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Characters / New Japan Pro-Wrestling

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This page lists the wrestlers and other talent who worked for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, in order of debut. For a list of current wrestlers by faction, see here.

    open/close all folders 

     Debuted in the Inoki Reign Era (1972- 1988) 

AKIRA (野上 彰, Nogami Akira, 1984-2004, 2007-2010, 2012)

  • Facial Markings: Wears kabuki-style makeup.
  • Finishing Move: Musasabi Press and STF
  • Jack of All Stats
  • Power Stable: Legend
  • Only One Name: Referred to by his first name most of the time and in all cap0s when romanized.
  • Red Baron: "Movie Star", "Ring no Musasabi" ("The Squirrel of the Ring").
  • Shout-Out: His Thirtieth Anniversary Show in 2014 featured a story about how AKIRA had died in an accident and he had to reclaim his body from death. It was supposedly based on the 1978 film Heaven Can Wait, which is Nogami's favourite film, but the event overall echoed more YuYu Hakusho than anything.

André the Giant (André René Roussimoff, 1976, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986)

Don Arakawa (あらかわ まこと, Arakawa Makoto, 1972-1989, 2007, 2009)

Black Tiger I (Mark Hussey, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1989)

Bob Backlund (Robert Lee "Bob" Backlund, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 2001)

Bam Bam Bigelow (Scott Charles Bigelow, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)

Masahiro Chono (蝶野 正洋, Chono Masahiro, 1984-1987, 1988-2010)

Riki Choshu (吉田光雄, Mitsuo Yoshida, 1974-1983, 1987-1998, 2000-2003)

The Cobra/George Takano (ジョージ高野, George Takano, 1976-1990, 2002, 2003)

The Dynamite Kid (Tom Billington, 1980-1984)

Tatsumi Fujinami (藤波 辰爾, Fujinami Tatsumi, 1972-2006, 2008, 2020, 2022)

Yoshiaki Fujiwara (藤原 喜明, Fujiwara Yoshiaki, 1972-1984, 1986-1989, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2022)

Ivan Gomes (Ivan Simao da Cunha Gomes, 1975)

"By his weight and size I thought [Gomes] would be out of shape. When he stepped inside the ring and took off his robe, my father got impressed. He looked like Hulk."
—Carlson Gracie, vale tudo fighter

  • Giant Space Flea from Nowhere: He was billed as the Brazilian vale tudo champion, but Japanese audiences did not know what vale tudo was, and many thought it was some exotic school of martial arts or something.
  • I Know Jiu-Jitsu: Trained with famous judoka and jiu-jitsu teachers before the rising of the Gracie Jiu Jitsu. He also knew boxing.
  • Ur-Example: According to Yoshiaki Fujiwara and Satoru Sayama, it was Gomes who introduced the heel hook to NJPW. Where he learned it, or why catch wrestlers like Karl Gotch who presumably knew it did not introduce it beforehand, are unknown matters.

Karl Gotch (Karel Charles Istaz, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1982)

Tatsutoshi Goto (後藤 達俊, Goto Tatsutoshi, 1982-2006, 2007, 2008)

Chavo Guerrero, Sr. (Salvador Guerrero Llanes, 1978, 1980)

Animal Hamaguchi (濱口平吾, Hamaguchi Heigo, 1980-1984, 1990)

Stan Hansen (John Stanley Hansen II, 1977-1981, 1990, 2012)

Hiroshi Hase (馳 浩, Hase Hiroshi, 1987-1996)

Shinya Hashimoto (橋本 真也, Hashimoto Shin'ya, 1984-1987, 1988-2000)

Kantaro Hoshino (星野勘太郎, Hoshino Takeo, 1973-2009)

Hulk Hogan (Terry Gene Bollea, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1993, 1994, 2003)

The Hollywood Blonds

Buddy Roberts (Dale Hey, 1975, 1978, 1979)

Jerry Brown (Gerald Brown, 1975, 1978, 1979)

Norio Honaga (保永 昇男 Honaga Norio, 1979-1984, 1987-2003)

Takayuki Iizuka/Takashi Iizuka (飯塚 孝之, Iizuka Takayuki, 1986-2019)

  • Arch-Enemy: Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Wrestling/Yuji Nagata.
  • Ax-Crazy: After he betrayed Tenzan and joined G.B.H., he started to lose his mind
  • Bald of Evil: Shaved his head after his heel turn in the 2000s.
  • Beard of Evil: He had a beard to begin with, but after he turned bad, it grew to being long a and stringy one.
  • Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: Tenzan, Makabe (& Honma) in G.B.H., Yano and Chaos, and, on his retirement no less, Tenzan again. He isn't called "The Great Traitor" for nothing.
  • Finger Poke of Doom: The iron fingers as a heel which is more or less his unofficial finisher.
  • Garbage Wrestler: As a heel, he adopted a more vicious fighting style. Brawing into the crowd, Iizuka weilded his iron fingers weapon, chairs, electric cable or string to choke his opponents and anything he can think of to inflict pain.
  • I Know Karate: Trained in Sambo in the Soviet Union along with Hiroshi Hase and once wrestled as Sambo Iizuka.
  • Later-Installment Weirdness: Way later, he debuted in 1986.
  • Power Stable: G.B.H., CHAOS and Suzuki-gun.
  • Red Baron: "The Great Traitor" (after his Face–Heel Turn), "Blizzard of Treason", "Tekketsu no Shokeijin" ("The Blood and Iron Executioner"), "Kamokuna Toshi" ("The Taciturn Fighting Will"), "Crazy Boss", "Mr. Sleeper Hold", "Kyouran no Iron Finger" ("Frenzy Iron Finger"), "Ogesana Kyojin" ("The Bald Madman"}, "The Bald Malice".
  • Redemption Rejection: Tenzan tried numerous times to appeal to Iizuka's better half during the latter's retirement match. It didn't work and Suzuki-gun jumped on Tenzan as the show closed.
  • Running Gag: He has an odd tendency to attack NJPW commentator Shinpei Nogami and rip his shirt.
  • Suplex Finisher: Blizzard Suplex and his iron fingers weapon.
  • Took a Level in Jerkass: Before 2008, he was a fairly consistent mid-card face, then he turned on his tag team partner Tenzan and ended up changing everything about him. Now he’s a hardcore wrestling thug who attacks Shinpei Nogami because he's a fan of Yuji Nagata.
  • We Used to Be Friends: With Tenzan, despite the latter's attempts to reconcile during Iizuka's retirement match.

Antonio Inoki (born 猪木寛至, Inoki Kanji, 1972-)

Shoji Kai (北沢源幸, Kitazawa Motoyuki, 1972-1980)

Killer Khan (小沢 正志 Ozawa Masashi, 1973-1975, 1976, 1977, 1981-1984)

Osamu Kido (木戸 修, Kido Osamu, 1972, 1977-1984, 1985-2001, 2003)

  • Boring, but Practical/Dull Surprise: Kido was a career mid-carder due to his effective yet unflashy wrestling style and inability to emote.
  • Finishing Move: Kido Clutch and Fujiwara Armbar.
  • I Know Shoot-Style: And was Karl Gotch's closest student.
  • Red Baron: "Ibushigin" ("Oxidized Silver") and the "Conscience of New Japan"
  • The Unfavorite: He would have been more successful if he had had more charisma.
  • Wrestling Family: Kido’s brother Tokio who retired from in-ring competition after a spine injury during a sparing match. When Tokio died in 1977, Kido dedicated the rest of his career to his brother who never had one.
  • The Worf Effect: For every win he had, a loss wasn’t too far behind.

Kengo Kimura (木村聖裔, Kimura Seiei, 1973-1977, 1980-2003)

Kuniaki Kobayashi (小林邦昭, Kobayashi Kuniaki, 1973–1980, 1982-1984, 1987-)

Shiro Koshinaka (越中 詩郎, Koshinaka Shirō, 1985-2003, 2006-2008, 2009, 2016, 2022)

  • Ass Kicks You: Used hip attacks as his signature move.
  • Finishing Move: Samurai Bomb, Samurai Driver '84 and Diving Hip Attack.
  • Power Stable: Heisei Ishingun
  • Red Baron: "Samurai" and variants ("Samurai Senshi", "Samurai Shiro" and such)
  • Ur-Example: The very first IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion and one of the first male wrestlers to use hip attacks (as a serious move, nothing less).

Jushin Thunder Liger (山田恵一, Yamada Keiichi, 1984-1986, 1987-)

Akira Maeda (前田 日明, Maeda Akira 1978-1984, 1985-1988)

Keiji Mutoh/The Great Muta (武藤 敬司, Mutoh Keiji, 1984-1986, 1990–2002, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013)

Pegasus Kid/Wild Pegasus (Christopher Michael Benoit, 1986-1987, 1990-1997, 199, 2000)

Johnny Powers (Dennis Waters, 1973-1977, 1979-1980)

Willem Ruska (1976-1980, 1994)

  • Achilles' Heel: Nobody wanted to be in the same ring as Ruska if he had his judogi on, but it was said he was surprisingly awkward in no-gi submissions, with catch wrestlers like Inoki, Fujiwara and Kido being supposedly able to hook him that way. Apparently, this was why Ivan Gomes demanded Ruska didn't wear the gi when they had their bout in Brazil.
  • The Bully: Reportedly loved to pull pranks on other wrestlers, as nobody wanted to get into a fight with him with good reason.
  • Dissonant Serenity: After the Ruska/Gomes fiasco, a mob of offended Brazilians tried to enter the NJPW restroom. One of the foreign wrestlers, Pete Roberts, was scared shitless, while Ruska, despite having just been half-choked out in the ring, was completely biase.
  • The Dreaded: Was considered one of the strongest grapplers in Japan during his time here.
  • Fish out of Water: He never actually learned wrestling, and his in-ring work was more based around his judo. Probably expected, given that he was more focused in the money aspect of pro wrestling.
  • I Know Judo: A decorated judo champion.
  • Instant Expert: He wanted to train at the Kodokan before his match with Inoki, but he was not allowed because they don't like pro wrestling there, so he instead went to an Olympic amateur wrestling gym. There he found Yoshiaki Yatsu, who would later join NJPW, and Ruska wrecked him badly. (Possibly subverted, though, given that Ruska had been training partners with Chris Dolman, an amateur wrestler, so he wasn't completely ignorant of the game.)
  • Screw the Rules, I Have Connections!: His victory over Brazilian vale tudo legend Ivan Gomes in a work gone shoot happened when the referee (also from NJPW) counted an apron count-out while Gomes was trying to choke him out.
  • Lightning Bruiser: He was incredibly strong and fast, and could throw people like nothing.
  • Red Baron: "Akaoni" ("Red Demon").

