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) and defended the title a record breaking 11 times (dubbed the “V11”). His finisher is the majestic yet devastating High Fly Flow. Even after a hard-fought match, he likes to close out the night with a rocking air-guitar show for eager fans. Recreating the spectacle of his biggest matches, he raises his air-guitar high with energy and yells his famous “I love you!” to the crowd.

Tanahashi’s record eighth IWGP Heavyweight Championship reign came as a result of winning the 2018 G1 Climax. Having lost the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and being put on the shelf due to injury earlier in the year, Tanahashi was a dark horse, but overcame Kota Ibushi to take his third G1 Climax win. 

The victory put him on a collision course with IWGP Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega, at Wrestle Kingdom 13, a battle not just for the championship, but of differing philosophies when it came to pro wrestling at large. The Ace perservered and became the first competitor in history to convert a G1 Climax victory into a successful IWGP challenge at Wrestle Kindom.

Tanahashi’s joy was to be short lived however, as the Ace was felled by Switchblade Jay White at New Beginning in Osaka. Two months later in Madison Square Garden he was forced to submit by Zack Sabre Junior and injured his left elbow in the process. Coming back in the summer, Tanahashi looked to find a way back to the top of the company he has led for so long, and loves so dearly. His return match, a humiliating loss to Jay White, was perhaps not what the Ace would have liked. Nevertheless he managed to rally himself to a respectable 8 points in G1 Climax 29 with an important win over the man who had injured him, Zack Sabre Jr.