5 Highlights From NJPW's Best Of The Super Juniors XXIII
2. Gedo
Gedo is just the best.
Sauntering into BOSJ like a crusty old uncle showing-up to a family gathering unshaven, reeking of Lambert & Butler, and dead-set on drinking all your dad’s booze, Gedo is among the grimiest, most treacherous rapscallions in New Japan.
But as with your weird uncle, you forget just how entertaining and strangely endearing Gedo is until he shows-up in these tournaments and starts putting-on great matches. He’s not going to give us a five-star classic any time soon, but he never disappoints in this environment, and featured in some excellent matches with the likes of KUSHIDA, BUSHI, and David Finally this year.
New Japan’s head booker isn’t just a great wrestler, but an enthralling in-ring presence. He drips charisma from every pore: you won’t be able to take your eyes off him and his antics from bell-to-bell, and his in-ring trash talk is as hilarious as it is inappropriate.
His comedy match with Rocky Romero on night 11 is one of the most entertaining things you’ll see on a wrestling broadcast all year. Start there, then watch everything else he did in this year’s BOSJ, then you’ll understand why Crusty Uncle Gedo is the king.