— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) January 4, 2026

With Tanahashi serving as President of New Japan Pro-Wrestling since December 2023, Khan has continued to strengthen AEW’s professional partnership with the Japan-based promotion, so much so that both sides agreed to bring Okada, a former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, back to NJPW for Tanahashi’s retirement match. As previously revealed by Khan, conversations about the specific possibility extend back to around May 2025, when he and Tanahashi sat down during AEW Double or Nothing weekend.

Following his loss to Okada at Wrestle Kingdom, the nearly 50,000 fans in attendance showered Tanahashi with cheers. Multiple AEW stars and Japanese legends followed suit, with the likes of Jay White, Will Opsreay, Kenny Omega, and Kota Ibushi also handing “The Ace” bouquets of flowers.

Elsewhere at Wrestle Kingdom, Yota Tsuji made Konosuke Takeshita tap out in a Winner Takes All match for the IWGP World Heavyweight and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championships. Syuri also walked out of the event as a double champion after conquering Saya Kamitani in Winner Takes All match for the IWGP Women’s Championship and NJPW STRONG Women’s Championships.