3. Japan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOXflTy9weQ Chris Benoit's time in New Japan Pro Wrestling as "Wild Pegasus" is well known (and well regarded). While yes, Daniel Bryan spent time in New Japan too, it was due to Ring of Honor's relationship with Pro Wrestling NOAH that Bryan was allowed to have his greatest Japanese success. Key to the legitimacy of any junior heavyweight in the last thirty years of wrestling history is being able to count significant time spent in the Land of the Rising Sun in your in-ring history. Both Benoit and Bryan share in that legacy.
Marcus K. Dowling
Contributor
Besides having been an independent professional wrestling manager for a decade, Marcus Dowling is a Washington, DC-based writer who has contributed to a plethora of online and print magazines and newspapers writing about music and popular culture over the past 15 years.
See more from
Marcus