5 Best Brawlers In Wrestling Today

The Stone Pitbull of New Japan is quite simply one of the best in the world. After years in obscurity, Ishii captured the hearts and minds of the New Japan faithful back in 2013 with his epic clashes against the likes of Masato Tanaka, Katsuyori Shibata and Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Since then, he has racked up an enormous list of modern classic fights and turned the once disregarded NEVER Openweight title into a prestigious prize. His timing, psychology and selling are of the elite level with crowds all but catching fire in the midst of his high octane wars.

Chops, headbutts, lariats and brainbusters make up much of his bone crunching offence. A no nonsense underdog, the 43 year old shows no signs of slowing down. The prospect of the main event is in sight as he continues to steal the show at this year’s G1 Climax. At 8 points, he can still win his block, trophy and Dome main event. It’s unlikely, but there’s no one more worthy right now.

Next time you want to drop your jaw, watch him clobber the jaws of others then, now and (hopefully) forever.