>carried by superior talent
Look, I get why Naito might not be everyone's thing, but watch his matches with Ibushi. You simply cannot do those matches without two incredibly safe workers. Naito is able to do things at a speed and intensity that would end his and other's careers. Theres an understanding of position and body control that Naito has which is virtually unmatched and which has developed since his injuries.
I liked flippy Naito, but he was just another good, athletic guy in a company that was deep in that. As he got older and got hurt he had to give that up, and moved into something more subtle. He had to learn how to work a gimmick, he had to learn how to do things that required skill and timing instead of raw talent. He had to learn how to make other people look good because he wasn't going to be the ace. I love post-knee problem Naito in a way that flippy Naito never would have entertained me.
I think the best example of what I like about Naito is is slingshot drop kick. Its not an uncommon move, its not special in itself. Plenty of other guys do dropkicks on seated opponents in the corner. Naito does it almost every match. He does it at speed. Most guys don't even put up their hands. Its smooth, its gorgeous, its common, and nobody gets hurt. Nobody gets a broken nose or a black eye or whip lash.
I get why you wouldn't love Naito, I get why you wouldn't even like him, but to call him garbage suggests you're not paying attention.
