We’re just a month away from ten years of BULLET CLUB in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Started in 2013 by Prince Devitt, the faction has seen many names rises through the tanks in NJPW as part of their ranks.
The likes of AJ Styles, Kenny Omega, Jay White & more have become stars due to their involvement in the group, but it’s not always been a steady faction.
There’s a deep history of in-fighting and wrestlers being kicked out, and the latest leader of the faction David Finlay has decided El Phantasmo no longer fits the group.
El Phantasmo Refused To Accept David Finlay As Leader Of BULLET CLUB
During NJPW Sakura Genesis 2023, we would see a big time six man tag team match on the card – seeing David Finlay, KENTA & El Phantasmo defeat Tama Tonga, Hikule’o & Master Wato. In the build to this match, Phantasmo has made it clear that he doesn’t respect Finlay’s claim to leadership – still viewing Jay White as the leader.
White was sent packing from Japan by Hikule’o and then from NJPW by Eddie Kingston – but this past Wednesday on AEW Dynamite, White proved BULLET CLUB is for life, joining Juice Robinson under Tony Khan.
Finlays claim at leadership was getting the final blow on White, attacking him from behind – and getting the support of White’s manager in Gedo.
Despite this, Finlay would fail to get a key result to put BULLET CLUB in the main event of Sakura Genesis, losing in the finals of the New Japan Cup to SANADA.
During that same tournament, we saw El Phantasmo lean to a babyface role against Testuya Naito – winning fans over with his fighting spirit and athletic ability.
David Finlay Could Become The Most Sadistic Leader In BULLET CLUB History
All throughout the six man tag team match, ELP & Finlay would be at each others throats – with Finlay refusing to let ELP be nice to a young fan, not letting him hit signature spots, and more.
Despite ELP getting the win for his team, Finlay needed to send a clear message to would begin beating down Tama & Hikule’o.
ELP tried to play peacemaker, only for Finlay to punch him out and KENTA to hit a brutal Go To Sleep.
When Finlay would seek to use his family’s shillelagh – Taiji Ishimori seemingly came to the aid of ELP, being former tag team partners, only for Ishimori to side with Finlay and hit a low blow.
Where this leaves ELP moving forward is unclear. Jay White is still waving the flag of BULLET CLUB in AEW, and ELP could seek to join him and Robinson in the United States.
ELP could also seek to challenge Finlay in a match to determine the future of BULLET CLUB – which could be a key match for the 10th Anniversary of BULLET CLUB.
NJPW has created a hot angle, and used the lukewarm reaction to Finlay as the new leader to their advantage. It’s been a slow burn – and Finlay showing this edge potentially sets him up as the most sadistic leader in BULLET CLUB’s history.
What will come next for El Phantasmo in NJPW? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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