IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Champion Tetsuya Naito has shared his thoughts on being awarded several notable awards.
The Los Ingobernables de Japon leader was recently honored with the Tokyo Sports MVP award. His Wrestle Kingdom 14 clash with Kazuchika Okada was also awarded Tokyo Sports Best Bout 2020 Award.
“To be honest, as soon as I did what I did in the Tokyo Dome on January 4 & 5, I had assumed that this award was coming,” Naito said. “But after the Tokyo Dome, thanks to the pandemic, the match I had wanted with Hiromu Takahashi for a decade didn’t take place. From there, this year took a rather different form to what I had expected. Then again, things not exactly going to plan, that’s pretty much on brand for Tetsuya Naito.”
Naito On Winning Match Of The Year
When asked about being the Match of the Year award, Naito acknowledged how determining a winner for the category can be difficult due to subjective taste. He shared how it’s a “difficult call to make.”
“Everybody has their own taste. Some people might think my match with Okada was the clear winner, and some might have a very different idea. It’s a difficult call to make, and this decision will certainly raise a lot of debate. But thinking back on the matches I’ve had this year, the (Okada match) certainly is one that stays with me,” Naito admitted. “I think a few years from now when I look back on my career, this is definitely a match that will leap out as an important one, and I’m happy it got chosen.”
Naito then reflected on the key moments from the matchup that stick out in his memory. One thing that still resonates with him is how the crowd was chanting his name.
“[…] not just during the match or my entrance, but afterward, with all of the Tokyo Dome chanting my name, that’s such an incredible memory. It wasn’t just a match and a moment that I created with Okada, but something everybody in that building help make, so all of you chanting have my gratitude. Gracias.”
Tetsuya Naito is set to perform double duty at next year’s Wrestle Kingdom 15. On January 4, Naito will defend his IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Championships against Kota Ibushi.
If he successfully retains his championships, Naito faces off against Jay White on January 5 in another ‘Winner Take All’ championship match.
Ahead of his IWGP Intercontinental Championship clash against Bullet Club leader Jay White, Tetsuya Naito sat down with njpw1972.com to discuss his Double Dash Gold opportunity. Naito was clear about why he wanted to be the one to walk away on Sunday with both titles: to make history.
Naito was the first in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) to begin openly talking about being a double champion last year. For him, it’s all about making history and breaking old records.
“But when you’re the first to do something, that stays forever,” he explained. “I was trying to think of something that’s never been done before, that I could be first at. And then it hit me; double IWGP champion.”
He explained how “[…] there’s always been a distinction between the two titles; people wrestling for the Intercontinental Championship haven’t mixed with the Heavyweight contenders. So rather than have people think that I’ve gone back to just wrestling for the IC title, I wanted to say, no, I’m going to have this and wrestle for the heavyweight title as well.”
Tetsuya Naito’s Day One Ambition
The Los Ingobernables de Japon leader shared how he wanted to get rid of the idea that those competing for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship never move away from that scene. He reiterated how he’s never had any genuine interest in that championship, with the IWGP Heavyweight Championship always being his “number one belt.”
For Naito, defeating Jay White and once again becoming Intercontinental Champion is a means to an end. That end being the Heavyweight gold. Despite his goal, however, Naito stressed how “[…] the thing that I want the absolute most right now is the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. Remember, that’s what I’ve said since day one: I want to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship while holding the Intercontinental.”
Tetsuya Naito faces off against Jay White this Saturday on Night One of Wrestle Kingdom 14. The winner of their championship bout will go on to face the winner of Kazuchika Okada and Kota Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship on Night Two.
Wrestle Kingdom 14 takes place this weekend on 1/4 and 1/5 from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.
This Saturday, during Night One of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Wrestling Kingdom 14 event, Tetsuya Naito gets his opportunity at reclaiming the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. He faces Bullet Club leader Jay White for the gold.
Despite his Double Gold Dash opportunity, the Los Ingobernables de Japon leader revealed in an interview with njpw1972.com that for approximately six months he considered ending his wrestling career.
