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One of New Japan Pro Wrestling’s top business priorities for almost the last decade has been expanding its business into the US. They’ve gone about this a few different ways; they’ve put on house shows in select American cities, signed some American talent, and have partnered with American promotions such as Ring of Honor and now AEW.
One of NJPW’s most ambitious overseas endeavors has been the creation of the LA Dojo. The dojo gives Young Lions a place to study and train to become NJPW wrestlers without having to live in Japan full-time. Some original trainees from the dojo are now starting to venture into the wrestling world as their own independent characters, shedding the title of “Young Lion” and becoming full-fledged NJPW stars. Some fans might have some questions about the NJPW LA Dojo and its members. This list hopes to clear up some of those questions.
10 Creation of the Dojo
The New Japan LA Dojo opened in March 2018. In addition to housing and training its main group of Young Lions, the dojo also held training camps. These camps would be a few days long, and while they wouldn’t function as try-outs for wrestlers, they allowed wrestlers to learn Japanese-style wrestling from some of the very best.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, LA Dojo Young Lions also traveled to Japan to help work NJPW shows; they’d help set up the ring and assist the referees in maintaining order during matches. Sometimes the LA Dojo and the original Dojo trainees butted heads, but all more or less saw each other as colleagues. While the pandemic has put a stop to this, hopefully, they’ll be back to normal soon.
9 The Young Lion System
The Dojo system is one of the biggest separations between NJPW and American wrestling companies. Trainees in NJPW are referred to as Young Lions after the company’s logo. During their time as Young Lions, the trainees live in a dorm together and are expected to perform their household chores, in addition to doing laundry for NJPW wrestlers. When their trainers deem them ready, the Young Lions graduate from the dojo and become NJPW stars.
Several well-known names have come through the NJPW dojo. Juice Robinson, David Finlay, and Jay White, for example, were all in the same Young Lion class, and consequently grew very close as a result. Kazuchika Okada, one of the best pro wrestlers in the world, also came through the Young Lion system.
8 The Young Lions Are Raised In Strong Style
Though the LA Dojo is in California, the Young Lions there are trained in the same style as those in Japan. This means that, primarily, they are trained to be wrestlers rather than sports entertainers; their training isn’t as character-focused as say, the WWE Performance Center.
Young Lions also work the Japanese style of pro wrestling called Strong Style; this form of wrestling focuses on fundamental strikes and Greco-Roman moves like suplexes and throws.
7 The Knightmare, Kevin Knight
Kevin Knight is the newest member of the LA Dojo. He was recruited in 2020 and made his NJPW debut in that year’s Super-J Cup after stepping up to replace the injured Karl Fredericks.
Since then, Knight has been trying to make his mark on NJPW, along with assisting his Young Lion brothers against the various heels who pick on them.
6 The Wild Rhino, Clark Connors
Clark Connors is one of the LA Dojo’s most promising prospects. He originally began training in Canada under Lance Storm, but later found a home in NJPW. He made his New Japan debut in 2018 and spent about 3 years as a Young Lion before graduating. He’s now known as the Wild Rhino and has very handsome safari-themed attire to match.
Though he’s now a graduate of the dojo, he still helps out the other Young Lions in their feuds and likes to represent the LA Dojo wherever he goes.
5 The Android, Alex Coughlin
Alex Coughlin is the powerhouse of the LA Dojo. He was one of the original Young Lions of the dojo, along with Karl Fredericks and Clark Connors. Though he’s had some bad luck with injuries, Coughlin has recently garnered a lot of momentum and is beginning to establish himself as one of the best rising stars in wrestling today.
Recently, Coughlin has started going by “The Android.” This gimmick is a great tribute to Coughlin’s extraordinary strength, arguably his best in-ring asset.
4 The Alpha Wolf, Karl Fredericks
Before coming to the LA Dojo in 2018, Karl Fredericks was an independent wrestler. He was the first Young Lion to graduate from the LA Dojo when he won the 2019 Young Lion Cup.
Since graduating, Karl Fredericks has gone by the moniker Alpha Wolf, a fitting name for someone who so naturally acts as a leader for the rest of the LA Dojo.
3 The Young Lion On Excursion, Yuya Uemura
Oftentimes, New Japan sends its Young Lions on international excursions. Most either went to CMLL in Mexico, ROH in the US, or Rev Pro in the UK. However, the COVID-19 pandemic greatly disrupted these excursions, and they’ve only recently gotten back on track.
Yuya Uemura was sent on an excursion to the United States. He’s now effectively joined the LA Dojo and joins his fellow Young Lions in their feuds. He also makes occasional appearances on independent shows and in AEW.
2 The Dojo’s Trainer, Katsuyori Shibata
The head trainer of the LA Dojo is none other than the embodiment of Strong Style, Katsuyori Shibata. He’s been the head trainer of the dojo ever since it started running in 2018, just a few months after Shibata’s retirement in 2017.
Shibata had to retire after a horrific brain injury that happened during a match against Kazuchika Okada. Though he hasn’t been able to return to the ring full-time since his injury, Shibata remains incredibly valuable to NJPW for his work training the upcoming generation of stars.
1 Their Feud With QT Marshall’s Factory
Lately, AEW fans have seen a lot more of the LA Dojo boys. This stems from their feud with QT Marshall and the Factory. Their feud began when QT Marshall, an eternal hater, began disrespecting the LA Dojo and its coach, Shibata.
He’s been out to prove that his school, the Factory, is the superior dojo while the Young Lions and LA Dojo graduates are combating Marshall’s continuous disrespect. We’ll see how this dispute will evolve, and where it’ll take both sides.