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
Kota Ibushi
Jon Moxley
Hiroshi Tanahashi
Tama Tonga
Tanga Loa
Hirooki Goto
Tomohiro Ishii
Yoshi-Hashi
Toru Yano
Ring name Real name Unit[1][2] Notes
Bad Luck Fale[3] Simi Fale[4] Bullet Club
Brody King[5] Nate Blauvelt ROH
Chase Owens[6][7] Chase Owens Bullet Club
Chris Jericho[8][9] Christopher Irvine N/A Inactive; COVID-19 travel restrictions
David Finlay[10] David Finlay III Main Unit
Dalton Castle Brett Giehl ROH Inactive; COVID-19 travel restrictions
Evil[11] Takaaki Watanabe Bullet Club
Fred Rosser[12][13] Frederick Rosser III N/A
Great-O-Khan[14] Tomoyuki Oka[15] United Empire
Hikuleo[16] Tautuiaki Koloamatangi[17] Bullet Club
Hirooki Goto[18] Hirooki Goto[19] Chaos NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion
Hiroshi Tanahashi[20] Hiroshi Tanahashi[21] Main Unit NEVER Openweight Champion
Hiroyoshi Tenzan[22] Hiroyoshi Yamamoto Main Unit
Jay Briscoe Jamin Pugh ROH Inactive; COVID-19 travel restrictions
Jay Lethal Jamar Shipman ROH Inactive; COVID-19 travel restrictions
Jay White[23] Jamie White Bullet Club (L)
Jeff Cobb[24] Jeffrey Cobb United Empire
Jon Moxley[25][26] Jonathan Good N/A IWGP United States Champion
Juice Robinson[27] Joseph Robinson Main Unit
Karl Fredericks Karl Fredericks N/A
Kazuchika Okada[28] Kazuchika Okada Chaos (L)
Kenta Kenta Kobayashi Bullet Club
Kota Ibushi[29] Kota Ibushi Main Unit IWGP Heavyweight Champion
IWGP Intercontinental Champion
Mikey Nicholls[30] Michael Nicholls Chaos Inactive; COVID-19 travel restrictions
Minoru Suzuki Minoru Suzuki Suzuki-gun (L) Freelancer [31]
Mark Briscoe Mark Pugh ROH Inactive; COVID-19 travel restrictions
Sanada Seiya Sanada Los Ingobernables de Japon
Satoshi Kojima Satoshi Kojima Main Unit
Shingo Takagi Shingo Takagi Los Ingobernables de Japon
Taichi Taichiro Maki Suzuki-gun
Tama Tonga Alipate Leone Bullet Club IWGP Tag Team Champion
Tanga Loa Tevita Fifita Bullet Club IWGP Tag Team Champion
Tetsuya Naito Tetsuya Naito Los Ingobernables de Japon (L)
Toa Henare Aaron Henry Main Unit
Togi Makabe Shinya Makabe G・B・H (L)
Tomoaki Honma Tomoaki Honma G・B・H
Tom Lawlor[32][33] Thomas Lawlor Team Filthy (L)
Tomohiro Ishii Tomohiro Ishii Chaos NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion
Toru Yano Toru Yano Chaos KOPW 2020
Will Ospreay William Ospreay United Empire (L) British Heavyweight Champion
Yoshi-Hashi Nobuo Yoshihashi Chaos NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion
Yuji Nagata Yuji Nagata Seigigun (L)
Yujiro Takahashi Yujiro Takahashi Bullet Club
Zack Sabre Jr. Lucas Eatwell Suzuki-gun

Junior heavyweight division
Hiromu Takahashi
El Phantasmo
Taiji Ishimori
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
Jushin Thunder Liger
Katsuyori Shibata
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
Takaaki Kidani
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
  1. NJPW. "Profiles | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
  2. "選手プロフィール一覧". www.njpw.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2019-04-04.
  3. NJPW. "Bad Luck Fale – バッドラック・ファレ – BULLET CLUB | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-01-16.
  4. dylan.cleaver@nzherald.co.nz @dcleaverNZH, Dylan Cleaver (2018-01-08). "Meet The Underboss: NZ's first-class flying loser". ISSN 1170-0777. Retrieved 2019-01-16.
  5. NJPW. "Brody King – ブロディ・キング | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  6. Chase Owens [@realchaseowens] (23 Apr 2017). "heavyweight ;)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  7. Chase Owens [@realchaseowens] (3 May 2017). "I'm not a junior" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. NJPW. "Chris Jericho – クリス・ジェリコ | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  9. "Jericho returning to New Japan Pro Wrestling". SI.com. Retrieved 2019-05-08.
  10. NJPW. "David Finlay – デビッド・フィンレー – 本隊 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  11. 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.
  12. "フレッド・ロッサー". www.njpw.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  13. NJPW. "Fred Rosser フレッド・ロッサ― | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  14. RevPro UK (2018-09-21), Rev Pro Brawl At The Guildhall Reaction: Great-O-Kharn Vs Matt Graceson, retrieved 2019-04-05
  15. NJPW. "Tomoyuki Oka – 岡倫之 – 本隊 – ヤングライオン | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  16. NJPW. "Hikuleo -ヒクレオ- Leo Tonga – レオ・トンガ – BULLET CLUB | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  17. Raidos Gaming (2016-10-28), Interview - Taula Fifita aka. Leo Tonga (Sakura On The Mat), retrieved 2019-04-05
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  20. NJPW. "Hiroshi Tanahashi – 棚橋弘至 – 本隊 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  21. "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.
  22. NJPW. "Hiroyoshi Tenzan – 天山広吉 – 本隊 – テンコジ | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  23. NJPW. "Jay White – ジェイ・ホワイト – BULLET CLUB | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  24. NJPW. "Jeff Cobb – ジェフ・コブ | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  25. "Jon Moxley to make first NJPW appearance on June 5". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. May 27, 2019. Retrieved May 27, 2019.
  26. "Jon Moxley Coming To NJPW, Will Appear At Final Night Of BOSJ". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. 2019-05-26. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
  27. NJPW. "Juice Robinson – ジュース・ロビンソン | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  28. NJPW. "Kazuchika Okada – オカダ・カズチカ – CHAOS | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  29. NJPW. "Kota Ibushi – 飯伏幸太 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  30. 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.
  31. "【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.
  32. "トム・ローラー". www.njpw.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  33. NJPW. "Tom Lawlor- Team Filthy | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  34. "リオ・ラッシュ". www.njpw.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  35. NJPW. "Lio Rush リオ・ラッシュ | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  36. "12 Years. 1,264 matches". Twitter. Retrieved 2020-10-19.
  37. NJPW. "Alex Coughlin injured; to miss forthcoming events | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2020-10-18.
  38. NJPW. "Alex Koslov returns to NJPW at the commentary desk! | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING". NJPW. Retrieved 2020-10-17.
  39. "Road to TOKYO DOME Dec 14,2018 Tokyo • Korakuen Hall (English Commentary) All Match". njpwworld.com.
  40. "The Liger Sessions #2: Togi Makabe pt.2!". NJPW1972.com. September 27, 2019. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
  41. "Katsuyori Shibata to be Head Coach of New Japan Dojo in Los Angeles!". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  42. NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING. "The Recount: Bullet Club Betrayals" – via YouTube.
  43. "The spirit of a warrior: Toa Henare, Kiwi pro-wrestler". Māori Television. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  44. "NJPW World".
  45. 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
  46. "R M Label". RMLabel. Retrieved 2015-09-12.
  47. https://www.njpw.co.jp/262330
  48. https://www.njpw1972.com/81590
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