Major Shake-up in Japanese Wrestling: Yuki Iino Transferred to Pro Wrestling NOAH
By: Lewis Carlan
In a landmark development for the Japanese professional wrestling landscape, a joint press conference held today officially announced that DDT Pro-Wrestling star Yuki Iino is leaving his home promotion to join the full-time roster of Pro Wrestling NOAH.
The move marks a historic first for the CyberFight corporate umbrella, representing a rare permanent internal transfer between its marquee brands. The announcement was presided over by CyberFight Vice President and DDT leader Sanshiro Takagi, alongside CyberFight Vice President and NOAH icon Naomichi Marufuji.
A New Ambition
Iino, who has been a staple of the DDT roster since 2017, explained that his decision was fueled by a desire to test himself in the more physically demanding environment of NOAH. His recent exposure to the brand through his “Passion MAX” appearances served as a catalyst for the permanent change.
“While competing in NOAH as ‘Passion MAX,’ I began to feel that I wanted to team up with Mr. Soya, and I also wanted to deliver even more powerful pro wrestling in NOAH,” Iino stated. “Since I’ll be stepping into the NOAH ring, I intend to aim for the GHC Heavyweight Championship belt. From now on, I plan to give it my all in NOAH.”
Iino currently holds the GHC Tag Team Championship alongside Manabu Soya, and his arrival signals a significant shift in the division’s landscape.
A Historic Corporate Move
Sanshiro Takagi acknowledged the move as a significant milestone for the CyberFight group. While DDT maintains a robust heavyweight division, Takagi expressed that the organization felt it was necessary to support Iino’s professional growth.
“I’ve been telling him, ‘If you’re going to do this, go for the top,'” said Takagi. “I believe this is the first time a transfer has taken place within the CyberFight group. I hope this helps build excitement not only in the pro-wrestling world but also within CyberFight itself.”
Naomichi Marufuji echoed these sentiments on behalf of the NOAH front office, noting that they welcomed the infusion of talent. “I believe they bring a different style than NOAH’s wrestlers, and I hope they’ll inspire us as well,” Marufuji added. “Furthermore, I expect we’ll have future exchanges with DDT, and I hope we can all work together to make CyberFight a huge success.”
What’s Next for Iino
Yuki Iino’s journey with DDT will conclude on November 3rd at a high-stakes event at Ryogoku Sumo Hall, where he will wrestle his final match for the promotion before fully transitioning to the NOAH roster.
The wrestling community is now watching closely to see how Iino, a former multiple-time champion in DDT, adapts to his new permanent home. This breaking news regarding the shift in talent highlights an evolving strategy within the CyberFight group to keep their products fresh and competitive.
As Iino prepares for his departure, fans can expect an emotional send-off at Ryogoku Sumo Hall as he closes one chapter to pursue the prestigious GHC Heavyweight Championship.
