10 Best Babyfaces In NJPW

5. Ryusuke Taguchi

I mean, how could someone whose nickname is the Funky Weapon and uses his ass as his greatest offence not be one of the most loved men in New Japan?

Like many of the top crowd-pleasers in the company, Ryusuke Taguchi was a product of the dojo in the same class as Hirooki Goto and Shinsuke Nakamura. However, he took a very different route and has since become one of the best babyfaces the company has.

Whether he’s hitting hip attacks, dancing or channelling his inner Shinsuke Nakamura, you can’t help but root for Taguchi as the goofy underdog. A lot of the time, you don’t see Taguchi picking up a win but you cheer for him anyway. Then, just when you think the match is going to go against the Funky Weapon, the tide turns. The smile is still there but we see him go back to his amateur wrestling roots, put on some amazing matches and actually picks up big wins.

Combining all these together, the Coach of New Japan is one of the most beloved stars. He’s Big Match Taguchi or he’s The Jester but, either way, crowds across the world are just drawn to him.

In a business that is sometimes a bit too serious, the world needs a babyface whose biggest weapon is his arse and knows how to shake what his momma gave him.