The post World Tag League press conference on December 11 saw the official announcement that Wrestle Kingdom 18 will see World Tag League threepeat winners Bishamon face Guerrillas of Destiny in a rematch with both the IWGP and NJPW STRONG tag Championships on the line. Bishamon reacted to the news, and gave their first official comments since winning WTL 2023, with YOSHI-HASHI speaking first.
‘Well, thankfully we were able to threepeat as World Tag League winners and as IWGP Tag team Champions. Thank you for your support. Since waking up today, I’ve really felt the physical effects of the last tour. But at the same time, it’s been a lot of happiness and a real sense of accomplishment.’
‘Bishamon have made history,’ Goto followed ‘and I’m happy to be in the record books. I didn’t sleep match last night, but when I went out for a walk this morning I was stopped by some elementary schoolkids wanting an autograph, and I think that underscored the importance of what we do. Anyway, we’re now headed into this double title match, and it’s up to us now to rest and recover and be int he best shape possible for Tokyo Dome.’
–You’ll be wrestling Hikuleo and El Phantasmo for a third time at Wrestle Kingdom. Your thoughts on that team?
YOSHI-HASHI: When we wrestled one another in the first match of the league the thing I really left with was just how big Hikuleo is. The power he has is unreal, and he still has a lot of pace. Phantasmo has what Hikuleo doesn’t and vice versa. They haven’t tagged much up to now, but I think they’ll become an incredible team the more they wrestle.
Goto: We lost in the first league match and we beat them in the final. We’re even at 1-1, they’re the STRONG Champions and we’re the IWGP Tag Champions. So at that even standpoint, I think we’re only going to have bigger matches from here. With the stakes what they are with both belts on the line, this next match will be even hotter than the last two.
–This is a double title match. You’ve held both tag titles together in the past as well; what’s your position on this double championship situation?
YOSHI-HASHI: With the IWGP and the STRONG tag titles, having two sets of belts gives you quite a status symbol. The STRONG Championships have been contested a lot over in America, and having both titles will definitely be a powerful tool to be recognised on the world stage as well. I really want for us to be going out to wrestle the world’s best teams, and having two sets of titles, as well as having won three World Tag Leagues in a row is going to be key to doing that.
Goto: We have two sets of championships, but there can only be one team that calls themselves the best. Overseas, if they need to have that STRONG designation, well it is what it is. I always feel that we’re ready to go out and fight anywhere and anyone in the world, and if that’s the case then we only need one set of titles. The point is that the best team has the title. So let’s find out who that is.
–So will these titles be defended together, or separately? Do you have a plan for if you win January 4?
YOSHI-HASHI: We have held and defended both titles separately int he past. I’m fine with having STRONG be STRONG, IWGP as IWGP, or defending both together. I’d be fine with either way.
Goto: I think they should be defended together.
Hirooki Goto and YOSHI-HASHI face El Phantasmo and Hikuleo with the IWGP and NJPW STRONG Openweight Tag team Championships on the line January 4 at Wrestle Kingdom 18.
