One can argue this format might be obsolete after all the major exits but I still think it's a topic worthy of discussion. In the recent past, we had:
2016-2018: Tanahashi, Okada, Naito, Omega
2019-2021: Okada, Naito, Ibushi, White
2022-2023: Okada, Naito, Ospreay, Sanada
After Okada and Ospreay's exits, it was unclear who could be considered part of the Big Four. Moxley took the belt to AEW for a bit, Finlay and EVIL are neither headliners nor midcarders (as in, they got their big wins and then went back to their previous spots), while Takeshita is a triple-contract-wielder and Sanada is too busy picking out his next absurd outfit in Harajuku.
Right now, I consider Goto and ZSJ to have safe spots in the main event scene and perhaps Shingo can be included in the discussion too. I'd also love to see Taichi there to fill the fourth spot, he'd be perfect for the role.
I feel like there's a lot of potential in having a new Big Four serve as a measuring stick for the Musketeers, Uemura, Gabe and Newman.
Goto can comfortably steer the ship for a while, ZSJ received every major accomplishment there is and Shingo is a proven veteran who already reigned on top (he could serve as a final boss, even).
The three of them (plus another veteran) can elevate the next generation and help them reach the next level until they're fully ready to take over. They've already started to push Shota, Tsuji and Gabe but at the moment, I can only see the latter believably headline the Dome and not look out of place, thanks to his backstory with the Lion Mark.
Thoughts?
by Shinkopeshon