Korakuen Hall Bids Farewell To Hiroshi Tanahashi As the Legend Competes In His Final Bout At The Famed Arena

By: Lewis Carlan

On Oct 10, 1999, a Young Lion by the name Hiroshi Tanahashi made his debut for New Japan Pro-Wrestling and wrestled inside of Korakuen Hall for the first time in his career. On Dec. 22, 2025, Tanahashi competed in his final match at the famed Korakuen Hall as the legend wrestled in second to last bout of his storied career.

For his Korakuen Hall finale, Tanahashi faced the future of the NJPW Jr. Division, Kosei Fujita. As expected, Korakuen Hall was a sell out as over 1,500 fans packed the arena to witness Tanahashi’s last time wrestling in the historic venue.

When Tanahashi began his way to the ring during the introductions, the entire crowd held up their Tanahashi’s signs in a wonderful tribute to one of the all time greats.

The match itself was a competitive one with Fujita doing all he could to ruin the Korakuen Hall send-off of Tanahashi but the Ace would not be denied. After a flying bodypress onto Fujita, Tanahashi climbed the ropes and hit the last High Fly Flow fans will ever witness inside the confines of Korakuen Hall.

Photo Credit: NJPW

Following his victory, Tanahashi addressed the crowd and then walked around the arena to greet the fans, many of which were in tears as Tanahashi was saying his good-byes. Overall, it was a very emotional moment, one that will never be forgotten.

Photo Credit: NJPW

Hiroshi Tanahashi has one match left in his career and it is as follows:

• Jan. 4 – Kazuchika Okada at Tokyo Dome (sold out)

Here are the full results for NJPW Road To Tokyo Dome on Dec. 22 courtesy of purolove.com:

• NJPW World TV Title: El Phantasmo (c) defeated Ryusuke Taguchi (8:58) with a front cradle (5th defense).
• Hirooki Goto, YOSHI-HASHI & Oleg Boltin defeated Taichi, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask (8:04) as YOSHI-HASHI pinned tiger.
• “King of Darkness” EVIL, Ren Narita, SANADA, Yujiro Takahashi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru defeated Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura, Toru Yano, YOH & Master Wato (8:02) as Narita Wato pinned.
• Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Jacob Austin Young defeated Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & Gedo Overkill (4:44) after Newman’s win against Gedo.
• 3 Way Match: DOUKI & SHO defeated El Desperado & KUUKAI and Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai (6:34) as DOUKI pinned Nagai.
• Yuto-Ice, OSKAR & Yota Tsuji defeated Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson (11:11) after Tsuji’s gene blaster against Jackson.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Road ~ Enishi: Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Kosei Fujita (12:10) with the High Fly Flow.