Kenny Omega just made his intentions crystal clear in New Japan Pro Wrestling, and he did it by dropping Yota Tsuji after the main event of NJPW King of Pro Wrestling 2026.
Tsuji had just survived a huge title defense against G1 Climax winner Ryohei Oiwa when the lights went out and Omega appeared on the big screen. Speaking in Japanese, the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion took aim at Tsuji and brought up his decision not to go to Forbidden Door earlier this year, reminding him that the “I” in IWGP stands for “International.”
Tsuji fired back by giving Omega his respect, acknowledging that Kenny helped define an era in New Japan and remains one of the best wrestlers in the world. At the same time, Tsuji warned Omega not to overlook the wrestlers who have come up through NJPW and told him that if he really wants a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, he needs to come to Japan and take it.
Omega did exactly that. Kenny suddenly appeared inside the arena and blindsided Tsuji with a V-Trigger, immediately turning the crowd against him. The boos only got louder when Omega followed up with the One Winged Angel and left the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion laid out in the ring.
The reaction was a complete flip from moments earlier. Fans were thrilled when Omega appeared on the screen, but once he attacked Tsuji after the match, the Ryogoku Kokugikan crowd let him have it.
Omega then grabbed the microphone and ripped into Tsuji, accusing the champion of having “no manners” and “no class” while reminding everyone that he considers himself a New Japan Pro Wrestling legend.
Kenny also directed part of his message toward Hiroshi Tanahashi, arguing that Tanahashi has enough influence to make the title match happen even if Tsuji does not want to accept the challenge.
That immediately raised one huge question: Wrestle Kingdom. Nothing has been officially announced yet, but NJPW just went out of its way to have Omega confront the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, physically destroy him and demand a title match. That is not exactly subtle, and it certainly looks like New Japan could be setting the stage for Kenny Omega vs. Yota Tsuji on its biggest show of the year.
Omega spent years as one of the biggest foreign stars in NJPW history, and now he is back staring directly at the championship he once held. The only difference this time is that Tsuji is standing in his way, and Kenny just made it very clear he has no problem turning himself into the villain to get another shot at the top.
Do you want to see Kenny Omega challenge Yota Tsuji for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom, and who should win if the match happens? Leave your feedback and let us know what you think.
