Hiroshi Tanahashi Addresses NJPW-STARDOM Merger

NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared at STARDOM‘s recent Korakuen Hall show following NJPW’s acquisition of STARDOM as a subsidiary.

As previously reported in April, NJPW announced that it will be acquiring the stakes of Bushiroad Fight Co. Ltd. (STARDOM’s former legal business name). The stock transfer and merger were completed on June 28, so Bushiroad Fight Co. Ltd. was officially renamed to STARDOM Co. Ltd. The acquisition was made to further streamline and centralize the operations of both promotions under a collaborative management. Prior to the merger, NJPW mentioned redundancies in managing operations within the Bushiroad parent company.

To celebrate the merger between the two companies, NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi surprised the Korakuen Hall audience with his appearance during the ongoing STARDOM show. He briefly discussed what the merger meant to him and the future of the two companies moving forward. “Stardom has become a group company of New Japan Pro-Wrestling. My image of family is that they work together. Sometimes they might fight. Maybe I’ll get thrown by Maika. I imagine a bright future. Please support me,” he says.

STARDOM President Taro Okada was also in the ring with Hiroshi Tanahashi to say a few words about the merger. He said that “the [STARDOM] name has also changed from Bushiroad Fight Co., Ltd. to Stardom Co., Ltd. STARDOM will grow with momentum that exceeds that of New Japan Pro-Wrestling!”

After addressing the crowd in the ring, Hiroshi Tanahashi went to the backstage press conference to discuss the situation. He assured the viewers that he and Taro Okada will work collaboratively to make their respective products more enjoyable for growing audiences.

What are your thoughts on STARDOM being acquired by NJPW as a fully-owned subsidiary? Let us know your takes by sounding off in the comments section.