“I don’t want to go into specifics, but for a while, I thought I couldn’t wrestle anymore,” Naito stated. “Truth is for about six months, maybe since May, I had this kind of crisis of confidence.”
He continued, “From about May, I’d felt something was up, and I couldn’t put my finger on it. I thought I could cover it up, but I think the result was that it did come through. I was constantly wrestling in that state of unease. I hate going to the hospital, but I really wasn’t myself for a time.”
Tetsuya Naito’s Mental Strain
Reflecting on that time, Naito compared his mindset to having an injury. He noted how “things don’t get back to 100%”. When it comes to this particular issue he’s managed to recover thanks to some time off. He stressed that, 100% or not, he felt he was close to zero due to the mental strain, believing he might not be able to get into a ring again.
If successful in his match against White, Naito would go on to compete against the IWGP Heavyweight Champion on Night Two of Wrestle Kingdom 14. Kazuchika Okada and Kota Ibush clash for that title on Night One.
Wrestle Kingdom 14 takes place this weekend on 1/4 and 1/5 from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.
Jon Moxley is currently tearing his way through the B Block in New Japan Pro Wrestling’s G1 Climax 29 tournament.
One current NJPW wrestler, however, hasn’t been too impressed with the former WWE Superstar: the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, Tetsuya Naito.
The Los Ingobernables de Japon leader sat down with njpw1972.com for an interview to discuss the G1 Climax and a few of his opponents, including Moxley.
It’s worth noting that the second part of this interview was only recently uploaded, and was conducted before the G1 matchup between Naito and Moxley on July 28th.
Commenting on the matchup between Moxley and Juice Robinson, Naito stated that the match, which saw Moxley claim the IWGP US Championship, didn’t move him.
“That Moxley match didn’t really move me. I know it was a hot crowd in Ryogoku, that came through on the TV even, but I was left thinking, ‘Why are the people making that kind of noise?’ I couldn’t put my finger on it, myself.”
When discussing Moxley specifically, he claimed to prefer technical wrestlers over Moxley’s current brawling style.
“I prefer technical wrestlers. Plus, with his new gear, he seems more subdued, less showy than how I imagine a WWE wrestler is. Then again, that’s just going off one match. Maybe he has something I haven’t seen just yet,” Naito said.
He continued, “You don’t hold all the championships he has, or get as popular as he’s got purely on luck. Maybe I’ll see something in him after we actually meet in the ring, but for now, he’s an unknown quantity.”
The two clashed a few days ago on July 28th. Jon Moxley defeated Naito, continuing his undefeated streak in the G1 Climax.
New Japan Pro Wrestling’s YouTube account has uploaded a rebuttal from Chris Jericho addressing Naito’s recent promo. The leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon would insult the current IWGP Intercontinental champion, condescendingly mocking him as he referred to Jericho as an “international superstar.”
In his response, Jericho (sans makeup) snipes back, introducing himself as “[…] the guy who stole your t-shirt design to make some cash” before showing off that he “made a lot of cash from that, so I thank you.”
“You know it’s funny,” he mused, “you say no one’s talking about me, but everyone’s talking about you, Naito. Everyone is talking about how Chris Jericho kicked your ass at Dominion. How Chris Jericho left you laying and became the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, and I know that’s driving you crazy,” he goaded. “People [are] talking behind your back. Ever since [Dominion], you’ve done nothing of merit.”
“You’re right, Naito. I’m an international superstar. But what does it matter?” he asked. What does it matter where I’ve been, what I’ve done, what legends I’ve beaten? All that matters is that I’ve beat you. And it bothers you.”
Closing out his response, Jericho promises that he’s “going to shut you up for good. Your sarcastic, arrogant, little b**** self. Remember I’m not tranquilo, Naito. I’m f****** crazy.”
New Japan Pro Wrestling has released a new video via their YouTube channel. The video features the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon, Tetsuya Naito, addressing his Wrestle Kingdom 13 opponent, Chris Jericho.
The two will clash for Jericho’s IWGP Intercontinental Championship at NJPW’s January 4th super show.
Over the course of the video, Naito (who sports face paint similar to what Jericho has been wearing in recent months) mocks his opponent, jabbing at what he considers to be Jericho’s inflated sense of ego by condescendingly referring to him as an “international superstar.”
