Juice Robinson: from WWE hippie to budding NJPW star

Juice Robinson is no longer known as CJ Parker and his run post-WWE has allowed him to grow into a talented wrestler well beyond what we saw in NXT.

It’s been well documented that professional wrestling industry has reached a point where just because a person does not become a star in the WWE, that doesn’t mean he or she can’t become a prominent name elsewhere. There’s a variety of examples to point to; Cody, Kenny Omega, and Austin Aries stand as just a few.

But in time, we may add the name Juice Robinson to that list as well. Watching his development in New Japan has alerted everyone that the WWE may have missed out on a wrestler that could have been a great member of the promotion’s roster.

From 2011 to 2015, Robinson was a part of the WWE roster, through the developmental brands of FCW and eventually NXT. During that time he was known as CJ Parker; a character that would most simply be described as a hippie of sorts. He would rub elbows with a number of wrestlers that would go on to bigger things; whether within NXT or on the main roster.

Robinson shared the ring with Roman Reigns, Tyler Breeze, Cesaro, The Miz, Baron Corbin, Xavier Woods and more. His run never truly amounted to anything special as he departed the organization in March of 2015 when he requested his release.

Robinson would return to the independent scene and it would be a career rebirth for him once he stepped into New Japan Pro Wrestling in August of 2015. He slid nicely into the NJPW mid card; where he would face off with some of the biggest names in the promotion – more often on the losing side – but never being an afterthought in the action.

The biggest part of this development was that with each feature, Robinson proved that he belonged in the promotion that many consider provides the best pure wrestling action in the industry today.

Fast forward to this weekend’s G1 Special where Robinson will challenge Jay White for the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship. When this feud originated, many waved it off as a simple hold over feud for White until he can move on to something bigger; mainly Kenny Omega. But during this feud, Robinson has blossomed into something special.

A throwback to wrestlers of past; some even likening his performances to that of WWE Hall of Famer, The American Dream: Dusty Rhodes. Even former WWE Universal Champion, Kevin Owens, took note of Robinson’s development; calling him the best promo in professional wrestling (the tweet has since been deleted). The simplicity of his character and his delivery has gone a long way in helping the pro wrestling fan base recognize that Robinson has the talent that was overlooked in the WWE.

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Juice Robinson’s run outside of the WWE is an intriguing story to watch. As more competitors leave the big brand and find success around the world; Robinson stands as an example to how those that get cut by the WWE can find opportunity elsewhere. Who knows; when it’s all said and done the WWE may come calling to bring him back for a second, more impactful run. But by then, Robinson will be in a position to have more leverage in deciding what is best for his career.