Undisputed

Undisputed

The Young Bucks’ Matt Jackson on the brilliance of Hiroshi Tanahashi

“The business just lost its best babyface”

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Justin Barrasso
Jan 12, 2026
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In this edition:

  • The Young Bucks’ Matt Jackson on Hiroshi Tanahashi

  • There is a new WWE Champion

  • A whole lot of options exist for WrestleMania 42


Matt Jackson bids farewell to Hiroshi Tanahashi

One week ago, Hiroshi Tanahashi finished his legendary career.

Serving proudly as the face of New Japan Pro-Wrestling for more than two decades, Tanahashi was consistent in his pursuit of greatness: he did it as a crowd favorite the whole way through.

“The business just lost its best babyface,” said The Young Bucks’ Matt Jackson. “He was marvelous. One of the true greats to ever do it.”

Tanahashi wrestled his retirement match against eternal nemesis Kazuchika Okada. During his farewell run throughout 2025, he also shared the ring with the Bucks at Forbidden Door, the joint AEW/NJPW pay-per-view, in August during a Lights Out Steel Cage match. This was their first match against each other in seven years, which took place in New Japan–where they worked together nearly a dozen times.

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