16 Ups & 9 Downs For NJPW In 2018

Ups...

16. The Young Lions Keep Impressing

NJPW Young Lions
NJPW1972.com

NJPW's acclaimed Young Lion system keeps the promotion stocked with up-and-coming talent hungry for whatever opportunities come their way. It's an excellent developmental model, and watching these guys tear it up on 2018 undercards harked back to a few years ago, when Jay White, David Finlay, Yohei Komatsu, and Sho Tanaka occupied such roles.

Charismatic muscle monster Katsuya Kitamura was an early-year highlight, and looked primed to megastardom before a crushing moped accident cut his 2018 short. Newcomers Yota Tsuji and Yuya Uemura conjured memories of Tanaka vs. Komatsu with their spirited preliminary feud. Shota Umino, the most promising member of the current crop, continues to show legitimate heavyweight potential. Ren Narita is full of fire, Kaientai Dojo freelancer Ayato Yoshida fits like a glove, and while Toa Henare graduated from Young Lion status at the turn of the year, he has demonstrated immense promise as a strong style practitioner.

Though they aren't stealing the show (that's not their role), these guys grasp every spotlight with both hands and their work ethic means everything they do is worth checking out, regardless of card position.

Advertisement
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.