Factions:
Multi-person groups, also called factions in wrestling, are a very prominent part of NJPW – and they need to be given how many titles the company has. However, these alliances go beyond the pursuit of championships. They add another fascinating layer to the already complex characters of many NJPW stars. Below is a list of the major factions operating within New Japan:
Los Ingobernables de Japon:
Translation? The ‘in-governables’ of Japan. Leader? Tetsuya Naito. Originally formed in Mexico’s CMLL promotion, Naito brought the group to Japan after turning heel. Founding members included La Mascara, Marco Corleone (Mark Jindrak in WWE), Rush, Rey Escorpion, and La Sombra – who is better known to WWE fans as Andrade “Cien” Almas. Current members include Bushi, Evil, Sanada, and Hiromu Takahashi.
Chaos:
Currently led by the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kazuchika Okada, Chaos had Shinsuke Nakamura as one of its founding members. Originally a ‘heel’ group, Chaos has since turned face after feuds with other major factions. Important members include Okada’s manager and NJPW’s head booker Gedo, Toru Yano, Rocky Romero, Tomohiro Ishi, Yoshi Hashi, Will Ospreay, and Hirooki Goto.
Suzuki-gun:
Formerly known as Kujima-gun, the name was changed after Minoru Suzuki overthrew Kujima’s stable and renamed it after himself. Suzuki-gun, from all the factions in NJPW, is the most gang-like judging from its ways of group assaults and frequent interferences in stable mates’ matches. Important members include Taichi, Taka Michinoku, Lance Archer, Davey Boy Smith Jr. and Zack Sabre Jr.
Bullet Club:
Founded by Prince Devitt (Finn Balor) in 2013, the original members included Devitt, Karl Anderson, Doc (Luke) Gallows, Tama Tonga, and Bad Luck Fale. Devitt and the Good Brothers may have left but Tonga and Fale remain as the Bullet Club OGs. Current WWE World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles was once the leader of the BC before being ousted by Kenny Omega. Bullet Club, although considered to be stronger during the days of Devitt and Styles, is still extremely relevant in professional wrestling today – with a power struggle between Omega and Cody Rhodes the centrepiece of New Japan’s recent product. Important members include the geniuses in self-marketing, the Young Bucks, Marty Scurll, Yujiro Takahashi and Adam Page.