10 Best Non-WWE Wrestlers Of 2017
6. Tetsuya Naito
If Kazuchika Okada is New Japan Pro Wrestling's ace and Kenny Omega the company's leading gaijin, Tetsuya Naito is their biggest homegrown star.
The charismatic Los Ingobernables De Japon leader has the world at his feet at the moment. It's widely thought that he'll defeat Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 12 on 4 January and embark on a long, successful run as IWGP Heavyweight Champion, delivering a year comparable to 'The Rainmaker's' incredible 2017. If so, he'll be doing it on the back of his own banner year
Naito started the year as IWGP Intercontinental Champion, defending the belt against opponents as diverse as company legend Hiroshi Tanahashi, powerhouse Michael Elgin, and the up-and-coming Juice Robinson. Tana would take his belt eventually, but Naito's excellence continued. He engaged in multiple wars of attrition with Tomohiro Ishii, a heart-in-mouth masterpiece with Kota Ibushi, and produced a flawless performance against Kenny Omega in the G1 Climax tournament finals, securing his Wrestle Kingdom headlining spot.
The undisputed coolest wrestler on the planet, Tetsuya Naito's work is carried by his carefree charisma, with the 'Ingobernables' gimmick as fresh today as it was at its inception. Okada's had a great run, but we can't wait for his rival to take the to spot.