Hubbry Logo
Lion's Gate ProjectLion's Gate ProjectMain
Open search
Lion's Gate Project
Community hub
Lion's Gate Project
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Lion's Gate Project
Lion's Gate Project
from Wikipedia
Logo of the first Lion's Gate Project show

Lion's Gate is the developmental branch of professional wrestling promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), which holds events under the banner of Lion's Gate Project.[1] The branch was officially announced on July 18, 2015, and held its first show on February 25, 2016. In addition to NJPW wrestlers, the Lion's Gate Project shows also feature wrestlers from other promotions, resulting in unique cards.[2]

The events are held at Tokyo's Shinjuku Face. The first three shows featured heavy participation from wrestlers from the Pro Wrestling Noah promotion. Wrestlers from promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW), Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) and Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo) have also taken part in the project. NJPW rookies Takumi Honjo, Shota Umino, Tetsuhiro Yagi and Ren Narita have made their official debuts at Lion's Gate Project shows, while Katsuya Kitamura and Tomoyuki Oka wrestled their unofficial debuts as part of the project.

History

[edit]

On July 18, 2015, NJPW held a press conference on various items relating to the future of the promotion. One of these was the establishment of a developmental branch, where NJPW could discover and develop both Japanese and foreign wrestlers. It was also intended as a place where trials could be held for outside wrestlers and where injured wrestlers could go to get back in shape. The plan was for the branch to eventually start running its own small shows.[3][4] The project quickly drew comparisons to WWE's NXT developmental branch.[5][6] NJPW had earlier attempted a developmental branch with a project named NEVER, which held shows between 2010 and 2012.[7]

Recently, NJPW had been described as "lax in cultivation of new talent", however, on January 3, 2016, the promotion introduced four new wrestlers with Hirai Kawato and Teruaki Kanemitsu wrestling their debut matches, while Katsuya Kitamura and Tomoyuki Oka were announced as the two newest recruits to the NJPW dojo. Dave Meltzer called the recruitment of the two former top amateur wrestlers "[p]robably the biggest move in a couple of years when it comes to new talent".[6] The same day, NJPW announced that their developmental branch Lion's Gate would be holding its first show on February 25, 2016, in Tokyo's Shinjuku Face.[2][8]

Events

[edit]

Lion's Gate Project 1

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 1
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandLion's Gate
DateFebruary 25, 2016[9]
CityTokyo, Japan[9]
VenueShinjuku Face[9]
Attendance467[9]
Event chronology
← Previous
Honor Rising: Japan
Next →
New Japan Cup
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Next →
Lion's Gate Project 2
New Japan Pro-Wrestling events chronology
← Previous
Honor Rising: Japan 2016
Next →
Invasion Attack 2016

The first Lion's Gate Project event was held on February 25, 2016, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face.[9][10] The event featured ten matches, including one dark match, an "exhibition match" featuring the unofficial debuts of Katsuya Kitamura and Tomoyuki Oka, working under amateur wrestling rules.[9][11] The other nine matches featured NJPW wrestlers taking on Pro Wrestling Noah wrestlers. The second match saw the debut of Animal Hamaguchi trainee Takumi Honjo, who was defeated by Noah's Maybach Taniguchi.[9] The show was main evented by NJPW veteran Yuji Nagata defeating Noah's Mitsuhiro Kitamiya.[12]

No.Results[9][10]StipulationsTimes
1DKatsuya Kitamura vs. Tomoyuki Oka ended in a time limit drawSingles match03:00
2Maybach Taniguchi defeated Takumi HonjoSingles match04:24
3Hitoshi Kumano defeated Hirai KawatoSingles match04:32
4Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Kaito KiyomiyaSingles match06:20
5Taiji Ishimori defeated David FinlaySingles match08:08
6Yoshinari Ogawa defeated Jay WhiteSingles match08:50
7Manabu Nakanishi defeated Quiet StormSingles match07:47
8Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima) defeated Captain Noah and Genba HirayanagiTag team match11:08
9Katsuhiko Nakajima defeated Juice RobinsonSingles match12:20
10Yuji Nagata defeated Mitsuhiro KitamiyaSingles match14:28
D – this was a dark match

Lion's Gate Project 2

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 2
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandLion's Gate
DateMay 19, 2016[13]
CityTokyo, Japan[13]
VenueShinjuku Face[13]
Attendance467[13]
Event chronology
← Previous
Global Wars
Next →
Best of the Super Jr. XXIII
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Lion's Gate Project 1
Next →
Lion's Gate Project 3
New Japan Pro-Wrestling events chronology
← Previous
Global Wars
Next →
Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall

The second Lion's Gate Project event was held on May 19, 2016, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face.[13][14][15] Much like the first Lion's Gate Project show, the event featured several wrestlers from Pro Wrestling Noah as well as Ayato Yoshida from Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo).[15] All in all, the event featured eight matches.[13]

No.Results[13][14][15]StipulationsTimes
1Kaito Kiyomiya defeated Hirai KawatoSingles match05:51
2Shiro Tomoyose vs. Teruaki Kanemitsu ended in a time limit drawSingles match10:00
3Hitoshi Kumano defeated Ayato YoshidaSingles match06:10
4Yoshinari Ogawa defeated David FinlaySingles match08:30
5Muhammad Yone and Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Captain Noah and Genba HirayanagiTag team match13:26
6Naomichi Marufuji defeated Jay WhiteSingles match12:41
7Go Shiozaki defeated Juice RobinsonSingles match14:53
8Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Manabu Nakanishi, Satoshi Kojima and Yuji Nagata defeated Katsuhiko Nakajima, Masa Kitamiya, Maybach Taniguchi and Quiet StormEight-man tag team match12:55

