Hiroshi Tanahashi Didn’t Expect Fantasticamania To Last As Long As It Did
In 2011, NJPW and CMLL partnered for Fantasticamania after the two companies entered a working agreement in 2009.
Fantasticamania would become an annual January tour in Japan with luchadors traveling to give Japanese fans a taste of the lucha libre style.
Speaking to NJPW as part of his Ace’s HIGH series, Hiroshi Tanahashi reflected on the partnership.
“I think it all started with me and Nakamura heading over there in 2005. Yep, Tanahashi pioneering again (laughs),” he said.
Due to COVID, Fantasticamania did not take place in 2021. In February, the two companies released a joint statement regarding their “unwavering” continued partnership.
“To be honest, I never expected it to last that long, but it’s a testament to how much appeal lucha has,” said Tanahashi. “I’d really like those guys to get over to Japan as soon as we can have them. It got to the point where it was like its own sub brand in a way. There would be lucha fans who wouldn’t normally go to NJPW events, but would make sure they were there for Fantasticamania. We had title matches and everything.”
It is unknown if Fantasticamania will return in 2022.
Fans can find results from past NJPW events at Fightful’s results section.
