NJPW Wrestler of the Month

The top wrestler from June 2020

(photo by ゾーヒョー)

NJPW Wrestler of the Month: June 2020

Yuji Nagata

Key Matches:

New Japan Cup Round 1: defeated Minoru Suzuki
New Japan Cup Round 2: beat by Kazuchika Okada

Whoever predicted Blue Justice as being the best wrestler once NJPW started back up, please raise your hand. Now we know who the liars are among us. Because NO ONE could have foreseen the incredible two matches the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion Yuji Nagata had in the 2020 New Japan Cup.

The oldest active member on the New Japan roster at 52-year-young (he’s a few months older than Minoru Suzuki), Nagata kicked the tournament off on the right foot in his match against the fellow 52 year old (on Suzuki’s birthday, no less). Suzuki and Nagata had a knock-down, drag-out scrap, full of stiff blows and slaps and blood. Nagata pulled off a semi-surprise win, setting him up for a second round match against the Rainmaker, Kazuchika Okada.

While the Okada match didn’t quite reach the heights of the Suzuki one, it was still a spirited affair and one of the best of the tournament thus far. Add in solid performances in the multi-man tags that Nagata also appeared in, and you’ve got yourself a Wrestler of the Month on your hands.

Honourable Mention: SHO, Shingo Takagi