Finn Balor Wants One More Match Against Retiring Non-WWE Star

WWE star Finn Balor has revealed that he wants to be the final opponent for a retiring New Japan Pro-Wrestling star.

As previously reported, NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi is stepping away from his in-ring career to focus on his executive role.

With Tanahashi’s last match set to take place at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026, a WWE star has revealed they’d like to face him one more time.

Speaking to Tokyo Sports, Judgment Day’s Finn Balor shared his hope to revisit their relationship which started around two decades ago and his hope to face him one more time, saying:

“When I was a Young Lion, he sat across from me the first time I got on the New Japan bus. I was so nervous, I thought it was a dream that my favorite wrestler would be my teammate.

“I want to fight him one more time before he retires.

“That would be great (being Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final opponent), but I’m not that lucky.”

(Translated from Japanese)

NJPW shares a business partnership with AEW that has lasted for multiple years and given rise to the regular Forbidden Door pay-per-views, likely ruling out the possibility of a WWE star appearing.

Balor would go on to reflect on the career of Tanahashi in New Japan, noting his kindness towards foreign wrestlers, stating:

“But I want to take this opportunity to say a few words to Tanahashi. He’s had an incredible career. Thank you for being so kind to New Japan’s foreign wrestlers. (Takashi) Iizuka, (Jushin Thunder) Liger, (Yuji) Nagata, everyone was so kind.

“With the support of my family-like teammates, I was able to quickly adapt to the rigors of the ring. It’s scary to live in a faraway country where you don’t even speak the language, but New Japan welcomed me so warmly. I’m forever grateful.”

(Translated from Japanese)

Balor, then known as Prince Devitt, would face Tanahashi on multiple occasions between 2006 and their final encounter at NJPW New Japan Cup in March 2014.

Later that year, Devitt would sign with WWE, making his debut and undergoing a name change to Finn Balor in September.

Tanahashi has held multiple championships in NJPW, being a former eight-time IWGP Heavyweight Champion, two-time IWGP Intercontinental Champion and IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion on three occasions, among his many accolades.