Wrestle Kingdom 20 came to an emotional end on January 4, 2026, as Kazuchika Okada defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi in the main event — officially ending the career of the man known as The Ace of NJPW. But what followed was one of the most heartwarming and unforgettable sendoffs in wrestling history.
After the match, the lights dimmed, and one by one, wrestling legends and former rivals made their way down to the ring — not to challenge Tanahashi, but to honor him.
The biggest shock of the night came first as Jay White made his surprise return to NJPW, walking down the ramp with flowers in hand. The crowd erupted as Switchblade entered the ring and presented Tanahashi with a bouquet, followed by a respectful photo-op that brought back memories of their intense history — now turned into mutual respect.
Next came Kota Ibushi, another longtime friend and rival, who embraced Tanahashi in a deeply emotional moment. The Tokyo Dome crowd barely had time to breathe before Kenny Omega followed, smiling as he joined the ring for the celebration. Will Ospreay entered soon after, rounding out a trio of global stars paying tribute to the Ace who paved the way. But it didn’t stop there.
Katsuyori Shibata then returned to NJPW and walked straight to Tanahashi, presenting him with flowers of his own. The two shared a moment of joy, even playfully chopping each other in the center of the ring — a callback to their fighting spirit and long history together.
And in a final emotional wave, Keiji Mutoh made his way to the ring, joined shortly after by Tatsumi Fujinami, two legends who helped shape the very foundation Tanahashi built upon. The group stood together in the center of the Tokyo Dome, surrounded by fans, cheers and tears.
Tetsuya Naito finally made his entrance — in true Naito fashion, after a long wait, trolling his mentor one last time. Once in the ring, Naito delivered a wholesome and emotional promo, thanking Tanahashi for believing in him and giving him his shot years ago. Then came the final goodbye.
Tanahashi addressed the crowd with gratitude, emotion, and flair — cutting a heartfelt promo thanking fans for over 20 years of support. He picked up his invisible guitar one last time and led the Tokyo Dome in a roaring air guitar solo, with wrestlers around the ring and fans in the stands all joining in. He promised them he’d never forget this night, and the crowd responded with deafening cheers. They then had a traditional 10-bell salute for the retired NJPW legend while Tanahashi cried.
It was more than just a retirement — it was a generational celebration, a passing of the torch, and a love letter to a man who carried NJPW on his back for over two decades/
How did you feel watching Hiroshi Tanahashi’s farewell? Which return or tribute moment hit you hardest? Share your favorite moment from the ceremony in the comments below.
