Image Credit: New Japan Pro Wrestling
By Noah Leatherland
The past year had been counting down to this, WRESTLE KINGDOM 20 and the retirement of The Ace of the Universe, Hiroshi Tanahashi. Taking place in a sold out Tokyo Dome, Tanahashi went to war with Kazuchika Okada one last time to close out his legendary career.
It was another epic to add to the hallowed Tanahashi/Okada rivalry. It drew upon years of history between the two men, and even their contemporaries, with Tanahashi pulling pages out of his fellow Musketeers’ playbooks to try and thwart The Rainmaker.
However, the might of Okada proved just too much for Tanahashi. One final Rainmaker lariat put The Ace down to put an end to Hiroshi Tanahashi’s in-ring career. Before departing, Okada took to the microphone and delivered a message of thanks to Tanahashi, a departure from his usual brash attitude.
Tanahashi-san, well done! Just one more thing—thank you!
(Quote translated via DeepL)
The emotional tributes to The Ace continued as a series of guests joined Tanahashi in the ring. Jay White was the first to appear, marking his first time back in the promotion after his ‘Loser Leaves NJPW’ match against Eddie Kingston in 2023. Then, Will Ospreay made his way to the ring, which was his first appearance at an event since taking time off to recover from injury. Next, The Golden Lovers, Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi, made their way to the ring. Still healing a broken femur, Ibushi made sure he walked down the Wrestle Kingdom ramp to honour Tanahashi. Tanahashi’s tears were uncontrollable once Katsuyori Shibata’s theme played over the Tokyo Dome sound system. Shibata made his way to the ring, embraced Tanahashi, before whipping off his shirt and engaging his fellow Musketeer in a brief strike exchange to see him into the sunset.
NJPW legends Keiji Mutoh and Tatsumi Fujinami also came to the ring to celebrate Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement, with the collection of The Ace’s former rivals, friends and influences posing together for photos.
Once those guests cleared the ring, there was one more surprise for the fans in attendance. Tetsuya Naito’s theme hit and Los Tranquilos de Japon made their way down the ramp. BUSHI presented Tanahashi with flowers and Naito grabbed the microphone, saying:
I may never fight in this ring again, but I look forward to seeing you back in the New Japan ring someday. Until then, adios!
(Quote translated via DeepL)
Finally, a ten bell salute closed the retirement ceremony for one of the greatest wrestlers to have ever lived, Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Of course, there were plenty of other headlines made at Wrestle Kingdom 20.
New NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team champions were crowned in this year’s Rambo match. TMDK emerged from the melee as the new champions, with Hartley Jackson and Ryohei Oiwa winning their first titles in New Japan alongside their partner, Zack Sabre Jr.
Syuri shocked many fans as she managed to defeat Saya Kamitani in the double title match. Syuri held onto her IWGP Women’s Title and adds the NJPW STRONG Women’s Title to her collection. In the fallout, Kamitani shared that she will be taking some time off from in-ring competition:
Right then. The reason we lost today? It’s because you’ve been working too hard, Sayami-sama. So I’m taking paid leave starting tomorrow. Just a little break. Mr. Okada, you’ll be alright? I’ll be taking some time off. I’m scheduled to face Starlight Kid in Osaka on the 27th, but that kitten should be a piece of cake, right?
(Quote translated via DeepL)
The United Empire’s second mystery partner was revealed to be Jake Lee. Lee returns from injury, having last competed in September 2024. He helped his side pick up the victory against the Bullet Club War Dogs, Shingo Takagi and Hiromu Takahashi.
El Desperado emerged victorious from the four-way match to become the number one contender for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. He will face DOUKI for the junior belt in the future.
Aaron Wolf made his long anticipated debut, challenging EVIL for the NEVER Openweight Championship. To the delight of the Wrestle Kingdom crowd, Wolf revealed his shaved head and plain black trunks, donning the full appearance of a Young Lion. Wolf battled through an array of House of Torture interference and treachery, before finally locking EVIL into a choke and making the champion fade.
Next, the IWGP World Heavyweight and Global championships were both on the line. It was a hard fought battle between Konosuke Takeshita and Yota Tsuji. Tsuji wore the world champion down, eventually locking him into a crab submission hold. The pain proved too much for Takeshita, who had no choice but to tap out. Tsuji held both titles aloft, but the celebrations were soon cut short. Jake Lee made his way back to the ring and attacked the new champion.
During the match, Takeshita’s usual black gear had a splash of colour, a red armband, reminiscent of Shinsuke Nakamura. Takeshita was asked about it in his post-match interview, stating:
This Tokyo Dome on 1st January 2026, where Hiroshi Tanahashi retires. There are wrestlers who long to stand in this very ring but cannot. “Stand in the ring for me too,” he said, entrusting me with that.
(Quote translated via DeepL)
Here are the full results from NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20, courtesy of purolove.com:
Pre-Show
Date:
January 5, 2026
Category:
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