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United Empire#Sub-groups

{{short description|Professional wrestling stable}}

{{Infobox Wrestling team

|article_name=United Empire

|type=S

|image=United Empire Logo.svg

|image_size=

|caption=The unit's logo

|members=See below

|names={{ubl|The Empire|United Empire}}

|debut= October 16, 2020

|years_active=2020–present

|disbanded=

}}

{{Nihongo|United Empire|ユナイテッド・エンパイア|Yunaiteddo Enpaia|stylized as UNITED EMPIRE}}, originally {{Nihongo|The Empire|ジ・エンパイア|Ji Enpaia}}, is a professional wrestling faction performing in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). The faction is led by Callum Newman.

The group was formed in October 2020 by Will Ospreay and Great-O-Khan, when Ospreay turned on his Chaos stablemate Kazuchika Okada during the G1 Climax. Fellow NJPW wrestlers Jeff Cobb and Aaron Henare would join, as well as freelancers T. J. Perkins and Francesco Akira, and the team of Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis known as Aussie Open, and "Lord" Gideon Grey from RevPro.

Concept

File:2023.11.04-Great-O-Khan.jpg shown carrying a flag depicting the stable's official coat of arms.]]

The formation's concept is based on the multitude of its members whereabout countries and cultures. So far, the stable has had members from eight different countries. Kyle Fletcher and Mark Davis from Australia, T. J. Perkins representing the Philippines{{efn|Although born and raised as an American, Perkins is of Filipino descent through his mother.}}, Jeff Cobb and Jakob Austin Young from the United States, Will Ospreay, Gideon Grey, Callum Newman, Dan Moloney and Bea Priestley from England, Aaron Henare from New Zealand, Great-O-Khan from Japan, Templario from Mexico, and finally Francesco Akira from Italy.{{cite web|url=https://www.thesportster.com/njpw-facts-things-trivia-will-ospreay-united-empire-faction/|title=NJPW: 10 Things To Know About Will Ospreay's United Empire Faction|work=thesportster.com|first=Patrick|last=Coyle-Simmons|date=June 16, 2022|access-date=June 20, 2022}}

History

= Formation; Will Ospreay's leadership (2020–2024) =

On Night 17 of G1 Climax 30, during a match between Chaos members Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay, Bea Priestley, Ospreay's girlfriend, made her debut appearance in NJPW, at ringside. As Okada locked his Money Clip submission onto Ospreay, Priestley attempted to enter the ring, distracting the referee in the process. Tomoyuki Oka (now known as Great O-Khan) then made his surprise return from excursion and entered the ring behind the referee's back, attacking Okada with an iron claw slam, which allowed Ospreay to hit his Storm Breaker finisher, earning him the pinfall victory. After the match, Ospreay turned heel on Okada by attacking him with his Hidden Blade elbow strike to the back of his head. Later, in a backstage interview, Ospreay announced that he would officially leave Chaos to start a new faction with him, Priestley, and O-Khan called The Empire.{{Cite web|last=YouTube|date=October 17, 2020|title=A new faction is born? Ospreay abandons Chaos! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJOVTmGAofk|access-date=October 17, 2020|website=YouTube}}{{Cite web|last=YouTube|date=October 18, 2020|title=G1 Climax 30 Final（Oct 18）Post match comments: 4th match［日本語字幕・English sub］|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WjVkwC1NI9A|access-date=October 18, 2020|website=YouTube}}{{Cite web|title=G1 Climax 30 – 東京・両国国技館 2020/10/18|url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/255794|access-date=2020-10-19|website=www.njpw.co.jp|language=ja}} O-Kharn later changed the spelling of his name to Great O-Khan, in reference to Genghis Khan of the Mongol Empire.{{Cite web|title=グレート-O-カーン on Twitter|url=https://twitter.com/great_o_khan/status/1317343026801332227|access-date=2020-10-18|website=Twitter|language=en}} Jeff Cobb joined the stable on November 15 when he was revealed to be O-Khan's mystery tag team partner for the annual World Tag League tournament.{{Cite web|title=Jeff Cobb is 'X'! Cobb joins The Empire!|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/84893|access-date=2020-11-15|website=NJPW Official|language=en}} The duo would score 10 points (5 wins & 4 losses), not making the final, but getting a win over tournament finalists (and the previous year's winners), FinJuice (Juice Robinson & David Finlay).{{Cite web|title=World Tag League 2020 & Best of the Super Jr. 27 – 長野・佐久市総合体育館 – 第5試合 30分1本勝負 – 『World Tag League 2020』公式戦|url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/card_result/268826|access-date=2021-01-12|website=www.njpw.co.jp|language=ja}}File:Will Ospreay 2016.jpg.]]

