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Toa Henare
What Makes Toa Henare The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: Hailing from New Zealand, Toa Henare brings a unique blend of power and agility to NJPW. As part of the tag team Great Bash Heel with Togi Makabe, Henare has begun to make his presence felt within the company. With ever-growing confidence and a relentless drive to improve, the future looks bright for this determined competitor.
Toa Henare's Greatest Achievements in New Japan Pro Wrestling:
- Participated in New Japan Cup in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
- Team with Togi Makabe and Tomoaki Honma for the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship in 2019.
- Notable singles victories over Hiroyoshi Tenzan and Shota Umino.
- Regular participant in the World Tag League. - 32
Yujiro Takahashi
What Makes Yujiro Takahashi The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: A longtime associate of the infamous Bullet Club, Yujiro Takahashi has proven to be a versatile and cunning competitor in both singles and tag team action. The "Tokyo Pimp" has captured gold in the past, holding the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship and the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team titles. His opportunistic approach to battle and unwavering allegiance to the Bullet Club make him a constant threat and a key player in NJPW's ever-evolving power struggle.
Yujiro Takahashi's Greatest Achievements in New Japan Pro Wrestling:
- Held the NEVER Openweight Championship in 2014.
- Won the IWGP Tag Team championship with Tetsuya Naito in 2010.
- Held the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship with Bad Luck Fale and Hangman Page in 2016.
- Regular participant in the G1 Climax tournament. - 33
Clark Connors
What Makes Clark Connors The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: Hailing from the United States, Clark Connors has embraced NJPW's rigorous training as part of the LA Dojo. With his background in amateur wrestling, Connors brings a solid grappling foundation to the table, quickly proving himself as a major prospect in the company. As he continues to hone his craft and develop his skills, the sky's the limit for what this talented competitor can achieve in NJPW.
Chase Owens's Greatest Achievements in New Japan Pro Wrestling:
- Finalist in the 2019 New Japan Cup.
- Held the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championships with Bad Luck Fale and Yujiro Takahashi in 2016.
- Regular competitor in the Best of the Super Juniors.
- Achieved significant victories in tag team matches alongside Bullet Club teammates. - 34
Jado
What Makes Jado The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: Another long-standing figure in NJPW, Jado's career has seen him transition from tag team specialist to influential advisor. Alongside his long-time partner Gedo, Jado has held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship on multiple occasions. His tactical acumen and ability to guide the careers of others, such as KENTA and Taiji Ishimori, ensure that he remains an essential figure within the world of NJPW.
Gedo's Greatest Achievements in New Japan Pro Wrestling:
- Held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship with Jado multiple times.
- Has guided many wrestlers to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship as a manager, including Kazuchika Okada.
- Won the Super Junior Tag Tournament in 2010 with Jado.
- Held the GHC Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship with Jado in Pro Wrestling Noah. - 35
Taichi
What Makes Taichi The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: Blending athleticism, cunning, and a proclivity for bending the rules, Taichi has become an unorthodox yet dangerous contender within NJPW's ranks. As a key member of the Suzuki-gun faction, Taichi's accomplishments include holding the IWGP Tag Team Championship and NEVER Openweight Championship. His intense battles with Tetsuya Naito, Hirooki Goto, and Tomohiro Ishii have showcased his determination and adaptability in the face of adversity.
Taichi's Greatest Achievements in New Japan Pro Wrestling:
- Won the NEVER Openweight Championship in 2018.
- Held the IWGP Tag Team Championship with Zack Sabre Jr. in 2020.
- Finalist in the New Japan Cup in 2021.
- Regular participant in the G1 Climax tournament. - 36
Taka Michinoku
What Makes Taka Michinoku The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: A veteran of the wrestling world, Taka Michinoku's influence stretches far beyond his iconic battles with Great Sasuke and dynamic runs with the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. As a founding member of Suzuki-gun, Michinoku's ability to nurture and guide younger talent within the faction bears testament to his enduring significance within NJPW. His storied career and enduring impact on Japanese professional wrestling are undeniable.