Hiro Saito (斎藤 弘幸, Saito Hiroyuki, 1980-1981, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989-2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012)

Masa Saito (斎藤 昌典, Saitō Masanori, 1974-1978, 1983-1999)

Seiji Sakaguchi (坂口征二, Sakaguchi Seiji, 1972-2007)

  • Badass Family: His son Yukio is a MMA figher and pro wrestler, and his other son Kenji is an actor.
  • Cool Teacher: He founded the Sakaguchi Dojo, in which it taught judo, MMA, amateur wrestling and pro wrestling.
  • Finishing Move: Atomic Drop, Backbreaker Rack and Neck Hanging Tree (Chokebomb).
  • The Giant: The tallest native wrestler in the history of the company.
  • I Know Judo: A bronze medalist in world championships.
  • Red Baron: "Sekaii no Arawashi" ("The World's Wild Eagle")
  • Underwear of Power

El Samurai (松田 納, Matsuda Osamu, 1986-1991, 1992-2008)

Naoki Sano (佐野直喜, Sano Naoki, 1984-1985, 1987, 1989-1990, 1995-1996, 2009, 2011)

Kensuke Sasaki (佐々木 健介, Sasaki Kensuke, 1987-1988, 1990-2002, 2004-2005)

Tiger Jeet Singh (Jag Jeet Singh Hans, 1972-1981)

Rick Steiner (Robert Rechsteiner, 1987, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2000, 2008)

Super Strong Machine/Junji Hirata (平田 淳嗣, Hirata Junji, 1978-1982, 1984-1986, 1987-2018)

Nobuhiko Takada (髙田延彦, Takada Nobuhiko, 1984, 1986-1988, 1995-1996)

Tiger Mask (佐山 聡, Sayama Satoru, 1976-1983)

Último Dragón (浅井 嘉浩, Asai Yoshihiro, 1987, 1992-1996, 2004)

Big Van Vader (Leon Allen White, 1987-1992, 1996)

The Von Erichs

Kerry Von Erich (Kerry Gene Adkisson, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988)

Kevin Von Erich (Kevin Adkisson, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988)

Kotetsu Yamamoto (山本 勝 Yamamoto Masaru, 1972-1980, 1992, 1994, 2003, 2008)

  • Above the Influence: He once said in a tv program that he has never read or watched porn and never had an interest in it.
  • The Apprentice: To Rikidozan and was considered his last disciple. He later became one to Karl Gotch and Antonio Inoki.
  • Author Appeal: His teachings are called Kotetsu-ism by his students, which is just a mix of Gotch-ism, Inoki-ism, and his own ideas.
  • Badass Teacher: Was the main trainer of the New Japan Dojo since 1980 till his death.
  • Bash Brothers: With Kantaro Hoshino as the Yamaha Brothers.
  • Bodybuilding: Was a bodybuilder at a local YMCA before he got into wrestling.
  • Combat Commentator: Was notable for being the color commentator with Akira Fukuzawa in NJPW and was the first pro-wrestler to become a commentator in Japan.
  • Combat Referee: Has refereed a few New Japan matches.
  • Follow the Leader: Along with Antonio Inoki and Karl Gotch, Yamamoto is said to be responsible for the fundamental of New Japan's "Strong Style".
  • He Also Did: Was also the General Manager of Planning and Advertising at NJPW, and was President and Representative Director of New Japan Pro-Wrestling Service.
  • Hidden Depths: He bought the first dojo ring for New Japan when it was in its infancy, he got the funds from sueing the Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance and winning the lawsuit and 2 million yen. He is credited with creating New Japan’s lion logo.
  • Mean Character, Nice Actor: Outside the ring and dojo, he is said to be quite sociable and usually had lunch with the trainees and young lions to get to know them better.
  • Red Baron: "Ningen Bakudan" ("Human Bomb"), "Oni Kōchi/Gunsō" ("Demon Coach/Sergeant").
  • Respected by the Respected: Is respected by almost everyone that has trained under him.
  • Ring Oldies: Was a founding father of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Was doing the same exercises and drills he instructs his trainees in while his 60s.
  • Sadist Teacher: Not unusual especially in Japanese pro wrestling, but he was described as being quite shinai-friendly.
  • Shout-Out: He was named "Kotetsu" by Toyonobori after Aizu-no-Kotetsu, a knight-errant from the 19th century.
  • The Stoic: Was very serious when it came to wrestling and never smiled in the dojo.

Kazuo Yamazaki (山崎 一夫, Yamazaki Kazuo, 1982-1984, 1985-1988, 1995-2000)

  • Badass Teacher/Combat Commentator: Some of his roles after his retirement.
  • Cool Teacher: Is described as a much more pleasant trainer than Kotetsu Yamamoto, who liked his shinai cane too much.
  • Finishing Move: Cross Armbreaker, Cross Kneelock and Kick to the Head.
  • I Know Shoot-Style: He brought it from Universal Wrestling Federation.
  • The Quisling: Deserted from rival promotion UWF International seeking his opportunity to shine. He didn't get it, but helped to promote the shoot-style wrestling in the NJPW Dojo, where he was instructor for a time.
  • Red Baron: "Ippikiokami" ("Lone Wolf")
  • Took a Level in Badass: Almost winning the 1998 G1 Climax tournament, beating three former and future IWGP Heavyweight champions (Tatsumi Fujinami, Kensuke Sasaki, and Masahiro Chono) before losing to Shinya Hashimoto in the final round.

     Debuted in the First Generation Era (1988-1994) 

Black Tiger II (Eduardo Gori Guerrero Llanes, 1993-1996)

El Gigante (Jorge González 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995)

Gedo (高山 圭司, Takayama Keiji, 1989, 2001-)

  • Bash Brothers: With Jado until he turned on him in 2022.
  • Beard of Evil: Started growing a beard during his time with Chaos. By the time of his betrayal to Bullet Club, it was full grown.
  • Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: With Jado, he left CTU prior to its dissolution for G.B.H., betrayed Makabe and Honma in favor of joining Chaos, then turned on Okada and Chaos to align themselves with the Bullet Club. When it came time to choose between Jay White and Tama Tonga as the leader of the Bullet Club, he sided with Jay, betraying his long time partner, Jado in the process.
  • Dirty Coward: As crafty and talented in wrestling as he is, he's quick to cower and beg when he has to fend for himself (especially if it's against Okada).
  • Eye-Obscuring Hat: His entrance gear and casual clothing consists of first a bandanna, and currently a bucket hat that covers his eyes.
  • Finishing Move: Gedo Clutch
  • Oh, Crap!: Is fond of shouting "Oh Shit!" when back into a corner.
  • Older Sidekick: Gedo served as Okada’s manager and mouthpiece before betraying him and joining Jay White.
  • Power Stable: Team 2000, CTU, G.B.H., Chaos and the Bullet Club
  • Red Baron: "Complete Fighter", "Ōdō Hīru" ("Classic Heel"), "Raintaker", and "The Blacksmith

Tony Halme (Tony Christian Halme, 1990-1993)

Owen Hart (Owen James Hart, 1988, 1990, 1991)

Salman Hashimikov (Salman Alkhazurovich Hashimikov, 1989-1990)

Hercules Hernandez (Raymond Fernandez, 1993, 1994)

Jado (秋吉 昭二 , Akiyoshi Shōji, 1989, 2001-)

  • Bash Brothers: With Gedo until he turned on Jado in 2022.
  • Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: With Gedo, he left CTU prior to its dissolution for G.B.H., betrayed Makabe and Honma in favor of joining Chaos, then turned on Okada and Chaos to align themselves with the Bullet Club. Subverted when it came time to choose between Jay White and Tama Tonga as the leader of the Bullet Club. He sided with Tama, being betrayed by his long time partner, Gedo in the process.
  • Older Sidekick: Jado seconds the Sons of Tonga (the Guerillas of Destiny and Hikuleo).
  • Power Stable: Team 2000, CTU, G.B.H., Chaos and the Bullet Club
  • Red Baron: English commentator, Kevin Kelly called Jado the "Master Heater" after he joined the Bullet Club and now the name is canon. He also went by "Ōdō Hīru" ("Classic Heel"), "Wrestling Master", "Airhorn Hooligan", "Burēki no Kowareta Famiria" ("Brake Broken Familia") and "Kinboshi" ("Gold Star").
  • Shout-Out: Jado follows his knife edge chops with Woo! and flops on his face after takings some hits. Both of these actions are paying homage to Ric Flair.
  • Wooden Katanas Are Even Better: He wields a Kendo Sticks as his weapons.