At Wrestle Kingdom 15, O-Khan, Cobb, and Ospreay lost their matches to Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shingo Takagi (for the NEVER Openweight Championship), and Kazuchika Okada, respectively.{{Cite web|title=2021.01.04 Varsan presents Wrestle Kingdom 15 in Tokyo Dome|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/83843?showResult=1|access-date=2021-01-04|website=NJPW|language=en}} At New Year Dash!! on January 6, The Empire defeated Tencozy (Hiroyoshi Tenzan & Satoshi Kojima) & Yota Tsuji when O-Khan & Cobb held Tsuji up for a Super OsCutter. After beating down O-Khan's trainer, Tenzan to the point where he had to be stretchered out, Ospreay declared that they would be renamed the United Empire.{{Cite web|title=New Year Dash!! – 東京・Tokyo Dome City Hall 2021/1/6 – 第3試合後|url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/card_result/277806|access-date=2021-01-12|website=www.njpw.co.jp|language=ja}} This change was later reflected on New Japan's websites, along with the group's first logo.{{Cite web|title=選手プロフィール一覧|url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/profiles|access-date=2021-01-12|website=www.njpw.co.jp|language=ja}} After attempting to defend his tag partner from the Empire's attack, Kojima was scheduled to face Ospreay one-on-one at The New Beginning in Nagoya on January 30. O-Khan was also scheduled to face Tenzan one-on-one.{{Cite web|title=【1月30日（土）愛知大会の全カードが決定！】メインで、棚橋が鷹木のNEVER王座に注目の初挑戦！ セミで小島とオスプレイがシングル戦！ 復活の天山が因縁のオーカーンと一騎打ち！|url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/278356|access-date=2021-01-12|website=www.njpw.co.jp|language=ja}} All four men squared off a week beforehand in Tenzan's comeback from injury match in Ota City General Gymnasium on January 23, a match won by Ospreay and O-Khan.{{Cite web|title=【1月23日（土）大田区の全カード決定！】メインは、デスペラード＆金丸vs石森＆ファンタズモのIWGPジュニアタッグ戦！ 本隊＆ChaosvsL・I・Jがイリミネーション戦！ 天山が復帰戦!!|url=https://www.njpw.co.jp/278423|access-date=2021-01-12|website=www.njpw.co.jp|language=ja}}{{Cite web|title=2021.01.23 Road to The New Beginning|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/85463?showResult=1|access-date=2021-01-30|website=NJPW|language=en}} On January 26, new stipulations were added to the Ospreay vs. Kojima and O-Khan vs. Tenzan matches for The New Beginning in Nagoya. The loser of O-Khan vs. Tenzan is forced to retire their Mongolian Chop, while the Ospreay vs. Kojima match will be contested under no-disqualification rules.{{Cite web|title=Major stipulations added to New Beginning in Nagoya |url=https://www.njpw1972.com/89807|access-date=2021-01-30|website=NJPW|language=en}} O-Khan and Ospreay went on to win their respective matches.{{Cite web|title=2021.01.30 The New Beginning in Nagoya|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/85472?showResult=1|access-date=2021-01-30|website=NJPW|language=en}}

