10 Wrestlers WWE Could Poach From NJPW Next

2. Hirooki Goto

NJPW New Beginning Osaka Goto
NJPW World

The perennial bridesmaid of the IWGP heavyweight title scene, Goto has been an unheralded yet vital component of NJPW's latter golden period, popping up to give Okada and Tanahashi a four-star-minimum match whenever he is required - and his popularity and stock has endured in spite of countless big match defeats.

That fans to this day buy him as a title challenger is a testament to his considerable ability, but despite his charisma and killer samurai ring gear, even the most ardent hardcore fans seem to share his perception of a valuable nearly-man with NJPW officials. There is, consequently, little clamour for his signature with which to create any palpable NXT buzz - besides which, there is major scope for Goto to snap and use his persistent failures as a logical storyline motivation to turn heel.

There is life in the underdog yet, which is astonishing given how ubiquitous his presence has been.

Goto seems to be the definition of a mainstay, despite being consistently overlooked. And, if WWE continue to plunder NJPW's main event talent pool, there aren't many as experienced and deserving to deputise.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!