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Satoshi Kojima, the veteran professional wrestler, recently expressed a mix of emotions following his loss to CM Punk at the highly anticipated AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event. While he initially claimed not to care about the defeat, Kojima admitted that deep down, a part of him wished he had emerged victorious.
His loss allowed Punk to advance to the semi-finals of the 2023 men's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament, where he faced Samoa Joe in a highly anticipated showdown on the latest episode of "AEW Collision." Reflecting on the outcome, Kojima revealed his dream opponent in a tweet, stating, "On June 25th, if I had beaten CM Punk, I would have fought Joe at this time.
It's my dream to fight Joe. I hope that someday it will come true." Kojima's desire to face off against Joe stems from their shared legacy in the wrestling industry. While Joe made his mark in promotions like Ring of Honor and Impact Wrestling, Kojima established himself as a prominent figure in NJPW and All Japan Pro Wrestling.
Hopeful for Dream Match: AEW and NJPW's Evolving Partnership
Although the opportunity to realize his dream encounter has proven elusive thus far, Kojima remains hopeful. AEW President Tony Khan has spoken about the strengthening relationship between AEW and NJPW, referring to it as their "strongest promotional partnership." Khan emphasized that this partnership extends beyond joint pay-per-view events, extending throughout the entire year.
As the collaboration between AEW and NJPW continues to evolve and flourish, Kojima's aspiration of facing Samoa Joe in the ring may eventually become a reality. For Kojima, the prospect of stepping into the ring with Joe holds tremendous significance.
Both wrestlers boast remarkable careers and possess a wealth of experience, making a potential showdown between the two a highly anticipated event for fans and industry pundits alike. As time progresses and the cooperative efforts between AEW and NJPW deepen, the chances of Kojima's dream bout materializing grow brighter.
While Kojima may have fallen short in his recent clash with CM Punk, his determination to seize future opportunities and face off against top-tier opponents like Samoa Joe serves as a testament to his unwavering passion for the sport.
Wrestling enthusiasts eagerly await the day when Kojima's long-standing dream finally becomes a reality, and he gets the chance to showcase his skills against the formidable Joe inside the squared circle.