At Castle Attack, United Empire beat the team of Hiroshi Tanahashi and Tencozy on night one, but were unable to win their matches on night two. Ospreay and Cobb lost to Tencozy, while O-Khan failed to capture the NEVER Openweight Championship from Tanahashi.{{Cite web|title=2021.02.27 Castle Attack|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/88363?showResult=1|access-date=2021-03-01|website=NJPW|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=2021.02.28 Castle Attack|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/88364?showResult=1|access-date=2021-03-01|website=NJPW|language=en}} In March, Ospreay won the 2021 New Japan Cup after defeating Shingo Takagi. After the match, Ospreay hit a Os-Cutter on Bea Priestley, kicking her out of the United Empire and saying that he was "only looking out for number one" from now on.{{Cite web|title=Will Ospreay captures New Japan Cup 2021 |url=https://www.njpw1972.com/93929|access-date=2021-03-21|website=NJPW|language=en}} Toa Henare, now going by the ring name Aaron Henare, would become the fourth man to join the faction at Sakura Genesis 2021.{{Cite web|title=Results for Sakura Genesis 2021 |url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/90479?showResult=1|access-date=2021-04-04|website=NJPW|language=en}} On the same show Ospreay would defeat Kota Ibushi to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. At Wrestling Dontaku, Ospreay made his first defense of the title when he defeated Shingo Takagi.{{Cite web|title=2021.05.04 Wrestling Dontaku 2021 |url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/91582?showResult=1|access-date=2021-08-15|website=NJPW|language=en}} However, Ospreay would later vacate the title after sustaining a neck injury.{{Cite web|title=Will Ospreay injured; vacates world title |url=https://www.njpw1972.com/96992|access-date=2021-05-20|website=NJPW|language=en}} He would make his return at NJPW Resurgence, claiming to be the "real world champion", and announcing to not be returning to Japan for that years G1 Climax.{{Cite web|title=Will Ospreay Returns With 'Real' World Title, Declares War on LA Dojo 【NJoA】|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/102404|access-date=2021-08-15|website=NJPW|language=en}} In September at the Revolution Pro Wrestling High Stakes event, Ospreay recruited Aussie Open (Mark Davis and Kyle Fletcher) to the group.{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/aussie-open-join-njpws-united-empire-revpro-high-stakes-353881 | title=Aussie Open join NJPW's United Empire at RevPro High Stakes | date=19 September 2021 }} The following month during NJPW Strong's Autumn Attack, T. J. Perkins betrayed the LA Dojo and joined United Empire as their first Junior Heavyweight member.{{cite web | url=https://theovertimer.com/2021/09/will-ospreay-adds-new-member-to-the-united-empire/ | title=Will Ospreay Adds New Member to the United Empire | date=26 September 2021 }}

Despite Ospreay's absence, both O'Khan and Cobb would enter the tournament in the A and B block respectively. O'Khan would finish in the bottom half of his block, scoring just 8 points, however, Cobb would break records in his block, going undefeated for 8 straight wins, before losing on the final deciders to Kazuchika Okada on Day 18, whom he had traded back and forth wins with over the second half of the year.

At Wrestle Kingdom 16, Ospreay being the previous champion and not directly losing his title, would get a shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against the winner of Shingo Takagi and Kazuchika Okada on night two, where he would lose to Okada. Both O-Khan and Cobb would also lose their respective matches to Sanada and Tetsuya Naito, respectively. United Empire would take part in the New Japan Cup, where Ospreay, O-Khan, Cobb and Aaron Henare would proceed to the second round with wins over Bushi, Kota Ibushi, Togi Makabe and Yuto Nakanishima, respectively. Ibushi was injured at the time and O-Khan would win by forfeit. Ospreay, O-Khan and Cobb would move to the third round with wins over El Phantasmo, Taiji Ishimori and Kosei Fujita, respectively. Henare was eliminated after losing to Sanada. Ospreay and Cobb would qualify for the quarter finals with wins over Yoshi-Hashi and Sanada, respectively while O-Khan would lose to Zack Sabre Jr. Both Ospreay and Cobb were eliminated in the semi-final after losing to Tetsuya Naito and Zack Sabre Jr., respectively. After the New Japan Cup, Ospreay would start scouting the Junior Heavyweight division and at Hyper Battle he would recruit Francesco Akira as the newest member.

File:Forbidden Door (AEW x NJPW) (52292916464).jpg (right) at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door, being accompanied by stablemate Kyle Fletcher (left).]]

