Hiroshi Tanahashi: NJPW Needs To Make New Stars, I Want More Of Our Wrestlers To Be Household Names

Hiroshi Tanahashi discusses his goals for NJPW in 2024 and beyond.

Hiroshi Tanahashi discusses his goals for NJPW in 2024 and beyond.

In December 2023, Hiroshi Tanahashi was appointed as NJPW President and Representative Director. He has already had to deal with some challenges, such as Kazuchika Okada’s decision to leave the company.

Speaking with Liam Wyatt from Inside The Ropes, Hiroshi Tanahashi discussed how building new stars is a major element of NJPW’s success. He made it clear that he wants more NJPW wrestlers to become household names.

“This is a star-driven business, and we need to make new stars. That goes beyond success in the ring as well- mainstream awareness and name value is the key to success. I want more of our wrestlers becoming household names,” Tanahashi said.

Tanahashi also named expansion in Asia as a main goal he has for NJPW in 2024. He noted that NJPW will be putting a lot of effort into its expansion in Asia, and that will become an area of major growth for the company.

“The scale and scope of our events in the US lately is something we’re really happy with and we want to maintain that, but from this year, New Japan is going to put a lot of effort into our expansion in Asia and you’ll see that become an area of major growth for us in my opinion,” Tanahashi said.

Tanahashi previously discussed his role as NJPW President. Check out his comments here.

At NJPW New Beginning in Sapporo on February 23, Tanahashi is set to face Matt Riddle.

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