Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi

Hiroshi Tanahashi, Takaaki Kidani issue statements on NJPW ownership change

Posted on by Joseph Currier

NJPW president Hiroshi Tanahashi has issued a statement assuring fans that the promotion remains committed to its mission of delivering the best wrestling possible.

News broke early Wednesday morning that ownership of NJPW has changed hands with Bushiroad transferring all of its shares to TV Asahi and CyberAgent. In a statement posted to NJPW’s Japanese website, Tanahashi expressed his gratitude for the support Bushiroad has given during its 14 years leading the promotion. NJPW hopes to achieve significant growth under its new owners while continuing to deliver the product fans expect.

Tanahashi wrote:

  • To all New Japan Pro-Wrestling fans and everyone who has supported and assisted us,
  • We are pleased to announce that Bushiroad Co., Ltd. will be transferring its shares in our company to TV Asahi Corporation and CyberAgent, Inc. Bushiroad became our parent company in 2012, and through various forms of support — including large-scale advertising campaigns — it has enabled New Japan Pro-Wrestling to achieve significant growth. We are deeply grateful.
  • To repay this kindness, we will now strive as a consolidated subsidiary of TV Asahi, with the support of CyberAgent, to achieve significant growth for New Japan Pro-Wrestling as a united company. Our mission to create the best possible wrestling and provide entertainment for all of you remains unchanged. We sincerely ask for your continued support and encouragement.

Takaaki Kidani statement —

Takaaki Kidani, a wrestling fan and the founder of Bushiroad, put out his own statement reflecting on the time he spent overseeing NJPW. He called the ownership change a positive step, with TV Asahi and CyberAgent able to maximize NJPW’s video assets and advance its digital media operations.

Kidani wrote:

  • Thank you very much for your continued support of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.
  • Today, we have decided to transfer all of our shares in New Japan Pro-Wrestling to TV Asahi and CyberAgent. We realize this announcement may come as a surprise to many of our fans.
  • In 2012, at a major turning point when New Japan Pro-Wrestling was aiming for its next phase of growth, we had the privilege of welcoming the company into our group. Over the past 14 years, believing in the power of pro-wrestling as a wonderful form of entertainment, we have worked tirelessly alongside all of you to bring its appeal to an even wider audience.
  • Thanks to these efforts, at the Tokyo Dome event on January 4 of this year, we recorded an attendance of 46,913, achieving a sold-out crowd for the first time in 28 years. Having overcome the challenge of generational transition, young stars in their 20s and 30s are now rising one after another, shining brilliantly in the ring. As Bushiroad, it is a great source of pride in my life to have witnessed New Japan Pro-Wrestling grow so powerfully and to be able to pass the baton to the next generation.
  • However, for New Japan Pro-Wrestling to make even greater strides globally and continue its golden age, it is essential to maximize the use of our accumulated video assets and evolve into a diversified revenue-generating business centered on a powerful streaming platform.
  • Therefore, I am convinced that the best course of action is to entrust the future to the very best possible owners: first, by returning the reins to TV Asahi, our partner since our founding who has consistently supported New Japan Pro-Wrestling through terrestrial broadcasts; and second, by welcoming CyberAgent as a partner to bring a breath of fresh air through cutting-edge digital media.
  • To all our fans, and to the wrestlers and staff who have continued to support New Japan with their passionate battles, thank you so much for walking alongside Bushiroad all this time. Your passion and cheers have been our greatest driving force.
  • Although [NJPW is] parting ways with Bushiroad, I can confidently say that the future of New Japan Pro-Wrestling is brighter than ever. As a passionate pro-wrestling fan myself, I will continue to cheer on the new golden age that you all will create.
  • Thank you so much for the past 14 years. Please look forward to the future of New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

NJPW ownership transfer —

Before this transfer, Bushiroad — a trading card company — owned 70 percent of NJPW and TV Asahi owned 22.7 percent. TV Asahi and CyberAgent now each own 46.3 percent. The promotion will operate as a “consolidated subsidiary” of TV Asahi while receiving support from CyberAgent.

