6 Top NJPW Stars Who Might Never Win The IWGP Heavyweight Championship

2. Minoru Suzuki

Time after time, Minoru Suzuki has proved that, despite being in his 50s, that he definitely still deserves the title King of Pro-Wrestling. With countless titles, awards and achievements in both professional wrestling and mixed martial arts across several companies, it seems as if there has been nothing Suzuki has not done. Yet, the only thing that has alluded the Suzuki Gun leader is the Heavyweight title.

Like most men on this list, Suzuki has had his fair share of opportunities against some of the best in the company. It includes his match with Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom VI and his bout with Okada at Royal Quest, the latter where he was the clear fan favourite.

With Heavyweight title wins in NOAH, Rev Pro and All Japan, why has Suzuki been unable to capture IWGP gold? There is no doubt that Suzuki is one of the best grapplers in the industry. The new World Heavyweight title might be his chance to cement his legacy and be one of the few men to have held the top titles in the top three Japanese companies.

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1. Tomohiro Ishii

For many fans, the one wrestler who has unfairly and wrongly never been an IWGP Heavyweight Champion is Tomohiro Ishii. Debuting for New Japan all the way in 2004, Ishii has been a staple of the company through the highs and lows of its history. It seems impossible to imagine New Japan without the Stone Pitbull!

His popularity and stability within the company and amongst the fans is down to his talent. Out of any wrestler, Ishii is constantly able to put on high calibre matches with anyone he is put in the ring with. Despite his short and stout frame, Ishii is uncharacteristically fast and agile in the ring. Combine that with his strength and power, and he is a force to be reckoned with.

In the past few years, many have seen Ishii’s inability to win the title as one of the biggest injustices in the company. He has dominated the NEVER division and made his mark with the fans, but New Japan have yet to see him as someone to lead the company! However, with a new title on the way, it could be time for Ishii to make history and etch his name in the title’s history.

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• IWGP Heavyweight Champion
• Tomohiro Ishii
• new japan pro wrestling
• Minoru Suzuki

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