9 Greatest Factions Never To Appear In WWE
3. Los Ingobernables De Japon
In 2013, a legitimate cruciate ligament injury should have gave Tetsuya Naito the ultimate Triple H-esque babyface pop for his big win over Hiroshi Tanahashi in the G1 Climax final. Instead, he got the dreaded Roman Reigns one. Seeing through New Japan's decision to earmark Naito as their next babyface champ, the upstart received a shower of boos, forcing a complete rethink on his direction.
Instead of trying to force the bus under the bridge, New Japan took the extreme step of shipping Naito off to Mexico. During his excursion, the unchosen one got into bed with CMLL's villainous Los Ingobernables faction. When he returned to his homeland, he carried his new-found attitude with him. Spurred on by the fans' continued rejection, Naito continued his descent into the dark side.
When Naito promised to draft in a pareja (partner) to aid his fight opposite Hiroshi Tanahashi, the local branch of Los Ingobernables was born. Fellow journeyman Takaaki Watanabe came to Naito's aid, subsequently rechristened as the 'King of Darkness' Evil.
The group gradually began to make an impact on New Japan, with new recruit Bushi and Evil aiding Naito in winning 2016's New Japan Cup. Things reached a climax when a fourth member, Sanada, helped Naito fulfil his original 2013 promise, as he captured Kazuchika Okada's IWGP Heavyweight Title at 2016's Invasion Attack.
As popular as the Bullet Club are to Western eyes, they don't compare to the cultural phenomenon that is LIJ in their homeland. Their merchandise sales are unequalled, but it isn't something that could ever be replicated in WWE. I think we all know why.