JONAH Wants To Be The "Modern Vader" In NJPW
JONAH has big plans
Dec 11, 2021
JONAH has big ambitions for his New Japan Pro-Wrestling run.
The former Bronson Reed made his NJPW debut in November - laying out Juice Robinson and David Finlay at Battle In The Valley - and JONAH revealed to Inside The Ropes that he wants to be the promotion's modern-day Vader.
Following a question about who he wants to face in NJPW, JONAH said: "There's definitely a few, and I always like to set myself little goals. I know number one is Ishii, he has that Openweight Title, and I feel like I could be a very good representative of that Openweight Championship. People have wanted that match for a long time, even before I was in WWE, people were like when are we going to see Jonah Rock and Ishii, and it never happened, so that's number one.
"Obviously, any company you are in, you want to be the top champion. So whoever has the title after Wrestle Kingdom, Shingo, Ospreay, or Okada, those are the guys I want to get in the ring with.
"I want to be the modern Vader, Scott Norton, or the big foreigner that came over to Japan and beat everyone up."
Following an NJPW debut in which he ended Antonio Inoki's long winning streak, Big Van Vader established himself as one of the promotion's top gaijins, becoming a three-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion during his time with the company. He is also a former IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, having held the gold with Bam Bam Bigelow as Big, Bad, and Dangerous.
Vader would also be a star in All Japan Pro-Wrestling and Pro Wrestling NOAH in the late 1990s and early 2000s, holding gold in both promotions, including the Triple Crown Title.