ON THE COMEBACK TRAIL:
ROCKY ROMERO AND BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS 26
By Jas Olan
One of the most talked about journeys in this year’s BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS has been that of Rocky Romero. Throughout the tournament thus far, New Japan Pro Wrestling’s resident jack of all trades had been having some of the best matches on each card he’s been featured on. With BEST OF JUNIORS 26 just about half way done, Romero has even managed to surpass his 7.2 point average. His critically acclaimed block match against CHAOS stablemate, Will Ospreay could easily be considered the match of the tournament. In a career that has lasted over twenty years, Romero has been known mostly as a major staple of New Japan’s junior tag team division and manger for current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions Roppongi 3K. However there is much more to his journey than that.
Rocky Romero began his career as a teenage wrestling prodigy in 1997, training under Antonio Inoki himself in NJPW’s original LA dojo. From there he would travel world, working with CMLL and Ring of Honor. Over time, Romero would become known as a junior heavyweight tag team specialist. From Forever Hooligans to Roppongi Vice, he has been co-holder of the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship a staggering eight times. He is widely regarded as arguably the greatest junior tag team specialist of all time.
After Roppongi Vice was disbanded, Rocky Romero stepped into the role of manager for Roppongi 3K. With Rocky’s guidance these two former young lions would go on to win the IWGP Junior tag team championships. Rocky would also get to make his mark as a color commentator, often working with Kevin Kelly. Eagerly wanting to remind fans and the industry at large that he was still very much an active wrestler, he began preparing to enter the 26th annual BEST OF THE SUPER JUNIORS tournament. The talented veteran would ultimately have his strongest showing since his tournament debut in 2004 and prove that he could still go with the best of the best.
From teen prodigy to tag team specialist and everything in between, Rocky Romero has proven that with hard work and the right mind set anything is possible. The example he is setting for future generations can serve as a great lesson. Even with the many roles he’s taken on throughout his career, Rocky’s passion for professional wrestling will always be undeniable. The best part of his journey will be getting to see where the comeback trail will lead him next. All that can be said for sure is that the best is yet to come.
