Hey! So I’ve been a regular watcher/sub user since around Dominion last year, but have never had the time to watch almost anything pre-2025. Recent discourse, particularly around Shota Umino, gives me a question:
Does New Japan have such a thing as heel turns without joining/forming a new faction?
Since I’ve been watching, every heel turn has been in the form of someone joining the House, or being involved in the United Empire turn, but I feel like in all the calls for Umino to turn his faction destination is rarely mentioned. The last year, everyone is also either in a faction (including Unafilliated, whatever they said) or in Hontai by default, too.
So are lone-wolf heels without a faction ever a thing? Have they existed previously but not this year? And if no, where are those of you calling for an Umino turn expecting him to go?
by Rango-Steel