If you’re not familiar with Juice Robinson, you might remember him as CJ Parker. A wrestler who after four years with WWE, decided he wanted to leave. He asked for his release in early 2015, and the company granted it.
By late 2015
New Japan Pro Wrestling announced Parker as its newest signee. He officially changed his name to Juice Robinson. Being a somewhat notable name, NJPW officials were ready to have him start on the main roster. Robinson refused, and spent the rest of 2015 working as a Young Lion in multi-man opening tag matches. By the start of 2016, he was competing for various championships in the promotion. He has been a main roster member ever since. He is the current IWGP United States Champion.
Life After WWE
In a recent appearance on Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast, Robinson discussed his time with New Japan and how he has no plans on leaving:
Juice Robinson, Talk is Jericho podcast appearance
I want to be in New Japan until I have that feeling that I had in WWE. But I don’t think I’m every gonna have that feeling. I don”t think I’m gonna sit the bench, I’m always gonna contribute here in some way. I don’t think I’ll ever have the feeling where I need to leave or like, hitting the ceiling here.
Juice is clearly having the time of his life overseas. His story could serve as a starting point for other unhappy superstars to weigh their options. Robinson was unhappy with WWE, was granted his release. He is now a bigger star than he would have ever been in that company. His hard work has paid off as well, as he just resigned a multi-year deal with NJPW this year.
Robinson left at a time when it didn’t seem possible that this could happen. With the addition of All Elite Wrestling to the fold, more unhappy performers might follow the lead that Juice Robinson started four years ago.
