The Disturbing Truth Behind New Japan Pro Wrestling

Tanahashi is thrashed.

In another ironic twist, the Ace this year captured the IWGP Heavyweight Title from Kenny Omega in a classic Tokyo Dome match promoted as a battle of philosophy. Tanahashi deemed Omega’s overtly dangerous style an inelegant, foolish bastardisation of the worked art. In the parameters of the storyline, Omega dismissed Tanahashi as an old man out of time.

But, to tell this story effectively, Tanahashi had to level up to Omega’s new-school risk having absorbed the ghastly brunt of it. He returned fire with a poisoned ‘rana ahead of the exhilarating finish, the dramatic effect of which was incredible because it was so atypical of the Ace. He had to lose something of himself to win—a strategy that informed the awesome drama and put Omega over as a proper Champion—but in winning, he didn’t reclaim the soul of New Japan. The danger has only accelerated in the months since.

Ibushi, Naito, Tanahashi: none of these men would do this, if it weren’t over. But what’s almost infuriating is that Naito was more popular before he indulged his lunatic tendencies to an extent that he is now defined by them.

The 2016 vintage of Naito was the coolest pro wrestler on the planet. His aloof flexing was far more effective than his recent, stupidly dangerous approach. It’s weirdly unimaginative for a performer of his creativity. It’s as if Naito actively enjoys endangering himself, because he is demonstrably talented enough to judge when exactly to inject danger in his most high-profile matches. Is this an adrenaline junkie thing, or are Naito et al. high on the critical acclaim?

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