"Now 49 years old, Tanahashi debuted for New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1999 and grew into a headliner a few years later, never relinquishing his main-eventer role in the company for any kind of extended hiatus. Rising through the ranks during a downturn for NJPW's business, Tanahashi helped usher in a new era of international growth for the promotion by turning himself into basically the ideal wrestling superstar."
"He was the center of the universe in NJPW's 2010s boom; even the company's more idiosyncratic, gritty, or sinister performers took definition from how much they contrasted with the franchise player. Tanahashi was such a consistent, week in and week out entertainer that he became synonymous with the wrestling term "Ace"-the person judged to be most important to their promotion, even if they're not the champion."
Hiroshi Tanahashi finished his in-ring career with a final match at the Tokyo Dome after a long tenure with New Japan Pro Wrestling. He debuted in 1999, rose to headliner status, and maintained continuous main-event presence without extended hiatuses. Tanahashi played a central role in reviving NJPW during a business downturn and driving the promotion's international growth. His long hair, colorful outfits, and air-guitar celebration made him widely appealing across demographics. Tanahashi embodied the wrestling concept of an "Ace," consistently defining the promotion's identity and contrasting with grittier performers while now facing a new challenge beyond the ring.
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