10 Free Agents Impact Wrestling Should Really Sign

2. Minoru Suzuki

chris jericho
NJPW

The original TNA/NJPW working relationship fell apart years ago, but with New Japan's English colour commentator, Don Callis, now helping run the show in Toronto, there's talk that it could be back on.

Bullet Club star Taiji Ishimori is an X Division staple, though his Impact deal was struck before joining NJPW in April. He is the Lion Mark's sole representative at the moment. This could now change at the drop of a dime, though it'd be fanciful to expect the likes of Kazuchika Okada to start showing up. Performers just below the highest tier are likelier, with Minoru Suzuki a standout candidate.

The shoot style sadist is currently in the midst of a career year at 50. Outstanding bouts with Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi, and Hirooki Goto have re-established Suzuki after a turgid 2017 spoiled by constant sports entertainment shenanigans. His reputation is as high as it's ever been, particularly among North American fans, and he'd be treated like a hero if he marched into Impact and started twisting limbs out of shape.

On top of all this, Suzuki isn't even under NJPW contract. He's a freelancer, allowing him to come and go as he pleases, with his willingness to work abroad making this acquisition even more feasible.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.