Kenny Omega Shares Heartfelt Tribute to Hiroshi Tanahashi After Wrestle Kingdom 20

As previously reported, NJPW Ace Hiroshi Tanahashi wrestled his final match earlier today at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20, losing to Kazuchika Okada in the main event. Multiple AEW stars and former IWGP Heavyweight Champions were also in attendance to witness Tanahashi’s final match, including Kenny Omega, Jay White, Will Ospreay, and Kota Ibushi. After the match, Kenny Omega shared a heartfelt tribute to Hiroshi Tanahashi on his X account.

Omega wrote, “Tonight I had the incredible honor of participating in Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony. To stand with him in that ring, to see what he saw in those final moments…I felt the reality of it all, the weight of his decision. Once I returned backstage, I sat in stand-by, lost in thought, watching the monitor. Before I knew it, everyone around me had left. Tana, Ibushi, and I made the final walk.” He continued, “I joked that all 3 of us had to take the stairs slowly one by one – something I’m usually self-conscious about (it doesn’t look cool), but today was different. We owned it proudly.”

Omega also added, “In the car ride back to the dressing rooms, we shared one last conversation. I could easily type what was said, but to explain the real meaning of it was probably different for all 3 of us. Broken down rivals now turned comrades. It’s really a beautiful thing, isn’t it? Thanks to all that tuned in to celebrate the retirement of one of the greatest to ever do it. #棚橋引退 #WK20”

The AEW stars appeared in the post-match retirement ceremony that took place after the main event, with multiple AEW stars paying their respects to the Legendary Ace.

Kenny Omega and Hiroshi Tanahashi previously faced off in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 13 for the IWGP Heavyweight Title. Tanahashi defeated Omega to win the belt at the event.

Tonight I had the incredible honor of participating in Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony. To stand with him in that ring, to see what he saw in those final moments…I felt the reality of it all, the weight of his decision.

Once I returned backstage I sat in stand-by lost in…

— Kenny Omega (@KennyOmegamanX) January 4, 2026