Katsuya Murashima

Katsuya Murashima
Personal information
BornKatsuya Murashima
(2000-11-01) November 1, 2000
Ushiku, Ibaraki, Japan
Professional wrestling career
Ring nameKatsuya Murashima
Billed height5 ft 7 in (1.72 m)[1]
Billed weight100 kg (220 lb)[1]
Trained byHiroshi Tanahashi
Junji Hirata
NJPW Dojo
DebutNovember 21, 2023[1]

Katsuya Murashima (村島 克哉, Murashima Katsuya; born November 1, 2000) is a Japanese professional wrestler signed to New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He is on an international learning excursion, working for Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) in Germany. He is the winner of the 2026 Young Lion Cup.

Early life

Katsuya Murashima was born on November 1, 2000, in Ushiku, Ibaraki. He participated in amateur wrestling during his youth, winning the East Japan Student Championships in the 86 kg and 92 kg classes.[1]

Professional wrestling career

New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2023–present)

In April 2023, Murashima took part in New Japan Pro-Wrestling's (NJPW) entrance test and passed, working as a "Young Lion" (NJPW's term for rookies) from thereon.[1] He made his in-ring debut on November 21, losing to Yuto Nakashima.[2][3] At The New Beginning in Nagoya on January 20, 2024, he fought fellow Young Lion Shoma Kato to a time limit draw.[4] Three days later, Murashima won the first match of his career, when he and Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Kato and Yoh in a tag team match.[5] On October 5, he defeated Daiki Nagai in his first singles match.[6] During this time, Murashami began working several tag team matches with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Jado, facing various stables including United Empire, Bullet Club, The Mighty Don't Kneel (TMDK), Just 4 Guys, Los Ingobernables de Japon (L.I.J.) and House of Torture.[7]

At Power Struggle on November 4, 2024, he competed on the televised portion of the show, teaming with Intergalactic Jet Setters (Kevin Knight and KUSHIDA) and The Velocities (Jude London and Paris de Silva) in a loss to Bullet Club (Clark Connors, Drilla Moloney, Gabe Kidd, Robbie X and Taiji Ishimori) in a ten-man tag team match.[8][9] On February 11, 2025, at The New Beginning in Osaka, he and El Desperado lost to United Empire's Francesco Akira and Jeff Cobb.[10] Later that month, Murashima took part in the NJPW and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL) co-promoted Fantastica Mania 2026 tour.[11] Murashima made his pay-per-view debut on the Death Vegas Invitational pre-show on June 24, where he, Nagai, Taguchi and Master Wato lost to Dragon Libre, Gentaro, Kengo and Tatsuhito Takaiwa.[12]

On January 4, 2026, Murashima and Masatora Yasuda defeated Kato and Tatsuya Matsumoto on the pre-show of Wrestle Kingdom 20, NJPW's biggest show of the year.[13] Following the event, Murashima was announced as a participant in the revived Young Lion Cup tournament.[14] He received a bye to the semi-finals, defeating Nagai.[15] On February 1, Murashima defeated Kato in the finals to win the tournament.[16][17] It was subsequently announced that he would be sent on a learning excursion outside Japan, signaling his graduation as a Young Lion.[18] Murashima competed in his final match before his excursion at The New Beginning in Osaka on February 11, where he and Kato lost to Togi Makabe and Toru Yano.[19]

Westside Xtreme Wrestling (2026–present)

On February 11, 2026, Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) announced that Murashima would begin his excursion with them and join their roster full-time the following month, while also receiving further training at the wXw Wrestling Academy.[20] He made his wXw in-ring debut at Inner Circle 19 - Homecoming on March 5, losing to Robert Dreissker.[21] At Drive of Champions on June 6, Murashima was involved in a four-way match for the wXw Shotgun Championship involving Dennis Dullnig, Dieter Schwartz and Alex Tischer, who retained the championship.[22]

