Tag: Shoma Kato

NJPW announces excursions for two Young Lions

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two of NJPW’s Young Lions are going on excursion.

NJPW made it official on Monday that Katsuya Murashima and Shoma Kato are both heading out on an excursion, the final step in a Young Lion’s journey before officially getting a push in NJPW. Murashima, who just won the Young Lion’s Cup on February 1, will get his sendoff match at New Beginning in Osaka on February 11. He will team with Kato to take on Togi Makabe and Toru Yano.

While it wasn’t announced where Murashima will be going on excursion, Kato’s path is more clear. NJPW announced that the runner up of the Young Lion tournament will be heading to Mexico and will be part of the upcoming NJPW/CMLL Fantastica Mania tour. Three special Kato sendoff matches will take place on February 24 in Osaka and on the 26, and 27th at Korakuen Hall.

NJPW’s system has their young talent wrestle a similar standard style when they graduate from the dojo for a period of time until they are ready to travel for an international tour, where they will gain experience until finally returning to the company with a push. Both Murashima and Kato made their in-ring debut in November of 2023.

Shoma Kato injured, to miss remainder of NJPW New Beginning tour

Posted on by Ian Carey

Shoma Kato is injured. 

NJPW announced on Wednesday that the young lion has suffered a dislocation fracture of his right ankle and will miss the remainder of the New Beginning tour, which runs until the New Beginning in Osaka on February 11. 

Kato will be replaced on the tour by fellow young lion Masatora Yasuda, who has been cleared to return following an injury suffered in November. Yasuda will wrestle Daiki Nagai in a singles match on tomorrow’s show from Miyagi. 

NJPW1972.com wrote:

“Shoma Kato, who was scheduled to appear during the New Beginning series, has sustained a dislocation fracture of his right ankle and will be unable to compete. He currently does not have a timetable to return. We apologise to fans who were looking forward to seeing Kato wrestle and appreciate your understanding. Masatora Yasuda, who has been cleared to return, will wrestle on the remainder  of series cards.”

NJPW has a busy schedule upcoming, with eight shows over the next 11 days. Two title matches are scheduled for upcoming shows as well. The NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championships will be defended on tomorrow’s show when champions Oleg Bolton, Toru Yano, and Hiroshi Tanahashi defend against House of Torture. On Monday’s show at Korakuen Hall, NJPW World TV Champion El Phantasmo will defend against Jeff Cobb in a rematch of their double-count out from Battle in the Valley. 

New NJPW Young Lions to debut this month

Posted on by Joseph Currier

New Young Lions from NJPW’s dojo are set to make their in-ring debuts later this month.

NJPW has announced that the 20-year-old Shoma Kato and 23-year-old Katsuya Murashima will debut on the promotion’s World Tag League tour. Kato is making his debut against Oskar Leube on Monday, November 20. Murashima is debuting against Yuto Nakashima on Tuesday, November 21.

Those events are the first two nights of the World Tag League tour. Both shows are being held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. Kato and Murashima are competing in the kickoff matches each night.

Kato was featured on “The Spirit,” a show produced by Kazuchika Okada about NJPW dojo hopefuls. Kato has a background in baseball, MMA, and grappling.

Murashima has a background in amateur wrestling. He competed in the sport in college and was a regional champion.

NJPW wrote about the two new Young Lions:

On November 20, Oskar Leube will go up against Shoma Kato. 173cm, 82 kg Kato played baseball through high school in his native Osaka. Transitioning into MMA and grappling practice in his senior year with a view to getting into professional wrestling, the 20 year old won the hearts and minds of viewers of The Spirit, a reality TV show produced by Kazuchika Okada that followed Dojo hopefuls. Now, discerning eyes will be on him looking to make an impact on NJPW fans moving forward.

The next night, Yuto Nakashima will face Katsuya Murashima. 23 year old Murashima has a nine year background in amateur wrestling, where after his upbringing in Ibaraki, a college career saw him a regional champion in eastern Japan at 86 and 92 kg, and where he came second at the national level. Could he gain worldwide success in NJPW? His journey starts Tuesday November 21. 

Kato’s second match will be against Nakashima on November 23. Murashima is facing Leube on November 24.