Finn Bálor Wants To Face Hiroshi Tanahashi Before He Retires, Thinks It’d Be Great If He Was Tanahashi’s Final Opponent

Bálor wants to mix it up with Tanahashi one more time.

January 4th, 2026, is the date of NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20, and that is where Hiroshi Tanahashi will have his final match.

Tanahashi’s final opponent has yet to be determined, but one name throwing his name in the hat is WWE’s Finn Bálor. WWE is returning to Japan for a string of shows in October, and to promote it, Bálor spoke to Tokyo Sports.

The former Prince Devitt spoke about Tanahashi and said he wants to face him before he retires. Bálor expressed gratitude to NJPW and to his senpais, who were kind to him during his time with the company.

“I respect him outside the ring too. When I was a Young Lion and rode the New Japan bus for the first time, he was sitting across from me. I was nervous. I thought it was a dream that my favorite wrestler would become my colleague.

I want to fight him one more time before he retires.” Bálor was asked if he wants to be Tanahashi’s final opponent, “That would be great, but I’m not that lucky. But I want to take this opportunity to say a few words to Tanahashi. You’ve had an incredible career. Thank you for being so kind to the foreign wrestlers in New Japan. Mr. Iizuka, Mr. Liger, Mr. Nagata—everyone was so kind. Having teammates like family supporting me helped me adapt quickly to the ring’s harshness. 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.”

Bálor is currently a part of WWE’s Monday Night Raw brand and is one-half of the WWE World Tag Team Champions with J.D. McDonagh.

Bálor’s last match for New Japan was in April 2014 when he faced Ryusuke Taguchi at the Invasion Attack event.