Hiroshi Tanahashi NJPW Retirement Opponent Ruled Out

AEW

NJPW’s Hiroshi Tanahashi has ruled out facing a certain star in his upcoming retirement match, ahead of Wrestle Kingdom 20.

We’re now just a matter of months away from Hiroshi Tanahashi hanging up his boots, with it previously being announced that Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026 will feature his final match.

With this show just over three months away, Tanahashi has shot down rumors about a potential opponent for his retirement match.

During the September 30 NJPW press conference, Tanahashi addressed speculation about the possibility of him facing Aaron Wolf, who is slated to make his wrestling debut at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Believing that they both have different stories surrounding their January 4 appearances, Tanahashi stated:

“Some people have said me and Wolf, but we each have our own themes coming into this and it wouldn’t be the right use of either of us.

“It won’t be Tanahashi vs Aaron Wolf.”

(Translated from Japanese)

Tanahashi stated that fans will have to wait a little longer for the official opponent announcement.

Still eager to learn from the NJPW President behind the scenes, Wolf stated:

“I can’t wrestle Tanahashi, but even if he’s not in the ring, he remains in NJPW, and there’s a lot to be learned from him and a lot I can carry from him into my own career.”

(Translated from Japanese)

A 2020 Olympic gold medalist, former judoka Aaron Wolf announced his signing with NJPW in June, with it announced in this press release that he was expected to make his in-ring debut at Wrestle Kingdom 20.

Dave Meltzer noted at the time that Wolf had previously stated that “a much larger overseas promotion had offered him a deal”, indicating potentially WWE or AEW.

Translation via NJPW Global.

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• RUMOR
• NJPW
• Hiroshi Tanahashi
• retirement

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