Various: Hiroshi Tanahashi on NJPW Working on Strategy to Maintain Their Number of Shows While Reducing Burden on Talent, Matt Cardona on “When This Indie Run Ends, I Will Certainly Miss This Part Of My Career”, Indies/Misc.

Jun 25, 2025

Hiroshi Tanahashi Comments on NJPW Is Working on Strategy to Maintain Their Number of Shows While Reducing Burden on Talent

Shūkan Bunshun held a recent interview with New Japan Pro Wrestling President and talent Hiroshi Tanahashi. One of the topics discussed included Tanahashi’s thoughts about how NJPW is currently working on a strategy to maintain their number of shows per year while reducing the burden it has on their talent.

“Once I moved to the management side, I realized the practical reality that the company needs to schedule around 150 (shows) a year to generate revenue, and without that, we can’t secure the athletes’ salaries. I understand the athletes’ burdens, but I also understand the company’s need to secure revenue. I’m caught between a rock and a hard place (he laughed).
When I talk to the athletes, I think, this schedule is tough, but on the other hand, when the organizers say, ‘President, we want to hold this many shows this year,’ I have to say, ‘Let’s do it!’ We are currently considering a new strategy to maintain the number of shows while reducing the burden on the athletes.”

Tanahashi also gave his thoughts about how when he became President of NJPW, he put up a sign about not getting tired but took it down after being scolded that it did not acknowledge employee’s fatigue.

“When I became (NJPW) President, I posted a sign that said, ‘Don’t get tired,’ but I was scolded for not acknowledging the employees’ fatigue, so I took it down right away (he laughed).”

Matt Cardona Comments on “When This Indie Run Ends, I Will Certainly Miss This Part Of My Career”

Daniel Menna held a recent interview with TNA Wrestling and indies talent Matt Cardona. One of the topics discussed included Cardona’s thoughts about how he will feel once this current independent wrestling run is over for him.

“I love this life. Absolutely love it. I love the grind. I love the hustle. I love being able to make my own schedule. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss Madison Square Garden. You know what I’m saying? Like, I miss taking showers after a show because the venue has a proper locker room with showers. I miss that. So right now, I’m having a great time. But when this indie run ends, I will certainly miss this part of my career because it was so special because I did it my way on my own terms. A lot of success, a lot of failures, but all because of me, which I love. I love taking accountability for the good and bad things.”

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com

Misc. Wrestling News & Notes

Famous video game developer Hideo Kojima revealed on Twitter that he was in attendance at Tuesday’s Death Pain Invitational event for New Japan Pro Wrestling in Tokyo, Japan.

Starrcast recently announced that Yuka Sakazaki, TayJay (Tay Melo & Anna Jay), Daniel Garcia, Dustin Rhodes, Konosuke Takeshita, Nigel McGuinness, Jay Lethal, Blake Christian, Mickie James, and The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne, & Kip Sabian) will be making an appearance for the company at their Starrcast Texas event on July 11-12 in Arlington, Texas.

TNA Wrestling announced that Moose recently reached the milestone of second longest X-Division Championship reign in company history at 223 days and counting. The current record is held by Austin Aires at 298 days.

Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling recently announced that their upcoming TJPW Live in Houston event on July 10th and their TJPW Live in Dallas event on July 13th will air live for free on their Wrestle Universe streaming service. It was announced that the reason for the free live shows is due to them testing live streaming from overseas for the service.

In a recent response to Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp on Twitter, Lucha Libre AAA talent Mr. Iguana confirmed that his character was partially inspired by Reptile from the Mortal Kombat video game series. Sapp stated “What are your thoughts on Reptile from Mortal Kombat? Did he help pave the way?” Mr. Iguana responded stating “Of course! I payed tribute to him with a Reptile – Themed gear on 2022. I did Wrestlecon AAA show with that gear.“

AAA recently announced one new match for the card of their Verano de Escandalo event on July 11th in El Sauzal, Mexico:

King Vikingo & El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Alberto El Patron & El Mesias

CMLL recently announced one new match for the card of their Super Viernes event on June 27th at the Arena Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico:

Mistico vs. Bandido

Game Changer Wrestling recently announced one new match for the card of their Hit Em Up event on August 1st in Rutherford, New Jersey:

Elayna Black vs. Deonna Purrazzo

Jersey Championship Wrestling recently announced one new match for the card of their Born (Almost) On The Fourth of July event on July 6th at Asbury Park, New Jersey: