Nominees

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Discuss here. From Quentin: "The face of DDT, best worker in company history and still arguably the best worker in the company. One of the best and most consistent wrestlers in Japan for at least 10-11 years that we have proof of. In the top tier of title match workers of the last decade along with fitting in great in any situation you want to plug him in to. Whether that’s having to be adept at comedy stuff, working young, spot heavier guys like Endo and Speedball, grappling with Sakaguchi and Shinya Aoki, or carrying someone like Soma Takao to a career match and at 46, shows no strong signs of slowing down. Didn’t get nominated last time but someone I had peg…

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El McKell said: Adam Cole Has a charisma and presence that gets him over wherever he goes. Despite the fact that he doesn’t seem to be spectacular enough to be a main eventer in PWG or (pre USA network) NXT he still has great matches in these environments. He’s not someone who doesn’t have longevity, he’s been at least pretty good for 10 years, and from near the beginning teaming with Kyle O’Reilly he knew how to be a dickhead heel that has this undercurrent of likeability. w/ Kyle O’Reilly vs Marty Scurll & Zack Sabre Jr WXW 03/13/2011 vs Kyle O’Reilly PWG 05/23/2014, go to 1hr 15 mins in that video for the match vs Johnny Gargano NXT 04/05/2019, go to…

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GraveyardMurmurs said: One of the best Japanese wrestlers of the last 5 years, in my opinion. Has done great work with a crazy variety of opponents. From Kohei Sato & Yuji Hino to Arisa Nakajima & Mei Suruga. They can play cocky heel or valiant underdog. They have an impressive move set, and is a consistent and precise wrestler. vs. Akito 07/15/2019 vs. Syuri 05/23/2022 vs. Kagetsu 05/23/2021

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NotJayTabb said: I mean, we've got both Nasty Boys listed, but not arguably the best tag team in WWF/E history. To survive over 13yrs in a company that is notoriously not a tag team territory, never breaking up, constantly staying fresh to the point that they're arguably the most over they've ever been, is an incredible achievement. Work superbly as a face team or a heel team, a ton of great matches, and there's still potential for either to have a solo run if needed. Jey has already had a well-received main event slot against Roman Reigns, he could well get there again. There are other nominees who are arguably mainly tag guys, but the Usos are better than most, if …

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Jetlag said: "One of the most unique juniors of the last 2 decades. An incredibly athletic wrestler, whose love for new generation era WWF and knack for technical moves makes him stand out. He can do it all, from Bret Hart worshipping technical wrestling, to garbage brawling, to highflying, to working hard hitting puro epics, to being an excellent Anderson bros style heel. Has some of the best broadways of the modern era under his belt, against a variety of unique opponents, and yet to disappoint in any setting. I think a deep dive of him is well worthwhile considering he has worked an incredible number of different places in the last 20 years." Matches: 2…

Control21 said: While never a major star or a main event player, Naruse was a very skilled wrestler who was very capable of working a solid pro-style or shoot-style match. Naruse came out of Maeda's RINGS dojo and became a key undercard player during the promotion's history, eventually finding his way to become a secondary star and fan favorite. Naruse would win RINGS' Light heavyweight title, although he didn't defend it very often, if at all. Naruse would later find himself as a common participant in Inoki-ism era NJPW during the early 2000s. Someone who could work very hard to put on a good, entertaining, and hard-hitting match. Recommended matches - …

Clayton Jones said - A trailblazer in an era when intergender wrestling wasn't the norm, she made non-believers buy her against the toughest bastards going. At the same time she anchored women's divisions and worked around the world in a variety of roles that she usually thrived in. As an elder stateswoman she continues to deliver great performances and give back to the younger generation. Still doing some of her best work and finally getting some of her much deserved flowers. VS Necro Butcher - Stranglehold Wrestling KOTDM Finals 10/29/2006 VS Ayako Hamada - NCW Femmes Fatale Championship 3/12/2011 VS Jordynne Grace - Beyond Wrestling 5/29/2016

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HowtobeaMark: Premature? Probably. Since joining The Bullet Club, Kidd has become of the highlights of NJPW for me. In 2024 it has not become unusual for Kidd to have the best match on the show and his aggressive character has added an edge of unpredictablity and danger to the company. He may turn out to be a one year wonder but by nominating him here I am gambling that he won't be. Recommended matches: Vs Henare - 4 February 2024 With Alex Coughlin, Clark Connors, David Finlay and Drilla Maloney vs Will Ospreay, TJP, Henare, Jeff Cobb and Francisco Akira - 11 February 2024 Vs Shingo Takagi - 4 May 2024 Vs Kaito Kiyomiya…

From El McKell: A tiny man, a technical wizard, more fun for me to watch than any of the old French heavyweights. I like that he can be this kind of base or whatever in the matches against Le Petit Prince where he grounds his opponent but he also gets to show one of the most athletic wrestlers in his place and time in other matches. Michel Saulnier vs Jo Marconville (1959/12/11) Michel Saulnier vs Jean Rabut (1965/06/20) Michel Saulnier vs Le Petit Prince (1967/09/30) & (1969/04/10)

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