#1.) His resumé speaks for itself
An 8-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, Hiroshi Tanahashi boasts of one of the greatest resumés in wrestling history. He’s won multiple Intercontinental titles, tag team titles, the G1 Climax and has main evented the Tokyo Dome several times. He’s not just a high-caliber performer. He’s the highest there is.
In a way, he’s almost wrestling royalty and will always go down as one of the greatest to ever lace a pair of boots. That recognition may be furthered once he decides to hang up his boots.