Zack Sabre Jr’s chances of joining WWE or AEW have significantly dwindled following a revealing interview ahead of Wrestle Kingdom 19. The British wrestler, a staple of New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) since 2017, appears committed to ending his career in Japan. Sabre Jr., who has wrestled for both WWE and AEW in the past, gained international recognition through his participation in WWE’s 2016 Cruiserweight Classic. Although he reached the semi-finals, he declined a WWE contract to focus on establishing himself in NJPW. His decision proved fruitful, as he’s become a key figure in the promotion, culminating in a banner year in 2024.
This year, Zack Sabre Jr. achieved his greatest success yet, winning the prestigious G1 Climax Tournament and subsequently defeating Tetsuya Naito to capture the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. As the reigning champion, he is set to defend his title against Shota Umino in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 19 at the Tokyo Dome.
In a pre-event interview conducted on a Tokyo rooftop, Sabre Jr. declared his unwavering commitment to wrestling in Japan. “This is the end goal for me,” he stated. “I will wrestle in Japan for the rest of my career, or I won’t wrestle at all. Failure has never been an option. It might have taken me slightly longer than I initially envisioned when I started my New Japan career, but I’ve reached this level now—mostly through sheer stubbornness and desire.”
Reflecting on his journey, Sabre Jr. expressed pride in his accomplishments. “Walking out as the first foreigner to win in the main event is an achievement I think others will speak about in the future. But for me, the desire to win the main event at the Tokyo Dome is about personal success. Japan feels like home. I’ve been welcomed here from the beginning, but I’m fully aware that I’m not Japanese. At the same time, I’m very proud to be a British wrestler.”
Balancing his British roots and his career in Japan, he continued, “I wouldn’t have made it to Japan without my British wrestling background, and I want to make everyone back in the UK proud. But my adult life and career are in Japan. Ultimately, it’s about being the best wrestler I can possibly be and continually challenging myself.”
Sabre Jr. also made it clear that his focus remains on staying at the top of NJPW. “The main goal is to be at the top of New Japan. The fact that I’m foreign is secondary. I am the champion—the top champion of New Japan. That has been the goal from the beginning, and it will remain the goal moving forward: to stay champion for as long as bloody possible.”
Despite rumors of interest from WWE and AEW, Sabre Jr.’s comments have effectively ruled out a return to either promotion. His passion for NJPW and the success he’s achieved there underline his dedication to the company. After his title defense against Shota Umino on January 4th, Sabre Jr. is set to face Ricochet at Wrestle Dynasty, further solidifying his place as a cornerstone of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
