GLORY BOUND:
NJPW’S CURRENT RISING STARS
By Jasmine Olan
Within every generation of wrestlers who join the NJPW roster, fans get to witness the rise of talented new stars. New Japan’s current crop of talent features several young performers on their way to achieving greatest throughout their careers. From the current class of young lions to some mid card title holders, many of these wrestlers have the potential to one day headline major events like WRESTLE KINGDOM and DOMINION. Each of them will play a vital role in the success and future of New Japan Pro Wrestling. Their journeys are chronicled with every match and interview. The possibilities for all of them are limitless.
Over the last few years those possibilities can been seen in the latest classes of New Japan young lions. Roppongi 3K, Jay White, Hiromu Takahashi, and Juice Robinson have all won championship gold after getting their start as young lions. The most recent class features a whole group of potential stars. Twenty-one year old stand out, Shota Umino and twenty-five year old former Kaientai Dojo prospect, Ayato Yoshida are sure to one day face each other at the Tokyo Dome. The two newest young lions, Yota Tsuji and Yuya Uemura seem destined to have a rivalry similar to the historic feud between The Ace Of The Universe, Hiroshi Tanahashi and the King Of Strong Style, Shinsuke Nakamura. The journey is just beginning for them and excitement lies in the anticipation of how their futures will unfold.
Other stars on the rise EVIL of Los Ingobernables de Japon who is emerging as one of the best big men in the industry right now. He is currently set to face Chris Jericho for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at Power Struggle on November 3. Another former young lion, Hirai Kawato has many looking at him as the potential heir apparent to current junior Ace, Kushida once he returns from his learning excursion with CMLL. For the past couple of years, Juice Robinson has had the wrestling world buzzing about his vast improvement since his arrival in New Japan which saw him become the first American to win the IWGP United States Championship after his win over New Zealand born, Switchblade Jay White. White is currently making waves in NJPW as a popular heel character with lots of charisma and a devastating move set. British junior sensation Will Ospreay is another star on the rise who is viewed by many as one of the best high flyers of pro wrestling’s modern era.
These talented young men are all making their mark in the international wrestling scene right now. All are passionate and bold, ready to take those next steps in their careers. They continue to push themselves hard in every match, never forgetting the goal they all sure, to become champion and prove that they are best in the world. They love what they do and are not afraid to put in the work required to reach that goal. Only time will tell what the future has in store for them, but in their own unique ways they each glory bound.
