10 Best Non-WWE Wrestlers Of 2017 (So Far)

9. Tetsuya Naito

Matt Riddle
NJPW

He may have lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship to Hiroshi Tanahashi at NJPW Dominion 6.11, but Tetsuya Naito is flying in 2017. He started the year with a stunning victory over Tanahashi on 4 January, before defending his belt in a legitimate five-star match with Michael Elgin the following month, then mounting another successful defence against the fast rising Juice Robinson.

While each of these bouts varied in quality, none were less than excellent. Naito proves his worth as a world-class performer every time he steps inside the ring, and he’ll walk into this weekend’s IWGP United States Championship tournament and the forthcoming G1 Climax as a heavy favourite.

Naito is one of the best wrestlers in the world on individual match quality, but a lack of major singles matches holds him back. NJPW’s tendency to utilise the full breadth of their gargantuan roster by padding shows with large volumes of multi-man tag matches has restricted Naito to just four major one-on-ones this year, though the G1 will address the deficit. Regardless, his biggest performances are impossible to ignore, with each of his IC Title bouts ranking among 2017’s best.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.