10 Live Observations From ROH's War Of The Worlds In NYC
5. Tanahashi Delivers, Even When He Doesn't Feel The Best
This year's Ring of Honor/New Japan tour was a rough one. Both of The Young Bucks were injured (Nick was forced to miss action in NY, and while Matt competed, he'll now be out of the Best of the Super Juniors tournament along with his brother), Tetsuya Naito was hospitalized with a high fever, and company iron man Hiroshi Tanahashi was reportedly very banged up.
That's nothing new for Tanahashi - the "Ace of the Universe" works a very physical style that has made him the best wrestler on Earth, but he's almost 40 and it's taken its toll. His neck and knees are reportedly in back shape, but he doesn't take time off for fear of hurting attendance at New Japan shows.
Despite his injuries, Tanahashi took on Matt Sydal in a very good singles match at War of the Worlds. He didn't hit all his spots, but that's not what great wrestling is about, anyway - it's about psychology, and Tanahashi got a great reaction for everything he did. He still put his body on the line, though (he missed his first High Fly Flow), and eventually came away victorious in a great contest.