Lion's Gate Project 3

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 3
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandLion's Gate
DateSeptember 1, 2016[16]
CityTokyo, Japan[16]
VenueShinjuku Face[16]
Attendance467[16]
Event chronology
← Previous
Super J-Cup
Next →
Destruction in Tokyo
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Lion's Gate Project 2
Next →
Lion's Gate Project 4
New Japan Pro-Wrestling events chronology
← Previous
Dominion 6.19 in Osaka-jo Hall
Next →
Destruction (2016)

The third Lion's Gate Project event was held on September 1, 2016, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face.[16][17] The event featured nine matches, including one dark match, and again featured heavy participation from Pro Wrestling Noah. One of the matches saw the NJPW debut of the promotion's newest international trainee, Henare, who was defeated by Noah's Quiet Storm.[16] In addition to the NJPW and Noah wrestlers, the event featured Ayato Yoshida and Go Asakawa from Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo).[16] The dark match featured another exhibition match between NJPW trainees Katsuya Kitamura and Tomoyuki Oka, this time worked under professional wrestling rules.[18]

No.Results[16][17]StipulationsTimes
1DKatsuya Kitamura vs. Tomoyuki Oka ended in a time limit drawSingles match05:00
2Quiet Storm defeated HenareSingles match06:02
3Hajime Ohara defeated Hirai KawatoSingles match08:08
4Kenoh defeated Teruaki KanemitsuSingles match06:38
5Tomoaki Honma defeated Shiro TomoyoseSingles match07:13
6David Finlay defeated Go AsakawaSingles match06:30
7Juice Robinson defeated Ayato YoshidaSingles match07:42
8Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Hitoshi KumanoSingles match08:41
9Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Katsuyori Shibata, Manabu Nakanishi, Satoshi Kojima and Yuji Nagata defeated Go Shiozaki, Kaito Kiyomiya, Katsuhiko Nakajima, Masa Kitamiya and Maybach TaniguchiTen-man tag team match17:46
D – this was a dark match

Lion's Gate Project 4

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 4
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
DateApril 13, 2017[19]
CityTokyo, Japan[19]
VenueShinjuku Face[19]
Attendance467[19]
Event chronology
← Previous
Sakura Genesis
Next →
Road to Wrestling Dontaku;
Wrestling Dontaku 2017
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Lion's Gate Project 3
Next →
Lion's Gate Project 5

The fourth Lion's Gate Project event was held on April 13, 2017, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face.[19][20] The event featured six matches, including the debut match of Shota Umino, son of NJPW referee Red Shoes Unno. Unno refereed the match, where his son was defeated by Taka Michinoku.[19][21] Following the dissolution of the partnership between NJPW and Pro Wrestling Noah at the end of 2016,[22] this was the first Lion's Gate Project show not to feature any wrestlers from Noah, instead Ayato Yoshida and Dinosaur Takuma from Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo), Koji Iwamoto and Yuma Aoyagi from All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and Toru Sugiura from Pro Wrestling Freedoms took part in the event as outsiders.[19]

No.Results[19][20]StipulationsTimes
1Taka Michinoku defeated Shota UminoSingles match06:11
2El Desperado defeated Hirai KawatoSingles match09:21
3Gedo and Jado defeated Koji Iwamoto and Yuma AoyagiTag team match13:30
4Yoshi-Hashi defeated Toru SugiuraSingles match09:44
5Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima) defeated Ayato Yoshida and Dinosaur TakumaTag team match11:26
6Tomoyuki Oka and Yuji Nagata defeated Katsuya Kitamura and Manabu NakanishiTag team match14:18

Lion's Gate Project 5

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 5
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandLion's Gate
DateMay 9, 2017[23]
CityTokyo, Japan[23]
VenueShinjuku Face[23]
Attendance444[23]
Event chronology
← Previous
Wrestling Dontaku 2017;
New Japan Road
Next →
Best of the Super Jr. 24;
War of the Worlds: Night 2
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Lion's Gate Project 4
Next →
Lion's Gate Project 6

The fifth Lion's Gate Project event was held on May 9, 2017, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face.[23][24] The event featured six matches, including the debut of Tetsuhiro Yagi in the opening match. Outsiders taking part in the event included Ayato Yoshida and Dinosaur Takuma from Kaientai Dojo, Daisuke Kanehira from Pro Wrestling Heat Up and Toru Sugiura from Pro Wrestling Freedoms.[23] In the main event of the show, the veteran duo of Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata were victorious over the rookie team of Katsuya Kitamura and Tomoyuki Oka in what marked Nagata's fifth straight main event win as part of Lion's Gate Project.[25]

No.Results[23][24]StipulationsTimes
1Hirai Kawato defeated Tetsuhiro YagiSingles match05:07
2El Desperado defeated Shota UminoSingles match09:12
3Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Tiger Mask defeated Dinosaur Takuma and Toru SugiuraTag team match12:40
4Yoshi-Hashi defeated Daisuke KanehiraSingles match12:23
5Satoshi Kojima defeated Ayato YoshidaSingles match10:35
6Manabu Nakanishi and Yuji Nagata defeated Katsuya Kitamura and Tomoyuki OkaTag team match13:38