On the May 25th episode of AEW Dynamite, Cobb and O'Khan interrupted the ROH World Tag Team Championship match between, FTR and Roppongi Vice causing a disqualification by attacking both teams, with Cobb returning to All Elite Wrestling for the first time since 2019 and O'Khan making his debut. They raised the titles, indicating the intention of challenging for the championships.{{cite web | url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/05/njpw-stars-invade-tonights-aew-dynamite-attack-aew-tag-teams/ | title=NJPW Stars Invade Tonight's AEW Dynamite | date=25 May 2022 }} The stable returned two weeks later, on the June 8th episode of Dynamite, this time with Ospreay, Henare, Fletcher and Davis making their AEW debuts, attacking Trent Beretta and FTR.{{cite web | url=https://www.thesportster.com/aew-dynamite-june-8-results-recap-jon-moxley-pac-will-ospreay/ | title=AEW Dynamite Winners & Losers: Moxley Wins Big, Will Ospreay Debuts, & A New AEW Title | date=9 June 2022 }} Ospreay competed in his first singles match at the June 15th special episode of Dynamite, Road Rager, where he defeated Dax Harwood.{{cite web | url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/aew-dynamite-road-rager-results/ | title=AEW Dynamite Road Rager Results | date=15 June 2022 }} After the match Ospreay and United Empire stablemates attacked FTR and Roppongi Vice once more, only to be interrupted by Orange Cassidy, who stared down Ospreay. Soon after a singles match between both men was scheduled for AEW×NJPW: Forbidden Door, for Ospreay's newly won IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, along with a triple-threat tag-team match, between FTR, Roppongi Vice and O-Khan and Cobb, for the ROH World Tag Team Championships and O-Khan and Cobb's newly won IWGP Tag Team Championships.{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/will-ospreay-vs-orange-cassidy-set-for-aew-x-njpw-forbidden-door | title=Will Ospreay vs. Orange Cassidy set for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door | date=15 June 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/roh-iwgp-tag-team-title-match-added-to-aew-x-njpw-forbidden-door | title=ROH & IWGP Tag Team title match added to AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door | date=17 June 2022 }} At the event, Cobb and O-Khan lost the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships to FTR, yet Will Ospreay retained his IWGP United States Championship against Orange Cassidy. After the match Aussie Open and Ospreay continued to attack Cassidy and Roppongi Vice, however were interrupted by Katsuyori Shibata, who saved Cassidy from the trio.{{cite web | url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2022/6/26/23184167/aew-new-japan-forbidden-door-results-opreay-cassidy-great-iwgp-us-title-match-video-shibata | title=AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door results: Ospreay outlasts Cassidy, gets chased off by Shibata | date=26 June 2022 }}{{cite web | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10039961-aew-x-njpw-forbidden-door-2022-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights | title=AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2022 Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights | website=Bleacher Report }}

On the June 19th edition of NJPW Strong Ignition, Aussie Open competed in a tournament to crown the inaugural Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship. In the first round, they defeated The Dark Order's Evil Uno and Alan Angels and they defeated the Stray Dog Army in the semi-finals.{{cite web | url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/07/njpw-strong-results-7-16-dark-order-vs-aussie-open/ | title=NJPW Strong Results (7/16): Dark Order Vs. Aussie Open | date=17 July 2022 }} In the finals at Strong: High Alert, Davis and Fletcher defeated Christopher Daniels and Yuya Uemura to become the inaugural champions.{{cite web | url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2022/07/spoilers-njpw-strong-high-alert-tapings-from-7-24/ | title=**Spoilers** NJPW Strong: High Alert Tapings from 7/24 | date=25 July 2022 }}

On July 27, the AEW World Trios Championship was revealed, with Ospreay and Aussie Open being named as participants in the inaugural tournament. On August 24, Ospreay and Aussie Open defeated Death Triangle to progress to the semifinals, where they were defeated by The Elite on August 31.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=2022-08-24 |title=8/24 AEW Dynamite results: Barnett's live review of CM Punk vs. Jon Moxley for the unified AEW World Championship, Death Triangle vs. Will Ospreay and Aussie Open in an AEW Trios Title tournament match, Dax Harwood vs. Jay Lethal, Billy Gunn vs. Colten Gunn, Britt Baker vs. KiLynn King, Chris Jericho and Daniel Garcia meeting |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2022/08/24/8-24-aew-dynamite-results-barnetts-live-review-of-cm-punk-vs-jon-moxley-for-the-unified-aew-world-championship-death-triangle-vs-will-ospreay-and-aussie-open-in-an-aew-trios-title-tournament-mat/ |access-date=2022-08-30 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=en-US}} After the match, United Empire attacked The Elite.{{cite web | url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/video-united-empire-attack-the-elite-following-aew-dynamite | title=Video: United Empire attack the Elite following AEW Dynamite | date=September 2022 }}

