4. Familiar Faces
While the majority of New Japan's top talent is native to the country, there has always been a western presence in the organization. In the past, stars such as Vader, the Steiner Brothers, and of course, Hulk Hogan have competed for the company, often showing a different, rougher side to their personalities or in-ring styles. NJPW founder Antonio Inoki sought out foreign talent (in the 1990s, the company worked extensively with WCW) and had a reputation for treating
gaijin superstars welll. Though Inoki no longer runs New Japan, the tradition of American, Canadian, and European grapplers in the organization continues. New Japan's top heel stable, Bullet Club, is comprised almost exclusively of westerners, including The Young Bucks (Matt and Nick Jackson), Doc (Luke) Gallows, the current reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion, "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles, and their newest member, Jeff Jarrett. Bullet Club isn't the only place for
gaijin, though former WWE stars Shelton Benjamin, Davey Boy (DH) Smith, Jr., and Lance (Vance) Archer fill in the ranks of Suzuki's invading Suzuki-gun stable (along with WWE alum Taka Michinoku). Ultra-talented ROH/TNA veteran Alex Shelley is a fixture of the Junior division as well, and currently one half of the Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. Looks like you
can tell the players without a program.