Ryohei Oiwa Accepts MJF’s Challenge for Wrestle Kingdom 21

November 3, 2026

MJF called out Ryohei Oiwa in a video at NJPW Power Struggle on Nov. 3. Oiwa accepted in the ring and warned MJF not to disrespect New Japan. They meet at Wrestle Kingdom 21 on Jan. 4.

Photo by 結牙, cropped (CC BY)

The Lowdown

MJF is going to the Tokyo Dome. After TMDK’s win at NJPW Power Struggle on Nov. 3, MJF called out Ryohei Oiwa in a video, Oiwa accepted in the ring, and the match is set for Wrestle Kingdom 21 on Jan. 4 (POST Wrestling; Fightful).

Key Takeaways

Oiwa had just submitted Lee Johnson in a tag win with Hartley Jackson over The Swirl in Hiroshima (POST Wrestling).
This was the second time MJF had confronted Oiwa (POST Wrestling).
MJF offered to defend his “Triple B” belt and said he’d beat Oiwa with a side headlock takeover (POST Wrestling).
Oiwa accepted and warned MJF not to disrespect New Japan (POST Wrestling).
PWInsider lists it as MJF’s New Japan debut (PWInsider).

MJF has issued a challenge for the Tokyo Dome! It will be Ryohei Oiwa vs. MJF at Wrestle Kingdom 21! #njpw #njpst pic.twitter.com/Cbdy7vVHU4
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) November 3, 2026

What MJF Said

MJF did it the MJF way. In the video played inside Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall, the former AEW world champion called Japan “a third world country” and said AEW is where the best wrestle while New Japan is where the best “leave” (POST Wrestling).

He then offered to put his Triple B on the line at the Dome and promised to win with a simple side headlock takeover. Oiwa, still in the ring, took the challenge and told MJF to show New Japan some respect (POST Wrestling).

NJPW confirmed it the next day as part of the Wrestle Kingdom 21 card, which Kenny Omega vs. Yota Tsuji headlines (Fightful; PWInsider).

The Pit Take

We think this is a great spot for Oiwa. MJF is one of the best talkers in wrestling, and his job here is to make a Japanese crowd want to see him lose, which the “third world country” line was built to do. Oiwa doesn’t need to out-talk him; he needs to beat him. If he does it at the Dome, it’s a career-making night. More in Wrestling.

The Background

Oiwa is one of New Japan’s rising heavyweights and the partner of Hartley Jackson; our image shows him in January 2026 with a belt and trophy (POST Wrestling). MJF’s Triple B is his own custom belt, not an AEW title. New Japan and AEW stars have crossed over at Wrestle Kingdom for several years.