United Empire made their Impact Wrestling debut on the September 8th edition of Impact!, when Aussie Open defeated Bullet Club's Chris Bey and Ace Austin.{{cite web | url=https://tjrwrestling.net/review/impact-wrestling-review-september-8-2022/ | title=Impact Wrestling Review – September 8, 2022 – TJR Wrestling | date=9 September 2022 }}

On March 26, 2023, at Revolution Rumble, a show promoted by Revolution Pro Wrestling, Dan Moloney defeated United Empire's Akira in singles competition. Immediately following the match, an impressed Will Ospreay appeared and extended Moloney an invitation to join the faction, which was accepted.{{cite web|url=https://cultaholic.com/posts/new-member-of-united-empire-revealed-at-revpro-revolution-rumble|title=New Member Of United Empire Revealed At RevPro Revolution Rumble|work=cultaholic.com|first=Aidan|last=Gibbons|date=March 27, 2023|access-date=March 28, 2023}}

On May 24, 2023, AEW owner Tony Khan announced that both Fletcher and Davis had signed contracts joining AEW. This would officially bring the faction to AEW.{{cite web | url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/more-sports/aew-lands-internationally-renounced-tag-team-ahead-of-double-or-nothing/ar-AA1bEJQj | title=MSN | website=MSN }} Ospreay would be announced to sign several months later.{{Cite web |title=WillOspreay/status/1726091782524403731 |url=https://twitter.com/WillOspreay/status/1726091782524403731?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en}} During their tenure in AEW, Ospreay and Fletcher were also part of The Don Callis Family.

Following Catch 2/2's claim of their second IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship on June 4 at Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall, the duo was confronted by Bullet Club's Clark Connors. This led to Dan Moloney attacking the duo from behind, betraying United Empire and joining Connors in Bullet Club.{{cite web | url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/catch-22-win-iwgp-junior-tag-titles-njpw-dominion-dan-moloney-turns-united-empire | title=Catch 2/2 Win IWGP Junior Tag Titles at NJPW Dominion, Dan Moloney Turns on United Empire | Fightful News }}

= TJP's leadership (2024–2025) =

On March 12, 2024, following Ospreay completing his full-time NJPW duties and going to AEW, TJP claimed himself as leader the NJPW branch of United Empire, but would be pushed back by Great-O-Khan due to the stable losing.{{Cite web |last=Ciarán |date=March 12, 2024 |title=TJP: "United Empire is no longer a ship without a captain. I am the captain for the United Empire, and I will lead this crown forward the same way that Ospreay did. I promised my brother that I won't let the crown fall, and together we won't let it." |url=https://twitter.com/CiaranRH93/status/1767560971000729949}} On April 22 however, after defeating Just 5 Guys in a gauntlet match, the remaining members fully accepted TJP as the new leader of United Empire.{{Cite web |last=NJPW |title=Empire United under TJP as group survive faction gauntlet {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING |url=https://www.njpw1972.com/175512 |access-date=2024-04-22 |website=NJPW |language=en}}

On April 27, O-Khan lost the Provisional KOPW Championship to Yuya Uemura.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/yuya-uemura-wins-njpw-kopw-2024-title|title=Yuya Uemura wins NJPW KOPW 2024 title|first=Joseph|last=Currier|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|date=April 27, 2024|access-date=April 27, 2024}} On May 3 at Wrestling Dontaku: Night 1, Cobb defeated Zack Sabre Jr. to win the NJPW World Television Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/168944?showCards=1|title=2024.05.03 Wrestling Dontaku 2024|publisher=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|accessdate=May 3, 2024}} On June 9 at Dominion 6.9 in Osaka-jo Hall, O-Khan defeated Uemura in a Storm Catch Rules match to regain the provisional KOPW Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/new-japan-results/njpw-dominion-live-results-double-main-event/|title=NJPW Dominion live results: Double main event|work=f4wonline.com|first=Chick|last=Fritts|date=June 9, 2024|access-date=June 9, 2024}} On June 16, Henare defeated Shingo Takagi to win the NEVER Openweight Championship.