Lion's Gate Project 6

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 6
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandLion's Gate
DateJune 15, 2017[26]
CityTokyo, Japan[26]
VenueShinjuku Face[26]
Attendance467[26]
Event chronology
← Previous
Dominion 6.11 in Osaka-jo Hall
Next →
Kizuna Road
G1 Special in USA
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Lion's Gate Project 5
Next →
Lion's Gate Project 7

The sixth Lion's Gate Project event was held on June 15, 2017, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face.[26][27] The event featured six matches and outside participation from Ayato Yoshida and Dinosaur Takuma from Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo), Takuya Nomura from Big Japan Pro Wrestling (BJW) and Yuma Aoyagi from All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW).[27]

No.Results[26][27]StipulationsTimes
1El Desperado defeated Tetsuhiro YagiSingles match07:46
2Gedo and Jado defeated Hirai Kawato and Shota UminoTag team match10:45
3Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Tiger Mask defeated Dinosaur Takuma and Takuya NomuraTag team match11:15
4Manabu Nakanishi defeated Katsuya KitamuraSingles match06:54
5Yoshi-Hashi defeated Yuma AoyagiSingles match11:33
6Ayato Yoshida and Satoshi Kojima defeated Tomoyuki Oka and Yuji NagataTag team match17:32

Lion's Gate Project 7

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 7
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandLion's Gate
DateJuly 4, 2017[28]
CityTokyo, Japan[28]
VenueShinjuku Face[28]
Attendance444[28]
Event chronology
← Previous
G1 Special in USA
Next →
G1 Climax 27;
War of the Worlds UK
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Lion's Gate Project 6
Next →
Lion's Gate Project 8

The seventh Lion's Gate Project event was held on July 4, 2017, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face.[28][29] The event featured seven matches, including the debut of Ren Narita in the opening match.[29] Outsiders taking part in the event included Dinosaur Takuma and Go Asakawa from Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo), Koji Iwamoto from All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) and freelancer Dick Togo, who made his first NJPW appearance since 2011.[28] Following the main event of the show, Yuji Nagata, seeing the recent influx of new talent into NJPW, proposed bringing back the Young Lion Cup for the first time in 12 years.[30][31]

No.Results[28][29]StipulationsTimes
1Ren Narita vs. Shota Umino ended in a time limit drawSingles match10:00
2Taka Michinoku defeated Tetsuhiro YagiSingles match10:45
3Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Dinosaur Takuma defeated Katsuya Kitamura and Manabu NakanishiTag team match09:25
4Dick Togo defeated Hirai KawatoSingles match09:27
5Hiroyoshi Tenzan defeated Tomoyuki OkaSingles match07:27
6Yoshi-Hashi defeated Koji IwamotoSingles match12:46
7Yuji Nagata defeated Go AsakawaSingles match12:21

Lion's Gate Project 8

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 8
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandLion's Gate
DateOctober 12, 2017[32]
CityTokyo, Japan[32]
VenueShinjuku Face[32]
Attendance462[32]
Event chronology
← Previous
King of Pro-Wrestling
Next →
Global Wars
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Lion's Gate Project 7
Next →
Lion's Gate Project 9

The eighth Lion's Gate Project event was held on October 12, 2017, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face.[32] The event featured six matches, including the first three matches of the 2017 Young Lion Cup. NJPW announced on September 26 that it was bringing back the tournament for the first time in 12 years and dedicating it to the memory of Kotetsu Yamamoto, the former head of the NJPW dojo. The round-robin tournament would feature six NJPW rookies who debuted in 2016 and 2017.[33][34] Non-tournament matches featured outside participation from Daisuke Kanehira from Pro Wrestling Heat Up, Go Asakawa and Kotaro Yoshino from Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo) and Yuma Aoyagi from All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW).[32]

No.Results[32]StipulationsTimes
1Hirai Kawato defeated Ren NaritaSingles match in the 2017 Young Lion Cup07:14
2Katsuya Kitamura defeated Tetsuhiro YagiSingles match in the 2017 Young Lion Cup08:32
3Tomoyuki Oka defeated Shota UminoSingles match in the 2017 Young Lion Cup10:50
4Manabu Nakanishi defeated Kotaro YoshinoSingles match07:32
5Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Satoshi Kojima) defeated Go Asakawa and Yuma AoyagiTag team match12:33
6Yuji Nagata defeated Daisuke KanehiraSingles match12:12

Lion's Gate Project 9

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 9
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandLion's Gate
DateNovember 16, 2017[35]
CityTokyo, Japan[35]
VenueShinjuku Face[35]
Attendance467[35]
Event chronology
← Previous
Power Struggle;
Global Wars UK 2017 Night 2
Next →
World Tag League;
Lion's Gate Project 10
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Lion's Gate Project 8
Next →
Lion's Gate Project 10

The ninth Lion's Gate Project event was held on November 16, 2017, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face.[35] The event featured six matches, including the continuation of the 2017 Young Lion Cup. Non-tournament matches featured outside participation from Daisuke Kanehira from Pro Wrestling Heat Up, Go Asakawa and the tag team Dino Stones (Dinosaur Takuma and Kotaro Yoshino) from Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo) and Yuma Aoyagi from All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW).[35]