TV Asahi is NJPW’s longtime broadcast partner and also owns a stake in the NJPW World streaming service. CyberAgent operates the streaming platform Abema and already owns Pro Wrestling NOAH, DDT Pro Wrestling, and Tokyo Joshi Pro through its subsidiary CyberFight.

The share transfer is valued at approximately 3.6 billion yen, which is roughly $22.6 million.

Hiroshi Tanahashi announced for special Stardom role

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Months after his in-ring retirement, NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi is set for a wrestling comeback.

Japanese wrestling promotion STARDOM’s All Star Grand Queendom event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Yokohama Arena.

With just hours left for the show to begin, STARDOM announced NJPW President Tanahashi’s role as a guest commentator at the event.

Both New Japan Pro Wrestling and STARDOM are owned by Bushiroad. Earlier this year, in March, NJPW’s Board of Directors transferred all of their shares in STARDOM to Bushiroad.

STARDOM’s All Star Grand Queendom lineup

  • Natsupoi vs. Maki Itoh
  • Saori Anou vs. Fuwa-chan
  • Mi Vida Loca (Suzu Suzuki and Rina Yamashita) vs. Maika and Hanako
  • Ranna Yagami (c) vs. Ema Maishima for the Future of Stardom Championship
  • BMI2000 (Natsuko Tora and Ruaka) (c) vs. 02line (AZM and Miyu Amasaki) for the Goddesses of Stardom Championship
  • Syuri (c) vs. Megan Bayne for the IWGP Women’s Championship
  • Konami (c) vs. Hanan for the Wonder of Stardom Championship
  • Saya Kamitani (c) vs. Sayaka Kurara for the World of Stardom Championship

NJPW looking to introduce more multi-year contracts

Posted on by Joseph Currier

To help entice wrestlers into staying around longer, NJPW is looking into changing the way it structures its contracts.

NJPW contracts, for the most part, have traditionally been recurring one-year deals that expire around the start of each calendar year. Company president Hiroshi Tanahshi told Pro Wrestling Today that altering that structure is a priority for NJPW, along with raising pay and improving the promotion as a whole.

“I strongly feel that we must create a ‘barrier’ to prevent top talent from being poached by other promotions — such as by introducing multi-year contracts — and maintain the quality that makes New Japan Pro-Wrestling great,” Tanahashi said.

NJPW has experienced some departures recently with The Dogs (David Finlay, Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors) joining AEW and EVIL & Hiromu Takahashi likely heading to WWE. The company also lost Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay to AEW in recent years, though the working relationship between NJPW and AEW does allow for occasional returns.

Tanahashi noted that the guaranteed money being offered by overseas promotions like WWE and AEW is very high. With the current state of the Japanese economy, it’s difficult to compete with those offers. He believes the best way to boost NJPW’s standing is to focus on putting on great shows, increase the company’s exposure in advertising activities, and raise revenue over time. He is encouraging NJPW’s rising stars to raise their profile through making more media appearances and participating in other ways to promote themselves and NJPW as a whole.

In December 2023, Tanahashi was named president of NJPW. He is now solely focused on that executive position after retiring from the ring at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in a match against his long-time rival Okada.

DragonKingKarl: February question & answer show

Posted on by Karl Stern

You have the questions and Karl Stern hopefully has the answers on a new DragonKingKarl Show and no matter what era of pro wrestling history, from the pioneer era to the 2000s, nothing is off limits.

Today’s show takes a number of questions and topic suggestions including the recent retirements of John Cena and Hiroshi Tanahashi and opponents they had in common, Jim Londos’ place in wrestling history (pictured above), theme music, Bubba Ray Dudley, and a few retro pop culture questions as well.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

NJPW New Beginning notes: David Finlay, Drilla Moloney, Hiroshi Tanahashi

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Notes from Wednesday’s New Beginning in Osaka.

David Finlay strongly hinted at his departure from NJPW following his match with Callum Newman, where he lost cleanly after a lariat. After Newman mocked his opponent and left the ring, Finlay recovered and quickly became emotional. He bowed to the crowd and hugged manager Gedo as he exited the ring. He then bowed in front of and hugged Hiromu Takahashi at ringside before making his exit.

