10 Wrestlers Who Never Lived Up To Their Early Promise
1. Daichi Hashimoto
Son of the legendary Shinya, former Wrestling Observer Rookie Of The Year (2011) Daichi Hashimoto was not content to closely ape his father's smash-mouth Strong Style leanings - instead opting to carry on his sentimental favourite legacy in a kick-heavy style more akin to KENTA.
Far smaller and leaner in stature than his thickset dad, Daichi wrestled Masahiro Chono in matches which winningly recalled the wars his father waged with him in the nineties - albeit with a subverted, almost reluctant role on Chono's part - which augmented their realism and heightened the dramatic tension.
Hashimoto was set to debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling in 2013, having honed his fledgling act in the low-stakes Zero1, but his match was nixed on account of a forearm injury. This would become a recurring theme in his young career; he incurred further damage to it shortly thereafter before sustaining a further long-term ailment with a broken jaw in 2014.
At just 24, there is much scope for Hashimoto to rekindle his career, but his unfortunate injury record has called into question his reliability. Moreover, the sheer level of competition in the puroresu big time may not see him afforded the opportunity.