PWI 500: Top Ten Wrestlers of 2018

Modified Dec 26, 2018 01:49 GMT

#9 Tetsuya Naito

Tetsuya Naito started 2018 by challenging Kazuchika Okada in a title bout at Wrestle Kingdom 12.

The match was an instant classic receiving a 4.5 rating, but Naito was unable to defeat the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. A few months later, Naito went on to win the IWGP Intercontinental title for the second time by defeating Minor Suzuki.

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

He held the belt for 41 days before losing it to Chris Jericho in another classic match at Dominion. This was his most notable feud of the year.

Naito also took part in the G1 Climax and put on some incredible matches with Kota Ibushi, Juice Robinson, Zack Sabre Jr., and Sanada throughout the tournament.

Clearly, 2018 has been a great year for the former IWGP Intercontinental Champion which helped him reach the number nine spot on this list.

2019 is expected to get better as he is already set to face Chris Jericho for the IWGP Intercontinental Championship at the Wrestle Kingdom 13.

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.

Know More

Edited by Alan John