Image credit: NJPW
🌏 Hiroshi Tanahashi | Final Road Begins
✅ Nickname: “Once in a Century Talent”
✅ Type: All-Rounder / Technical / Veteran Fighter
📌 Basic Information
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Hiroshi Tanahashi |
| Born | November 13, 1976 |
| Hometown | Gifu, Japan |
| Height | 181 cm (5’11”) |
| Weight | 101 kg (223 lbs) |
| Promotion | New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) |
| Debut | October 10, 1999 |
| Current Role | NJPW President (since 2024) |
| Retirement Announcement | October 14, 2024 (Ryogoku Kokugikan) |
| Final Match | January 4, 2026 (Tokyo Dome) |
✅ Signature Moves: High Fly Flow, Dragon Screw, Sling Blade
✅ Iconic Match: vs. Kazuchika Okada (Wrestle Kingdom 10)
🏆 2024 Highlights & Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Road 🏆
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan 4 | Defeated Zack Sabre Jr. at Wrestle Kingdom 18 to win the NJPW WORLD TV Championship |
| Feb 7 | Guest appearance at Tokyo Great Bears volleyball event |
| June 29 | Appeared at Stardom’s Korakuen Hall event to promote NJPW-Stardom collaboration |
| July 13 | Gave a business talk at the Tokorozawa Chamber of Commerce |
| Oct 14 | Announced retirement at Ryogoku Kokugikan; final match set for January 4, 2026 |
| 2024-2026 | “Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Road” begins (Scheduled to wrestle in major events nationwide) |
💡 Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Road Key Points:
✅ The last year of NJPW’s greatest “Ace”
✅ A farewell tour with special memorial matches planned
✅ Final match confirmed for January 4, 2026, at the Tokyo Dome
📺 Iconic Matches
▶ vs. Kazuchika Okada (Wrestle Kingdom 10) – The peak of NJPW’s golden era
▶ vs. EVIL (Wrestle Kingdom 19) – His first major match after retirement announcement
▶ & Kazuchika Okada vs. BULLET CLUB (Dominion 2024) – The legendary team reunites
📖 Match Breakdown: Historic Matches – Hiroshi Tanahashi
🔥 Key Rivals
• Kazuchika Okada (The defining rivalry of NJPW’s modern era)
• Shinsuke Nakamura (A fierce competitor from the past)
• EVIL (A battle between the legendary Ace and the King of Darkness)
🎵 Entrance Theme
• “LOVE & ENERGY” 🎶
💡 Highlights:
✅ Known for its catchy rhythm that fans clap along to
✅ Signature “Air Guitar” entrance performance
📊 Wrestler Rating
| Category | Rating | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Offense | ★★★☆☆ | Still versatile, but speed and sharpness have declined |
| Defense | ★★★☆☆ | Solid fundamentals, but stamina and durability are fading |
| Physical | ★★★☆☆ | Maintains good conditioning but struggles against younger talent |
| IQ | ★★★★☆ | Still one of the smartest wrestlers in the business |
| Mental | ★★★★★ | Unwavering determination and leadership |
➡ Overall Rating: 80 / 100 (B Rank)
💡 Analysis:
Hiroshi Tanahashi in 2024 is no longer the dominant force he once was in the ring, but he still captivates fans with his presence and storytelling. His physical ability has noticeably declined, and he struggles to keep up with the top-tier wrestlers in NJPW today. However, his experience and in-ring psychology remain elite.
As “Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Road” progresses, it will be interesting to see if he can elevate his match quality in his farewell tour.
🔥 Other Wrestlers to Check Out!
• NJPW Legends: Kazuchika Okada’s Profile | Shinsuke Nakamura’s Profile
• Current Top Stars: Zack Sabre Jr.’s Profile | Will Ospreay’s Profile
📝 Summary
✅ Announced retirement on October 14, 2024, at Ryogoku Kokugikan!
✅ “Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Road” will take him across Japan for one last year!
✅ Final match scheduled for January 4, 2026, at the Tokyo Dome!
✅ A final chapter in the legendary career of NJPW’s greatest Ace!
This English version now reflects the re-evaluated 2024 rating and the “Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Road.” 🚀
