NJPW Initially Told Hiroshi Tanahashi That He Had One Year Left As A Wrestler After Becoming President, Tanahashi Asked For Two Years

‘The Ace’ felt he could not convey his appreciation for the fans and his career in one year.

Tanahashi felt that one year was not enough for him to show his appreciation.

In October 2024, Hiroshi Tanahashi announced that his final match will be taking place at Wrestle Kingdom in January 2026. 

Since then, he’s been on his retirement road in addition to handling his duties as President of NJPW. He was appointed to that role in December 2023.

There’s a new interview with Tanahashi that was conducted by J:magazine!. Tanahashi revealed that when he initially took on the role as NJPW President, the company told him he had one year left as an in-ring performer. Tanahashi felt he could not convey his appreciation for the fans and his career in one year, so he asked for two years.

“The company told me that once I became President, I would have one more year left as a wrestler. However, I thought it would be difficult to properly express my gratitude to all the fans across Japan in just one year, so I asked if I could have two years.”

‘The Ace’ went on to state that there was no option to continue on as a wrestler. He said if he were just a figurehead President, it may have been possible.

“That’s right (there was no option to continue as a wrestler). If I were just a symbolic President, it might have been possible. But the company told me they wanted me to be a proper professional President, looking after sales figures and personnel matters, and also negotiating with sponsors. Now I even host meetings. Like this, with my hair growing long (he laughed).”

Tanahashi has released a book about being NJPW President.

He is currently competing on the New Japan Soul tour and was in action at the 6/23 show in a tag team match.