NJPW’s tag division is the story of the week, with the Knockout Bros punching their ticket to a title rematch and setting up fresh intrigue at Korakuen Hall. Meanwhile, Ryohei Oiwa continues to turn heads with a record-breaking rise that has the locker room talking.
#1. Ryohei Oiwa
Fastest ascent to G1 Climax victory in company history has made him impossible to ignore; even Shota Umino felt compelled to address the noise around Oiwa’s trajectory in a major interview. He’s the hottest young commodity in NJPW right now and the story everyone wants to follow.
#2. OSKAR
Leader of the Knockout Bros and half of the team that just earned a high-profile title rematch by surviving the Hokkaido Brawl. Direct path back to HENARE and Great-O-Khan at Korakuen Hall makes him the center of NJPW’s most active feud this week.
#3. Yuto-Ice
The other half of the Knockout Bros’ impressive upset victory; his partnership with OSKAR is driving NJPW’s tag team storyline heading into October. Key player in the Road to King of Pro-Wrestling momentum.
#4. HENARE
π IWGP Tag Team Championship
Defended his title shot credibility by having his team positioned as the obstacle the Knockout Bros must overcome again. Title holder staying relevant through strong feudal narrative.
#5. Great-O-Khan
π IWGP Tag Team Championship
Co-champion riding the coattails of a well-built rematch setup; part of the team everyone wants to see defend their gold again.
#6. Shota Umino
Drew enough respect to warrant a major interview addressing the Oiwa/Newman phenomenon, positioning himself as a thoughtful veteran counterpoint to the next generation’s breakneck rise.
#7. Callum Newman
Mentioned in the same breath as Ryohei Oiwa for rapid advancement; his success is part of the larger narrative reshaping NJPW’s future but he received less direct coverage this week.
#8. Togi Makabe
Fell short in the crucial Road to Destruction match that would have sent him and Toru Yano to a title shot; still a recognizable name but his window closed this week.
#9. Toru Yano
Same fate as Makabeβlosing the contendership match dimmed his spotlight heading into the Road to King of Pro-Wrestling series.
Keep an eye on whoever emerges as the next challenger after the Knockout Bros/HENARE-O-Khan program concludes; that’s where NJPW’s tag division oxygen will flow next.