Koji Kanemoto/ Tiger Mask III (金本 浩二, Kanemoto Kōji, 1990-2013)

Kendo Kashin (石澤常光, Ishiziwa Tokimitsu, 1992-1996, 1997-2002, 2005-2006)

Koji Kitao (北尾光司, 1990)

Satoshi Kojima (小島 聡, Kojima Satoshi, 1991-2002, 2010-)

Dean Malenko (Dean Simon; 1992-1997, 1999)

Yuji Nagata (永田 裕志, Nagata Yuji, 1992-1997, 1998-)

Manabu Nakanishi (中西 学, Nakanishi Manabu, 1992-1995, 1996-2020)

Osamu Nishimura (西村修, Nishimura Osamu, 1991-1994, 1998-2006)

  • Alternate Company Equivalent: He is a similar character to Michinoku Pro Wrestling's Jinsei Shinzaki: they are both spiritual wrestlers who pray or meditate during moves, both have had famous careers abroad, and both use traditional forms of wrestling (catch and lucha libre, respectively).
  • The Apprentice: A proud Tatsumi Fujinami trainee. He credits Fujinami with creating the Muga he worships. And of course, he also venerates Karl Gotch.
  • Bash Brothers: With Tatsumi Fujinami (as Team Muga, sometimes adding Katsushi Takemura as a third member), Manabu Nakanishi (as Gotch-ism) and Hiroyoshi Tenzan.
  • Boring, but Practical: His Finishing Move, the Abdominal Stretch.
  • Catchphrase: He used to have one, complete with Gratuitous English: "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention please..."
  • Combat Pragmatist: Usually targets single limbs of his opponents with his submissions, as in the classic catch Wrestling Psychology.
  • Determinator: He's a cancer survivor.
  • Good Is Not Nice: Despite being the face, he refused to shake Bas Rutten's hand before their catch contest. In fact, he got angry during the match and elbowed Rutten in the neck, drawing a yellow card from the referee.
  • I Know Catch Wrestling: Trained by Karl Gotch, he uses a catch submission based offensive. He also learned yoga in Sri Lanka and Chinese medicine to improve his condition.
  • Insistent Terminology: He constantly talks about the "Muga" (meaning "selflessness") to refer his particular vision of pro wrestling, based in traditional catch wrestling.
  • Opposing Combat Philosophies: He and Satoshi Kojima used to critize each other's wrestling styles, Nishimura's "Muga Puroresu" (a ground-based, catch wrestling style) and Kojima's "Lariat Puroresu" (a more AJPW-like, high-impact style).
  • Underwear of Power
  • Red Baron: "Mr. Muga", "Muga no Dendoshi" ("The Missionary of Muga"), "Tatakau Tetsugakusha" ("The Fighting Philosopher"), "Jiyujin" ("The Free Man").
  • Time to Unlock More True Potential: He went to train with Jack Brisco to improve his figure four leglock.

Scott Norton (Scott Michael Norton, 1990-1993, 1996-2006, 2017, 2022)

Michiyoshi Ohara(小原道由, Ohara Michiyoshi, 1990-2004, 2006, 2007)

Shinjiro Otani (大谷晋二郎, 1992-2001, 2013)

Rick Rude (Richard Erwin Rood, 1992, 1994)

The Road Warriors/The Hell Raisers

Road Warrior Animal (Joseph Aaron "Joe" Laurinaitis 1990, 1996)

Road Warrior Hawk/Hawk Warrior (Michael James Hegstrand 1990, 1992-1996)

Scott Steiner (Scott Carl Rechsteiner 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2002, 2008)

Sting (Steve Borden, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996)

Minoru Suzuki (鈴木 実, Suzuki Minoru, 1988-1989, 2003-2005, 2006-2007, 2010-)

Tatsuhito Takaiwa/Black Tiger V (高岩竜一, Takaiwa Tatsuhito, 1992-2001, 2005-2006, 2008-2009, 2012)

Hiroyoshi Tenzan (山本 広吉, Yamamoto Hiroyoshi, 1991-1993, 1995-)

Dr. Wagner, Jr. (Juan Manuel González Barrón, 1988, 1997-2002)

     Debuted in the Three Musketeers Era (1994-1999) 

Buff Bagwell (Marcus Alexander Bagwell, 1996-1997)

Big Titan (Richard "Rick" Bognar, 1998-1999)

  • Finishing Move: Lariat and Powerbomb
  • Foreign Wrestling Heel: The only non-Japanese member of nWo Japan to not come from WCW first.
  • The Giant: Standing at 6'6, he dwarfed most of the wrestlers he came up against in New Japan.

Black Cat (Victor Mar Manuel, 1994-2003)

Ric Flair (Richard Morgan Fliehr, 1995, 1996)

Don Frye (Donald "Don" Frye, 1997-2001, 2002, 2004)

Kazuyuki Fujita (藤田 和之, Fujita Kazuyuki, 1996-1999, 2001-2005)

Chris Jericho (Christopher Keith Irvine, 1997, 1998, 2017-2019)

Masahito Kakihara (垣原 賢人, Kakihara Masahito, 1995, 1996, 2001-2006)

Togi Makabe (真壁 伸也, Makabe Shin'ya, 1997-)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/togi_makabe.png

TAKA Michinoku (吉田 貴男, Yoshida Takao 1994, 1996-1997 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007-)

nWo Sting/Super J (Jeff Farmer, 1997-2000, 2001-2002)

Naoya Ogawa (小川 直也, Ogawa Naoya, 1997-2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)

The Great Sasuke (村川 政徳, Murakawa Masanori, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011)

SATO/Dick Togo (佐藤 茂樹, Sato Shigeki, 1996-1997, 2002-2011, 2020-)

TAJIRI (田尻 義博, Yoshihiro Tajiri, 1997, 2009-2010)

Yoshihiro Takayama (高山 善廣, Takayama Yoshihiro, 1995-1996, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2010-2017)

Genichiro Tenryu (嶋田源一郎, Shimada Gen'ichiro, 1998-2000)

M. Wallstreet (Lawrence Michael Rotunda, 1997-1999)

Tadao Yasuda (安田 忠夫, Yasuda Tadao, 1994-2005)

Yutaka Yoshie (吉江 豊, Yoshie Yutaka, 1994-2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)

     Debuted in the Inoki-ism Era (1999-2006) 

American Dragon (Bryan Danielson, 2002, 2003-2004)

Josh Barnett (Joshua Lawrence Barnett 2003-2004, 2015-2018, 2021, 2022-)

  • Badass Boast: Often vowed to finish MMA matches with German suplexes and other pro wrestling moves, to the point it almost became a Running Gag when he announced it only to lose or win in any other way.
  • Badass Teacher: Taught Bob Sapp how to wrestle earning him the name, the ”Trainer of the Beast”.
  • Blood Knight: He really likes to fight.
  • Combat Commentator: Served as one of the english dub of NJPW on AXS.
  • I Know Catch Wrestling: Trained by Billy Robinson in the UWF Snakepit, and also trains in the Combat Submission Wrestling system under Erik Paulson. Subverted with Brazilian jiu-jitsu, as he is ranked in the Machado system, it is an honorary rank and he never actually trained in it.
  • Otaku: A major one.
  • Red Baron: "The Warmaster"
  • Suplex Finisher: Had a German Suplex as his finishing move.

Curry Man/Christopher Daniels (Daniel Christopher Covell, 2002-2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2015, 2018, 2021, 2022-)

Hirooki Goto (後藤洋央紀, Gotō Hirooki, 2003-2005, 2007-)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hirooki_goto.png
  • Always Second Best: For all his achievements, including winning the 2008 G1 Climax, he's never been able to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, despite a whopping 8 attempts to do so.
  • Bash Brothers: With his childhood friend Shibata.
  • Cool Mask: As CTU-H
  • Everything's Better with Samurai
  • Finishing Move: Shouten, Shouten Kai and Goto Shiki
  • Heterosexual Life-Partners: With his former classmate Katsuyori Shibata, who allowed him to stay in his house and helped him to rehabilitate his injuried shoulder before his second entrance exam to New Japan (he had to left the company after passing the first one due to said injury).
  • I Know Aikido: He trains in the Yoshinkan dojo.
  • Kimono Is Traditional: Often wrestles in a hakama.
  • Lightning Bruiser: Is surprinsigly strong for a wrestler his size.
  • Opposing Sports Team: Thanks to this trope, Goto pretty much played the heel by default for his NEVER Openweight title defense at the G1 Special in San Francisco, since his opponent, Jeff Cobb, was the local indie promotion's heavyweight champion.
  • Power Stable: Control Terrorism Unit (CTU), RISE and Chaos.
  • Red Baron: "Aramusha" ("Daredevil"), "Fukkoku Strong-Style" ("New Iteration Strong-Style"), "Brave Warrior" and "Wild Samurai".
  • Reverse Psychology: Pulled this on Kota Ibushi who kept refusing his offers to fight for the NEVER Openweight Championship. After a regular match he told him he would stop offering, provoking Ibushi to propose the match on his own. Unfortunately for Goto, it backfired when he was defeated for the title as a result.
  • Signature Move: The ushigoroshi, a fireman's carry neckbreaker that Goto himself was the first to popularize.
  • Wrestling Doesn't Pay: A modern day wrestling Samurai.

