I wouldn't necessarily classify Tsuji as skinny fat, he is more "dad bod", but Max's comments do open up a forbidden door regarding overall physiques of the new generation: most of them don't have S-tier bodies. The young guys have great physiques compared to normal people, but for top-tier wrestlers they're severely lacking. Yuto is built like Solo Sikoa, Shota has a roid belly at the age of 28, Ren is well-built but still skinny, and Yuya has somehow lost shrededdness compared to how he looked when he debuted.
Naturally, not all New Japan top guys looked like Lex Luger – Okada and Nakamura were always "built like swimmers". Chono never had an impressive body, neither did Suzuki or Naito. However, when you look at prime Tanahashi, Goto, Ibushi, Shingo, Muta, AJ, Omega, Jay, even Nagata and Kojima, the difference is pretty noticeable. This doesn't limit the other guys currently on the roster either – Fujita is pretty skinny as is Zack, Desperado has been in dad bod city for a few years now, Aaron Wolf's physique needs a lot of work etc. The only younger guys who have that "tough wrassler" body to me are Boltin, Drilla, HENARE and Oiwa.
When you compare the young guys in New Japan to AEW, WWE, Dragon Gate and hell even TNA, it's hard to be neutral and say "well they're all pretty similar looking." I like my wrestlers to come in all variety, shapes and sizes, but the age-ol' saying still rings true today: if you wanna be a superstar in the business, you gotta look like one.
by Leave_Me_Al0ne1