New Japan Pro-Wrestling has officially set its next wave of prospects in motion. After the 2026 Young Lion Cup wrapped with Katsuya Murashima defeating Shoma Kato in the final, NJPW announced that both Young Lions will head out on excursion. Before they go, the company says Murashima and Kato will first team together in February.
That sequence — clash in a high-stakes final, then link up for a short run — is classic NJPW. It gives the dojo graduates a chance to show how quickly they can adapt, and it sends them off with a little buzz before the next chapter of their careers begins.
If you’re newer to the system, an excursion is a cornerstone of New Japan’s talent pipeline. Young Lions spend their early years under strict dojo rules, wrestling in black trunks and focusing on fundamentals. Once they graduate, NJPW sends them abroad to gain experience, develop a broader style, and often return with a new look, move set, and ring presence. The excursion is where a prospect becomes a full-fledged roster player.
Why this matters: NJPW’s roster refresh relies on these cycles. The company’s recent resurgence of homegrown stars — think of how returns from excursion helped spark main-event pushes and new rivalries — came from this exact process. The same model is now being applied to Murashima and Kato, signaling that New Japan sees real long-term value in both men.
Murashima’s tournament win is the formal stamp of approval and a notable line on the resume. The Young Lion Cup has traditionally been a measuring stick that identifies who’s ready to test themselves outside the dojo. Past winners and standouts have used it as a springboard to meaningful positions upon return, and that pattern is the expectation attached to the trophy. Kato pushing through to the final and immediately joining Murashima on excursion underscores that NJPW believes both are tracking on schedule.
For fans, the intrigue now shifts from results to development. Excursions aren’t just bookings in a different ring; they’re a full reset. Wrestlers typically spend a year or more abroad, blending their strong foundation with regional styles — whether that’s the speed and flair of Mexico, the rugged pacing of the U.K., or the hybrid approach seen in the United States. Historically, New Japan has leaned on partners and friendly promotions to find the right fit. The locations aren’t announced here, but the path generally includes stints in places like Mexico, the U.K., and the U.S., where the reps are plentiful and the styles contrast sharply with Japan’s.
The short-term team-up is a smart wrinkle. After testing one another in a high-pressure final, Murashima and Kato will have to share space, timing, and decision-making as partners. That kind of assignment can tell the office a lot about leadership and composure — who calls the shots, who adapts fastest, and how each responds when the plan needs to change mid-match. Those are the intangibles that determine where a returning talent slotted after excursion will land: junior heavyweight, heavyweight, singles focus, or a tag route.
It’s also worth noting what this means for the immediate NJPW landscape. When Young Lions depart, the dojo depth chart shifts. Wrestlers still in black trunks get more reps, and the next crop of prospects often moves up a rung on the card. On the main roster, it’s a reminder that new blood is coming. Even if Murashima and Kato don’t return for a while, the company is already laying groundwork for future rivalries and alliances by linking them now.
Here’s what to watch in the coming weeks and months:
- Destination reveals: NJPW will typically confirm where each wrestler is headed. The destination often hints at what stylistic tools they’re expected to add.
- First looks abroad: Early matches during excursion offer glimpses of new offense and personality. Even small adjustments — a change in pacing, a new strike combination — can signal the direction of their evolution.
- Character and presentation: Many wrestlers return with new attire, entrance music, and sometimes a new ring name. Those choices matter; they shape how fans perceive the next phase.
- How they gel as a team: Their February pairing could foreshadow a future tag direction or simply provide a clean send-off. Either way, the chemistry will be instructive.
The broader context is simple: NJPW’s dojo system is one of the most reliable pipelines in pro wrestling. It has produced multiple generations of headliners and linchpins who can carry tours, anchor factions, and elevate titles. Excursions are the bridge between promise and proof. Murashima’s win over Kato confirms he’s ready for that test; Kato’s immediate inclusion says he is, too.
As with any developing story, the timeline will be dictated by announcements still to come. For now, the key facts are set: Katsuya Murashima won the 2026 Young Lion Cup final over Shoma Kato, both are headed on excursion, and NJPW plans to pair them up in February before they go. That’s the signal that their learning phase at home is complete — and the learning phase on the road is about to begin.
We’ll update as NJPW confirms destinations and dates. Expect the next time you see Murashima and Kato in Japan, they’ll be markedly different wrestlers — and that’s exactly the point.
