The self-proclaimed “Once in a Century Masterpiece”, Tanahashi embodies what it means to be the Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling. After debuting for NJPW in October of 1999 he has the highest record of IWGP Heavyweight titles (8 times). That acheivment goes alongside a Grand Slam, with Tanahashi one of precious few to win the IWGP heavyweight, Intercontinental, Tag, US and NEVER Openweight Championships, as well as 3 G1 Climaxes.  

After a legendary run, Tanahashi had to deal with self doubt through 2020. Missed time due to the pandemic, and nagging injuries piled up, as Tanahashi won and quickly lost the IWGP Tag team Championships with Kota Ibushi, and seemed unable to get back to title contention. Yet 2021 showed hope for the Ace yet. 

Defeating Great-O-Khan at Wrestle Kingdom, Tanahashi refused to let the sun set on his career as a main eventer. Setting his sights on the NEVER Championship, Tanahashi showed a never say die attitude in a classic at new Beginning in Nagoya, defeating Shingo Takagi to become NEVER Champion for the first time. Six months later, and an illness for Kota Ibushi led Tanahashi to step up and challenge then IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Takagi in the Tokyo Dome at short notice, before becoming the first Japanese wrestler to become IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, defeating Lance Archer in Los Angeles at Resurgence, a title that he would win twice more, but with brief reigns each time. 

Summer 2022 would see the door between AEW and NJPW broken down as Forbidden Door took place in Chicago. Tanahashi would challenge AEW World Champion CM Punk for the event, but when Punk sustained an injury, a match for the interim AEW title was made with Jon Moxley.