10 Things New Japan Does Better Than WWE

5. Development

Kenny Omega NJPW G1 Climax
NJPW

WWE are incredibly proud of their developmental system, from their 26,000 sq. foot performance centre to their touring NXT brand. However, their system also comes under a great deal of criticism. For instance, how does Samoa Joe possibly need to develop more than he already has after seventeen years in the game? Or why is Hideo Itami constantly being allowed to get injured wrestling green rookies?

New Japan can recognise when an indie star is ready for their main stage, and when they’re not they are recruited as ‘young lions.’ It is a strict system that insists the novices pay their dues, cleaning up after the veterans and only being allowed to wear plain black trunks until they’re ready to progress. Their system has seen a great number of triumphs from the conversion of an ex-rugby player into the monstrous Bad Luck Fale, to the babyfaced youngster who would eventually hatch into the ‘Rainmaker'. New Japan also see great value in sending their talent abroad to learn and grow, and if ever there was an example of how a wrestler can benefit from a change of scenery, just imagine if Naito had never gone to Mexico…

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Contributor

University of Edinburgh student, freelance writer and all-round banter merchant.