20 Absolute Best Wrestlers In The World Right Now
4. Kota Ibushi
Kota Ibushi is currently receiving a great deal of backlash for something that isn't his fault.
The unification of the IWGP Heavyweight and Intercontinental Titles into a new belt with a new lineage hasn't sat well with many NJPW fans, particularly those who criticised pairing them together in the first place. Ibushi is the kayfabe figurehead of this. This is a character move, not necessarily something the man behind the Golden Star persona desires, and it's a shame seeing him receive such unearned flak.
These complaints did not work against Ibushi when considering these rankings. Finally ascending to Godhood in storyline, having done so in reality a long time ago, Ibushi may have been handed a flat, unconvincing challenger in SANADA, but that sloppy New Beginning in Hiroshima clash is the only mark against him. Elsewhere, Ibushi has shone brightly in his first spell atop Mt. New Japan.
Wrestle Kingdom 15's double-header against Tetsuya Naito and Jay White rivalled Kazuchika Okada's (against Naito and Ibushi himself) last year, and it was refreshing to see him and Naito opt for a more refined approach in their Castle Attack rematch. On top, delivering big, and projecting like a megastar, NJPW creative may be struggling at the moment, but they picked the right guy to lead the company.