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#3 Kota Ibushi
2019 has been a mixed bag for the Golden Star. Ibushi started the year with a loss against Will Ospreay at WrestleKingdom 13 for the IWGP NeverOpenweight Champion. Ibushi suffered a concussion during the match which was officially confirmed by New Japan following the incident. After weeks of speculations linking him to All Elite Wrestling, Ibushi confirmed that he is staying in New Japan for the foreseeable on February 11, 2019.
Ibushi would capture the IWGP Intercontinental Championship from Tetsuya Naito at the G1 Supercard in April and is currently scheduled to face Naito in a rematch for the title at Dominion on Sunday. Ibushi has already been announced as part of the G1 Climax and he will be in action at the tournament's opening night on July 6.
After years and years of not committing to a particular promotion, the reigning IWGP Intercontinental Champion has finally found a permanent home in New Japan. He is one of the best in-ring performers in the world right now and this is the perfect time for Ibushi to rise up to the main event slot. Okada vs Ibushi for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship at the Tokyo Dome is sure to turn Meltzer's rating system upside down once again.
