Report Last Updated - 3/06 (Winter)
Real Name - Hiroshi Tanahashi
Birthdate - 11/13/76
5'9" 225 lbs. - Ogaki City, Gifu, Japan

Aliases - none

Athletic background - Baseball (High School), Freestyle Wrestling (Ritsumeikan University)

Teachers - Koetsu Yamamoto (New Japan Dojo)

Professional background - New Japan(`99-)

Groups - Swing-Lows, Kings of the Hill, New Three Muskateers

Career Highlights - n/a

Finisher(s) -
- Half-Hatch Suplex
- Dragon Sleeper
- Rolling German-Dragon Suplexes
- Sling Blade (Running Sleeper Slam)

Favorites -
- Missile Dropkick
- Dragon Rocket (Suicide Dive)
- Dragon Screw Legwhip
- Flying Forearm
- Enzugiri

Ringwork Rating -
move set - 8
science - 4
aerial - 4
power - 8
strikes - 6

Intangible Rating -
entertainment - 7
selling - 7
bumping - 6
heat - 8
carrying - 6
push - 7
potential - 8

Outlook - Hiroshi Tanahashi is a rugged young heavyweight, who is leading his young lion peers in many ways. He was involved in some big upsets tht breathed energy into his fledgling career. Tanahashi is a hot prospect who has age and experience advantage over most of his lower card peers. He also has a great look that gives him a slight advantage as well. With him, he's likely to end up between Nakanishi and Kobashi, either way we'll know for sure in the next two years and the biggest payoff (if he's like those two) will come to a head in the last half of the decade. However, New Japan stunted many of the top stars of today and while the Nagatas, Tenzans and Kojimas should have been top guys a few years ago, they are now and may have shorter longevity on top than the Chonos, Mutos and Hashimotos did. Tanahashi has something still, but New Japan is struggling to fully tap into it. The longer it takes the worse it can be for this once can't-miss blue chipper.