Yota Tsuji Wanting NJPW To Cut Ties With AEW Believed To Be Legitimate

Yota Tsuji has been critical of New Japan Pro-Wrestling's working relationship with AEW, encouraging the Japanese promotion to sever ties with their American counterpart.

Tsuji told NJPW's website ahead of his double title match against IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita at Wrestle Kingdom 20:

"Well, I don't want to lose to AEW. I don't like AEW. In all honesty, with the relationship between us the way it is, I'd like us to cut ties with them."

Tsuji then added:

"What has being with AEW done for NJPW, really? If it was an even-handed relationship that's one thing, but it's not. There's certainly a difference in terms of the money behind each company, but I don't see that as a reason to be so weak-willed. This is NJPW, dammit. Now on the other hand, Kazuchika Okada has played a part in selling the Tokyo Dome out. I have to admit to that. I'm sore that it isn't an NJPW wrestler facing Tanahashi in his last match, but there isn't anybody on the roster that has the connections to Tanahashi that Okada has, and I have to acknowledge that."

While interviews with NJPW talent are often in character, New Japan sources noted to Fightful Select they don't believe Tsuji's comments about the AEW-NJPW relationship were in character. Instead, Tsuji has been vocal about the partnership in recent years, and the reigning IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion wasn't keen on working NJPW's shows in the United States.

Tsuji has only worked one of the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door events so far, teaming with Hiromu Takahashi and Titan in a loss to Mistico and the Lucha Bros in 2024. Tsuji did successfully defend the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship against Jack Perry at NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty on January 5, 2025, though.