From July 20 and August 14, four members of United Empire took part in the 2024 G1 Climax, with only O-Khan managing to advance from his group to the A block play-off match, where he was defeated by Shingo Takagi on August 15. Five days later, Jakob Austin Young was announced as the stable's newest member. On September 29 at Destruction in Kobe, Henare lost the NEVER Openweight Championship to Shingo Takagi after initially winning it from him back in January.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/njpw-destruction-in-kobe-live-results-tetsuya-naito-vs-great-o-khan/|title=NJPW Destruction in Kobe live results: Tetsuya Naito vs. Great-O-Khan|first=Corey|last=Michaels|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|date=September 29, 2024|access-date=September 29, 2024}} On October 14 at King of Pro-Wrestling, Cobb lost the NJPW World Television Championship to Ren Narita in a three-way match, also involving Yota Tsuji.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/njpw-king-pro-wrestling-results-1014-zack-sabre-jr-vs-tetsuya-naito-douki-vs-sho|title=NJPW King Of Pro-Wrestling Results (10/14): Zack Sabre Jr vs. Tetsuya Naito, DOUKI vs. SHO|first=Jeremy|last=Lambert|work=Fightful|date=May 3, 2024|access-date=October 14, 2024}}

From October 24 to November 2, Akira and TJP took part in the 2024 Super Jr. Tag League, finishing the tournament with a record three wins and two losses, advancing to the finals. On November 4 at Power Struggle, Henare and O-Khan defeated TMDK's Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship. Later that night, Akira and TJP were defeated by Kosei Fujita and Robbie Eagles also of TMDK, in the finals of the 2024 Super Jr. Tag League. On December 6, it was announced that the IWGP Tag Team Championship would be vacated, due to Henare suffering a right knee injury.{{cite web|author=NJPW Global|url=https://x.com/njpwglobal/status/1866045828332466193|title=OFFICIAL: As a result of HENARE's injury, HENARE and Great-O-Khan have vacated the IWGP Tag team Championships.|date=December 9, 2024|access-date=December 9, 2024}} On December 9, Templario was invited into the stable by TJP, which he accepted, becoming the stable's eight member.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Andrew |date=2024-12-10 |title=CMLL's Templario revealed as newest member of United Empire, set for action at NJPW Strong Style Evolved |url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2024/12/09/cmlls-templario-revealed-as-newest-member-of-united-empire-set-for-action-at-njpw-strong-style-evolved/ |access-date=2024-12-10 |website=POST Wrestling {{!}} Podcasts, News, Reviews {{!}} WWE AEW NXT NJPW |language=en-US}}

On the February 5, 2025 episode of Dynamite, Mark Davis betrayed Ospreay and joined the Don Callis Family.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-06 |title=AEW Dynamite live results: Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-results/aew-dynamite-live-results-swerve-strickland-vs-ricochet/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}}