“He Wouldn’t Do Anything That Cheap, Would He?”
Naito proceeds to poke fun at Jericho’s recent use of make-up, stating, “An international superstar wouldn’t put this lame make-up on his face, would he? If he used make-up, he would do it cooler, wouldn’t he?”
The LIJ leader then suggests in an off-hand way that Jericho has purposely stolen t-shirt ideas in order to profit off a popular design.
“[…] he wouldn’t rip-off someone else’s t-shirt design to make a little cash,” Naito said. “He wouldn’t do anything that cheap, would he? After all, he’s an international superstar, right?”
While addressing how Jericho is looked on within the NJPW locker room, the former IWGP Heavyweight champion admitted that “[…] nobody really talks about you. Is it perhaps the nobody’s really that interested in you? The self-proclaimed international superstar, Mr. Chris Jericho.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2d5J5pjjtY
What did you think of this promo? Do you think Naito vs Jericho could steal the show at Wrestle Kingdom 13?
There have been a lot of unsubstantiated rumors recently regarding the status of New Japan Pro Wrestling stable, Los Ingobernables De Japon. The crux of the speculation was that a new member was in coming to make up for former-IWGP Jr. Heavyweight champion, Hiromu Takahashi suffering an unfortunate injury that has sidelined him since July 7th.
Today, NJPW has released an official video to their YouTube channel. The incredibly slick video features a suited Naito sitting at a bar. He sips at a glass of whisky as he regales the fans with an update on LIJ’s future plans.
He starts off with a reminder of what he said in the ring on April 29th in Kumamoto, “Of course staying the same and not giving up are important. But, I think will to change, determination to change and bravery to step forward are important, too.”
Naito confirms he was actually referring to himself and his personal evolution with that comment – not his group’s growth.
“LIJ Are About More Than Ever”
The former IWGP World Heavyweight champion stressed that “We would like to let people know that Tetsuya Naito and Los Ingobernables de Japon are about more than ever.”
He discussed Takahashi’s injury and his inability to defend the belt, and subsequent stripping of it before teasing a new member;
“We “Los Ingobernables de Japon” would like to wait for his return and say ‘tranquilo.’ But, we’d rather step forward than just wait. 5, not 4 of us would wait for Hiromu’s return,” he stated. “In other words, new ‘Los Ingobernables de Japon’ would wait for Hiromu’s return.
On October 8th, at Ryogoku Sumo arena. We will introduce a new ‘pareja [partner].’ Stay tuned.”
Who do you think the mysterious member ‘X’ could be?
Posted October 2nd, 2018 in News, NJPW. Tagged: Naito.
Earlier today at Night Four of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) BOTSJ), Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI defeated Tiger Mask and Toa Henare in Tag Team action.
After the match the lights went out and Chris Jericho appeared on the screen and cut an expletive-filled promo on Naito ahead of their clash at Dominion for the Intercontinental Title.
“Naito, I read all of the things you’re saying about me,” Jericho said. “I know how you really feel and listen, you are one of the greatest performers in the world today. One of the biggest stars in NJPW, but to me you mean as much as this turtle.
“Naito, I’m gonna f— you up! I’m going to take your Intercontinental Championship from you, not because you wanted it, you don’t want it, you’re too tranquilo. I’m not tranquilo,” Jericho scoffed. “I’m f—— crazy! I’m gonna show you just how crazy I can be at Dominion on June 9. I’ve been waiting for six months to get my hands on your stupid filthy head. Yeah, Los Ingobernables de Japon. Kiss my f—– ass!
“You’re the best New Japan has to offer, but I’ve seen pieces of s— like you come and go, year after year, and guess what? Chris Jericho is still here,” Jericho continued. “The Alpha is still here. … I’m gonna make your famous Naito, when I beat your f—– ass at Dominion, take the Intercontinental Championship away from you, away from those filthy animals in Japan and take it back to the United States where it belongs. Be careful what you wish for junior because it’s going to come true. I’ll see you on June 9th at Dominion, f— face!”
