Hiroshi Tanahashi on Not Having Any Worries NJPW Will Cool Off After His In-Ring Retirement, His Retirement Match Main Eventing Wrestle Kingdom 20, & Praise of Aaron Wolf

New Japan Pro Wrestling’s NJPW1972.com website held a recent interview with NJPW talent and President Hiroshi Tanahashi. One of the topics discussed included Tanahashi’s thoughts about him not having any worries NJPW will cool off after his in-ring retirement at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

“My retirement might have been what drew the house, but I feel my job on January 4 is to connect the fans to the wrestlers that will be there after I’m done. I hope people will leave saying that they’ve seen a ton of great wrestlers they want to get behind in the future. The great thing about wrestling is once you’re in you’re in, and you really get hooked. I think there’s plenty of wrestlers to keep the fans hooked, and I have no worries that we’ll be hot after my retirement.”

Tanahashi also gave his thoughts about him planning to spend more time with his family after his in-ring wrestling career is over.

“I spent so much time not just wrestling and on the road but being in the gym and trying to be at my best possible form physically. Without wrestling driving that, maybe there is time for hobbies but it’s more about my family. They might get mad and say it’s too little too late but I missed out on a lot and I want to spend more quality time with them. I want to have gratitude in my heart and be there for my son and daughter.”

Tanahashi also gave his thoughts about the decision for his retirement match against Kazuchika Okada to be the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 20.

“If I was champion, I’d be mad! But I think Tsuji and Takeshita will be doing their level best to have the best match on the show. In a way, they’re closing the album and we’re the bonus track. When Inoki retired, the Sasaki and Fujinami title match was on before the ceremony as well.”

Tanahashi also gave his thoughts about his recent training session with Aaron Wolf and his praise of Wolf’s potential as a star ahead of his upcoming debut match at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

“I got to tangle with him in the public workout recently, and yeah. He’s special. Obviously, I mean, he’s an Olympic gold medalist, but we didn’t go all out and I still thought I would be in trouble with his power.”

Tanahashi also gave his thoughts about his belief that there will be great competition between Wolf and Boltin Oleg in NJPW.

“You put Wolf in this mix, and that’s going to fire up Boltin more and that’s going to be great competition. So there’s chain reactions of good stuff.”