= Callum Newman's leadership (2025–present) =

On April 5, 2025, at Sakura Genesis, O-Khan defeated El Phantasmo to win the NJPW World Television Championship. At the event, Cobb and Newman defeated Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi to win the IWGP Tag Team Championship. They vacated the titles on April 9, due to Cobb leaving NJPW.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-14 |title=Jeff Cobb leaving NJPW, IWGP Tag Team titles vacated |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/jeff-cobb-leaving-njpw-iwgp-tag-team-titles-vacated/ |access-date=2025-04-14 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}} In a press conference, that same day, Newman challenged Hirooki Goto to a title match for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at Wrestling Dontaku.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-14 |title=Callum Newman Relinquishes Titles, Challenges Goto in Impromptu Presser |url=https://www.njpw1972.com/566964 |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=NJPW1972.com |language=en-GB}} Newman also announced in the same press conference that he would take over the leadership of United Empire as TJP had become a freelancer with NJPW after his contract expired, though TJP is still recognized as a member of United Empire. On April 26, at Wrestling Redzone in Hiroshima, Newman and O-Khan defeated Bishamon (Goto and Yoshi-Hashi) to win the vacant IWGP Tag Team Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/njpw-crowns-new-iwgp-tag-team-champions-at-wrestling-redzone/|title=NJPW crowns new IWGP Tag Team Champions at Wrestling Redzone|first=Ian|last=Carey|work=Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online|date=April 26, 2025|access-date=April 26, 2025}} At Wrestling Dontaku, Newman lost the title match to Goto.{{cite web|last=Vetter|first=Chris|title=NJPW "Wrestling Dontaku – Night Two" results (5/4): Vetter’s review of Hirooki Goto vs. Callum Newman for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, Yota Tsuji vs. Yuya Uemura for the IWGP Global Title|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/05/04/njpw-wrestling-dontaku-night-two-results-5-4-vetters-review-of-hirooki-goto-vs-callum-newman-for-the-iwgp-world-heavyweight-championship-yota-tsuji-vs-yuya-uemura-for-the-iwgp-global-tit/|date=May 4, 2025|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=May 5, 2025}} At Resurgence, TJP and Templario defeated World Class Wrecking Crew (Jorel Nelson and Royce Isaacs) to win the Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship.{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/05/10/njpw-resurgence-results-5-9-vetters-review-of-hirooki-goto-vs-zack-sabre-jr-for-the-iwgp-world-heavyweight-championship-mercedes-mone-vs-azm-vs-mina-shirakawa-for-the-njpw-strong-women/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|first=Chris|last=Vetter|title=NJPW "Resurgence" results (5/9): Vetter’s review of Hirooki Goto vs. Zack Sabre Jr. for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, Mercedes Mone vs. AZM vs. Mina Shirakawa for the NJPW Strong Women’s Title|date=May 10, 2025|access-date=May 10, 2025}} In a post-match comment, TJP addressed his status as a member of United Empire, stating that Templario is "part of the new Empire" while he himself is not associated with the current goings of the new Empire, thus making TJP an unaffiliated or neutral member of the stable. After O-Khan, Newman and Akira defeated Taichi, Yoshi-Hashi and Tomoaki Honma on the final night of the Best of the Super Juniors 32 tournament on June 1 in which Aina Aiba accompanied United Empire to the ring{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/06/01/njpw-best-of-super-juniors-night-13-results-6-1-vetters-review-of-kosei-fujita-vs-yoh-in-the-tournament-final-shingo-takagi-and-hiromu-takahashi-vs-ryusuke-taguchi-and-hirooki-goto/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|first=Chris|last=Vetter|title=NJPW “Best of Super Juniors – Night 13” results (6/1): Vetter’s review of Kosei Fujita vs. Yoh in the tournament final, Shingo Takagi and Hiromu Takahashi vs. Ryusuke Taguchi and Hirooki Goto|date=June 1, 2025|access-date=June 1, 2025}}, in a post-match comment, Aina pledged her allegiance to United Empire and as a result, became as an official associate of the group.

Members

File:Forbidden Door (AEW x NJPW) (52292917294) (cropped).jpg|Great-O-Khan

File:Henare 2023.jpg|Henare

File:フランシスコ・アキラ 20240318.png|Francesco Akira

File:MX MM TERCERA LUCHA 19 (cropped).jpg|Templario

class="wikitable"
*

|Founding members

I-III

|Leader(s)

=Current=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
colspan="3" |Member

!Joined

{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Callum Newman

|III

|{{dts|July 9, 2023}}

{{flagicon|ITA}}

|Francesco Akira

|

|{{dts|April 9, 2022}}

{{flagicon|JPN}}

|Great-O-Khan

|*

|{{dts|October 16, 2020}}

{{flagicon|NZL}}

|Henare

|

|{{dts|April 4, 2021}}

{{flagicon|US}}

|Jakob Austin Young

|

|{{dts|August 20, 2024}}

{{Flagicon|MEX}}

|Templario

|

|December 9, 2024

=Neutral member(s)=

This member participates mostly on NJPW Strong events in America and is loosely associated with the stable.

File:TJP April 2018.jpg|T. J. Perkins (II)

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
colspan="3" |Member

!Joined

{{flagicon|US}} / {{flagicon|PHL}}

|TJP

|II

|{{dts|September 26, 2021}}

=Former=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
colspan="3"|Member

!Joined

!Left

{{flagicon|ENG}}

|{{sortname|Bea|Priestley}}

|*

|{{dts|October 16, 2020}}

|{{dts|March 21, 2021}}

{{Flagicon|ENG}}

|Gideon Grey

|

|August 22, 2022

|November 20, 2022

{{flagicon|ENG}}

|Dan Moloney

|

|{{dts|March 26, 2023}}

|Dominion 6.4 in Osaka-jo Hall

{{Flagicon|AUS}}

|Kyle Fletcher

|

|September 19, 2021
September 11, 2024

|May 21, 2024
October 12, 2024

{{Flagicon|ENG}}

|Will Ospreay{{Efn|Ospreay represents the stable in AEW, though his status in the main group is unknown}}

