List of New Japan Pro-Wrestling personnel
New Japan Pro-Wrestling (新日本プロレス, Shin Nihon Puroresu) (NJPW), is a Japanese professional wrestling promotion based in Nakano, Tokyo. NJPW personnel consists of professional wrestlers, commentators, color commentators, ring announcers, referees, trainers, producers, bookers, and various other positions. Executives and board members are also listed.
Background
NJPW contracts typically range from developmental deals for dojo trainees to full-time contracts. Personnel appear on untelevised live events and on televised events which are aired on various broadcasters or on NJPW's own international streaming service, New Japan World.
Personnel is organized by role in the NJPW. The performer's ring name is listed on the left and their real name is on the right. This list also acknowledges which stable (referred to by NJPW as "units") a wrestler is a part of – this is listed as it is considered by the company to be a vital part of NJPW. "(L)" indicates the leader of the group.
As of 2020, there are five central units in NJPW:
As NJPW has working relationships with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Ring of Honor (ROH), Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL), and Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW), wrestlers may have these promotions listed as their affiliated unit. G・B・H is regarded by NJPW as a unit although they are now simply a tag team; NJPW additionally lists Seigigun as Yuji Nagata’s unit even though he is the group's sole member.[1]
Roster
Heavyweight division
Junior heavyweight division
Ring name | Real name | Unit[1][2] | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Amazing Red | Jonathan Figueroa | N/A | Inactive; COVID-19 travel restrictions |
Bushi | Tetsuya Shimizu | Los Ingobernables de Japon | |
Dick Togo | Shigeki Sato | Bullet Club | |
Douki | Tatsuya Hayama | Suzuki-gun | |
El Desperado | Kyosuke Mikami | Suzuki-gun | |
El Phantasmo | Riley Vigier | Bullet Club | IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion |
Flip Gordon | Travis Lopes Jr. | ROH | |
Gedo | Keiji Takayama | Bullet Club | Co-head booker |
Hiromu Takahashi | Hiromu Takahashi | Los Ingobernables de Japon | IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion |
Jado | Shoji Akiyoshi | Bullet Club | Co-head booker |
Jonathan Gresham | Jonathan Gresham | ROH | Inactive; COVID-19 travel restrictions |
Lio Rush[34][35] | Lionel Green | N/A | |
Master Wato | Hirai Kawato | Main Unit | |
Robbie Eagles | James McMathaus | Chaos | |
Rocky Romero | John Rivera | Chaos | English-language commentator
Head booker/talent scout of NJPW of America |
Ryu Lee | Undisclosed | ROH | Inactive; COVID-19 travel restrictions |
Ryusuke Taguchi | Ryusuke Taguchi | Main Unit | Head Coach of Taguchi Japan |
Sho | Sho Tanaka | Chaos | |
Taiji Ishimori | Taiji Ishimori | Bullet Club | IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion |
Taka Michinoku | Takao Yoshida | Suzuki-gun | |
Tiger Mask | Yoshihiro Yamazaki | Main Unit | |
TJP | Theodore Perkins | N/A | |
Volador Jr. | Ramón Ibarra Rivera | CMLL | Inactive; COVID-19 travel restrictions |
Yoh | Yohei Komatsu | Chaos | Inactive; left knee injury |
Yoshinobu Kanemaru | Yoshinobu Kanemaru | Suzuki-gun | Producer |
NJPW Strong
During the COVID-19 pandemic, New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America began producing its own weekly program, Strong, which features its own unique roster. Strong, in addition to featuring all of NJPW's units, features its own unique unit: Team Filthy.
Ring name | Real name | Unit[1][2] | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
ACH | Albert C. Hardie III | N/A | |
Adrian Quest | Adrian Uribe | N/A | |
Bateman | Cody Croslin | ROH | |
Barrett Brown | Barrett Brown | N/A | |
Blake Christian | Christian Hubble | N/A | |
Chris Dickinson | Chris Dickinson | Team Filthy | |
Danny Limelight | Daniel Rivera | Team Filthy | |
John Skyler | John Brumbaugh | N/A | Inactive; right knee injury[36] |
Jordan Clearwater | Unknown | N/A | |
JR Kratos | Unknown | Team Filthy | |
Logan Riegel | Unknown | N/A | |
Misterioso | Unknown | N/A | |
PJ Black | Phillip Lloyd | ROH | Inactive; left leg injury |
Rey Horus | Unknown | ROH | |
Sterling Riegel | Unknown | N/A |
Young Lions
In Japanese professional wrestling a wrestler who is still training is referred to as a "Young Lion". New Japan Pro-Wrestling runs their own training dojos in Tokyo and Los Angeles, and are partnered with the Fale Dojo in New Zealand. Young Lion wrestlers are considered openweight and are free to enter in any tournament provided they aren't above 100 kg (which is rare for NJPW's trainee wrestlers).
