Kazuchika Okada Announced as Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Opponent

Hiroshi Tanahashi finally has his retirement match booked, and it will be against one of his most epic rivals, Kazuchika Okada. During today’s NJPW Road in Anjo event in Anjo, Japan, AEW star and Unified Champion, Kazuchika Okada, made a shocking appearance, challenging him for his retirement match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in January (see below).

Today marked Okada’s first time stepping into a New Japan ring since New Beginning 2024. Tanahashi had beaten Yuto-Ice in the main event and was looking to send the fans home happy with an air guitar performance and the final call. However, the fans were then shocked to hear a coin drop, and Okada emerged from the curtain, along with Gedo, who was wearing his old Rainmaker bandana.

As previously noted, Gedo had recently approached Tanahashi last week, offering to find him an opponent for his final match. He’s now found that opponent in Okada.

Kazuchika Okada greeted Hiroshi Tanahashi, using the same words he had said to Tanahashi after returning from excursion in 2012. He stated, “Congratulations on your retirement, and thanks for all your hard work.” He then challenged Tanahashi for his retirement match at Wrestle Kingdom, stating, “Don’t get too tired before then.”

Gedo then stated, per NJPW, “Okada vs Tanahashi will make for the best retirement, because Okada is on a whole other level!” He added, “The rain will fall on Wrestle Kingdom 20.”

The two wrestlers have experienced an epic rivalry, dating back to their first singles match at New Beginning 2012. This includes main event bouts for the IWGP Heavyweight Title at Wrestle Kingdom 7, 9, and 10.

Okada previously departed from New Japan in early 2024, officially signing with US-based promotion All Elite Wrestling (AEW), joining the organization later that year.

Hiroshi Tanahashi will now face Kazuchika Okada in the final match of Tanahashi’s career at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20. The event takes place at the Tokyo Dome on January 4, 2026. It will air live on NJPW World.

“RAINMAKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!”@rainmakerXokada

From the profile URL#njpw #njpwworld #njroad pic.twitter.com/H6ppZusknk

— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) November 8, 2025

🦁NEW JAPAN ROAD in ANJO🦁

「1月4日、よかったら僕がやりますよ」
AEWのオカダ・カズチカが安城大会に登場‼️#njpwworld で配信中📡

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— NJPW WORLD (@njpwworld) November 8, 2025

pic.twitter.com/2GxloOUjdn

— Kazuchika Okada (@rainmakerXokada) November 8, 2025