10 Best Storytellers In Wrestling Right Now

6. Hiroshi Tanahashi

Daniel Bryan The Fiend Royal Rumble 2020
NJPW

Hiroshi Tanahashi is no longer the best wrestler on the planet - the generation that has succeeded him have advanced on his athleticism and learned from his expert main event layouts - but he remains the most intelligent.

He has allowed that generation to succeed him by selflessly transitioning into a grizzled, broken-down old lion role to both get them over and put the heat on the Jay Whites, the Zack Sabre, Jrs. Tanahashi, fiercely loyal to NJPW, is deeply considerate of its grand tapestry. To lose to Tanahashi is in itself an indication of who is capable of progressing to the top of the card.

It's the manner in which the Ace loses that establishes this newer generation.

At last year's Best Of The Super Juniors Final, Tanahashi put White over for the second time in 2019. On this occasion, in a phenomenal tweak on his dragon screw signature, he had to use both of his arms to spike White's leg to the mat. He looked desperate, almost pitiful, literally clinging to his fading legacy with everything he had left. That was his canon, kayfabe legacy.

His real legacy - as a forward-thinking, selfless genius - is assured forever.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!