20 Absolute Best Wrestlers In The World Right Now

11. Konosuke Takeshita

DDT's push of Konosuke Takeshita causes problems similar to certain WWE wrestlers. His positioning as the promotion's undisputed top guy in kayfabe eats everybody around him alive, leaving fans of perennial contenders like Kazusada Higuchi wondering if the fearsome big man will ever get his deserved headlining run. Takeshita, in short, beats everybody. DDT return to him over and over, spurning the opportunity to mint new stars, creating a logjam of would-be KO-D Openweight Champions who may never get their shot.

Ending Jun Akiyama's successful KO-D reign last year would have sent a Higuchi or Yuki Ueno stratospheric. Instead, DDT returned it to Takeshita, who needed neither the rub of dethroning the legend or going undefeated in the D-Oh Grand Prix months later, winning that too. The 26-year-old didn't need to become a made man. He was already there.

But the reason DDT keep going back to Konosuke Takeshita in these scenarios is simple: he is a demonstrably excellent professional wrestler.

One of the most complete workers in Japan, even in his relative youth, Takeshita can do it all. Poise, presence, and a diverse offensive arsenal mean he is consistently amongst the best in-ring performers on a loaded roster. Whether throwing thunder opposite Yuji Okabayashi, trading holds with Shinya Aoki, or simply being asked to stand out as an engaging, ace-like figure, he is the ideal 'top guy' for a promotion of this size - and somebody who possesses the transcendent qualities to eventually break out in the United States too.

An AEW excursion would suit him well at this stage. Not only would it give others the opportunity to ascend, but Takeshita a fresh environment to conquer.