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OSAKA, JAPAN – NOVEMBER 04: Zack Sabre Jr. enters the ring throughout the New Japan Professional-Wrestling at Edion Area Osaka on November 04, 2024 in Osaka, Japan. (Picture by Etsuo Hara/Getty Photographs)Etsuo Hara/Getty Photographs
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 street to success in Japan has made him one of the crucial revered technicians on this planet. Though his status 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 crushed path, signing with New Japan Professional-Wrestling as a substitute and becoming a member of Suzuki-gun the next yr.
As we speak, he has proved that enterprise wasn’t merely a stepping stone as he devoted eight years to turning into one of many prime names within the firm. The 2024 Tokyo Sports activities MVP has made a house in Japan and plans to observe 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 towards Shota Umino about his run over the previous few months, targets for 2025, Wrestle Dynasty opponent Ricochet, and a few unfinished enterprise with Bryan Danielson and Samoa Joe.
Locked In for Wrestle Kingdom 19
1 of 8

As Sabre settled in for our interview, it turned clear he hadn’t had time to cease and scent 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 primary occasion of Wrestle Kingdom 19 is his prime precedence.
“I imply, clearly, every particular person aim was the main focus,” Sabre mentioned. “I imply, it is a blessing and a curse having crucial occasions of the yr at the start of the yr. We’ll see how the Tokyo Dome goes, and maybe I am going to get to relish it just a little bit.”
However, 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 turned the primary non-Japanese wrestler named Tokyo Sports MVP since Bob Sapp in 2002, however he hasn’t had an opportunity to replicate on these achievements but.
“I feel most likely something that you just’re aspiring for [is a career goal], however professional wrestling is such a constantly forward-moving business that clearly profitable the G1 was a lifelong profession aim,” he mentioned. “However then by the following day, we had the press convention for the title match. So it is already focussing on the following factor.
“So, I am certain these will likely be issues that I am going to recognize. I recognize them absolutely now, however there will be issues I will replicate on once I’ve stopped wrestling and nobody cares and I am simply the loopy outdated man in a pub telling folks like, ‘You already know, I gained this match in Japan.’ They’re going to be saying, ‘Yeah, certain you probably did.’”
Betting On Himself After Historic Event Win2 of 8
ZSJ referred to 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 current G1 winners held on to the briefcase till Wrestle Kingdom, but it surely 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 mentioned. “So I might by no means related these two issues as being intertwined with one another essentially. I might had some actually massive 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 stunning about Ryōgoku. I feel clearly, Korakuen Corridor to Western followers will get numerous 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 de facto vital to me. And clearly that is the hub of our massive occasions in Tokyo as properly.”

The 2-time New Japan Cup winner was adamant about his choice to return to the venue and avenge his previous losses. Within the course of, he vowed to win the corporate’s prime prize for the primary time and defend it in London at Royal Quest the next week.
“Realizing that we at all times have a giant Ryōgoku occasion in October that appealed to me way more than with the ability to problem for the belt on the Tokyo Dome,” Sabre mentioned. “The ambition was at all times to enter the Dome because the champion. I feel that the picture of that, I feel, is far completely different.
“Each Dome occasions are actually extremely vital 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 kind of erase that previous notion of me.”
Contemporary Begin As IWGP World Heavyweight Champion3 of 8
Throughout a NJPW interview in November, Sabre mentioned 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 prime star.
“I suppose it is considerably facetious for somebody who’s been wrestling for 20 years,” Sabre mentioned. “I imply, it is at all times the cliché, you must at all times say you’ve got been wrestling for much less time after which individuals are extra impressed. If I might been wrestling for 3 years, I feel I’d have had like an all-time profession.
“I felt like I might been working to succeed in 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 might at all times had success. I’ve gained tournaments and championships, each in Noah and New Japan, however I might at all times been one step under that.
“So, I genuinely really feel that by profitable 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 in addition somebody to guide New Japan.
“That side of being champion appeals to me way more than the egotistical elements of, ‘Oh, I am the champion.’ To be the champion, particularly in New Japan, provides you immense accountability, and that is one thing that I have been searching for out versus shying away from.”

Picture credit score: NJPW International
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 assist for him when he hoisted the IWGP title after a press release 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 mentioned. “I feel they could concentrate and are accustomed to the journey of a wrestler, particularly as a youthful overseas 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 properly. I used to be overwhelmed by the response from the G1, after which clearly once I gained the championship as properly. It felt just like profitable a Champions League or one thing or your native sports activities crew profitable.
“I feel timing is paramount. From the time that I gained the primary New Japan Cup in 2018. Then even once I gained 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 guide the corporate with the entire 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 not less than certified every now and then hopefully I am going to show that I am overqualified.”
Main New Japan into New Period at Wrestle Kingdom 194 of 8
Sabre has fairly a frightening job 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 primary occasion.
“Beneath the Wrestle Kingdom banner, there’s not been a foreigner to depart as champion,” he mentioned. “However a giant side of why I wished to enter as champion fairly than difficult for the primary time was to already set up myself in that sphere.
“Outdoors of the direct aim of eager to main-event on the Tokyo Dome, and clearly win on the Tokyo Dome, with the ability to method the best way that I wrestle within the largest room potential that we’ve. 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 foremost occasion can or ought to be. I feel I may do one thing not exterior of the field for me, however play to the room that it deserves.”

