With the biggest ongoing story in pro wrestling right now being NJPW talent leaving for WWE, NJPW’s “ace” and top star, Hiroshi Tanahashi, has opened up to Tokyo Sports (translation by E. Key Oide on Twitter) about Shinsuke Nakamura making the jump. Tanahashi and Nakamura were in-ring rivals for years and stuck with NJPW during the company’s nadir a decade ago, so he they know each other better than most. Here’s what Tanahashi had to say along with the context of each comment:
On Nakamura making the decision to leave NJPW: “Personally? I understand his decision. It’s the path he chose in life, always blazing new trails. If I had to give him some words of support? I’d have to go with ‘YeaOh!,’ heh heh.”
On Nakamura shaking his hand after their G1 Climax final match in August: “Looking back now, that handshake might’ve had a deeper meaning to it.”
What does losing Nakamura mean for NJPW?: “He’s got a strong sense of responsibility. He probably thought ‘Right now, the company’ll be fine (without me).’ And I agree – after all, they’ve still got me.”
Losing to Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 10 on January 4th: “It was an all-or-nothing, 0-or-100 battle, where I lost everything. Right when I was a shell of myself, Nakamura (leaves). I choose to take that as [Nakamura’s] way of cheering me on, telling me ‘Tanahashi, you still got more work to do.’” [While Tanahashi does break kayfabe to a point in some interviews, it doesn’t look like he sees Tokyo Sports as an appropriate outlet for that.]
Tanahashi’s final thoughts: “The New Japan ring has to become a stage that wrestlers all around the world dream of competing in – and that’s exactly what I’ll make it.”
As a reminder, NJPW on AXS TV returns tonight after a brief hiatus. Since the commentary was recorded before Mauro Ranallo signed with WWE, the voice of SmackDown is still the American TV voice of NJPW for the next cycle of episodes.
