10 Best Non-WWE Wrestlers Of 2018 (So Far)
6. Minoru Suzuki
Minoru Suzuki's 2018 has been the antithesis of a turgid 2017 that saw the menacing shoot stylist's NEVER Openweight Title reign drown in a deluge of trash gimmick matches, with countless clashes spoiled by Suzuki-gun's WWE-style interferences and shenanigans. That's not to say he didn't have great bouts last year, but they were surrounded by bulls***.
2018 hasn't been completely dud-free (MiSu's recent Intercontinental Title clash with Tetsuya Naito was particularly disappointing), but at his best, Suzuki has been as impressive as anyone. He started the year with a violent hair vs. hair stiff-fest against Hirooki Goto at Wrestle Kingdom. From there, Suzuki drifted into the Intercontinental Title division, producing a minimalist classic against Hiroshi Tanahashi at New Beginning In Sapporo, over-delivering with a Togi Makabe in physical decline, then traveling to the USA to face Matt Riddle in a bout harking back to his shoot roots at the former UFC fighter's Bloodsport event.
At 49 years old, Suzuki is performing at a higher level than most performers half his age. He's a marvel, and what's most frightening about the man (aside from his torturous submission holds) is that his working style is so safe, he could conceivably keep doing this for another five years.