It appears that NJPW’s Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi, may already be looking past Kazuchika Okada and Jay White. In an interview with a Japanese radio station, Tanahashi had some harsh words for his future opponent, Kenny Omega. This is assuming he can defend his G1 briefcase against both Chaos members.
Translated from Japanese, Tanahashi criticized Omega’s in-ring style. The wrestler claimed that it lacks drama because there is no narrative flow to his matches.
“Kenny’s puroresu is like watching a movie with no Kishotenketsu (dramatic arc of traditional Japanese narratives).”
Tanahashi stated that only the last 5 minutes of an Omega match matter because there’s no story being told.
.@tanahashi1_100 says “Kenny’s puroresu is like watching a movie with no Kishotenketsu (dramatic arc of traditional Japanese narratives).” He feels that the last 5 minutes of a Kenny match is all that matters, because there’s no story. – Via @sumidab local radio. #njpw #goace
— TheLionMarks (@TheLionMarks) September 15, 2018
Begrudging Respect
He admitted that he respected previous Bullet Club leaders, Prince Devitt (now wrestling as Finn Balor in the WWE) and AJ Styles, believing they were dedicated to the Bullet Club.
With Omega, however, he thinks that ‘The Best Bout Machine’ has a poor attitude – one that leads him to want to “own” everything.
Kenny has had some harsh words in the past for his potential Wrestle Kingdom opponent, calling Tanahashi a “complete egomaniac” and describing his fanbase as a “dwindling mini cult.”
G1 Vengeance
The winner of the G1 Climax tournament receives a briefcase with a contract for a title shot at Wrestle Kingdom inside.
Tanahashi, this year’s winner, was quick to highlight two opponents he wanted to face before Wrestle Kingdom 13 on January 4th 2019.
In his post #g128 press conference now 3 time winner Hiroshi Tanahashi said there's no doubt that the G1 champion will become the center of attention in the second half of 2018. He already has an opponent in mind to whom he lost at Wrestling Dontaku and who he drew with in the G1 pic.twitter.com/YlhVyI3cV5
— STRIGGA (@STRIGGA) August 13, 2018
“Switchblade” Jay White was the only wrestler to defeat Tanahashi. Okada fought him to an epic 30-minute draw on the final night of the tournament. The Ace hasn’t forgotten.
What do you Tanahashi’s chances are of making it to the Tokyo Dome in order to claim his opportunity? And do you agree with Tanahashi’s opinion on Omega?
