Hiroshi Tanahashi Discusses How He Got Inspiration From Shawn Michaels Before the G1 Climax Finals & More!

Posted By Caroline Walsh on 08/18/18


Sports Illustrated recently interviewed NJPW star Hiroshi Tanahashi after his huge win at the G1 Climax 28, winning the entire tournament. Below are some highlights.

Tanahashi on preparing himself for the best: “No matter what era, I am just doing what I can do. I can’t expect what’s going to happen, but I can prepare myself to be my best.”

Tanahashi on being asked about his age and his future in the business: “Many times I have heard that phrase about my age, but what can I say? My future is my future. I don’t want to let anyone close the door on my future. I survived the G1. This means I am the best in New Japan.”

Tanahashi on how he pictured Shawn Michaels before he walked to the ring: “Before I walked to the ring tonight, I was very, very nervous. So I pictured Shawn Michaels. I love, love Shawn Michaels. He was my inspiration, and always seemed to be having fun all the time in the ring. There is pressure and injury in the ring, but I needed to remember there is joy, too. So that’s what I did.”

His thoughts on Kenny Omega: “Kenny made a new movement, created a new trend in New Japan Pro Wrestling. He does extreme moves and people love him, but New Japan Pro Wrestling has a different ideology of pro wrestling. Kenny’s ideology is different than my ideology, and that is the biggest difference between us.”

Tanahashi on winning the G1: “I made a giant step toward proving I am the best in the world by winning the G1. This is the third time I have proved that in the G1, and now I have one more time to prove I am the best. One more time to show I am the greatest. … I am the past, I am the present, I am the future. I am the one to lead this company.”