Tama Tonga is once again the NJPW NEVER Openweight Champion, but it appears that his reign will be a very short one.
At Wrestle Kingdom 18, Tonga dethroned Shingo Takagi to regain the gold. Takagi, a three-time NJPW NEVER Openweight Champion, had held the title since October’s Fighting Spirit Unleashed event, where he beat Tonga. Tama’s victory this week makes him a four-time champion. This also makes Tonga the wrestler to have held the title for the third most amount of reigns, behind Hirooki Goto (five reigns) and Tomohiro Ishii (six reigns.
You can check out some of the highlights from Tonga’s title win below.
.@Takagi__Shingo "Tope Con Giro"
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njwk18 #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/gH8IDum6ot
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 4, 2024
.@Takagi__Shingo came to Tokyo Dome??
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njwk18 #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/5XvoCt5XYe
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 4, 2024
.@1TamaTonga "Styles Clash ? Gun Stun"
Sign up Now & Stay tuned to https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njwk18 #NJPW #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/nveUjxIjNu
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 4, 2024
?WRESTLE KINGDOM 18 in ??????
?5??NEVER???????????
"THE DRAGON"??????????????????????? @Takagi__Shingo × @1TamaTonga#njpwworld ?????
??????https://t.co/CeQLGjTmZ5#njwk18 #NJPW pic.twitter.com/makykhZbHm
— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) January 4, 2024
Finishing with New Japan Pro Wrestling
While Tonga is once again the champion, it appears that a lengthy title run isn’t in the cards. In a post-match press conference, Tonga announced that January will be his final month with the promotion. In his comments (courtesy of PWI Contributor Issa) Tonga said he wants to find work closer to home. He added that he misses his family and doesn’t want to keep leaving them behind, as this was the case in his childhood.
Tonga made it clear that he loves Japan, NJPW, and every wrestler who works for the promotion. He is also elated at the current state of his career but realizes it is now time for him to go home to his family. Tonga is the nephew and adoptive son of legendary tough-man wrestler Haku.
NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18 saw the arrival of a former WWE World Champion. Click here to find out more.