- 37
Mikey Nicholls
What Makes Mikey Nicholls The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: As one-half of the tag team "The Mighty Don't Kneel" alongside Shane Thorne, Mikey Nicholls showcased his considerable skills in the NJPW ring during their tenure. Though primarily a tag team wrestler, Miller's combination of power and agility earned him a respected place in the NJPW roster. While no longer with the company, Mikey Nicholls' contributions to the tag team division during his time in NJPW are not to be overlooked.
- 38
Yoshi-Hashi
What Makes Yoshi-Hashi The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: With undying determination and relentless work ethic, Yoshi-Hashi has admirably fought to establish himself as a key player in NJPW. Though often an underdog, his resilience and ever-improving skillset have led him to notable victories over the likes of Kenny Omega and Sanada. With continued persistence and adaptability, Yoshi-Hashi's quest for championship gold remains an inspiring journey for fans to follow.
Yoshi-Hashi's Greatest Achievements in New Japan Pro Wrestling:
- Held the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship with Hirooki Goto and Tomohiro Ishii in 2020.
- Participated in the G1 Climax tournament multiple times.
- Runner-up in the 2021 New Japan Cup.
- Secured victories over notable talent, including Kenny Omega and SANADA. - 39
Rocky Romero
What Makes Rocky Romero The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: A consummate entertainer both inside and outside the ring, Rocky Romero's talents in NJPW stretch far and wide. As a multiple-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion, Romero's tag team acumen and high-flying ability have cemented him as a fixture in the company. Beyond his in-ring exploits, Romero also serves as a coach in the NJPW LA Dojo, nurturing the next generation of wrestling talent.
Rocky Romero's Greatest Achievements in New Japan Pro Wrestling:
- Held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship once.
- Held the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship multiple times with several partners.
- A Regular participant in the Best of the Super Juniors tournament.
- Participated in the Super Junior Tag Tournament multiple times. - 40
Hiroyoshi Tenzan
What Makes Hiroyoshi Tenzan The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: A grizzled veteran of the Japanese wrestling scene, Hiroyoshi Tenzan's accolades speak volumes of his storied career. With multiple IWGP Heavyweight Championship reigns and a record four IWGP Tag Team Championships alongside Satoshi Kojima, Tenzan's legacy in NJPW has been firmly established. His powerful offense, which includes the trademark Mongolian Chops, ensures that he remains a force to be reckoned with, even as the next generation takes center stage.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan's Greatest Achievements in New Japan Pro Wrestling:
- Won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship four times.
- Winner of the G1 Climax tournament three times.
- Held the IWGP Tag Team Championship multiple times.
- Won the All Asia Tag Team Championship with Satoshi Kojima. - 41
Toru Yano
What Makes Toru Yano The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: Known as the "Sublime Master Thief," Toru Yano's unique combination of humor, cunning, and opportunism makes him a one-of-a-kind competitor in NJPW. A surprising record three-time winner of the NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship, Yano's unorthodox tactics and penchant for mind games make him a perpetual wild card in any match. Despite his comedic antics, Yano's ability to seize victory when least expected ensures that he remains a fan favorite in NJPW.
Toru Yano's Greatest Achievements in New Japan Pro Wrestling:
- Winner of the King of Pro Wrestling Championship in 2020 and 2021.
- Regular participant in the G1 Climax tournament.
- Held the IWGP Tag Team Championship three times.
- Two-time winner of the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship. - 42
Yuji Nagata
What Makes Yuji Nagata The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: A decorated veteran with an illustrious career spanning multiple decades, Yuji Nagata's fighting spirit and in-ring prowess are widely celebrated. As a former two-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and countless victories in singles and tag team competition, Nagata's legacy in NJPW is beyond reproach. His classic rivalries with the likes of Shinya Hashimoto, Keiji Mutoh, and Minoru Suzuki form an integral part of NJPW's rich history.
Yuji Nagata's Greatest Achievements in New Japan Pro Wrestling:
- Held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship twice.
- Winner the G1 Climax tournament once.
- Held the All Asia Tag Championship once.
