NJPW New Japan Cup 2017: Early Favourites To Win
8. Tomohiro Ishii
The Ishii/Yano experiment is showing little sign of slowing down. Currently the legitimately badass component of the IWGP Tag Team Champions, Ishii seems to be enjoying picking up the hard-hitting slack in his Tag Title defences, allowing Yano to attempt cheap shots while he chops the living hell out of Makabe, Honma, or GoD.
As solid an angle as this has become for a competitor with the in-ring style of The Stone Pitbull, it doesn't bode well for his singles' title exploits. The feud with G.B.H. is heating up coming out of Makabe's anniversary show and it looks like it may conflict with Ishii's attempts to win the elusive NJ Cup. That said, New Japan know what kind of hard-nosed brute they have in Ishii; don't rule him out for a much-deserved moment of glory.