The new generation Gene Blaster, Yota Tsuji, achieved his first victory in the NEW JAPAN CUP 2024 after eight appearances.
Upon his triumphant return, talks of a singles match against Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan on April 6th have surfaced.
If this match materializes and Tsuji manages to defeat Naito, it would not only alter the hierarchy within Los Ingobernables de Japon but also within New Japan Pro-Wrestling itself, signifying a major event.
Furthermore, Tsuji has already outlined plans for the post-title scenario, advocating for the dissolution of the unified IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in favor of resurrecting the historic IWGP Heavyweight Championship.
Certainly, many past holders of the world heavyweight title, both Japanese and foreign, have departed from New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
Yet, from the inaugural champion, Kota Ibushi, to the current titleholder, Tetsuya Naito, the lineage remains intact.
Tsuji’s assertion blatantly addresses the decline in New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s performance.
While it’s uncertain whether the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship directly caused this decline, the disappearance of legends like Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, Shinya Hashimoto, and Keiji Mutoh is regrettable in its own right.
Should Yota Tsuji emerge victorious against Naito and succeed in resurrecting the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, would he become the 74th champion?
Regardless, his aspirations hinge on defeating the uncontrollable charisma of Tetsuya Naito.
The event at Ryogoku Kokugikan on April 6th may mark the genesis of a new era and the initial step towards the revival of tradition – a spectacle that demands attention.