10 Wrestlers We're Most Thankful For In 2019

6. Hiromu Takahashi

Hiromu Takahashi
NJPW

What a delight it was to see Hiromu Takahashi return to New Japan Pro Wrestling at Power Struggle 2019. Missing since suffering a horrendous neck break while wrestling long-term rival Dragon Lee in the United States back in July 2018, he had been the subject of frequent return rumours since the start of the year, with none coming to fruition. Talk was that NJPW held off to make it feel like a big deal. If that's the case, they succeeded, and we're now getting a guaranteed Tokyo Dome barnburner as Takahashi challenges IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay at Wrestle Kingdom 14.

The return angle was Hiromu through and through. Daft and dangerous, it saw the childlike lunatic stroll out, all smiles, with two stuffed Daryls in tow... before throwing himself all around ringside to prove he's ready to take bumps again. It was nuts, and we can't wait to see him and Ospreay doing this to each other come 4 January.

It'll be interesting to see if Takahashi is still the performer he was before the injury, as his health and safety are obviously paramount. Regardless, it's just great to see this charismatic, adrenaline-pumping star back on the scene. He has instantly made the Junior Heavyweight Title picture a whole lot more interesting.

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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.