8 NJPW Best of Super Junior Participants Who Made The Successful Move to Heavyweight

One of the unique things about New Japan Pro Wrestling is the strict divisions for weight classes. While it’s normal for anyone to be able to wrestle as a heavyweight, the junior division is very different, which is for those 100 kgs or less. Fans assume that wrestlers choose to become heavyweight straight away, but many took the longer route starting in the junior division and then moving up.

In the midst of the annual Best of Super Junior tournament, here’s a look at eight wrestlers who participated in BoSJ before making the successful transition to heavyweight.

8. Hirooki Goto

Looking at the size, stature and power of Hirooki Goto, it seems impossible to ever imagine the wrestler as part of their junior division. After graduating from the dojo in 2005 and winning the NJPW Young Lion Cup, Hirooki Goto not only turned heel but was able to participate in that year’s tournament.

After gaining six points, Goto continued to find some success in the junior division by winning the IWGP Jr Heavyweight Tag Championships with Minoru. Yet, with someone like Goto, it was inevitable that he would make a move to heavyweight, and it came after his excursion to America and Mexico. He returned with more muscle and quickly established a new move set and style.

Since that day, Goto has amassed so much success winning both singles and tag gold in NJPW. In particular, he has had massive success in tournaments, winning the New Japan Cup three times alongside the G1 and World Tag League. For many, Goto still has so much untapped potential. Hopefully, it isn’t long before he wins the top IWGP Championship and confirms his dominance.

7. Ricochet

Ricochet made his debut in NJPW in 2013 after being announced as a participant for the BoSJ tournament. After making an impact with a 5-3 win record, fans instantly took a shine to Ricochet. He became a regular in 2015, appearing in several shows across the year. During this time, he achieved success in the tag division.

Yet, Ricochet will be remembered most for his matches with Will Ospreay. The duo gained attention from fans worldwide for their epic bout during the 2016 tournament. While some criticised it for being a flippy match without storytelling, others were mesmerised by the action inside the ring.

Like Prince Devitt, Ricochet’s move to the heavyweight division didn’t happen until he moved to WWE. After it was announced in January 2018 that Ricochet had signed with NXT, he made his debut fighting men much bigger than NJPW’s Jr division. He gained huge success and, despite issues in booking, made an impact in both NXT and the main roster, being a multiple-time champion.

6. Shingo Takagi

Many New Japan fans doubted that Shingo Takagi belonged in the Junior division as soon as he stepped into a New Japan Ring. Yet, with the absence of Hiromu, he was the perfect addition to Los Ingobernables de Japon. He quickly dominated and went unbeaten from October 2018 until the finals of the 2019 BoSJ tournament.

Inevitably, Shingo moved away from the division. He had always preferred to be labelled as Openweight. The NEVER division was the perfect bridge to heavyweight, as he helped to raise the prestige of the belt. He officially became heavyweight in June 2019 and shined.

The Dragon’s big moment came in 2019 at Dominion when Shingo defeated Kazuchika Okada for the vacant IWGP World Heavyweight championship. He held the title for an impressive 211 days before losing it to Kazuchika Okada. Shingo might be far away from the Heavyweight Championship scene. But even as the KOPW champion, the Dragon is genuinely showcasing his dominance.

5. Prince Devitt

Debuting in New Japan in 2006, Prince Devitt’s role in the Jr division has become legendary. Along with Ryusuke Taguchi and Minoru, Devitt dominated the Jr tag division holding the titles six times. He also won the BoSJ twice and won the Jr singles title a massive three times during his time in the company.

During his time in the Jr division, he also had bigger ambition to hold the IWGP Jr and Heavyweight titles. He even had a shot against Kazuchika Okada and, despite losing, showcased his dominance as the Jr champion. For many, he was the person who may have inspired Hiromu to have the same dream.

Unlike many names on the list, Prince Devitt’s move to heavyweight came when he moved to WWE and rebranded as Finn Balor. After making the move, Finn Balor became a force to be reckoned with, whether it was on NXT or the main roster. He won titles with a style similar to his Jr days and proved not to judge someone by their size.

4. Kota Ibushi

From the minute Kota Ibusi stepped into NJPW as a guest in the Jr division, he quickly became a force to be reckoned with. During his time, Ibushi gained a lot of success in the Jr division. He won the 2011 BoSJ tournament, had a reign as IWGP Jr Tag Champion with Omega, and held the Jr Championship three times as well. His athleticism and disregard for safety were intriguing to fans, and he quickly became a fan favourite.

In 2014, it was announced that not only had Ibushi extended his NJPW contract but was becoming heavyweight. From there, he managed to showcase the same dominance as before. Whether it was his success in tournaments or the missed title opportunities, fans were in awe of his talent. The fact his move set and sense of danger hadn’t changed from his Jr days was even more attractive.

After some time away, Ibushi’s return to NJPW and decision to sign a long contract bought even more success. From reuniting with Kenny Omega and finally winning the G1 and IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Ibushi made sure that he made his mark. For many, Kota Ibushi is the perfect definition of openweight. He can adapt to any opponent, no matter their weight class.

3. Tetsuya Naito

Many NJPW fans are surprised to find out that Tetsuya Naito started his career as a Jr wrestler. In particular, he gained huge success in the Jr tag division with Yujiro Takahashi as part of “No Limit.” With his high-risk and unpredictable style, it was the perfect fit for the division with the “Stardust” persona.

After becoming one of the first people to win both the IWGP Jr and Heavyweight tag titles with Yujiro, the move to the heavyweight division seemed natural. Yet, it wasn’t the most straightforward journey to success. Although he was a babyface, he didn’t have the support of the crowd and was plagued with injuries.

It wasn’t until returning from an excursion and forming Los Ingobernables de Japon that Naito became the Ungovernable One. From here, not only did he gain huge success but massive popularity. It also seemed that the number of titles was never-ending, and he was even the first wrestler to hold the IWGP Intercontinental and Heavyweight Championship.

2. Will Ospreay

When Will Ospreay debuted in NJPW, he quickly made waves by winning his first Best of Super Junior tournament and then gaining the IWGP Jr championship. The Aerial Assassin’s style was high risk, high flying, and high energy. Every time he stepped into the ring, fans never knew what to expect. Hhis moves were astounding, cementing his success as a three-time champion.

It meant that fans were shocked when Ospreay revealed he was moving to the heavyweight division in 2018. The transition was much smoother with him dominating the NEVER division, and then he cemented his status as a true Heavyweight.

Although he retained his speed, Ospreay added weight and adapted his style to his new opponents. The creation of the United Empire and his character change only added to this stronger and more dominant wrestler. It led him to win the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion. He seems to get more dangerous each time he steps into the ring.

1. Kenny Omega

Before signing to NJPW, Kenny Omega was a strong presence in the Jr division. Not only did he compete in the BoSJ tournament, but he won the tag titles with Ibushi while signed to DDT. When he eventually joined the main roster in 2014 as part of Bullet Club, he quickly cemented his dominance. Months after his debut, Kenny beat Taguchi for the Jr title and continued to shine as “The Cleaner.”

After Bullet Club turned on AJ Styles, Kenny became the leader and moved to the heavyweight division. It was here that Kenny came into his own, cementing his status as one of the best. He won a huge number of titles, including the Intercontinental, United States, and eventually the IWGP Heavyweight Championship.

His feud with Kazuchika Okada will definitely go down in history. He put on phenomenal matches that combined incredible offence and storytelling. Even during the Bullet Club Civil War, Kenny continued to impress fans. He even became a favourite again with the Japanese crowds.

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