Hiroshi Tanahashi could be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame if a growing trend continues in 2026.
WWE Raw commentator Corey Graves honoured Tanahashi during the Netflix broadcast this week. Graves acknowledged Tanahashi had retired a few days ago during the Women’s Tag Team Championship match.
IYO SKY hit a slingblade during the match, which Graves claimed had been taught to her by Tanahashi. Tanahashi fought his last match at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 on Sunday, 4th January.
Tanahashi for the Hall of Fame 2026
There has been a growing trend for legendary Japanese wrestlers retiring in January and being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in the following April. These honours reflect WWE’s change in attitude, as none of them ever competed for the company.
Jushin “Thunder” Liger was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021 after his retirement. Liger had one match in NXT but was largely honoured for his WCW and NJPW career.
The Great Muta also bowed out of the business in January 2023 and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2023. Muta was a revolutionary in WCW and competed across Japan for decades. 2024 saw Japanese legend and former WWF Women’s Champion Bull Nakano enter the WWE Hall of Fame.
Tanahashi would be a logical choice to follow these men into the WWE Hall of Fame this April.
Tanahashi is a former eight-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion. He held every major IWGP championship during his 22-year career that saw him dominate NJPW.
Why Tanahashi Won’t Be Inducted
Tanahashi’s induction is far from guaranteed. Despite his glittering career, there are a few reasons WWE might omit him from the prestigious induction.
Tanahashi is the current NJPW President, which could put WWE off honouring him. Both Liger and Muta were free to be merchandised following their HOF inductions and appeared on WWE t-shirts and on WWE video games. As President of NJPW, Tanahashi might not be able to be marketed in the same way.
Unlike The Great Muta and Liger, Tanahashi never competed for WCW. WWE has honoured many former WCW stars since acquiring its intellectual property.
Finally, Tanahashi competed a few times for AEW. WWE might avoid inducting him so as not to celebrate AEW.
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