10 Wrestlers Who Reward You For Paying Attention

Bret Hart was fantastic at rewarding fan investment.

He drove his entire approach around working towards the ultra-dedicated, crediting them with the intelligence to grasp, for example, that he wasn't a cartoonish heel when overshadowing Owen Hart. He truly believed himself to be the best, and capable of winning a match his younger, less experienced brother could not. In performances of exceptional balance, he created a source of resentment without that resentment spiralling out to his fanbase.

The All Japan Four Pillars spent a near-decade of pristine world-building to infuse every match they worked together with almost profound meaning. Kenta Kobashi worked as the fiery, impassioned babyface with such unreal nuance that his ascent to Pro Wrestling NOAH Ace was realised as a mega-drawing run that elevated virtually everybody as a credible threat. He was convincing, and formidable, but those years of big match vulnerability powered every last one of his GHC Heavyweight Title defences.

The very best professional wrestlers make phenomenal use of what is a very difficult challenge. Wrestling never, ever stops. There is no off-season, and yet these generational talents are capable of staying on all of the time.

As for this current generation...

Hiroshi Tanahashi uses a signature move to unbelievably dramatic effect.

His dragon screw is phenomenal because he uses it repeatedly in every match, it always makes perfect strategic sense, and you still never see it coming. It draws a gasp of fist-pumping triumph every damn time, and "every damn time" has spanned well over a decade of high-profile output in lengthy, main event classics. It is a perfectly safe pro wrestling manoeuvre, almost the antithesis of a high spot, and he positions it with such ingenious working nous that it invariably generates the rush of adrenaline that we are all here for.

Tanahashi is exceptional, and he's so exceptional that he gets even better the more his body falls apart. Those invested in the performer - and they are legion, for this is a babyface so incredible that he almost singlehandedly restored a dying promotion to prominence - are rewarded with an undying attachment.

That phrases accurately describes his application of the dragon screw to Jay White at the Best of the Super Juniors Final last year. He used both arms to twist the knee - one has been battered into oblivion in recent years - and he cut an almost pitiable sight.

His physical decline informs his constant psychological genius. He's long since lost Ace status, but there's a reason why he will forever go by the nickname.