A CHAMPION IN THE MAKING:
NJPW YOUNG LION, REN NARITA
By Jasmine Olan
Among the eight talented and passionate young rookies competing in this year’s Young Lions Cup tournament is twenty-one year old Ren Narita. Since his 2017 debut at just nineteen years old, he has been emerging as one of the biggest prospects within New Japan Pro Wrestling’s current class of young lions. Over the past year, the talented Aomori native has truly been proving himself as a potential star on the rise with his amateur prowess and technical ability which help him stand out among his peers. Along the way, Narita has been winning the hearts of fans and earning the respect of his seniors who have been with him since he was still in his teens.
Ren Narita first arrived in the New Japan dojo fresh out of high school. Just eighteen years old at the time, he would become part of one of the most competitive classes of young lions NJPW has seen in years. He made his debut on July 4, 2017 against dojo mate and friend, Shota Umino. Although the youngest of his class, Narita would go on to grow in leaps and bounds in just two short years. When it came time for BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS 26 in the spring of 2019, an unexpected opportunity was put in front of the hungry young rookie with very short notice.
When Flip Gordon had to back out of the tournament due to a visa issue just weeks prior, Narita was pulled to step in as a substitute. Despite coming up scoreless in BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS, he gained an invaluable amount of experience that has only helped to further his growth as a wrestler.
During the tournament he debuted two new finishing moves which he named Narita specials #3 and #4. One is a painful leg lace submission, and the other is a devastating high angle belly to belly bridge pin. He had several great moments throughout from the ovation he got in his home prefecture of Aomori where fans held up placards with his picture and cheered as he made his way to the ring to when he hit a beautiful high angle belly to belly suplex on Will Ospreay during their block match.
With the return of the Young Lions Cup this September, that growth is currently on full display as Narita has been consistently having an excellent showing throughout the tournament. His only loss so far has been to long time friend, Shota Umino who is also having a great showing. Despite being barely into his twenties, he is making such a positive impact. Even Rocky Romero has expressed interest in having Narita join CHAOS one day.
There is definitely something very special about watching his journey in New Japan Pro Wrestling. The best part has been watching the tall, lanky kid fans first met when he was only nineteen mature into a strong, well rounded young adult working toward his dream of wrestling stardom. When fans and critics alike look at Ren Narita, they can see that this gifted young lion is truly a champion in the making.
