Jyushin Liger: “I think it’s a little tough, we’re not talking about the world of manga. Time has moved on. Tanahashi is 47 this year, right? I love Tana, and I think he saved New Japan. But reality is reality. I won’t say more than that, but…”

17 comments

1. Devastating 🥺

2. Liger spoke with wisdom here. Tanahashi has already cemented his legacy as the saviour of NJPW. He should moved into semi retired role and focused on training new generation.

3. He’s right. It’s sad but it’s time Tanahashi is moved to new japan dad duty, he’s in far worse condition than Liger was when he retired.

4. Surprised to see a NJPW guy saying that publicly but he’s absolutely right. Tana is one of my favorite wrestlers ever but honestly I’d be fine if he retired. He gave so much to NJPW, he doesn’t need to do this anymore. NJPW is in safe hands with the next generation, he should at least rest for a while if he wants to wrestle a little longer, he just does way too much shows.

5. Is there a chance that he’s just incredibly beat up right now, on top of generally aging and being slower. Like if he’s able to rest up could he still give us one more solid run.

   If not that’s fine and he doesn’t need to, he’s created more than a lifetime of moments but usually New Japan guys fade gracefully kinda as their ability to wrestle decreases so does there pecking order.

   It would be sad to see the ace just fall off a cliff rather than have his descent down the card.

6. Said this in the Tom/G1 thread. He shouldn’t be doing stuff like G1 in his condition. It’s almost inhuman pushing him to do it.

7. Forever my Ace. But I think it’s time for him to fold.

8. I’d rather be optimistic but realistic. I think if Tanahashi took some time off, like a year or two, come back with a new safer wrestling style. He could change his finisher and drop the sling blade to (or rarely use them). Also get some stem cell therapy to.

   I think Tanahashi still has a lot in him

9. Tanahashi right now is almost like Hulk Hogan in 2003. Both of them were at a point where they should have capped off their career on a high note, but the crowd loves them so much that they couldn’t do it and ended up going a lot longer than they should have.

   There’s nothing I can say about his knees that hasn’t been said to death already. But people still love seeing the guy, so I don’t think he’s going to stop any time soon. I just hope he transitions to a tag team/multiman guy soon.

   IIRC Yuji Nagata was 48 in 2017, when he announced that this would be his final G1. It’s not that far off from Tanahashi now. It’s entirely possible that this could be Tana’s final G1, might as well try to enjoy it while he’s still active.

10. What does “the world of manga” in that context mean?

11. This is hard because Tana is in worse shape than other wrestlers have been at the same age, mostly due to the crazy schedule he worked to save NJPW. At this point, guys that Tana succeeded like Kojima might actually be in better ring shape.

12. I’ll never doubt Tana’s ability to show that he’s still the Ace just when I think he’s done. But man, him in the G1 is going to be so rough on him.

    I think he’s still got a lot to bring to New Japan as an attraction and working a reduced schedule. He doesn’t have to go full dad status yet… a couple of big feuds a year and big matches at WK, Dominion, etc. would be fine.

    But just not the G1. It legit makes me worry about him.

13. Selflessness can so easily become selfishness. Considering the wave of new young faces fighting for space on the card, at what point is Tana hurting New Japan than helping?

14. He’s had a great career and it is hard to watch him in the ring now. His knees are destroyed. Time to hang it up.

15. He’s definitely walking like 2000’s Terry Funk and I’m worried about him in the G1. If he decides he’s done, he deserves the rest and the best retirement.

    But two of his tag matches are in my top 10 for the year so I can’t say that tank is empty yet.

16. Tanahashi said at the press conference to look forward to a new Tana this tournament. What does this mean? Does he stay technical, or begin cheating/eye gouging and turn heel? Or… turn Yano and go for his gimmick the whole time? Maybe some Taguchi sprinkled in? What do we expect this means?

17. What?