At NJPW Destruction in Kobe 2026, Yota Tsuji defeated Hirooki Goto to win the IWGP Heavyweight Title.
“The Gene Blast” recorded his first successful defense in this second reign with the gold.
At the start of both of his run, Tsuji stated that he wanted to prove himself against former holders of the top prize in New Japan Pro Wrestling.
Here are four former IWGP Heavyweight Champions to potentially challenge Yota Tsuji following NJPW Destruction in Kobe.
Zack Sabre Jr.
In 2024, Zack Sabre Jr. made history by becoming the British star to win the G1 Climax tournament.
ZSJ then went on to defeat Tetsuya Naito to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 2024.
After losing the gold to Hirooki Goto, Sabre Jr. went on to avenge this loss to start his second reign with the IWGP World Heavyweight Title.
Losing the title to Konosuke Takeshita this time last year, it might be time for ZSJ to challenge for his third reign against the man he beat to win that G1 in Yota Tsuji.
Shingo Takagi
Following the disbanding of Los Ingobernables de Japon and Unaffiliated, Yota Tsuji created his own faction with Unbound Co.
Shingo Takagi has long been a stablemate of Tsuji in all three of these groups and has become a recurring tag team partner for the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion.
In the past, Tsuji has discussed wanting to defend the title against Takagi sometime down the road.
Tsuji defending against Shingo could make for a tough test where he can further cement his legacy as the champion.
Tetsuya Naito
In 2025, many fans were shocked to see Tetsuya Naito depart New Japan Pro Wrestling, ending his legendary 21-year run with the promotion.
Since then, Naito has joined Pro Wrestling NOAH and has taken the company by storm.
After a run with the GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Titles with BUSHI, Naito recently defeated Shane Haste to win the GHC Heavyweight Championship.
While he has become a mainstay in NOAH now, Naito could potentially return to finally face off with his former protege, Yota Tsuji, giving him a chance to see where he stands against the man that was once the leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon.
Kazuchika Okada
For the past few years, Yota Tsuji has discussed the departure of Kazuchika Okada from New Japan Pro Wrestling with plenty of disdain.
At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20, Okada made his in-ring return in the company by defeating Hiroshi Tanahashi in his rival’s retirement match.
Taking the main event spot from the IWGP Heavyweight Championship match where Tsuji beat Takeshita, there was plenty of barbs between these two men. There is also the fact that Tsuji has shown disrespect to Okada’s new home of All Elite Wrestling.
Tsuji convincing Okada to face him for the top prize in NJPW would make for one of the biggest matches the company could possibly present in the near future.
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