Who are the future of Japanese wrestling?

[El Fiasco]

Who do all you folks consider to be the most likely future stars in Puroresu?

Here's just a few I considered...

First off, everyone has pegged Satoshi Kojima as the obvious new headliner in All Japan...the guy has had enough classic matches over the last 3 years to cement that spot. Taiyo Kea is another that I would suspect will continue to rise to prominence in All Japan. However, both these guys are already VERY established stars, and holders of many titles. So one could argue that they're not the future, more the present of All Japan...and I would agree, I'm just assuming that they will continue to improve and rise to legendary status. I would say that Osamu Nishimura and Manabu Nakinishi have a similar status in New Japan.

Mitsuya Nagai is another worker that I see a very bright future for. All Japan lost a great talent when he jumped to New Japan, and hopefully he is used properly in his new home(although being Makai Mask #2,673 isn't exactly a great start). Still, the guy reminds me of Kawada more and more every time I see him, and I really hope he gets his deserved push in New Japan...regardless, he remains my cool little avatar...

Hiroshi Tanahasi seems to have turned just about every puro fan out there into a believer, and rightly so. The guy really is great, and I see no reason why he shouldn't rise to the top of New Japan. Ditto for his partner Kenzo Suzuki, whom will more than likely have a great deal of success in Choshu's new promotion.

I only mentioned a few here, and didn't even think about NOAH, Zero-One, any juniors, etc...so maybe you guys can fill those in with your replies. And feel free to disagree\add comments\discuss...thats what this stuff is all about...

[Peru-Yakuza]

All-Japan: Kojima, Kea; given. In the junior heavyweight division, Kaz Hayashi needs to be a little selfish and put himself over, unlike Liger he is in the beginning of his star career so no problem.
New Japan: Tenzan, Nakanishi, Nishimura, Tanahashi, Nagai, Yanagisawa; in juniors, Tiger Mask IV, Kakihara
NOAH: Takao Omori, Daisuke Ikeda, Naoki Sano (as heavy). Morishima and Rikio were given the goods too early and like Naruse in New Japan were a slight failure. In juniors there's no need for new pushes yet; Kanemaru and Marufuji already have great leadership positions whose responsibilities are backed by their individual abilities. I just hope they get put over Ogawa.

[terrier mask]

I think gaijins will become more popular. Just think about it, gaijins on a Zero-one show are the most popular wrestlers on the shows. And before you know it, Japanese wretling will be brought over here and will get wildly popular over here. I think it's a definate the Zero-one will get a TV slot and have shows over here. So I think the future of Japanese wretling is... STEVE CORINO!!!!!!!!

[EvilMidnightBomber]

If Steve Corino is the future of Japanese wrestling, then we're all in trouble. But at least he's better than Joanie Lauer!

I do think Japan is ready for a new generation of gaijin workers. So many of the established gaijin workers (Steve Williams, Vader, Rotunda, etc...) are getting downright ancient. The last year or so has seen a lot of fresh American faces being brought in. Names like Low-Ki, Spanky, Jimmy Yang, Elix Skipper, Corino, Perry Saturn, etc.... Maybe they're not the future of Japanese wrestling, but they sure help freshen things up a bit.

[j.o.b. squad]

i agree that the new gaijins will be a big part of the future of puro

i have one question jodie fliesh is a wrestler from the uk who works with mpro. is he considerd a gaijin? if not what do they call wrestlers from contries besides japan and the u.s.a.?

bomber yang is japanes so he is not a fresh face.

[terrier mask]

Yes, Fleisch is a gaijin. Any foreigner in Japan, regardless of country (except for Japan, obviously) is a gaijin. Hell, even Blue Wolf, who is from Mongolia, is a gaijin.

[DarknessDragonM2k]

Taiji Ishimori...the future of high flyers!

[terrier mask]

NO!!!!!!! I told you, the future of puroresu is Steve Corino!!!!! Mark my words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dante_Inferno]

[i] The last year or so has seen a lot of fresh American faces being brought in. Names like Low-Ki, Spanky, Jimmy Yang, Elix Skipper, Corino, Perry Saturn, etc.... Maybe they're not the future of Japanese wrestling, but they sure help freshen things up a bit. [/B]

I know Low Ki is still a gaijin, but you were talking about american faces in Puroresu. Isn't Low Ki fillipino?

[terrier mask]

Maybe Lo-Ki is Filipino descent, but I am quite sure that Ki is born in the states. Brooklyn, NY to be exact.

[Pheonix_Chi25]

AJPW: Kojima, Kea, Hayashi and Red (if he can stay healthy)
NJPW: Barnett, Takemura, Shibata, Tanahashi, Nakamura
NOAH: Marifuji and KENTA

And anyone on WMF, F.A.P, Z-One, and Toryumon's, M-P{ro and Osaka Pro's roster.

[Jason]

I think that Tanahashi and and Nakamura are the only "sure things" to become big draws in the future. Both have the talent and are in a system in which the can succeed and it appears they are being groomed to succeed.

Kojima looked like he was next in line after his match with Tenryu over a year ago, but has been in a lull ever since. I have a hard time seeing him becoming a big draw while in All Japan. Araya is another guy in All Japan who has talent and may succeed if things can be turned around in All Japan. Kea will never draw with his lack of charisma and because of the fact that he isn't Japanese or a classic gaijin.

I also like Marufuji and KENTA but I think they are both longshots as well. Both will have to get significantly bigger to be main event players. Also, with the lack of young talent in NOAH, even if they get bigger who will their big rivals be? Morishima and Rikio? Bleh.

[Pheonix_Chi25]

I think Koji can still draw, he's only in his 30's and Araya has a ton of charisma.

As far as Rikioh and Morishima, they are a group with Marifuji. Kea also stays injured too much.