#njpw #hiroshitanahashi #davemeltzer #speakingofstrongstyle #fightgamemedia #newjapanprowrestling #wrestlingobserver #prowrestling #theace #wrestlinghistory #strongstyle
Before he was the "Ace of the Universe," he was a young prospect in a struggling promotion. In this clip from Speaking of Strong Style, hosts Steven Conway and Jeremy Finestone ask Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter the million-dollar question: When did you first realize Hiroshi Tanahashi was going to be a massive star?
Meltzer takes us back to the early 2000s—a volatile era for New Japan Pro Wrestling defined by "Inokiism" and a dwindling fan base. He details his initial impressions of Tanahashi as part of the "New Three Musketeers" alongside Shinsuke Nakamura and Katsuyori Shibata.
In this video, we discuss:
Dave Meltzer’s firsthand account of Tanahashi's early career.
The "It Factor" that separated Tanahashi from his peers in the NJPW Dojo.
With Tanahashi now serving as the President of NJPW and his legendary in-ring career winding down, this historical perspective is essential for any fan of Japanese wrestling.
What was the first match that made YOU a Tanahashi fan? Was it the early battles with Nakamura, or his legendary G1 runs? Drop a comment below and let us know!
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