Zack Sabre Jr., the renowned wrestler, envisions bolstering the prestige of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship if he can wrest the title from its current holder, Tetsuya Naito.
In a recent candid dialogue with NJPW1972.com, Sabre Jr. shared his thoughts on the Championship, which took the place of the old IWGP World title early in 2021. He vociferously stated,
“Undoubtedly, the IWGP World Heavyweight title is relatively nascent. Yet the heritage and reputation underpinning those IWGP initials surpass any other championship. Numerous overseas wrestlers have garnered this title, but I will be the exclusive one to bag it while residing in Japan. My presence will be felt at every contest, across every city. It’s not meant as a slight to any other overseas champions, however, I never saw myself as an outsider. I envision myself not only accomplishing what other overseas wrestlers haven’t but also catapulting the title to a stature unprecedented by any Japanese competitor.”
The new iteration of the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship initially got a tepid reception, with many critics disparaging its design.
Within the same interview, Sabre Jr. delved into his personal journey within the context of Japanese wrestling, elaborating on why his path diverges from his contemporaries. He mused,
“Japan was my end game, always. Unlike many athletes who perceive their time in Japanese wrestling as a stepping stone in their greater journey, I aspired to be on Japanese soil since I was 14. Thrice I competed for the Championship, therefore, I must seize victory the next time. To be truly acknowledged as a top tier wrestler, I need to reach unparalleled heights. It’s of little importance to place my name in the record books, however, I yearn for that tangible sense of achievement, knowing I have accomplished a goal that I’ve nurtured for two decades.”
Currently at the helm of TMDK (The Mighty Don’t Kneal), Sabre Jr. boasts of two stints as the NJPW World Television Champion.