Wrestlers Honor Hiroshi Tanahashi Ahead Of His Wrestle Kingdom 20 Retirement Match
Wrestlers from all over the world are coming together to Hiroshi Tanahashi before his retirement at Wrestle Kingdom 20.
Back in October 2024, Hiroshi Tanahashi announced he’s retiring from wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 20. His final opponent will be Kazuchika Okada, someone he’s faced numerous times before.
Just hours before his retirement, wrestlers like Will Ospreay, Kenta, Jeff Cobb, and many others paid tribute to The Ace on social media.
Tanahashi San,
I wish I could put into words how much just being around you as a young man meant to me.
You showed so many of us how important it is to be kind & respectful to every person you came into contact with.
Getting to travel japan with you was one of the most… pic.twitter.com/9yfq6FEJv4
— Will Ospreay • ウィル・オスプレイ (@WillOspreay) January 4, 2026
Good luck and Have fun
Thank you ACE.
1.4.2026 pic.twitter.com/kZChZ9AFbp— KENTA aka Lil’K (@KENTAG2S) January 3, 2026
Was fortunate enough to have some big fights with @tanahashi1_100
Respect. pic.twitter.com/aZDiru8GAy
— Karl Anderson (@MachineGunKA) January 4, 2026
Wish I could be there to celebrate of the of best to do it ever @tanahashi1_100 thank you for all you did for wrestling as well as for me! Congratulations and enjoy the rest! Never Tired, Never mind, Never Give Up! pic.twitter.com/nz1ZTjY0V8
— Jeff Cobb (@RealJeffCobb) January 4, 2026
おはようございます。
本日「イッテンヨン」です。
きっと、一生忘れられない日になります。
行ってきます。#njwk20
写真は昨年の３月２０日。私と棚橋弘至社長の最後の一騎打ち後です。 pic.twitter.com/jxdUuN6ky1
— 小島 聡【SATOSHI KOJIMA】 (@cozy_lariat) January 4, 2026
この素晴らしいプロレスに捧げてくださったすべてのことに感謝し、あなたの将来に多くの祝福がありますように。
Gracias por su lucha libre…🙌🙏
Señor @tanahashi1_100 🇯🇵🤝🇲🇽@CMLL_OFICIAL pic.twitter.com/WyeNSMNtEi— Titan (@Titan_cmll) January 4, 2026
棚橋選手10年前の試合うけてくれてありがとうございました☆#大家帝国興行#njpw#棚橋引退 pic.twitter.com/EkMGp9K04d
— 大家健 (@1600sekigahara) January 3, 2026
Congratulations to THE ACE on a job well done. A generational performer, who connected with audiences worldwide. Unmatched toughness, loyalty, & perspective #thankyouACE 1.4.2026 @tanahashi1_100 pic.twitter.com/xc60isDPap
— “The Big LG” Doc Gallows (@The_BigLG) January 4, 2026
Shinsuke Nakamura vs Tanahashi was a match a lot of fans wanted to see to end his career. The wrestler recently said he and Nakamura discussed having this match. Fans can read more about it here.
Fans will also be able to check out Fightful’s coverage of Wrestle Kingdom 20 here, and a post-show review and highlights on YouTube here.
