Every Wrestler With 10 Or More Dave Meltzer 5 Star Rated Matches

One of the leading figures in the New Japan renaissance of the 21st Century, Tanahashi has carried the company as its top champion a record eight times for a combined total of almost four years. He's also won numerous secondary and tag team straps and has main evented countless of the company's biggest shows.

But what sets Tana above those with equal amounts of talent is his consistency. From his first 5 star match in 2012 to his most recent in 2021, Tanahashi has always put in excellent performances against a variety of different opponents. This would explain why he's picked up 15 perfect or better match scores across his career and why he's likely to get even more despite the fact that's he's in his mid-forties.

The comparisons to John Cena have been around for a long time, but where New Japan's Ace surpasses his American counterpart is his willingness to keep up with the changing styles of pro wrestling. Tanahashi is still a phenomenal worker with his excellent conditioning letting him put on epic-length matches with some of the best in the business.

There's a reason he's got 15 times as many 5 star matches as Big Match John.