As a fairly new New Japan Pro Wrestling fan, I got my proper introduction watching the promotion during Wrestle Kingdom 11 in 2017. It seems like that was a big starting off point for a lot of people. I had already had a vague familiarity with acts like AJ Styles, Finn Balor (then known as Prince Devitt), “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson, and Doc Gallows. Unless you’ve been living under a wresting world rock, the Kenny Omega vs. Kazuchika Okada match was one of the most highly regarded matches ever. Even breaking Dave Meltzer‘s star ratings with a six. With that, I began to get invested with every event. From New Years Dash to the much storied G1 tournament – I was hooked.
Within each story is a core. That’s the glue that keeps all the moving parts together. The best stories are able to make the supporting parts feel just as important. New Japan Pro Wrestling story lines tend to have a slower burn to them. WWE, on average, usually go for a month and conclude at their PPV event. The “pay-off” for a New Japan story line could take months, even years to formulate. It could also span multiple promotions – in this case, Ring of Honor and Being The Elite you tube series.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYKH9dZARMs&t=76s
For those who are searching for an immediate sense of gratification, it may not be for you. Morsels, interviews, run-ins build up for years, sometimes. It requires a real investment in the product to lead you in the right place bringing back the “theater” aspect in conjunction with wrestling.
On the June 11th Dominion pay-per-view, one of these pieces were set for what is currently one of the best story lines in wrestling. While the second part of the memorable Omega/Okada trilogy was taken place, Cody threatened to throw the towel on behalf of Kenny Omega. The tearing apart of the Bullet Club and the eventual rebirth of The Golden Lovers would begin.
In May 2016, Cody requested his release from the WWE. From then, it’s been a total reinvention of his character. Since joining the Bullet Club in December 2106, he’s become ROH Champion and more akin to the classic, cocky heel character. As his star rose, so did Omega’s. Becoming known as the “best bout machine,” when you have two dominant personalities, there’s bound to be a collision.
Perhaps it was when original Bullet Club member Tama Tonga outright called Kenny Omega’s leadership during their G1 matchup. Maybe it was that it was viewed that Omega cared more about the Bullet Club offshoot, The Elite. Or when Omega tried to recruit Switchblade Jay White and ended up being rejected. As that was going on, Cody built up his reputation as champion in ROH and well, he’s forever the opportunist.
Cody is Frankenstein’s monster both assaulting Omega from a physical and mental perspective. He’s the devil on the right side of your shoulder. He’s turned Hangman Page against Kenny contributing him to stealing the spotlight when we was going to challenge Jay White for the NJPW US Heavyweight Championship. He’s urged the Young Bucks to go to the heavyweight division (hence, challenge to the Golden Lovers). If you look at it, Cody is the physical undoing of Kenny Omega’s “Cleaner” persona. It’s run it’s course and perhaps, Omega’s leadership doesn’t fit anymore. Cody seized this opportunity at New Beginnings in the accumulations of Omega’s shortcomings.
There is a major undercurrent to this story the whole time. One of the most progressive parts of this overall story line -the reunion of the Golden Lovers. First formed in 2008 in DDT, Omega and Kota Ibushi formed the tag team. As Ibushi progressed into more singles opportunities, the group would go their separate ways in 2012. There have been various teases over the years of a reunion, but none more apparent than when Omega saved Ibushi from an ambush from fellow Bullet Club members at New Years Dash.
Omega gave his first statement about their reunion at New Beginnings. and it felt like two people with a deep affection for each other finding their way back to each other. In some ways, “The Cleaner” persona was in result of the breakup – much like if you changed your look or personality to forget memories about that person. Even as Omega progressed as one of the best wrestlers in wrestling and the leader of the Bullet Club, there was still something missing. That something was Kota Ibushi.
In a profession that pushes the most masculine view of men, the boldness and intelligence of what the Golden Lovers are works. Not only does this story appeal to the conventional wrestling fan, it’s diverse as well such as the gay community. For a profession that doesn’t have the greatest track record when it comes to portraying the LBGT, this is needed to welcome all backgrounds of fans.
Coming up, there are two parts to this civil war. The reformed team of Omega and Ibushi will have to face The Young Bucks at Strong Style Evolved in Long Beach, California on March 25th. The eventual figure heads of the Bullet Club civil war, Omega and Cody, will do battle at Supercard of Honor XII. What will the Bullet Club OGs have to say about this? How is Omega going to fit this reformation with his friendship with The Young Bucks? What about guys like Marty Scurll who are uneasy about all of this? It’s one of the many layers in the best tale that is still unfolding.
I’m not sure where this is big story line is going to go and the Supercard of Honor match will definitely be part one in the fight for the Bullet Club leadership. The Honor Rising tag team battles are only a glimpse of the mind games that Cody are threading like a spider web. The only sure thing that we do know is that once we reach it’s eventual conclusion, it will be worth it.
