Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Retirement Marks the end of an era for pro Wrestling
The recent retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi resonated deeply with many fans, signaling not just the end of a legendary career, but a pivotal shift in the landscape of professional wrestling. The author reflects on how Tanahashi’s impact extended beyond the ring, fundamentally altering his perspective on what pro wrestling could – and should – be, unbound by the constraints of a single promotion.
The author recounts grappling with the meaning of Tanahashi’s departure,acknowledging sadness felt during the retirements of Jushin Thunder Liger and John Cena,but ultimately recognizing Tanahashi’s retirement as uniquely impactful. The late 90s and early 2000s saw the collapse of WCW and ECW, leaving WWE as the dominant force, with TNA struggling to compete.
This period of WWE dominance, the author argues, inadvertently shaped a generation’s perception of wrestling. “When WWE became a virtual monopoly, it taught a generation of people that pro wrestling could be done only one way as everything else had been snuffed out,” they explain.While acknowledging WWE’s ability to deliver compelling wrestling, the author also points to its potential for monotony under Vince McMahon’s singular vision.Attempts by TNA to challenge this dominance were often hampered by incoherence or unsuccessful imitation.
by 2012, disillusioned with the state of US wrestling, the author sought alternatives. The rise of internet streaming provided access to NJPW, and their first experience at Wrestle Kingdom 7 proved transformative.Seeing Tanahashi headline against Minoru Suzuki was a revelation. “He was uniquely charismatic, someone that the fans obviously loved,” the author recalls, noting Tanahashi’s clear-cut role as a babyface – a rarity at the time. The quality of wrestling in NJPW quickly surpassed what was being offered in the United States.
The author’s commitment to NJPW solidified with Kazuchika Okada’s victory over Tanahashi at The New Beginning, capturing the IWGP Championship. This decision, to elevate an “unproven wrestler” like Okada, despite a previous unsuccessful run in TNA, was a bold move that captivated the author. “I wanted to see how this story play out, and the rest was history,” they state, recognizing the beginning of a compelling narrative.
NJPW, and Tanahashi in particular, demonstrated that wrestling could thrive outside the confines of the WWE model. The author addresses criticisms leveled against promotions like AEW for their storytelling, arguing that these critiques are unfounded. “WWE has a style of storytelling that works, but watching NJPW taught me that stories in professional wrestling can be told in different ways,” they explain. tanahashi’s rivalries with stars like Shinsuke Nakamura, Katsuyori Shibata, kenny Omega, and Okada showcased how the wrestling itself could be central to the narrative.
Witnessing Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony felt more meaningful than Cena’s,the author contends. While WWE possesses a robust roster capable of sustaining the company, Tanahashi’s departure represents the culmination of NJPW’s golden era. With many key figures having moved on or retired, questions linger about the promotion’s future.
Despite the melancholy, the author expresses profound gratitude for Tanahashi’s influence. He opened their eyes to a world of wrestling beyond what they had previously known. “seeing him vanish into the smoke-filled stage after a literal parade around the Tokyo Dome hurt, but you know the saying: don’t cry as it’s over, smile because it happened.”
Bryan Rose is an editor from California that has been covering professional wrestling for well over a decade. He officially joined F4WOnline as an editor in 2017.
