Real Reason AEW’s Kazuchika Okada Was Chosen To Be Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Opponent

The real reason why AEW Unified Champion Kazuchika Okada was chosen to be Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final opponent has been revealed.

Throughout Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement tour, there was a lot of speculation about which star would ultimately be the Ace’s final wrestling opponent ever.

With Kazuchika Okada confronting Tanahashi on November 8, the AEW star was confirmed to be Tanahashi’s opponent for his retirement match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 during a press conference on November 9.

While many fans expected for the Ace to face a current NJPW name in his farewell bout, Hiroshi Tanahashi has explained why Kazuchika Okada will be the final competitor he shares the ring with.

During the press conference, Tanahashi said Okada will be his last opponent because:

“In the end, I wanted someone I had a deep connection to.”

Tanahashi and Okada have notably faced off in singles action 17 times, most recently seeing Okada pin Tanahashi at The New Beginning in Osaka 2024.

Kazuchika Okada noted that he’s honored to be in this position, adding:

“When I heard, I knew it had to be me… There are a lot of people in NJPW and other companies that wanted to wrestle Tanahashi and won’t get the chance, so I’ll carry those hopes with me.”

Okada clarified that he will return to NJPW as his AEW Rainmaker character, rather than reverting to his honorable NJPW persona, stating:

“‘I won’t be the old Rainmaker from NJPW, I’ll be the AEW Rainmaker.

“In AEW I’m really doing whatever I want, so I might just hit Tanahashi low, roll him up and send everyone home crying.'”

The latest NJPW updates and news stories ahead of Wrestle Kingdom 20 can be found right here.

Via NJPW.