Opinion

Val: The Current Elevation & Inspiring Story of YOSHI-HASHI

Val explores YOSHI-HASHI’s first real successful year in New Japan! Do you think he’s on the rise?

Published

5 years ago

October 2, 2020

The last time I took time to bring up YOSHI-HASHI in a non G1 preview article, I talked about how his return during New Year Dash last year was the pinnacle of a rather lackluster event. A year and a half later, it is time for me, and all of you, to remove the words “disappointment”, “lackluster” from our vocabulary when discussing CHAOS’ longtime member, and look at what the perspectives are for him.

Are you ready ? Let’s get into it !

There probably hasn’t been any wrestler looked at within the New Japan Pro Wrestling roster like YOSHI-HASHI. Mocked by what seems to be a majority of western fans, due to him being one of those wrestlers who simply would never find success, among other things. You could say that, over time, YOSHI-HASHI became a bit of a joke among fans. This specific point is changing in 2020. What a crazy year, right ?

Last August, apart of CHAOS alongside Tomohiro Ishii and Hirooki Goto, HASHI won his very first championship in New Japan, 12 years into his career. The trio won a tournament to crown new NEVER 6-man tag team champions, beating the other CHAOS trio of Kazuchika Okada, SHO and Toru Yano in the finals. HASHI then delivered an inspiring promo about never giving up, which would resonate with anybody struggling at anything for quite some time.

Then, YOSHI-HASHI was announced as part of this year’s G1 Climax field, making his return after being absent the year prior. So far, the man has performed pretty well, most notably against Juice Robinson to kick off B block action. In a match between two wrestlers shining the brightest as underdogs, HASHI, while in defeat, may have shine brighter than his opponent, and the two delivered a strong performance to start their tournament. Then, after taking the fight to EVIL yet losing again, HASHI picked up his first victory, and not against anybody. YOSHI-HASHI claimed a win over potential B block winner SANADA of all people, leaving the latter with no points and a record of 0-3, as these lines are being written. Needless to say that, no matter how the tournament ends for YOSHI-HASHI, that this win in particular is one of his biggest.

If he can keep this up, which I personally have a hard time doubting after what I got to see, YOSHI-HASHI may very well end up as one of the unsung “MVP’s” of this year’s G1. At the very least, one of the most consistently good performers in the tournament, while also not blowing you away like others would. After all, he never really does, and it is a big reason why so few people actually give him the praise he should get more often.

Now, after taking a look at what happened recently for YOSHI-HASHI, let’s take a look at post-G1 possibilities for him. While he currently is holding a championship alongside two guys who can play to HASHI’s strengths, mainly his ability to be a really good underdog and punishment taker in tag matches, there is a chance this first run calls for something a little bit bigger, while keeping a similar dynamic.

Earlier this year before COVID happened, I wrote an article discussing how New Japan was reshaping the tag team division and how the work done so far looked promising. If there is one person in the available roster who could benefit from this trend continuing, it probably is YOSHI-HASHI. How could he benefit ? I say, let’s involve YOSHI-HASHI in an actual tag team program. While we are not really sure if, and when, the next World Tag League tournament will happen, let’s assume for the sake of this piece making sense, that the tournament will be held within the next few months, possibly during the usual time frame.

So, YOSHI-HASHI enters World Tag League, a tournament he has already participated in alongside current 6-man tag team champs Ishii and Goto, respectively last year and in 2017. Who would be his partner this time ? Well, from 2012 to 2016, HASHI was teaming up with none other than Kazuchika Okada in the tournament. With Okada being in his first year doing essentially nothing of note since Christ was born, there is an opportunity to not only reunite the two friends together as a tag team, but also to make use of that pairing to continue telling the story kicked off by HASHI’s first championship win in New Japan. A story filled with multiple layers thanks to this new chapter, featuring two friends who have been drastic opposites through the course of their New Japan careers, ever since they fought one on one at Wrestle Kingdom 6. Okada quickly rose up as a main event star, and had to grow while knowing he would bear the responsibility of being the company’s Ace. HASHI had to grind every step of the way, never breaking the glass ceiling leading to truly meaningful wins, while keeping a workhorse mindset.

As I just said, there is an opportunity to continue telling the inspiring story of YOSHI-HASHI finally rising up and breaking the glass ceiling. Last August was the first step, accompanied by two veterans who also had their fair share of difficulties breaking that same ceiling. The next step can be taken alongside the man who, almost instantly, broke it and eventually became the standard. Okada himself declared in an interview that, if he were to chase tag team gold, he would only do it alongside YOSHI-HASHI. Therefore, this is the reason why these two enter World Tag League together for the first time in four years. HASHI wants to keep proving to the world his hard work and will to keep going will lead him to new heights, while Okada wants to help his best friend reach his goals (while also being a very convenient way to keep him occupied, away from the likes of Naito, White, Ibushi and the Heavyweight championship). These two have been quite successful in past Tag League appearances, twice reaching 8 points in 2013 and 2016, so with added experience and motivation, there is a really solid argument to say that, whenever the next WTL happens, Okada and YOSHI-HASHI should be the winners, going on to (most likely) face Dangerous Tekkers for the IWGP Tag Team titles, possibly at Wrestle Kingdom.

As with these sorts of inspiring stories, the ending seems rather obvious : YOSHI-HASHI gets to win the second championship of his New Japan career, on the company’s biggest stage, alongside his best friend who helped him along the way.

In what have been difficult times for many people, Pro Wrestling has the ability to be a ray of sunshine in fans’ lives. Pro Wrestling can tell inspiring stories about struggling people finally finding their way to success.

What-if New Japan Pro Wrestling was about to grace us with such a story, with YOSHI-HASHI as the main character ? Make sure to tell me what you think of the story laid out in this piece, and whether or not you believe it is likely to happen !

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Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

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THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

1 month ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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SUNDAY – Keeping the news ridiculous… The Oddity / The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE’s PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS…IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O’Dowd’s 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

2 months ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1