Tetsuya Naito on Headlining Wrestle Kingdom 18: ‘I Know Okada and Bryan Are Famous Worldwide–But So What?’

“I want New Japan Pro-Wrestling to have more confidence and pride in the NJPW wrestlers and our matches”

Tetsuya Naito is preparing to compete at Wrestle Kingdom 18 in the main event against SANADA in a bout for the IWGP world heavyweight championship.

Even with a grudge pitting Kazuchika Okada against Bryan Danielson on the card, Naito believes the world title bout should close the show.

“I understand some people would think differently,” said Naito, speaking through a translator. “It’s good that there are different opinions. I know Okada and Bryan are famous worldwide–but so what? I want New Japan Pro-Wrestling to have more confidence and pride in the NJPW wrestlers and our matches.”

The feud between Naito and SANADA is full of detail. Their history dates back more than 18 years, when they were part of the same New Japan tryout in 2005. Unlike SANADA, it was Naito who was selected to attend the New Japan Dojo.

“I was trained by Animal Hamaguchi,” said Naito. “The training regimen at Animal Hamaguchi Training Gym was based on the New Japan Pro-Wrestling training regimen. I think that gave me an enormous advantage.”

Now the reigning IWGP world heavyweight champion, SANADA is finally showing New Japan why he belongs atop the company. But Naito is hungry for a new run as the world champion. After winning the G1 Climax this summer, he is primed to write a new chapter in his nearly two-decade story by winning the IWGP world title at Wrestle Kingdom and avenging SANADA’s exit from Los Ingobernables de Japon.

“My goal for the match is to win and shout ‘De Ja Pon!’ with fans in the Tokyo Dome,” said Naito. “That’s what you are going to see.”