Pros and Cons of NJPW’s ‘Big 4’ Wrestlers

Credit: NJPW On Twitter

Con: Injuries

It’s that old saying: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Because those eggs might all tear their rotator cuffs in the space of two weeks.

Developments early in 2017 indicated we might be getting a new addition to New Japan’s upper echelon. Katsuyori Shibata’s long and steady rise culminated in his first crack at Okada’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Sakura Genesis. One MOTY candidate later, and we had one fewer performer in NJPW’s locker room.

Obviously Shibata’s tragic injury had its own unique circumstances (mainly the fact that Shibata is, to his detriment, Shibata). But each of NJPW’s Big 4 have had their own nagging injuries. Relying so heavily on a small group of elite-level performers will always increase the risk of injury.

New Japan wisely take the Heavyweights out of the spotlight for periods of the year. But how any of the four of them emerged from the G1 relatively unscathed is a miracle, given their consistent 25+ minute main events every other night.

https://twitter.com/KennyOmegamanX/status/907112568061173761

Omega rushed his knee rehab to get back into the mix, and now Tanahashi has had to step aside to get himself healthy for the Tokyo Dome. Each of the four pillars can step up to carry the load should one of them fall, but their durability is not infinite. NJPW should really make more concessions to keep each of their prizefighters healthy moving forward.