Kazuchika Okada Says To ‘Ask Gedo’ For Details On How He Became Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Opponent

Kazuchika Okada and Hiroshi Tanahashi will clash one more time at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 in Tanahashi’s retirement match.

Tanahashi announced his retirement date in October 2024, leading to many fans wondering who would be his final opponent by the time January 4, 2026 rolled around.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, Okada and Tanahashi gave more insight into how they landed on meeting one more time.

From NJPW:

Tanahashi thanked Okada for responding to the call, and referenced his long history with the Rainmaker. ‘In the last few years I’ve lost a lot to Okada, I’ve lost our last four or five,’ Tanahashi admitted. The Ace stated ‘there aren’t many who retire with a win,’ but that ‘with an opponent like Okada, I will give my absolute best. I plan on having people saying I can still go, not that I’m broken down,’ and reminded Okada and media of his 2-1 winning record in the Tokyo Dome.

Pressed on the details of how the match came together, both men kept their cards close to the vest, with Tanahashi saying ‘in the end, I wanted someone I had a deep connection to.’ Okada said that ‘when I heard, I knew it had to be me,’ saying that ‘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,’ but that ‘if you want the full details, ask Gedo’.

Okada and Tanahashi first met in singles competition in 2010.

Fans can find the current lineup for Wrestle Kingdom 20 here.