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. 

Tanahashi’s first IWGP US reign was brief, ended at the second defence by KENTA. Hungry to regain the gold, he sought to do so at Wrestle Kingdom 16, but in the unforgiving and unfamiliar environment of a No DQ, anything goes match. Surviving, and finishing KENTA with a devastating High Fly Flow from the top of a ladder through a table, Tanahashi moved into 2022 as US champion.