{"id":105726,"date":"2021-12-20T15:34:23","date_gmt":"2021-12-20T20:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/?p=105726&preview=true&preview_id=105726"},"modified":"2021-12-20T16:04:33","modified_gmt":"2021-12-20T21:04:33","slug":"wrestlers-2021-katsuhiko-nakajima","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/prowrestling\/2021\/12\/20\/wrestlers-2021-katsuhiko-nakajima\/","title":{"rendered":"Wrestlers of the Year 2021: Katsuhiko Nakajima"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

As the calendar flips over to December, along with the cavalcade of festivities comes time to decide our respective Wrestler of the Year. I\u2019ve shortlisted five names who are in the running for my Wrestler of the Year selection, with each being featured in their own piece. My first pick is Pro Wrestling NOAH\u2019s reigning GHC Heavyweight Champion<\/a>, Katsuhiko Nakajima.<\/p>\r\n

Katsuhiko Nakajima: The Case to Be 2021 Wrestler Of The Year<\/h2>\r\n

Nakajima proclaiming \u201cI am Noah\u201d sums up aptly his positing in the promotion. He\u2019s the star. While his former tag team partner and perennial rival Go Shiozaki is now back aboard the Emerald ship following successful shoulder surgery, Nakajima remains the star of NOAH. He\u2019s been the brightest of a few shining lights in Noah\u2019s 2021.

The wildcard of Kongo has had a somewhat rollercoaster year, with both high-profile wins and high-profile losses (though many more of the former than the latter). In what is a quite staggering list of Match of the Year candidates, Katsuhiko Nakajima has carried much of the weight left by the proverbial \u2018Atlas\u2019 when the dreaded injury struck.<\/p>\r\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/i\/status\/1470099398046670850<\/p>\r\n

High Quality Matches<\/h3>\r\n

To be declared \u2018Wrestler of the Year\u2019 or even to entertain shortlisting, a string of high-level, MOTY regarded outings are simply a necessity. Nakajima has this in spades.

A brutal victory alongside then Aggression tag partner Masa Kitamiya over Kazushi Sakuraba and Takashi Sugiura to capture the GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Championships (March 7th, NOAH Great Voyage in Yokohama) was just the first soir\u00e9e in his stellar 2021.

The implosion of his adored Aggression partnership followed, as unforgivingly Kitamiya stabbed his once brother square in the back. This rivalry brought out an engaging emotion in his character, something we don\u2019t always see. NOAH\u2019s first ever Steel Cage match was the setting of their subsequent battle, as Nakajima and Kitamiya fought it out with the additional interest of it being a Hair vs. Hair clash inside the cage (June 26, NOAH Cage War). They battled brutally, ferociously and shockingly, with Nakajima eventually ending the night with a shaven head following his tag partner claiming the pride of victory.<\/p>\r\n

\"Pro<\/p>\r\n


A major setback in what became a year of glory.<\/p>\r\n

Return To Glory<\/h3>\r\n

He went on to be the protruding figure of the N-1 Victory tournament, losing on the first night to Masato Tanaka before defeating both Kotaro Suzuki and Kazushi Sakuraba to reach the semi-finals. Three great matches, especially his opener against Tanaka.

Surpassing the group stages of the tournament, Nakajima lined up against the legendary Masakatsu Funaki in the semi-finals. A buzzing Korakuen Hall witnessed a thrilling encounter that can best be described as short and sweet. Nakajima advanced to the final, where he faced stablemate Kenoh in what many have as their 2021 Match of the Year pick (October 3, NOAH N-1 Victory Finals). The two Kongo men engaged in a war of pure brutality, with the sole aim of claiming the N-1 Victory trophy at the end of the night.

After an epic 20 minute battle, Katsuhiko Nakajima plunged Kenoh with a Vertical Spike, receiving the coveted three count<\/a>. A week removed from his victory he steps foot inside the ring opposite GHC Heavyweight Champion, Naomichi Marufuji (October 10, NOAH Grand Square). This was his coronation. In another match that could be anyone\u2019s Match of the Year selection, Katsuhiko Nakajima fought desperately to become GHC Heavyweight Champion – eventually putting away Marufuji in an incredibly enduring battle between two of the very best in the world.<\/p>\r\n