Tag: Wrestle Kingdom 20

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 Results 1/4/2026 – Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Retirement Match

New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s biggest night of the year lived up to the hype and then some. Wrestle Kingdom 20 took over the Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2026, and by the time the dust settled, NJPW had closed one legendary chapter while kicking the door wide open on its future.

The show will forever be remembered as the night Hiroshi Tanahashi wrestled his final match, but it was also packed with title changes, surprise moments, and major statements from the next generation.

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s legendary career came to an emotional close on Saturday night, but not before New Japan Pro-Wrestling delivered another historic Wrestle Kingdom from the Tokyo Dome. The January 4, 2026 event blended title changes, faction warfare, surprise appearances, and one final bow for “The Ace.”

Below is a full recap of Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Opening Match

Katsuya Murashima & Masatora Yasuda def. Shoma Kato & Tatsuya Matsumoto

The young lions set the tone with a hard-fought opener. After a competitive back-and-forth featuring suplexes and power wrestling, Murashima sealed the victory by forcing Kato to submit to a Boston Crab, giving the Tokyo Dome crowd an early glimpse of NJPW’s future.

NJPW World Television Championship

El Phantasmo (c) def. Chris Brookes

Phantasmo retained his title after a spirited clash with Brookes. Despite Brookes repeatedly cutting off the champion’s momentum and coming close with a Brainbuster, Phantasmo rallied with CR2 and capped things off with a decisive Thunderkiss 86 to remain champion.

NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Championship Rambo

TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson) win the match

Chaos reigned in the multi-team Rambo, with War Dogs, House of Torture, Bishamon, Team 100, and the defending champions all colliding. In the closing stretch, Zack Sabre Jr. neutralized Oleg Boltin’s power game and scored the final pinfall, crowning TMDK as the new NEVER six-man champions.

IWGP Women’s & NJPW Strong Women’s Championship (Winner Takes All)

Syuri (IWGP Women’s Champion) def. Saya Kamitani (Strong Champion)

Two champions entered, but only one left with both belts. Kamitani pushed the pace and came within inches of victory multiple times, but Syuri’s technical precision proved decisive. A Fujiwara Armbar followed by Syu-Sekai sealed Syuri’s status as double champion.

Eight-Man Tag Match

United Empire (Jake Lee, Andrade El Idolo, Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan & HENARE) def. War Dogs & Hiromu Takahashi/Shingo Takagi

This fast-paced faction battle broke down into chaos. Takahashi briefly stole the spotlight before Jake Lee shut things down with the Facebreak Shot for the pinfall. Post-match surprises followed, as Jakob Austin Young aligned with United Empire, along with the returning Francesco Akira.

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship Contender Match

El Desperado def. Taiji Ishimori, SHO & Kosei Fujita

Alliances were temporary and chaos constant in this four-way. SHO attempted to evade danger but ultimately paid for it, as El Desperado capitalized with Pinche Loco to secure future title contention.

Event Announcements

NJPW officially announced “Death Vegas Invitacional” for April 16, 2026, in Las Vegas. Additional upcoming events include the New Japan Cup, Sakura Genesis, Wrestling Dontaku, Wrestling Red Zone (Hiroshima), and G1 Climax 36, including U.S. dates.

NEVER Openweight Championship

Aaron Wolf def. EVIL (c)

In a physical and interference-heavy bout, Wolf shed his judogi and embraced a gritty approach. Despite House of Torture’s involvement and EVIL’s trademark shortcuts, Wolf survived everything thrown at him. He ultimately rendered EVIL unconscious with a brutal submission to capture the NEVER Openweight Championship.

IWGP World Heavyweight & Global Heavyweight Championship

Yota Tsuji def. Konosuke Takeshita (c)

One of the night’s standout matches saw Tsuji outlast Takeshita in a grueling war. After surviving multiple Power Drives and near-falls, Tsuji locked in a deep Boston Crab, forcing Takeshita to tap out. Tsuji walked away as both IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and still Global Champion. Post-match, Jake Lee blindsided Tsuji, immediately establishing new tension.

Retirement Match

Kazuchika Okada def. Hiroshi Tanahashi

In the main event, Tanahashi’s final match delivered emotion, callbacks, and intensity. The longtime rivals pushed each other to the limit, with Tanahashi summoning flashes of his prime. Ultimately, Okada’s relentless Rainmakers proved too much, and Tanahashi was pinned in the center of the ring.

Post-Match Tribute to Hiroshi Tanahashi

After the bell, Okada bowed to Tanahashi and simply said, “Thank you.” The ring filled with flowers and tributes from NJPW legends and former stars, including Jay White, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Katsuyori Shibata, Keiji Muto, and Tatsumi Fujinami. Even former NJPW stars BUSHI and Tetsuya Naito appeared to pay their respect. Tanahashi closed the night with heartfelt words and his trademark air guitar, greeting fans as Wrestle Kingdom 20 faded to black.

AEW’s Kazuchika Okada Announced As Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Opponent At Wrestle Kingdom 20

The end of an era is officially upon us. New Japan Pro Wrestling has confirmed that Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final match will be against none other than his greatest rival, Kazuchika Okada, at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026.

