The 2017 NJPW Scouting Report: The Big Four

An in-depth report on perhaps the best talent roster ever assembled.

I've been a passionate supporter of New Japan Pro-wrestling since the beginning of this decade and with each passing year, the buzz just continues to grow. What New Japan has accomplished in the last five years specifically is something truly remarkable. Head booker Gedo is an absolute genius and one could say it's because he has an endless supply of inspiration with his varied, but overall spectacular list of stars. It's arguable that most of the best wrestlers in the world are currently in the same locker room. What follows next is part one in a weekly six part scouting report of the top stars of NJPW and even sweeter, it's just in time for Wrestle Kingdom! Read along after the jump and be amazed:


Today we will be starting with the top stars in the promotion who've been commonly referred to as the Big Four. The Ace and overall face of the promotion Kazuchika Okada, the former Ace and all-time great Hiroshi Tanahashi, the wildly popular rebel Tetsuya Naito and the best in-ring performer in the world today, Kenny Omega. These four men have headlined nearly every major show in the past two years and are the main attractions that NJPW relies upon as the rapidly ascending business expands. There's also another man I'm going to include in this article as sort of an honorable mention and his name is Katsuyori Shibata. Shibata if not for a very unfortunate and potentially career-ending injury earlier in the year, would have been the newest megastar to break out for the company and surely have been positioned as the fifth man in the equation come years end. The most amazing thing about these next five men is that all five are unarguably among the top ten wrestlers in the world. And what better way to start then with the man who in 2017, has proven there's only one man deserving of claiming the number one spot...

Kazuchika Okada

4x IWGP Heavyweight Champion (current)

2x G1 Climax Winner (2012, 2014)

1x New Japan Cup Winner (2013)

Age: 29

Height: 6'3"

 Weight: 236lb

From: Tokyo, Japan
Stable: CHAOS (leader)

Finisher: Rainmaker (Wrist-lock lariat)

Bio: Okada is the current Ace of New Japan and if we were to choose one of the big four to count on as their top star heading into the next decade, he's your guy. His persona is that of an arrogant megastar who knows he is without question "the Rainmaker" or in layman's terms, "the chosen one". Hand-picked by Gedo as the man to lead NJPW into the next era & after signing a 2.2 million dollar contract, Okada has given faith that he plans on doing just that. In just five short years, he's gone from the bratty heir apparent to Tanahashi's throne to the man who when it's all said and done, looks as if he may surpass him in every category. Okada's dominance in main events and as the head of the stable CHAOS (formed with the common goal of resurrecting strong style) has changed the entire landscape of modern professional wrestling. He's proven himself to be New Japan's top draw, always delivers and he's done so while remaining the champion (for 500+ days!) among the stiffest competition in the world. He really is on another level.

Strengths: Okada is tall, good-looking, charismatic, carries himself like a star and has a limitless amount of natural ability that truly leaves him with no rival. He feels like a champion even without the title. He's proven himself to be way beyond his age in terms of heart, discipline, resiliency and poise. He also possesses the best dropkick I've ever seen. Still under the age of 30, he's far and away the best young athlete in professional wrestling this decade. Hell, maybe ever.

Weaknesses: Okada's arrogance may be his one and only weakness as a performer. In his historic title reign (probably the greatest title run of all time once the dust settles), his opponents all seemed to have him "figured out" and even though he's still managed to put each one of them down, it's taken him longer to do so than in previous years. He doesn't really have anything to prove anymore and that may be his downfall. His determination to be the top guy is still there, but the damage toll he's accrued in his 8 grueling title defenses has to be weighing on him.

Overall Grade: A+

Hiroshi Tanahashi 

7x IWGP Heavyweight Champion

2x IWGP Intercontinental Champion (current)

2x IWGP Tag Team Champion

3x NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion

2x G1 Climax Winner (2007, 2015)

2x New Japan Cup Winner (2005, 2008)

Age: 40

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 227lb

From: Ogaki, Gifu, Japan
Stable: N/A

Finisher: High Fly Flow (Frog splash)

Bio: Unquestionably one of the greatest wrestlers of all time, Tanahashi has transitioned from Ace to national treasure by gracefully passing the torch to Okada after a now legendary series of matches. And while he may not be the face of the company anymore, history will show that he held the weight of the entire Japanese wrestling scene on his shoulders in it's darkest era. It can also be said that he's the one man responsible for revolutionizing New Japan's superb main event style. Tanahashi is a true genius in the ring and the bar to which all other New Japan's stars are measured. A once in a generation talent, the dynamic high flyer is easily the best main event performer of the century thus far and is perhaps only matched by Ric Flair, Bret Hart, Kenta Kobashi and Shawn Michaels all-time in that regard. If that's not the highest praise I could give him, I don't know what is.

