Hiroshi Tanahashi is ready for Wrestle Kingdom 17.
Tanahashi has been involved in every Wrestle Kingdom since its inception in 2017. At Wrestle Kingdom 17, he will team with Keiji Muto & Shota Umino to take on Tetsuya Naito, SANADA, & BUSHI.
Speaking to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, Tanahashi discussed the six-man bout that brings generations together in the ring.
“I am so happy to team with Muto before his retirement,” said Tanahashi, speaking through a translator. “I have always learned a lot from Muto, and I think there will be a lot I can learn from this experience teaming with him as opposed to opposite him. I think it’s a great learning opportunity for Umino as well. Umino has really worked on developing that body. He has a great natural look as well, so all he needs to do is reps at this point, and he definitely has the fighting spirit.”
With cheering starting to be allowed again in Japan, Tanahashi looks forward to what 2023 holds, and going into 2024.
“By 2024, the whole world will be all the way back from the struggles we went through during the pandemic. By then, I’d love to be champion and promote professional wrestling," he said.
Fans can check out the lineup for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 by clicking here.
Fightful will have live coverage of the event beginning at 3 a.m. ET on January 4.
