Pros and Cons of NJPW’s ‘Big 4’ Wrestlers

Credit: WrestleCurse on Twitter

Pro: Global Expansion

‘Gaijin’ stars are not normally brought into Japanese promotions to gain the sort of traction that Kenny Omega has. Taking over as the Bullet Club leader, Omega has done more to get Western eyes on New Japan than any of his predecessors. His clichéd, foreign heel persona soon gave way, and the real Kenny Omega started to shine through. A fierce competitor with a penchant for self-deprecation in the name of comedy, Kenny truly believes that wrestling can be whatever you want it to be.

NJPW have embraced the free-spirited Canadian, mostly because of his elite talent and drive. They gave him a platform that not many were sure he was ready for: a G1 Climax victory in his first tournament-entry, and a Wrestle Kingdom main-event against Okada. Kenny took this opportunity to take part in one of the matches of the decade; a bout that fans, both in Japan and abroad, are still raving about.

As New Japan venture outside of the Japanese market, a Western, English-speaking superstar like Omega has been an invaluable asset. He provides an accessible route for non-Japanese fans to learn about the product, and his character has been allowed to grow and change as the company does. Kenny is the foreign cornerstone of the NJPW global expansion, and his boundless ambition will continue to lead himself, his faction and his company to greater heights.