Hiroshi Tanahashi believes that New Japan’s Bullet Club is the most important faction in wrestling in the past 2 decades.
Writing in the Aces High column for NJPW’s website, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has praised the group highly, in particular praising the 4 founding members:
“That was the core four, Devitt, Fale, Anderson and Tama Tonga,” Tanahashi said of the original faction’s formation. “I think from there it’s no exaggeration to say that Bullet Club is the most important faction of the last twenty years at least. Wherever you go overseas you still see fans in Bullet Club shirts, and all those people in the top slot over the years, [Prince] Devitt to AJ [Styles] to Kenny Omega to Jay White are really best of the best.”
Bullet Club Is NJPW’s Most Famous Faction
Bullet Club first formed in New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2013 and has been a part of the company ever since. Some of the biggest names in wrestling have led the group during their time in NJPW, with Prince Devitt [Finn Balor], AJ Styles, Kenny Omega and Jay White being some of the notable leaders.
Bullet Club’s influence on the wrestling world can be seen across multiple promotions, with the group expanding into IMPACT Wrestling and WWE’s The OC being presented very similarly to the NJPW faction.
Tanahashi’s claim is a bold one, as the last 20 years have seen some of the most dominant factions in wrestling history form, such as Evolution, The Shield and The Bloodline in WWE and The Elite in AEW.
Hiroshi Tanahashi will be in action at Wrestle Kingdom 17, teaming with Keiji Muto and Shota Umino to take on the trio of Tetsuya Naito, SANADA & BUSHI. The show will also see WWE contracted star and former Bullet Club member Karl Anderson defend the NEVER Openweight Championship against Tama Tonga.
There is additional buzz going into the event that a former champion in WWE may also be making their debut appearance at New Japan’s biggest event.
H/t to 411 Mania for the use of transcription.