The professional wrestling world has been abuzz with the recent reign of Jon Moxley as the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. The former WWE Superstar has been making waves in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and his title defenses have been closely watched by fans and pundits alike.
In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, NJPW President and wrestling veteran Hiroshi Tanahashi shared his thoughts on Moxley’s reign and what the future might hold for the championship.
Tanahashi, an eight-time world champion with a storied career spanning over two and a half decades, acknowledged that Moxley’s outsider status has brought a level of intrigue to the championship.
“When an outsider like Jon Moxley becomes the champion, it puts a spotlight on whoever can dethrone him,” Tanahashi noted. This sentiment is particularly relevant given Moxley’s recent successful title defenses against Powerhouse Hobbs and Ren Narita.
Moxley’s first title defense came against Hobbs on AEW Dynamite, with the challenger putting up a strong showing before ultimately falling to Moxley’s submission hold. Unfortunately, Hobbs suffered a legitimate injury during the match, requiring surgery. Undeterred, Moxley went on to defend his title against Narita at NJPW’s Wrestling Dontaku event, emerging victorious once again.
As Moxley’s reign continues, all eyes are on potential challengers who might be able to dethrone him. One such contender is Konosuke Takeshita, who made a statement by confronting Moxley after Hobbs’ defeat.
Takeshita, a standout from DDT Pro-Wrestling, has yet to capture a title in NJPW, making him a dark horse in the running for the championship. With his impressive in-ring skills and determined demeanor, Takeshita could prove to be a formidable opponent for Moxley.
Moxley, meanwhile, remains the only individual to have held a world title in WWE, AEW, and NJPW, cementing his reputation as a wrestling powerhouse. As he navigates the treacherous terrain of NJPW, fans are eagerly anticipating his next move and the potential challengers who will step up to take him on. With Tanahashi’s words ringing in his ears, Moxley will need to be at the top of his game to retain his title and prove his mettle as a champion.
