Yuma Anzai Comments On AJPW’s Rising Popularity
Yuma Anzai is ready to take All Japan Pro Wrestling to the next level.
All Japan’s rising ace, Yuma Anzai, has had quite the past year or so. While establishing himself as one of Japan’s most highly regarded young wrestlers, he has also begun building a profile outside the ring. Anzai enjoyed a successful run on The Bachelorette: Japan, where he finished as the runner-up, gaining a new group of fans who quickly became interested in seeing him wrestle.
This influx of new fans has changed All Japan considerably. The promotion has taken a more serious approach, leaving much of its comedy behind in 2025. It may also have accelerated the process of positioning Anzai as the promotion’s new ace, potentially succeeding longtime top star Kento Miyahara, whom Anzai will face on August 29 for the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship.
Speaking to Tokyo Sports ahead of his upcoming title challenge, Anzai discussed his skyrocketing popularity and how he hopes it will help raise All Japan Pro Wrestling’s profile.
“My Instagram followers have increased by 70,000… Simply put, doesn’t that mean 70,000 people now know who I am? In other words, there’s a possibility that 70,000 people could come to the arena. That’s practically WrestleMania… If I climb the ladder one step at a time, Ryogoku Kokugikan, Nippon Budokan, and Tokyo Dome aren’t just dreams.”
-Yuma Anzai
The last time All Japan ran a show in any of those arenas was back in 2022, when the promotion held its 50th Anniversary show at the famed Nippon Budokan in front of a reported 4,780 fans. The Budokan has been the site of countless legendary All Japan moments, making the prospect of the promotion returning there particularly exciting.
Anzai also had the opportunity to address current Triple Crown Heavyweight Champion Kento Miyahara, making it clear that he believes he is ready to take the next step.
“I have to make people outside the ring realize just how amazing pro wrestling is and how incredible All Japan is. That’s exactly why I’m Yuma Anzai… I want to ride this momentum and take it all down. Kento Miyahara is the first step.”
-Yuma Anzai
All Japan Fierce Battle! Summer Action Wars 2026 will take place on August 29 from EBARA WAVE Arena Ota, also known as Ota City General Gymnasium, and will be available to watch on AJPW.TV or GAORA SPORTS.
AJPW has announced four matches so far, including Anzai vs. Miyahara, a special singles match between Suwama and Go Shiozaki, a tag team title match between champions Jun and Rei Saito and HAVOC’s Odyssey and Xyon, and the finals of the ongoing Zennichi Junior Festival. We here at WrestlePurists will recap the show after it takes place.
As always, we’ll aim to provide any further updates on the future of All Japan Pro Wrestling as soon as we hear more.
Translated using DeepL.
