Pro Wrestling legend Satoshi Kojima is gearing up for the upcoming All Japan Pro-Wrestling Royal Road Tournament which begins August 19th at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Kojima’s match in the opening round of the tournament will be against Rei Saito. The winner of the tournament will earn a Triple Crown Championship Title opportunity against current champion Yuma Aoyagi.
At a recent press conference Kojima spoke about the Royal Road Tournament and admitted that his career is currently in decline.
I’m living now with a keenly sense of decline, and I’m struggling with that kind of thing while my playing time is decreasing. However, I have no intention of surrendering to the environment surrounding me. That’s why I’m desperately trying to create a place where I belong, and other organizations have approached me and created opportunities. Over the past year or two, I’ve been able to feel again that if I work hard, someone is watching me somewhere.
Kojima indicated that he hopes to win the AJPW Royal Road Tournament and challenge for the Triple Crown Championship:
It’s about winning as many tournaments as possible, and of course winning the championship is what lies ahead. If I win, I’ll challenge for the Triple Crown Champion, win the Triple Crown Heavyweight Title, and have another golden age
Satoshi Kojima was the fourth person to ever hold all three major pro wrestling titles in Japan, He has held the IWGP Heavyweight, GHC Heavyweight and Triple Crown Championships.
Earlier in the year Kojima wrestled CM Punk at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.
Kojima is currently signed to NJPW but has been on loan and wrestling for AJPW since April 2023.
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