BULLET CLUB is a legendary faction that has dominated the professional wrestling scene for a decade. The group will celebrate its tenth anniversary on May 3 at Dontaku 2023, which is a testament to their longevity and impact in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. BULLET CLUB has evolved over the years, and it’s worth revisiting their origins to appreciate their journey.
At Madison Square Garden, BULLET CLUB lost the IWGP Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight titles, leading to a rough sixth birthday at Dontaku. Despite their losses, the faction remained a formidable force in the wrestling world. Taiji Ishimori failed to snatch the junior title back from Dragon Lee, while Jay White was removed from the IWGP Heavyweight Championship scene abruptly after winning the gold in February 2019.
The influence of BULLET CLUB extends beyond winning and losing matches. They have inspired numerous factions worldwide, including The Elite, The Guerrillas of Destiny, and The Tongans. Their merchandise and catchphrases are popular with fans, and they have played a significant role in making New Japan Pro-Wrestling a global brand.
When BULLET CLUB celebrates its eleventh anniversary, they will undoubtedly look back on their ten-year journey with pride. As they continue to evolve and dominate the wrestling world, there is no doubt that they will continue to leave their mark on the industry. The BULLET CLUB had a rough time at the Dominion event in 2019, with Chris Jericho challenging Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP heavyweight title while the Switchblade was in a middle of a six-man tag. However, there was a bright spot in the form of the debut of El Phantasmo, who effortlessly displayed his athletic and arrogant character, forming a formidable tag team with Taiji Ishimori. Although he had a great run in the Best of the Super Jr., Rocky Romero ended his hot streak. Despite this, ELP remained a key presence in the group until his time was up. Unfortunately, Dominion 2019 was a forgettable event for the BULLET CLUB, considering the rough night they had. Jay White’s journey in the G1 Climax tournament was off to a rough start with three opening losses. However, he managed to turn things around with a win over Jeff Cobb in Hiroshima, which helped him gain momentum and continue his winning streak. Despite Gedo’s underhanded tactics in every bout, White made it to the final, where he planned to celebrate his victory at the Budokan.
To execute his plan, White needed to add another member to the BULLET CLUB, and Tama Tonga revealed the new recruit to be a “world-class athlete.” Fans were left intrigued and wondering who this athlete could be. By the end of the night, the big reveal took place, and the world learned that the newest member of the BULLET CLUB was none other than KENTA.
KENTA’s addition to the BULLET CLUB came as a shock to many fans, especially since he had previously been a part of rival faction CHAOS. However, it seemed that KENTA was ready for a change and wanted to align himself with a more dominant force.
With KENTA now on his side, Jay White had a powerful ally in the BULLET CLUB. The duo would go on to cause havoc in the rest of the tournament, further cementing their status as a force to be reckoned with in the professional wrestling world. KENTA’s shocking betrayal of Katsuyori Shibata at Dominion surprised many fans, and his lack of success in the G1 tournament left some wondering if he would ever find his footing in NJPW. However, KENTA took a different approach and decided to embrace the role of villain, much to the chagrin of the crowd. He aligned himself with Jay White, and together they plotted their next move.
Unfortunately for KENTA and White, their plan to interfere in the G1 final between Ibushi and White was foiled by referee Red Shoes Unno and Rocky Romero. As a result, Ibushi emerged victorious and earned the right to challenge Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom.
But KENTA’s ambitions were far from over. Despite his setbacks, he continued to plot and scheme, determined to make his mark in NJPW. With his cunning and ruthless tactics, it’s clear that KENTA is a force to be reckoned with in the professional wrestling world. Only time will tell what his next move will be. The wrestling world was buzzing with excitement as the double Dome weekend approached, with fans eager to witness history being made. The stakes were high, and the pressure was on for all involved. Ibushi had a plan to become the double champion, but he knew it wouldn’t be an easy feat. Standing in his way was Kazuchika Okada, a formidable opponent who had held the IWGP Heavyweight title for a record 5 times.
Meanwhile, Jay White was determined to prove his worth and deny anyone who dared to challenge him. His victory over Naito at Destruction was the first step in securing his place as the IWGP Intercontinental Champion, and he was not going to let anyone take that away from him. He was set to face Naito once again, and the outcome of this match would determine who would hold the prestigious IC gold.