No.Results[35]StipulationsTimes
1Tomoyuki Oka defeated Ren NaritaSingles match in the 2017 Young Lion Cup13:22
2Katsuya Kitamura defeated Shota UminoSingles match in the 2017 Young Lion Cup10:04
3Hirai Kawato defeated Tetsuhiro YagiSingles match in the 2017 Young Lion Cup06:43
4Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Manabu Nakanishi defeated Dino Stones (Dinosaur Takuma and Kotaro Yoshino)Tag team match11:55
5Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Go AsakawaSingles match10:31
6Satoshi Kojima and Yuji Nagata defeated Daisuke Kanehira and Yuma AoyagiTag team match15:14

Lion's Gate Project 10

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 10
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandLion's Gate
DateDecember 21, 2017[36]
CityTokyo, Japan[36]
VenueShinjuku Face[36]
Attendance467[36]
Event chronology
← Previous
Road to Tokyo Dome
Next →
Dai Puroresu Matsuri;
Wrestle Kingdom 12
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Lion's Gate Project 9
Next →
Lion's Gate Project 11

The tenth Lion's Gate Project event was held on December 21, 2017, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face. The event featured six matches, including the conclusion of the 2017 Young Lion Cup with its three final matches. Katsuya Kitamura won the tournament with a clean record of five wins and zero losses.[37][38] Non-tournament matches featured outside participation from Daisuke Kanehira from Pro Wrestling Heat Up, Dinosaur Takuma and Kotaro Yoshino from Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo) and Yuma Aoyagi from All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW).[36]

No.Results[36]StipulationsTimes
1Ren Narita vs. Tetsuhiro Yagi ended in a drawSingles match in the 2017 Young Lion Cup15:00
2Hirai Kawato defeated Shota UminoSingles match in the 2017 Young Lion Cup08:27
3Katsuya Kitamura defeated Tomoyuki OkaSingles match in the 2017 Young Lion Cup11:20
4Kotaro Yoshino and Manabu Nakanishi defeated Dinosaur Takuma and Hiroyoshi TenzanTag team match12:42
5Satoshi Kojima defeated Daisuke KanehiraSingles match11:01
6Yuji Nagata defeated Yuma AoyagiSingles match12:10

Lion's Gate Project 11

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 11
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandLion's Gate
DateApril 10, 2018[39]
CityTokyo, Japan[39]
VenueShinjuku Face[39]
Attendance467[39]
Event chronology
← Previous
Sakura Genesis
Next →
Wrestling Hinokuni;
Road to Wrestling Dontaku
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Lion's Gate Project 10
Next →
Lion's Gate Project 12

The eleventh Lion's Gate Project event was held on April 10, 2018, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face. The event featured five matches. Two new rookies wrestled their debut match: Yuya Uemura and Yota Tsuji. Some matches featured outside participation: Manjimaru and Ken45°, from Michinoku Pro Wrestling, made their New Japan Pro-Wrestling debut and Ayato Yoshida and Go Asakawa made their return, from Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo).[39]

No.Results[39]StipulationsTimes
1Ren Narita defeated Yuya UemuraSingles match08:16
2Tomoyuki Oka defeated Yota TsujiSingles match07:17
3Hiro Saito and Gedo defeated Tiger Mask and Tetsuhiro YagiTag team match14:59
4Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Manabu Nakanishi defeated Manjimaru and Ken45°Tag team match13:35
5Ayato Yoshida and Go Asakawa defeated Yuji Nagata and Shota UminoTag team match12:03

Lion's Gate Project 12

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 12
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandLion's Gate
DateMay 15, 2018[40]
CityTokyo, Japan[40]
VenueShinjuku Face[40]
Attendance419[40]
Event chronology
← Previous
New Japan Road;
War of the Worlds
Next →
Best of the Super Jr. 25;
Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Lion's Gate Project 11
Next →
Lion's Gate Project 13

The twelfth Lion's Gate Project event was held on May 15, 2018, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face. Some matches featured outside participation: Daisuke Sekimoto from Big Japan Pro Wrestling and Ayato Yoshida from Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo).[40] The main event was a previously postponed one-on-one match between Yoshida and Yuji Nagata.

No.Results[40]StipulationsTimes
1Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura ended in a drawSingles match10:00
2Manabu Nakanishi defeated Tomoyuki OkaSingles match09:04
3Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Hiro Saito defeated Ren Narita and Ryusuke TaguchiTag team match12:13
4Daisuke Sekimoto defeated Shota UminoSingles match14:38
5Yuji Nagata defeated Ayato YoshidaSingles match12:47

Lion's Gate Project 13

[edit]
Lion's Gate Project 13
PromotionNew Japan Pro-Wrestling
BrandLion's Gate
DateJune 13, 2018[41]
CityTokyo, Japan[41]
VenueShinjuku Face[41]
Attendance364
Event chronology
← Previous
Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall
Next →
Kizuna Road;
CEO×NJPW: When Worlds Collide
Lion's Gate Project chronology
← Previous
Lion's Gate Project 12
Next →

The thirteenth Lion's Gate Project event was held on June 13, 2018, in Tokyo at Shinjuku Face. Some matches featured outside participation: Shunsuke Sayama, from Asuka Project, who made his New Japan Pro-Wrestling debut, and Dinosaur Takuma and Ayato Yoshida from Kaientai Dojo (K-Dojo).[41]

No.Results[41]StipulationsTimes
1Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura ended in a time limit drawSingles match10:00
2Ren Narita defeated Shunsuke SayamaSingles match08:02
3Manabu Nakanishi and Toa Henare defeated Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Dinosaur TakumaTag team match10:33
4Yuji Nagata defeated Tomoyuki OkaSingles match12:38
5Ayato Yoshida defeated Shota UminoSingles match16:47