Despite what seemed like a final farewell, Finlay has been announced for New Beginning USA on February 27. But the scene on Wednesday comes as reports indicate that Finlay is looking to explore free agency.

One person who is remaining with the company is Drilla Moloney. After he and Shingo Takagi were victorious in their tag match, Moloney announced that he had renewed his contract with NJPW. Additionally, he declared for the NJPW Cup tournament, which takes place next month.

Prior to the NEVER title match, Hiroshi Tanahashi made a surprise appearance and announced that their next broadcast on national television will take place at NJPW Dominion on June 14 in Osaka-jo Hall. TV Asahi aired Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, the first time the network had aired a Tokyo Dome event since 2004.

Hiroshi Tanahashi reveals new haircut following retirement

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Hiroshi Tanahashi has done the unthinkable: cut his hair.

On Saturday, the now-retired wrestler and New Japan Pro Wrestling’s President revealed he went ahead and chopped off his infamous flowing hair. On social media, he shared pictures of a shorter, more standard haircut, perhaps a nod to the end of his in-ring career.

He had teased the decision throughout the week, noting he had a hair salon appointment. Shortly before the reveal, he posted a picture of himself sitting in a salon chair confirming it was indeed happening.

“It’s black. And short,” he wrote.

Tanahashi headlined this year’s Wrestle Kingdom 20 event in his last-ever match, wrestling Kazuchika Okada. The two longtime rivals had an emotional back-and-forth bout but in the end, Okada ended up winning the match with a rainmaker. As the Ace was recovering post-match, Okada thanked Tanahashi before making his exit.

During his retirement ceremony, Tanahashi was greeted by the likes of Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Keiji Muto, Tatsumi Fujinami, Jay White, and shockingly Tetsuya Naito. After playing air guitar and waving to fans in a moving float in the Tokyo Dome, Tanahashi eventually made his exit, disappearing into the smoke-filled entrance.

Matt Jackson reacts to Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With the retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi, Matt Jackson feels like the wrestling world lost its best babyface.

Jackson, one half of The Young Bucks, reacted to Tanahashi’s retirement in a new interview with Undisputed. He praised the 49-year-old NJPW legend as one of the greatest babyfaces the industry has ever seen and someone who was impossible to root against.

“The business just lost its best babyface,” Jackson said. “He was marvelous. One of the true greats to ever do it…To me, Tanahashi represents heart, soul, and fighting spirit. He has such likability. He might be the truest babyface to ever compete.”

Tanahashi helped lead NJPW out of the dark ages and into a new period of business resurgence in the 2010s. The Young Bucks got to play a part in that era as well, joining Bullet Club and being featured as one of NJPW’s top foreign acts. Matt Jackson reflected on what it was like to work with Tanahashi when they shared the ring for the first time in 2015.

“I still remember that first time,” he told Undisputed. “I was shocked how delicate he was to me in the ring, taking true care of me, but being so believable in the process. Then I’d hit him one time in the ribs and he’d sell it, grabbing, clutching, and pacing around the ring, like I’d shot him or something, making me look like a million bucks. I was just a young man, still on the rise, and he was so unselfish. I try to make it a point to treat younger talent the same way.”

Tanahashi still remains a crucial figure in NJPW despite his in-ring retirement, serving as the real-life president and CEO of the promotion.

The period of time The Young Bucks spent in NJPW helped grow their popularity and lead to the formation of AEW. On Dynamite last week, Matt & Nick Jackson teamed up with Jack Perry for a six-man tag team victory over Ricochet & The Gates of Agony. There was then a post-match angle where The Young Bucks were laid out by the Don Callis Family.

WOR: 2025 WON Awards ballot talk with Post Wrestling’s John Pollock

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with the Friday edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about the big news from today’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Post Wrestling’s John Pollock also joined us to go over his 2025 WON Awards ballot.

