Former New Japan Pro-Wrestling General Manager Michael Craven ranks his all-time Bullet Club members.
Bullet Club is one of the most important factions in the history of NJPW. AJ Styles, Finn Balor, Kenny Omega, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, Cody Rhodes, Adam Cole, El Phantasmo, Jay White, The Young Bucks, and more have all played a role in the group's growth and sustainability over the last decade and as such, have directly affected the trajectory of NJPW. Now, a former NJPW executive is ranking the important Bullet Club members in accordance with their importance to the New Japan brand in his eyes.
Former New Japan Pro-Wrestling General Manager Michael Craven ranked the members of Bullet Club during his appearance on The Insiders with Conrad Thompson.
“That’s really tough because I’d have to still stay Tama [Tonga] is always gonna be the shot-caller," said Craven. "So no matter what, every generation of Bullet Club needs Tama Tonga. The Elite Bullet Club is different than the other Bullet Clubs, that’s the problem. Because I want to put Kenny [Omega] as a pillar there, but I don’t see Kenny as a pillar for that. I put AJ [Styles]. AJ helped put the Bullet Club really on the map. Two more? Can the Bucks count as one. They’re lifting things together. The reason is, they were part of every key moment in the early Bullet Club history. They were part of every betrayal, and they helped build the Bullet Club brand. Even though they’re actually Elite, I still put them as part of the O.G.
"Finally, I’d like to say Machine Gun Karl Anderson, but I’m not going to, though. Because I’m also gonna be looking at the long-term Bullet Club. I’m gonna put Jay White because Jay White resurrected Bullet Club. The Bullet Club almost died losing Kenny. In December, when The Elite announced this is our final Bullet Club t-shirts that we’re selling, and the office had no idea about that. We’re planning merchandise for Wrestle Kingdom. It’s Jay White that helped the Bullet Club grow, survive, and evolve again."
All of the names he mentioned now work for either AEW or WWE. Tama Tonga is currently helping to grow the growth of another faction, The Bloodline, while The Young Bucks, Matthew Jackson, and Nicholas Jackson remain steadfast in their roles as AEW EVPs.
Fans can read Michael Craven's thoughts on The Elite's departure from NJPW and the formation of AEW at this link.
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