{{short description|Professional wrestling stable}} {{Distinguish|Five Guys}} {{use mdy dates|date=June 2023}} {{Infobox Wrestling team |article_name=Just 5 Guys |type=S |image= File:Just_5_Guys_stable_logo.png |image_size= |caption= Logo of ''Just 5 Guys'' |members=''See below'' |former_members= |names=Just 4 Guys<br />Just 5 Guys |heights= |weights= |billed= |debut=January 5, 2023 |disbanded=June 15, 2025 |years_active=2023–2025 }} '''Just 5 Guys''' ('''J5G'''), also called '''Just 4 Guys''' (J4G) or '''Just 3 Guys''' (J3G) depending on the number of members, was a professional wrestling stable in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). At the time of its disbandment, its membership consisted of Taka Michinoku, Taichi, and Yuya Uemura.
The stable formed in January 2023 as Just 4 Guys, consisting of Taichi, Taka Michinoku, Douki, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru following the disbandment of their previous stable Suzuki-gun. Two months later, the stable added Sanada and took the name Just 5 Guys. The group alternated between names through membership changes.
==Background== Taichi and Michinoku first interacted in December in 2010 as part of Kojima-gun,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=130&c=915|title=Road to Kingdom ～Battle X'mas!～|access-date=August 25, 2012|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|language=ja}}</ref> which morphed into Suzuki-gun after they turned on Satoshi Kojima and appointed Minoru Suzuki as their new leader.<ref name=NJPW050311>{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/match/detail_result_game.php?e=173&c=2011 | script-title=ja:レスリングどんたく 2011 | access-date=August 25, 2012 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=ja}}</ref> Within Suzuki-gun, Michinoku and Taichi teamed up in NJPW's junior heavyweight tag team division in which they held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, before Taichi moved up to the heavyweight division in March 2018. Meanwhile, in Pro Wrestling NOAH, Kanemaru would join Suzuki-gun in February 2016, as part of the stable's invasion storyline, before moving to NJPW with them in January 2017. Douki joined Suzuki-gun in May 2019, having been introduced to the stable by Taichi. All four wrestlers remained members of Suzuki-gun until the stable disbanded in December 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=NJPW |title=2022.12.23 Road to TOKYO DOME {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING |url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/134267 |access-date=2022-12-15 |website=NJPW |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2022/12/23/suzuki-gun-bids-farewell-on-new-japans-final-event-of-the-year/ | title=Suzuki-gun bids farewell on New Japan's final event of the year | date=23 December 2022 }}</ref>
==History== On January 5, 2023, at New Year Dash, Michinoku, Taichi, Douki, and Kanemaru formed Just 4 Guys with the aim of reaching the top of New Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |title=「たまたまそれぞれ行く道が一緒だっただけ」元・鈴木軍のタイチ＆金丸義信＆DOUKI＆TAKAみちのくが新ユニットを結成しUNITED EMPIRE狩りを宣言！ |url=http://battle-news.com/?p=94063 |website=バトル・ニュース |access-date=2023-03-18 |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=【新日本】元・鈴木軍のタイチ、金丸義信、DOUKI、TAKAみちのくが新チーム結成！「オレたちは2023年、新日本プロレスを大きく変える！」 {{!}} プロレスTODAY |url=https://proresu-today.com/archives/208873/ |date=2023-01-06 |access-date=2023-03-18 |language=ja}}</ref> On February 4, at The New Beginning in Sapporo, Taichi lost to Will Ospreay in a singles match. On the same event, Douki and Yoshinobu Kanemaru challenged for Catch 2/2 (Francesco Akira and TJP) for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship, but lost.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2023.02.04 THE NEW BEGINNING in SAPPORO {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/390146?showResult=1|access-date=2023-01-14|website=NJPW|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=NJPW The New Beginning in Sapporo live results: Naito vs. Umino|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-the-new-beginning-in-sapporo-live-results-naito-vs-umino|access-date=2023-02-04|website=Wrestling Observer Online}}</ref>