As the double Dome weekend kicked off, fans were on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the matches that would make history. In a thrilling match, Ibushi managed to defeat Okada, becoming the new IWGP Heavyweight Champion. It was a momentous occasion, and the wrestling world erupted with excitement and awe.
But the excitement did not end there. In the main event of the night, Jay White and Tetsuya Naito faced off in a highly anticipated rematch for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship. In the end, it was Naito who emerged victorious, securing his place as the double champion that Ibushi had hoped to be.
As the night drew to a close, fans were left in awe of the incredible matches they had witnessed. The double Dome weekend had lived up to its hype, with historic moments that would be remembered for years to come. KENTA’s actions drew the ire of not just Hirooki Goto, but also of Katsuyori Shibata, who made a shocking appearance to confront KENTA. Shibata is one of the most beloved wrestlers in Japan, and his retirement due to a near-fatal injury was a heartbreaking moment for fans. However, he showed no signs of rust as he unleashed a brutal assault on KENTA. The two men have a storied history, and it seems that their rivalry is far from over.
This incident has raised a lot of questions about KENTA’s future in NJPW and BULLET CLUB. Some fans are wondering if he will be kicked out of the faction, while others believe that he will use the incident to elevate his status as a heel. One thing is for sure, KENTA has become one of the most talked-about wrestlers in NJPW, and his actions have set the tone for what could be a very interesting year in professional wrestling.
One thing that is clear is that NJPW is continuing to push the boundaries when it comes to storytelling and character development. With stars like KENTA, Shibata, and Goto, there is no shortage of talent and intrigue in the promotion. It will be fascinating to see where this all leads, and how the rivalries and alliances will evolve over the course of the year.
If you’re a fan of NJPW, be sure to tune in to their upcoming events to see how this story unfolds, and to witness some of the best professional wrestling in the world. And if you’re new to the promotion, now is the perfect time to start watching and to discover why NJPW is considered by many to be the gold standard of wrestling.
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New Beginning in Osaka was a historic moment for both Naito and KENTA. Naito had finally achieved his dream of becoming the dual IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Champion, while KENTA made a statement by attacking the champion and setting himself up for a title match the following month. The match between the two was highly anticipated and the Osaka Jo Hall was sold out as fans eagerly anticipated Naito’s revenge.
Despite being busted open by KENTA’s attack, Naito emerged victorious with a well-executed Destino. The match was definitely not for the faint-hearted and showcased the toughness of both wrestlers. While Naito may have won the battle, KENTA’s performance promised a bright future for BULLET CLUB.
In the world of professional wrestling, moments like these are what make the sport so exciting. The unexpected attack by KENTA and the subsequent match between him and Naito were both memorable and historic. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for both wrestlers and how this moment will impact their careers. The COVID-19 pandemic affected almost all aspects of our day-to-day life, including professional wrestling. New Japan Pro-Wrestling was no exception as the pandemic led to nearly four months of inaction, and even the seventh anniversary of the BULLET CLUB went uncelebrated. However, when fans finally came back to buildings in late June, BULLET CLUB had to think outside the box to retain an impact on both Japanese and international fronts due to travel restrictions. Despite the challenges, the Guerrillas of Destiny were able to win their titles back earlier in February in Atlanta after losing to Juice Robinson and David Finlay at Wrestle Kingdom. Additionally, Jay White managed to clinch his win over SANADA at New Beginning in Osaka and was a favorite in the impending New Japan Cup.
The pandemic has disrupted the usual rhythm of the professional wrestling industry, but it has also led to innovation and creativity. With travel restrictions in place, wrestlers have been forced to stay in one place and explore new ways to connect with their fans. It has been interesting to see how wrestling companies have adapted to the circumstances to continue entertaining their fans around the world.
As we move forward, it will be exciting to see what new innovations the BULLET CLUB and other wrestling companies will come up with. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, professional wrestling continues to captivate fans all around the world.
To learn more about the impact of the pandemic on professional wrestling, check out this article on the NJPW website. Also, be sure to follow the latest happenings in the wrestling world on prowrestlingwars.com.