#njpw #brocklesnar #hiroshitanahashi #davemeltzer #speakingofstrongstyle #fightgamemedia #prowrestling #iwgp #wrestlinghistory #strongstyle #wrestlingnews
In this exclusive clip from Speaking of Strong Style, hosts Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone sit down with the legendary Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer to dissect one of the most controversial "what ifs" in New Japan Pro Wrestling history.
The team dives deep into the 2006 fallout involving Brock Lesnar walking out of NJPW while still the IWGP Heavyweight Champion. The primary focus: Did Lesnar’s sudden departure and the subsequent stripping of the title derail Hiroshi Tanahashi’s momentum just as he was becoming the "Ace" of the promotion?
Dave Meltzer provides unparalleled historical context on the backstage atmosphere at the time, the booking pivots NJPW was forced to make, and whether Tanahashi’s eventual first title win at Settle the Score felt diminished by the lack of a passing of the torch from Lesnar.
Whether you are a historian of Japanese wrestling or a fan of "The Beast" Brock Lesnar, this insight from Meltzer is a must-watch to understand how the modern era of NJPW was shaped by this massive controversy.
What do you think? Would Tanahashi have been a bigger star sooner if he had beaten Lesnar cleanly, or did the vacancy help create the "Ace" we know today? Let us know in the comments below!
👉 Subscribe to Fight Game Media for more expert analysis, historical deep dives, and interviews! 👉 Like this video if you want more Speaking of Strong Style clips!
- Find all our podcasts on our website: https://fightgamemedia.com
- Follow us on Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/fightgamemedia
- Subscribe to our YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/c/FightGameMedia
- Follow us on Instagram/Threads: https://www.instagram.com/fightgamemedia
