Against a Changing World, Hiroshi Tanahashi Stands Tall

Over the last few weeks, I've talked about New Japan's aces in romantic opposition to things grander than just their opponents. Antonio Inoki against the mutations of nature itself, Tatsumi Fujinami against his own spite and rage, and Shinya Hashimoto against a curse following him for much of a decade. The weapon that all these pro wrestlers wield against their respective obstacles is pro wrestling. All of them continue the legacy set by Antonio Inoki at New Japan's outset, that pro wrestling is the strongest style, the king of sports, the discipline that can shape a man's legacy and the world as a whole.

The beauty of this match between Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenny Omega, is they both believe in that philosophy down to their bones. Both are dedicated to pro wrestling in truly earnest ways. Tanahashi at this point has already put in his time as the ace of New Japan, helping define one of the company's most beloved periods before handing off the torch to Kazuchika Okada in 2016. He has given his body and soul to the company, and will continue to do so well into the next decade and even beyond his retirement. Meanwhile, Kenny Omega has worked himself up from the Canadian independent scene all the way to his dream scenario of being one of the top pro wrestlers in Japan--native or otherwise. They have crafted lives for themselves through sheer talent and belief in the power of pro wrestling. As Kenny Omega has been quoted as saying many times, he believes that pro wrestling can change the world.

Here's the problem, when Kenny Omega's given his chance to change New Japan to his image when given the IWGP Heavyweight Title, he kind of changes it for the worse. His Golden Lovers storyline is well-loved by many fans, to be sure, and there's much talk about Cody Rhodes and "Bullet Club is fine" and all that, but at some point the bell has to ring, and fucking woof, man. It's a shame honestly, because Kenny Omega's ascent to that title is one I still look back on with fondness, but the reign itself is best left forgotten.

So maybe if you want to change the world into something that sucks, maybe tradition is the way to go here.

Say what you will about your stance on this ideological divide, but for the purposes of this match's build, Kenny at least seems cognizant of the less than ideal reception to what he's brought to the table. To his credit, he also leans into it, coming across in much of the promotional material as smug especially against Tanahashi who is already riding the high of an extremely sentimental run back to the top of the company after spending a few years on the (kayfabe and physical) decline. It helps that despite how beloved he is or how fluent he might be in Japanese, Kenny Omega is still, at the end of the day, an outsider to the company. In this particular instance, he's also a highly rumored defector as well, as talk of AEW has already begun swirling on the internet and the generally accepted state of affairs is that Kenny Omega will be walking out on New Japan after his bout in the Dome.

The elements are in place here for a lot of classic conflict points that endure in pro wrestling--the old vs. the new, the preservation of tradition, the native vs. the outsider.

And luckily, for all of us, Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kenny Omega absolutely live up to the occasion.

What the match achieves so brilliantly is the match's constant dedication to both struggle and friction. That latter quality especially stands out especially when much of the preferred style in 2010s pro wrestling revolves around these sort of silky-smooth sequences that both Omega and Tanahashi helped bring into vogue. While there's a nuance to how both went about that in their respective careers, it's hard not to say that they don't at least share some accountability for that shift. That said, even at this match's most moves-heavy moments, there's rarely a feeling of cooperation. If nothing else, everything feels scrapped for, and beyond that, there's a sense that everything is loaded with a lot of ill intent. It's clear from the moment that Hiroshi Tanahashi slaps Kenny while gesturing for a wrist lock, and it's clear from how personally Omega takes that insult and returns it twofold on the ace.

This is not a respectful, sporting affair between two dudes just trying to see who's the better athlete. It's also not an all out brawl that's exploding through your screen. Instead, it's still this epic-sized, long match, that manages to maintain an atmosphere of animosity that adds gravity to every single action.

It helps too, that the actions taken are fucking great.

While Tanahashi's our protagonist, it's really worthwhile to point out just how much Kenny Omega contributes to this bout. This match might be one of the purest showcases of all his finest qualities as a pro wrestler. On the one hand, there's the offense. And my god, is it so good. There's just such a variety of spiteful, mean things Omega unleashes on Tanahashi throughout this match. Importantly too, he does a great job spacing out the offense and escalating them as necessary. Take for example those early elbows to the back that he nails while dribbling Tanahashi into the ropes. It's such a great mood setter. Satisfying to behold on its own but narratively relevant to Omega's general attack on Tanahashi's body.

