4 New Japan Stories YOU NEED TO KNOW Before New Beginning In Sapporo

The Trials Of Kitamura

Kitamura is the one without a neck.

New Japan Pro Wrestling brought back the long-dormant Young Lions Cup last year, a rookie competition that counts Hirooki Goto, Satoshi Kojima, and Keiichi Yamada (before he became Jushin Liger) among its former winners. The intention behind reviving the tournament after twelve years was entirely down to the promotion’s desire to get over the freakish-looking Katsuya Kitamura as quickly as possible.

Although the powerhouse ex-amateur wrestler only debuted little over a year ago, at 32 he is a late starter to the pro ranks. Thus, the company is going all-in on Kitamura right out of the gate, giving him singles matches on consecutive nights in Sapporo against notable opponents Michael Elgin and Juice Robinson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SP7u80HF8aM

The first of those bouts looks particularly tasty; both men possess freakish strength and are very technically proficient. Big lad scraps were increasingly popular throughout 2017 in promotions worldwide, this could be another cracker to add to the ever-expanding list.

Kitamura will undoubtedly lose both matches, because that’s just how New Japan books, but he should increase his worth significantly in defeat on the bigger stage. He is, without question, someone to keep an eye on in 2018.

6 years ago by Wrestle Talk

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