Giant Silva (Paulo Silva, 2001-2003)

Giant Singh (Dalip Singh Rana, 2001-2002)

Heat/Minoru/ Minoru Tanaka (田中稔, Tanaka Minoru, 1999-2009)

Tomoaki Honma (本間朋晃, Honma Tomoaki, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007-)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tomoaki_honma.png

Wataru Inoue (井上 亘, Inoue Wataru, 1999-2014)

Tomohiro Ishii (石井 智宏, Ishii Tomohiro, 2004, 2005, 2006-)

Taiji Ishimori (石森 太二 Ishimori Taiji, 2004-2005, 2010, 2016, 2018-)

Joanie Laurer (Joan Marie Laurer, 2002)

Brock Lesnar (Brock Edward Lesnar, 2005-2007)

Naomichi Marufuji (丸藤正道, Marufuji Naomichi, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013)

Kazunari Murakami (村上 和成, Murakami Kazunari, 2000-2004, 2006)

Hiroshi Nagao (長尾浩志, Nagao Hiroshi, 2002-2006)

  • Game-Breaking Injury: The guy was fragile. In just six months, he injured his knee in a ring appearance before his debut, then he got injured during his very debut, and then injured his arm while in training. The wear of all those bits pretty much convinced him to leave NJPW's grueling schedule.
  • The Giant: Unusually tall for a Japanese, he was compared to Giant Baba himself.
  • I Know Volleyball: A former volleyball star from the Sakai Blazers.
  • Lightning Bruiser: Was a very agile giant, using great leaps and high altitude dropkicks, and was said to be better at it than some junior heavyweights.
  • Put on a Bus: Despite being a promising rookie, he left NJPW very abruptly in order to "consider better options" (translated: to sign up with Fighting Opera HUSTLE, who offered him a lot of money for a much more relaxed schedule).
  • Neck Lift: The chokeslam was his finisher.

Shinsuke Nakamura (中邑 真輔, Nakamura Shinsuke, 2002-2006, 2006-2016)

Tetsuya Naito (内藤 哲也, Naitō Tetsuya, 2005-2009, 2009-)

Masayuki Naruse (成瀬 昌由, Naruse Masayuki, 2001-2006)

TJ Perkins/Pinoy Boy/Puma/TJP (Theodore “Teddy” James Perkins, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2019-)

  • Finishing Move: Detonation Kick, Pinoy Stretch, Mamba Splash
  • I Have Many Names: Throughout his New Japan career, he has gone by several different aliases.
  • Power Stable: The United Empire
  • Older Than They Look: For his first New Japan match being in 2002 TJ still looks remarkably youthful in his late 30s.
  • Red Baron: "The Fil-Amnote  Flash", and "Public Enemy"
  • Smug Snake: Of all the members of the United Empire, he is second only to Will Ospreay himself in expressing his arrogance and heel tendencies.
  • Weak, but Skilled: While TJ lacks in size and strength, he compensates with his agility and mastery of submission techniques.

Rocky Romero/Black Tiger IV (John R. Rivera, 2002, 2003, 2004-2006, 2008-)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/rocky_romero.png

Bas Rutten (Sebastian "Bas" Rutten, 2002)

Bob Sapp (Robert Malcolm "Bob" Sapp, 2002-2004, 2012-2013)

Katsuyori Shibata (柴田勝頼, Shibata Katsuyori, 1999-2004, 2006, 2012-)

Silver King/Black Tiger III (César Cuauhtémoc González Barrón, 2001-2002)

Davey Boy Smith, Jr. (Harry Smith, 2005, 2012-2019)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/davey_boy_smith_jr.png
  • Badass Wrestling Family: He's the son of the British Bulldog and a member of the the Hart Family.
  • The Brute: While he's not limited to strength due to his technical wrestling prowess, he along with Archer are the tallest and strongest members of Suzuki-gun.
  • Cool Mask: Wears luchador-style mask of a cartoon bulldog.
  • Evil Brit: Subverted, he’s Canadian, but he has British heritage.
  • Finishing Move: Bulldog Bomb, Sharpshooter and Running Powerslam.
  • Foreign Wrestling Heel: Has been aligned with the vicious Suzuki-gun since the start of his second run with the company.
  • It Runs in the Family: As a member of the Hart family and the Son of one of the British Bulldogs, it certainly to be expected.
  • Legacy Character: To his father, the British Bulldog. Aside from his maternal features and lack of British accent, he's the spitting image and is just as big.
  • Power Stable: Suzuki-gun.
  • Red Baron: "Bulldog Jr." or "Bulldog the Second"
  • Wearing a Flag on Your Head: The Canadian flag on his pants as a member of K.E.S. Lately he's been wearing the colors of the Union Jack on his gear.

Kenzo Suzuki (鈴木健想, Suzuki Kenzo, 2000-2003)

Ryusuke Taguchi (田口 隆祐, Taguchi Ryusuke, 2002-)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/ryusuke_taguchi.png
  • Afro Asskicker: When he initially became the Funky Weapon.
  • Disco Dan: Was once the stuck in the 70s/80s variety.
  • Finishing Move: Dondon, Dondon The End, Enban Chuudoku, Mirror Magic Go!, Milano-saku Dodon's Throne, Shika Koroshi, Uradodon
  • Happy Dance: After he wins his matches in his Disco Dan days.
  • Large Ham: "Oh yeah!" even without a mic in hand he can make himself heard on the house mics.
  • Power Stable: Taguchi Japan
  • Red Baron: "Funky Weapon", "Master Of Dropkicks" (Master Of Dropkick is also the name of his entrance theme)
  • Shaking the Rump: A taunt of his during his 80s stint.
  • Shout-Out: Uses the three amigos and a frog splash...okay, a 180 frog splash but the intent is obvious.
  • Theatrics of Pain: He's a great seller, all the more noticeable in this atmosphere. With the subdued audience you can really hear his pained breaths and cries of anguish, plus contrast them against all the guys who hardly sell.

Yujiro Takahashi (高橋 裕二郎, Takahashi Yujiro, 2004-2009, 2009-)

  • Cane Fu: His pimp cane as a member of the Bullet Club.
  • Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: He's turned on Naito, Chaos, the Elite, Jado, and the Gurillas of Destiny. He'd sell off Pieter if it meant he won a G1 match
  • Combat Pragmatist: Given his Chronic Backstabbing Disorder and The Worf Effect statuses, and the wear and tear his body has taken over his career, he usually doesn't think twice about cheating to get an edge.
  • Cool Shades: Always has a pair of sunglasses for his entrance after his heel turn.
  • Finishing Move: Bukko Nuki German, Suisha Otoshi, Tokyo Pimps, Pimp Juice, Miami Shine and Intercollege Slam.
  • Kavorka Man: Not the best looking wrestler yet hangs out with beautiful women like Mao and Pieter.
  • Power Stable: Chaos and Bullet Club/House of Torture
  • Red Baron: "Mr. R Rated" during his ladies man gimmick. This was changed to the even less subtle "The Tokyo Pimps".
  • Suspiciously Similar Substitute: As a ladies man, he's one of Val Venis and as a pimp, he's one of the Godfather).
  • The Worf Effect: Gets a good amount of wins in tag matches and against lower card and Young Lion talent. Most of the time though, he doesn't win when it matters.

Hiroshi Tanahashi (棚橋 弘至, Tanahashi Hiroshi, 1999-)

Tiger Mask IV (山崎義弘, Yamazaki Yoshihiro, 2002-).

  • Animal Motifs: Lions perhaps?
  • Battle Strip: At ''NJPW Fight For Existence II" when called out by Low Ki, though it was quickly broken up before anything could really happen.
  • Cool Mask: Comes with the Tiger Mask gimmick.
  • Finishing Move: Tiger Suplex, Avalanche Double Underhook Suplex and other variants.
  • Legacy Character: The first person to be Tiger Mask since Koji Kanemoto was unmasked in 1995.
  • Masked Luchador: Specifically, the entire Tiger Mask line owe their existence to Fray Tormenta.
  • The Complainer Is Always Wrong: He is somewhat infamous because he likes to criticize things on the company, like the guest MMA fighters and the new junior heavyweights.

Naofumi Yamamoto/Yoshitatsu (山本 尚史, Yamamoto Naofumi, 2002-2007, 2014-2017)

Toru Yano (矢野 通, Yano Tōru, 2001-)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/toru_yano.png
  • Boisterous Bruiser
  • Combat Pragmatist: He fights incredibly dirty and does whatever he can to get away with it. He won a G1 Climax match by taping the opponent's legs together outside the ring, therefore by ring-out.
  • Chairman of the Brawl: Often uses his red steel chair and spitting sake in his opponent’s face.
  • Drunken Master: Used to carry a bottle of sake to the ring.
  • Finishing Move: Oni Koroshi, Kagamiwari and various pinfalls.
  • Garbage Wrestler: Mainly his more aggressive Great Bash Heel persona, more or less played for laughs now.
  • Genre Savvy: He gradually learns that leaving himself open during his Rob Van Dam style taunt allows opponents to sneak up behind him. He uses this knowledge to catch them off guard more often than not — and goes back to the taunt.
  • Large Ham: Maybe their largest.
  • Not So Harmless: Occasionally breaks out of his wacky comedy style and shows his legitimate grappling prowess or violent G.B.H. persona.
  • Power Stable: G.B.H. and Chaos
  • Product Placement: Somehow turned this into part of his entrance, as he now always shills his latest Yano Toru or CHAOS DVD to the crowd (and even during his speech at the G1 Climax 24 press conference, causing Shinsuke Nakamura and Kazuchika Okada to crack up behind him)
  • Punctuated! For! Emphasis!: Yano’s catchphrase involves emphasizing each word while pointing to himself with both thumbs: YANO! TO! RU! Also yes, this is a complete rip-off of what Rob Van Dam does.
  • Red Baron: "YTR"
  • Traumatic Haircut: Given one by Tajiri after losing a hair vs hair match.

