During Wrestle Kingdom 16, Hiroshi Tanahashi was able to start off 2022 on a good foot. He was able to defeat KENTA to reclaim the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, before going on to get a massive tag team win alongside Kazuchika Okada when they battled Keiji Muto & Kaito Kiyomiya of Pro Wrestling NOAH.
At the same time, SANADA was getting big wins over Great-O-Khan and KONGO, setting himself up as the next challenger of Tanahashi. For years now, SANADA has been viewed as a potential star for NJPW despite not coming from their dojo system. Hiroshi Tanahashi sees this potential, and would mention it during a recent interview of NJPW1972.com.
Hiroshi Tanahashi Gives His Thoughts On SANADA
During the latest edition of Aces High, which serves as an autobiography of sorts for Tanahashi, the name of SANADA would come up. Tanahashi has met SANADA a few times since he joined NJPW back in 2016 – and thinks that he’s got as much potential as current top champion Kazuchika Okada. He’d say the following about SANADA.
“SANADA hadn’t made his break yet, but I did think that he had something. Great look, good movement. I know he has that stoic thing going on, but I would really like to see him go full babyface. He’s the same age as Okada, but I think he still has more to offer that we haven’t seen yet, and I see him being a key guy for us.”
Freelance Status Keeping SANADA From Being Top Star?
Despite having focused on NJPW since 2016, SANADA has never won singles gold in the company. He’s got another chance coming up as he faces Tanahashi for the IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, but NJPW have been apprehensive on treating SANADA as a top champion.
Many have speculated that this is because SANADA has never signed an exclusive deal with NJPW, choosing to work more as a freelancer. This is a similar situation that was found with Kota Ibushi for many years, but the moment he would sign an exclusive deal with NJPW – Ibushi became a top star.
Right now, there is a worry that SANADA could jump ship to anywhere from WWE to NOAH, making it hard to put gold on him. Even still, a win on February 19th feels more possible than ever – especially with Tanahashi giving SANADA such high praise.
Will February 19th finally be the breakout moment of SANADA as a singles star in NJPW? What do you feel is holding SANADA back from being a champion? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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