TRADITION VS. POTENTIAL:
HIROSHI TANAHASHI VS. KENNY OMEGA AT WRESTLE KINGDOM 13
By Jasmine Olan
After successfully defending the Championship Challenge certificate against Switchblade Jay White at KING OF PRO WRESTLING, the Ace Of The Universe, Hiroshi Tanahashi is still set to face The Best Bout Machine, Kenny Omega at WRESTLE KINGDOM 13. With New Japan Pro Wrestling’s biggest night of the year just a matter of months away, this match is sure to be one for the ages. Since the end of G1 Climax 28 a storm has been brewing with a battle of ideologies at the core of it. As a result, this recently begun war of words has been sparking debate among fans and critics alike. The two men who will be competing in this match represent very different schools thought. On one side, Hiroshi Tanahashi stands as the very embodiment of the old school tradition associated with New Japan. On the other, Kenny Omega represents the evolving face of the promotion’s international expansion. Both or counted among the greatest performers of professional wrestling’s modern era.
For nearly twenty years, the Ace Of The Universe, Hiroshi Tanahashi has been a true standard bearer in NJPW. His passion and loyalty to the company have made him one of the industry’s most beloved stars. Within the NJPW locker room, Tanahashi is a respected figure and mentor to many of the company’s younger performers. Throughout his career, the Once In A Century Talent has come to represent everything the New Japan lion’s mark stands for. He set the example for how to carry the banner for the promotion and be a locker room leader in a way that very few have ever been able, always doing so with honor and pride. Tanahashi’s views on wrestling are very much in line with the tradition he has come to represent over the years. It is this difference in beliefs that has him clashing with current IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Kenny Omega at the moment. The Ace simply does not want New Japan to lose its roots.
As New Japan Pro Wrestling continues to evolve, The Best Bout Machine, Kenny Omega has truly emerged as the face of the company’s western expansion. Over the years, Kenny has also become one of NJPW’s most relatable and inspirational stars. Since beginning his career at just sixteen years old, Kenny’s goal has been to change the world and show what Wrestling has the potential to be. Like Tanahashi, Kenny also shares a very special bond with fans around the world and is highly respected by critics and his peers. He is an accomplished singles competitor as well as a decorated tag team competitor with long time partner, Kota Ibushi. For the past decade, their bond has been at the heart of one of the best told stories of the industry’s modern era.
While the complexity of his character has also made him a polarizing figure at times, fans has remained firmly behind Kenny and celebrated with him as he ended Kazuchika Okada’s historic reign as IWGP Heavyweight Champion at DOMINION 6.9. Even though his more progressive world view has him at odds with the Ace the two still have some things in common. Both share a powerful bond with their fans and stand as examples of passion and perseverance. Each of them has experienced triumph and heartbreak and risen to the occasion in the face of any challenge. Positivity is at the core of their in ring characters. They have also both been part of some of New Japan’s greatest rivalries. Although from very different schools of thought, both men have a similar goal, to make New Japan Pro Wrestling the best it could be.
The main event at WRESTLE KINGDOM is a highly coveted spot for any NJPW wrestler as well as probably the anticipated match of every year. This year will be no different. This feud currently has fans on the edge of their seats with anticipation on the road to January 4. It also has fans wondering, will the forty-one year old Ace win and prove that age is just a number? Will the Best Bout Machine successfully defend the title and continue his mission to change the world? This questions will be answered soon enough. As this story continues to unfold, maybe a new lesson can be learned. That lesson being that’s sense of balance can be found between tradition and progress. As both Kenny and Tanahashi keep walking that fine line they well each maintain a very place in wrestling history. They are each taking New Japan Pro Wrestling to new and unprecedented heights in their own unique way.
