20 Absolute Best Wrestlers In The World Right Now
10. Tetsuya Naito
A similar case to Drew McIntyre, here, as Tetsuya Naito stood as New Japan Pro Wrestling's top champion for much of an extremely challenging year, surviving many a creative egg to overdeliver in the most difficult of difficult spots.
2020 was a down year for NJPW creatively. This has led to the unfair perception that Naito, who was on top for most of it, had a down year as well. This is certainly true of programmes like the dreadful EVIL feud, though the Los Ingobernables de Japon leader had an excellent G1 Climax and has made a flying start to 2021, reprising his rivalry with Kota Ibushi in a couple of punishing main events, though his quest to separate the IWGP Intercontinental and Heavyweight Titles ultimately failed at Castle Attack.
A shame, as such a move would have been best for the belts and best for Naito, whose relationship with the IC strap is germane to his long-term character arc. Nonetheless, an all-but-guaranteed first-round New Japan Cup exit and uncertain immediate future ensures his character is bound to take some interesting twists and turns over the coming months.