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Lion's Gate Project was a developmental event series produced by (NJPW), designed to showcase and cultivate its roster of young trainee wrestlers, known as "young lions," through competitive matches against each other and talent from partner promotions. Launched as a sub-promotion initiative, it debuted on February 25, 2016, at Shinjuku Face in , , with regular events that emphasized skill-building and exposure for emerging performers, often featuring a mix of singles, , and multi-man bouts. The series initially collaborated with to incorporate additional young talent but expanded to include wrestlers from organizations such as Big Japan Pro-Wrestling, , and Kaientai Dojo, providing diverse learning opportunities in a controlled environment. Running for a total of 13 events until its conclusion on June 13, 2018—all streamed exclusively on the NJPW World subscription service—the project served as a foundational platform for future stars like , Hirai Kawato, and Tetsuhiro Yagi, who debuted or honed their abilities there before advancing to NJPW's main roster.

Background

Origins in NJPW Developmental System

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) has maintained a structured approach to talent development since its inception, primarily through its dojo system, which was established in 1972 by founder shortly after the promotion's launch. Inspired by Inoki's own training under Rikidozan and guided initially by legendary trainer , the dojo in serves as a rigorous residential facility where aspiring wrestlers undergo multi-year programs emphasizing physical conditioning, technical skills, and discipline. Trainees, referred to as Young Lions, perform daily chores, support senior wrestlers, and gradually progress from basic matches—limited to simple strikes and submissions like the —to more advanced techniques, often culminating in overseas excursions to , the , or the for further seasoning. In the broader context of scouting and training, NJPW's dojo system evolved to include increased international recruitment during the 2010s, reflecting the promotion's growing global ambitions. This period saw the integration of foreign wrestlers through excursions and partnerships, such as the 2017 collaboration with the Fale Dojo in New Zealand, run by NJPW performer Bad Luck Fale, to identify and develop talent from outside Japan. By the late 2010s, this expanded further with the establishment of the LA Dojo in 2019, led by Katsuyori Shibata, which focused on training international recruits alongside domestic ones to broaden the talent pool and adapt to worldwide competition. NJPW's prior dedicated developmental efforts included the NEVER project, launched in August 2010 as a series of events designed to spotlight emerging talent, including dojo trainees like and freelancers from promotions such as and Kaientai Dojo. Acronymically standing for "New Blood, Evolution, Valiantly, Eternal, Radical," NEVER emphasized junior heavyweight-style matches to build experience outside the main roster. However, after its final event in November 2012, the project was placed on indefinite hiatus, with its championship later repurposed for undercard matches featuring a "Spartan" strong-style focus rather than a standalone developmental platform, highlighting challenges in creating sustained pathways for young wrestlers to transition to prominence.

Announcement and Initial Setup

The Lion's Gate Project was officially announced on July 18, 2015, during a (NJPW) press conference outlining the promotion's "New IWGP Conception" strategy for global growth and talent cultivation. The initiative aimed to foster emerging wrestlers by pairing them with established veterans in structured trial matches, providing rookies with practical experience to demonstrate their potential for full-time contracts. As preparations advanced into late 2015 and early 2016, NJPW focused on expanding its dojo roster with diverse prospects, including the signing of , a former amateur Greco-Roman wrestler and bodybuilder, and Tomoyuki Oka, a 2012 All-Japan champion with and sambo experience. These recruits exemplified NJPW's approach to scouting athletes from varied athletic backgrounds to bolster the Young Lions system. Logistical setup emphasized accessibility and focus on development, with Shinjuku Face selected as the primary venue due to its compact size accommodating 400-500 spectators, creating an intimate atmosphere for talent evaluation. Events were planned for on the NJPW World subscription platform, launched the previous year, to reach a broader audience while maintaining the project's grassroots orientation. This structure positioned Lion's Gate as a direct evolution from NJPW's discontinued NEVER project, refining developmental efforts for a new era.

Purpose and Format

Talent Development Objectives

The Lion's Gate Project functioned as a developmental platform within (NJPW) to bridge the transition from training for young lions—NJPW's entry-level trainees—to integration on the main roster, primarily by granting them structured in-ring experience against veteran wrestlers. This initiative allowed rookies, such as the cohort introduced in early 2016 including Hirai Kawato and , to apply fundamentals in live matches, accelerating their professional acclimation beyond isolated training sessions. Central to its objectives was the exposure of young lions to inter-promotional competition, pitting them against talents from allied organizations like and to cultivate resilience and adaptability across diverse wrestling approaches. These encounters, often featuring or singles bouts against outsiders, enabled trainees to navigate unfamiliar styles and pacing, building the mental and technical fortitude required for NJPW's demanding ecosystem. By design, the series emphasized match experience as a core mechanism for skill refinement, with young lions typically competing in supportive roles to learn from defeats and incremental progress. Performers who demonstrated sustained competence in Lion's Gate events and the broader Young Lion system advanced to overseas excursions or higher-profile opportunities on NJPW tours, embodying the project's goal of producing roster-ready athletes without exhaustive numerical benchmarks.

