Zack Sabre Jr Feels He Is The Best Qualified To Fill The Void Left By Kazuchika Okada & Will Ospreay

With the recent departures of Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay, a huge void was left on the New Japan Pro-Wrestling talent roster. While many have speculated on who will be able to step up and fill that void, there is one individual who feels that he is the most equipped to do it.

In a interview, which was conducted on March 5th and is now available on the NJPW website, Zack Sabre Jr was asked about Okada and Ospreay leaving NJPW and if he feels any pressure to fill their shoes. Sabre Jr indicated that he believes that he is best qualified to fill the huge void left by Okada and Ospreay.

Well, even in a scenario where Okada and Will stay, I would still feel that 2024 had to be the year I become a top main eventer in New Japan. I’ve had that mindset, really since I started, but definitely for the last few years. But obviously there is a gap with the two of them leaving and I do feel I’m best qualified to step into that gap. 

Zack Sabre Jr

During the interview with NJPW, Sabre Jr was asked about taking young star Kosei Fujita under his wing and how he compares to other young talent in the promotion:

 I’m obviously biased toward Fujita. But the reason why I wanted him in TMDK, and even why I called on him to help when I was involved with EVIL before then- you can just tell when someone has the outlook that’s essential to achieve success. Some things obviously have to be taught, but some things are innate. I saw it in Fujita in his debut match. For someone of his age to have the presence that he has puts him on a level above everyone else. 

Zack Sabre Jr

Sabre Jr was also asked what it felt like having Bryan Danielson calling him the best technical wrestler in the world following their match:

Obviously wrestling Bryan the first time changed my whole career, and I’d come to terms that we’d never wrestle again. To have those matches back to back essentially meant so much to me because he’s the only one in the world I can wrestle that kind of a match with. It’s bittersweet because if (Osaka) was the last time we wrestled, it could potentially be the end of that style. I hope one day somebody will be as passionate about that style as me, but for now…

Zack Sabre Jr

Another question that came up during this March 5th interview was who Sabre Jr thinks may make it to the New Japan Cup Final Four:

Shingo is in a similar position to me, even though he’s a former World Heavyweight Champion. I think both of us are equally qualified and capable to be leading at the moment. I know the level of matches we have and he seems like someone I would want to go through. But at the same time, I want to wrestle this version of Gabe. We wrestled in the Cup in 2021, but he’s a very different man now. 

Zack Sabre Jr

Sabre Jr is set to face Ren Narita on March 15th in second round New Japan Cup action in Osaka. This event can be viewed live on NJPW World subscription streaming service.

You can follow Lewis Carlan on Twitter @ShootingUpNorth 

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