In a recent appearance on the “Inside the Ropes” podcast, NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi discussed the company’s need to build new stars.
Tanahashi stated that his goal is to make “household names” for NJPW. He said,
“This is a star-driven business, and we need to make new stars. That goes beyond success in the ring as well- mainstream awareness and name value is the key to success. I want more of our wrestlers becoming household names. The scale and scope of our events in the US lately is something we’re really happy with and we want to maintain that, but from this year, New Japan is going to put a lot of effort into our expansion in Asia and you’ll see that become an area of major growth for us in my opinion.”
He added, “It’s been a real learning process. On top of taking the new role, there’s been a lot going on in the last month with Kazuchika Okada deciding to leave as well. But I’ve been throwing myself into it every day, picking up a lot of knowledge, and giving the fans a little stability and reassurance as well. I think what this new role can mean is something that we’re all finding out as we go, and we’ll continue to be on that journey together.”
In a recent appearance on the “Sports Guys Talking Wrestling” podcast, Dustin Rhodes commented on The Young Bucks’ recent heel turn in AEW.
Rhodes called The Young Bucks “pompous” and wished to face them in the ring,
He said, “They’re pompous. They’ve come in, and they’re such sweet guys, and now this change of heart, this change of attitude they’ve had. Nicholas and Matthew, what is that? The white suits and they’ve still got Sting’s blood on it, it’s crazy. They can come at me; that’s fine. I’ll be ready for them. I’ll have to find Keith Lee or somebody, and we’ll take care of business. I’ve been knocked down a thousand times, I keep getting up. That’s why I’m still here.”