Event Structure and Rules

The Lion's Gate Project events followed a consistent format designed to highlight emerging talent, typically featuring 6 to 8 matches per show and lasting approximately 2 to 3 hours. These cards included a mix of singles, , and occasional multi-man bouts, providing opportunities for young wrestlers to demonstrate technical skills and in-ring psychology without the pressure of title defenses, as no championships were contested. Young lions adhered to a restricted moveset of basic techniques such as dropkicks, body slams, elbows, and submissions like the , wore plain black trunks, and sprinted to the ring during entrances to emphasize discipline, energy, and focus on fundamentals. Match rules adhered to standard guidelines, such as typical 10-minute time limits for many singles and tag matches, often resulting in draws, with an emphasis on building skills through structured, shorter engagements to foster disciplined performances and developmental growth among trainees. Events often incorporated guest wrestlers from partner promotions like or independent circuits to challenge the young lions in varied styles, enhancing their adaptability while maintaining the focus on foundational wrestling principles. Production for Lion's Gate Project shows prioritized accessibility and feedback, with all events live-streamed exclusively on the NJPW World subscription service to reach a global audience. Storylines were kept minimal, allowing the emphasis to remain on athletic showcases rather than long-term narratives, and each show concluded with post-match comments from participants to provide constructive insights for the trainees' ongoing development.

Events

2016 Events

The Lion's Gate Project kicked off its inaugural year on February 25, 2016, with the first event held at FACE in , , serving as an initial showcase for NJPW's young lions and recruits alongside talents from . The card emphasized veteran guidance for rookies, exemplified in the main event where NJPW legend defeated Noah's debuting Mitsuhiro Kitamiya via pinfall in 14:28, with Nagata employing a methodical style to impart wrestling fundamentals and respect to the newcomer. Earlier matches highlighted similar mentorship dynamics, such as pinning David Finlay in 8:06 with a series of near falls and submissions that elevated Finlay's performance, and Yoshinari Ogawa submitting in 8:50 using crafty veteran tactics like an eye poke. The event drew an attendance of 467, filling the intimate venue, and was live-streamed on NJPW World to introduce global audiences to the developmental roster. Lion's Gate Project 2 followed on May 19, 2016, at the same Shinjuku FACE venue, adopting a stronger New Japan vs. Noah inter-promotional theme while continuing to spotlight debuts and recruit development. The main event featured an eight-man tag team clash where NJPW veterans Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, and Manabu Nakanishi defeated Noah's Katsuhiko Nakajima, Maybach Taniguchi, Masa Kitamiya, and Quiet Storm via pinfall in an unreported time, with Nagata securing the victory to underscore ongoing guidance for the undercard talent. Key undercard moments included Noah's Kaito Kiyomiya pinning NJPW's Hirai Kawato in his NJPW debut, and Naomichi Marufuji defeating Jay White, after which Marufuji publicly endorsed White as a potential future star comparable to Prince Devitt (Finn Bálor). David Finlay also debuted as a Best of the Super Juniors pinch-hitter, losing to Yoshinari Ogawa in 8:30, further emphasizing the event's role in exposing new recruits to high-level competition. Attendance reached 467 again, with the show streamed live on NJPW World to cultivate interest in the emerging talents. The year's third and final event, Lion's Gate Project 3, took place on , 2016, once more at FACE, building on prior inter-promotional elements with NJPW and representatives clashing across the card. It opened with an exhibition match ending in a 5:00 time-limit draw between NJPW rookies Tomoyuki Oka and , marking their first in-ring exposure ahead of full debuts. The main event was a ten-man tag where NJPW's , , , , and defeated 's , Maybach Taniguchi, , , and via pinfall in 17:46, reinforcing the series' focus on veteran-rookie pairings in multi-man formats to foster growth through intense exchanges. Standout singles bouts included pinning Teruaki Kanemitsu in 6:38 and defeating Hitoshi Kumano in 8:41, showcasing the competitive clashes between promotions. With attendance at 467, the event maintained the series' small-scale intimacy while being streamed on NJPW World to expand its reach. Throughout 2016, the Lion's Gate Project events established a foundational rhythm for NJPW's developmental initiative, blending rookie showcases with veteran mentorship and crossovers to prioritize skill-building over spectacle, all while drawing consistent crowds of approximately 467 to the 400-capacity FACE and leveraging NJPW World streams to generate early buzz among international fans.

