Hiroshi Tanahashi Admits He Was A Little Jealous Of Kenny Omega When The AEW Star First Arrived In NJPW

Eight-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi recently admitted that he was “a little jealous” of Kenny Omega when the latter arrived at New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

The Best Bout Machine arrived in NJPW in late 2014 as a member of the Bullet Club. He went on to have a legendary rivalry with Hiroshi Tanahashi, a feud that was built on their contrasting styles and ideologies.

They locked horns at Wrestle Kingdom 13 in January 2019 for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Tanahashi eventually won the grueling contest.

Tanahashi is now set to retire from the squared circle at Wrestle Kingdom 20, which will take place at the Tokyo Dome in Japan on January 4, 2026.

Ahead of his retirement match, the Japanese legend has been recording a series of interviews with wrestlers he has shared the ring with for NJPW World. Recently, he chatted with Kenny Omega and admitted that he was a little jealous of The Cleaner’s athleticism and looks, adding that the latter had it all together.

He said:

“And then Kenny came in. I was a little jealous of you—of your athleticism and your looks. You had it all together. But from that first impression I had, I never imagined that years later, we would be in the Tokyo Dome main event. Life is crazy.” [H/T: Fightful]

Meanwhile, Hiroshi Tanahashi’s last in-ring opponent has yet to be revealed.