Bullet Club had seen a huge wave of ups and downs over the past few years. The pandemic had sent the faction through major changes internally, and the group continued to grow. ‘
Yet, it seemed like the future of the faction was going to go through even more changes, some that would change the trajectory of one of the most popular factions in the world.
The History Of Bullet Club Part 8 –
Big Change Needed to Happen
After a disappointing 2021, 2022 needed to see a huge change for Bullet Club, and success had to come. The year saw a huge rollercoaster of moments, both highs and lows, for the faction and the members.
Throughout the year, members came and went. Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows made a shocking return to the faction, along with Juice Robinson and Ace Austin.
In March, G.O.D’s Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, and Jado were kicked out of the group, with Hiku Leo choosing to betray the faction in September to join his brothers.
Yet, it was titles galore for the faction throughout the year, both positive and negative. Throughout the year, the faction saw success in the NEVER, tag division, and for the US title.
Yet, the most important achievement came after Jay defeated Okada in June to earn his second IWGP World Heavyweight title reign and held it for 206 days until being defeated at Wrestle Kingdom on January 4, 2023,
A New Bullet Club is Formed
2022 was a huge year of change for the faction after a turbulent few years, and it all centred on Jay White.
Jay White was beaten by Hiku Leo in a “Loser Leaves Japan” match, and then at Battle in the Valley, Eddie Kingston beat the Bullet Club leader in a “Loser Leaves NJPW” match.
It officially confirmed a fear among many fans: Jay White was leaving the company amid circulating rumours.
Yet, the big moment came after the match in America when Jay was saying farewell to the fans; he was attacked by his former Young Lion best friend and current enemy, David Finlay.
With Bullet Club left without a leader, after the Anniversary show in March, Gedo confirmed speculations from Jay’s final match, and it was that David Finlay was the new leader of the faction.
With El Phantasmo being kicked out due to his loyalty to Jay White, Finlay started to mould the faction in his own image.
He added some huge international talent, including Clark Connors, Alex Coughlin, and Gabriel Kidd. Drilla Moloney also joined the faction after betraying The Empire.
On the other side of the world, Jay White joined All Elite Wrestling and took his own Bullet Club history by creating Bullet Club Gold, also known as the Bang Bang Gang. With War Dogs, House of Torture, and now the Bang Bang Gang, the faction was once again going global.
A Year of Momentum
After major changes to the Bullet Club in 2023, 2024 was the year to build momentum. Along with getting new members, including Jake Lee, Robbie X, and SANADA, it was the year of huge success for both War Dogs and House of Torture.
At Wrestle Kingdom 18, among many important matches, David Finlay won a triple threat match to become the inaugural IWGP Global champion. Later in the year, EVIL held the NEVER title, and SHO won the IWGP Jr. title for the first time in his career.
The War Dogs also had their legendary feud with The Empire, which culminated in the first steel cage match NJPW had seen as a main event in 20 years.
It was a historic match that saw some heartbreaking moments, including Alex Coughlin’s retirement and Henare suffering a life-threatening injury, but also saw the War Dogs win, with Will Ospreay announcing he was leaving NJPW.
A New Era Begins
Over the years, Bullet Club has seen many feuds within the faction, and this was once again started in 2025. House of Torture had always, and still is, a hugely divisive part of New Japan.
Unsurprisingly, their ideology and approach to pro-wrestling were also things the War Dogs didn’t agree with, and this sparked a battle between two very different Bullet Club ideologies.
In particular, this all culminated in a “Dog Pound” match between the two sub-factions, with the real Bullet Club as the winners.
The results saw the War Dogs win and cement their status as the real Bullet Club, and the faction seemed to see real success that year.
Along with David Finlay winning the New Japan Cup, the biggest success came when returning Young Lions Yuto Nakashima and Oskar Leube returned from excursion and joined the faction as the Knock Out Brothers.
They instantly beat TAICHI and Ishii for the IWGP Heavyweight tag titles and took the belts to huge heights, becoming one of the most loved and successful tag teams in wrestling that year.
Tag team wrestling is also what saw another change with War Dogs as they found an unlikely alliance with enemies, “Unaffiliated,” the faction formerly known as Los Ingobernables de Japon.
The members of both factions had been included in a series of battles, whether for titles or just special singles matches.
While some faction feuds in NJPW never end but are delayed, the culmination of these matches saw newfound respect between members of both groups.
This was seen in the Super Jr Tag League, and the World Tag League saw members of both factions teaming up.
For the juniors, Clark Connors teamed with Young Lion Daiki Nagai, and Hiromu earned his dream of teaming with Gedo.
When it came to the heavyweights, the teams were more distinct, with Gabe Kidd and Yota Tsuji teaming up and the creation of the beloved “Kitta Kitta” brothers, Shingo Takagi and Drilla Moloney.
2025 ended with a surprising turn of events that would impact the future of the beloved and legendary faction.
The Start of the End
With some of the strongest wrestlers from two of the biggest factions now working together, the future of Bullet Club seemed uncertain.
Yet, New Year’s Dash showed the future, and it was a shock to many fans as Finlay announced the end of the Bullet Club and the members would be joining the Unaffiliated faction to create a new group: Unbound Co.
Yet, it wouldn’t be the end of the legacy.
In March, David Finlay, along with former War Dogs Gabriel Kidd and Clark Connors, left NJPW and joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
In particular, when Jay White finally returned from injury at Forbidden Door to attack David Finaly, it was the reunion of former friends, former enemies, and former Bullet Club leaders.
What’s Next?
While the Bullet Club no longer exists in its purest form, the influence can still be felt. Whether it’s through the past members in promotions across the world, or more recently, in the renewed feud between former leaders Jay White and David Finlay in AEW, the Bullet Club will never be forgotten.