Afterwards the camera went back to Naito, who was seemingly taking a nap on the mat before cutting a promo in Japanese. A fan on Twitter translated Naito’s promo:
Naito says that he half expected Jericho to show up.. guess he’s occupado. It was a pretty foul mouthed message but rude of whoever played it too: this is the time to celebrate the Juniors and that’s where the spotlight should be. #njbosj
– SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair hit the gym with her Mixed Match Challenge partner Bobby Roode to work on some cardio. Roode tried to hit a couple of “Woo’s” during the session but Flair did not approve. She ended the video by showing him how it’s done. Check it out here:
– With rumors circulating around that Chris Jericho vs. Tetsuya Naito could go down at NJPW’s USA: Strong Style Evolved event in Long Beach, California at the Walter Pyramid on March 25th, “Y2J” and Naito recently got into a short exchange on Twitter in Spanish:
Wrestle Kingdom is New Japan Pro Wrestling’s annual January 4th Tokyo Dome show, it is regarded as one of the premier events in all of wrestling and now the main event for the 2018 event has been confirmed: IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada will be defending against Tetsuya Naito .
Naito won the right to challenge Okada after winning this year’s G1 Climax tournament, although he had to defend his ‘contract’ for the match against Tomohiro Ishii at this past Monday’s King of Pro Wrestling event.
Okada also confirmed his participation in the Tokyo Dome main event after defeating Los Ingobernables member EVIL in the main event of King of Pro Wrestling.
This is looking like a match for the ages, who do you think will win?
Rev Pro has announced the latest blockbuster match as part of their Global Wars events. 2017 G1 Climax winner Tetsuya Naito will be taking on ‘The Villain’ Marty Scurll on November 9th at the world famous York Hall.
Other matches currently planned over the two days of shows are as follows:
Night 1
Yuji Nagata Vs Zack Gibson
Tomohiro Ishii vs Keith Lee
Night 2
Tomohiro Ishii Vs Dave Mastiff
Rocky Romero Vs Bubblegum
New Japan legend Minoru Suzuki has also been announced for the two nights of actio
New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Tetsuya Naito recently spoke to Sports Illustrated to discuss a variety of professional wrestling topics, including beating Kenny Omega at the G1 Climax 27 finals, the G1 tournament being grueling and if NJPW is superior to WWE or Ring Of Honor (ROH), and his thoughts on Hiroshi Tanahashi. Here are the highlights:
Defeating Kenny Omega at the G1 Climax 27 final:
“There’s no doubt that Kenny Omega is a phenomenal wrestler. Every time I’m in the ring with him, my heart beats out my chest. I can’t wait to wrestle him again. He’s world class. But Bullet Club? What happened to them? What happened to the energy they used to have? There are a lot of great individual wrestlers in there, but look at them as a unit, and I don’t see any appeal whatsoever.”
The grueling nature of the G1 tournament and if NJPW is superior to WWE or ROH:
“The G1 Climax is a huge springboard for a wrestler’s career. Everyone who enters has a chance to launch themselves into the stratosphere. Right now, I’ve launched myself off that springboard. I’m on my way up. How far I’ll go, what I’ll be able to see at the peak, I don’t know, but I’m really excited to find out. I don’t know whether New Japan thinks the tournament makes them superior, but they’re establishing the name worldwide and they’re doing it with confidence. I think the words you used before, most elite in the world? They’re an appropriate description.”
His thoughts on Hiroshi Tanahashi:
“Of course Tanahashi was a great wrestler. He was someone I used to aspire to be. But that’s all in the past now. The shining star that was Hiroshi Tanahashi is long gone. As far as the final block match is concerned, it was just another block match that led me to the finals. No secret tactics needed. The result was a matter of course.”
You can check out Naito’s full interview with Sports Illustratedhere.
In the late 90s, the old NWO faction would release “paid advertisements” on Nitro. Bullet Club is now doing the same in NJPW.
The faction has been the focal point of NJPW’s marketing strategy for their July 1st and 2nd shows in L.A, and have now released the following video:
Bullet Club at NJPW G1 L.A Special
Somewhat surprisingly, Cody will receive an IWGP heavyweight title shot on night 1 of the 2-night event. At Dominion, Cody defeated Michael Elgin in what turned out to be a pretty important match.
