Ryohei Oiwa and Hartley Jackson have set their sights on a major next step heading into Wrestle Kingdom season. Following their victory at NJPW Power Struggle 2026, the TMDK representatives declared their intention to enter the 2026 World Tag League tournament, with the IWGP Tag Team Championship firmly in their thoughts.

Oiwa and Jackson defeated The Swirl, the team of Lee Johnson and Blake Christian, at Power Struggle. The win was followed by a significant development for Oiwa’s singles future, as MJF appeared in a video message and formally challenged him to a match at Wrestle Kingdom 21. The event is scheduled for January 4, 2027, at the Tokyo Dome.

Oiwa accepted MJF’s challenge, placing a huge match on his calendar for New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s biggest annual event. But while the MJF showdown gives Oiwa a defining singles assignment, he and Jackson are also looking to make an impact in the tag division before they reach the Tokyo Dome.

TMDK Targets World Tag League

Speaking after their Power Struggle match, Oiwa and Jackson decided that they will enter World Tag League during the build to Wrestle Kingdom 21. Their objective is clear: a strong tournament campaign could put them in position to pursue the IWGP Tag Team Championship.

For more background on this topic, read Will Ospreay vs. Callum Newman Set for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 21 After United Empire Breaks Down.

The declaration gives Oiwa a demanding final stretch of 2026. He is now preparing for a tournament that tests teams over a sustained series of matches while also looking ahead to a high-profile clash with MJF at the Dome. Jackson, meanwhile, has made it plain that he sees the tournament as an opportunity to prove that he still belongs in major NJPW competition.

Jackson reflected on his long career in a message shared after the announcement. He wrote that he began wrestling at 19 years old as “Little Jag,” and said the business had demanded a great deal from him over the years. Now 46, Jackson acknowledged the physical toll of a career that has lasted 27 years, while stressing that his competitive drive remains intact.

“Maybe my body isn’t what it used to be… but that doesn’t mean the fire is gone,” Jackson wrote. “27 years later, Big Jag, I still have something left to prove!”

Jackson then made the team’s plans unmistakable, declaring that it was time for World Tag League with “ROY,” a reference to Oiwa. The message carries an urgency that fits the stakes of the tournament. For Jackson, World Tag League is not simply another set of dates on the NJPW calendar; it is a chance to demonstrate that experience, resilience and ambition can still take him to the top of the division.

A Busy Road to Wrestle Kingdom 21

Oiwa’s decision to pursue World Tag League alongside Jackson adds another important layer to his Wrestle Kingdom build. His acceptance of MJF’s challenge ensures that he will enter the Tokyo Dome with attention fixed on a major singles confrontation. A successful run with Jackson would give him additional momentum and could potentially create an IWGP Tag Team Championship opening at the same time.

There is no guarantee that declaring for World Tag League will result in a title match. The tournament remains to be contested, and Oiwa and Jackson will need to navigate the full field in order to establish themselves as leading contenders. Still, the team has made its desired destination known: they want to be in the championship picture as Wrestle Kingdom approaches.

The timing also gives their partnership added importance. Tag tournaments place a premium on more than individual talent. Teams must maintain consistency, recover quickly between demanding matches and show that they can operate effectively under pressure. Oiwa and Jackson already left Power Struggle with a victory over Johnson and Christian. Their World Tag League declaration now turns attention toward whether they can translate that winning result into a sustained campaign.

For Oiwa, that campaign will unfold alongside the anticipation surrounding MJF. The video challenge at Power Struggle made the Wrestle Kingdom match official in principle after Oiwa’s acceptance, and the Tokyo Dome date gives both men a specific target. Oiwa’s focus on tag competition does not diminish the magnitude of the singles match; instead, it provides him with another competitive route to build confidence and momentum before January 4.

Jackson’s Experience Meets Oiwa’s Ambition

Jackson’s comments framed the World Tag League entry in personal terms. He did not shy away from discussing the pain, injuries and scars that have accompanied his career. Rather than presenting those realities as reasons to step back, he positioned them as evidence of what he has endured and of why he still wants to prove himself.

That outlook gives the Oiwa-Jackson pairing a distinct motivation heading into the tournament. Jackson has openly stated that the fire remains, while Oiwa is moving toward one of the most prominent matches of his career at Wrestle Kingdom 21. Their goals align around the same immediate target: use World Tag League to force their way closer to the IWGP Tag Team Championship.

The potential reward makes the tournament especially meaningful. Tag league success can change the direction of a team’s season, elevating a partnership from a promising combination to a championship-level threat. Oiwa and Jackson have not claimed that the path will be easy, but they have left no doubt about the standard they intend to chase.

Jackson’s declaration also underlines the emotional value of the opportunity. After 27 years in professional wrestling, he is still seeking moments that can define the next chapter of his career. Competing in World Tag League with Oiwa gives him a platform to pursue that goal in a demanding environment, and it gives TMDK another team with clear championship ambitions.

Aaron Wolf Names His Preferred Partner

Oiwa and Jackson were not the only names connected to World Tag League following Power Struggle. NEVER Openweight Champion Aaron Wolf also called his shot for the tournament.

Wolf said that he wants to team with Oleg Boltin. The proposed pairing immediately stands out because it comes from the reigning NEVER Openweight Champion, who is entering the conversation with his own stated World Tag League objective.

At this stage, Wolf’s comments establish his preferred partner rather than provide further detail on the team’s tournament plans. Even so, his declaration adds another notable possibility to the developing World Tag League landscape. The presence of a current champion looking to form a team with Boltin increases the intrigue around the eventual tournament field.

As with Oiwa and Jackson, Wolf’s callout is about setting a direction before the tournament begins. He has identified the man he wants beside him, while TMDK has identified its intention to compete for a route toward the IWGP Tag Team Championship. Those announcements place additional focus on the tag division as NJPW moves closer to Wrestle Kingdom season.

What Comes Next

The immediate result at Power Struggle was straightforward: Oiwa and Jackson defeated Lee Johnson and Blake Christian. The aftermath, however, was considerably larger. Oiwa accepted MJF’s Wrestle Kingdom 21 challenge, and the TMDK duo then committed to World Tag League with championship aspirations.

For Jackson, the coming tournament is a chance to show that the determination he described still translates into results. For Oiwa, it is an opportunity to pursue tag-team success while preparing for the pressure and spotlight of the Tokyo Dome. Together, they have announced a focused plan for the remainder of the year.

World Tag League will determine whether that plan carries them into an IWGP Tag Team Championship opportunity. Before then, Oiwa and Jackson have already delivered their message: they are entering the tournament to win it, and they intend to make their partnership a central part of the road to Wrestle Kingdom 21.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.