Ranking the top 10 wrestlers of 2019

#9 Hiroshi Tanahashi

Known by many Japanese fans as the man who carried New Japan on his back during its difficult period, Hiroshi Tanahashi has become a legend in Japanese wrestling. ‘The Ace’ has had a roller coaster of a year in 2019.

After winning the G1 Climax in 2018, Tanahashi successfully challenged Kenny Omega for the IWGP Heavyweight Champion at Wrestle Kingdom 13. Hiroshi Tanahashi is the living testament that age is just a number. At 42 years young, Tanahashi seems to be getting better with each passing year.

His experience and skills show in the way he paints a beautiful picture across the wrestling canvas. This year, he has put on stellar matches against Will Ospreay, Evil, Kota Ibushi, and Sanada. One could argue that this may have been one of Tanahashi’s best years yet.

Let’s hope that Tanahashi’s match by match performance continues to rise. Maybe next year ‘The Ace’ will occupy the number one spot on this list.

About the author

Sunil is a pro wrestling journalist, covering AEW and WWE news stories at Sportskeeda. He holds an MBA degree in Marketing, and has nearly 7 years of experience. A wrestling aficionado since childhood, Sunil used to imitate his favorite wrestlers as a young kid, and started writing professionally about the sport via Sportskeeda’s revenue-sharing opportunity.

Sunil admires former world champions AJ Styles, Will Ospreay, and Kenny Omega for their ability to consistently deliver great matches as well as entertain crowds with their mic skills.

If ever given a chance to change a storyline, Sunil would have booked Roman Reigns to end The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak instead of Brock Lesnar. According to him, The Tribal Chief needed the victory more than Brock Lesnar, as the latter was already an established performer when he defeated ‘Taker. He would’ve also made that as Taker’s final match.

Always focused on making his work accurate and reliable, Sunil thoroughly checks his facts before writing his articles. When not writing for pro wrestling, he spends his time watching cricket.

Know More

Edited by Shruti Sadbhav