Thank you to all of you for joining us today.
We're here on December 12th, 2018,
We at Tokyo Sports held deliberations for our
annual Best of Pro-Wrestling Awards for 2018.
Hiroshi Tanahashi from NJPW has been named MVP for
the first time in 4 years, his 4th time, total.
We will now be joined by Tanahashi.
Thank you very much.
Hello! Thank you.
Thank you.
Just a moment, please.
Yes, okay...
First, I would like to explain
the deliberation process.
For this year’s MVP selection,
The 3 wrestlers nominated were Hiroshi Tanahashi,
Kenny Omega, and Kazuchika Okada.
The reasoning behind our choice of
Hiroshi Tanahashi are as follows...
His miraculous comeback with a G1 victory,
Even fans doubted he could recover so fully,
so the victory made many rejoice.
Besides his strong work in the ring,
he also starred in a feature film.
Moreover, he was featured in major TV specials,
such as 'Close-up Gendai' and 'Jyonetsu Tairiku'.
His constant effort and appearances in media has
increased Pro-wrestling’s publicity significantly.
Thus, he has helped to increase the value
of pro-wrestling in society.
He's committed to spreading the greatness
of pro-wrestling to all of Japan,
And to those who never seen pro-wrestling before.
He is applauded for his work for the industry.
Tanahashi received 18 out of 23 votes,
thus winning the MVP.
Tanahashi...
Could you share your thoughts on
receiving the prize of MVP?
Thank you very much.
The 2018 MVP of pro-wrestling,
Hiroshi Tanahashi, here.
Well...
After my victory in G1 CLIMAX, I started to
realize that I was the topic of much conversation.
I was able to stir up the feelings of
excitement for the Tokyo Dome,
With my matches leading up to the Tokyo Dome,
my contract defenses.
I’m glad that my challenges were highly valued.
How I can best deliver pro-wrestling
to the people who have never seen it before,
That is what I'm always thinking about.
I came to realize that pro-wresting’s place in
society is proportionate to the show attendance.
Back in the day, WORLD PRO-WRESTLING
was broadcast every Friday at 8PM.
So the whole family used to watch it together,
and they all knew Inoki, Chono, and Fujinami.
And those wrestlers they saw came to their town,
That’s how people used to come to wrestling.
However, that's how it still works today,
fans come to see the wrestlers they heard about.
So, what can Tanahashi?
I need to be more famous.
So, after I become champion in 2006,
I always closed the show with a speech.
Besides saying “Thank you for today. I love you,”
and playing air guitar, there was one other thing…
Maybe fans didn’t get why I kept saying it,
but I said that “I will be frickin' famous!”
I never stopped saying it.
And this was the year that
I finally achieved my dream.
That’s what I believe.
Even after I filmed the movie, I promoted it on over
100 shows and it was featured in over 1000 media outlets.
Also, I was featured
on the program, 'Jyonetsu Tairiku',
Where we showed what pro-wrestling is really about
to a mainstream audience. I appreciated that.
After the show aired and I went back on tour,
more and more people came up to me.
There is a new role, the ‘influencer’,
people who spread messages to society.
Before, I sometimes hoped and wished that
someone famous would spread pro-wrestling.
But, I realized that I could be that person.
I’m glad that my hard work paid off.
Actually, I didn’t at all expect that I
would be chosen for MVP this year.
I’m surprised and happy at the same time.
Thank you very much.
Continuing, we will move on to questions.
You just said that you didn’t expect to win MVP,
so you expected it to go to someone else?
Yes.
Is that because you haven’t held
the IWGP title recently?
I think the the criteria for selection
has changed over the years.
In my mind, the fact that pro-wrestling
is a minority sport hasn’t changed.
Even though we have larger audiences and
recognized more, wrestling is still minor.
But also, we can sense the deep connections
fans have, because it is a minor sport.
So, I thought that the criteria for selection
had to be based on in-ring accomplishments.
