Right now, Tetsuya Naito has a very minimal role in Wrestle Kingdom 16. Tonight he is in a trios match, and tomorrow he meets Jeff Cobb in a Special Singles match. His biggest match of the week comes when his faction Los Ingobernables de Japón will face NOAH’s top faction of KONGO in the main event on January 8th in Yokohama Stadium. However, all of this isn’t enough for Naito – and he realizes time could be running out.
Tetsuya Naito Will Reach The Main Event Of Tokyo Dome Again In 2023
While speaking with NJPW1972 about his Wrestle Kingdom 16, Naito would be asked about how he felt about being in the semi-main event on January 5th. His response would be as follows.
“I wanted to bounce back within a year. It isn’t enough for me to say ‘there’s always next year’; at my age and my career level, there isn’t always next year. I absolutely need to be in the main event on January 4 2023. When I beat O-Khan in April, I said that was the start of my return, but it fell apart from there. This has to be the start of my road to Wrestle Kingdom 17.”
April will bring the New Japan Cup, a tournament which has brought mixed results for Naito in the past. In 2021, he was taken out by O-Khan in the opening round, one of his worst performances to date.
‘Time Waits For No Man’
When reminded this year he turns 40, Naito would reveal he has thought about his original plan to retire at 40.
“Ahhh… To tell the truth, when I started in the business, I thought I’d go until I was 40. As I’ve gotten nearer, I’ve started to become more conscious about retirement. I’m not saying I’m going to hang it up tomorrow. It’s just that the word ‘retirement’ is looming in my mind. That’s a sad thing for sure, but it’s motivating at the same time. Time waits for no man. But that means if I don’t enjoy everything to its fullest now, I’ll regret it later. If anything, being aware of my use by date has made me stronger than ever.”
Right now, Naito already has a Hall Of Fame level resume, being a two time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, IWGP Tag Team Champion, and Intercontinental Champion. Despite all this, he’s never had a strong reign at the top of NJPW despite being a fan favorite, and fans are hoping 2022 could bring that run.
Will Naito win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship before he retires? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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