Hiroshi Tanahashi's career began in 1999, and he quickly stood out with amazing energy, incredible technical skills, and charisma. Tanahashi's matches captivated audiences, creating a deep connection with them. He was a true showman, possessing the ability to draw the crowd in and make them emotionally invested in his every move.
It was when Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated his former mentor Keiji Muto at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom III in 2009 for the IWGP Heavyweight Championship that Tanahashi became the Ace of the company, the wrestler who NJPW was built around. This was more than a title; it was a responsibility. Muto, a legend in the industry, passed the torch to Tanahashi, and he embraced this role, consistently delivering top-level performances and carrying the company. Tanahashi became the face of NJPW, a representation of its commitment to high-quality professional wrestling.
Hiroshi Tanahashi's in-ring style is a blend of technical wrestling and high-flying maneuvers. He's an expert of the fundamentals, so Tanahashi has many holds at his disposal. However, he's also a risk-taker, willing to soar through the air with dives and aerial moves. Tanahashi's matches are a showcase of his versatility.
Beyond Hiroshi Tanahashi's athleticism, his presence commands attention in the ring. Tanahashi is more than a wrestler; he's a performer, capable of captivating crowds with his expressions and mannerisms telling the story of a match as they reveal his state of mind, emotional control, and general performance. Tanahashi's body language shows the impact of an opponent's offense and the weariness of an exhausting match. Fans know exactly how he's feeling during a match, because he shows it instead of hiding it, which adds drama to the action.
Hiroshi Tanahashi's impact on NJPW is endless. He was involved in rebuilding the company's popularity, leading it through a period of growth and establishing it as one of the top wrestling companies in the world. Tanahashi became the standard-bearer for NJPW, a representative of its commitment to quality and its unique brand of professional wrestling. Trained by NJPW and with the company for his entire career, Tanahashi is one of NJPW's most popular wrestlers, and has held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship a total of eight times, which is more times than any wrestler in NJPW’s history. During Tanahashi’s fifth reign, he held the championship for 404 days, the third-longest reign in the company’s history.
And in December 2023, Hiroshi Tanahashi was appointed as President and Representative Director of NJPW.
Hiroshi Tanahashi's legacy extends beyond NJPW as well. He has become a praised figure in the global wrestling community, admired for his skill, his professionalism, and his dedication to the industry. Tanahashi is a role model for aspiring wrestlers, due to the power of his hard work and perseverance.
In a significant announcement at King of Pro-Wrestling 2024, Hiroshi Tanahashi revealed that 2025 will be his final year as an active professional wrestler, with his retirement match scheduled for Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026. While this marks the end of an era in the ring, Tanahashi's legacy will continue as he remains the President and Representative Director of NJPW, a role in which his leadership and extensive experience will be beneficial in guiding the company's future.
Hiroshi Tanahashi's career is a story of the capability of one individual to shape the landscape of professional wrestling. Along with being the Ace of NJPW, he's an icon, a legend, and a wrestler whose legacy will continue to inspire generations of performers and fans alike. Tanahashi's impact on the professional wrestling industry is long-lasting, and his contributions will always be remembered.
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