Who Could Lead NJPW’s Next Faction?

Credit: NJPW1972 Twitter

Katsuya Kitamura

One of NJPW’s time-honoured traditions is their treatment of trainee wrestlers, affectionately dubbed ‘Young Lions.’ Outside of the ring, they do the bidding of the veterans, including cooking and cleaning. In the ring, they take countless pinfalls, rarely getting an opportunity to distinguish themselves.

That’s why when a Young Lion manages to stand out, it is worth monitoring. Former amateur wrestling standout Katsuya Kitamura has done just that. His sheer size and physique immediately catch eyes, but what’s more curious is what he has been allowed to do in the ring. He has developed more offense than we usually see, specifically his signature chops that crush the chests of trainees and veterans alike. Where opponents would laugh off a challenge from a newcomer, some are fearful of Kitamura’s destructive potential.

At 31 years-old, NJPW will likely be pulling the trigger on Kitamura soon. He has a certain star power already,  so if they decide build on that, he could lead a new faction. The company has a sizable crop of Young Lions that will need to be homed, so why not have Kitamura lead this new generation?