Nobody could have envisioned the immediate impact Gideon Grey has had for the United Empire and NJPW at large. In just a few months he has become an integral part of the United Empire, a standout character whether in the ring trying his utmost to support the group (often failing) or making grand ring introductions, and in impressively quick fashion he has endeared himself to the Japanese crowd despite the restrictions on crowd noise. Some may have been confused by his inclusion in the group at first glance but any doubts have been promptly quietened.

In this insightful and often wholesome interview, Gideon discusses how he came to be a member of the United Empire, his influence on the group extending far past his New Japan debut in September, and speaks on the incredible year they have had and what lies ahead for 2023. Ahead of Wrestle Kingdom, Gideon teases what role he may play in the Tokyo Dome and gives his thoughts on the marquee Will Ospreay vs Kenny Omega match. When asked which members of the STARDOM roster he would like to see join the United Empire he is cunningly coy in his response. but is quick to list off matches he would like to see his comrades compete in should Forbidden Door 2 happen, and even gives his own desire to wrestle Bryan Danielson. Gideon explains why Kevin Kelly has such disdain for him, details his experiences in Japan thus far, gives praise to Great-O-Khan and their touching relationship, which UK wrestlers he would like to see compete in a New Japan ring and lots, lots more in this packed interview!

Inside the ring, the menacing member of United Empire earned his first taste of gold upon winning the IWGP Tag Team Championships, twice, alongside Jeff Cobb. He was also an essential element of the build to Forbidden Door, appearing on AEW television ahead of competing in a landmark match on the PPV itself. A graduate of NJPW’s Young Lion system, Great-O-Khan is not even two years into his post-excursion career and has already become integral to New Japan’s marketing and promotions, his persona transcending the squared circle he dominates so fiercely.

Outside the ring, Great-O-Khan earned worldwide praise from fans for his heroics in saving a young girl from a drunken predator, subduing the man and ensuring the girl felt safe with offers of pancakes, in turn being awarded a letter of appreciation by Kawasaki City police. A hero in every sense of the word, we saw another side of Great-O-Khan when he ventured to America, gallivanting across the Las Vegas Strip seemingly having the time of his life thus cementing his spot in the hearts and minds of all fans.

With translation help from NJPW, I was able to ask Great-O-Khan a series of questions, ranging from his career in New Japan so far to his appearances in AEW, from his time spent on excursion in England to his thoughts on MJF, and of course what toppings he has on his pancakes.

Q: What are your thoughts on your performance in the G1 Climax this year and Will Ospreay losing in the final?
The results were disappointing but our matches were highly regarded, and we felt that the fans were clamoring for both us and Ospreay to win. That is an achievement in itself.

Q: You are a two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, alongside Jeff Cobb. Do you have your sights set on any singles title in the near future?
We do not seek championships, championships come to us. Should the champions beg us to challenge for these things, then so be it.

Q: You’ve recently incorporated the “Slam Dunk” and “Pancake Hold” into your move set. You seem to be able to find inspiration from anywhere, your amateur wrestling background, anime, and now basketball and food. Are you always looking for new, original moves to add to your arsenal in your every day life?
We don’t search, we feel. When we find something useful, we incorporate it, not just in our wrestling, but backstage and on social media.

Q: Does it frustrate you that you defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan yet he continues to use the Mongolian Chops?
No. We are benevolent types. The “legendary wrestler” mimicking our moves is something we find highly amusing, if anything.

Q: With the announcement of the Historic X-Over event between NJPW and STARDOM, which STARDOM wrestlers would you most like to team up with at the show?
We care not.

Q: Which STARDOM wrestlers would you like to see join the United Empire?
We do not seek members. It is up to the wrestlers to plead their cases to us.

Q: NJPW have announced their return to the UK with Royal Quest II. Can we expect Great-O-Khan to make his long-awaited return to the UK? (Interview took place before Great-O-Khan was officially announced for Royal Quest II)
You may. Be prepared by watching NJPW World immediately.

Q: You spent almost two years on excursion in the UK with RevPro, as part of the Legion and teaming with Rampage Brown, do you have any fond memories of your time in the UK?
At first, we couldn’t communicate effectively with broken English. But when wrestlers in Portsmouth tried to learn Japanese and tried to understand our English we were grateful.
We have an amusing anecdote. One day, we were asked to give lessons on amateur wrestling to students in the Portsmouth dojo. There were over 20 people coming to our session on the first day. But because the lesson was so grueling only two people came on the second day. Many wrestlers invited us to dinner, took us sight-seeing and taught us the proper English manners. Lord Gideon Grey especially has our gratitude. We were glad to see historical architecture like the Tower of London and Glastonbury Abbey where our beloved King Arthur’s grave is. We only have good memories of England.