Strengths: Tanahashi is a complete package performer. A master of ring psychology possessing a hybrid of daring athleticism and elite technical ability. No other active wrestler in the world can match him in terms of the planning and execution of strategy and his name on the marquee almost always guarantees a quality match, regardless of opponent. A master of working the crowd, Tanahashi has become an invaluable asset by working almost exclusively with the next generation of stars and bringing out the best in them. He may no longer be the franchise, but quietly, he's still the MVP.

Weaknesses: Tanahashi may only be 40 years old, but given his high risk style and the intense physicality required to compete at the top level of NJPW, his age may finally be starting to catch up to him. He's hasn't lost much of his agility or quickness, but that being said, he's still a step or two slower than the likes of Tetsuya Naito or Kenny Omega. The hunger and enthusiasm of the young lions can be overwhelming and if Tanahashi isn't careful he may see a few more fresher talents surpass him in the same way that Naito and Okada have in the past few years. The fight to maintain his status among the elite has already begun.

Overall Grade: A-

Tetsuya Naito

1x IWGP Heavyweight Champion

1x IWGP Intercontinental Champion
1x NEVER Openweight Champion

1x IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion

1x IWGP Tag Team Champion

2x G1 Climax Winner (2013, 2017)

1x New Japan Cup Winner (2016)

Age: 35

Height: 5'11"

Weight: 225lb

From: Tokyo, Japan
Stable: Los Ingobernables de Japon (leader)

Finisher: Destino (Somersault reverse DDT)

Bio: After years of trial and error and a huge failed push, Naito has finally emerged as New Japan's most popular and enigmatic star. His "ungovernable rebel" act is unlike anything else in the current landscape of pro wrestling and his outlaw stable Los Ingobernables de Japon (LIJ) may be the best assembly of talent ever put together. He's become the voice of the current generation of pro wrestling and for all the outcasts in the world who've been clamoring for a hero who truly represents them. There is no other wrestler with more momentum or buzz and it's well deserved. When Naito is on the screen his swagger and devil-may-care attitude are something truly special. You just can't take your eyes off him. The irony is that although he is the most decorated of the big four, Naito is not one to care about titles or individual achievements. His current mission sees him laser focused on one supreme goal. To make LIJ the most dominant force in New Japan and prove without a shadow of a doubt that he is the very best in the business. Look for 2018 to be the year he does just that.

Strengths: Pound-for-pound, Naito may be the fastest wrestler alive. He moves around the ring with such ferocity that he's almost impossible to plan for. His attacks can come at you so quickly that before you can even react, you've got another foot in your face. He stands alone among all other main event talents due to the fact that you don't really know what to expect. He also has shown that when truly motivated, he can be a superb ring general. He's very similar to Randy Orton in this aspect. He makes the most difficult tasks looks so easy that you almost wonder if he's even trying. It's simultaneously become his calling card and his secret weapon.

Weakness: Naito's primary weakness is the fact that he doesn't have a direct focus other than getting revenge against the company itself for pushing him aside and proving that he is the one true megastar of NJPW. In many ways, he's already accomplished this, becoming NJPW's top merchandise seller and earning the loudest crowd support. Still, without a direct focus on winning, he's allowed himself to be defeated in big matches by impressive, but overall lesser talents like Michael Elgin and Tomohiro Ishii.

