Who Could Lead NJPW’s Next Faction?

Credit: NJPW1972 Twitter

New Japan Pro Wrestling’s roster has grown rapidly in the past few years. With each of the five current factions pushing capacity, which NJPW star could lead a new group into battle?

NJPW’s growing fanbase are enjoying the historic era we are witnessing. IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada is leading a roster that is wall-to-wall excellence, and the matches being had are reflecting that. Each tournament and each major show builds on the last. It’s no wonder so many of us are getting blissfully caught up in the New Japan hype.

As much as we are enjoying the performances, we also want to be there for the company’s next major story development. Many new fans missed out on the forming of Los Ingobernables de Japon, which has taken the wrestling world by storm. Naturally, we want something new to come along that we can witness from its inception.

From a locker-room standpoint, it makes sense that a new stable would emerge. Each of the current groups are swollen, with LIJ being one of the few to maintain true exclusivity. Taguchi Japan’s open-door policy means any of the part-time fly-ins, such as IWGP Tag Team Champions War Machine, can take part in the faction struggle without committing fully to a team. However, as NJPW becomes a legitimate spot for wrestlers to build their legacy, many will want a more stable group dynamic (excuse the pun).

Speculation has already begun with the ‘Switchblade’ promos, but there are also returning Young Lions like Jay White and The Tempura Boyz, who will need homes. CHAOS, Bullet Club and Suzuki-Gun have too many members, so who could help create a new faction for all this incoming talent?