Hiroshi Tanahashi spoke with Sports Illustrated for a new interview. The highlights are below:
On his goals for 2016: “I hope to become Ring of Honor world champion. If I get the opportunity to become champion, then I’ll come back to the United States every month and wrestle. Soon, I will also challenge [IWGP heavyweight champion] Naito. Unlike Naito, I respect the IWGP championship belt. For now, I am focused on Kenny Omega.”
On facing Kenny Omega in New Japan’s first ladder match: “I’ve watched Shawn Michaels’ ladder match against Razor Ramon for inspiration. Now I fight against Omega in a ladder match in Osaka in a date for the Intercontinental title. Sometimes, Kenny Omega uses second and third members from Bullet Club. But this June, I’m going to beat all of Bullet Club. I wish I had Shawn Michaels in my corner.”
On his favorite wrestler: “When I became a wrestler, I watched Shawn Michaels every night I could. I love Shawn Michaels’s style. Someone once called me the “Japanese Shawn Michaels,” and I was proud to hear that. I’d be too nervous to wrestle him.”
On the status of his shoulder and how he thinks he will fare in the match: “Pro wrestling is a fight. Sometimes, it is entertainment but deeper than that, it is fighting. I have fought many times, many long matches. I have even been hurt by Kenny Omega. I may be hurt, but I’ll be OK–but I’m never tired.”
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