10 Best NJPW Wrestlers Of 2016

Considering what Tanahashi has meant to the company over the years, having him at number four at the end of 2016 does feel painfully disrespectful. It isn't a slight on the ACE, but merely indicates that the new generation are flourishing and Tanahashi did plenty to help that over the course of the year.

The Tana/Okada rivalry is probably not over, but his run of Wrestle Kingdom main events came to an explosive end this year in the form of a five-star clash with his rival. From there Tanahashi set his sights on the new up-and-comers, starting with Kenny Omega as they battled to capture the IC Title which Nakamura had vacated. He then had a G1 showing to prove he is every bit the in-ring performer he once was, with particular highlights coming against Marufuji, Sanada, and in the final match of the block stage, Okada. This final match had the fans as gripped as ever for a full thirty minutes. Now he is focused on the new kids on the block, LIJ and their leader Naito.

Though it may not have been a year of glory and triumph, Tanahashi has proved (like Cena in recent years) that he can adapt and help cultivate the new talents, rather than refusing to work anything below the main event, and for this reason he deserves huge credit for his 2016.