>Yuto-Ice (28) and Oskar (27), the "Knockout Brothers (K.O.B.)," who made their triumphant return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, have revealed the true reason behind joining the "Bullet Club War Dogs (W.D.)."
>After spending about a year and seven months on overseas excursions, the two have undergone a transformation. It has been decided that at the September 28th Kobe event, they will challenge IWGP Tag Team Champions Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii. They spoke about the meaning behind their new ring names and their ambitions moving forward.
>Since January 2024, K.O.B. had been touring Europe—starting in the U.K.—and New Zealand, before making a shocking appearance at the Ariake Arena event on the 17th. They changed their tag team name from the former “Young Blood” to “Knockout Brothers,” because, as Oskar put it, “Even though we’re from different countries, we’re more than brothers, more than family.”
>Yuto, who changed his ring name from his real name Yuto Nakashima to “Ice,” explained: “‘ICE’ means diamonds and jewelry. They shine like ice with the way they reflect light.” Incidentally, his trademark necklace, engraved with “AMBITION” (the name of the underground fighting event in Gifu where he first competed), is said to be worth “about the price of a luxury car.”
>Upon returning to Japan, the duo chose to align themselves with the War Dogs, led by David Finlay. Ice explained: “Simply because they’re the most fun to fight with. That’s why I decided to roll with them. Bullet Club has had a lot of leaders over the years, but I thought Finlay was the right one. If it were someone else, I wouldn’t have followed.”
>Oskar echoed his partner’s sentiments: “Finlay is the best wrestler in the world, and the wrestlers around Gedo, such a great coach, keep leveling up. W.D. has no lies—it’s real fight, real energy. Other units can’t create that kind of strength.”