Zack Sabre Jr. on NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, Bryan Danielson, Working with AEW and Extra

After a breakthrough in 2024, Zack Sabre Jr. is heading into NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 because the IWGP world heavyweight champion.

The English-born wrestler’s unconventional highway to success in Japan has made him one of the revered technicians on the earth. Though his fame precedes him, his dedication to catch wrestling and the Japanese viewers paid off in 2024 as he ascended to new heights as the primary British G1 Climax winner.

Many followers might bear in mind Sabre because the wiry younger standout from WWE’s Cruiserweight Traditional in 2016. Nevertheless, The Frontman of TMDK took a journey off the overwhelmed path, signing with New Japan Professional-Wrestling as an alternative and becoming a member of Suzuki-gun the next yr.

At present, he has proved that enterprise wasn’t merely a stepping stone as he devoted eight years to turning into one of many high names within the firm. The 2024 Tokyo Sports activities MVP has made a house in Japan and plans to comply with up the perfect yr of his profession with much more accolades.

We had the possibility to speak to him forward of his upcoming title protection in opposition to Shota Umino about his run over the previous couple of months, objectives for 2025, Wrestle Dynasty opponent Ricochet, and a few unfinished enterprise with Bryan Danielson and Samoa Joe.

As Sabre settled in for our interview, it grew to become clear he hadn’t had time to cease and odor the roses so to talk.

Though the IWGP world heavyweight champion achieved a lot final yr, he is not resting on his laurels going right into a monumental weekend for New Japan. Proper now, his subsequent title protection and the principle occasion of Wrestle Kingdom 19 is his high precedence.

“I imply, clearly, every particular person objective was the main focus,” Sabre stated. “I imply, it is a blessing and a curse having a very powerful occasions of the yr at the start of the yr. We’ll see how the Tokyo Dome goes, and maybe I will get to relish it a little bit bit.”

Nonetheless, 2024 was a historic yr for him as he joined Kenny Omega because the second foreigner to win the G1 Climax. As well as, he grew to become the primary non-Japanese wrestler named Tokyo Sports MVP since Bob Sapp in 2002, however he hasn’t had an opportunity to mirror on these achievements but.

“I feel in all probability something that you simply’re aspiring for [is a career goal], however professional wrestling is such a repeatedly forward-moving business that clearly successful the G1 was a lifelong profession objective,” he stated. “However then by the subsequent day, we had the press convention for the title match. So it is already focussing on the subsequent factor.

“So, I am certain these can be issues that I will recognize. I recognize them totally now, however there will be issues I will mirror on after I’ve stopped wrestling and nobody cares and I am simply the loopy outdated man in a pub telling folks like, ‘You understand, I received this event in Japan.’ They’re going to be saying, ‘Yeah, certain you probably did.’”

ZSJ known as his shot after his G1 Climax win and opted to problem Tetsuya Naito for the world title on Oct. 14 at NJPW King of Professional-Wrestling.

It was a dangerous transfer as a result of a lot of the latest G1 winners held on to the briefcase till Wrestle Kingdom, nevertheless it paid off.

The English star additionally hasn’t had the perfect luck at Ryōgoku Sumo Corridor in Tokyo the place he misplaced two IWGP Heavyweight Championship matches to Kazuchicka Okada.

“For almost all of the time I grew up watching New Japan, that wasn’t a set precedent,” Sabre stated. “So I would by no means related these two issues as being intertwined with one another essentially. I would had some actually large matches at Ryōgoku, however I feel I’ve misplaced mainly all of them till the G1.

“So, a few of it was attempting to vindicate previous errors, however there’s one thing actually lovely about Ryōgoku. I feel clearly, Korakuen Corridor to Western followers will get loads of rightful acclaim, however simply the character of the aesthetic and the historical past of Ryōgoku, the truth that the G1 finals are within the constructing that hosts the sumo tournaments in Tokyo. I feel that symbolism is basically essential to me. And clearly that is the hub of our large occasions in Tokyo as nicely.”

The 2-time New Japan Cup winner was adamant about his determination to return to the venue and avenge his previous losses. Within the course of, he vowed to win the corporate’s high prize for the primary time and defend it in London at Royal Quest the next week.

“Understanding that we at all times have a giant Ryōgoku occasion in October that appealed to me far more than with the ability to problem for the belt on the Tokyo Dome,” Sabre stated. “The ambition was at all times to enter the Dome because the champion. I feel that the picture of that, I feel, is way completely different.

