>>18721311
The obvious answer is Akiyama, even if not @ Departure 2004 book him for a 2nd challenge. He was always meant to be the first Ace of NOAH and the younger guys were years away from relevancy. Akiyama carried the AJPW bloodline and was essentially the 5th pillar of heaven. He was also healthier and younger than the rest of the top guys.
After that obvious choice you could have had Suzuki win @ Great Voyage 2005 and hold the belt as an outsider. Takayama was too soon into the legendary reign for it to make sense.
As >>18721478 suggested you wait for Kensuke Sasaki and have him heel it up as an unstoppable invader.
Out of the younger guys at the time only Morishima was capable. Marufuji, KENTA and Sugiura were still juniors. Shiozaki was still a young boy.
In my crazed fanboy brain the only other alternative would be to bring in Hiroshi Hase and put the GHC on the legend!