Hiroshi Tanahashi Calls Empty Arena Events 'A Black Eye' To Wrestling

Hiroshi Tanahashi, the “Ace” of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, feels very strongly against running shows without an audience in Japan.

Speaking with Sports Illustrated, the 8-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion spoke about the state of wrestling in Japan, how it differs from wrestling in the United States, and the mental image that keeps him going through these rough times.

“The wrestling business is in an extremely difficult situation,” says Tanahashi. “After all, we are athletes in a contact sport and we perform in front of packed crowds. That’s a recipe for disaster right now. It’s hard to say when exactly we’ll have matches again, but I hope in the meantime wrestlers look after themselves, stay in top shape and keep fans hungry to see us when we can come back.”

He continued, “There isn’t a governing body for Japanese pro wrestling,” says Tanahashi. “As such, we can’t necessarily enforce cancelations. That’s been the responsibility of each company. But to run events in the middle of a pandemic presents the wrong image of professional wrestling to society and would deal a black eye to the industry that might still remain even after the pandemic ends. I thought it was important for us to come together, understand exactly what’s happening and do what’s right, even if that means returning to action after other pro sports.”

For Tanahashi, he is eager for the day that there are thousands packed into a stadium cheering once again, but understands that may be a long way away.

“Just imagine something for me,” says Tanahashi. “Imagine that this pandemic is behind us and wrestling is back. Imagine thousands of fans together, cheering on the wrestlers fighting in the ring. Imagine those wrestlers, giving it absolutely everything they have. That mental image alone is pretty motivating. So please everyone, take care of yourselves. Let’s get through this, and we’ll meet again with smiles on our faces someday soon.”

To read the full interview, click here.

NJPW G1 Climax Omega pt 2 Tanahashi Ishii Sabre Kushida Naito Ibushi Suzuki Mysterio Okada Evil LIJ Shibata Sanada Bushi

NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final against Kota Ibushi during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final against Kota Ibushi during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final against Kota Ibushi during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi dives on Kota Ibushi to win by a fall in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final against Kota Ibushi during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final against Kota Ibushi during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Winner Hiroshi Tanahashi (R) poses with Masahiro Chono (L) after winning the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi celebrates winning the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi compete in the tournament final during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: KUSHIDA, Engoku Enbu and Rey Mysterio Jr. celebrate his side's victory in the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Rey Mysterio Jr. dives on Yoh to win by a fall in the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Rey Mysterio Jr. and Yoh compete in the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Rey Mysterio Jr. and Kazuchika Okada compete in the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Rey Mysterio Jr. and Kazuchika Okada compete in the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Rey Mysterio Jr. appears on the ring prior to the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: KUSHIDA appears on the ring prior to the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Sengoku Enbu appears prior to the the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Kenny Omega (R) and Tomohiro Ishii (L) square off after the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Kenny Omega (R) and Tomohiro Ishii (L) compete in the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Chase Owens (R) and Tomohiro Ishii (L) compete in the six-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Kenny Omega (R) and Tomohiro Ishii (L) compete in the 6-man tag match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Tetsuya Naito (L) and Minoru Suzuki (R) compete in the 8-man tag team match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)
NJPW G1 Climax Finals

TOKYO, JAPAN - AUGUST 12: Zack Sabre Jr. and EVIL compete in the 8-man tag team match during the New Japan Pro-Wrestling G1 Climax 28 at Nippon Budokan on August 12, 2018 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by New Japan Pro-Wrestling/Getty Images)