“Each Dome occasions are actually extremely essential to the way forward for New Japan. So, I knew the relevance that it must stroll in as champion, versus difficult for the belt on my fourth try, having misplaced three earlier title matches. I knew that I wanted to enter the Tokyo Dome as champion to form of erase that previous notion of me.”

Throughout a NJPW interview in November, Sabre stated his “profession begins right here” following his celebrated win over Naito.

After a profitable run in 2024, he made it clear that he is simply getting began as a high star.

“I assume it is considerably facetious for somebody who’s been wrestling for 20 years,” Sabre stated. “I imply, it is at all times the cliché, you need to at all times say you’ve got been wrestling for much less time after which persons are extra impressed. If I would been wrestling for 3 years, I feel I might have had like an all-time profession.

“I felt like I would been working to achieve the highest in Japan for 13 years. I first got here to Japan for Professional Wrestling Noah and joined the dojo in 2011. I do know I would at all times had success. I’ve received tournaments and championships, each in Noah and New Japan, however I would at all times been one step under that.

“So, I genuinely really feel that by successful the G1 I used to be in a position to not solely show broadly to the corporate, to the followers, to the wrestling business broadly, however extra to myself that I am able to being not solely a champion but additionally somebody to steer New Japan.

“That side of being champion appeals to me far more than the egotistical facets of, ‘Oh, I am the champion.’ To be the champion, particularly in New Japan, provides you immense duty, and that is one thing that I have been searching for out versus shying away from.”

The Submission Grasp joined New Japan as a heel. As such, most followers are used to his brasher and cockier persona, however you would really feel the groundswell of help for him when he hoisted the IWGP title after an announcement victory over Naito throughout the second night time of the G1 in Osaka.

“I used to be overwhelmed by it, in fact, the Japanese followers are very pragmatic,” he stated. “I feel they could concentrate and are conversant in the journey of a wrestler, particularly as a youthful international wrestler. Once I first went to Japan, I feel I used to be 22 or 23, however nonetheless, I would not have anticipated the ambiance that I had on the G1 semifinals and the finals.

“However then additionally to have it reciprocated with Western followers as nicely. I used to be overwhelmed by the response from the G1, after which clearly after I received the championship as nicely. It felt much like successful a Champions League or one thing or your native sports activities staff successful.

“I feel timing is paramount. From the time that I received the primary New Japan Cup in 2018. Then even after I received the Cup once more a few years in the past, I feel I used to be succesful to be champion, however I do not assume I used to be succesful to be on the entrance of the corporate or to steer the corporate with all the different tasks that come by means of media or simply having that notion that, OK, Zack is prepared now.

“I do not remorse any side of the journey as a result of I feel it is at all times higher to be overqualified than underqualified. And fingers crossed, I am a minimum of certified at times hopefully I will show that I am overqualified.”

Sabre has fairly a frightening activity forward as he prepares to face a younger, up-and-comer in Umino at Wrestle Kingdom 19 and hopes to be the primary foreigner to retain a world championship in the principle occasion.

“Below the Wrestle Kingdom banner, there’s not been a foreigner to go away as champion,” he stated. “However a giant side of why I needed to enter as champion relatively than difficult for the primary time was to already set up myself in that sphere.

“Exterior of the direct objective of eager to main-event on the Tokyo Dome, and clearly win on the Tokyo Dome, with the ability to strategy the best way that I wrestle within the largest room potential that we’ve got. That could be very motivating to me as a result of I feel I can present one thing fully completely different from maybe what the stereotype of the Tokyo Dome primary occasion can or needs to be. I feel I also can do one thing not exterior of the field for me, however play to the room that it deserves.”

New Japan is presently rebuilding its world title image with out mainstays like Will Ospreay, Jay White and Okada.

In truth, this would be the first Wrestle Kingdom primary occasion that will not function The Rainmaker, Naito or Hiroshi Tanahashi since 2010.

Nevertheless, ZSJ is keen to show himself on the massive stage as a vanguard for the corporate. There are additionally excessive expectations surrounding Umino as one in all this technology’s “Three Musketeers,” however he’s constructive they will lead NJPW into the long run.

