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Ren Narita

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Ren Narita
Born (1997-11-29) November 29, 1997 (age 27)
Aomori, Japan[1]
Professional wrestling career
Ring name(s)Ren Narita[2]
Billed height182 cm (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Billed weight83 kg (183 lb)[2]
Billed fromAomori, Japan
Trained byNJPW Dojo[1]
NJPW L.A. Dojo
Katsuyori Shibata
DebutJuly 4, 2017[2]

Ren Narita (成田 蓮 Narita Ren, born November 29, 1997[3]) is a Japanese professional wrestler. He is signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he is currently the NJPW World Television Champion in his first reign, he’s also a member of Bullet Club and its sub-group House of Torture. He is a former NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion with Minoru Suzuki and El Desperado.

Early life

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Narita has played several sports before becoming a wrestler, including baseball, and kendo.[3][1]

Professional wrestling career

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New Japan Pro Wrestling (2017–present)

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Young Lion (2017–2019)

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Narita was trained under New Japan Pro-Wrestling's (NJPW) "young lion" system. Narita made his professional wrestling debut for NJPW's developmental territory Lion's Gate Project, where he wrestled Shota Umino to a ten minute time limit draw at the Lion's Gate Project 7 event on July 4, 2017.[4][5][6] Later that month, Narita had his second match, teaming with Umino where they lost to El Desperado and Zack Sabre Jr. of Suzuki-gun on day eight of the 2017 G1 Climax tournament.[7]

Narita competed in the 11th Young Lion Cup, gaining 1 point after a time limit draw against Tetsuhiro Yagi.[8][9][10][11][12][13][14] During the following year, Narita wrestled several tag team matches with NJPW veterans.[15][16][17][18][19] In May 2019, after Flip Gordon pulled out of the Best of the Super Juniors 26 tournament, Narita was announced as a last minute replacement.[20] He ended the tournament with a final standing of 0 points. Throughout the Destruction tour in September, Narita took part in the 12th Young Lion Cup. He finished with a record of 5-2. Afterwards, it was announced that he was heading to America for his excursion and joining The LA Dojo.

Excursion to United States (2019–2022)

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Narita wrestled his first match in the United States at Fighting Spirit Unleashed Boston, losing to Lance Archer.[21] Narita earnt his first win in the states, defeating fellow LA Dojo teammate Alex Coughlin, in November at NJPW Showdown in San Jose.[22] In March 2020, New Japan suspended all of its activities, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, causing American-based talent to not be able to travel to compete. Therefore, Narita appeared primarily on New Japan's new American-based show NJPW Strong. In March 2021, Narita competed in the New Japan Cup USA tournament, defeating Misterioso in the qualifying round.[23] In the first round, Narita lost to eventual winner, Tom Lawlor.[24] In July, Narita teamed with Yuji Nagata to compete in the Tag Team Turbulence tournament, where they defeated Fred Yehi and Wheeler Yuta, in the first round.[25] In the second round, the duo lost to eventual winners, the Good Brothers. In September, at Autumn Attack, Narita challenged Tom Lawlor for the Strong Openweight Championship, in a losing effort.[26] In November at Battle in the Valley, Narita lost to Will Ospreay.[27] After La Dojo head-coach Katsuyori Shibata returned from injury on the finals of the G1 Climax 31, he announced he would compete in a match at Wrestle Kingdom 16 against a mystery opponent.[28][29] At said event on January 4, 2022, Shibata's opponent was revealed to be Narita, who Shibata defeated.[30] Narita returned to compete on NJPW Strong until September, defeating Juice Robinson in his final match.[31]

"Son of Strong Style" (2022–2023)

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Narita returned from his excursion, in October at Declaration of Power, teaming with Robbie Eagles and David Finlay, to defeat Suzuki-gun.[32][33] Later in the month, Narita competed in a 16-man tournament, to crown the inaugural NJPW World Television Champion, in the first round Narita achieved a shock victory over Tomohiro Ishii.[34] He then went on to defeat established heavyweight wrestlers, such as Toru Yano and Sanada, thus advancing to the finals at Wrestle Kingdom 17, where he would face Zack Sabre Jr.[35][36][37] At Wrestle Kingdom, Narita was defeated in the tournament final by Sabre Jr.[38]

