32-year-old star’s recent negative remarks against AEW were not in character - Reports

A top 32-year-old wrestler recently made highly negative comments about AEW. A follow-up report has now given significant insight into the reality of those remarks.

The aforementioned star, who is the reigning IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, is Yota Tsuji. AEW and NJPW have been working in partnership since 2021, producing multiple events that have achieved remarkable success and garnered major exposure for both promotions.

However, Yota Tsuji recently made some negative comments about the Jacksonville-based promotion. He made it clear that he did not like them and believed the NJPW should sever ties with Tony Khan's promotion.

Tsuji also believed that the Japanese promotion could thrive on its own as a top wrestling promotion. According to a recent report by Fightful Select, sources in NJPW believe that Tsuji was not in character while making those scratching comments about All Elite Wrestling.

Yota Tsuji criticized a top AEW star facing Hiroshi Tanahashi in his final match

Hiroshi Tanahashi will battle AEW star Kazuchika Okada in his retirement match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026. This has not sit well with Yota Tsuji, who, in the same interview, believed that an NJPW star should have battled Tanahashi in his final in-ring showdown.

While he respected the history between Okada and Tanahashi, the idea of a current All Elite Wrestling star facing the 32-year-old in a significant bout was not the right decision, according to him.

With Tsuji's comments garnering headlines, it remains to be seen how it will affect the relationship between All Elite Wrestling and New Japan Pro Wrestling.

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Edited by N.S Walia