Episode 136: TDP Summer Fest
August 19, 2026
Please lend your attention to our Ariake Summer Fest at TOKYO DREAM PARK on Saturday, August 22nd with Shota Umino... is what I'd like to say, but I'll be completely honest with you. While ticket sales for popular units are going strong, tickets for our August 22nd slot are still available (￣(工)￣).
Having two performances (day and night) is tricky, too. If things go wrong with the night show, I might end up starting the event completely wasted. Getting drunk on alcohol is totally fine, but I have to maintain enough sanity to follow compliance rules. What's that? You say I'm usually "drunk on myself"? ...Come on now, with this body, I can't even get drunk anymore!
Jokes aside, that's precisely why I need everyone to hear me out.
This Summer Fest comes right after the G1 CLIMAX. During this year's G1, just as Umino was building serious momentum, he unfortunately had to pull out mid-tournament due to an injury. I believe that level of frustration is something you ought to hear directly from his own mouth.
Therefore, this time, I don't intend to make this just a casual cross-talk. I plan to fully commit to being the MC and stand on the side of thoroughly drawing out Umino's true feelings. I'll become 【Hikidashi-hashi Hikitaru】 (Tanahashi the Drawer-Puller).
Think of that famous talk show where the host focuses entirely on listening. In fact, I'm currently plotting to handcraft something for the day of the event. The hint is a "gigantic die." By setting up a gimmick where the question changes depending on the face rolled, I plan to leave Umino with nowhere to run so he can share his real feelings.
Of course, I'm thinking of mixing in a few "complaints to the President" type questions in there too, so I might end up getting exposed myself. If that happens, I'll answer above and beyond expectations, though!
Rather than moving forward in silence while bottling up frustration, you put it into words and vent it in front of the fans who are listening. Being able to do that is the great thing about this kind of after-talk format.
How will New Japan Pro-Wrestling turn things around in the second half of the year? I want to have a hopeful conversation that serves as a foothold for that. For Umino, and for me, the real battle starts right here. I intend to talk without hiding anything—both the challenges and the light that became visible in the G1.
Slow ticket sales mean, looking on the bright side, there are still plenty of seats available (stay positive!). For those of you hesitating, there's still time to make it.
Will the die jump out?!
Will his true feelings jump out?!
Will my pecs jump out?!
Will my belly jump out (Tanahashi-exclusive)?!
Please look forward to the day of the event.
I'll give it my absolute all so that your "Maybe I should go" turns into "I'm going!" and finally "I'm so glad I went!" Also, please go easy on my tongue-twisting pronunciation!
■ Tickets for "New Japan Pro-Wrestling x Suntory Nama Beer Dream Beer Garden Ariake" are now on sale with great acclaim!
Lawson Ticket: https://l-tike.com/order/?gLcode=38700
*Advance tickets are available until 10:00 PM on the day before the event.
*Same-day tickets will be sold from 4:30 PM each day only if remaining seats are available.
■ 8/22 (Sat) "A Toast to the Eternal & Future Ace!"
Hiroshi Tanahashi, "NJPW Representative Director & President," will take the stage together with Shota Umino!
Let's raise a glass together with the "Eternal Ace" and the "Future Ace," who both share a deep love for the fans!
Speakers: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Shota Umino