Top Star Says Retirement Is ‘Coming Into Focus’

WWE

Former IWGP World Champion Tetsuya Naito is currently riding high in New Japan Pro Wrestling, with him defeating Kazuchika Okada in the final to win the G1 Climax 33 tournament.

Despite the victory in the tournament and his upcoming Wrestle Kingdom 18 main event, Naito has admitted that he’s a lot closer to the end of his career than the start of it.

Speaking to NJPW, Naito discussed his career, and how the image of retirement is ‘coming into focus’ a little.

He said:

“I said as much on the mic, but I hate the word ‘forever’. Time waits for no man, after all. I heard that talk when I watched the match back on World. But to give the flip side to that comment, I was at Ryogoku as a fan when Chono [Masahiro Chono] won his last (in 2005), and backstage when Tanahashi [Hiroshi Tanahashi] won his last (2018). I think if you put Chono at 41 against Tanahashi at 41 and me at 41, I’m better than them, and I have more in the tank.

“Well, if you watch those other matches back, they’re a lot less mobile at that point than I am now, I reckon. I definitely feel I have a lot further to go yet. At the same time, I know my time is limited. I have knee troubles, eye troubles. The end of the line, that image of retirement that was so far away for so long is now coming into focus a little. But I think that’s just another reason to enjoy where I am as a wrestler and to live in the now, right now. I need to make the most of every moment. That’s not just in the ring, either. Being in the gym, it’s a big motivator for me to push harder, knowing I can’t afford to delay anything.”

Naito recently wrestled at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, where he teamed with Sting and Darby Allin to defeat Chris Jericho, Sammy Guevara and Minoru Suzuki.

Naito is currently slated to face former stablemate SANADA for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 18.

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• Tetsuya Naito
• retirement
• NJPW

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