10 Things You Need To Know About NJPW Best Of Super Juniors 2017
5. The Champion's Terrible Record
This year’s Best Of The Super Juniors is full of major stories and talking points, many of which revolve around Hiromu Takahashi. The current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion is having an outstanding year, and has looked unstoppable since defeating KUSHIDA for the belt on January 4th. He enters with an absolutely horrendous tournament record, however, and has accumulated just one victory across his appearances in 2012 and 2013.
The caveat is that Takahashi was but a mere trainee back then, and such wrestlers rarely win in New Japan. Still, he’ll definitely be out to pad his record, and will likely finish near the top of his block. Winning would also essentially give him the chance to pick his next title challenger, giving him further motivation to go all-out.
A wild, reckless professional wrestler, Hiromu shows little regard for his physical well, and has no qualms about destroying himself to destroy his opponent. All of his matches should be considered “must watch” material for this reason, and if he has a strong tournament, Takahashi will enhance his position as a leading 2017 Wrestler Of The Year contender.