But as he's incredibly gifted at doing, Omega's able to up the ante on these attacks in ways that are stunning but never quite admirable. On the floor, for example, when he chooses to body slam Tanahashi onto a commentator's table instead of the elevated ringside platform. While the move might be "simpler," the V Triggers that Kenny unleashes in this are some of the most stomach-churning he's ever thrown. Each one is crisp, resounding, and sometimes make me want to wretch in sympathy with the ace.

There's smaller ways Omega applies himself too that stand out. For one, there's just small heel-leaning things that round out his performance here. He never goes overboard with the cheating (your mileage may vary on the table use) but he does often grab at the hair, and even goes for a full on choke at one point in the match to put over his resentment. His approach to leg selling is well-done here too. Tanahashi never gets an extended run on the leg, but Omega still shows the wear and tear of the ace's attacks. It helps that the second rope dragon screw that intercepts Kenny's You Can't Escape follow through is just one of the most disgusting things ever, of course, but Kenny makes it clear through much of the back end that as effective as those V Triggers are, they do come at a noticeable cost to his body. He's never tripping over himself or anything, but there's a regular hesitance and acknowledgement of the knee that's appreciated. Speaking of the knees too, Kenny Omega might hold the distinction for having the greatest knees-up-to-block-the-High-Fly-Flow spot ever. The remarkable timing on this well-worn counter renders it wholly new and novel again. Marvel in the slow mo instant replay at just how fucking long Kenny waits to get his knees into position. He doesn't even fully plant them until Tana actually makes contact with his body, it's astounding to behold.

And hell, I'll even credit Omega for the table spot. In a match content to tell its story through sheer aggression and heart, there's one overt attempt at a sort of symbolism here with Omega introducing a table that Tanahashi makes a show of rejecting at first--essentially marking it as a symbol of Omega's push towards excess and modernity--only for Tanahashi to cost himself by trying for a High Fly Flow onto the table that he eats all of instead. It's the kind of ideological slip and betrayal that might cost a lesser man the match, and I recall thinking the first time I saw this match live as it happened that it might be enough to actually spell the end for the ace as so much of New Japan psychology in the 2010s was built around these harbingers of doom that could decide a bout long before the bell rings (for another example, note whenever Tanahashi gets piledriven on the floor while wrestling Okada).

Hiroshi Tanahashi's the beating heart of this match though. While he's already started slowing down physically, this match finds him at the exact right point in his career. Yes, he's already worn down but he's still mobile enough to really give Kenny the most of this match. He's still game enough to eat some of the bumps that Omega requires, and there's enough gas in the tank to really get something grand-feeling at the tail end of this veteran comeback tale. The timing of the company as a whole works to Tanahashi's benefit as well. With AEW just on the horizon, Tanahashi's final hurrah coincides with what might be the end of the Bushiroad New Japan renaissance that will find its true endpoint with the COVID-19 shutdowns of 2020.

Tanahashi plays on all these intangibles through his performance here. He is so devoid of irony and cynicism here--outside of that table bump, of course--that it's just a delight. While he still has enough speed and spryness to nail all of his signature stuff with suitable force, it's the selling that makes this match. Watch as he absorbs those chops and elbows from Omega and see how much he's able to just sit with the pain, and thus make the viewers sit with it as well. He'll have his comebacks and big pop ups--I especially enjoy kicking out at one when Omega dares attempt the High Fly Flow--but most of this match for Tana is gritting his teeth through the pain Omega's putting him through.

It's a performance so lived in and true, that "mistakes" are indistinguishable from intention. His famously inconsistent elbows are now a little more dramatic as signs of his breaking body. The way he can't leap over the ropes to climb for the High Fly Flow on the first attempt is remarkably charming. And even that final One Winged Angel attempt is just ugly enough to feel real.

And that's what it's all about in the end, isn't it?

Hiroshi Tanahashi creates real goddamn emotion in people, and he's so immersed in it, that at the height of his powers, every single motion gets imbued with just pure sincerity.

He believes, so I believe, and so the wheel turns.

IS IT BETTER THAN 6/3/94? You fucking bet.

Rating: ****3/4