Thekla Backs Yota Tsuji’s Stance on Potentially Skipping 2026 Forbidden Door

Fresh off regaining the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at NJPW Dominion, Yota Tsuji made headlines when he told the press he was leaning toward sitting out the 2026 AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door pay-per-view. His reasoning was straightforward: he wants to protect the prestige of the title he just won back. Those comments quickly made the rounds across the wrestling community — and at least one prominent voice has come out in his corner.

Thekla has publicly stated that she respects Tsuji for speaking his mind on the subject. It’s a notable show of solidarity, as Tsuji’s position cuts against the grain of an increasingly cross-promotional landscape where major champions are routinely expected to appear at joint events.

Tsuji’s hesitation isn’t without logic. The IWGP Heavyweight Championship is the most storied title in New Japan history, and a champion choosing to defend it selectively — rather than immediately exporting it to a co-promoted show — is a stance that carries real old-school credibility. Whether NJPW brass ultimately gets behind that thinking, or whether business considerations push Tsuji toward Forbidden Door anyway, remains to be seen.

For now, the champ has drawn a line in the sand, and he’s earning respect for it. With the 2026 edition of Forbidden Door still on the horizon, this is a conversation that figures to continue building steam as the event draws closer.