New Japan today announced participants for “NJPW 40TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR ~ BEST OF THE SUPER JR. XIX ~THE DOOR TO THE GLORY~“, Japanese wrestling’s most famous junior tournament. The big news first is the announcement that All Japan masked man BUSHI has moved to New Japan on a one year loan deal as of May 1st, which is a new initiative by New Japan that will help train and improve other wrestlers, similar to when they go overseas. This is much like they do in football/soccer with young players and could well take off in Japan now as a way of diversifying rosters and giving young men more experiences.
PAC of DRAGON GATE UK is another BOSJ debutant, while “Russian Hooligan” Alex Koslov, who recently left his WWE developmental deal and is well known for his work in Mexico, is also in. Young CMLL talent Angel de Oro makes his New Japan debut in the tournament and will hope to make an impression. Last year’s “ROAD TO THE SUPER JR. 2DAYS TOURNAMENT” winner on the NEVER brand, Daisuke Sasaki, has also been invited back for a second time. Here is the full list, blocks will be announced in the near future…
- Prince Devitt (IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion & NWA World Historic Middleweight Champion)
- Ryusuke Taguchi
- Jushin Thunder Liger
- Tiger Mask
- KUSHIDA
- BUSHI (AJPW -> NJPW)
- Low Ki (CHAOS)
- Davey Richards (CHAOS/NRC) (IWGP Jr. Tag Team Champion)
- Rocky Romero (CHAOS/NRC) (IWGP Jr. Tag Team Champion)
- Jado (CHAOS)
- Gedo (CHAOS)
- TAKA Michinoku (K-DOJO/Suzuki Gun)
- Taichi (Suzuki Gun)
- Black Tiger (Suzuki Gun)
- PAC (DRAGON GATE UK)
- Daisuke Sasaki (free)
- Alex Kozlov (free)
- Angel de Oro (CMLL)