Kushida is the current Jr. IWGP Champion and I am not about to blow smoke up the man’s ass but it is more clear than ever that KUSHIDA will be the biggest wrestler in NJPW within the next 6 years. I am going to present my case my referencing the past, the future is on its way.

Let me first state his accolades since his debut in wrestling just 10 years ago.

3 time IWGP Jr Heavyweight Champion.

2 time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champion.

Winner of the 2015 Best of the Super Juniors.

Won the 2012 Best of the Super Jr. Tag Tournament.

Undefeated in his total 8 MMA appearances.

Ranked #34 on the top 500 singles wrestlers on the PWI 500 in 2015

ZST Genesis Light Weight Tournament (2004)

Match of the year caliber matches of 2016 alone.

KUSHIDA vs Kenny Omega (Wrestlekindgom 10)

KUSHIDA vs Taiji Ishimori (SUPER J-CUP 2016)

KUSHIDA vs Will Ospreay (Invasion Attack 2016)

KUSHIDA vs Kyle O’Reilly (BOSJ 26)

KUSHIDA aligns himself with the likes of Hiroshi Tanahashi, that charisma and presence rubs of on the 33 year old. Most of all his singles matches are incredibly entertaining. His style is very MMA influenced but started out his career has a high flyer. KUSHIDA I believe is the only wrestler that can adapt his style of wrestling to his opponents, watching the BOSJ 2016 it was very clear KUSHIDA had sounds psychology and wrestled in different styles throughout the tournament. Through out the tournament KUSHIDA changed the way he worked in reference to who he was facing.

KUSHIDA’s gimmick is retrospect is quite goofy, applying a Marty Mcfly character from the 1980’s movie Back To The Future. His tag team with Alex Shelly was named the Time Splitters. Drawing a wrist watch on his wrist tap and using it as a taunt. It all seems quite silly but its not to far from other great success stories. Hiroshi Tanahashi, the long time ACE of New Japan plays the air guitar and throws imaginary picks into the crowd. KUSHIDA’s character works well for his Japanese audience, as I believe its very reflective of Japanese culture.

KUSHIDA’s work rate is unbeatable. Most of all his singles matches are fantastic, 2016 has been a very good year for the young jr. Eager to push his skills and connections, KUSHIDA openly challenges wrestlers from around the world such as Ring of Honor, CMLL and RPW. Has had stints of training with members of the Gracie family.

The only down fall I see KUSHIDA suffering from would be his size. Obvious plans for the future would be for him to gain weight to move up into the Heavyweight Division, sadly being stunted by his height. Once this transition is put into place I believe NJPW will be a much different play, which can been seen throughout the world of wrestling where guys with shorter stature and gaining the main event spots.

The future is incredibly bright for KUSHIDA.