In March, Sanada, then a member of Los Ingobernables de Japon, entered the New Japan Cup. After he defeated LIJ stablemate and leader Tetsuya Naito in the quarter-finals, he left Los Ingobernables de Japón and joined the stable, changing the name to Just 5 Guys.<ref name="lwos">{{cite web | url=https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2023/03/17/sanada-leaves-lij/ | title=SANADA Leaves LIJ, Joins Just 4 Guys | date=17 March 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/145820 | title=Four become Five Guys as SANADA leaves LIJ to join Taichi group | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING }}</ref> Sanada defeated David Finlay in the finals of the tournament and, one month later, defeated Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/new-japan-cup-finals-live-results-sanada-vs-david-finlay|title=New Japan Cup finals live results: SANADA vs. David Finlay|first=Chick|last=Fritts|publisher=Wrestling Observer|date=March 21, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/03/22/njpw-releases-card-for-sakura-genesis-on-4-8/ | title=NJPW releases card for Sakura Genesis on 4/8 | newspaper=Post Wrestling | date=22 March 2023 | last1=Pollock | first1=John }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-sakura-genesis-live-results-okada-vs-sanada|title=NJPW Sakura Genesis live results: Okada vs. SANADA IWGP title match|first=Chick|last=Fritts|publisher=Wrestling Observer|date=April 8, 2023}}</ref> Following Sanada winning the title, he was confronted by former stablemate Hiromu Takahashi, who sought a shot at the world title. Sanada accepted, however only on the basis that Kanemaru was granted a title shot at Takahashi's IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, which Takahashi accepted. On April 27, Kanemaru lost to Takahashi.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sescoops.com/results/njpw-road-to-wrestling-dontaku-2023-results-hiromu-takahashi-vs-yoshinobu-kanemaru-iwgp-junior-tag-team-championship-match | title=NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku 2023 Results: Hiromu Takahashi vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru, IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship Match | date=27 April 2023 }}</ref> Two days later, at Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni, Taichi defeated Takagi to win the KOPW championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/04/29/4-29-njpw-wrestling-satsuma-no-kuni-results-vetters-review-of-shingo-takagi-vs-taichi-for-the-kopw-title-aussie-open-kyle-fletcher-and-mark-davis-vs-tmdk-shane-haste-and-mikey-nichol/|title=4/29 NJPW “Wrestling Satsuma no Kuni” results: Vetter's review of Shingo Takagi vs. Taichi for the KOPW Title, “Aussie Open” Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis vs. “TMDK” Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls for the IWGP Tag Team Titles, Tetsuya Naito, Hiromu Takahashi, and Bushi vs. Sanada, Yoshinobu Kanemaru, and Douki|first=Chris|last=Vetter|publisher=ProWrestlingDotNet|date=April 29, 2023}}</ref>
Following Takahashi retaining the title against Kanemaru, he faced Sanada at Wrestling Dontaku, where Sanada retained the World title.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/142301?showCards=1 | title=2023.05.03 Wrestling Dontaku 2023 | NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING }}</ref> Following the match, Sanada and the remainder of Just 5 Guys were attacked by the returning and new member of LIJ Yota Tsuji, who challenged Sanada for his title.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/05/03/yota-tsuji-returns-to-njpw-at-wrestling-dontaku-takes-out-just-5-five-guys/ |first=Andrew |last=Thompson| title=Yota Tsuji returns to NJPW at Wrestling Dontaku, takes out Just 5 Five Guys | date=3 May 2023 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1304226/yota-tsuji-joins-los-ingobernables-de-japon-njpw-dominion/ | title=Yota Tsuji Joins los Ingobernables de Japon Ahead of NJPW Dominion | date=3 June 2023 }}</ref> The day after at the event, Sanada retained his title against Tsuji.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/njpw-dominion-live-results-seven-title-matches | title=NJPW Dominion live results: Seven title matches | date=4 June 2023 |first=Chick|last=Fritts}}</ref> Through NJPW's partnership with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), Douki made his AEW debut on the June 23 episode of ''AEW Rampage'', losing to "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/aew-rampage-6232023-results-united-empire-swerve-vs-chaos-mjf-appears-owen-hart-cup-bout|title=AEW Rampage (6/23/2023) Results: United Empire & Swerve vs CHAOS, MJF Appears, Owen Hart Cup Bout.|first=Luis|last=Pulido|date=June 23, 2023|publisher=Fightful}}</ref> Sanada made his third title defense two days later at Forbidden Door, defeating Perry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/aew-forbidden-door-jungle-boy-jack-perry-heel-turn-fan-reactions/|title=AEW Forbidden Door: "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry Finally Turned Heel and AEW Fans Love It|first=Nick|last=Valdez|work=ComicBook.com|date=June 25, 2023|accessdate=June 25, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/jack-perry-turns-hook-after-losing-sanada-aew-x-njpw-forbidden-door|title=Jack Perry Turns On HOOK After Losing To SANADA At AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door|first=Colin|last=Tessier|work=Fightful|date=June 25, 2023|accessdate=June 25, 2023}}</ref> On September 24, at Destruction in Kobe, Kanemaru betrayed the stable and joined House of Torture. On October 1, Sanada revealed that a new member will be added at Destruction in Ryogoku to maintain the stable’s current name instead reverting themselves back to Just 4 Guys. On October 9, Yuya Uemura was revealed as the newest member of Just 5 Guys, teaming with Taichi and Douki to beat Sho, Yujiro Takahashi and Kanemaru.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/sanada-says-just-five-guys-will-add-fifth-guy-njpw-destruction-ryogoku|title=SANADA Says Just Five Guys Will Add A Fifth Guy At NJPW Destruction In Ryogoku|work=Fightful|date=October 1, 2023|access-date=October 3, 2023|first=Jeremy|last=Lambert}}</ref>