|*I

|October 16, 2020
September 11, 2024

|February 11, 2024
October 12, 2024

{{Flagicon|AUS}}

|Mark Davis

|

|September 19, 2021

|February 5, 2025

{{flagicon|US}}

|{{sortname|Jeff|Cobb}}

|

|November 15, 2020

|April 19, 2025

=Associates=

==Current==

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
colspan="3" |Member

!Joined

{{flagicon|JPN}}

|Aina Aiba

|

|{{dts|June 1, 2025}}

Sub-groups

=Current=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Affiliate

!Members

!Tenure

!Type

!Promotion(s)

=Former =

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
Affiliate

!Members

!Tenure

!Type

!Promotion(s)

Aussie Open

|Kyle Fletcher
Mark Davis

|2021–2024

|Tag team

|AEW
RevPro
ROH
NJPW

Catch 2/2

|TJP
Francesco Akira

|2022–2025

|Tag team

|NJPW

Timeline

{{#tag:timeline

|ImageSize = width:700 height:auto barincrement:20

PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:5 right:10

Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:10/16/2020 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom

Colors =

id:member value:black legend:Member

id:leader value:red legend:Leader

id:neutral value:green legend:Neutral

id:lightgrey value:gray(0.9)

ScaleMajor = increment:1 gridcolor:black start:01/01/2021 unit:year

ScaleMinor = increment:1 gridcolor:lightgrey start:11/01/2020 unit:month

BarData =

bar:Ospreay text:Will Ospreay

bar:Khan text:Great-O-Khan

bar:Priestley text:Bea Priestley

bar:Cobb text:Jeff Cobb

bar:Henare text:Henare

bar:Fletcher text:Kyle Fletcher

bar:Davis text:Mark Davis

bar:Perkins text:TJP

bar:Akira text:Francesco Akira

bar:Grey text:Gideon Grey

bar:Moloney text:Dan Moloney

bar:Newman text:Callum Newman

bar:Jakob text:Jakob Austin Young

bar:Templario text:Templario

PlotData =

width:11

bar:Ospreay from:10/16/2020 till:02/11/2024 color:Leader

bar:Ospreay from:09/11/2024 till:10/12/2024 color:member

bar:Khan from:10/16/2020 till:end color:Member

bar:Priestley from:10/16/2020 till:03/21/2021 color:Member

bar:Cobb from:11/15/2020 till:04/19/2025 color:Member

bar:Henare from:04/04/2021 till:end color:Member

bar:Fletcher from:09/19/2021 till:05/23/2023 color:Member

bar:Fletcher from:09/11/2024 till:10/12/2024 color:Member

bar:Davis from:09/19/2021 till:02/05/2025 color:Member

bar:Perkins from:09/26/2021 till:04/22/2024 color:Member

bar:Perkins from:04/22/2024 till:04/14/2025 color:Leader

bar:Perkins from:04/14/2025 till:end color:Member

bar:Perkins from:04/14/2025 till:end color:Neutral

bar:Akira from:03/27/2022 till:end color:Member

bar:Grey from:08/22/2022 till:11/20/2022 color:Member

bar:Moloney from:03/26/2023 till:06/04/2023 color:Member

bar:Newman from:07/09/2023 till:04/09/2025 color:Member

bar:Newman from:04/14/2025 till:end color:Leader

bar:Jakob from:08/20/2024 till:end color:Member

bar:Templario from:12/09/2024 till:end color:Member

}}

Championships and accomplishments

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

{{reflist}}

External links

  • [https://www.cagematch.net/?id=29&nr=2781 United Empire Profile] at Cagematch.net

{{Navboxes

|list1=

{{IWGP Tag Team Championship}}

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{{Strong Openweight Tag Team Championship}}

{{Super Jr. Tag Tournament}}

{{New Japan Pro Wrestling personnel}}

{{RPW Undisputed British Tag Team Championship}}

{{ROH World Tag Team Championship}}

{{United Empire}}

}}

Category:All Elite Wrestling teams and stables

Category:New Japan Pro-Wrestling teams and stables

Category:Independent promotions teams and stables

Category:Ring of Honor teams and stables