10 Wrestlers Who Took The Fall To Make Others Look Good
6. Hiroshi Tanahashi
...let's talk about the man he replaced as the Ace of NJPW!
Given that it's been over seven years since Hirsohi Tanahashi bequeathed his status as NJPW's premier talent to Kazuchika Okada, it's remarkable how the former Ace has maintained his relevancy. Father Time and a body held together by prayers and duct tape mean Tanahashi is no longer the athlete he once was, but even now New Japan's figurehead remains a universally beloved figure.
A large part of that is his exemplary behaviour as a wrestling veteran. As well as dropping the belt to Okada at the right time - thereby setting the stage for the greatest title reign in NJPW history - Tanahashi has gracefully exited the main event scene, only using his legendary status to promote the new guard. After all, no-one realistically thought Tanahashii would beat MJF at Forbidden Door, but it still gave the young champ a hell of a notch in his belt when he pinned the living legend.
That selflessness - plus his steadfast belief that wrestling's old guard should elevate the new generation, rather than tear them down - are exactly why Tanahashi remains an icon years removed from his peak.