Translated: 

The champion, who is charging toward an historic feat (attempting to become the third man in history to win the G1 as the reigning IWGP Champion, after Keiji Mutoh in 1995 and Kensuke Sasaki in 2000) was inspired by a recent development. Tetsuya Naito, with whom he had fought alongside in “Los Ingobernables de Japón” until last May, defied temporary speculation that he had “reached his limit” and captured the organization’s (NOAH) top title, the GHC Championship, at the NOAH Korakuen Hall event on the 9th. “I’d like to offer my heartfelt congratulations on becoming champion. He’s someone I once looked up to, and a comrade I fought alongside. A wrestler is someone who shows they can get back up after being knocked down, so seeing him do just that made me respect him all over again—he truly embodies what it means to be a pro wrestler,” he said, praising Naito’s comeback.

　At the same time, he stands his ground when necessary. Naito will not participate in the singles league tournament “N-1 VICTORY” (which kicks off on September 12 at Korakuen Hall), and it has been decided that he will face the tournament winner in a title defense match at the Ryogoku event on October 25. Anticipating that New Japan’s October 12 Ryogoku event will feature a showdown between the IWGP Champion and the G1 Champion—just as it did last year—he revealed his strategy: “If we hold the Ryogoku event under similar circumstances, the current gap between New Japan and NOAH in terms of ‘attendance numbers’ should become clearly evident.”

In response, Tsuji made a perfectly valid point: “It should be obvious that if I win the G1, that scenario would fall apart. I wonder what’s going through the mind of someone who thinks so deeply about pro wrestling.” He added, “Why not skip the roundabout way of comparing attendance figures? If he left New Japan with a competitive spirit and wants to make NOAH number one, wouldn’t fighting be the quickest way to do it? Why doesn’t he just throw down the gauntlet and challenge me, the champion?” he said, calling for a “direct showdown.”

Coincidentally, Tsuji had been envisioning a showdown with top wrestlers from other promotions as part of his blueprint following his G1 victory. “My stance remains unchanged: I won’t compete in an IWGP match unless the opponent and circumstances are right. But if Mr. Naito—a former IWGP World Champion who has now become the NOAH champion—wants to face me in a New Japan ring, I’ll gladly accept the challenge anytime.” Will this uncontrollable showdown for the pinnacle of the Japanese wrestling world actually take place? It’s becoming impossible to look away.

Yota Tsuji Calls for a “Head-to-Head Match” Against GHC Champion Tetsuya Naito: “No Need to Beat Around the Bush” (Tokyo Sports)