A BLOCK
Hiroshi Tanahashi: The 7-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion and undisputed top star of NJPW of the modern era. Tanahashi won the G1 Climax back in 2007, and could be a top choice to face current champion Okada in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom should he win, making it the third time in four years the two have done so.
Togi Makabe: The current reigning NEVER Openweight Champion.
Katsuyori Shibata: A former IWGP tag team champion and professional MMA fighter. With a Wrestling Observer 5-star rated match in both 2013 and 2014, Shibata may very well add another to his list for the third year in a row.
Tetsuya Naito: The 33-year-old “Stardust Genius” has made a bit of an impact with U.S. audiences through his recent performances in Ring of Honor and other independent promotions. Naito won the G1 in 2013, and is a two-time IWGP tag team champion and former NEVER Openweight Champion.
Hiroyoshi Tenzan: A certified legend in New Japan. Tenzan is a four-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, an 11-time tag team champion, and has won the G1 on three different occasions.
Kota Ibushi: Many consider Ibushi to be the next major face of New Japan. At 33-years-old he is a 3-time IWGP Jr. champion, a former tag team champion, and has already won the New Japan Cup in 2015. Ibushi and Shinsuke Nakamura stole the show at Wrestle Kingdom 9 earlier this year for the Intercontinental title, on a show considered by some to be the single greatest wrestling PPV of all time.
Toru Yano: He has become something of a “comedy” character, and the general opinion on his seems to be widely split, but Yano gained a lot of attention this year with his reignited program with Hiroshi Tanahashi.
AJ Styles: The godfather of TNA Wrestling probably doesn’t need an introduction to Western audiences, but in case you didn’t know, AJ Styles is kind of a big deal. A 3-time NWA champion, 2-time TNA world champion, 6-time X-Division champion, 6-time tag team champion, PWG champion, a 2-time IWGP Heavyweight champion and the current leader of the Bullet Club. He also just recently lost the title to Okada, making their rematch at Wrestle Kingdom (meaning AJ’s victory here) a very real possibility.
Doc Gallows: Formerly Luke Gallows in WWE and Doc in TNA, the 300-pound big man has found major success in Japan as a member of the Bullet Club. He is a 3-time and current reigning IWGP tag champion.
Bad Luck Fale: Fale returned to New Japan in 2013 as a member of the original Bullet Club, acting as an enforcer for Prince Devitt (now Finn Balor). The intriguing thing about his place in this tournament is the upset victory he holds over current champion Okada, who then got his win back at Invasion Attack, tying up their rivalry at one apiece.
