悪いニュースは、それはそうどこにでもある.
For those of you puroresu fans of Koji Kanemoto, there is bad news on the horizon this year. The 44-year-old, former five-time IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion may be scarse throughout 2011. Kanemoto's new contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling stipulates he will be on a limited date basis with the company indefinitely.
As many of you know, Kanemoto has had knee problems for the last few years, which is just a lingering injury that comes with the territory in his particular fast-paced and stiff style of wrestling. The exact amount of dates that Koji will perform with the company is unknown as of this writing, but another note: he's also now able to take outside bookings during his time off. However, it is very likely that he will be spending as much free time as he has at home, nursing his lingering injuries. Kanemoto is also 44-years-old, which adds to the severity of the injuries, as they may need further treatment.
Kanemoto has blossomed throughout his career, and while I personally feel he is very underutilized these days, not in matters of dates but in matters of position and spot, I think most of us now really know why. While the company could certainly use his leadership in the Jr. Heavyweight Division, I think it's common-place thinking to say that now is the time for him to coach the younger talent of the current division to blossom into the future talent of the division. People like Prince Devitt, Ryusuki Taguchi, and up and coming DDT stars such as former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, Koto Ibushi and Kenny Omega; as well as a plethora of other talent, is seen as the future of the division, with which I would most certainly agree.
Kanemoto, being 21 years into his puroresu career must surely be thinking about when it's time to cool it, or even hang it up. However, in the mind of this life-long puro-freak, I have to say that I hope he takes advantage of this time off and stays around for another ten.
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