Add as a preferred source on Google Yota Tsuji is willing to create a major problem for NJPW and AEW ahead of Forbidden Door, the next joint pay-per-view between the two companies.
The current IWGP Heavyweight Champion regained the title at Dominion, held this Sunday, June 14, in Osaka, by defeating Callum Newman in the main event. Just hours later, however, Tsuji made it clear that he does not plan to put the championship on the line at AEW’s event.
Speaking with Tokyo Sports, Tsuji said NJPW needs to protect what it cannot afford to lose, pointing to the historical value of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
“I think we need to firmly protect what New Japan Pro-Wrestling cannot afford to lose. Look at the past. We’ve had four-way matches, open challenges, and retired wrestlers challenging… Do you think I would take part in an IWGP match when it’s treated like that at Forbidden Door? As the man who revived the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, I have to protect its value.”
The comment does not come as a major surprise. In January, after officially restoring the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and retiring the World Heavyweight format, Tsuji had already said he would boycott any event where the title was not treated as the main attraction.
This year’s Forbidden Door will take place on June 28 at SAP Center in San Jose, California.