Ring name | Real name | Dojo[1][2] | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Alex Coughlin | Alex Coughlin | L.A. Dojo | Inactive; neck injury[37] |
Clark Connors | Clark Connors | L.A. Dojo | |
The DKC | Dylan Barrales | L.A. Dojo | |
Gabriel Kidd | Gabriel Kidd | L.A. Dojo | |
Kevin Knight | Kevin Knight | L.A. Dojo | |
Ren Narita | Ren Narita | L.A. Dojo | |
Shota Umino | Shōta Umino | NJPW Dojo | On excursion in Revolution Pro Wrestling |
Yota Tsuji | Yota Tsuji | NJPW Dojo | |
Yuya Uemura | Yuya Uemura | NJPW Dojo |
Other personnel
Ring name | Real name | Notes |
---|---|---|
Adnan Kureishy | Adnan Kureishy | NJPW Strong English ring announcer |
Alain Mistrangélo | Alain Mistrangélo | French-language commentator |
Alex Koslov | Alex Sherman | English-language commentator[38] |
Chris Charlton | Chris Charlton | English-language commentator Translator[39] |
Daisuke Takahashi | Daisuke Takahashi | Commentator |
Gino Gambino | Unknown | English-language commentator |
Haruo Murata | Haruo Murata | Commentator |
Hiro Saito | Hiroyuki Saito | Trainer |
Jeremy Marcus | Unknown | NJPW Strong referee |
Julio Rodriguez | Unknown | NJPW Strong referee |
Justin Borden | Unknown | NJPW Strong referee |
Jushin Thunder Liger | Keiichi Yamada | Trainer[40] Color commentator |
Katsuhiko Kanazawa | Katsuhiko Kanazawa | Color commentator |
Katsuyori Shibata | Katsuyori Shibata | Head trainer of the L.A. Dojo[41] |
Kazuo Yamazaki | Kazuo Yamazaki | Trainer Announcer |
Kenta Sato | Kenta Sato | Referee |
Kevin Kelly | Kevin Foote | English-language commentator Narrator of The Recount and The Wire[42] |
Kimihiko Ozaki | Kimihiko Ozaki | Ring announcer |
Koki Yamazaki | Koki Yamazaki | Commentator |
Kuniaki Kobayashi | Kuniaki Kobayashi | Caretaker of the NJPW Dojo |
Makoto Abe | Makoto Abe | Ring announcer |
Marty Asami | Marty Asami | Referee |
Masayuki Hayashi | Masayuki Hayashi | Doctor |
Michael Craven | Michael Craven | General Manager[43] Writer for The Recount |
Miki Motoi | Miki Motoi | Color commentator |
Milano Collection A.T. | Akihito Sawafuji | Color commentator IWGP Championship Committee member |
Nick Bonanno | Unknown | NJPW Strong referee |
Norbert Feuillan | Norbert Feuillan | French-language commentator |
Red Shoes Unno | Hiroyuki Umino | Senior referee |
Seiji Sakaguchi | Seiji Sakaguchi | Advisor |
Shigeki Kiyono | Shigeki Kiyono | Commentator Host of NJPW's press conferences |
Shinji Yoshino | Shinji Yoshino | Commentator |
Shinpei Nogami | Shinpei Nogami | Commentator |
Souichi Shibata | Souichi Shibata | Commentator |
Sparky Ballard | Unknown | NJPW Strong referee |
Super Strong Machine | Junji Hirata | Head trainer |
Takeshi Misawa | Takeshi Misawa | Medical trainer |
Tom Partridge | Tom Partridge | English-language commentator Translator[44] |
Takuro | Unknown | NJPW Strong Japanese ring announcer |
Tiger Hattori | Masao Hattori | Booker[45] Foreign Liaison Officer |
Wataru Inoue | Wataru Inoue | Ambassador |
Yuichi Tabata | Yuichi Tabata | Commentator |
NJPW Music Group
Name | Notes |
---|---|
Julia Claris | Musician |
May's | Music band |
[Q]Brick | Music band |
No Name Tim | Music producer Audio engineer Audio mixer |
Yonosuke Kitamura | Composer of the RM Label[46] |
Corporate
Name | Notes |
---|---|
Junya Iwasaki | Auditor |
Kaoru Mikumo | Director |
Keizo Kayama | Auditor |
Michiaki Nishizawa | Director |
Naoki Sugabayashi | Chairman of the Board |
Takaaki Kidani | Director of Bushiroad |
Takami Ohbari | President and CEO[47] CEO of New Japan Pro-Wrestling of America[48] |
See also
References
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- "選手プロフィール一覧". www.njpw.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-04-04.
