Hiroshi Tanahashi Addresses Hiromu Takahashi Wrapping Up With NJPW

Hiromu is on his way out of NJPW.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling sent out the announcement that five-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi is set to depart the company. He’ll be finishing up the Road to The New Beginning tour, and his last match will be on February 11th at The New Beginning in Osaka.

It was noted in the write-up announcement that NJPW negotiated with Takahashi in an attempt to retain him. That was further commented on by NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi in Tanahashi’s blog post.

He noted that he would love to have Hiromu remain with the company, but for Hiromu, it is about challenging his own potential. Tanahashi addressed those who’ve been asking, ‘Is New Japan okay?’ Coming off the heels of multiple talent departures. He wants to be a President who sends wrestlers off who have goals that they’re looking to achieve.

Tanahashi added that the timing of Takahashi’s departure announcement came via Takahashi because he wants to express his gratitude to the fans.

Today, it was announced that Hiromu Takahashi will be leaving New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

I’m sure fans were surprised. We’ve had several discussions since the start of this year.

It was about his desire for further personal growth and testing his potential.

It’s hard to just accept it and say, “Oh, I see! Good luck!”  Hiromu is a popular wrestler, and I’d be happy to have him. But his feelings were very strong

What do you think is the best part of a professional wrestler’s job?

Winning. Becoming champion. Getting the crowd hyped. Making money. All correct answers, but there’s one more. It’s “challenging your own potential.” Strangely enough, I never imagined two wrestlers who debuted in 2009 would find themselves in this situation at the same time. The future really is unpredictable.

With these departures continuing, some people are starting to ask , “Hey! Is New Japan okay?” 

He’s a popular wrestler, so there’s bound to be anxiety. Even at yesterday’s Korakuen Hall show, I saw many fans holding Hiromu merchandise and support boards.

It’s a difficult situation, but I want to be a president who can send off wrestlers who have found new goals.

There are temporary emotional ups and downs, but I imagine the current roster doesn’t appreciate excessive worry either… I certainly wouldn’t like it if I were still active.

The timing of this announcement, just before his final match in Osaka, came from Hiromu’s request to “express his gratitude to the fans.” I sincerely hope you can understand.

Go expand your dreams, Hiromu-chan. Go out there and give it your all.

Takahashi first debuted for NJPW in the summer of 2010. Over the last year, while under contract, he began working dates for Pro Wrestling NOAH and became GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion. Takahashi’s former stablemates in Los Ingobernables de Japon, Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI, are the current GHC Tag Team Champions.

Fellow former L.I.J. members EVIL and SANADA are out from NJPW as well. SANADA took a break after New Year Dash, and Fightful Select has reported that EVIL has been in discussions with WWE.