Ryūshi Yanagisawa (柳澤 龍志, Yanagisawa Ryūshi, 2002-2006)

     Debuted in the Strong Style Reborn Era (2006-2012) 

Karl Anderson (Chad Allegra, 2008-2016, 2021-)

Kurt Angle (Kurt Steven Angle, 2007, 2008, 2009)

Lance Archer (Lance Hoyt, 2011-2020, 2021, 2022-)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/lance_archer.png

Giant Bernard (Matthew Jason "Matt" Bloom, 2006-2012)

D'Lo Brown (Accie Connor) 2007

Milano Collection A.T. (澤藤 章人, Sawafuji Akihito, 2006-)

Prince Devitt/Pegasus Kid II (Fergal Devitt, 2006-2014)

King Fale/Bad Luck Fale (Fale Simitaitoko, 2010-2012, 2013-)

Mitsuhide Hirasawa/Hideo Saito/Captain New Japan/Bone Soldier (平澤 光秀, Hirasawa Mitsuhide, 2006-2010, 2011-2017)

  • Cool Mask: As Captain New Japan
  • Determinator: While Cap usually serves as Jobber, he makes his opponent work for their win.
  • Expy: An obvious homage to Captain America
  • The Good Captain: As Captain New Japan, he was a member of the New Japan Army and a steadfast, if not hapless, ally of Tanahashi.
  • Heel–Face Revolving Door: The last couple years saw him changes from Seigigun face to chaotic heel to a Super Hero to heel again.
  • Jobber: As Cap and Bone Soldier, he was the most notorious jobber on the roster. As Cap, he entertain the crowd but was a compete joke and treated like a jinx to most of his allies. As Bone Soldier, he was treated more vicious, but the crowd grew indifferent to him and his lack of winning ways led Kenny Omega to ostracize him then kick him out of the Bullet Club.
  • Luckily, My Shield Will Protect Me: Be it a toy shield as Captain New Japan.
  • Power Stable: Seigigun as Hirasawa, Chaos as Saito and Bullet Club as Bone Soldier.

Kota Ibushi (飯伏幸太, Ibushi Kota, 2009-)

Taichi Ishikari/Taichi (牧 太一郎, Maki Taichiro, 2006, 2007, 2009 2010-)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/taichi.png
  • Bash Brothers: Milano Collection A.T. and then Taka Michinoku.
  • Battle Strip: One of his trademark taunts is taking off his pants in the middle of the ring. Thankfully, there are wrestling trunks underneath.
  • Combat Pragmatist: As a member of Suzuki-gun, Taichi is constantly cheating even if it's to his determent.
  • Cool Mask: As part of his entrance entire.
  • Finishing Move: Black Mephisto and Taichi Clutch.
  • First-Name Basis: Now just known by his first name.
  • Non-Indicative Name: Taichi is short for Taichiro, but those who wouldn't know that would wonder why he's named after a martial art/exercise.
  • Red Baron: "Ai o Suteta Seitei" ("The Holy Emperor who Abandoned Love")
  • Power Stable: First Suzuki-gun and currently Just 5 Guys.
  • The Prankster: He a Taka would be notorious for their tricks as a Junior tag team.
  • Sumo Wrestling: Taichi has added sumo wrestling positions (like the shiko), holds, and throws to his skill set due to his love for the sport.
  • Wrestling Doesn't Pay: A wrestling (lip synching) pop singer/nobleman.

Brian Kendrick (2011-2013)

Low Ki (Brandon Silvestry, 2008-2009, 2011-2013)

KUSHIDA (櫛田 雄二郎, Kushida Yūjirō, 2010-2019)

  • Bash Brothers: With TAJIRI (also his teacher) and Alex Shelley in the Time Splitters.
  • Finishing Move: Kushida Lock, Midnight Express and Supernova Press.
  • One-Steve Limit: Only goes by his last name so not to get confused with Bullet Club member, Yujiro Takahashi.
  • Red Baron: "Tornado Kid"
  • Shout-Out: He has referenced Back to the Future several times including wearing Marty McFly’s orange future jacket.

Máscara Dorada (2011-2016, 2022-)

Kyosuke Mikami/El Desperado (三上 恭佑, Mikami Kyōsuke, 2011-2012, 2014)

Mistico, Carístico (Luis Ignascio Urive Alvirde, 2009, 2011, 2016, 2019)

MVP (Hassan Hamin Assad FKA Alvin Burke Jr. 2011-2013)

Mikey Nicholls (Michael Nicholls, 2006, 2015, 2019, 2022-)

  • Early-Bird Cameo: His original LA Dojo matches aside, Nicholls only had two matches with New Japan prior to going the company in 2019 (though one of those matches was Wrestle Kingdom 9).
  • Land Down Under: Hails from Perth, Australia.
  • Finishing Move: Mikey Bomb
  • Power Stable: Chaos and TMDK
  • Straight Man: Despite his nickname below, Mikey is by far the most straight forward and mild-mannered members of ZSJ's TMDK.
  • Red Baron: "Mad" based on the Mad Max series.

Kazuchika Okada (岡田 和睦, Okada Kazuchika, 2007-2010, 2010-)

Kenny Omega (Tyson Smith, 2010-2011, 2012, 2013, 2014-2019)

Davey Richards (Wesley David Richards, 2010-2012)

Rhino (Terrance Guido Gerin, 2008, 2011)

Chris Sabin (Joshua "Josh" Harter, 2009-2010, 2016, 2018, 2022-)

Alex Shelley (Patrick Martin, 2009-2010, 2012-2016, 2022)

La Sombra (Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza, 2010-2011, 2012, 2013-2015)

Strong Man (Jon Andersen, 2010-2013)

Hiromu Takahashi/Kamaitachi ((高橋 広夢 Takahashi Hiromu, 2010-2013, 2016-)

Masato Tanaka (田中将斗, Tanaka Masato, 2006, 2007, 2008-2013)

Tama Tonga (Alipate Leone, 2010-2012, 2013-)

Team 3D

Brother Devon (Devon Hughes, 2008-2010)

Brother Ray (Mark LoMonaco, 2008-2010)

Travis Tomko (Travis David Tomko, 2006-2008)

Volador Jr. (Ramón Ibarra Rivera, 2012-)

  • Finishing Move: Ataque Depredador
  • Masked Luchador: At first, but lost his mask to La Sombra at the CMLL 80th Anniversary Show in 2013. All his apperances in New Japan since has been maskless (at least when he competes in-ring).
  • Red Baron: “The Skywalker”

Takaaki Watanabe/EVIL (渡辺 高章 Watanabe Takaaki, 2011-2013, 2015-)

YOSHI-HASHI (吉橋 伸雄, Yoshihashi Nobuo, 2008-2010, 2012-)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/yoshi_hashi.png
  • Bullying a Dragon: He felt disrespected by Shibata, one of New Japan’s most brutal wrestlers and challenged him to a match. It went about as expected.
  • Determinator: Despite the below, he never gives up and gives it his all even when he's against guys who are twice his size. Even managing to knock them off their feet. Finishing them off on the other hand...
  • Jobber: Unless Iizuka was with him, chances are he ate the pin for Chaos. Now that Iizuka and Yujiro defected from Chaos, he is clearly on the lowest rung on the ladder of heavyweights in CHAOS. He gets the occasional singles win but no real momentum or significant streak.
  • Power Stable: Chaos
  • Red Baron: "Loose Explosion" (at least that's what it said on his pants), and "Headhunter".
  • Shout-Out: His costume and staff pay homage to the Monkey King from ‘’Journey to the West’’.

     Debuted in the Rainmaker Era (2012-2019) 

ACH (Albert Christian Hardie Jr., 2016-2018, 2020-2021)

Beretta (Gregory "Greg" Marasciulo, 2013, 2015-2019)

Shelton X Benjamin (Shelton James Benjamin, 2012-2015)

The Briscoe Brothers

Jay Briscoe (Jamin "Jay" Pugh, 2016-2019)

Mark Briscoe (Mark Pugh, 2016-2019)

BUSHI (清水 哲也, Shimizu Tetsuya, 2012-)

  • Cool Mask: Makes it a habit of wearing two, one over the other.
  • Finishing Move: Firebird Splash, MX, Sankakutobi-Tornillo
  • Masked Luchador: His gimmick has become wearing a more elaborate mask over the mask he wears to the ring and the amount of masks he actually owns.
  • Power Stable: Los Ingobernables de Japón.
  • Red Baron: Currently "Shikkoku no Death Mask" ("Jet Black Death Mask"), formerly “Flying Bushido”
  • Super Spit: Began spitting poison mist as a member of Los Ingobernables.
  • Wearing a Flag on Your Head: Wore the three colors that make up the Mexican flag on his mask as a face.

Sami Callihan (Sam Johnston, 2017)

Dalton Castle (Brett Giehl, 2016-2019)

Cheeseburger (Brandel Littlejohn, 2016-2019)

Jeff Cobb (Jeffrey Cobb, 2017-)

  • Acrofatic: It isn’t enough of him to be as strong as an ox, but Cobb has displayed jaw-dropping levels of agility for a guy his size.
  • A Hero to His Hometown: Pulled a variation of this at the G1 Special in San Francisco, where he challenged for the NEVER Openweight Championship and walked out carrying the top title from local indie promotion APW. The crowd promptly latched onto Jeff, cheering him over Hirooki Goto.
  • Finishing Move: Tour of the Islands, Gachimuchi-sault (Standing Moonsault)
  • Leotard of Power: Wears customized singlets from SPLX.
  • Lightning Bruiser: Built like a tank, but scarily agile and capable of some impressive high-flying moves.
  • Power Stable: The United Empire.
  • Red Baron: "The Hatchet", “Mr. Athletic” and "The Imperial Unit".
  • Wrestling Monster: A heroic example until he joined the United Empire.

Cody (Cody Rhodes, 2016-2019)

Adam Cole (Austin Jenkins, 2016-2017)

Clark Connors (Connor Deutsch, 2018-)

Rob Conway (Robert Thomas Conway, (2013-2015)

Alex Coughlin (Alex Coughlin, 2018-)

  • All for Nothing: The reason he turned on Hontai and the LA Dojo for Bullet Club. He was angered that he missed out on his family's life for opportunities that never came.
  • Power Stable: The Bullet Club War Dogs
  • Red Baron: Currently "The Dead-Eye Dreadnought", formerly "The Android".

