16 Ups & 9 Downs For NJPW In 2018
15. New Faces Make Waves
This may change when The Elite's contracts come up in January 2019, but New Japan's roster turnover is typically low. They don't bring in swathes of wrestlers at a time, preferring to develop existing talent instead, supplementing the pool with only a handful of new faces each year.
2018 fell in line with this, but Taiji Ishimori and Shingo Takagi jumping ship from NOAH and Dragon Gate broke the typical formula. Such moves aren't common in Japan, where promotional loyalty is a big, big deal, but both Takagi and Ishimori have torn that barrier down, and NJPW have handled them well.
Though 'relegated' to Junior Heavyweight, schoolyard bully Takagi was introduced through a well-built Los Ingobernables de Japon 'mystery man' angle. He won't be there for long, though. Shingo is a leader, not a follower, and turning on Tetsuya Naito will make him a star someday. Ishimori, meanwhile, joined Bullet Club as their new 'BONE SOLDIER,' and after starring in this year's Best of the Super Juniors tournament, he'll now challenge for KUSHIDA's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom.
Fellow newcomers Ayato Yoshida and Robbie Eagles have proved complimentary additions as well, though the extent of the latter's schedule remains to be seen. Nonetheless, current trends suggest whoever NJPW opt to sign in 2019 will fare well in their new surroundings.