You Will Remember Me!
New Japan Pro Wrestling has had a lot of talent go through their ranks. Talent like Antonio Inoki, The Great Muta, Jushin Liger, Masahiro Chono to name a few. The current New Japan roster has a lot of its own skill and ability. I’m going to rank and tell you about the 5 NJPW wrestlers that every Professional Wrestling fan should know, so lets jump right into it with #5
#5 Tetsuya Naito
Number 5 on my list is the “Stardust Genius” Tetsuya Naito. Naito is a graduate of the New Japan Dojo and brings a good mixture of High Flying attack and a solid Puroresu style to the ring with him. Naito amazes the NJPW fan base with moves like his Stardust Press which is a very impressive Corkscrew moonsault. Naito also delivers a match finishing Koji Clutch that Naito has named the Pluma Blanca. Naito is one of the few Japanese stars who has been able to make the jump from a Junior Heavyweight competitor to a valid Heavyweight contender which also included challenging for the IWGP Heavyweight title at Wrestle Kingdom 8.
Although Naito was unsuccessful in his title challenge, Tetsuya is hitting his stride and still pretty young in wrestling terms. At 31, Naito has already won both Tag Team Championships in NJPW, and the NEVER Open Weight Championship. Naito biggest win to date, came when he defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi in NJPW biggest annual tournament, the G1 Climax, in 2013.
Naito is one of the most consistent performers on the NJPW roster, in the running for match of the night awards at about every event he competes in. Naito has that great mixture of in ring ability and the charisma to get over with the NJPW crowd. Naito is in the middle of a lack of being pushed at the moment but all he has to do is endure and he will be right back into the title picture. Tetsuya Naito is a name every fan should learn. If you’ve never seen Naito, just remember YouTube is your friend.
#4 Kota Ibushi
Ibushi simply put is the best Junior Heavyweight on the planet. Ibushi is a graduate of the Dramatic Dream Team dojo and has competed all over the world but has set down his home base in Japan, having a dual contract with NJPW and Dramatic Dream Team. Known as the Golden Star, Kota is loved all over Japan for his dare-devil offense, and ability to fly. Adrian Neville might be the man Gravity forgot but Kota is the one who defies it.
The list of accomplishments Kota has had in his career is as impressive as his actual in ring work. Ibushi has won the Wrestling Observer Newsletter award for best flying wrestler 4 times, in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. Kota is a 3 time and current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Championship was another accomplishment in Kota’s career, winning those titles with Kenny Omega. Kota has also won the Best of the Super Juniors tournament as well, winning that in 2011.
Ibushi isn’t just a high-flyer though, he can do it all. From his Phoenix-Plex to his devastating Reverse Frankensteiner and Phoenix Splash, Kota is pure entertainment in the ring. Watch just one of Kota’s matches and you will see why he is so highly regarded as the best Junior Heavyweight in the world and why the WWE is interested in bringing in Kota Ibushi.
#3 Shinsuke Nakamura
One word and 4 letters defines the King of Strong Style and that word is swag! Nakamura is one of the most charismatic and popular stars in all of Japan. Nakamura has had battles and wins over the likes of Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Kurt Angle. Nakamura has a great combination of speed and technical skill on top of his charisma being through the roof.
Nicknamed Swagsuke, Nakamura has won every major title that NJPW has to offer. Nakamura is a former 3 time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a 3 time and current IWGP Intercontinental Champion, a former G1 Climax winner, a former G1 Tag League winner with Masahiro Chono and the reigning and current New Japan Cup winner. Nakamura won the Tokyo Sports Rookie of the Year award and the 2012 award for Best Technique.
When Nakamura lands the Boma Ye, everyone knows its over for his opponent. Nakamura also has competed in MMA, with a record of 3-1-1. Swagsuke is one of the most well-rounded wrestlers in the world, he can go with anybody and have a good match with them. If you don’t know who Shinsuke Nakamura is then I’d hit up YouTube right after reading this list, you can thank me later.
#2 Kazuchika Okada
The Shin Jidai no Ace which is Japanese for Ace of the New Era, Rainmaker Kazuchika Okada has been the hottest thing in professional wrestling outside of Daniel Bryan, since returning to New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 6. Okada is the face of NJPW, Hiroshi Tanahashi passed that torch to Okada in a feud that will go down as one of the best ever. Okada and Tanahashi brought the house down night after night, winning Wrestling Observer Newsletter Feud of the Year in 2012 and 2013.
These last 2 years the Rainmaker has skyrocketed right to the top of Japanese Pro Wrestling. Okada is a 2 time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, the G1 Climax and the New Japan Cup winner. Tokyo Sports magazine named Okada the MVP of professional wrestling in 2012 and 2013, becoming the first wrestler in 25 years to earn the honor in consecutive years. Nobody has been in more 5 star matches than Okada the last 2 years, 2 of which came with Tanahashi including Match of the Year at Invasion Attack 2013. With his deadly Rainmaker finisher, Okada is the man in NJPW.
At only 26 Kazuchika still hasn’t hit his prime in this business which is a scary thought. WWE is knocking on Okada’s door, it will be up to the Rainmaker to answer them. Okada is a top 5 performer in the world and the top guy in Japan. Look out for Okada bringing the house down in WWE if he signs and if he doesn’t the Rainmaker will be bringing it night in and night out for NJPW, the 2nd biggest company in the world.
#1 Hiroshi Tanahashi
G.O.A.T Hiroshi will go down as arguably the greatest Japanese professional wrestler of all time. Nobody in Japan has ever been better in the ring and Hiroshi is on of the most popular athletes in all of Japanese sports not just Professional Wrestling. Tanahashi was a fan favorite beforehand but his popularity soared through the roof when he came back from being stabbed by a crazy ex girlfriend. Tanahashi sold out his first match back against Manabu Nakanishi. The stabbing was ironically the best thing that happened in Tanahashi's career, the incident was reported throughout Japan and everyone wanted to see Tanahashi’s comeback.
So where to start with the list of accomplishments of Tanahashi, because it reads like a novel. Lets just list them:
- IWGP Heavyweight Champion 6 times
- IWGP Heavyweight Champion record holder for reigns (6) and title defenses (27)
- IWGP Tag Team Champion 2 times
- IWGP Intercontinental Champion
- G1 Climax winner in 2007
- 2 time New Japan Cup winner
- CMLL Universal Champion
- CMLL Tag Team Champion
- CMLL World Trios Champion
- GHC Tag Team Champion
- Tokyo Sports MVP award 2 times
- WON winner for Feud of the year in 2012 and 2013
- WON winner for Match of the Year in 2012 and 2013
- WON winner for Most Charismatic in 2013
- WON winner for Most Outstanding Wrestler in 2012 and 2013
- WON winner for Wrestler of the Year in 2011, 2012 and 2013
- WON Hall of Fame Class of 2013
Deemed the 100 Nen ni 1 no Itsuzai, Japanese for Once in a Century Talent, Tanahashi has delivered and proved every nickname given to him. Ace of the Universe is my favorite nick name for Tanahashi because Tanahashi is just that, the Best in the World, sorry CM Punk. From the High Fly Flow to the Sling Blade, Tanahashi can entertain any style of wrestling fan. It’s a shame we will never see Hiroshi in a WWE ring, he is truly one of the greatest ever.
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