New Japan Pro Wrestling star – and Los Ingobernables de Japon leader – Tetsuya Naito cemented his name in wrestling history by winning the grueling G1 Climax tournament on Aug. 13 with a victory over 2016 winner, Kenny Omega. Naito spoke with Sports Illustrated in this exclusive to discuss LIJ, Omega, and Okada. His match with Omega, which can be viewed with English commentary on New Japan World, will air on AXS TV with Jim Ross providing the play-by-play later this October.
SI.com: How important was it for you to redeem last year’s G1 loss to Kenny Omega?