Championships and accomplishments

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "村島 克哉" [Katsuya Murashima]. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 24, 2024. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  2. ↑ "【"新たなヤングライオン"二人がデビュー決定！】11月20日（月）後楽園で、嘉藤匠馬（かとう・しょうま）！ 11月21日（火）後楽園で村島克哉（むらしま・かつや）が、第0試合でデビュー戦に挑む！" [[Two new "Young Lions" are set to debut!] Shoma Kato will make his debut on Monday, November 20th at Korakuen Hall! Katsuya Murashima will make his debut in the pre-show match on Tuesday, November 21st at Korakuen Hall!]. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). November 13, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  3. ↑ "【新日本】新たなヤングライオン・村島克哉がデビュー「ライガーさんみたいな力強い選手になりたい」" [[New Japan] New Young Lion Katsuya Murashima makes his debut: "I want to become a powerful wrestler like Liger-san."]. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). November 21, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  4. ↑ "The New Beginning in Nagoya". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Road to the New Beginning". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Road to King of Pro-Wrestling 2024". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Katsuya Murashima >> Matches >> with Hiroshi Tanahashi". CageMatch. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  8. ↑ Kurokawa, James (November 4, 2024). "11/4 NJPW Power Struggle 2024 report". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Power Struggle ～Super Jr. Tag League 2024～". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  10. ↑ Michaels, Corey (February 10, 2025). "NJPW The New Beginning in Osaka live results: Sabre vs. Goto, Young Bucks vs. LIJ". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  11. ↑ Thompson, Andrew (February 19, 2025). "NJPW x CMLL Fantasticamania results (2/19/25): Opening night of the tour". POST Wrestling. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  12. ↑ ""Death Pain" invitacional supported by Rolling Cradle". New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  13. ↑ "サンセイアールアンドディ presents Wrestle Kingdom 20 in 東京ドーム 棚橋弘至引退" [Sansei R&D presents Wrestle Kingdom 20 in Tokyo Dome: Hiroshi Tanahashi Retirement]. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). Retrieved April 28, 2026.
  14. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (January 6, 2026). "NJPW Young Lion Cup Returning At Road To New Beginning". Fightful. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  15. ↑ Pollock, John (January 20, 2026). "New Japan's Young Lion Cup finals are confirmed for February 1". POST Wrestling. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  16. 1 2 Flanagan, Neal (February 1, 2026). "Katsuya Murashima defeats Shoma Kato to win NJPW Young Lion Cup". POST Wrestling. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  17. ↑ "【新日本】村島克哉　嘉藤匠馬との決勝制しヤングライオン杯優勝「次は海外だ！海外連れてけ！」" [[New Japan] Katsuya Murashima defeats Shoma Kato in the final to win the Young Lion Cup: "Next stop, overseas! Take me overseas!"]. Tokyo Sports (in Japanese). February 1, 2026. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  18. ↑ "村島克哉選手、嘉藤匠馬選手の海外遠征が決定！2月11日 (水・祝) 大阪の第0試合で"村島克哉壮行試合"！ 2月24日 (火) 大阪＆2月26日 (木) 後楽園＆2月27日 (金) 後楽園で、"嘉藤匠馬壮行試合"!!" [Katsuya Murashima and Shoma Kato's overseas tours have been confirmed! Katsuya Murashima's farewell match will be the opening bout on February 11th (Wednesday, public holiday) in Osaka! Takuma Kato's farewell matches will be held on February 24th (Tuesday) in Osaka, February 26th (Thursday) at Korakuen Hall, and February 27th (Friday) at Korakuen Hall!!]. New Japan Pro-Wrestling (in Japanese). February 3, 2026. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  19. ↑ Thompson, Andrew (February 11, 2026). "Katsuya Murashima Competes In Final NJPW Match Before Excursion". Fightful. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  20. ↑ Currier, Joseph (February 12, 2026). "NJPW wrestler set for European excursion". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Retrieved April 27, 2026.
  21. ↑ "wXw Inner Circle 19 - Homecoming" (in German). Westside Xtreme Wrestling. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
  22. ↑ Lambert, Jeremy (June 6, 2026). "wXw Drive Of Champions Results (6/6): Eddie Kingston, Dani Luna, Jun Akiyama Compete". Fightful. Retrieved July 20, 2026.
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