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2. Will Ospreay couldn't top the 2021 PWI 500 list
Ospreay is ranked #7 on the PWI 500 list. This isn’t surprising considering the year he had. From turning heel on Okada; forming his own stable with Jeff Cobb and the Great-O-Kahn; and winning the top prize in NJPW, Ospreay had a great year.
1. The Golden Star, Kota Ibushi
The highest-ranked NJPW star this year is Kota Ibushi at #5. Ibushi started the year as IWGP Heavyweight Tag-Team Champion alongside Hiroshi Tanahashi, but it wouldn’t last long as they were taken out by Taichi and Zack Sabre Jr.
Ibushi spent September and October competing in the G1, winning the A Block, and going on to the final where he defeated SANADA for the opportunity to face the double champion Tatsuya Naito in the Tokyo Dome.
But, just like every good story, our hero came face to face with his biggest challenge, Jay White, who challenged and successfully won the contract for the doubles championship match against Naito. Despite all this, Naito made the bold choice to face Ibushi on night one of the Wrestle Kingdom 15, which was his downfall. Ibushi won the IWGP Intercontinental and IWGP Heavyweight Championship on 4th January 2021.
He then defeated Jay White the following night before declaring a unification of both belts, which took place at NJPW 49th Anniversary Show. Ibusho became the first IWGP World Heavyweight Champion after defeating El Desperado of Suzuki Gun. After 31 days, Ibushi lost the championship to New Japan Cup winner Will Ospreay at Sakura Genesis. Will he reach the top of PWI 500 rankings next year?
