10 best non-WWE wrestlers in the world

Modified Dec 14, 2017 17:33 GMT

#3 Tetsuya Naito

Pro wrestling fans and critics seem to always underestimate Tetsuya Naito. When Pro Wrestling Illustrated compiled their list of top 500 wrestlers in the world, Naito didn’t even make the top 10.

The G1 Climax winner has had one of the best years of his career in 2017. Despite his arrogant character, fans still can’t help but cheer him during his matches, such is the impact he has on the Japanese fans. He has been delivering captivating matches all year long.

Did you know a top WWE Superstar just wrestled outside the company? More details HERE

The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion has certainly come a long way since his early days in Japan. His 5-star matches against Kenny Omega, Michael Elgin, and Hiroshi Tanahashi are memorable to say the least.

Naito went on to win the G1 Climax for the second time in his career, earning a title shot against Okada’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship. With the form he is in, he poses a serious threat to Okada’s title.

He is an exciting prospect to look out for in the coming years. He is just reaching his full potential, and has a lot more to offer to the sport. If he keeps this up, expect him to be in the top two by the end of next year.

About the author

Sunil is a pro wrestling journalist, covering AEW and WWE news stories at Sportskeeda. He holds an MBA degree in Marketing, and has nearly 7 years of experience. A wrestling aficionado since childhood, Sunil used to imitate his favorite wrestlers as a young kid, and started writing professionally about the sport via Sportskeeda’s revenue-sharing opportunity.

Sunil admires former world champions AJ Styles, Will Ospreay, and Kenny Omega for their ability to consistently deliver great matches as well as entertain crowds with their mic skills.

If ever given a chance to change a storyline, Sunil would have booked Roman Reigns to end The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak instead of Brock Lesnar. According to him, The Tribal Chief needed the victory more than Brock Lesnar, as the latter was already an established performer when he defeated ‘Taker. He would’ve also made that as Taker’s final match.

Always focused on making his work accurate and reliable, Sunil thoroughly checks his facts before writing his articles. When not writing for pro wrestling, he spends his time watching cricket.

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Edited by Nishant Jayaram