Juice Robinson has moved up the rankings quickly in New Japan Pro Wrestling. The 27 year old Juice made a bold move in 2015, requesting his release from WWE developmental. He had been working in NXT under the name CJ Parker.
Saddled with a 2 dimensional gimmick, Robinson’s choice to leave WWE while only in his mid-20s was daring. Matt Bloom, head trainer at NXT and former NJPW star, made arrangements for him to sign with NJPW and train in their dojo. He debuted for NJPW last March and has gone from opening match jobber to upper mid-card talent in that time.
Robinson has been 1/3 of the 6-man tag team champions, challenged for the NEVER Openweight championship, and partnered with Hiroshi Tanahashi in the World Tag League tournament in 2016. Despite his success he was not ranked high enough last year to be entered in either the New Japan Cup or the G1.
His stock has risen high enough now however, that he will be in the cup tournament this year. His first round cup match will be on March 12th vs “the Tokyo Pimp” Yujiro Takahashi from the Bullet Club.