Etsuo Hara/Getty Photographs
New Japan is at the moment rebuilding its world title image with out mainstays like Will Ospreay, Jay White and Okada.
Actually, this would be the first Wrestle Kingdom foremost occasion that will not characteristic 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 among this era’s “Three Musketeers,” however he’s optimistic they’ll lead NJPW into the longer term.
“Despite the fact that that is my first Tokyo Dome foremost occasion, I’ve to wrestle and present everybody that there is a purpose why I’m in the primary occasion,” he mentioned. “However I see the accountability extra broadly is to have the ability to deliver 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 kind of arbitrary that it is my first Tokyo Dome foremost occasion, but it surely’s my accountability as probably the most skilled wrestler and likewise somebody who’s achieved the issues I’ve performed this yr. However I am very assured. I’ve identified Shota since he was a younger lion. We have wrestled fairly frequently since he returned from tour.
“I can not converse for him, however I really feel like I’ve probably the most confidence in him being worthy of that problem. So it is a dual-purpose accountability to show that I am a Tokyo Dome foremost event-level wrestler, but in addition bringing my opponent up with me by means of considerably torture, if not type torture. I do not know. I feel that is most likely considerably contradictory.”
Match With Ricochet at Wrestle Dynasty5 of 8
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 reveals.
“I have been concerned in all three of the Forbidden Doorways,” Sabre mentioned. “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 most important venue we will run, is essential to me.
“I used to be considerably stunned to see Ricochet diving at me in a full swimsuit and costume sneakers from the highest rope, which speaks paramount to his steadiness and talent as a result of I do not assume I may try this in gymnasium sneakers, not to mention loafers.
“However I feel this yr’s Wrestle Kingdom will likely be regarded upon as a large turning level in a generational shift for New Japan. Wrestle Dynasty, I plan on very a lot getting into as champion, so the match will likely be for the IWGP world heavyweight title.
“I could not be the primary overseas G1 winner, however I used to be the primary British winner. I could not be the primary overseas IWGP world heavyweight champion. I am not the primary Tokyo Sports activities MVP winner. Sorry, Bob Sapp. However I will 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.”

Etsuo Hara/Getty Photographs
Sabre has a busy schedule in January and lofty targets for the remainder of the yr, however he is not taking his longtime pal evenly. Though they’ve crossed paths many occasions, 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 mentioned. “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 robust. He is an extremely robust 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 way more versatile than folks give him credit score for.
“I am to see how he’ll method not solely the dimensions of the match on the Tokyo Dome, but in addition getting 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 should adapt to that side of me.
“There are no methods that he can have up his sleeve. I presume he isn’t carrying the swimsuit for the match. I wrestle very properly with high-flyers as a result of it leaves rather a lot open for alternative. However likewise, I am not going to expect the junior heavyweight of New Japan previous with Ricochet.”
Ardour for Technical Wrestling and Hopes to Wrestle Bryan Danielson Once more6 of 8
For the previous decade, ZSJ has made a reputation for himself as among the finest technical wrestlers on this planet. As an envoy of the World of Sport type, he has showcased catch wrestling alongside all-time greats like Bryan Danielson.
“I feel most of it’s unconscious,” Sabre mentioned. “I imply, that is simply the best way that I wrestle is the best way that I genuinely really feel enthusiastic about eager to wrestle myself. It does not imply I do not assume that wrestling ought to have an extremely extensive number of completely different kinds.
“Certainly one of my favourite matches of all time is Onita and The Nice Sasuke in an exploding cage match. So I really 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 type greater than every other type I have been concerned in in any other case.
“A part of it’s feeling a accountability to maintain elements of that type alive, however I imply, simply selfishly, it is simply the best way that I get pleasure from wrestling probably 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 in the event you’re pursuing one thing that you just genuinely really feel enthusiastic about your self, then it is easy. You do not actually should make a acutely aware effort to pursue that type.
“I really feel very lucky to have been in a position to wrestle Bryan twice in, for now, his retirement interval, however I count on that he will likely be again.”

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The 2 have been linked for years. On the tail finish of Danielson’s unique 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 gained 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 collection of matches on the occasion.
“If he is bodily able to wrestling, I am sure he’ll be again,” he mentioned. “However I am going to actually be ready for the decider. However to have the ability to wrestle Bryan in each America and Japan in shut proximity was essential to me.
“I’d 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.”
Unfinished Enterprise With Bryan Danielson7 of 8
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 mentioned. “He graciously mentioned that I used to be the perfect technical wrestler on this planet, however I do not know if I can take that mantle till I’ve crushed 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 goal for him. I am going to solely be utilizing submissions.”
The Brit remained incredulous about the potential of 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 gained 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 this planet.
“I have been aiming to be the perfect technical wrestler on this planet my complete profession,” Sabre mentioned. “I wasn’t hoping that it might include tried homicide. So, yeah, it might have been considerably extra gratifying if he was nonetheless alive. However I feel he is OK.
“Likewise, I’d have cherished to defend the title towards Bryan. I imply, I plan on being the IWGP world heavyweight champion for the foreseeable future. So, we’ll clearly should see. However I suppose there’s some melancholic symbolism of individuals making an attempt to homicide Bryan whereas I win my first championship.”
A Potential First-Time Match with Samoa Joe8 of 8
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 mentioned. “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 likely one of the finest wrestlers on this planet and had an unimaginable AEW title reign very lately. Sadly, it won’t be for management of tv at this level. However clearly, my focus shifting ahead will likely be domestically on New Japan, but it surely’s nonetheless a world title.
“And given the shut connection and collaborations that occur with AEW, then that’s one thing I’d positively be wanting to make occur. We have now to discover a impartial [venue]… Nicely, I suppose Japan could be a impartial island for each of us. If he needs to make the struggle, then I feel that is one thing I might be longing for.”
That might be an ideal matchup for Forbidden Door 2025, which is about to happen in London on Aug. 24. Wrestle Kingdom 19 and Wrestle Dynasty will stream stay on Jan. 4 and 5 on NJPW World.
Workforce Canada- Workforce Sweden Full Highlights 02/12/2025