Tributes Pour In For Hiroshi Tanahashi From Wrestlers Ahead Of Retirement Match At Wrestle Kingdom 20

As Hiroshi Tanahashi gets ready to hang up his wrestling boots at Wrestle Kingdom 20, wrestlers from around the world are taking to social media to share their tribute for the eight-time IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

AEW star Will Ospreay led the charge with a heartfelt post for The Ace. Ospreay is set to be in attendance for Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony on January 4. He wrote:

“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 come into contact with. Getting to travel Japan with you was one of the most rewarding things I ever experienced, as it showed me exactly who I want to be as a wrestler & human being. You set the bar for all of us. So honoured to get to witness your last ride in a sold-out Tokyo Dome. Thank you for everything, and congratulations on an amazing career.”

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

Apart from Ospreay, KENTA, Jeff Cobb (WWE’s JC Mateo), Karl Anderson, Satoshi Kojima, and more paid heartfelt tributes to Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Check out the posts below:

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

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