10 Things You Need To Know About Minoru Suzuki
1. He's (Probably) Coming Back To New Japan Soon
Suzuki's invasion of NOAH was an exciting angle, but it ultimately wasn't as financial successful as people would have hoped. It did draw some new fans, but it drove away an equally-large number of NOAH purists who felt that the New Japan influence was antithetical to the league that Mitsuharu Misawa and Kenta Kobashi had made the successor to 1990s All Japan.
After Suzukigun lost all the NOAH championships, many fans started to wonder when they'd be back in New Japan - especially given the latter company's lack of heavyweight stars, which Suzuki himself could certainly help. Still, they've continued to work for NOAH - but a return may be in sight.
At the G1 Climax Finals in August, a mysterious video played hyping a "Time Bomb," with a counter that suggests something will be happening at November's Power Struggle show. Given that Suzuki typically calls his major moments "time bombs" (think "pipe bomb" but way less played out), it seems a given that he's on his way back to the company. Rumor is he'll be feuding with fellow MMA vet Katsuyori Shibata.
Suzuki may be nearing 50, but he's showing no signs of slowing down. Between his upcoming WCPW debut and a return to New Japan, he's still got a firm chokehold on the pro wrestling world.