Jax Dane (2013-2014)

Robbie Eagles (2018-)

Michael Elgin (Aaron Frobel, 2015-2019)

https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/michael_elgin.png
  • Ascended Fanboy: He is a huge fan of New Japan and quickly became one of its more popular foreign stars during his tenure.
  • Charles Atlas Super Power: Lifting and re-lifting wrestlers from the standing vertical suplex position like he was lifting weights.
  • Crass Canuck: Okay, not quite as nice as the stereotype.
  • Finishing Move: Elgin Bomb and Burning Hammer.
  • Lightning Bruiser: More so on the "bruiser".
  • Red Baron: "Unbreakable"
  • Revenge: He got the first ladder match in New Japan's history after Kenny Omega used a ladder and table to retain the IWGP intercontinental title belt against Elgin and injured his partner, Hiroshi Tanahashi.
  • Signature Move: Power bomb, turnbuckle bomb, crippler cross face.

David Finlay (David Finlay III, 2015-)

  • Catchphrase: “See you in the mountains” as a face.
  • Finishing Move: Into Oblivion (Formerly called Trash Panda), Prima Nocta (Just called the Stunner in the English Commentary) and the Acid Drop.
  • Metalhead: Alluded to with his entrance attire and his long hair. His first song is titled “Samurai Rock” and his second song was very metal-esque.
  • Power Stable: The current leader of the Bullet Club putting his focus on the sub group, the War Dogs.
  • Red Baron: "The Rebel" formerly "Celtic Prince".
  • Rich Bastard: As Bullet Club leader, he mocked the insulation of struggle to get through NJPW, because he never had to. He lived as a wealthy child to rich parents in a giant lake front mansion. Has flagrantly mentioned that he used Nepotism to get ahead in his career.
  • Smug Snake: "The Rebel" loves to crush people's dreams.
  • Wrestling Family: An extensive family tree in the business. No not only is his dad Finlay aka Fit Finlay, his siblings, grandfather and great grandfathers were also professional wrestlers and his aunt and great uncle were referees.

Karl Fredericks (Karl Fredericks, 2018-2022)

  • Badass Native: Karl is the first LA Dojo Young Lion of his class to graduate and is the 2019 Young Lion's Cup winner.
  • Finishing Move: Manifest Destiny.
  • Red Baron: “The Alpha Wolf"
  • Ur-Example: The first non-Japanese wrestler to win the Young Lion's Cup in 2019.

Doc Gallows (Andrew "Drew" Hankinson, 2013-2016, 2021-)

Flip Gordon (Travis Gordon Lopes Jr., 2018, 2020)

Shane Haste (Shane Veryzer, 2015, 2022-)

Toa Henare/Aaron Henare/Henare (Aaron Henry, 2016-)

  • Finishing Move: First the TOA Bottom (Rock Bottom) and the Street of Rage (Death Valley Driver)
  • Cool Shades: Was part of his updated look as a member of the United Empire.
  • Hot-Blooded: In the ring he’s quite intense, prior to being the "Face of Fury" he was well spoken outside of the ring and most of his promos are subdued and humble. Now he's embraced his savage side again.
  • I Have Many Names: From just Henare as a Young Lion, to Toa Henare, to Aaron Henare, and now back to Henare.
  • Loincloth: For a bit of time, he wore a brown loincloth to the ring.
  • Power Stable: The United Empire.
  • Red Baron: Currently "Face of Fury", formerly "The Ultimate Weapon"
  • Tribal Face Paint: With his reveal as the "Face of Fury" Henare, had a tattoo added to his nose and mouth.
  • Wild Maori: Had aspects of this as a Young Lion, rapped it up when he graduated and, while he now dialed it back a bit upon initially joining the United Empire, now he's tapped into it again.

Yoshinobu Kanemaru (金丸義信, Kanemaru Yoshinobu, 2017-)

Hirai Kawato/Master Wato (川人 拓来, Kawato Hirai, 2016-2018, 2020-)

  • Butt-Monkey: From Hontai to heels to the commentary team if Wato is the subject of conversation, he will be the butt of at least one joke or criticism.
  • Finishing Move: RPP, enzan Tombstone Driver, Recientemente, Vendeval
  • Leeroy Jenkins: One issue with Wato is that he more into showing his impressive abilities and rushing in for the attack without putting real thought into any semblance of strategy.
  • Red Baron: “Road to the GrandMaster”
  • Wrestling Doesn't Pay: A wrestling martial arts master.

Frankie Kazarian (Frank Gerdelman, 2015, 2018)

The Kingdom

Michael “Mike” Bennett (Michael Bennett 2014-2015)

Matt Taven (Matthew Marinelli 2014-2015, 2019)

Maria Kanellis (Mary Louise Kanellis 2014-2015)

TK O'Ryan (Stephen John Tkowski 2019)

Vinny Marseglia (Vincent Marseglia, 2019)

  • Battle Couple: Mike and Maria with Taven against Karl Anderson and Doc and Amber Gallows.
  • Batter Up!: TK O'Ryan's weapon which is a reference to him being a baseball player in college.
  • Cloudcuckoolander: Vinny who has a creepy look and is fond of bringing balloons to the ring.
  • Dark Action Girl: Maria would often cheat on the team’s behalf.
  • Dreadlock Warrior: Marseglia has unkempt, black dreads that matches his chaotic look.
  • Distracted by the Sexy: Most of the New Japan roster could not resist Maria’s “charms”.
  • Insistent Terminology: Taven, O'Ryan and Marseglia like calling people "Melvins".
  • Jerkass: Both incarnations of filled with Smug Snakes with delusions of grandeur.
  • Red Baron: “The Prodigy” for Bennett, “The Chaotic Idol” for Taven, “The First Lady of Wrestling” for Maria, "The Sassy Wild Horse" for O'Ryan, and "The Horror King" for Marseglia.
  • Small Name, Big Ego: Mostly the guys as Maria being a former WWE Diva. As Maria and Mike went to TNA and WWE, this is now more true for Taven's group.
  • Terrible Trio: Unless Maria was flirting with opponents, they didn’t like anyone and the feeling was mutual.

Alex Koslov (Alex Sherman, 2012-2015, 2020-)

Dragon Lee/Ryu Lee (2016-2022)

Yohei Komatsu/Yoh (小松 洋平 Komatsu Yōhei 2012-2016, 2017-)

  • Bash Brothers: Sho and Yoh went on excursion together, tagged together as Fujin & Raijin in CMLL and the Tempura Boyz in Ring of Honor and re-debuted in New Japan Together as Roppongi 3K. Their partnership needed near the end of the 2021 Super Junior Tag League, when a frustrated Sho turned heel on him and joined House of Torture.
  • Finishing Move: 3K (With Sho), Five Star Clutch, and Direct Drive.
  • Power Stable: Chaos
  • Red Baron: "High and Mighty" and then "Direct Drive"
  • Red Oni, Blue Oni: Yoh was red, showing a more energetic and charismatic side of himself while Sho was blue, choosing to be stoic and focused. The roles flipped after Sho's heel turn. Yoh became a bit more focused while, Sho became an unhinged lunatic.
  • The Woobie: In 2021, Roppongi 3K were in a funk in their Tag Team matches, with Yoh taking most of the pins. Yoh was wracked with guilt, only for Sho to snap and attack him near the end of the 2021 Super Junior Tag League after they failed to even garner one win.

Jay Lethal (Jamar "Jay" Shipman, 2016-)

Tanga Loa (Tevita Fifita, 2016-)

Ren Narita (成田蓮, Narita Ren, 2017-)

Tomoyuki Oka/Great-O-Khan (岡 倫之, Oka Tomoyuki, 2016-2018, 2019, 2020-)

  • Bald of Evil: On his first official night back in Japan since becoming the Great-O-Khan, he interfered in in the G1 Climax and cost Okada his match against Will Ospreay, the latter turning heel on Okada minutes later.
  • Big Word Shout: Before he applies the submission hold, he yells out "Shuba!" before he applies the Oozora Subaru-style Sheep Murder. And yes, that is its official name.
  • Chinese Vampire: His entrance gear and mannerisms before matches are reminiscent of the jiangshi or hopping vampire.
  • Finishing Move: The Eliminator
  • I Know Karate: Before his New Japan career, O-Khan competed in tournaments for amateur wrestling, judo, karate, sambo, kickboxing, pankration, jiu-jitsu and mixed-martial arts.
  • Power Stable: One of the three founding members of The United Empire with Will Ospreay and Bea Priestly.
  • Red Baron: “The Dominator”
  • Screaming Warrior: Shrieks like a banshee as he attacks his opponent.
  • Spell My Name With An S: During his excursion in RevPro, his name was the Great O-Karn.

Will Ospreay (William Ospreay, 2016-)

Chase Owens (Chase Owens, 2014-)

  • Finishing Move: Package Piledriver.
  • Green-Eyed Monster: Gets pretty petty when it comes to being left out of tournaments. This includes Finlay and Henare's "C Block" in the 2018 G1 Climax and being passed over for the 2018 World Tag League when regular partner, Yujiro, teamed up with fellow West Virginian, Hangman Page.
  • The Mole: In a video on the YouTube channel What Culture Chase and Tama Tonga claimed Chase was this in the BC Elite for the BC OGs all along. Whether this is in New Japan canon and/or not just a blatant lie by the OGs isn't made clear.
  • Power Stable: Bullet Club.
  • The Quiet One: Initially, he usually let the likes of Bruce Tharpe and later Kenny Omega talk for him. After a couple years, he managed to find his own voice.
  • Red Baron: "The Crown Jewel".

