SANADA shares his thoughts on the new generation of NJPW wrestlers.
SANADA has climbed to the top of NJPW throughout 2023; he defeated David Finlay to win the New Japan Cup in April, and he went on to beat Kazuchika Okada to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at NJPW Sakura Genesis. In doing so, he captured his first world title. As the world champion, he is arguably the face of the company, and he sees one clear issue with the company's new generation.
Speaking with Rolling Stone Japan, SANADA brought up the Reiwa Three Musketeers (Yota Tsuji, Shota Umino, and Ren Narita) and praised the trio before noted that their generation lacks sex appeal. He also highlighted the importance of attracting attention as a wrestler. (H/t Andrew Thompson of POST Wrestling for the translation).
"I have high expectations for the Three Musketeers… I really have high expectations for them. They are the future of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Yes, that’s right (I am going to show the difference between them & I). That generation still lacks sex appeal. Well, it can’t be helped in terms of their careers. I feel there is a difference. I feel that sex appeal is more important than how well they play the game. It’s more about attracting attention. I think that’s why there are no popular guys in that generation," SANADA said.
Just Five Guys (SANADA, DOUKI, Taichi, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru) showed off their impressive hair as they starred in a hair commercial. More information is availble here.
SANADA recently reflected on competing at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. Check out his comments here.
As announced during IMPACT Slammiversary, SANADA will compete at IMPACT Emergence. More information is available here.
As of this writing, SANADA is currently competing in the NJPW G1 Climax Tournament. Keep up with the standings here.
