By: Sonal Lad
The New Japan “Young Lion” system is one of the strongest developmental programs in wrestling. Ren Narita is proof of that and, after debuting in 2017, made his mark in the company. Alongside his rivalry with Shota Umino, Narita gained praise for his more traditional and mat-based style of wrestling.
With his size, he was always expected to be a junior heavyweight. In 2019, he also got a huge opportunity to participate in the Best of Super Jr after Flip Gordon was unable to come due to visa issues.
Shota Umino vs Ren Narita#NJPWWorld Watch now▶︎https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP #njcup pic.twitter.com/pHTPYqitbV
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) March 18, 2018
Like the rest of his class, Ren Narita entered the 2019 Young Lion Cup. After ending tied second with Shota Umino, it seemed like the perfect time for Narita to start his excursion. Unlike most Young Lions, Ren Narita surprised fans when he chose the LA Dojo as his excursion with a personal request to Katsuyori Shibata.
Last night in Kobe, Ren Narita appealed to Katsuyori Shibata to be allowed to join the LA Dojo!
WATCH: https://t.co/PyR93IBcMJ#njpw #njdest pic.twitter.com/YdEe2sf1ai
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) September 23, 2019
After going to America, Ren Narita trained under Katsuyori Shibata and made a name on the New Japan Strong show. By being in the US, Narita also made the most of the opportunities to wrestle in wider promotions, including US independent promotions and even All Elite Wrestling.
Ren Narita also strayed away from traditional Young Lion conventions by making a special appearance at Wrestle Kingdom 16.
When his senpai Shibata had a special match at the event with a mystery opponent, Ren was the perfect fit. Narita showed his more focused mat-based skills. Despite losing, he proved that the future of New Japan is in safe hands and the excursion had made Narita ready for the real world of professional wrestling.
4th Match: Katsuyori Shibata vs X (Catch Wrestling Rules)
Watch Now, in ENGLISH:https://t.co/LL39ak1ngM#njpw #njwk16 #njpwworld pic.twitter.com/hKdZ2ZYKpH
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) January 4, 2022
After defeating Juice Robinson in a bloody Las Vegas war in October, it wasn’t surprising that Narita seemed ready to end his excursion. The former Young Lion graduated and rebranded himself as the Son of Strong Style. He made his homecoming at Declaration of Power and immediately went after the Stone Pitbull Tomohiro Ishii.
With less than a month back in New Japan, Ren Narita has already proved just how much he’s improved both in the ring and with his character.
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🍁バトル・オータム '22🍁青森大会‼️
＼石井と成田が激しいどつき合い💥
10/26の直接対決を前に激しい火花を散らす🔥🆚 CHAOS💥 × 新日本本隊🦁
📲 #njpwworld で配信中📡👀視聴&登録⏩https://t.co/Tj7UBJ4PjP#NJPW #njautumn pic.twitter.com/CSU7EgmGTd
— njpwworld (@njpwworld) October 23, 2022
Although it isn’t confirmed whether Ren Narita will remain as Jr or Heavyweight, he has returned with a vengeance. With a definite strong style approach to wrestling, Narita will have to find ways to showcase his unique personality so he isn’t always compared to Katsuyori Shibata.
Date:
October 24, 2022
Category:
The Midcard