- Reigned as the GHC Heavyweight Champion in Pro Wrestling Noah. What Makes Matt Riddle The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: Transitioning seamlessly from the world of mixed martial arts to professional wrestling, Matt Riddle has quickly risen through the ranks with his impressive grappling skills and striking ability. His laid-back persona contrasts perfectly with his intense in-ring style, making him a captivating figure within NJPW. Fans appreciate Riddle's dedication to consistently delivering high-quality matches that showcase both technical prowess and raw emotion.
Matthew Fredrick Riddle (born January 14, 1986) is an American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist, better known by the ring name Matt Riddle. He is currently signed to WWE, performing on their NXT brand. He originally trained at the Monster Factory prior to his debut. A professional MMA fighter from 2008 to 2014, Riddle made a name for himself by appearing on SpikeTV's The Ultimate Fighter 7, and went on to go on a four-fight win streak in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) before he was fired after testing positive for marijuana in February 2013. He also had matches for Bellator MMA and Titan FC and compiled a career record of 8-3-2. In 2014, Riddle began training for a career in professional wrestling, and made his debut in February 2015. In 2016, readers of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter recognized him as the wrestling Rookie of the Year and the Most Improved wrestler of the year. Between 2015 and 2018 Riddle worked on the independent circuit, wrestling for promotions such as Pro Wrestling Guerrilla in California, World Wrestling Network, Evolve on a regular basis and individual matches for a large number of other smaller promotions. Riddle was one-half of the World Tag Team Champions with partner Jeff Cobb (as The Chozen Bros) as well as a former Evolve champion, WWN Champion, and two-time Progress Atlas Champion.What Makes Dolph Ziggler The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: A stellar combination of athleticism, in-ring ability, and charisma has catapulted Dolph Ziggler to the top of NJPW's roster. With numerous championship reigns under his belt, Ziggler has proven time and time again that he can deliver outstanding performances against a variety of opponents. His exceptional selling skills make every encounter thrilling, while his relentless pursuit of greatness keeps fans invested in his journey.
Nicholas Theodore Nemeth (born July 27, 1980) is an American professional wrestler and stand-up comedian. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown brand under the ring name Dolph Ziggler. After a prolific career in amateur wrestling, where he established several school records for Kent State University, Nemeth signed a development contract with WWE in 2004 and was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), where he wrestled under his real name. He was promoted to WWE's Raw brand shortly afterwards in 2005, playing the caddy sidekick to Kerwin White. He was sent back to OVW shortly afterwards, being given the name Nicky and joining the cheerleading-themed Spirit Squad, who debuted on Raw in January 2006 and won the World Tag Team Championship once before returning to OVW that November. In September 2007, Nemeth was assigned to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), where he won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship twice, with Brad Allen and later Gavin Spears. Upon his return to the main roster in September 2008, Nemeth was repackaged as Dolph Ziggler. Since then, he has held the World Heavyweight Championship twice, the Intercontinental Championship six times, the United States Championship twice, and the Raw Tag Team Championship once. He was also the sole survivor of two Survivor Series elimination matches, as well as the 2012 Money in the Bank winner, and has headlined multiple pay-per-view events for WWE.- 45
Mustafa Ali
What Makes Mustafa Ali The Best NJPW Wrestler Today: As an extraordinary high-flyer with impressive agility, Mustafa Ali brings excitement and energy whenever he steps into the ring. Priding himself on breaking down barriers as a proud Muslim wrestler, Ali uses his platform to promote inclusivity and positivity within the industry. His passion for change combined with his undeniable talent makes every match Mustafa Ali participates in an invigorating experience for fans.
Adeel Alam (born March 28, 1986) is an American professional wrestler best known under the ring name Mustafa Ali. He is currently signed to WWE on the Raw brand. Prior to signing with WWE, Alam worked on the independent circuit after his debut in 2003, while also working as a police officer in a Chicago suburb for four years. In 2016, he competed in the Cruiserweight Classic as a replacement and through his performances, earned a full-time contract with WWE. He initially worked for their new cruiserweight division as part of the 205 Live brand. In December 2018, he was moved to the SmackDown brand, moving out of the cruiserweight division. In July 2020, he was moved to the Raw brand. In October of that same year, he revealed himself as the leader of the villainous stable Retribution, thereby turning heel in the process.
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Fact-checked by:Molly Gander
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