There was plenty of trash talk at today’s NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 press conference in Japan.
The main event will be a winner-take-all as IWGP Global Champion Yota Tsuji will take on World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita.
The two exchanged words at today’s heated press conference.
While admitting he doesn’t like title-for-title matches very much either as a fan, Tsuji explained why he accepted Takeshita’s challenge.
“I needed the Global title to make this happen and now that I have this match I will bring NJPW into a new golden era,” he promised while also stating he doesn’t seek to unify the titles.
Takeshita took a shot at Tsuji’s comments, saying:
“You need to have this match to show a bright future for NJPW. right? So we will bring pro-wrestling to a new level together and then I will win. I will show the world just who is at the very pinnacle of it.”
Tsuji said simply that the winner of the match will truly be the best wrestler in the world.
Before even addressing his NEVER Openweight Championship match against newcomer, Olympian Aaron Wolf, Evil spraypainted the belt, saying it was now his gold medal. Wolf showed off his real gold medal in response.
“I can’t respect anyone who fights as dirty as you,” said Wolf to the House of Torture leader.
This sent Evil into a tirade, with him saying that Wolf doesn’t respect wrestling or NJPW.
“When I win everyone will know I’m better than any gold medalist in any sport,” vowed Evil.
IWGP Women’s Champion Syuri had some strong words for World of STARDOM and STRONG Champion Saya Kamitani as well.
“My championship road has only just begun and I will not be losing…I had surgery, came back, won the IWGP again and finally I can showcase my era again,” said a determined Syuri.
When it came to who he would face in his retirement match, a cagey NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi said:
“Yes, well, you know throughout my career I’ve fought against many different wrestlers, so I will make sure to announce the opponent I want to face. So please wait a little longer.”
He also announced that 31,548 tickets have been sold to date.
The card thus far for Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026, at the Tokyo Dome, in Tokyo, Japan, is:
- Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. TBA – Tanahashi’s Retirement Match
- Evil vs. Aaron Wolf
- Saya Kamitani (Strong) vs. Syuri (IWGP) – Winner Takes All match for the IWGP Women’s Championship and Strong Women’s Championship
- Konosuke Takeshita (World) vs. Yota Tsuji (Global) – Winner Takes All match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship
