5 Best NJPW Stars Right Now

2. Tetsuya Naito

What a evolution it has been for Tetsuya Naito. The current IWGP Intercontinental Champion has been on a tear in NJPW over the last two years. Though he has been in the promotion for many years these last few have been what has caused Naito to rise in the ranks.

Naito began his career in New Japan Pro Wrestling as a Junior Heavyweight. He formed one of the more popular Junior Tag Teams along with Yujiro Takahashi. The duo would win the IWGP tag team championships on one occasion.

Naito would eventually transition into the heavyweight division winning the IWGP Tag Team Championship with Takahashi and the the Never Open Weight Championship. Naito was always viewed as a nice talent but never really seemed to connect with the fans.

This was painfully proven when after Naito won the 2013 G1 Climax, fans voted for his match against Kazukchika Okada to not be the main event, rather the fans wanted Nakamura and Tanhashi to close the show.

After leaving NJPW for a few months to make a tour of the Mexican promotion CMLL, Naito returned with a brand new character and persona. Coming down to ring with Suits on and wearing Masks, Naito had a brand new demeanor.

Naito would begin to cheat and disregard the rules in his matches. Despite coming off as a heel fans began to get behind him. Naito would then form the popular faction Los Ingobernables de Japon (LIJ) along with Evil, Bushi and Sanada.

With LIJ at his side, Naito would achieve the ultimate goal when he defeated Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship last year. Naito would hold the championship for four months before dropping it back to Okada.

Naito would then win the Intercontinental Championship, a belt he is still in possession of. His cool new demeanor and his awesome faction have made Naito one of the most popular wrestlers not just in NJPW but in all of the world.