David Finlay, a key player in NJPW, outmatched AEW’s Konosuke Takeshita during the eighth round of the NJPW G1 Climax 34 championship.
In the interview following the match, Finlay expressed his idea of AEW as a destination for wrestlers who can’t match his prowess.
The current holder of the IWGP Global Heavyweight title, he mentioned AEW’s fighters Jon Moxley, Jay White, Will Ospreay, and Juice Robinson in his speech.
Finlay proclaimed, “What does AEW signify? All Elite Wrestling? No. AEW, for me, is just a ground for people who are not as competent as I am. Ospreay, Moxley, Jay White, Juice Robinson, Takeshita, even Okada, for that matter. Yes, you heard it right; Okada, who didn’t even dare to confront me, backed out. Let’s talk about the Battle In The Valley in San Jose earlier this year. I demolished his farewell to Ospreay, tagging him with my shillelagh. The first thing he does on arrival in Tokyo, he resigns, fearing what’s known to all. I am the area’s most threatening face, the industry’s most alarming man, consequently the tournament’s most formidable contestant. I am determined to achieve my mission at all costs, regardless of the means. I am destined to be the G1 Climax victor, as hatred always finds a path.”