20 Absolute Best Wrestlers In The World Right Now

4. Go Shiozaki

Go Shiozaki
NOAH

The beleaguered spirit of Pro Wrestling NOAH has endured a torrid time since returning from long-term in December 2021, not only failing to regain the GHC Heavyweight Title he lost to the ghost of Keiji Mutoh that February, but falling further down the pecking order than ever before.

Matches with Katsuhiko Nakajima, Takashi Sugiura, Masato Tanaka, Naomichi Marufuji, Kaito Kiyomiya, and Kenoh, all of whom he either defeated or drew with during one of the greatest world title reigns in living memory, have brought nothing but misery. Go's old tricks aren't working anymore. Foes he used to get the better of have figured the rusty warrior out, countering spots and kicking out of big moves that would have felled him in the past. It has all the hallmarks of a classic redemption story, even if NOAH's booking team is The Absolute Worst, and we can only hope that one of the company's crusty, old, refuse-to-lose dinosaurs doesn't get in his way.

Shiozaki spent most of 2021 sidelined but has immediately returned to his old level. Nobody else in wrestling is conveying the same sense of struggle at the moment. Towards the end of his GHC run, he fought like his body was barely being held to the athletic tape adorning his skin. Now, it's something else. Something audience members can't see but needs fixing nonetheless.

And yes, that he beats the living sh*t out of his opponents (and lets them return the favour) helps immensely too.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.