2017 Events

In 2017, the Lion's Gate Project series expanded its schedule to seven events, reflecting New Japan Pro-Wrestling's commitment to accelerating the development of its young lions through more frequent showcases, increased interactions with main roster veterans, and the revival of the tournament across the final three events. This uptick from the inaugural year's three installments allowed for a maturing talent pool, with matches emphasizing fundamental skills, dynamics, and occasional cross-promotional elements to broaden exposure. Lion's Gate Project 4, held on April 13, 2017, at Face in , marked the in-ring debut of , who fell to via submission in 6:22, setting the tone for rising young lion showcases. The undercard featured El Desperado pinning Hirai Kawato in 9:30 and & defeating & Koji Iwamoto from in 13:30, introducing early outsider integrations. The main event tag match saw Tomoyuki Oka & defeat & when Nagata pinned Kitamura following a backdrop driver at 12:46, highlighting the young lions' progress under veteran guidance. Attendance reached 467, drawing a dedicated crowd for the developmental format. The following event, Lion's Gate Project 5 on May 9, 2017, at the same venue, opened with Hirai Kawato submitting debutant Tetsuhiro Yagi via in 5:07. Gedo & continued their dominance by pinning in a tag match against Kitamura & Tomoyuki Oka at 10:12. The main event emphasized technical skill, as & overcame Dinosaur Takuma & Toru Sugiura, with Tenzan locking in an Anaconda Vice on Takuma for the submission victory at 12:40. These bouts underscored the young lions' growing proficiency in chain wrestling and submission holds. Lion's Gate Project 6, taking place on June 15, 2017, in , built on prior momentum with El Desperado defeating Tetsuhiro Yagi by pinfall and & submitting Hirai Kawato & in tag action. Hiroyoshi Tenzan & pinned Takuya Nomura to beat Dinosaur Takuma & Nomura, while overcame via submission. The main event featured & Ayato Yoshida (from Pro Wrestling K-DOJO) defeating & Tomoyuki Oka by pinfall, exemplifying continued outsider integrations to challenge the NJPW trainees. Closing out the year's initial run, Lion's Gate Project 7 on July 4, 2017, introduced Ren Narita's debut, resulting in a 10:00 time-limit draw with that showcased their raw potential. submitted Tetsuhiro Yagi in 6:08, and El Desperado pinned Hirai Kawato in 8:25. Tomoyuki Oka & defeated & at 11:56 via Nagata's backdrop driver. The main event saw & defeat Ayato Yoshida & from Pro Wrestling K-DOJO when Kojima hit a lariat on Umeda for the pin at 13:10, further blending promotions. Attendance was 444, indicating rising fan engagement with the evolving lineups. Lion's Gate Project 8 on October 12, 2017, at FACE, initiated the Kotetsu Yamamoto Memorial 11th with tournament matches: Hirai Kawato defeated in 7:44, Katsuya Kitamura defeated Tetsuhiro Yagi in 8:45, and Tomoyuki Oka defeated in 10:35. The non-tournament undercard featured , , and defeating Ayato Yoshida, Go Asakawa, and Shiori Asakawa from Kaientai Dojo in 12:10 via pinfall. Attendance was 462, with the event streamed on NJPW World to highlight the young lions' competitive progress. The series continued with Lion's Gate Project 9 on November 16, 2017, advancing the : Tomoyuki Oka defeated in 13:15, Katsuya Kitamura defeated in 11:32, and Hirai Kawato defeated Tetsuhiro Yagi in 10:26. Additional matches included and defeating Dino Stones and Hercules Hoshino in 10:54, and defeating Kota Umeda via submission in 15:35. Attendance reached 467, maintaining the focus on tournament implications and veteran mentorship. Lion's Gate Project 10 on December 21, 2017, concluded the at FACE, with Tetsuhiro Yagi and ending in a 15:00 time-limit draw, Hirai Kawato defeating in 8:27, and defeating Tomoyuki Oka in 15:04 to win the tournament with 10 points. The undercard saw , , and defeating Dinosaur Takuma, Ayato Yoshida, and Go Asakawa in 11:01, and defeating in 12:10. Attendance was 467, capping the year's expanded schedule with the tournament's resolution. These 2017 events illustrated the series' maturation, with young lions like Umino, Kawato, and Oka gaining ring time against established names, fostering gradual main roster crossovers and aligning with broader talent development goals through structured, high-intensity matches, culminating in the revival.

2018 Events

In 2018, the Lion's Gate Project reached its peak in terms of event frequency and , hosting three shows that showcased the ongoing development of NJPW's young lions alongside veteran guidance and external talent, though repetitive matchups with Dojo wrestlers began to signal series fatigue ahead of an unannounced hiatus later that year. figures hovered between 364 and 467, the highest for the series, reflecting growing interest in the developmental format at FACE. These events maintained the core dynamic of pitting emerging talent against established performers, emphasizing technical growth and resilience under pressure. The eleventh Lion's Gate Project event on April 10, 2018, marked the in-ring debuts of young lions and , drawing 467 fans. The undercard featured defeating Uemura via in 8:06, highlighting Narita's submission prowess, while Tomoyuki Oka submitted Tsuji with a Cobra Twist at 7:27, underscoring Oka's power-based style. Other bouts included and defeating Ayato Yoshida and Dinosaur Takuma in 11:26, and Tomoyuki Oka teaming with to beat and . The main event saw Ayato Yoshida and Go Asakawa from Kaientai Dojo upset and in 12:03, with Yoshida securing the pin via backdrop on Umino, providing a competitive tag showcase for Umino's rising profile. Lion's Gate Project 12 on May 15, 2018, attracted 419 attendees and introduced strong style heavyweight Daisuke Sekimoto in his NJPW debut. The opener ended in a 10:00 time-limit draw between Tsuji and Uemura, emphasizing their building rivalry. Manabu Nakanishi followed by submitting Oka with a German Suplex Hold in 9:04, while Sekimoto overpowered Ren Narita with a lariat at 14:38, demonstrating the young lion's resilience against a veteran striker. Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Hiro Saito defeated Shota Umino and Ren Narita in 11:22, blending comedy and fundamentals. The main event featured Yuji Nagata defeating Ayato Yoshida via Backdrop Hold in 12:47, a rematch from the prior show that highlighted Nagata's enduring technical dominance. The series concluded with Lion's Gate Project 13 on June 13, 2018, before a hiatus, with 364 in attendance. Tsuji and Uemura again drew by time limit at 10:00, reinforcing their parity. pinned Shunsuke with a Northern Lights Bomb in 8:02, and and Toa Henare beat Tomoyuki Oka and in 10:50 via Toa Bottom. then submitted Oka with a Nagata Lock in 12:38, testing the young lion's endurance. In the main event, Ayato Yoshida defeated via pinfall in 16:47—Umino's first singles headline—exposing areas for the young lion's growth while capping the year's repetitive focus on K-DOJO crossovers.

