Yota Tsuji weighs in on Powerhouse Hobbs getting an IWGP World Heavyweight Title shot.
Jon Moxley won the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship from Tetsuya Naito at NJPW Windy City Riot, and already has title defenses lined up against Ren Narita and Shota Umino. Before he faces either man, both of which will take place under the NJPW banner, he will defend the title against Powerhouse Hobbs on Wednesday's AEW Dynamite.
Yota Tsuji expressed his displeasure with this decision in an interview with Tokyo Sports.
"Where was the value of the IWGP? If Moxley has agreed to be the champion, then he certainly has the right to fight for the title. The problem is that New Japan Pro-Wrestling didn't say anything about it. What is that feeling? I wonder if they don't feel any discomfort with that. I feel nothing but disgust and displeasure.
"[Hobbs] may be a great fighter, but it's strange that a fighter who has no connection to New Japan and has never been to New Japan is suddenly challenging for the top belt, even if he doesn't win the [New Japan Cup]. I wonder if he has a visa. Even if he were to win the belt, would he be able to come to Fukuoka? I wonder how long they'll continue to be beholden to AEW, which has no respect for the IWGP. We are lowering the value of the pinnacle by ourselves, and I think we have to break out of this situation."
Tsuji won the 2024 New Japan Cup, but failed to capture the IWGP World Heavyweight Title from Naito at NJPW Sakura Genesis.
Fightful will have coverage of AEW Dynamite beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday.
