since I’ve held this belt for so long, I’m going to change this from “Ueno’s title” to the “World’s title” through my own ability.
Monthly Puroresu: Along with holding the DDT Universal Championship, you’re also one fifth of the DDT 10-Man Tag Team Champions with The 37KAMIINA. But, on December 29th you have the chance to hold three championships simultaneously, when you face Kazusada Higuchi for the DDT KO-D Openweight Championship. Has that added another layer of pressure to the task ahead?
Yuki Ueno: Absolutely none. I hope to push my abilities to the absolute limit to put a match worthy of the title and continue growing.
Monthly Puroresu: Interestingly the last three times you’ve challenged for the DDT KO-D Openweight Championship it was against Tetsuya Endo. You were always so close, but Endo-san always seemed to get the better of you. What have you learnt from those previous matches that you’ll take into your match against Higuchi-san?
Yuki Ueno: I don’t think it directly affects the upcoming match as my abilities and thought process were different on every occasion, but it feels like all of my experience being put to the test. Endo and Higuchi have different styles, as do I. I don’t think our styles play a difference in the outcome.
Monthly Puroesu: Your KO-D title match opportunity at Nevermind 2022 came about after you won the 2022 D-Oh Grand Prix tournament. You put on an outstanding performance topping your block once again, as you did for Grand Prix 2021 II. What felt different this year when you took part in the D-Oh GP than 2021 II?
Yuki Ueno: There’s no difference compared to last time in terms of my fighting spirit, or my laser focused fighting style. However, being the UNIVERSAL Champion and wanting to challenge the Openweight Champion, winning the D-Oh Grand Prix is a sure-fire way to it. Perhaps it was my desire to reach further than last year and, my desire to stand at the top DDT…my desire to take the future into my hands was the difference maker this year.
Once again, congratulations to D-Oh Grand Prix 2022 winner…Yuki Ueno! @dna_ueno 🥳🎉🎉
2-Weeks Free trial ending SOON!https://t.co/LsvwKpRdnX#D王GP2022 #ddtpro pic.twitter.com/sBtiNEHfWq
— DDT Pro-Wrestling (English) (@ddtproENG) December 4, 2022
Monthly Puroresu: It was exciting this year because you faced two U.S. gaijins during the tournament; Joey Janela and Rickey Shane Page. You’ve also had a prolonged rivalry over the past few years with British gaijin and DDT mainstay Chris Brookes too. Do you find it interesting wrestling gaijins because of the contrasting styles?
Yuki Ueno: Perhaps it’s the difference in our physique but there’s this inner physical strength to them. Their explosiveness, along with their physical strength really lets me wrestle more freely than I normally can. I really enjoy going against wrestlers I have yet to encounter.
Monthly Puroresu: Going along with the mesh of styles, in September 2022 you got to wrestle as part of an AEW card at the Tokyo Game Show. For that reason, this is question of two parts; 1. Are you a video-game fan yourself? 2. As AEW and DDT have developed a strong relationship, is there anyone on the AEW roster you’d like to face in 2023?
Yuki Ueno: I’ve been playing Splatoon 3 for hours on end. The AEW wrestler I’d love to face next year is Konosuke Takeshita!
Monthly Puroresu: You’ve wrestled your whole career in DDT. But it was only in 2021 that you eventually crossed paths with one of the greatest wrestlers on the DDT roster…Yoshihiko! A former 16-time Ironman Heavymetalweight Champion, were you scared at what Yoshihiko may have got in store for you?
Yuki Ueno: I’ve not fought him in a singles match until now, but I’m sure I’ll understand his sheer might when I do. But we should be able to deliver a great match right…
Monthly Puroresu: There was another tag team match you wrestled in 2021 which was simply phenomenal. You and Konosuke Takeshita faced Kaito Kiyomiya and Yoshiki Inamura at the Cyberfight Festival in an DDT vs. NOAH inter-promotional match. It must have been such an honor to represent DDT in a match of that magnitude?
Yuki Ueno: I am confident that DDT is the best, and so is Takeshita. I wasn’t afraid nor nervous in that match as I’ve been constantly fighting to prove that I am as good as him. Kiyomiya and Inamura are also amazing wrestlers so I’m sure if it’ll be enjoyable if we fought in a DDT ring too.
情熱が身体の中に詰まってるふたりなんだろうな。
竹のおかげで大きなチャンスを掴み取れました。
戦前は自信満々に言ってたけど、闘ってみて勝てたことが大変な事で凄い事だと思う。
しっかり噛み締めます。解放して、またどこかで出会いましょう。#ddtpro #noah_ghc #サイバーファイトフェス pic.twitter.com/tk7qxYMkqS
— 上野 勇希 YUKI UENO @サウナカミーナ (@dna_ueno) June 6, 2021
Monthly Puroresu: For many, DDT and NOAH are seen as complete opposites in terms of wrestling style and presentation. But both have fundamentals which are deep rooted in puroresu. For you, what makes DDT’s place in puroresu so special?
Yuki Ueno: Everyone is the best, everyone is truly best in DDT. DDT is what got me into wrestling, so it is not something I compared to others. DDT Pro Wrestling is the one and only Pro Wrestling (to me).
Monthly Puroresu: Finally, because of the Wrestle Universe streaming service, DDT can now be seen all over the world! How does it feel knowing that people will be rooting for you across the globe, when you challenge Kazusada Higuchi for the KO-D Openweight title on December 29th?
Yuki Ueno: There’s a DDT that only I can portray in the ring. I’ll believe in myself, and everyone will enjoy themselves in believing in me. I’ll fight for them so please support me! Thank you!
Date:
December 27, 2022
