Editor’s Note: Jack Talos first reached out to Slamwrestling.net months ago and informed us he would be doing a tour for the All-Japan Pro Wrestling promotion. After taking some time off, he returns for more adventures on his second tour in the Land of the Rising Sun.
Per Talos’ request, this second part of the column (some of which he discussed in his recent interview) recalls his challenge to Kento Miyahara for the All Japan Triple Crown. Also, we meant to run it last week, but due to circumstances beyond our control, we had to delay it.
We argued with a seven-foot giant, and we’re dealing with the fallout (as far as you know). But at least we didn’t have to deal with the matter in the squared circle.
By Jack Talos – For Slam! Wrestling
How Gold is Carried – Part Two
January 25th.
Makuhari Messe Convention Hall, Chiba.
On paper, it’s the position everyone wants. You win one of the most grueling tag tournaments in the world. You capture some of the most historic belts in professional wrestling. And less than a month later, you’re staring across the ring at the biggest prize in the company.
What people don’t tell you is how much work happens before the bell ever rings.
Being a champion isn’t just about training or fighting. It’s about representation. It’s interviews, appearances, promotional events — all layered on top of an already packed schedule of matches and preparation. The three weeks leading up to Makuhari were a blur of movement, obligation, and responsibility.
One appearance stood out more than the rest.
I was invited to visit an international school for young children. It was my first time doing a school event as a professional wrestler, and I honestly didn’t know what to expect. When I arrived, the staff explained the plan for the day, and the nerves disappeared immediately. We took the kids outside, warmed up by doing their favorite dance, and then moved into a game of tug-of-war.
【💥1.25幕張大会プロモーション💥】
タロース選手(@Jack_Talos)改め、
身長2m13cmのタロース先生が
レイクサイドインターナショナルチャイルドケアに登場‼️
園児との綱引き対決の行方やあの有名ダンスなど、未公開部分を特別にお届け‼️
1day guest teacher "Talos" !!!#ajpw#今年の顔はオレだpic.twitter.com/lZMTRRIW3a
— 全日本プロレス/alljapan (@alljapan_pw) January 16, 2026
I won’t say who won.
I will say that fifty children weigh a lot more than you think.
Afterward, they asked questions, took photos, and laughed without reservation. When the video went online, the internet decided my new name was “Talos-sensei.” I’ve had worse.
Not long after that, Miyahara and I shared a press conference. During it, he accused me of having a metal plate in my boot — his explanation for why his attempted sneak attack ended with him eating a full Snake Eyes into a Big Boot a few nights prior. According to him, there was no way a single kick could knock him out otherwise.
He also made something very clear: he intended to use his Shutdown Suplex to beat me.
So, the narrative was set.
My Big Boot versus his Shutdown Suplex.
Before either of us could blink, January 25th arrived.
I got to Makuhari Messe early in the afternoon. Despite being indoors, the building was deceptively cold. Next door, an animation convention was underway, drawing tens of thousands of people, giving the entire area a constant pulse of energy long before bell time.
This was All Japan’s first major event of the new year, and the card reflected it. The Six-Man Tag Team Championships changed hands. The Junior Heavyweight Championship changed hands. Sitting backstage, watching match after match, I knew there was one more title about to be fought over.
Eventually, I found myself behind the curtain, waiting.
The champion’s entrance shook the building. Time slowed. Then my music hit.
I stepped through the curtain with Ayabe at my side, walked to the ring, and stood across from Kento Miyahara.
Every eye in the building was on us. Then the bell rang.
I won’t give you a play-by-play because, as always, that’s not what I do here. What matters is this: it was a 22-minute fight, and for much of it, I felt in control. But there’s a reason Miyahara is the ace of All Japan — and in my opinion, one of the best wrestlers in the world. He stayed in the fight.
He waited. And when the opening appeared, he took it.
Exactly as he promised, after four straight knee shots, he caught me and delivered the Shutdown Suplex.
Three seconds later, it was over.
Lying on my back, staring up at the lights with my neck screaming, the frustration set in.
Not at him — at myself. For letting the opportunity slip. For getting caught in the very thing I said I wouldn’t. For not being better.
Ayabe helped me out of the ring. In the back, once I caught my breath, I gave my comments, and I’ll leave you with them here.
Kento… tonight you got the better of me. But next time, I’ll know better. And next time, I will take that belt.
You can personalise your Google settings to see more stories from slamwrestling.net when you search for wrestling news.
Google’s Preferred Sources feature lets you choose the websites you trust most. Once added, Google is more likely to show SLAM in Top Stories and the “from your sources” section.
- Click this link to take you directly to Google’s “Source preferences” page.
- Sign into your Google account.
- Search for slamwrestling.net.
- Tick the box next to Slam Wrestling.
Adding SLAM as a Preferred Source helps you see more of our news, features, and exclusive coverage in Google search.
