This Week in Wrestling: Week 1 of 2026

January 10, 2026

Brian Damage

After nearly 27 years as a professional wrestler, the “Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling” finally hung up his boots and bid farewell to the business that he helped change and grow. Hiroshi Tanahashi retired after his loss to AEW star and rival ‘The Rainmaker’ Kazuchika Okada at a packed Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom.

Just like John Cena who retired a little earlier in December, Tanahashi was just as big, if not bigger in New Japan. A wrestler who quite literally saved New Japan and carried it on his shoulders for several years. Tanahashi began his career in October of 1999…during that period…New Japan was suffering from Inoki-ism. NJPW owner Antonio Inoki’s bad booking decisions trying to mix pro wrestling with MMA nearly killed pro wrestling in Japan. Tanahashi along with Shinsuke Nakamura and Katsuyori Shibata aka “The Three Musketeers” helped inject new life into NJPW.

With his great skills in the ring, his good looks and overall presentation…Hiroshi Tanahashi stood out. He was a big fan of Tatsumi Fujinami and the WWF’s Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels and patterned his look and ring style emulating both legends. He added playing an air guitar after watching a popular Japanese show called Kamen Rider: Hibiki. That gesture was something new and fresh in Japanese wrestling and the fans loved it.

Tanahashi became an ever bigger star after being stabbed by his ex girlfriend in real life. The news of an actress trying to murder a pro wrestler made headlines all over Japan. When Tanahashi finally recovered and returned to the ring, he was a huge attraction. Tanahashi is a “Grand Slam” champion in New Japan winning every title available. He also wrestled in TNA, AEW and CMLL in Mexico.

He is now the president of New Japan pro wrestling and will focus on all the behind the scenes stuff of the company. In recent years, New Japan has been stagnant due to the economy and losing so much talent. NJPW is depending on their Ace to help bring life back to New Japan once again. If anybody can do it, it is Tanahashi.

Aside from close to 50,000 who packed the Tokyo Dome to witness his last match live, over 3.5 million tuned in on TV and on New Japan World to see it as well. A true Ace in pro wrestling overall.

Photo Gallery

Chad Gable looking shredded lately…