NJPW Top 10 Ranking – August 2018

Here is the kickoff to a new feature at The Wrestling Estate.

Neal Wagner will provide monthly rankings of the top stars in New Japan Pro Wrestling, taking into account win/loss record, championships and overall impact on the promotion. Rankings always fuel debate, so feel free to comment below with your gripes.

10. Zack Sabre Jr.

Z.S.J. played spoiler over Naito on the final day of B-Block. The 2018 “New Japan Cup” winner also beat Ishii as well as two current titleholders during the G1, Never Openweight Champion Goto and United States Champion Juice Robinson.

9. Cody

The “American Nightmare” came back on the final night of the G1 and pinned Robinson, which now sets the stage for the upcoming title match at Fighting Spirit Unleashed.

8. Tetsuya Naito

The “Los Ingobernables de Japon” leader had a strong showing during the G1, despite all his wins being sandwiched between an opening day loss to Omega and a final night stumble to Sabre. Naito now turns his focus to his feud with Minoru Suzuki and “Suzuki-Gun” during the Destruction Tour.

7. Jay White

Nobody looked more impressive in the G1 than “Switchblade.” He gained victories over both Tanahashi and Okada, and now might be setting his sights on becoming the new leader of “Chaos.” Could another collision with Okada be brewing?

6. B.C.O.G.

When Bad Luck Fale, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa separated themselves from the B.C. Elite, they started a massive civil war. The “Guerrillas of Destiny” brought in “Bone Soldier” Taiji Ishimori and captured the Never Openweight 6-man Tag Team Titles from The Young Bucks and Marty Scurll. The “G.O.D.” now eye the upcoming Fighting Spirit Unleashed show to beat The Young Bucks yet again, this time to capture the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.

5. Kazuchika Okada

“The Rainmaker” stumbled in the beginning of the G1 Climax to “Switchblade” and Fale before defeating “Hangman” Page to begin a streak that led to the final match with Tanahashi that ended in a DRAW. Sadly, the DRAW decision favored the “ACE” of NJPW. Okada has one last shot to beat Tanahashi during the Destruction Tour. If he does win, then Okada is main eventing Wrestle Kingdom once again.

4. Tomohiro Ishii

The new number-one contender for Kenny Omega and the IWGP Heavyweight Championship earned it by pinning Omega clean during the G1. He left Omega with a bloody lip and on September 15th, he looks to leave with Omega’s championship.

3. Kota Ibushi

The “Golden Star” won the B-Block defeating Omega in the final match of the round and did everything he could against Tanahashi…except win the overall tournament finals. His stock has been on the rise all year since defeating Cody at Wrestle Kingdom and nothing is going to stop Ibushi form ascending even higher.

2. Kenny Omega

The current, reigning and defending IWGP Heavyweight Champion has to be looking ahead to Wrestle Kingdom in January, but he has a “Stone Pitbull” standing in front of him on the Destruction Tour. The “Best Bout Machine” has been unbeatable all year long except for one “ACE” in the hole.

1. Hiroshi Tanahashi

The winner of the 2018 G1 Climax scored 15 points in a performance of a lifetime. His tie on the final night with Okada was in his favor and now he heads towards the Destruction Tour on September 23rd in the rematch with “The Rainmaker”. If the “ACE” wins, he will continue his quest toward the Wrestle Kingdom main event.