10 Wrestlers Having INCREDIBLE Years (That Nobody Is Talking About)
4. El Desperado
In a less heralded year for New Japan Pro Wrestling, one of the undeniable standouts has been the masked aficionado of Suzuki-gun El Desperado.
Coming off one of the best matches of 2020 against Hiromu Takahashi, El Desperado took over the role as the ace of the Junior Heavyweight division when Hiromu unfortunately suffered another major injury. Instead of the Junior division struggling in its main attraction's absence, Desperado has ensured consistent brilliance and importance throughout his reign as champion.
The three-way against El Phantasmo and BUSHI for the vacated IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship was a masterclass in suspense. It played with the idea that Phantasmo would walk away as the new champion, before subverting those expectations in a beautiful finale that saw the beloved antihero Desperado win the gold. Additionally, his match with Kota Ibushi at the Anniversary Show was easily Ibushi's best since winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and in recent weeks, Desperado has been impressing alongside workers such as YOH.
Desperado is a charismatic and technically masterful professional wrestler, who is capable of storytelling magnificence and can always be relied upon to have a great match. He's had a brilliant 2021 so far.