Kenny Omega & Yota Tsuji Sound Off On Wrestle Kingdom 21 Match
The main event of Wrestle Kingdom 21 has already seen its combatants sound off on why they need to win.
Following New Japan’s Power Struggle event, the IWGP Heavweight Championship match at Wrestle Kingdom 21 is set. On January 4, 2027, Yota Tsuji, will put the prestigious title on the line against the former champion and AEW legend, Kenny Omega. Now, around two months out from their championship clash, both men have discussed their motivation heading into the Tokyo Dome.
During a special press conference via NJPW World, Kenny Omega began by questioning Tsuji’s ability to truly be the figurehead of a promotion.
“I don’t think you have what it takes for someone to bet over a billion dollars to create a promotion on your name. It’s just not gonna happen. And why is that? It’s just because you lack the experience. I’m doing everybody here a favor. I’m gonna be the champion that you need. Maybe not the one that you want, but the one that you need.”
-Kenny Omega
Kenny is definitely playing up aspects of “The Cleaner” for this feud, stating that New Japan needs him to win to elevate the company back to some of its former glory. A glory that he had a hand in during the 2010s.
As for Yota Tsuji, he desires to win to prove a point about the AEW/NJPW relationship:
“I don’t know how everyone else feels, but to me this is an all out NJPW vs AEW war, and one I must win. I’ve said before that if things stay the way they are, we would be better off ending this relationship, but the point is, that’s if things stay the way they are. This match could change the relationship between NJPW and AEW entirely. If all the other NJPW wrestlers win their matches, but I lose, then that’s a loss for New Japan overall.”
-Yota Tsuji
The battle between AEW and NJPW feels in full effect for Wrestle Kingdom 21, as a significant amount of the show’s matches announced so far feature All Elite Wrestling roster members going up against New Japan’s finest. Jon Moxley vs. Shingo Takagi. MJF vs. Ryohei Oiwa. Will Ospreay vs. Callum Newman, and more are scheduled, with other matches likely to be added before the January 4 event.
Speaking of Ospreay vs. Newman, “The Aerial Assassin” recently outlined his terms for their upcoming clash. You can read more about that here.
As always, we’ll keep you posted on the buildup to Wrestle Kingdom as soon as we hear more.
If you use the Kenny Omega quote above, please credit the original source with a h/t and link back to WrestlePurists.com for the transcription.
H/T to NJPW1972.com for the Yota Tsuji transcription.
