Kazuchika Okada, Shinsuke Nakamura, Kenta Kobashi, More Wrestlers Pay Tribute to Hiroshi Tanahashi

As previously reported, NJPW’s Legendary ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi, wrestled his last match earlier today at Wrestle Kingdom 20, losing to Kazuchika Okada in the main event of the Tokyo Dome. After the match, there’s been an outpouring of support and tribute messages to Tanahashi from across the industry.

The latest posts include comments from WWE Hall of Famer The Great Muta, wrestling legend Kenta Kobashi, Okada himself, and a whole lot more. You can view some of those messages below.

Tanahashi’s final opponent and longtime rival, Kazuchika Okada, wrote after the match, “Tanahashi-san, thank you for your hard work. Let’s meet again, everyone in Japan.” Meanwhile, WWE Superstar and former NJPW wrestler and colleague, Shinsuke Nakamura wrote, “I’m watching you.”

The Great Muta (aka Keiji Muto) wrote, “Thank you for the precious photo on the ring on my last day as an active player!” Muta also apologized to Tatsumi Fujinami on a failed attempt at a three-person selfi, “Fujinami-san, I’m sorry🙏 3SHOT selfie failed!!”

Meanwhile, Kenta Kobashi wrote, “Thank you for your 26 years of active service. Show us 100% of the current Hiroshi Tanahashi and fight on. The man who revived New Japan Pro-Wrestling, ‘A once-in-a-century talent.’ And starting today, ‘The man who filled Tokyo Dome to capacity’ is added to that list. For me too, after announcing my retirement match, time flew by insanely fast… I bet for you too, Tanahashi-kun, from the announcement until today, it went by ridiculously quick. With the greatest fight! With the greatest Hiroshi Tanahashi!”

棚橋さんお疲れ様でした。
日本の皆さんまた会いましょう。

— Kazuchika Okada (@rainmakerXokada) January 4, 2026

藤波さん、ごめんなさい🙏
3SHOT自撮り失敗！！ pic.twitter.com/3ibD1JCpPO

— 武藤　敬司 (@muto_keiji) January 4, 2026

現役生活26年お疲れ様でした。
現在の棚橋弘至を100%出してファイトだ。

「新日本プロレスを復興させた男」

「100年に1人の逸材」

これに今日から
「東京ドームを満員にした男」
が加わる。… https://t.co/J4gggMkcR8 pic.twitter.com/IV11wg3EEm

— 小橋建太 (KENTA KOBASHI) (@FortuneKK0327) January 4, 2026

Go Ace! Congrats of an Amazing legacy Tanahashi-san @tanahashi1_100 pic.twitter.com/YpuVHlGVRP

— Big Bad Brody King (@Brodyxking) January 4, 2026

As the final bell rings at the Tokyo Dome, we salute Hiroshi Tanahashi for being the heart and soul of professional wrestling for over two decades

Thank you, Ace! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/UtLycbPlIV

— TrillerTV (@Triller_TV) January 4, 2026

Some of my favorite memories are in Japan. Some of my favorite matches were with this guy @tanahashi1_100 he is truly one of the best.

— AJ Styles (@AJStylesOrg) January 4, 2026

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