Why 2023 Is The Most Excited I've Been For NJPW In Years

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If we are being honest, outside of a few bright spots it has been a struggle for New Japan since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Coming off of the win for Naito in the double gold dash any momentum gained with quickly squashed  as shows were to be done infront of no fans and a lack of any international talent coming into Japan apart from Zack Sabre Jr who had moved or was in the process of moving to Japan full time. It left the product lacking a number of talents let alone two of the bigger main event talets in Jay White & Will Ospreay it led to some interesting booking choices a rushed main event psuh for EVIL which ended with a dud world title reign to which he has never recovered. The break up of Roppongi 3K in which SHO joined EVIL's House of Tortue and all hope I hope of him being the next junior ace has gone. Even highlights such as world title runs for Kota Ibushi and Shingo Takagi were met with either the needless removal to the Intercontinental title or the looming knowledge that Okada was just taking the belt. However, since the turn of the year I have had a a feeling of optimism regarding New Japan and this is largely down to three men making their returns from excusion being Shota Umino, Ren Narita & Yota Tsuji.

As far as Young Lion classes go since my time of watching New Japan this is the one I have been the most hopeful for on a consistent level wrestler to wrestler with each gaining plaudits for their work. With all back from excursion now The Roughneck, The Son of Strong Style and whatever nickname Yota Tsuji gets it gives New Japan a chance to do something needed for years and freshen up their heavyweight division and matches we are likely to see. With Shota having big singles title matches with Zack Sabre Jr and Will Ospreay as well as a current feud with Okada, Ren already having a title on his resume and Yota Tsuji getting the World Heavyweight title match at Dominion it is clear that New Japan have high hopes for all three and I think this is a good thing. If all being well you have three guys that can be top stars with maybe one of these being the next ace. It helps New Japan as I write this I struggle to think of the last heavyweight dojo graduate (maybe Great O-Khan) which New Japan pride themselves on so having three top prospects makes it a great time to watch all of them and see who takes the lead. 

But this also helps for tournaments like the G1 Climax. Three fresh faces in the tournament that can create new matches and stories all of these three graduates are yet to have or have had only one singles match in New Japan with the likes of Okada, Tanahashi, Naito & Ishii so it gives more fun matches something new and it a great chance for these three to level up their standing in New Japan.

All in all Shota, Ren & Yota represent a breath of fresh air for New Japan in a heavyweight division desperate to change its landscape and has now three people they can use to do as such. If anything I believe these three will be some of the wrestlers that are some of the one's to watch this year.

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