At Wrestle Kingdom 18 Sanada lost his IWGP World Heavyweight Championship to G1 Climax 33 winner Tetsuya Naito
At Power Struggle Sanada turned on Taichi by helping David Finlay retain his IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship and left the stable to join Bullet Club's War Dogs faction, reverting the group back to Just 4 Guys.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/new-japan-results/njpw-power-struggle-live-results-kenny-omega-appearance-four-title-matches/|title=NJPW Power Struggle live results: Kenny Omega appearance, four title matches|work=Wrestling Observer|date=November 4, 2024}}</ref>
At Dominion 6.15 in Osaka-jo Hall, Douki left the group to join House of Torture, and Taichi won the IWGP Tag Team Championship with non-J4G partner Tomohiro Ishii. At a press conference afterward, Taichi and Uemura confirmed they were moving to NJPW's main unit, thereby disbanding the group.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/new-japan-results/njpw-dominion-live-results-goto-vs-shingo-iwgp-title-match/|title=NJPW Dominion live results: Goto vs. Shingo IWGP title match|first=Corey|last=Michaels|work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter|date=June 15, 2025|access-date=June 15, 2025}}</ref>
==Members== {|class="wikitable" |- !* |Founding member |- !'''I''' |Leader |}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |- !colspan="2"|Member !Joined !Left |- |Douki |* | rowspan="4" |January 5, 2023 | rowspan="3" |June 15, 2025 |- |Taichi |* |- |Taka Michinoku |* |- |Yoshinobu Kanemaru |* |September 24, 2023 |- |Sanada |'''I''' |March 17, 2023 |November 4, 2024 |- |Yuya Uemura | |October 9, 2023 |June 15, 2025 |}
==Timeline== {{#tag:timeline| ImageSize = width:500 height:auto barincrement:20 PlotArea = left:110 bottom:60 top:5 right:15 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy Period = from:01/05/2023 till:06/15/2025 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:1 gridcolor:black start:01/01/2024
Colors = id:member value:black legend:Member id:leader value:yellow2 legend:Leader id:lightgrey value:gray(0.9)
ScaleMinor = increment:1 gridcolor:lightgrey start:01/05/2023 unit:month
BarData = bar:Douki text:Douki bar:Taichi text:Taichi bar:Michinoku text:Taka Michinoku bar:Kanemaru text:Yoshinobu Kanemaru bar:Sanada text:Sanada bar:Uemura text:Yuya Uemura
PlotData = width:11 bar:Douki from:01/05/2023 till:06/15/2025 color:member bar:Taichi from:01/05/2023 till:06/15/2025 color:member bar:Michinoku from:01/05/2023 till:06/15/2025 color:member bar:Kanemaru from:01/05/2023 till:09/24/2023 color:member bar:Sanada from:03/17/2023 till:11/04/2024 color:member bar:Sanada from:03/17/2023 till:11/04/2024 color:leader width:3 bar:Uemura from:10/09/2023 till:06/15/2025 color:member }}
==Championships and accomplishments== * '''''Pro Wrestling Illustrated''''' **Ranked Sanada No. 11 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''PWI 500'' in 2023<ref name="PWI2023">{{cite web|url=https://tjrwrestling.net/news/complete-2023-pwi-500-list-revealed-top-njpw-star-absent/|title=Complete 2023 PWI 500 List Revealed, Top NJPW Star Absent|work=tjrwrestling.net|first=Sondra|last=Ruth|date=September 14, 2023|access-date=September 17, 2023}}</ref> **Ranked Taichi No. 334 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the ''PWI 500'' in 2023<ref name="PWI2023"/> *'''New Japan Pro-Wrestling''' **IWGP Heavyweight Championship (1 time){{efn|During Sanada's reign, the title was called the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.}} – Sanada **IWGP Intercontinental Championship (1 time){{efn|With the reactivation of the IWGP Heavyweight Championship and the restored and combined histories of both it, the World Heavyweight, and the Intercontinental titles, all former IWGP World Heavyweight Champions are retroactively recognized as having been an IWGP Intercontinental Champion.}} – Sanada **IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship (1 time) – Douki **New Japan Cup (2023) – Sanada **Provisional KOPW Championship (2 times) – Taichi (1), Uemura (1)
== Notes == {{Notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
Category:New Japan Pro-Wrestling teams and stables