Ranking Who Was Really The Man In Wrestling Every Year 1990-2020

17. 2004 - Kenta Kobashi

Austin Jericho
Pro Wrestling NOAH

It really was a phenomenal run.

In 2004, Kobashi continued to draw with seriously impressive box office numbers, working many different opponents in a reign marked by a certain, irresistible fresh quality that, in addition to not overwhelming the public, allowed Kobashi to show off his immense range.

He worked the Gladiator in a slow-moving but ultimately fun, insane and utterly gratuitous bomb fight. He worked protege KENTA in a tremendously-worked match that exploited its fascinating dynamic into a styles clash powered by the junior's profound (and studious) disrespect. The remonstration was brutal and f*cking glorious.

He also rolled back the years to walk the King's Road once more in a Tokyo Dome super-fight opposite Jun Akiyama in which he popularised the now de rigueur demented apron bump, but earned it by selling Akiyama's challenge as the fight of his life.

He had a habit of doing that.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!