“Despite the fact that that is my first Tokyo Dome primary occasion, I’ve to wrestle and present everybody that there is a motive why I’m in the principle occasion,” he stated. “However I see the duty extra broadly is to have the ability to carry up a younger wrestler like Shota, who’s additionally main-eventing on the Tokyo Dome for the primary time. However I see that our conditions are fully completely different.

“I’ve a 20-year profession, so I really feel it is form of arbitrary that it is my first Tokyo Dome primary occasion, nevertheless it’s my duty as essentially the most skilled wrestler and likewise somebody who’s achieved the issues I’ve achieved this yr. However I am very assured. I’ve recognized Shota since he was a younger lion. We have wrestled fairly usually since he returned from tour.

“I am unable to converse for him, however I really feel like I’ve essentially the most confidence in him being worthy of that problem. So it is a dual-purpose duty to show that I am a Tokyo Dome primary event-level wrestler, but additionally bringing my opponent up with me by means of considerably torture, if not variety torture. I do not know. I feel that is in all probability considerably contradictory.”

NJPW billed Wrestle Kingdom as a two-night occasion with its first co-branded present with AEW, ROH, CMLL and Stardom the next night time.

Wrestle Dynasty was the logical subsequent step for its partnership with All Elite Wrestling, and ZSJ is grateful for the chance to headline each exhibits.

“I have been concerned in all three of the Forbidden Doorways,” Sabre stated. “I feel it was at all times inevitable that we’d do one thing on Japanese soil. However I feel the truth that it is taking place for the primary time in Japan on the Tokyo Dome, which is the biggest venue we will run, is essential to me.

“I used to be considerably shocked to see Ricochet diving at me in a full swimsuit and gown sneakers from the highest rope, which speaks paramount to his stability and talent as a result of I do not assume I might do this in health club sneakers, not to mention loafers.

“However I feel this yr’s Wrestle Kingdom can be seemed upon as a large turning level in a generational shift for New Japan. Wrestle Dynasty, I plan on very a lot coming into as champion, so the match can be for the IWGP world heavyweight title.

“I could not be the primary international G1 winner, however I used to be the primary British winner. I could not be the primary international IWGP world heavyweight champion. I am not the primary Tokyo Sports activities MVP winner. Sorry, Bob Sapp. However I may be the primary foreigner to enter and go away Wrestle Kingdom as IWGP world heavyweight champion.

“No New Japan wrestler in historical past has defended the championship twice in back-to-back Tokyo Dome occasions. So that is what’s driving me proper now.”

Sabre has a busy schedule in January and lofty objectives for the remainder of the yr, however he is not taking his longtime buddy evenly. Though they’ve crossed paths many instances, he is anticipating a distinct competitor in an opponent he hasn’t wrestled one-on-one since 2017.

“Nicely, I imply, me and Ricochet have wrestled everywhere in the world,” ZSJ stated. “It is considerably ironic that our first singles match in Japan goes to be on the Tokyo Dome. We had traveled and wrestled extensively. Once I was residing within the States in 2016, 2017, I noticed him nearly each week, after which even once we have been overseas, whether or not it was Germany throughout Europe or the primary time I went to Australia, I wrestled him twice. So he was considerably of a continuing in my life.

“I feel the one takeaway that I at all times felt wrestling Ricochet was how he is deceptively sturdy. He is an extremely sturdy wrestler. Will Ospreay, clearly, says how a lot of an affect he had on him. I feel clearly folks take into consideration him being broadly a high-flyer, however I feel he is far more versatile than folks give him credit score for.

“I am to see how he’ll strategy not solely the dimensions of the match on the Tokyo Dome, but additionally coming into the heavyweight division, having been a really achieved junior heavyweight in New Japan. And clearly, I am a ginormous behemoth of a heavyweight, so he’ll must adapt to that side of me.

“There are not any methods that he can have up his sleeve. I presume he is not carrying the swimsuit for the match. I wrestle very nicely with high-flyers as a result of it leaves loads open for alternative. However likewise, I am not going to expect the junior heavyweight of New Japan previous with Ricochet.”

For the previous decade, ZSJ has made a reputation for himself as among the finest technical wrestlers on the earth. As an envoy of the World of Sport model, he has showcased catch wrestling alongside all-time greats like Bryan Danielson.

“I feel most of it’s unconscious,” Sabre stated. “I imply, that is simply the best way that I wrestle is the best way that I genuinely really feel keen about eager to wrestle myself. It does not imply I do not assume that wrestling ought to have an extremely huge number of completely different types.