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- [email protected] @dcleaverNZH, Dylan Cleaver (2018-01-08). "Meet The Underboss: NZ's first-class flying loser". ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 2019-01-16.
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- NJPW. "Chris Jericho – クリス・ジェリコ | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
- "Jericho returning to New Japan Pro Wrestling". SI.com. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
- NJPW. "David Finlay – デビッド・フィンレー – 本隊 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- NJPW. ""King of Darkness" EVIL – "キング・オブ・ダークネス"EVIL – LIJ | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-02-19.
- "フレッド・ロッサー". www.njpw.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- NJPW. "Fred Rosser フレッド・ロッサ― | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- RevPro UK (2018-09-21), Rev Pro Brawl At The Guildhall Reaction: Great-O-Kharn Vs Matt Graceson, retrieved 2019-04-05
- NJPW. "Tomoyuki Oka – 岡倫之 – 本隊 – ヤングライオン | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- NJPW. "Hikuleo -ヒクレオ- Leo Tonga – レオ・トンガ – BULLET CLUB | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- Raidos Gaming (2016-10-28), Interview - Taula Fifita aka. Leo Tonga (Sakura On The Mat), retrieved 2019-04-05
- NJPW. "Hirooki Goto – 後藤洋央紀 – CHAOS | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- "Hirooki Goto Wins The Never Openweight Championship At NJPW Power Struggle". Wrestling Inc. 2018-11-03. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- NJPW. "Hiroshi Tanahashi – 棚橋弘至 – 本隊 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- "KUSHIDA set to face Hiroshi Tanahashi in final NJPW match". WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, UFC News, UFC results. 2019-01-07. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- NJPW. "Hiroyoshi Tenzan – 天山広吉 – 本隊 – テンコジ | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- NJPW. "Jay White – ジェイ・ホワイト – BULLET CLUB | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- NJPW. "Jeff Cobb – ジェフ・コブ | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- "Jon Moxley to make first NJPW appearance on June 5". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. May 27, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
- "Jon Moxley Coming To NJPW, Will Appear At Final Night Of BOSJ". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 2019-05-26. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
- NJPW. "Juice Robinson – ジュース・ロビンソン | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- NJPW. "Kazuchika Okada – オカダ・カズチカ – CHAOS | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- NJPW. "Kota Ibushi – 飯伏幸太 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- Satin, Ryan (2019-02-25). "Former NXT Star Announced for Upcoming NJPW Event". Pro Wrestling Sheet | Insider Wrestling News and Reports. Retrieved 2019-02-25.
- "【2月4日(木)『ジャイアント馬場23回忌追善興行』の対戦カード決定!】メインに小島聡が登場!武藤敬司&諏訪魔とトリオ結成!永田裕志、鈴木みのるも参戦決定!!". www.njpw.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-10.
- "トム・ローラー". www.njpw.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- NJPW. "Tom Lawlor- Team Filthy | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- "リオ・ラッシュ". www.njpw.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- NJPW. "Lio Rush リオ・ラッシュ | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- "12 Years. 1,264 matches". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
- NJPW. "Alex Coughlin injured; to miss forthcoming events | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
- NJPW. "Alex Koslov returns to NJPW at the commentary desk! | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
- "Road to TOKYO DOME Dec 14,2018 Tokyo • Korakuen Hall (English Commentary) All Match". njpwworld.com.
- "The Liger Sessions #2: Togi Makabe pt.2!". NJPW1972.com. September 27, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
- "Katsuyori Shibata to be Head Coach of New Japan Dojo in Los Angeles!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
- NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING. "The Recount: Bullet Club Betrayals" – via YouTube.
- "The spirit of a warrior: Toa Henare, Kiwi pro-wrestler". Māori Television. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
- "NJPW World".
- Meltzer, Dave (May 22, 2017). "May 22, 2017 Wrestling Observer Newsletter: NJPW business up, ROH War of the Worlds review, tons more". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, California. p. 8. ISSN 1083-9593.
Tiger Hattori, one of their [NJPW] bookers and referees
- "R M Label". RMLabel. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
- https://www.njpw.co.jp/262330
- https://www.njpw1972.com/81590
External links
- NJPW roster at NJPW.co.jp (Japanese website)
- NJPW roster at NJPW1972.com (English website)