Q: You are wildly popular with fans in both Japan and worldwide. What do you attribute that to?
No words are needed in wrestling. A dedicated attitude is appreciated all over the world. Debuting in England taught us that.

Q: You were an important part of the build to Forbidden Door, what are your thoughts and feelings on your time spent in AEW and performing at Forbidden Door?
We felt that AEW is full of Indy wrestlers. There are plenty of formidable wrestlers there, but they are unrefined and ill-educated. A shame.

Q: Is there anybody in AEW that you think should be punished with an Eliminator?
MJF. Not because of hatred but interest.

Q: MJF has previously revealed that he is a fan of you. What are your thoughts on MJF?
We care not for pro-wrestling, so we haven’t seen or heard of MJF. Yet clearly he is one of a precious few who truly understand the meaning of true “professional wrestling”, and we think he must be one of the very best in the world.

Q: During your time in America it seems you really enjoyed yourself in Las Vegas. What was your favourite part of that experience?
Definitely Las Vegas. We posted some photos of Las Vegas on our Instagram for you to see. American people are crazy and funny – we would like to oblige our crazy side as well.

Q: What are your favourite anime or manga?
To name a few famous manga, love Slam Dunk, Rurouni Kenshin, Dragon Ball, YuYu Hakusho and Fist of the North Star. Of course, we own complete sets of all.

Q: What toppings do you put on your pancakes?
Simple is the best. Syrup and Whipped cream. That’s it.

At the climax of RevPro’s High Stakes event, Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher, collectively known as Aussie Open, stunned the York Hall crowd by joining Will Ospreay’s United Empire. The pair fan favourites, they charged to the ring to save Shota Umino from a beatdown, only for Davis to shockingly lariat Shota’s head off his shoulders (causing me to jump around shouting like I’d just unwrapped a Nintendo 64 in 1997).

Dripping in gold, the trio holding 7 titles across their shoulders, the night ended with Aussie Open donning their United Empire shirts, and United Empire (and by proxy NJPW) gaining two of the best tag team wrestlers in the world. They’ve dominated Australia, they’ve dominated the UK, and now the pair are set to dominate Japan.

Speaking of dominating Japan, Mark Davis is a monster, aptly holding the moniker of Dunkzilla. Breaking bodies with his sickening piledriver Close Your Eyes and Count to Fuck, Davis is one of the few wrestlers on the planet with chops that could rival WALTER. Standing next to his larger partner, Kyle Fletcher is deceptively big himself. The Aussie Arrow’s arsenal includes a beautifully brutal spinning Michinoku Driver – his quick and sleek finesse bolstered with volatile explosiveness. Individually impressive, they’re far superior together, a violent calamity.

They are a tag-team through and through, competing across the globe as a duo. Unique and devastating team moves have led them to claiming tag gold the world over, including winning the RevPro British Tag Team Championships less than an hour before siding with Ospreay. World experience, Aussie Open defeated WWE’s Ilja Dragunov and WALTER to win the wXw World Tag Team Championships in Germany, but perhaps their crowning achievement was winning the PROGRESS Tag Team Championships in Wembley Arena.

Aussie Open are no strangers to NJPW, having already made their debut under the lion mark, in London at Royal Quest, where they unsuccessfully challenged Guerrillas of Destiny for the IWGP Tag Team Championships. Though they missed out on the titles at Royal Quest, Aussie Open hold the rare distinction of toppling the mighty Minoru Suzuki and Zack Sabre Jr. to win the RevPro British Tag Team Championships a few months prior. On other occasions they’ve gone to war against NJPW teams including EVIL and SANADA, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Juice Robinson, and Roppongi 3K.

Joining New Japan is long overdue for Aussie Open. Following Royal Quest, it seemed inevitable they would make their Japanese debuts shortly after, likely in World Tag League. Unfortunately, Mark Davis suffered an injury in September 2019, rupturing his MCL and tearing his ACL. If Aussie Open were set to make the trip to Japan that year it was no longer possible, and the pandemic months later only added more difficulties.

The potential for Davis and Fletcher in the cerulean blue New Japan ring is worthy of drooling over. The beastly Davis clashing with Shingo Takagi, Dunkzilla vs Dragon! The explosive Fletcher outmanoeuvring Kazuchika Okada, the Aussie Arrow darting through the rain! Aussie Open reigniting their rivalries with Suzuki-Gun and Bullet Club to overcome Dangerous Tekkers and Guerrillas of Destiny.

When World Tag League comes around again, Aussie Open winning the trophies in their tournament debut isn’t unrealistic. In fact, they could very well be favourites given their own prowess and the fantastic year United Empire are collectively having.

It has been a long time coming. Aussie Open are guaranteed future IWGP Tag Team Champions. Aussie Open are more than ready for NJPW. Crowns up.