Hiroshi Tanahashi has ‘no worries’ NJPW will cool off after his retirement
Hiroshi Tanahashi isn’t worried that NJPW will experience a business drop-off after his retirement.
Ahead of his final match taking place on January 4, Tanahashi participated in one last interview with NJPW’s website. Tanahashi stated that, while his retirement match might be the main draw, he hopes that fans attending Wrestle Kingdom 20 find other wrestlers that they can connect with. He believes there are plenty of strong options on the NJPW roster.
“My retirement might have been what drew the house, but I feel my job on January 4 is to connect the fans to the wrestlers that will be there after I’m done,” Tanahashi said. “I hope people will leave saying that they’ve seen a ton of great wrestlers they want to get behind in the future. The great thing about wrestling is once you’re in you’re in, and you really get hooked. I think there’s plenty of wrestlers to keep the fans hooked, and I have no worries that we’ll be hot after my retirement.”
Tanahashi is the real-life president of NJPW and has now worked in that executive role for two years. It’s a job that will keep him busy even after he steps away from the ring, but the 49-year-old Tanahashi is looking forward to spending more time with his family now that the responsibilities of being an active wrestler are gone.
“I spent so much time not just wrestling and on the road but being in the gym and trying to be at my best possible form physically. Without wrestling driving that, maybe there is time for hobbies but it’s more about my family,” he said. “They might get mad and say it’s too little too late but I missed out on a lot and I want to spend more quality time with them. I want to have gratitude in my heart and be there for my son and daughter.”
Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada will headline the sold-out Wrestle Kingdom show on January 4. The event is set to air live on NJPW World.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.