10 Things You Need To Know About NJPW Best Of Super Juniors 2017

2. KUSHIDA's Redemption

Kushida Two
NJPW

KUSHIDA held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship for a combined 316 days in 2016. Winning the belt from Kenny Omega on January 4th, he became the division’s undisputed ace during this period, defeating challenger after challenger with his slick, submission-based style. He remains the face of NJPW’s Junior Heavyweights, but his back’s against the wall at the moment, and he enters BOSJ in a tough spot.

KUSHIDA might have met his match in Hiromu Takahashi. ‘The Ticking Time Bomb’ took his title on January 4th, and obliterated the ace in under two minutes at last month’s Sakura Genesis PPV. KUSHIDA flipped-out, lost his cool, and tried to engage Takahashi on his own chaotic terms that night: it backfired disastrously, and the same thing happened when Hiromu pinned his rival in a tag match at Wrestling Dontaku earlier this week.

The former champion is in a rut, and his redemption story is about to kick-off. There are two ways it can go: NJPW will either use the tournament to rebuild KUSHIDA and push him towards a huge victory, or they’ll have him lose at will, further emphasising his slump. Whatever happens, KUSHIDA’s eventual resurgence should be an outstanding story to follow.

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.