The night after Wrestle Kingdom, at New Year Dash!! Narita teamed with, Tomoaki Honma and Tiger Mask losing to House of Torture (Evil, Yujiro Takahashi and Dick Togo). After a post-match beat down by House of Torture, Narita was saved by Minoru Suzuki and El Desperado, which set up a six-man tag-team match between the two teams for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships, which were held by House of Torture.[39] On February 11, Narita, Desperado and Suzuki defeated House of Torture (Evil, Takahashi and Sho) to win the Never Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships, marking Narita's first NJPW Championship.[40] The following month, Narita made his debut in the New Japan Cup tournament, but was eliminated in the first round by Evil.[41] On April 3rd, the trio, now named Strong Style defeated House of Torture in a rematch to retain their titles.[42] A month later on May 3, Strong Style lost the titles to Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tomohiro Ishii, ending the trio's reign at 81 days.[43] In July, Narita made his debut in the annual G1 Climax tournament, where he would participate in the A Block.[44] Narita finished his tournament with 6 points, failing to advance to the quarterfinal round.[45]

House of Torture (2023–present)

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See also: House of Torture

On December 6, Narita attacked his partner in the World Tag League Shota Umino and joined House of Torture, turning heel for the first time in his career.

On January 4, 2024 at Wrestle Kingdom 18, Narita teamed with fellow House of Torture member Evil, to defeat Umino and Kaito Kiyomiya. Narita would participate in the 2024 New Japan Cup, where he would defeat Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr., only to be eliminated by Yota Tsuji in the quarter-final. At Windy City Riot, Narita defeated Minoru Suzuki and appeared later in the show, attacking newly crowned IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Jon Moxley, only to be chased off by Umino. On night 2 of Wrestling Dontaku, Narita unsuccessfully challenged Moxley for the championship. At King Of Pro-Wrestling, Narita defeated Jeff Cobb and Yota Tsuji in a three way match to win the NJPW World Television Champion.

All Elite Wrestling (2021)

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Narita appeared on the May 12, 2021 edition of AEW Dynamite, where he accompanied Yuji Nagata for his IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship match vs champion Jon Moxley.[46] On the May 24, 2021 episode of AEW Dark: Elevation, as part of the partnership between New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Narita made his in-ring debut for the promotion defeating Royce Isaacs.[47]