That’s what I believed.
But this time, I was highly scored for my effort
in spreading pro-wrestling to the masses.
So, I think the decision process to choose MVP
has changed a bit.
I will bring up some points of this
MVP award from past...
You were named MVP in 2009, 2011, 2014.
This is your fourth MVP, after 4 years.
The most wins belong to Antonio Inoki,
with 6 wins in total. You are in second with 4.
Also, Tenryu and Mutoh are tied for 2nd place.
I’m in an amazing class, huh?
Finally, you have only Inoki to surpass.
Your thoughts on that?
Well, both Naito and Okada were chosen
back to back years, right?
Thinking about that fact,
I have never won 2 straight years before.
But being the MVP of 2018 means being
the very last MVP of the Heisei Era.
That is another accomplishment.
And next year brings in a new era,
If I get the very first MVP of the new era,
“The very first MVP”
And it will also be for a second straight year.
Although I said that I didn’t
expect this for 2018,
Next year, 2019,
I will go for it as soon as the year starts.
Spreading across 2 eras,
that’s '1 in 100'.
Indeed.
Spreading across eras.
That will take '1 in 100' to new levels.
Need to spread across eras, huh?
Yes.
I will spread across 2 more eras, at least.
Really? 100 years?
Also, in the G1 CLIMAX you made became
the very last winner of the Heisei Summer.
Indeed, you have bounced back
after all of the struggles.
I guess the Heisei’s pro-wrestling era is
reflected in your path as a pro-wrestler, itself.
Do you, in some way, feel a connection to it it?
Yes…
Well...
Fans tell me that I went through a tough time,
but honestly, I didn’t think about it so much.
I did continued wrestling hard,
no matter what.
If you asked me if I was enjoying it,
I always had fun doing what I wanted to.
But if I can share what I'm doing with people,
that brings me more happiness.
I realized that.
But, as Mr. Okamoto says,
the tide of the Heisei era was just like my life.
I take pride that people see the spirit of
New Japan Pro-Wrestling through Tanahashi.
That’s all from me.
We’ll open the floor for questions.
Including the fact that this is
the end of Heisei era...
And this is your first MVP win in your 40s...
Did anyone else win the MVP in their 40s?
Misawa and Mutoh in recent years.
They were over 40.
Does that matter to you?
Well…
Fans always worry about my health...
There’s always something to worry about...
But I’m not as banged up as people think.
The fact that I survived the long G1 tour
gave me confidence.
I used to rely on my memories from the past,
But during G1 I was able to see myself as I am,
and focus on doing the things I can do now.
I began to think that way.
Even though being hurt is a disadvantage,
that doesn’t make me concerned.
That’s how it goes.
Is that something you learned
After reaching your 40s?
Well...
It’s been a while since
they called me, “Genius of the Sun”.
The sun kept coming up,
but I kept falling down.
I was at a sunset, and it upset the fans.
But the sun rises again.
Let me rise up, once again.
Are there any other questions?
So…
Yes! Go ahead.
Ask me anything.
This is just a simple question,
I guess it’s important to get a big win
to secure the MVP next year,
Can you tell us your plans for it?
Well...
I’ll face Kenny Omega for the IWGP title
on January 4th at the Dome.
We’ve been arguing back and forth
since the match was made.
And it's for sure that it will
get hotter from here.
Well...
Kenny’s opinion says is that I'm old.
That’s what he says…
He does, but...
If I wear the IWGP title on my waist,
I feel like there'll be new doors opening for me.
But I don’t have a specific idea yet…
Thank you.
You just wanted to say that, huh?
Anyways, new doors will open for me.
It works.
It can be a headline, maybe.
But it will disappoint you
if you read the text.
Any other questions?
If everyone’s okay, we will conclude
Tanahashi’s MVP press conference here.
Tanahashi, congratulations.
Finally…
This is my fourth MVP win...
This is my happiest ever.
Thank you.
