First he was the Ace of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. Now Hiroshi Tanahashi has an even loftier title: president.
NJPW announced that after a meeting of the company’s board and shareholders on Dec. 23, some changes were being made to the leadership structure. The biggest one was Tanahashi replacing Takami Ohbari as president/representative director. Hitoshi Matsumoto also becomes a director, replacing Michiaki Nishizawa, with Taro Okada, president and CEO of Bushiroad Fight, also becoming a part-time director.
For Japanese wrestling fans (and many American fans as well), Tanahashi needs no introduction. The 47-year-old is one of the most important stars in New Japan history, helping to lead a resurgence from a very down period and carrying the promotion on his back for much of the 2010s. Among many other honors, he’s held the IWGP Heavyweight Championship eight times and is both a NJPW Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion.
What this means for the remainder of Tanahashi’s in-ring career should be fascinating to see. He’s scheduled to compete at Wrestle Kingdom 18 in January, New Japan’s biggest annual show, challenging Zack Sabre Jr. for the NJPW World Television Championship.
Probably not coincidentally, New Japan announced that Tanahashi will address fans directly as president at that event. Before that, though, there will be a press conference on Dec. 26 to discuss the management changes, and that should be of great interest to anyone who follows the company.