NJPW Young Lion Cup Returning At Road To New Beginning

New Japan Pro-Wrestling announced that the NJPW Young Lion Cup will return as part of Road to New Beginning.

Masatora Yasuda, Tatsuya Mastumoto, Daiki Nagai, Zane Jay, Katsuya Murashima and Shoma Kato will compete in the tournament.

Yasuda will face Mastumuto, and Nagai will face Jay on January 19th. Murashima and Kato will receive first round byes.

The finals will take place on February 1st.

From NJPW:

In 2026, six Young Lions will participate in a single elimination variation of the tournament format. Across three nights in Korakuen Hall, Masatora Yasuda will first meet Hirooki Goto’s Revolutionary Army private Tatsuya Mastumoto, while Daiki Nagai of the recently incorporated Unbound Co. will take on Zane Jay, who carries his own LA pride from the NJPW Academy.

Then, January 21 will see the senior Young Lions in Katsuya Murashima and Shoma Kato the recipient of first round byes, and looking to exercise that seniority over the first round winners. The finals will take place on February 1; who will be certified as the cream of the Young Lion crop?

The Young Lion Cup started in 1985, but has not been held since 2019. The 2019 tournament was won by Karl Fredericks.

Fightful will have coverage of the Young Lion Cup as it unfolds.