Championships and accomplishments

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ren Narita". Cagematch. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "Ren Narita". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "成田 蓮 Ren Narita". NJPW.co.jp (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  4. ^ "NJPW Lion's Gate Project7". Cagematch. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  5. ^ "LION'S GATE PROJECT7" (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  6. ^ Rose, Byran (July 4, 2017). "NJPW LION'S GATE PROJECT RESULTS: THE SEVENTH INSTALLMENT". f4wonline. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  7. ^ "NJPW G1 Climax 2017 - Tag 8". Cagematc. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  8. ^ "Kotetsu Yamamoto Memorial 11th Young Lion Cup". Cagematch. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  9. ^ "JRA presents Road to TOKYO DOME". NJPW.co.jp (in Japanese). New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  10. ^ "Lion's Gate Project9 – 東京・新宿Ｆａｃｅ".
  11. ^ "Road to TOKYO DOME – 東京・後楽園ホール 12/18（月）".
  12. ^ "NJPW Lion's Gate Project10". Cagematch. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  13. ^ "Lion's Gate Project8 – 東京・新宿Ｆａｃｅ".
  14. ^ "Lion's Gate Project10 – 東京・新宿Ｆａｃｅ".
  15. ^ "NJPW World Tag League 2017 - Tag 18". Cagematch. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  16. ^ "NJPW Big Pro-Wrestling Festival 2018". Cagematch. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  17. ^ "NJPW New Year Dash !! 2018". Cagematch. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  18. ^ "NJPW Road To The New Beginning 2018 - Tag 2". Cagematch. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  19. ^ "NJPW Lion's Gate Project13". Cagematch. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  20. ^ "Replacements named for El Desperado and Flip Gordon in BOSJ 26". New Japan Pro-Wrestling. May 10, 2019. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  21. ^ "NJPW Fighting Spirit Unleashed results: East Coast tour begins". Won/F4W - Wwe News, Pro Wrestling News, Wwe Results, Aew News, Aew Results. 28 September 2019.
  22. ^ "2019.11.09 New Japan Showdown in San Jose | New Japan Pro-Wrestling".
  23. ^ "Road to STRONG STYLE EVOLVED – 2021/3/20".
  24. ^ "NJPW Strong Results (4/9): New Japan Cup USA First Round Action | Fightful News".
  25. ^ "NJPW Strong results: Tag Team Turbulence kicks off". Won/F4W - Wwe News, Pro Wrestling News, Wwe Results, Aew News, Aew Results. 17 July 2021.
  26. ^ "2021.10.09 Autumn Attack | New Japan Pro-Wrestling".
  27. ^ "2021.11.13 Battle in the Valley | New Japan Pro-Wrestling".
  28. ^ "NJPW's Katsuyori Shibata announces Wrestle Kingdom 16 in-ring return". Won/F4W - Wwe News, Pro Wrestling News, Wwe Results, Aew News, Aew Results. 15 December 2021.
  29. ^ "Rules set for Katsuyori Shibata's Wrestle Kingdom Bout 【WK16】 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING".
  30. ^ "NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 16 Night 1 Results". 4 January 2022.
  31. ^ "NJPW STRONG Results: Autumn Action 2022 Night 1 – Las Vegas, NV (10/8)". 9 October 2022.
  32. ^ "2022.10.10 超実力派宣言 〜Declaration of Power〜 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING".
  33. ^ "Ren Narita's Return from Excursion Announced by NJPW". 4 October 2022.
  34. ^ "Ren Narita & Toru Yano advance in TV Title tournament, Great Muta appears". 26 October 2022.
  35. ^ "10/30 NJPW "Battle Autumn" results: Vetter's review of Kenta vs. Sanada and Ren Narita vs. Toru Yano in NJPW TV Title tournament matches, Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi, Bushi, and Titan vs. TJP, Aaron Henare, Francesco Akira, and Gideon Grey". 30 October 2022.
  36. ^ "NJPW Battle Autumn in Osaka live results: Ospreay vs. Naito US title match". Won/F4W - Wwe News, Pro Wrestling News, Wwe Results, Aew News, Aew Results. 5 November 2022.
  37. ^ "NJPW World TV Tournament Final Set for Wrestle Kingdom 17". 5 November 2022.
  38. ^ "NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 live results: White vs. Okada, Omega vs. Ospreay". Won/F4W - Wwe News, Pro Wrestling News, Wwe Results, Aew News, Aew Results. 4 January 2023.
  39. ^ "NJPW New Year Dash Results 1/5/2023". 6 January 2023.
  40. ^ "NJPW the New Beginning in Osaka live results: Okada vs. Shingo - WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results". Won/F4W - Wwe News, Pro Wrestling News, Wwe Results, Aew News, Aew Results.
  41. ^ "2023.03.08 New Japan Cup 2023 | New Japan Pro-Wrestling".
  42. ^ "2023.04.03 Road to SAKURA GENESIS 2023 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING".
  43. ^ "NJPW Wrestling Dontaku 2023 (May 3) Results & Review". 4 May 2023.
  44. ^ "NJPW G1 Climax 33 Participants, Blocks & Full Schedule".
  45. ^ "New Japan's G1 Climax 33 quarterfinals are set". 9 August 2023.
  46. ^ "AEW Dynamite live results: Jon Moxley vs. Yuji Nagata". Won/F4W - Wwe News, Pro Wrestling News, Wwe Results, Aew News, Aew Results. 12 May 2021.
  47. ^ Defelice, Robert (May 24, 2021). "AEW Dark: Elevation Stream And Results (5/24): Matt Hardy, Scorpio Sky, Ethan Page, And More". Fightful. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  48. ^ "New champions crowned at NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka". Wrestling Observer. 11 February 2023.
  49. ^ Ross, Patrick (September 10, 2024). "Full 2024 PWI 500 list revealed". aiptcomics.com. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
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