Fight Panther Jr. & Aero Panther vs Tetsuya Naito& BUSHI
Originally, this event was scheduled to take place on September 25.
However, due to a large typhoon approaching Hong Kong, it was unfortunately canceled.
When the rescheduled show was announced, Hong Kong wrestling fans were ecstatic.
Because one name was confirmed for the event:
Tetsuya Naito.
Anticipation in the Air
New Japan Pro-Wrestling is extremely popular in Hong Kong.
You can tell just by looking at the crowd.
Many fans were wearing T-shirts representing factions such as Los Ingobernables de Japón, Bullet Club, and United Empire, as well as the iconic lion mark.
Of course, there were also shirts from HKWF and Dragon Gate.
But even so, the presence of New Japan merchandise stood out.
It was clear that many fans had been waiting for this moment.
The Entrance
Fight Panther Jr. & Aero Panther made their entrance first, bringing energy and excitement to the arena.
For a brief moment, there was silence.
Then, everything changed.
The crowd erupted.
Because everyone knew what was coming next.
⸻
Tetsuya Naito.
And his partner, BUSHI.
⸻
With every step Naito took toward the ring, the cheers grew louder.
It was not just excitement.
It was something closer to collective euphoria.
Understanding the Phenomenon
This was my seventh time watching HKWF live.
But I had never seen anything like this before.
And strangely enough, I believe I was the calmest person in the entire venue.
The reason is simple.
I had seen Fight Panther Jr. & Aero Panther just a week earlier at Dragon Gate.
And to be honest, I was never particularly interested in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
I knew who Tetsuya Naito was.
But I only knew him.
I had never truly understood him.
⸻
Watching the crowd that night changed that.
Perhaps the true value of a wrestler like Naito is not fully understood in his home country,
but rather in moments like this—when he appears overseas.
That was the moment I finally understood his presence.
A Night the Crowd Took Over
To be honest, what left the strongest impression was not the match itself,
but everything happening around it.
HKWF wrestlers were standing at ringside, taking photos of the match—
just like the fans.
In that moment, there was no clear line between performers and audience.
Everyone was simply there to witness something special.
⸻
When Naito secured the victory,
the reaction was overwhelming.
The roar of the crowd felt almost like the ground itself was shaking.
⸻
After the match, Naito took the microphone.
The entire venue rose to its feet.
A standing ovation.
No hesitation, no delay—just pure respect.
Then came the chants.
“Naito! Naito! Naito!”
The unity in that moment was incredible.
It wasn’t just loud—it was perfectly in sync,
as if the entire arena had become one voice.
More Than a Match
That night, I realized something.
This was not just a main event.
It was a moment where a single wrestler
could unite an entire crowd.
Match Result
Fight Panther Jr. ❌ & Aero Panther
vs
Tetsuya Naito ⭕ & BUSHI
The winners:Tetsuya Naito
Watch the official video