Hangman Page (Stevie Woltz, 2016-2019)

Ricochet (Trevor Mann, 2013-2017)

Juice Robinson (Joseph Robinson, 2015-)

  • All-American Face: Picked up elements of this as he started chasing the U.S. title, and ended up becoming the first American to hold the belt.
  • Arch-Enemy: To Jay White, who he's been interlocked with in one form or another since they were Young Lions. The two made amends in 2022 as Jay brought Robinson into Bullet Club.
  • Bunny-Ears Lawyer: Flamboyant Juice was so colorful and goofy, and Rock Hard Juice is so over-the-top obnoxious, that you might not take him seriously at first. Then you realize he's a 2-time IWGP United States Champion with wins over Jay White and Kenny friggin' Omega.
  • Brought Down to Normal: Despite an extended run in FCW and NXT previous to his New Japan debut, he elected to start from all the way at the bottom as a Young Lion and work his way back up the card.
  • Dreadlock Warrior: He rocked pretty long dreads from when he first showed up at the Dojo until he shaved them in mid-2019. He'd supposedly offered to cut them during his Young Lion training, but presumably, the trainers decided he was already more experienced than the rest of his class and therefore didn't need to cut it.
  • Face–Heel Turn: Attacked Hiroshi Tanahashi to stake another claim at the United States Championship while revealing himself as the newest Bullet Club member at Wrestling Dontaku 2022.
  • Finishing Move: A jumping version of Christian's Killswitch, which he calls "Pulp Friction".
  • Money, Dear Boy: His motive for joining Bullet Club is to make enough money to make a clean break from the business as quickly as possible.
  • Red Baron: "The Flamboyant" for several years, before joining Bullet Club and shifting to "Rock Hard".
  • Significant Haircut: Shockingly cut his iconic dreadlocks off before his U.S. championship defence against the debuting Jon Moxley to show how dead seriously he was taking his opponent.
  • Sir Swearsalot: Does he ever!
  • The Stoner: Not said outright, given that this is Japan and getting caught with weed can get you deported, but...c'mon. He's got the dreadlocks, the rainbow colors, the happy-go-lucky vibe...then some people eventually convinced him to ditch the weed and go for beers instead.
  • Tag Team: With David Finlay, until 2022.
  • 10-Minute Retirement: Had once announced that his contract was about to run out and he had no plans to continue wrestling. Less than a month later, a masked man attacked Tanahashi and did the Turkish Wolf with Chase Owens. That masked man was Juice.

Jonah Rock/JONAH (2018, 2021-2022)

  • Acrofatic: Has shades of this with the with Torpedo splash from the top turnbuckle.
  • Land Down Under: He's from Adelaide, Australia.
  • Finishing Move: The Torpedo
  • Mighty Glacier: JONAH main advantage as a wrestler is as a powerhouse. In a G1 Climax block with heavy hitters like Bad Luck Fale, Jeff Cobb, and Lance Archer, JONAH proved to be the second most dominant only behind Okada (who he had beaten).
  • Power Stable: TMDK
  • Red Baron: "Top Dog"

Zack Sabre Jr. (Lucas Eatwell, 2017-)

Kazushi Sakuraba (桜庭 和志, Sakuraba Kazushi, 2012-2016)

SANADA (真田 聖也, Sanada Seiya, 2016-)

  • Batter Up!: Carries a baseball bat on his way to the ring.
  • Dark Is Evil: Wears dark outfits and attire.
  • Delinquent Hair: From his debut until mid-2019, he would spike his hair into an impossibly high mohawk.
  • Dressed to Plunder: Started going for a pirate look in the middle of 2019.
  • Finishing Move: The Dragon Sleeper, which he calls Skull End, and The Moonsault.
  • Power Stable: Debuted by attacking Okada as the new member of Los Ingobernables. Currently, the premiere member of Just 5 Guys.
  • Red Baron: "Cold Skull"
  • The Voiceless: It takes him winning the main event of the show and a fair amount of prodding from the crowd just to get two words out of him.
  • Those Two Guys: He and EVIL are LIJ's go-to heavyweight tag team.
  • Unknown Rival: SANADA considers Okada his greatest rival and constantly targets him, but Okada doesn't exactly reciprocate that energy.
  • White Mask of Doom: Wears one in the shape of a skull.

Marty Scurll (Martin Scurll, 2017-2019)

AJ Styles (Allen Neal Jones, 2014-2016)

Matt Sydal (Matthew Joseph "Matt" Korklan, 2015-2016)

Chuckie T. (Dustin Howard, 2017-2019)

  • Aborted Arc: New Japan was midway through a storyline involving Chuckie spontaneously freaking out and hitting opponents with chairs during matches, often leading to The Best Friends being disqualified, when the pair left for All Elite Wrestling. It was given no mention after their departure.
  • Bash Brothers: With Baretta
  • Red Baron: "Kentucky Gentleman"
  • Power Stable: CHAOS.

Shingo Takagi (鷹木信悟, Takagi Shingo 2018-)

  • Normal Fish in a Tiny Pond: During his stint as a junior heavyweight, his only singles loss was to Will Ospreay in the 2019 Best of Super Juniors tournament. His transition into the regular heavyweight division has seen him take more losses against wrestlers better equipped to face someone like him, such as his first G1 Climax tournament.
  • Red Baron: "The Dragon"
  • The Sixth Ranger: Joined Los Ingobernables de Japon in 2018, after Hiromu Takahashi got hurt and left the group with only one active junior heavyweight.

Sho Tanaka/Sho (田中 翔 Tanaka Shō 2012-2016, 2017-)

  • Ax-Crazy: When Ropponggi 3K went on their lengthy stretches of losses in 2021, Yoh mainly taking the pin, Sho, tried too rationalize it away and play it cool. Over the course Super Junior Tag League, he slowly started to go crazy. After embracing his unhinged nature and joining House of Torture, he's unhinged, unpredictable (his loyalty to BC/HoT aside), and violent.
  • Bash Brothers: Sho and Yoh went on excursion together, tagged together as Fujin & Raijin in CMLL and the Tempura Boyz in Ring of Honor and re-debuted in New Japan Together as Roppongi 3K. Their partnership needed near the end of the 2021 Super Junior Tag League, when a frustrated Sho turned heel on him and joined House of Torture.
  • Combat Pragmatist: In Chaos Rocky Romero tried to apart his "Seaky Style" wisdom to Sho and Yoh. Once Sho turned heel, it finally took.
  • "Do It Yourself" Theme Tune: Like his other themes, Rocky made and does the lead vocals for R 3 K's theme.
  • Finishing Move: 3K (With Yoh) and Shock Arrow
  • Power Stable: Chaos and Bullet Club/House of Torture
  • Slasher Smile: Developed one when he turned on Yoh.
  • Red Baron: "High Voltage" and then "Murder Machine".
  • Red Oni, Blue Oni: Yoh was red, showing a more energetic and charismatic side of himself while Sho was blue, choosing to be stoic and focused. The roles flipped after Sho's heel turn. Yoh became a bit more focused while, Sho became an unhinged lunatic.
  • Tomboyish Baseball Cap: He wore a backwards baseball cap as part of Ropponggi 3K.
  • Wrench Whack: Uses a combination wrench, which he talks to, to attack wrestlers in and out of House of Torture matches.

Titán (2013-2014, 2016-2017, 2019-2020, 2022-)

  • Masked Luchador: From CMLL, his mask designs are some of the flashiest in the world. He also fits the high flying style of the more popular type of luchador.
  • Power Stable: Seemingly Los Ingobernables de Japón, but it seems that Naito is hesitant of his inclusion for now.
  • Red Baron: "El Immortal"

Leo Tonga/Hikuleo (Tautuiaki Koloamatangi, 2016-)

  • Bash Brothers: Literally, with Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga.
  • Big Little Brother: He's both taller and bigger than his older brothers.
  • Finishing Move: Gunslinger
  • The Giant: Just a little under 7 feet tall.
  • Heel–Face Turn: When given a choice by Jay White to beat up Tama on his order after his brothers were ousted from the Bullet Club, he attacked the Bullet Club and protected Tama. He became a face for the first time on camera, aligning with New Japan's group of faces/Main Unit/Hontai along with Jado, and his brothers.
  • Power Stable: Bullet Club before leaving the group to side with his brothers and Jado.
  • Red Baron: "Young Gun" and "Tongan Giant".
  • Wrestling Family: The son of Haku/Meng, cousin of Bad Luck Fale and brother of Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa.

Yota Tsuji (辻 陽太, Tsuji Yōta, 2018-2021, 2023–)

  • Power Stable: After three years as a Young Lion and two years on excursion, he made his full debut at Wrestling Dontaku 2023 and strongly hinted at an alliance with Los Ingobernables de Japón, officially joining the stable a month later.

Shota Umino (海野 翔太, Umino Shōta, 2017-2019)

  • Badass Biker: Part of his identity upon his return from excursion.
  • Legacy Character: During his Young Lion years, Jon Moxley took a shine to him, making him his protege, and nicknaming him "Shooter". After his Young Lion graduation, he started to take on some of Moxley's mannerisms and habits, and keeping Mox's "Death Rider" jacket as a keepsake.
  • Red Baron: Initially "Shooter" Umino, currently "Roughneck".
  • Wrestling Family: He is the son of current New Japan head referee, Hiroyuki Umino aka Red Shoes Unno.

