New Japan Pro Wrestling star Hiroshi Tanahashi, who will be working with Ring of Honor as part of ROH and NJPW’s new relationship, recently spoke with Justin Barasso of Sports illustrated’s Extra Mustard. Here are some highlights:
On Shinsuke Nakamura signing with WWE:
“I was very surprised he would go to WWE. I can’t replace him, and nobody can be like him. Nakamura is an original.”
On his goal in ROH:
“I want the ROH championship. I want Jay Lethal’s title. When I get his belt, I’ll defend it in the U.S. and I’ll defend it on all the big shows in New Japan.”
Criticism of ROH’s in-ring style:
“The ROH style is too fast. Everything is too fast, too quick. This one, next one, bam. You need to give the audience time to cheer. The audience cannot think when it is too fast. I hate when the style is too fast. There’s no limit when that happens.”