Overall Grade: A+

Kenny Omega

1x IWGP Intercontinental Champion

1x IWGP United States Champion (current)

2x IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion

1x IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion

2x NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion

1x G1 Climax Winner (2016)

Age: 34

Height: 6'

Weight: 203lbs

From: Winnepeg, Manitoba, Canada
Stable: Bullet Club (leader)

Finisher: One-Winged Angel (One-handed electric chair driver)

Bio: Kenny Omega is the most electrifying in-ring performer since Shawn Michaels in his prime. He reigns supreme as the best show stealer in the world having done so consistently at the highest level among the best collection of wrestlers ever assembled. As the 3rd leader of the Bullet Club (2017's equivalent to the NWO), he's remained a top draw overseas and his popularity in North America has brought in a whole new legion of fans. He is a one man representation of where pro wrestling should be in 2017 and if I had to choose only one of these men to recommend a match for non fans, it'd be an Omega match. He's an elite athlete with an incredible presence and an ability to pull you into a match like no one else. His matches are comparable to a Jason Bourne film. Incredible action with edge-of-your-seat suspense and riveting drama. In a word, he's untouchable.

Strengths: Kenny Omega is the best pure athlete in professional wrestling. When you watch him, you're convinced there isn't anything he can't do between those ropes. He's impressively strong for his size, faster than most cruiserweights and even though his toughness and counter-wrestling ability are impressive, his true impact can be felt through his endless repertoire. When Omega gets on a roll offensively, he's almost unstoppable. Hitting you with a barrage of one devastating move after another and you can almost feel the impact through your television screen. Whether it's the risky reverse 'rana, the disorienting V-Trigger knee strike or his wide variety of suplexes, nearly every big move in Omega's arsenal perfectly damages the head and neck area. It's a brilliant, multilayered and often thrilling insurance policy that once he hits his One-Winged Angel finish, his opponents stay down for the count.

Weaknesses: Omega has shown that while he's probably the best offensive wrestler on the planet, he has struggled when matched up against his main event contemporaries. It's an odd scenario to consider that the most bankable main event performer alive seemingly struggles to win the "big one". Omega is so good that many seem to forget that he's yet to capture the IWGP heavyweight championship. And while hes proven he can defeat Okada (he stands at 1-1-1 against the champion), until he can win New Japan's most prestigious prize, he'll always have a chip on his shoulder.

Overall Grade: A

Katsuyori Shibata

3x NEVER Openweight Champion

1x IWGP Tag Team Champion

1x New Japan Cup Winner (2017)

1x World Tag League Winner (2014)

Age: 37

Height: 6'

Weight: 209lb

From: Kuwana, Mie, Japan

Stable: N/A

Finisher: G2PK (Go To Sleep followed by a soccer kick)

Bio: Nicknamed "The Wrestler" due to his no-nonsense, gimmick-free, brutal style, Katsuyori Shibata has emerged as the most punishing athlete in the sport (yes that includes Brock Lesnar). Shibata has always been New Japan's black sheep. Originally chosen to be one of the new "three musketeers" (along with Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura), Shibata would leave the promotion after losing his passion for wrestling and not return for another seven years. Upon making his return in 2012, he immediately earned the respect of the fans with his hard-hitting style and particularly with his series of epic battles with Tomohiro Ishii and former best friend Hirooki Goto. Each year saw Shibata grow increasingly more popular, though there was always a glass ceiling in place. Finally this past April, he won the New Japan Cup and could no longer be denied. He would then challenge Okada at Sakura Genesis in an all-time epic battle of wills. The match, a story of Shibata's determination and unstoppable rise, would culminate in him earning some of the most passionate fan support ever witnessed. Sadly, we would never see him capitalize on his now skyrocketing momentum due to the fact that he severely damaged his brain and may never wrestle again. It's a truly tragic state of affairs, but one can only be glad that he's still alive.

Strengths: Shibata is a bruising, relentless, vicious striker with a scary level of competitive drive, focus and mental toughness. He never hesitates and never backs down. His demeanor is the most intimidating of all New Japan stars and anyone who steps foot in the ring with him is usually changed forever by the time they exit. His match strategy never alters, he is here to test your fortitude and he does so without mercy or seemingly any semblance of respect for his opponents. You may defeat Shibata, but given all of the damage you'd have to endure, few can ever really say they won.

Weaknesses: Shibata does not know the meaning of the word "fear". While this is also one of his greatest strengths, it has often cost him in big matches. On many occasions, Shibata has sacrificed his own body showing a willingness to receive damage in order to allow his opponent to tire and leave an opening for him to retaliate with a barrage of lethal strikes. Think Ali vs Foreman only EVERY SINGLE MATCH. It has resulted in some of the most awe-inspiring spectacles of brutality I've ever seen, but after going to the well once too many, I can't help but wish Shibata had more concern for his own well being.

Overall Grade: A-