An introduction on NJPW's 'Big Four'
An introduction on NJPW's 'Big Four'
New Japan Pro-Wrestling has seemingly entered a new 'golden era', generating significant buzz and worldwide acclaim on numerous occasions. And that's just from this year, buddy. Now, a few of you may not be aware of NJPW, some of you may only watch their big shows, accompanied with brit-friendly commentary and I reckon a bunch of you are eagerly awaiting Minoru Suzuki's next, sadistic dismantling of an anxious young lion. (Don't worry, they are not ACTUAL lions) So, for those of you willing to take the plunge and enjoy some oh-so-satisfying puroresu, let us take a glance at the 4 top stars that are currently the focus of NJPW. WrestleKingdom 12 is round the corner, so time's a'wastin'. Kazuchika Okada
'The Rainmaker', folks. The number one ranked professional wrestler from this year's PWI 500 list, the current IWGP Heavyweight Champion and the owner of one of the most awe-inspiring dropkicks you did ever see. A man that exudes a charisma, comparable to 'Dwayne' and his sleek eyebrows is currently on course to be the longest reigning IWGP champion of all time, putting on utter classics, in the process with Katsouyri Shibata, the aforementioned, Minoru Suzuki and this other stud, named 'Kenny'...Who we will get to later. He has just dispatched of, rising star, EVIL at the recent 'King of Pro-Wrestling' show and is on a collision course with this year's winner of the G1 Climax (Yes, we will also get to that later). His matches are currently must-watch/can't miss/I'm pulling a sicky off work to watch 'Rainmaker' short-arm clotheslines' levels and he has, unarguably, had one of the most successful years in grappling history. Oh, he also leads his own faction, 'CHAOS'. Wanna check him out? Where should you start, huh? How about his recent trilogy of matches with this guy... Kenny Omega
according to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, he is the highest rated wrestler of all time, garnering 4 *****+ ratings this year, 3 of which were given at least ******, which is rare to say the friggin' least. The leader of the, white-hot, 'Bullet Club' faction, Omega is capable of producing some absolute magic, in that there squared circle, notable examples include his match with Okada at this year's WrestleKingdom, which, kinda-sorta, broke the internet. Not to mention, he is also the inaugural IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, winning it in spectacular fashion in an eight man tournament (I heart tournaments) at the 'G1 Special in USA' event in Long Beach, California. The hype is real, you need to check out 'The Cleaner', mate. Hiroshi Tanahashi
The current IWGP Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion and the most enthusiast air-guitarist around recently got a new haircut... No, seriously, it was a big deal. Known for his long, textured head hair and being the 'ace' of NJPW, through the good and the bad times, Tanahashi is a bonafide star in Japan with an utterly devoted fanbase. A former, multiple time IWGP Heavyweight Champion who has had classic matches with WWE's Shinsuke Nakamura, current champ, Okada and this year's G1 Climax winner (oh, boy). He has even shown his bare behind whilst in the ring with Billy Gunn, which is something everyone secretly wants to do. ADMIT IT! A true professional and a fantastic ambassador for NJPW. Tetsuya Naito
The head honcho of 'Los Ingobernables De Japon', a great acquaintance of Daryl Takahashi and THE WINNER OF THIS YEAR'S G1 CLIMAX! (we got there, we kept it 'tranquilo'). Naito is, arguably, the hottest star in Japan, right now. From throwing around the IWGP IC title on floors and steel steps to spitting bodily fluids on every Tom, Dick & Yoshi, in his vicinity (Lance Archer has him beat, in that regard, though), Naito maximizes every single second available to him. With a demeanor that says, “I honestly do not give a monkey's, mate”, Naito makes the art of profressional wrestling look EFFORTLESS. HE IS SO FREAKING COOL, BRAH! …. Also, his hair....it's perfect...like, it keeps it's shape, even after a grueling, 20+ minute match, it still looks spiffing. YET HE FREAKING WEARS A FREAKING BASEBALL CAP HALF THE FREAKING TIME!
We do not deserve Tetsuya Naito. Hopefully, I've got you interested in checking out NJPW's product, which I highly recommend doing. Get onto njpwworld.com and tell me why Toru Yano isn't the bee's friggin' knees. Alex Waller