Masato Tanaka Gives Honest Opinion on Pro Wrestling ZERO1’s Younger Generation

By: Ian McCord

The one constant that connects Pro Wrestling ZERO1’s past, present, and future is none other than Masato Tanaka, who has been competing in the promotion since 2001.

Tanaka competed alongside and against ZERO1 founder Shinya Hashimoto prior to his passing in 2005. Now, with 25 years of ZERO1 history behind us, Masato Tanaka stands alone as the measuring stick for those looking to make a name for themselves in the promotion.

Over the summer, Tanaka competed in the finals of the Fire Festival 2026 tournament, where he was defeated by another man who has roots in the early years of ZERO1 in Katsuhiko Nakajima.

Image Credit: Pro Wrestling ZERO1

Since returning to ZERO1 earlier this year, Nakajima has been very vocal on his thoughts on the current state of ZERO1, going as far to say that he believes the younger generation has no ambition.

Following ZERO1’s Tenkaichi Junior 2026 Final on October 10th, Masato Tanaka spoke with Tokyo Sports, and gave his honest thoughts on the younger generation competing in the promotion today. Unlike Nakajima, Tanaka’s statements were a bit more encouraging, sharing that he believes the younger wrestlers are progressing, but he wishes the growth would come a bit faster.

“I do think the younger wrestlers are developing steadily. However, ZERO1 has become polarized between the older generation and the younger wrestlers—there’s no middle ground. Considering that, I do wish they would grow a little faster.”

Tanaka then gave his thoughts on the current ZERO1 World Heavyweight Champion, Junya Matsunaga, who beat him for the title back in April, and who’s set to defend the championship against Nakajima at Korakuen Hall in November.

“He’s the champion, and I’ve lost to him before. Yet he doesn’t get much attention. I hope he’ll make more public statements and share his thoughts to draw more attention.”

One half of the International Light Tag Team Champions, Yuki Toki, was next. Tanaka said that defeat to Toki’s partner Van Vert Jack in the Tenkaichi Junior possibly created a sense of self-awareness within the young competitor.

“He lost to Van Vert Jack and was eliminated from the Tenkaichi Junior tournament, but I think that experience sparked a sense of self-awareness in him. He probably wants to achieve results in singles competition as well, and I believe he’ll get those results if he adjusts his mindset.”

Tanaka wrapped things up by sharing that his true wish is for the younger generation in ZERO1 to surpass him based on their own skills and abilities. He then countered that by stating that he doesn’t plan on letting them surpass him easily.

“I’m not going to say I want the younger guys to come up just because I’m not doing anything to stand out. They have to surpass me based on their own ability. My true wish is for them to surpass me through their skill and impact. However, I don’t plan on letting them get past me that easily.”

(English Translation via DeepL. Quotes courtesy of Tokyo Sports)

The 53 year old veteran Masato Tanaka is set to make his return to in-ring competition following nerve decompression surgery, at Megumi Kudo’s 40th Anniversary Event on October 17th. Tanaka and Jun Akiyama will battle Hayabusa and Mammoth Sasaki with Kenta Kobashi serving as the special guest referee.

Image Credit: Megumi Kudo