The announcement went down during NJPW’s Road in Anjo event, where Okada made a surprise return to the company for the first time since moving to AEW in early 2024. The Tokyo Dome crowd won’t just witness Tanahashi’s farewell—they’ll see one of the most iconic rivalries in wrestling come full circle.

In an emotional moment, Okada stepped into the ring and echoed the same words he said to Tanahashi over a decade ago, following their legendary 2012 encounter:

“Congratulations on your retirement, and thanks for all your hard work.”

Longtime NJPW booker Gedo joined Okada in the ring, emphasizing that there was no better way for Tanahashi to close his career. “Okada is on a whole other level,” Gedo said, promising a sendoff worthy of The Ace of New Japan.

Tanahashi and Okada’s feud helped define modern New Japan, producing classics that elevated both men to icon status and drew international attention to the promotion. From their epic Tokyo Dome clashes to their fierce battles over the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, their rivalry has become the stuff of legend.

Now, after decades of carrying NJPW on his back, Tanahashi will have one final chance to go out on the biggest stage against the opponent who pushed him to his limits—and ultimately helped shape the legacy of both men.

The emotional showdown is set for January 4, 2026, live from the Tokyo Dome and streaming worldwide on NJPW World.

The Ace’s final match. The Rainmaker’s return. One more Tokyo Dome classic awaits.

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Match: Could Shinsuke Nakamura Be “The Ace’s” Last Opponent?

As NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi prepares for his final match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in January 2026, rumors are swirling about who will face him in his retirement bout. Recent reports suggest WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura — one of Tanahashi’s most iconic rivals — could be in line for the honor. However, interpromotional politics between WWE, AEW, and NJPW could complicate the dream matchup.

The Ace’s Last Dance

As 2025 winds down, New Japan Pro Wrestling is preparing to say goodbye to one of its greatest icons. Hiroshi Tanahashi, the man affectionately known as “The Ace,” is nearing the end of his legendary in-ring career. After more than a year on his emotional farewell tour, Tanahashi will wrestle for the final time on January 4, 2026, at Wrestle Kingdom 20 inside the historic Tokyo Dome.

Tanahashi’s retirement tour has been a celebration of two decades of excellence — a journey that saw him face top stars across generations, from Kazuchika Okada and Tetsuya Naito to Will Ospreay and Zack Sabre Jr. But as the Tokyo Dome finale approaches, fans are buzzing about who will stand across the ring from him in his final match.

According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, one potential — and emotional — choice could be Shinsuke Nakamura, the current WWE Superstar and Tanahashi’s most famous rival.

Nakamura Teases the Possibility

Speculation started growing during WWE’s recent tour of Japan. Nakamura paid homage to Tanahashi by mimicking his signature mannerisms during matches and later referencing him in a post-show promo — a nod that didn’t go unnoticed by fans or by Meltzer.

Interestingly, Nakamura’s WWE contract reportedly includes a clause that allows him to work select dates in Japan. On paper, that would make a Tanahashi vs. Nakamura farewell match possible. However, Meltzer pointed out that it’s far from a done deal, and there are major hurdles to overcome.

NJPW, AEW, and WWE Politics Complicate Things

The biggest obstacle isn’t Nakamura’s willingness — it’s the current state of interpromotional politics. NJPW maintains a close working relationship with AEW, and with AEW’s Konosuke Takeshita currently holding the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, it’s expected that AEW talent will feature prominently at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Having a WWE talent like Nakamura appear on the same card could create political friction between the promotions. Meltzer speculated that NJPW may hesitate to invite a WWE wrestler to such a high-profile show while the AEW partnership is active.

That said, Tanahashi’s retirement isn’t just another event — it’s a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Meltzer added that if there’s any scenario that could make WWE, AEW, and NJPW look past competitive barriers, this could be it. Tanahashi’s influence and legacy are that significant.

A Rivalry That Defined an Era

If Nakamura were to be chosen, it would bring things full circle. Tanahashi and Nakamura’s careers have been intertwined since the early 2000s, leading New Japan through one of its most transformative periods.

Their clashes — including classic bouts over the IWGP Intercontinental Championship and main events at Wrestle Kingdom 8 — helped define NJPW’s modern in-ring style and reestablished the promotion as a global wrestling powerhouse. The chemistry between Tanahashi’s fiery heroism and Nakamura’s flamboyant charisma became a cornerstone of New Japan’s resurgence.

A final encounter between the two, more than a decade after their last major showdown, would be the perfect symbolic closing chapter for both men’s shared legacy.

When Will the Opponent Be Revealed?

Fans likely won’t have to wait long for answers. Meltzer noted that the identity of Tanahashi’s final opponent could be revealed as soon as November 2, during Tanahashi’s “Final Homecoming” event in his hometown of Gifu, or in the days following.

Regardless of who steps up — whether it’s Nakamura, an AEW name, or a rising NJPW star — one thing is certain: Hiroshi Tanahashi’s last match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 will be more than a wrestling match. It’ll be a celebration of a legacy that helped rebuild New Japan Pro Wrestling and inspire an entire generation of wrestlers and fans alike.