Hiroshi Tanahashi on New Opportunity as President of New Japan Pro-Wrestling

“This is a very valuable time for me since I am still an active wrestler”

A familiar face is the new president of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

Courtesy NJPW

Hiroshi Tanahashi, who starred for the company for the past two decades, was named New Japan President and Representative Director on December 23. A press conference three days later celebrated the change in NJPW leadership, with Tanahashi replacing outgoing president Takami Ohbari.

“I am honored to be president and an active wrestler,” said Tanahashi, speaking through a translator. “This is a very valuable time for me since I am still an active wrestler. Being president allows me to focus on short and long-term goals for New Japan Pro-Wrestling.”

Courtesy AEW

Highly regarded as “The Ace” of New Japan, Tanahashi has been with the company since 1999. At 47 years old, he stands as one of the most iconic wrestlers in the world, and his legacy–which includes eight runs as IWGP heavyweight champion–will forever include bringing New Japan back to prominence after the company fell into disarray after stars like Keiji Muto, Masahiro Chono, and Shinya Hashimoto either left or aged following their extraordinary success in the 1990s. By 2009, with Muto back and officially passing the torch to Tanahashi, the company evolved back into a powerhouse. Led by Tanahashi, New Japan elevated itself into the number-two pro wrestling company in the world.

The decision to place Tanahashi into the front office has been considered for years. He is a spokesperson and ambassador for NJPW, and he thrived in both of those realms during the pandemic.

Tanahashi becomes the first wrestler in over 19 years to become president, which was during the era of Tatsumi Fujinami. It came to fruition this past November when Tanahashi was invited to dinner with NJPW Chairman Takaaki Kidani, who also owns the parent company Bushiroad. Kidani outlined his plan for Tanahashi as president, and “The Ace” accepted.

Courtesy NJPW

Tanahashi informed the locker room on December 22, and he laughed at the notion that the New Japan roster will now have the chance to wrestle their boss.

“This is a business where guys can freely beat up their boss in the ring,” said Tanahashi. “I’m also grateful for all their kind words of support.”

Areas that Tanahashi will immediately emphasize are increasing ticket sales and sponsorships. His goal for the company is to make an impact outside of Tokyo, rebuilding the grassroots passion of pro wrestling in towns across Japan.

“I will focus on which matches entertain and excite fans,” said Tanahashi. “We have exciting matches coming up, starting at Wrestle Kingdom 18 in the Tokyo Dome.”

Courtesy AEW

In addition to being president, Tanahashi is also a champion. He is currently one-third of the NEVER Openweight 6-man tag team champions along with Kazuchika Okada and Tomohiro Ishii. There is the chance to attain more gold, too: Tanahashi wrestles Zack Sabre Jr. at Wrestle Kingdom 18 on January 4, seeking to win NJPW’s World Television Championship.

“I have wrestled Zack many times, so I have experience and countermeasures against him–but the same can be said for Zack,” said Tanahashi. “This time, I’m prepared to show moves and techniques he doesn’t know.”

Even as president, Tanahashi will continue fighting for the IWGP world heavyweight title for as long as he is an active wrestler.

“When I lose that motivation, I will retire from wrestling,” said Tanahashi. “As long as I am an active wrestler, I continue to aim to be the top wrestler.”