Legacy

Notable Participants and Graduates

The Lion's Gate Project served as a crucial platform for several core young lions, enabling their professional debuts and early development within (NJPW). made his in-ring debut on April 13, 2017, at Lion's Gate Project 4, facing in a losing effort, before advancing to the NJPW main roster by 2019 and later embarking on an to (AEW) in 2023. debuted on July 4, 2017, at Lion's Gate Project 7, wrestling Umino to a 10-minute time-limit draw. Tomoyuki Oka, now known as , competed in his debut dark match at Lion's Gate Project 1 on February 25, 2016, against in a time-limit draw, and returned from in October 2020 as Great-O-Khan as part of the stable. Veteran NJPW wrestlers played pivotal mentoring roles across multiple Lion's Gate events, providing guidance and in-ring experience to the rookies. featured prominently, main-eventing several shows such as Lion's Gate Project 1 on February 25, 2016, against Mitsuhiro Kitamiya, and teaming with young lions like Tomoyuki Oka in tag matches to emphasize technical and resilience training. contributed as a tag specialist, participating in multi-man matches like the 10-man tag at Lion's Gate Project 3 on September 1, 2016, where he helped showcase power-based fundamentals to the developmental talent. Outsiders from affiliated promotions enhanced match quality and exposed young lions to diverse styles during the series. Go Shiozaki of appeared in high-profile bouts, including the 10-man elimination match at Lion's Gate Project 3, where his strong-style approach challenged NJPW veterans and alike. Graduation outcomes from Lion's Gate varied, highlighting the program's selective nature. , who debuted in a dark match at Lion's Gate Project 1 and competed through the 2017 , left NJPW on January 31, 2019, following trial series that did not lead to main roster progression. In contrast, participants like parlayed their Lion's Gate experience into broader opportunities, including international excursions that bolstered their careers.

Transition to Successor Programs

Following the 13th event of the Lion's Gate Project on June 13, 2018, at Shin-Kiba 1st Ring in , no further installments were scheduled, effectively placing the series on indefinite hiatus without an official announcement of cancellation. This shift aligned with New Japan Pro-Wrestling's (NJPW) growing emphasis on global expansion, including partnerships with (AEW) starting in 2019, which prioritized international talent exchanges and cross-promotional opportunities over domestic developmental shows. In 2020, amid the , NJPW introduced Lion's Break Collision as a weekly streaming series on NJPW World, debuting on July 3 and running through July 24 to showcase emerging talent from the newly established Dojo. The program featured LA Dojo trainees such as and in matches against established roster members, adapting to restrictions on live events by focusing on filmed content for global audiences. This initiative built on earlier Lion's Break Project events held in the United States since 2018 but marked a pivot toward regular, dojo-centered programming during the health crisis. Parallel to these changes, NJPW revived the in 2019 as a biennial to evaluate domestic prospects, with the 12th edition spanning the Road to Destruction tour and concluding on September 22 in . Young Lions also gained increased exposure through undercard placements in major events like the , integrating their development into the promotion's flagship tournaments rather than standalone series. The transition reflected NJPW's strategic needs for an international footprint, including the launch of in 2021 as a weekly U.S.-based program, alongside post-pandemic adaptations for streaming and virtual training to sustain talent pipelines amid travel limitations and audience shifts.

Impact on NJPW

The Lion's Gate Project played a pivotal role in bolstering New Japan Pro-Wrestling's (NJPW) roster depth, particularly through its showcase of Young Lions who transitioned to the main roster. By 2025, the series had produced at least five to seven key talents, including the "Reiwa Three Musketeers"—, , and —who debuted in Lion's Gate events and went on to compete in major tournaments like the as of November 2025, with Tsuji challenging for the earlier in the year. These graduates enhanced NJPW's signature "strong style" during a challenging period of wrestler shortages from 2018 to 2022, marked by high-profile departures such as and to , injuries, and the ongoing effects of the on touring. Their integration provided fresh matchups and narrative arcs, helping maintain competitive balance across and junior divisions. Operationally, Lion's Gate Project advanced NJPW's streaming strategy by establishing a consistent small-venue model broadcast exclusively on NJPW World, the promotion's subscription service. These events, held in intimate Tokyo venues like FACE, offered accessible entry points for global audiences to follow developmental talent, contributing to NJPW World's subscriber base surpassing 100,000 by mid-2018 amid broader international expansion efforts. This format not only reduced production costs compared to large-arena tours but also fostered long-term viewer engagement by building familiarity with future stars before their main roster breakthroughs. On an industry level, the project's success highlighted NJPW's robust trainee system, inspiring similar developmental initiatives within the promotion itself, such as the U.S.-based Lion's Break Project, and drawing global attention to Japan's structured wrestling pathways. It underscored NJPW's role in elevating junior talent pipelines, influencing perceptions of sustainable growth in amid talent poaching by international competitors. However, the series faced criticisms for repetitive match structures—often featuring time-limit draws and basic Young Lion bouts—which occasionally led to viewer fatigue among dedicated subscribers seeking more variety. Additionally, its primary focus on male heavyweights limited coverage of women's division development, leaving gaps in NJPW's broader gender-inclusive training narrative during the project's run.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.