MEGA STARS IN THE MAKING:
THE 2018/2019 NJPW YOUNG LIONS CLASS
By Jas Olan
When it comes to creating homegrown stars in professional wrestling, few promotions have done it better than New Japan Pro Wrestling. One of the major keys to the company’s success with this has been its young lions program. This hugely successful rookie program has led to the creation of some of the international wrestling scene’s greatest stars. Legends like Shinya Hashimoto, Keiji Mutoh, and Masahiro Chono all got their start in one of the industry’s toughest training grounds, the New Japan dojo. Future industry icons like Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Kazuchika Okada are also products of the NJPW dojo system.
Signs of that same greatness can definitely be seen in the most recent class of young lions which has been touted as one of the most competitive groups the promotion has seen in years. At the moment that group consists of four young men who have truly been putting fans and critics alike on notice lately with their talent and passion. They are Shota Umino, Ren Narita, Yota Tsuji, Yuya Uemura. These hungry young rookies have each been gradually begun making their mark in the wrestling world.
The son of NJPW senior referee, “Red Shoes” Unno, twenty-two year old Shota Umino has emerged at the head of the class over the past year. He even got to make history as the first young lion to compete in the New Japan Cup. His first round match against the Ace Of The Universe, Hiroshi Tanahashi had the wrestling world buzzing over his performance despite the match ending in his elimination from the tournament. Although one of the two youngest in the group, Shota Umino appears destined to achieve a level of greatness very much like that achieved by current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada. Fans will no doubt continue to watch his progress with great pride.
Ren Narita is the youngest of the current class, but is also on his way to a very bright future. Fresh out of high school when he first arrived at the New Japan dojo he has been considered one of the biggest prospects within the group for quite some time now. His talent can be seen in his growing move set which includes an absolutely beautiful belly to belly bridge pin. He currently has his heart set on becoming the first young lion to win the prestigious BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS tournament. Only twenty-one years old, the sky’s the limit for this gifted youngster.
Next up is a rookie powerhouse who is looking to take New Japan’s heavyweight division by storm when it comes time for his return from excursion. With a diverse sports background that includes, Baseball, American Football, and Taekwondo, twenty-five year old Yota Tsuji is proving himself as a hard hitting power wrestler is also very technically sound. His burgeoning rivalry with fellow young lion, Yuya Uemura could easily become a critically acclaimed feud along the lines of the historic rivalry between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura. Only time will tell how far he will go.
Last but certainly not least is twenty-four year old Yuya Uemura. With a look reminiscent of Puroreso icons of the 1970s and a rapidly growing move set of his own, there are a lot of eyes on this talented and very handsome rookie right now. His devastating double hook belly to belly suplex is truly a thing of beauty. Like his fellow young lions, Uemura has everything it takes to become one of the premier stars of his generation. His rivalry with Yota Tsuji has the potential to set the wrestling world on fire.
Looking at this most recent class of young lions in many ways a glimpse into wrestling’s future. These four gifted young men will no doubt play an integral role in that future. The best part of watching their individual journeys is seeing each of them achieve various milestones from debuting a new move they’ve learned or winning their first championship after returning from excursion. There is limitless possibility here, and fans, and critics around the world are waiting excitedly to see that potential be delivered upon. That will be seen soon enough, but for now the general consensus remains that these young men are most definitely mega stars in the making.
