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Hirooki Goto
New Japan's samurai warrior is always the guy that seems to come close to winning the big one or making it to the top, but can never quite manage it. Still he fights and keeps going back for more. He is an upper mid card performer that can be believably slotted into the main event picture from time to time. Goto carries himself like a warrior and his entrance music makes him look like he is entering an epic battle no matter who his opponent is.
Goto is a former IWGP Intercontinental champion, 2008 G1 Climax winner, He has won the New Japan Cup three times (2009, 2010, 2012) and won the World Tag League in 2012 with Karl Anderson.
Since returning from injury at last January’s Wrestle Kingdom where he faced his former college mate Katsuyori Shibata in a ferocious battle, the two have formed a tag team based on mutual respect after that and their previous battles last year.
Goto also challenged Kazuchika Okada for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship in February at The New Beginning, in another outstanding match where Goto looked like he had a chance of winning. The team of Goto and Shibata also unsuccessfully challenged Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows for the IWGP Tag Team championship.
Goto had several noteworthy showings in the G1 Climax, particularly his outstanding matches with AJ Styles, Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito. He also had yet another blistering, full force battle with Shibata on G1 Final night.
Most recently, Goto challenged Tomohiro Ishii for the NEVER Openweight Championship at Power Struggle. A match called by many as the match of the year and Ishii’s finest, which is high praise given the year he has had.
It looks as though Goto and Shibata are the favorites to win the World Tag League which starts this month and advancing to a title opportunity at Wrestle Kingdom. If that happens I’d bet money on Goto and Shibata taking the gold.
It is hard to know whether Goto will ever be a top guy in NJPW. He has the look and aura of a bad ass and his strong ring style leads to some rip roaring matches. Goto is the kind of guy that doesn’t necessarily need to win the big one as his appeal is the valiant warrior that keeps battling and rising from defeat for more.
What to look out for?
Obviously Goto is full steam ahead. He hits hard and delivers lots of stiff kicks and lariats. He also uses a lot of power moves such as Ushikoroshi (a firemans carry into a neck/backbreaker across the knee), Reverse Ushikoroshi (a Dominator across the knee) and a Saito suplex. His finisher is Shouten Kai, which is a vertical suplex into a sitout sidewalk slam.
Hirooki Goto vs Katsuyori Shibata – Wrestle Kingdom 8
Goto makes his return from injury to battle former college mate Shibata. This bout is full steam ahead from the get go. It can be seen here.
Hirooki Goto vs Kazuchika Okada – IWGP Heavyweight Championship - The New Beginning
Capitalising on his momentum from his return, Goto challenged Okada for the top prize in Japan. There was a small sense that Goto could pull out the upset. You can watch it here.
Hirooki Goto vs Tomohiro Ishii – NEVER Openweight Championship – Power Struggle
This is a match of the year contender for many. This match is everything great about NJPW and is as “strong style” as it gets. It can be seen here.
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