Hiroshi Tanahashi Reveals Hopes For Retirement Match
The ace of New Japan wants to go out on his own terms.
Oct 15, 2024
New Japan Pro-Wrestling legend (and now president) Hiroshi Tanahashi has revealed his ideal retirement plans in an interview with Tokyo Sports.
The outgoing veteran recently revealed that he'll hang up his boots on January 4, 2026. In the aforementioned interview, he explained:
"So ideally, I would like my retirement match to be for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. If I challenge, and win, I'll extend my active career and withdraw my retirement. If I lose, I'll just retire. Then I'll be satisfied. I can retire because I think I can't reach it anymore."
Tanahashi has enjoyed a glittering career with New Japan, and is set to go down as one of the most popular fan favourites in company history. He held the (now-defunct) IWGP Heavyweight Championship eight times, and has won the promotion's signature G1 Climax tournament on three separate occasions.
Although no longer a regular of the main event scene, Tanahashi is still very much an active part of the New Japan roster. This week he took part in the King of Pro-Wrestling event, teaming with Shota Umino and El Phantasmo to defeat the House of Torture in a six-man tag team match.
H/T to Fightful.
