Uh, Minoru Suzuki Is Leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling

Suzuki, shown here armbaring Liger over the top rope, is out in New Japan
Photo Credit: NJPW1972.com

Minoru Suzuki is one of the most interesting wrestlers on the planet. Despite being just on the other side of 50, he's the most fearsome wrestler this side of his opponent at King of Pro Wrestling, Kishin Liger. He owns an uncanny knack for the moment no matter what the match, whether in a shoot-style match vs. Kazushi Sakuraba or in an empty baseball stadium match in Dramatic Dream Team Wrestling. You would think that any promotion would want to have him aboard and keep him happy. As it turns out, New Japan has not kept him happy, at least according to Voices of Wrestling's Joe Lanza. Suzuki will sever ties with the company, and said he would have done so sooner if not for his program with the aforementioned alter-ego of the legendary and retiring Jushin "Thunder" Liger.

Of course, the biggest effect is that New Japan loses Suzuki's presence on its shows. He's an easy plug-in up and down the card, able to occupy opponents in and out of the main event. The company's roster is deep, but it certainly does not have a player his caliber on the bench. Guys like Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito are great at what they do, but only Suzuki is Suzuki. It also will shake up the Suzuki-gun stable, in that it will probably become Sabre-gun or Taichi-gun with its leader's departure.

However, New Japan's loss will become the gain of one or more companies. Suzuki wasn't on a full-time New Japan deal, which is why he was able to work DDT while still with Japan's largest company, but he still worked most of his dates there. Now, he'll more than likely go back to Pro Wrestling NOAH as a home base. Details won't emerge until he actually signs there, but I would be shocked if he didn't get the same kind of leeway to work other places, which means he could still be available to work shows like Bloodsport in America. His presence on any show will get more American eyes on whatever promotion he lands in. While yes, Americans should pay attention more to companies like NOAH and All-Japan, Suzuki potentially working other companies isn't a bad thing for more exposures.

Still, The King leaves behind an impressive resume in New Japan. Whether it be the marquee G1 Climax matches or the random main events, he was the definition of an attraction while there. New Japan will miss him for sure, whether or not anyone in the company or following it admits it, but wrestling will benefit when he heads to NOAH and wrestles guys like Takashi Sugiura or KENOH. While this move doesn't feel as big as Shinsuke Nakamura and AJ Styles heading off to The Fed, I guarantee that the impact will be harder. Kota Ibushi has done a fine job sliding into the Nakamura slot, and Jay White actually gets people to boo him as the replacement for Styles (or Kenny Omega) as the gaijin Bullet Club leader. Hell, it'll probably sting worse than The Elite leaving. I mean, they're still selling out American shows without Omega and company. No one can really replace what Suzuki brings to the table in the ring, even in if it doesn't really affect the bottom line. It'll be interesting to see how they try though.