Was thinking this random thought the other day.
Tanahashi has consistently stated his desire to grow NJPW’s female demographic/fanbase, and thus seems to prize talents that are conventionally attractive, like Shota Umino, much how Hiroshi Tanahashi was much beloved by the female fans in his prime (same for mentor, Keji Muto, in his prime); Umino is Tana’s “boy”, and it would seem the one Tana would like to be “THE guy”.
In my mind, this somewhat echoes Antonio Inoki’s preference for Shinsuke Nakamura as the next potential top star for NJPW back in Inoki’s final years as president/owner; of his group of “Musketeers”, Nakamura was the tallest, youngest, and most adept at martial arts (having beaten Shibata in amateur wrestling and Tana having a baseball background), which Inoki wanted to use to capitalize on the growing MMA boom/popularity of the period; of course, Inoki pushing the very young (and unready) Nakamura at the time (making him youngest ever IWGP champ at 23) didn’t work out for the promotion, and they eventually pivoted to Tana as the “Ace”.
Now, this are ultimately two different cases, as Umino hasn’t gotten the “super-push” that Nak did, but I see some similarities.
Or am I complete idiot who doesn’t know what he’s talking about?
by MrPuroresu42
