10 Best Strong-Style Wrestlers Ever
9. Davey Richards
With its origins in New Japan, it's no surprise that most of the greatest strong-style practitioners are NJPW natives. Nevertheless, there are still outsiders - most of whom have racked up some experience in New Japan - who really exemplify what strong style is all about.
One of those is American Davey Richards, who's achieved his greatest fame as a former Ring of Honor World Champion and TNA World Tag Team Champion. Richards first came to prominence in the mid-2000s, though, winning the prestigious Super 8 and Battle of Los Angeles tournaments in 2006. After that, he blew up on the independent scene.
It was Richards's style that helped him become a sensation so quickly. His hard kicks and ultra-aggressive manner made him a scion to the lineage established by Dynamite Kid, Chris Benoit, and Daniel Bryan. He also uses a ton of submissions, from the kimura to the sharpshooter.
Richards claims to be retiring soon, and while he never reached the heights of some of the other men on this list, his legacy as a unique worker is safe.