“One in every of my favourite matches of all time is Onita and The Nice Sasuke in an exploding cage match. So I like all types of wrestling. However so far as what evokes me now and impressed me from the start was at all times technical wrestling. After which with my background starting wrestling in Britain, I at all times simply resonated with that model greater than another model I have been concerned in in any other case.

“A part of it’s feeling a duty to maintain facets of that model alive, however I imply, simply selfishly, it is simply the best way that I take pleasure in wrestling essentially the most. And I feel whether or not it is exterior of wrestling, whether or not it is music, artwork or movie or something inventive. I feel when you’re pursuing one thing that you simply genuinely really feel keen about your self, then it is easy. You do not actually must make a acutely aware effort to pursue that model.

“I really feel very lucky to have been in a position to wrestle Bryan twice in, for now, his retirement interval, however I anticipate that he can be again.”

The 2 have been linked for years. On the tail finish of Danielson’s authentic run with WWE, followers voted ZSJ the perfect technical wrestler of the yr for seven consecutive years within the Wrestling Observer E-newsletter awards.

The American Dragon has dominated the class since 2021, however nobody exterior of them has received the award for the final 19 years.

Their WrestleDream rematch final February at NJPW The New Starting was a match-of-the-year contender. Nonetheless, Sabre and plenty of viewers hoped for a 3rd encounter after he tied their sequence of matches on the occasion.

“If he is bodily able to wrestling, I am sure he’ll be again,” he stated. “However I will definitely be ready for the decider. However to have the ability to wrestle Bryan in each America and Japan in shut proximity was crucial to me.

“I might by no means have presumed to have the ability to have that match on an American pay-per-view both. So, I feel it is a testomony to skilled wrestling followers in addition to to how open-minded they’re for it to have been acquired the best way that it was.”

Though ZSJ bested Danielson of their final showdown in Japan, he nonetheless has a rating to settle with him.

“I’ve not tapped him out but,” Sabre stated. “He graciously stated that I used to be the perfect technical wrestler on the earth, however I do not know if I can take that mantle till I’ve overwhelmed the perfect submission artist. So, yeah, get your ass again, Bryan.

“I am an environmentalist, so I will not be utilizing any single-use plastic to purpose for him. I will solely be utilizing submissions.”

The Brit remained incredulous about the potential for Danielson by no means wrestling once more, however he briefly commented on the notion that he formally handed the torch to him after he retired as a full-time competitor.

In any case, he received the IWGP world title two days after the 43-year-old was taken out of the Tacoma Dome in Seattle at WrestleDream, cementing his place as among the finest on the earth.

“I have been aiming to be the perfect technical wrestler on the earth my complete profession,” Sabre stated. “I wasn’t hoping that it might include tried homicide. So, yeah, it might have been considerably extra pleasurable if he was nonetheless alive. However I feel he is OK.

“Likewise, I might have cherished to defend the title in opposition to Bryan. I imply, I plan on being the IWGP world heavyweight champion for the foreseeable future. So, we’ll clearly must see. However I assume there’s some melancholic symbolism of individuals trying to homicide Bryan whereas I win my first championship.”

The previous NJPW world tv champion additionally has unfinished enterprise with the self-proclaimed King of Tv.

Samoa Joe confronted Sabre throughout an look on Ring of Honor in 2023, however their anticipated one-on-one match by no means got here to fruition.

“Joseph of the Samoas,” Sabre stated. “As the only real consultant of the Isle of Sheppey, as Sheppey Zack, I feel it is the island battle that the world has been clamoring for. It was clearly unlucky that that match by no means materialized.

“Samoa Joe is without doubt one of the greatest wrestlers on the earth and had an unbelievable AEW title reign very not too long ago. Sadly, it won’t be for management of tv at this level. However clearly, my focus shifting ahead can be domestically on New Japan, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a world title.

“And given the shut connection and collaborations that occur with AEW, then that’s one thing I might positively be wanting to make occur. We have now to discover a impartial [venue]… Nicely, I assume Japan could be a impartial island for each of us. If he desires to make the struggle, then I feel that is one thing I would be looking forward to.”

That could possibly be an ideal matchup for Forbidden Door 2025, which is ready to happen in London on Aug. 24. Wrestle Kingdom 19 and Wrestle Dynasty will stream reside on Jan. 4 and 5 on NJPW World.