New Japan Pro Wrestling held a press conference on Monday, between G1 Climax 31 Winner Kazuchika Okada and IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Shingo Takagi. At the press conference it was confirmed that the two will face off for Shingo’s IWGP World Heavyweight Championship on January 4th, 2022; the first night of Wrestle Kingdom 16.
Okada has had a chip on his shoulder since winning the G1 Climax, bringing back the IWGP Heavyweight Championship belt, and generally talking like Shingo Takagi is a paper champion, despite Takagi beating Okada to begin his current reign.
Okada has been referring to himself as the “G1 Champion” to the point where he sees the Jan. 4th main event as essentially Champion vs. Champion.
‘The marquee might say I’m a challenger, but I’m heading into this as the G1 winner first and foremost. I am the G1 Champion, and I plan to prove who the stronger champion is.’
Takagi was a bit more sentimental about the match, looking back at being a spectator at Wrestle Kingdom 12, watching Okada defeat Takagi’s Los Ingobernables de Japon compatriot Tetsuya Nairo in the main event.
‘Looking back, January 4 2018, I bought a ticket, on event day, and watched Okada and Naito in the main event. It’s wild, that four years later to the day I’ll be champion in that spot against Okada. Life’s a funny thing.’
However, Takagi was just as adamant that Okada is living a fantasy, and partially blames New Japan Pro Wrestling for humoring him.
‘He likes to say that he is the G1 Champion. The G1 Champion. If you’re so proud of winning the G1, then why is he carrying around an IWGP title belt? That’s what I don’t get. If He’s so damn proud of winning the G1, he can carry the trophy, surely? I’ll be honest, that’s on the company.
That belt was retired but now this squeaky wheel gets greased.’
Takagi not only promised to retain the title on January 4th, but he feels that the belt should be returned to “the appropriate IWGP advocate.” Without saying the name, Takagi strongly hinted that he was talking about NJPW founder Antonio Inoki.
The full press conference is available for free on NJPWWorld.com.
An explosive Wrestle Kingdom 16 press conference today in Tokyo saw our January 4 main event set!
Check out the full report and English transcript now!https://t.co/HojuC2lbP3#njpw #njwk16 pic.twitter.com/rh2JJztxVE
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) November 8, 2021
Wrestle Kingdom 16 will take place on January 4th, 5th & 8th. January 4th & 5th will take place in the Tokyo Dome, as is tradition. January 8th will take place in Yokohama.
