10 Best Non-WWE Wrestlers Of 2018 (So Far)
8. Zack Sabre Jr.
The best pure technical wrestler on the planet, Zack Sabre Jr. is following his incredible 2017 match output with another long list of bangers in 2018. His high-level résumé compares favourably with anyone else on the planet. From warring with WALTER in EVOLVE and wXw to becoming a British Tag Champion alongside Minoru Suzuki in RevPro, his slick, devilish submission skills have dazzled everywhere he's been, though his finest moments have unquestionably come in NJPW.
ZSJ signed full-time with the promotion earlier this year. This coincided with an astonishing New Japan Cup run during which he upset Tetsuya Naito, Kota Ibushi, SANADA, and NJPW G.O.A.T. Hiroshi Tanahashi to take the tourney. This earned Zack a shot at IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kazuchika Okada in April. He lost, but it didn't matter: Sabre had officially arrived as a headliner, and the match stands among the very best of 'The Rainmaker's' epic two-year reign.
Though he's been cycled out of the title hunt since falling to Okada, NJPW booking patterns ensure he'll soon return to a big spotlight. His G1 run will be fascinating. Zack's stock has soared since last year, and his New Japan future is full of exciting possibilities.