Tetsuya Naito Feared Hiromu Takahashi Would Never Be Able To Return To The Ring Or Meet His Previous Standards

Tetsuya Naito has a unique opportunity to headline both nights of Wrestle Kingdom 15. A two-night event, Naito headlines the first night against Kota Ibushi defending both the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Titles. The winner of their match will go on to meet Jay White on night two and defend the titles there as well. His desire to perform at the highest level is always there, but he has drawn even more inspiration from one of this Los Ingoblerables de Japon stablemates in addition to the limited crowds he’s worked in front of this year.

Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Naito talked about how he was still drawing inspiration from fans who chant for LIJ but also inspiration from his partner in the unit, Hiromu Takahashi. Takahashi, the exciting Junior Heavyweight, suffered a severe neck injury in 2018 that looked to be career threatening and eventually returned in December of last year. Naito talked about how not only was he worried about Takahashi not being able to return to the in-ring quality he was known for, but how the fact Takahashi managed to maintain that level of elite performance has only inspired Naito further.

“I thought that even if he made it back to the ring, he might not be able to compete at the top-flight anymore, but he did not give up. He never quit, and with all that effort, he is able to compete right at the top of the card. He really taught me how important it is to persevere.”

Takahashi has remained every bit of the top flight talent Naito has, and now both look to become victors at Wrestle Kingdom 15. The crowd has been limited due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in Tokyo, and there is talk of a potential lockdown in the city in the coming days. Hopefully the show will be able to go on without interruption.

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