10 Wrestlers NJPW Should Consider For Next Year's G1 Tournament
9. Kushida
For years, Kushida was the ace of New Japan's light heavyweight division. Winning the Best of Super Juniors Tournament in 2015 and 2017, the "Time Splitter" was the rock-solid head of a division that went through a period of transition after the departures of Prince Devitt and Kota Ibushi. However, beginning last year, Kushida took a backseat while rising stars Will Ospreay, Hiromu Takahashi, and Marty Scurll left their own mark.
Kushida is still considered one of the best in-ring performers in New Japan, but at this point, it's clear he has nothing left to accomplish in a division that's moved on from him. Fans would more than welcome Kushida's graduation into the heavyweight division and a chance to compete in the G1. After all, Kushida has experience tangling with heavyweights abroad, as he defeated Kenny Williams, Zack Sabre Jr., and Joseph Conners on his way to winning the inaugural Pro Wrestling World Cup. Kushida has also won the ROH World Title, and tangoed with the likes of Adam Cole, Cody, and Jay Lethal.
In short: Kushida has proven he can hang with the heavyweights, and it's time that New Japan give him an opportunity in G1 action.