NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi Wants To Start a New Story

By: R. Faliani

On February 11th at New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s The New Beginning in Osaka, “The Rainmaker” Kazuchika Okada will face “The Ace of the Universe” Hiroshi Tanahashi for the final time in a singles match. The flagship rivalry of NJPW during the 2010s comes to an end tonight and as Okada prepares for his final stint in Japanese wrestling for the time being, President Tanahashi wants to make sure he starts a new story in the company.

【新日本】棚橋弘至　オカダ・カズチカと〝最終戦〟で「僕のストーリーを始めさせてもらう」｜東スポWEB https://t.co/BFcbRwi9Lp

— 岡本佑介@東京スポーツ新聞社 (@okamotospo) February 10, 2024

Okada and Tanahashi go way back. In 2012, the famously known “Rainmaker Shock” was a paradigm shift in Japanese wrestling, and the name “Okada” rose to the top of the industry quickly. It took him three years to become the face of the company and took him another three to become the longest reigning IWGP Heavyweight Champion of all time.

Tanahashi recently participated in a press conference for New Beginning in Osaka, and he talked about the implications of this match, considering Okada’s departure and the mark he left in the company for so many years. As president, Tanahashi has been busy lately, but he must increase the morale of his wrestlers, and he did. Based on the report from Tokyo Sports, “The Ace” had many things to say:

“In terms of age for both of us as wrestlers, I have a slight feeling that tomorrow will be our last match. I was the one who suffered the ‘Rainmaker Shock’ 12 years ago, so if we’re going to do it in Osaka, just like 12 years ago, I’ll start a new story.”

“Pro-wrestling organizations are strange, but when people like Nakamura (Shinsuke) or Okada leave, there is competition within the organization. It’s going to get more intense. Of course, Okada’s shoes need to be filled, but New Japan will depending on who gets in there. Maybe I’ll get in there.”

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Now, Okada is leaving New Japan and he will face his greatest rival one more time. Tanahashi has already said his intentions as president are crystal clear, and he wants to make New Japan greater than ever by even filling up the Tokyo Dome to full capacity. This match can be the beginning of everything Tanahashi is looking for in 2024 and beyond.