TOKYO VS. LA:
NJPW’S BREWING ROOKIE RIVALRY
By Jasmine Olan
Throughout its forty-seven year history, New Japan Pro Wrestling’s young lions program has become one of the industry’s leading developmental systems. It’s track record for creating international stars is pretty much impeccable. With the American young lions from the new LA dojo now making appearances in Japan tensions have begun to rise between them and the young lions from the original Tokyo dojo. Both sides are out to prove they have the best of New Japan’s up and coming rookies. This has led to some heated encounters between the two groups that have fans looking forward to seeing what’s next for these young mega stars in the making.
One of the first signs of tension came during the second night of this year’s G1 CLIMAX tournament when Tokyo young lions, Shota Umino and Ren Narita partnered with the Ace Of The Universe, Hiroshi Tanahashi to face the newly arrived KENTA and LA young lions, Karl Fredricks and Clark Connors in a tag team preview match. Throughout the match, both groups of young lions called each other out repeatedly. One of the best moments was Shota Umino calling out Karl Fredricks in English. In the end, KENTA and the LA young lions got the win, and an all out brawl nearly broke out between Umino and Fredricks.
As the G1 continued, Tokyo and LA went head to head in many of the tag team previews throughout the tournament. Fans got to see the best of both dojos show the unlimited potential they had. Fredricks and Connors looked fantastic all the way through and have grown so much under the tutelage of LA dojo head coach, Katsuyori Shibata. Both American young lions gave it everything they had as they wanted to prove themselves and make their senpai proud. The Tokyo young lions also looked amazing as they fought to defend the honor and tradition of the original New Japan dojo.
Shota Umino and Ren Narita continue to show why they are at the top of the class. Yota Tsuji once again showed his strength as an absolute powerhouse, and Yuya Uemura brought the heat big time with his talent and passion. All four of these gifted young boys are destined for great things as are Fredricks and Connors. Wrestling fans around the world are absolutely loving them all.
The best part of watching this rivalry gradually unfold is getting to see these hungry and passionate young men find themselves and grow as performers. This is especially true for the youngest of them who entered their home dojo as early as eighteen years old. Fans get to see them debut as teenagers, and will later see them leave the dojo as grown men. The competition will heat up even more with the return of the YOUNG LIONS CUP in September during NJPW’s DESTRUCTION tour.
New Japan fans are already making their picks before the tournament has even started. The young lions program is such a special part of New Japan Pro Wrestling as it has helped to create many of the international wrestling scene’s greatest stars. As time marches on, young lions will continue to represent the promotion with honor and respect. With tryouts also also set to be held this December, talented young wrestlers from all over Japan and from around the world will no doubt be clamoring to join the pride.
