2021 was an odd year for wrestling, but it could have been made even worse if Hiroshi Tanahashi had followed through on his plan.
The Ace of the Universe was recently named as the new President of New Japan Pro Wrestling.
This was a move that shocked the wrestling world, but has precedent. In Japan, wrestlers like Mitsuhara Misawa have previously taken up the role in various companies over the years.
Hiroshi Tanahashi wanted to become president after retirement
Tanahashi always planned to be President of the company that he carried through their darkest period in history.
In a recent article by Tokyo Sports writer Yosuke Okamoto, Tanahashi planned to announce his retirement from wrestling in 2020, ending his career a year later at Wrestle Kingdom 15.
“At that time, Tanahashi revealed the exact date of his retirement.” Okamoto wrote.
“His plan was to announce his retirement at the Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2020, and after playing his last year at the Tokyo Dome, he would retire at the January 4, 2021 Dome.
“After his retirement, he was looking to move into the front office to support the organization as a manager.
`Eventually, I’m going to be president. You have a dream, right?” he said at the time, and I remember reading many books on management.
He later went on to explain that knee injuries were the reason Tanahashi explored the idea of retirement three years ago, just one year after winning the IWGP Heavyweight Championship from Kenny Omega.
With his body in poor shape and relegation into the mid card for NJPW, Tanahashi’s recent promotion makes it more and more likely he will retire from wrestling in the near future.