NJPW News: Hiroshi Tanahashi removed the NJPW: New Beginning tour due to knee injury
What’s the story?
New Japan Pro Wrestling legend and former seven-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi is all set to miss out on the on-going NJPW: New Beginning tour due to the knee issues that have been bothering Tanahashi for a while now.
In case you didn’t know…
Hiroshi Tanahashi is by far the biggest superstar in Japan, following Kazuchika Okada. Tanahashi, who goes by the nickname of “The Ace”, is a former seven-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, a two-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion, and also a former two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion.
Prior to this year’s Wrestle Kingdom 12 event, Hiroshi Tanahashi was sidelined due to a knee injury that almost caused him to miss this year’s Tokyo Dome show. However, “The Ace” somehow managed to make his return on time from the knee injury and competed in a gruelling Intercontinental Title match against Jay White at WK 12.
The heart of the matter
This past week, Hiroshi Tanahashi was once again on course to defend the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, this time against Suzuki Gun leader, Minoru Suzuki. However, during the first night of NJPW’s New Beginning show in Sapporo, Tanahashi suffered a prolonged assault on his right knee at the hands of Suzuki, during their IC Title match.
Following the turn of events, NJPW has evidently confirmed the news that Hiroshi Tanahashi has been diagnosed with acute osteoarthritis in his right knee, as a result of which the NJPW management has decided to remove Tanahashi from the current New Beginning tour. In their official released statement, NJPW has also confirmed that changes to the New Beginning card will shortly be announced.
What’s next?
As of right now, there hasn’t been any confirmation on how long Tanahashi will be out for due to this knee injury, however, we can surely expect the 41-year-old to be sidelined for a while now as he recovers from this devastating injury.
Author’s Take
For all the punishment that he has recently taken inside the squared circle, Hiroshi Tanahashi certainly deserves a break from in-ring competition, however, I think that “The Ace” will be back in time to return to action at this year’s Dominion pay-per-view.