Here were some of the things we discussed:

  • The big SmackDown news from today’s show
  • Dave’s story on Hiroshi Tanahashi
  • A look at New Japan Pro Wrestling heading into the new year
  • AEW & NXT ratings
  • WWE creative adjustments

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube

Big Audio Nightmare: Wrestle Kingdom 20 lookback & a huge week of shows in Japan

Posted on by Adam Summers

The Big Audio Nightmare is back as Adam Summers & Mike Sempervive review NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20, look back at the end of Hiroshi Tanahashi’s legendary career, and take a look the major shows from Stardom, Pro Wrestling NOAH, TJPW, Marigold, and All-Japan Pro Wrestling.

Subscribers can listen here.

January 12, 2026 Observer Newsletter: Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final match & Wrestle Kingdom 20 recap, 2025 wrestling business year in review

Posted on by F4W Staff

Image: NJPW

The new Wrestling Observer Newsletter has arrived.

And what else could Dave Meltzer lead off with than a recap of last weekend’s Wrestle Kingdom 20 and the retirement of all-time great Hiroshi Tanahashi. He gives various star ratings for the show as a whole and the following day’s New Year’s Dash.

Dave also does a large scale business deep dive into the 2025 wrestling business year.

Of course, there’s the usual litany of news from WWE, AEW, CMLL, AAA and the rest of the wrestling world plus some UFC news, too.

Click here to read.

Daily Update: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Doc Gallows, TNA Impact

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is now available and covers the following topics:

  • Polls on Worlds End plus Continental Classic MVP and best match polls.
  • The story of the WWE/UFC merger and Vince McMahon’s resignation, how real was it, the big unanswered question about the WWE Board of Directors, lots of Discovery information in the shareholders lawsuit against WWE, McMahon, TKO, Nick Khan and others, things behind the scenes about the merger, and the change in plans prior to the 2023 WrestleMania in more detail than ever before.
  • Full coverage of AEW Worlds End and business notes on the show
  • The retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi and the Tokyo Dome show
  • The record setting 2025 at Arena Mexico and biggest attendance week in the 92 years of CMLL, a look at the last week as well as how many Americans are at the shows.
  • The few times in history that a company sold out a major arena three times in the same week.
  • A look at the Stardom Dream Queendom show
  • Pro Wrestling NOAH hosts the first major show of 2026
  • Weekly odds
  • 2026 Observer award ballot
  • Most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week.
  • Weddings and engagements in pro wrestling this past week
  • All Japan has its best match of 2025
  • William Regal and others talk about neck injuries in pro wrestling and our thoughts on it as well as the reaction of some
  • Who had the most great matches in 2025
  • How Eric Bischoff’s new promotion is similar to Sam Muchnick starting out as a promoter
  • Company does a Vince McMahon/Janel Grant angle on its TV show
  • AEW business partner delisted
  • Tony Khan talks a ton of different subjects
  • Top merch sellers in US outside of WWE
  • Tom Aspinall update
  • Don Frye talks health issues
  • Lots of injury updates