Jay White (2015-)

The Young Bucks

Nick Jackson (Nick Massie, 2013-2019)

Matt Jackson (Matt Massie, 2013-2019)

     Debuted in the Switchblade Era (2019-2023) 

Francesco Akira (Francesco Begnini, 2022-)

Amazing Red (Jonathan Figueroa, 2019, 2022)

Aussie Open

Mark Davis (Davis Passwood, 2022-)

Kyle Fletcher (Kyle Fletcher, 2022-)

Ace Austin (Austin Highley, 2022-)

Bad Dude Tito (Tito Escondido, 2022-)

Bandido (2019)

  • Bandito: Fitting to his name and gimmick, his poncho-style mask and entrance gears comes of him wearing a sombrero hat and bandolier outfits.
  • Finishing Move: 21 Plex, Avalanche Fallaway Moonsault Slam
  • Fragile Speedster: Fairly strong for his size, but he won't be doing tests of strength with bigger wrestlers. Instead, he'll rely on his his quick, high-intensity acrobatics.
  • Masked Luchador: Born and trained in. Mexico, Bandido is the textbook example of a luchador complete with his awesome looking Poncho-style mask.
  • Red Baron: "Tenkū no tōzoku" ("Bandit of the Sky")

Chris Bey (Chris Bey, 2020-)

Colt Cabana (Scott Colton, 2019-2020)

Douki (葉山達也, Hayama Tatsuya, 2019-)

FTR

Dax Harwood (David K. Harwood, 2022-)

Cash Wheeler (Daniel Wheeler, 2022-)

Jonathan Gresham (Jonathan Gresham, 2019, 2021, 2022)

Gideon Grey (2022-)

KAIRI (宝迫 香織, Hōsako Kaori, 2022-)

KENTA (小林 健太, Kobayashi Kenta, 2019-)

Gabriel Kidd/Gabe Kidd (Gabriel Kidd, 2020-)

  • Blood Knight: Has no qualms about jumping wrestlers just for kicks and is ready and willing to fight at any moment.
  • Power Stable: The Bullet Club War Dogs
  • Red Baron: "War Ready" formerly "The Young Bull".
  • Trash Talk: Gabe is big on this after his heel turn, usually with a lot of cursing (even by the standards of Togi Makabe or every other gaijin wrestler that has worked for New Japan).

Brody King (Nate Blauvelt, 2019-)

  • Acrofatic: Billed at 285 lbs. and a noticeable gut, Brody flies out of the ring with relative ease.
  • Finishing Move: Gonzo Bomb
  • Lightning Bruiser: A 6'5" powerhouse who has the sneaky speed and destruction of a freight train. As mentioned above, he can also keep up with high flyers with his airborne arsenal.
  • Power Stable: Villain Enterprises
  • Red Baron: "God's Hate"

Kevin Knight (Kevin Knight, 2020-)

Tom Lawlor (Thomas Lawlor, 2020-)

Mercedes Moné (Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado, 2023-)

Jon Moxley (Jonathan Good, 2019-)

El Phantasmo (Riley Vigier, 2019-)

  • Arrogant Kung-Fu Guy: His cheating, me-first mentality and Smug Snake behavior has made him very successful in New Japan so far, but it also caused Robbie Eagles to turn on Bullet Club for CHAOS.
  • Chiptune: His pre-Bullet Club theme incorporates elements of this.
  • Cool Shades: Phantasmo wears a pair of spiked, shutter shades. They sometimes light up in time with his entrance music.
  • Dubstep: His theme song (both before and after joining Bullet Club) is something people would hear at a rave. It even has a beat drop.
  • Finishing Move: CRII (CR2)
  • Kick the Dog: Likes to take merch from other factions right off of fans and throw it as many rows back as he can.
  • Power Stable: Bullet Club.
  • Red Baron: "Headbanga" and "ELP"

Bea Priestley (Beatrice St. Clere Priestley, 2020-2021)

The Rock 'n' Roll Express

Ricky Morton (Richard Wendell Morton, 2019-2020)

Robert Gibson (Robert Gibson, 2019-2020)

Fred Rosser (Frederick Douglas Rosser III, 2020-)

Wheeler Yuta (Paul Gruber, 2022-)

Alex Zayne (Alex Brandenberg, 2020, 2021, 2022-)

  • Bilingual Bonus: Yells "Itadakimasu!" ("It's time to eat!") before biting someone's ass.
  • Butt Biter: One of his signature moves.

     Debuted in the Reiwa Three Musketeers Era (2023-) 

Dan Maloney (Daniel Moloney, 2023-)

Nic Nemeth (Nicholas Theodore Nemeth, 2024-)

     The Young Lions 

Lists the various NJPW wrestlers who are currently training as Young Lions or are on excursion. When a wrestler gets released or graduates, remove them from here. If it’s the latter, also add them to the Era when they debuted.

General Young Lion Tropes

  • Boring, but Practical: Even independent wrestlers and combat sports athletes who join the New Japan Dojo who may know a plethora of techniques have their arsenals limited to specific set of basic but effective techniques.
  • Important Haircut: Most trainees, specifically those trained in Japan, will debut with a clean shaven face (sometimes with a mustache) and a buzzcut to symbolize the start of their journey in the company.
  • Jobber: While there are exceptions to the rule, Young Lions generally don't win singles matches unless they are facing another Young Lion. They can win in tag team matches but they are never the ones picking up the win and could be at liability to take the fall for their team.
  • Finishing Move: The Boston Crab or a variation of it.
  • Spirited Competitor: Ready for any action they can get to the point of sometimes becoming surprisingly brutal in-ring.
  • Training from Hell: Part of their training involves doing 1,000 squats six days a week.
  • Limited Wardrobe: Basic black trunks and boots with the possibility of small personal effects thrown in.

On Excursion/Pre-Graduation

Yuya Uemura (上村優也, Uemura Yūya, 2018-2021)

Noge Dojo - Japan

Boltin Oleg (Oleg Boltin, 2022-)

Oskar Leube (Oskar Münchow, 2022-)

Kosei Fujita (藤田 晃生, Fujita Kōsei, 2021-)

  • Power Stable: At New Year Dash 2023, Zack Sabre Jr., Shane Haste, and Mikey Nicholls would bring Fujita into TMDK. This while he still a Young Lion.

Yuto Nakashima (中島 佑斗, Nakashima Yūto, 2021-)

Ryohei Oiwa (大岩 陵平, Ōiwa Ryōhei, 2021-)

LA Dojo - USA

The DKC (Dylan Barrales, 2020-)

New Zealand/Fale Dojo

Michael Richards (Michael Richards 2019, 2022-)

Jake Taylor (Jake Taylor, 2022-)

Andrew Villalobos (Andrew Villalobos 2019, 2022-)

     Non-Wrestling Seconds 

Miho Abe (あべみほ, Abe Miho, 2015-)

Mao (2014-2016)

Pieter (2016-)

     NJPW Strong 

Lists the various freelance wrestlers who are part of the NJPW Strong roster. When a wrestler permanently leaves or becomes a part of the main roster (being signed to a contract, doing tours in Japan and/or appearing on the official NJPW’s website profile page), remove them from here. If it’s the latter, also add them to the Era when they debuted.

Blake Christian (Christian Hubble, 2020-2021, 2022-)

Homicide (Nelson Erazo, 2022-)

JR Kratos (2020-)

  • Acrofatic: He might not be fast, but he is a lot more agile than his 300 pound frame would suggest, like doing suicide dives by jumping over the top ropes.
  • The Brute: The most physically imposing member of Team Filthy.
  • Finishing Move: The Game Changer and the Fisherman's Buster
  • Power Stable: Team Filthy
  • Red Baron: “The Most Feared”

Eddie Kingston (Edward Moore, 2021-)

Danny Limelight (Daniel Rivera, 2020-2022)

The West Coast Wrecking Crew (2021-)

Royce Isaacs (Isaac Hull, 2021-)

Jorel Nelson (Jorel Nelson, 2021-)

     NJPW Tamashii 

Lists the various freelance wrestlers who are part of the NJPW Tamashii roster. When a wrestler permanently leaves or becomes a part of the main roster (being signed to a contract, doing tours in Japan and/or appearing on the official NJPW’s website profile page), remove them from here. If it’s the latter, also add them to the Era when they debuted.

Shep Alexander (Alexander Shepard 2022-)

Jordan Allan-Wright (2022-)

Nikolai Anton Bell (2022-)

Jack Bonza (Stephen Teulan, 2022-)

Rowan Davis (2022-)

Tony Kozina (Anthony Kozina, 2022-)

Lyrebird Luchi (2022-)

Richard Mulu (Richard Mulu, 2022-)

The Natural Classics (2022-)

Stevie Filip (Stevan Filiposki, 2022-)

Tome Filip (Tome Filiposki, 2022-)

Aaron Solo (Aaron Solow, 2022-)

Mark Tui (Mark Tui, 2022-)

Caveman Ugg (Brian Gammage, 2022-)

     Commentators 

Japanese commentary

Milano Collection A.T.

  • Career-Ending Injury: Announced his retirement from in-ring actions on January 2010 due to an eye injury and now works as a commentator.

Shinji Noshino

Shinpei Nogami

English commentary

Kevin Kelly;

  • The Leader: Of the commentary team, as the one most often there.
  • Catchphrase:
    • "That damn stick!" (Whenever Jado accompanies Bullet Club members, since he always wields and uses a kendo stick to help them win)
    • "Hey look, it's Honma!" (Whenever Honma does his entrance in Paper-Thin Disguise, and then reveals himself)

Chris Charlton

  • Butt-Monkey: Gino pokes fun at him for being the one who contributes least to general commentary.
  • Translator Buddy: He translates Japanese.

Gino Gambino

  • Power Stable: Bullet Club
  • Vitriolic Best Buds: With Kevin and Chris. He is an unapologetic Bullet Club supporter and often has disagreements with them, and makes fun of Chris, but they are still chummy with him most of the time.

Don Callis

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