10 Reasons Why New Japan Pro Wrestling Had A Great 2016

The leader of Los Ingobernables de Japon may be the most charismatic wrestler in New Japan today. Not only does he carry himself with such allure, he backs it up in the ring. Naito comes to the ring dressed in a suit and plays to the crowd like the cocky guy that he is. He will toss a wrestler out of the ring and pose on the mat as if he watching his opponent. He also does an eye gesture that he picked up from the fans in Mexico who were taunting him.

All quirks aside, Naito has become one of the most underrated wrestlers on the entire planet. He rarely works a bad match, his pacing is incredible, and he is the penultimate cool heel. Maybe even cooler than any of the Bullet Club members as well. He uses heel tactics to get his way at times, but will wrestle a clean match when needed. His finisher, Destino, is a great tribute to the Ultimo Dragon’s Asai DDT and can come at any time during a match.

2016 was the year that made Naito a mainstay in NJPW though. He started the year feuding with Hirooki Goto at Wrestle Kingdom, moved on to win the New Japan Cup and beat Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, only to lose it back two months later at Dominion. He lost out on winning his block of the G1 Climax to Kenny Omega and immediately put himself in the picture for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, which he currently holds. He defends that title against Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 11 in what is sure to be one of the best, if not the best, match of the night.