10 Biggest Sacred Cows In Wrestling In 2018

5. New Japan Pro Wrestling

Sacred Cow Kane
NJPW

WWE as an entire promotion doesn't feature in this list (despite its most ardent defenders finding anything to use to excuse its ills below the line) because it is too obvious to pick at all the moving parts instead. With New Japan Pro Wrestling, this becomes trickier.

It's end-of-year season, and countless other 2018 reviews will remind you of the superlative stuff from NJPW's workers and writers alike. Yet, a large swathe of supporters are deeply concerned with the future direction of the brand.

Blame is apportioned all over for what many consider something of a post-G1 Climax slump in 2018, even though longstanding fans accept a certain drop-off after the gruelling summer tournament. Kenny Omega's IWGP Championship run has met with mixed feedback from fans but endless snowflakes from Dave Meltzer. Chris Jericho's absence has resembled Brock Lesnar's indifference, but 'Y2J' was credited for a huge upswing in New Japan World Subscriber numbers this year. Tetsuya Naito is winning again, but to what end when only the Intercontinental Title is currently achievable.

It can be both of course - the best product in the world isn't yet in the reaches of utopian perfection. Criticise it and you're blind to the positives. Praise it and you're an 'Elite' interloper. The ley lines are in the middle of course - it's just a shame prolific head booker Gedo can't control those too.

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Michael is a writer, editor, podcaster and presenter for WhatCulture Wrestling, and has been with the organisation nearly 8 years. He primarily produces written, audio and video content on WWE and AEW, but also provides knowledge and insights on all aspects of the wrestling industry thanks to a passion for it dating back over 35 years. As one third of "The Dadley Boyz" Michael has contributed to the huge rise in popularity of the WhatCulture Wrestling Podcast and its accompanying YouTube channel, earning it top spot in the UK's wrestling podcast charts with well over 62,000,000 total downloads. He has been featured as a wrestling analyst for the Tampa Bay Times, GRAPPL, GCP, Poisonrana and Sports Guys Talking Wrestling, and has covered milestone events in New York, Dallas, Las Vegas, Philadelphia, London and Cardiff. Michael's background in media stretches beyond wrestling coverage, with a degree in Journalism from the University Of Sunderland (2:1) and a series of published articles in sports, music and culture magazines The Crack, A Love Supreme and Pilot. When not offering his voice up for daily wrestling podcasts, he can be found losing it singing far too loud watching his favourite bands play live. Follow him on X/Twitter - @MichaelHamflett