AJ Styles, Finn Balor pay tribute to Hiroshi Tanahashi
More former NJPW stars are paying tribute to Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Following his retirement at Wrestle Kingdom 20, former IWGP Champion AJ Styles wrote on social media saying some of his favorite memories were in Japan, as well as with Tanahashi.
“Some of my favorite memories are in Japan. Some of my favorite matches were with this guy @tanahashi1_100. He is truly one of the best,” he wrote.
Finn Balor also shared his thoughts on Tanahashi in a post. The former Prince Devitt congratulated him on an “incredible career.”
“I will never forget being star struck as a ‘young boy’ sitting next to @tanahashi1_100 on the Njpw bus, only to be greeted by a gentle welcoming smile. A true leader, leading by example with unrivaled professionalism. You inspired me, guided me, and pushed me to be better. Thank you Senpai and Congratulations on an incredible career. Otsukaresama deshita,” he wrote.
Tanahashi had his final match at the Tokyo Dome on Sunday, losing to Kazuchika Okada. After the match, his retirement ceremony was held that featured the likes of Jay White, Will Ospreay, Keiji Muto, and Tetsuya Naito paying their respects to the NJPW icon.
Bryan Rose is an editor from California that has been covering professional wrestling for well over a decade. He officially joined F4WOnline as an editor in 2017.