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

WWE

Other Wrestling

  • Last night, Tony Khan was in Las Vegas to attend Sports Illustrated’s Sportsperson of the Year Awards. Khan took photos with Michael Phelps and Cal Raleigh on the red carpet for the event, where NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was honored as Sportsperson of the Year.
  • AEW wished Darby Allin a happy 33rd birthday.
  • At the ceremony for the 2025 Tokyo Sports awards, NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi addressed how he feels after retiring from the ring:
    • Yes, I do [feel a sense of relief]. Until I retired as a professional wrestler, every morning I would wake up and think, ‘Oh, where’s my match today?’ and I always had that feeling of tension. But when I woke up this morning and thought, ‘Oh, I won’t be having any more matches,’ I felt a little sad, but I also felt like I’ve moved on to a different stage.
  • Tanahashi added that he’s planning to get a haircut soon:
    • I’m getting a little break next week, so I’ll get my hair cut around the weekend. Yes, I’ll be cutting off all the hair at the back.
    • Well, I’m going to become a handsome older man. Just a handsome older man, just a cool guy.
  • Here is the full preview for Thursday night’s TNA Impact, which is the last episode before the show moves to AMC:
    • Contract signing for next week’s Frankie Kazarian vs. Mike Santana TNA World Championship match
    • International Champion Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo defends against Steve Maclin
    • The System (Moose, Eddie Edwards, Brian Myers & JDC) vs. Leon Slater, Cedric Alexander & The Hardys
    • Mustafa Ali and Order 4 address TNA Genesis
    • Dani Luna vs. Harley Hudson
    • The Hardys kick off the episode
  • Frankie Kazarian wished his wife Traci Brooks a happy 16th anniversary: “16 years building an amazing life with this incredibly kind, beautiful and wonderful woman. I am beyond lucky. Happy anniversary @TheTraciBrooks”
  • Lei Ying Lee was a guest on Unlikely with Adrian Hernandez.
  • Donovan Dijak has been confirmed as an entrant for MLW Battle Riot VIII.
  • GCW announced the schedule for The Collective 2026 in Las Vegas.
  • In an interview with Orlando Weekly, Mick Foley discussed how nostalgia has helped boost his relevance with fans:
    • I think nostalgia is a huge factor for fans. Somewhere around 2010, I went from being washed up to being part of people’s childhoods. I’m the same guy. I’ve only gotten older, but I’m no longer old and irrelevant. I’m part of people’s collective memories.
  • Adam Scherr (Braun Strowman) appeared on the Lay It On podcast with celebrity chef Brad Leone.

WWE Raw notes: Hiroshi Tanahashi shout-out, Stranger Things, new theme song

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Notes from this week’s WWE Raw.

Monday’s show in Brooklyn, New York is a collaboration between WWE and Netflix’s Stranger Things show, which recently aired its series finale. Despite the tie-in, no one from the blockbuster television show is at Raw.

“I was told nobody from Stranger Things doing anything on the show tonight, which would be odd,” Bryan Alvarez is reporting.

Despite this, executives from both Netflix and TKO are at tonight’s show at the Barclays Center. It also serves as the one-year anniversary of Raw debuting on the streaming platform.

“A ton of TKO execs and Netflix people at the show tonight, it’s completely sold out,” Alvarez added.

During the opening match, IYO SKY gave Asuka a slingblade, Hiroshi Tanahashi’s signature move. Corey Graves on commentary gave a shout-out to Tanahashi, mentioning him by name and noted he had recently celebrated his retirement. Tanahashi had his final match in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 20, losing to AEW’s Kazuchika Okada. SKY & Ripley went on to defeat the Kabuki Warriors for the Women’s Tag Team titles.

WWE also revealed a new theme song that played during Monday’s show: ‘Godzilla’ by Eminem featuring Juice WRLD.

Fight Game: Saying goodbye to Hiroshi Tanahashi

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and Garrett Gonzales return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss some of the most interesting topics in pro wrestling.

We gave out our thumbs up and thumbs down for the week before focusing on this past weekend’s Wrestle Kingdom 20.

We talked about Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada being near perfect, the poetry of the book-end feud, Yota Tsuji beating Konosuke Takeshita, and the debut of Aaron Wolf.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

WOR: Tokyo Dome, Tanahashi retirement, Jericho, tons more!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including a full recap of the New Japan Tokyo Dome show, all the matches and angles, Tanahashi’s retirement and post-match ceremony, and more, plus Smackdown and Collision, WWE injuries and departures, Chris Jericho, and more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Johnny Legend passes away
6:29: NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 recap
54:25: Chris Jericho teased for Raw, WWE SmackDown notes, injury updates
1:02:31: Arena Mexico notes, Holly Holm loses boxing match, AEW Collision notes, lineups for the week

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B&V: New Japan Tokyo Dome review with Tanahashi’s retirement!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

The Bryan & Vinny Show is back with tons to talk about including a full review of the New Japan Tokyo Dome show, an event where the last three matches were pretty much must-see, as was the Tanahashi retirement ceremony. Bryan did a solo show talking Smackdown and Collision earlier if you want to listen to that as well. A fun show as always so check it out~!

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