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Post by bossrock on Aug 4, 2019 13:06:43 GMT -5
Quite honestly, Tanahashi may be the greatest wrestler of the 2010's and has some surprising depth prior to NJPW's renewed popularity under Bushiroad. In a lot of ways he's like Cena in his ability to be such a consistently great big match worker after so many years but with arguably more volume. Granted he's had the benefit of working with better wrestlers, but I would argue he's a better seller and has better psychology (knows how to stay in his lane). The Okada feud has been divisive for some but I agree it's one of if not THE best in-ring feud of the decade and to this day he can still deliver a MOTYC or two. His striking and mat game isn't very good much like his longtime rival (although his striking was actually decent earlier in his career), but he still manages to overcome with an incredible knack for drama and storytelling.
Also has the best cross-body ever.
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Post by Cap on Aug 5, 2019 17:05:59 GMT -5
I would say that maybe 2-3 years ago I would have told you I was relatively low on Tanahashi. I think I probably still in if we are talking about his "prime". However, I am really into this chapter we are seeing now. It seems like he is easing into an old gun slinger phase of sort and I like it a lot.
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Post by bossrock on Aug 5, 2019 18:04:25 GMT -5
He's definitely done a good job adapting his style and I think this year is a prime example. I felt like he was no longer capable of elevating lesser workers during last year's G1 but I feel like he's done quite the opposite this tournament and has gelled with everyone really well.
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Post by Cap on Aug 5, 2019 18:55:54 GMT -5
I also think he really stands out in this g1 because the storytelling in his matches feels just a little sharper and more nuanced. I think he has made otherwise "fine" middle of the pack matches stand out a bit in the sea of great wrestling.
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Post by microstatistics on Aug 6, 2019 0:25:53 GMT -5
I'm reasonably high on modern New Japan and there are some Tanahashi matches I think are great. But I don't think he is a particularly good wrestler. It surprised me that his hero is Tatsumi Fujinami, their style is NOTHING alike. Doing a bunch of dragon screw legwhips doesn't count.
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Post by kas on Aug 14, 2019 15:35:31 GMT -5
Don't know how controversial this opinion is here, but for me, Tanahashi is the GOAT. His mat game is meh and his striking is serviceable (but sometimes great, check the 2014 Shibata matches), but his storytelling, psychology, selling, and ability to get the maximum emotion and drama out of a crowd is just incredible. I will fully admit that I'm huge on modern New Japan and is my favourite wrestling period, but he can draw me into a match like no one else can. And of course, there's the legendary Okada/Tanahashi rivalry, where even it's biggest haters admit that the Invasion 2013, KOPW 2013, WK9, and WK10 matches are great.
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Post by Cap on Aug 15, 2019 10:24:54 GMT -5
I think Tana's psychology, storytelling, and timing are up there with the best ever. This is why i think I almost prefer later Tana to prime Tana. He has had to lean into those strengths as his physical limitations have snuck up on him. I think right now he is the guy I want to see against anyone in NJPW because there is no shortage of athletic, hard hitting dudes who can do lots of stuff in a match, but I know he is going to take all the stuff they are doing and turn it into a really compelling story.
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Post by tetsujin on Aug 16, 2019 4:17:47 GMT -5
Tana is a top 10 contender for me. He and Bryan are the best wrestlers of their generation. He's the greatest talent of this current decade. One of the greatest big match and formulaic workers of all time, one of the greatest babyfaces, and one of the smartest. He knows better than anyone how to build a match and how to create such emotion and drama. He also knew how to develop his character throughout his career, and that could be my favourite part of him. Tons of great and more-than-great matches with a variety of opponents, and his charisma is as big as anyone else.
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Post by mjp7798 on Feb 10, 2021 11:01:58 GMT -5
Became truly a phenomenal worker once his knees turned to dust. His psychology and ability to connect with/control the crowd is some of the best of his era.
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