The rest of the announced lineup so far:
NJPW July 1st 2017 Lineup
the Briscoes, Will Ospreay, & Roppongi Vice (CHAOS) vs. Bad Luck Fale, the Young Bucks, Yujiro Takahashi & Marty Scurll (Bullet Club)
Jushin Liger, Volador Jr., Dragon Lee & Titan vs. Sanada, Evil, Bushi & Hiromu Takahashi (Los Ingobernables)
IWGP U.S Championship Tournament (1st Round)
Jay Lethal vs. Hangman Page (Bullet Club)
IWGP U.S Championship Tournament (1st Round)
Juice Robinson vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, Kushida, Jay White & David Finlay vs. Billy Gunn, Yoshi Tatsu, Sho Tanaka & Yohei Komatsu
New Japan’s yearly Best of the Super Juniors tournament is now well underway.
The Best of the Super Juniors (also known as BOSJ) is essentially the Junior Heavyweight version of the G1 Climax tournament that takes place in July. Competitors are split into two Blocks and must compete with every wrestler in their block round robin style. Points are awarded for victories and the eventual winners of the two groups face off in a final match to determine the winner.
Here are the results from Day 7 of the tournament which is now available to view on NJPWWorld.com.
Non Tournament Matches
Hirai Kawato & Tomoyuki Oka b. Katsuya Kitamura & Shota Umino b. Kawato took the win for his team after hitting a diving Missile kick on Umino.
Taichi & TAKA Michinoku b. Will Ospreay & Jado – Taichi took the win after hitting the Tenshojujiho on Jado.
Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Yujiro Takahashi & Marty Scurll b. Raymond Rowe, Hanson, David Finlay & Ricochet – Tanga Loa took the pinfall win over Finlay
Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, EVIL & BUSHI b. Satoshi Kojima, Juice Robinson, Jushin Thunder Liger & Dragon Lee – Naito took the win for Los Ingobernables after hitting Destino on Kojima
Yoshinobu Kanemaru b. Tiger Mask IV – Kanemaru hits the Deep Impact to take his tournament tally up to 3-1 (6 Points). This was Tiger Mask’s second loss, he is now 2-2 (4 Points)
Volador Jr. b. El Desperado – Volador Jr takes the win to advance to 2-2 (4 Points) in the tournament. This was Desperado’s first loss, he is now at 3-1 (6 Points)
BUSHI b. Ryusuke Taguchi – BUSHI finally gets his first win after hitting the MX, he is now at 1-3 (2 Points). This was Taguchi’s second loss, he is at 2-2 (4 Points)
ACH b. KUSHIDA – In yet another upset KUSHIDA loses to ACH following the Midnight Driver, ACH is now 2-2 (4 Points) and KUSHIDA is at a shocking 1-3 (2 Points)
Ring of Honor has announced the first few New Japan Pro Wrestling stars that will be appearing as part of the War of The Worlds tour starting May 7th in Toronto, Ontario. The performers currently signed to appear are:
KUSHIDA
Tetsuya Naito
EVIL
NEVER Openweight Champion – Hirooki Goto
The following Ring of Honor stars have also been announced for the tour:
ROH WORLD CHAMPION Christopher Daniels
ROH WORLD TELEVISION CHAMPION Marty Scurll
ROH WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS Young Bucks (Nick & Matt Jackson)
ROH WORLD 6-MAN TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS Bully Ray, Mark & Jay Briscoe
Cody
Will Ospreay
Dalton Castle
Jay Lethal
Ring of Honor released the following press release for the NJPW/ROH super shows:
“For the fourth-consecutive year, the stars of Ring of Honor and New Japan Pro-Wrestling will do battle with and against one another on the War of the Worlds Tour! Titles will be contested and dream matches realized as all of your favorite stars from ROH and NJPW do battle in Toronto, Dearborn, New York City, and Philadelphia! With the relationship between ROH and NJPW stronger than ever, tickets have moved fast and these events will sell out.”