NJPW: Every Member Of CHAOS Ranked
One of the longest-tenured groups in New Japan history has had its fair share of quality members.
In April of 2009, New Japan underwent a radical change. For years, the top heel stable in the company was Great Bash Heel, led by Togi Makabe. However, during a match with Shinsuke Nakamura, the members of GBH turned on Makabe, allowing the newly-heel Nakamura to pick up the victory.
Almost the entirety of GBH would abandon the group to rally around Nakamura, and a new group was formed: CHAOS. Formed with the mission of bringing "strong style" back into prominence, the rise of CHAOS as the company's top heel faction would represent New Japan finally shaking off the wannabe-MMA antics of Inoki-ism and embracing the style that would make them once again the King of Sports. So many wrestlers have come through CHAOS, and over time, as new factions formed, their moral compass shifted toward the side of good. However, with each incarnation of the group came domination of all divisions, and the group have procured every title in the company over the years.
This isn't going to be ranking every person who was ever in CHAOS, because good lord, we'd be here all day (seriously, everyone from Naito to Karl Anderson to Davey Richards has been a member). Instead, let's look at each current, active member of CHAOS and assess their importance and contributions to the group's history.
11. YOSHI-HASHI
For fans of New Japan, dunking on YOSHI-HASHI is like breathing air. Whether it's his dopey, sad expression, his "I really wish I weren't here" demeanor, or that weird, useless baton he carries with him (seriously, what is that?), the Headhunter isn't exactly the most beloved member of CHAOS.
And it's not like there isn't anything to like about him, either. When given the opportunity, YOSHI-HASHI has proven that he can have very good matches, especially when against opponents like Okada or Tanahashi. But for whatever reason, likely his lack of showmanship, he's been relegated as a bit-player in the CHAOS hierarchy, often being the tag team fall guy when Gedo and Jado aren't involved.
His record speaks for itself. Since returning from excursion and joining CHAOS in January 2012, YH has not won a singles or tag title, and his average score in G1 action is a dreadful 5 points. Throughout the entire 2018 G1 tournament, commentators Kevin Kelly and Rocky Romero remarked that YH was lacking "something," and whether that's storyline or shoot, it's true.
Perhaps YOSHI-HASHI would benefit from another excursion, because what he's been doing has clearly not been the formula for success.