The contract of former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jay White is reportedly coming to an end. Following his defeat in the main event of the first major New Japan Pro Wrestling PPV of the year, Wrestle Kingdom 17, the leader of BULLET CLUB would place himself in a “Loser Leaves Japan” match, and sources within the company indicate that he intends to make his way to America very soon. This would leave BULLET CLUB without a leader – but two names are ready to step up and take the helm.
El Phantasmo Has Stepped Up Huge In Past Year As Potential Leader Of BULLET CLUB
If you told fans of NJPW a year ago that one of the fastest rising stars in the company in 2022 would be El Phantasmo, you’d get a mixed reaction. The cocky and athletic junior heavyweight was always a clearly skilled wrestler, being a two time winner of the Super J-Cup, but when he joined the field of the G1 Climax for the first time ever – people saw him hit the next level.
His impressive matches against names like Will Ospreay & especially his series of matches with Shingo Takagi both in the G1 Climax and for the KOPW 2022 Championship proved that he has all the skills to be a top name in the company. His rise has almost mirrored that of Kenny Omega, just with the Super J Cup victories replacing a reign with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
Phantasmo has the skills, charisma and respect of his factionmates to be the one to take leadership from Jay White, in the case that White actually leaves Japan behind. However, there is one man who might disagree with this choice – and have the connections to prevent this outcome.
Giving EVIL A Second Chance At Leadership
In the summer of 2020, we would see the main event run of EVIL finally arrive in NJPW. Long known as the brawler of Los Ingobernables De Japon, EVIL would turn on his friends to join BULLET CLUB – taking the IWGP Heavyweight & Intercontinental Championships away from Tetsuya Naito. What followed was a time with him as the acting leader of the faction, with Jay White in the United States at the time.
This run is not looked back on fondly by fans, and mostly led to EVIL starting his own BULLET CLUB sub-group, House of Torture – with commentary often calling them “the worst elements of BULLET CLUB”. However, with Dick Togo by his side – and the lengthy relationship of Togo & Gedo, EVIL is in a spot where faction politics could see him named leader in a White exit – or House of Torture splits off on their own.
The character of EVIL was not the problem with his main event run, it was poor booking with an over reliance of extra names running in on his major matches. He’s got the charisma and skills to pull it off, but might be an unwise choice to take the helm of the faction.
Who would you want to see lead BULLET CLUB into their ten year anniversary? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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