Korakuen Hall says goodbye to The Ace

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Road to Tokyo Dome would not be complete if he didn’t have one final match inside THE Korakuen Hall! But will it be one final win? Or one last loss?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• NJPW World Television Championship Open Challenge: El Phantasmo VS Ryusuke Taguchi; ELP wins and retains the title.
• Six Man Tag: Boltin Oleg & Bishamon VS Taichi, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask; Oleg & Bishamon win.
• 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
• Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & Gedo VS Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young; Khan, Callum & Jakob win.
• Triple Threat Tag: SHO & DOUKI VS El Desperado & KUUKAI VS Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai; Sho & Douki win.
• Six Man Tag: OSKAR, Yuto-Ice & Yota Tsuji VS Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson; Oskar, Yuto & Yota win.
• Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Kosei Fujita; Tanahashi wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW World Television Championship Open Challenge: El Phantasmo w/ Jado VS ???

The Headbanga made it through the massive challenge of Hartley Jackson, but he’s got another surprise waiting for him tonight! Will this “special guest” take the spotlight from him? Or will this still be The ELP Show?

Well first, it’s ELP Claus and Jado the Reindeer giving out free NJPW logo stickers. And one special gift to a very special fan: ELP LED glasses! ELP gets the mic to say, “Korakuen, sashiburi! <Long time no see!>” The fans cheer, and ELP says the same to Jado, and asks if he’s doing well. Jado takes the mic to say, “Hey, what’s up, bro? How are you, man? Long time no see.” They fist bump and then ELP says wait, Jado should Nihongo, ELP should Ego. Oh, right, sorry, sorry. ELP then tells Korakuen, “It is sold out tonight! No vacancy! Open Challenge for the NJPW World TV Championship! And this is a special Christmas Open Challenge!”

The fans cheer that, and Jado says this is the 2025 NJPW finale, so this is a special Open Challenge! Whoever wants it, come and get it! And it’s RYUSUKE TAGUCHI! The fans cheer as the Funky Weapon makes his way to the ring! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if things get funky in 15 minutes or less!

The bell rings and the fans already duel, “E L P! E L P!” “TA-GU-CHI! TA-GU-CHI!” Both men have their dukes up as they carefully step up, step back, it’s very 2D fighter. They tie up, ELP wrenches and wristlocks, but Taguchi rolls, wrenches, and wristlocks. ELP rolls, trips Taguchi, then turns him over to tie up the legs, BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Taguchi pops free, covers, ONE!! The fans cheer, and ELP handsprings up just to show off. Taguchi handsprings but flops back, and the fans have a good laugh. ELP offers a hand and he helps Taguchi up, to then put on a headlock! Taguchi powers up and out, ducks down then bypasses, and bypasses, but then ELP whips!

ELP drops down, and bypasses, and drops down, and repeat! The fans cheer as ELP bypasses Taguchi again and again and again! Taguchi tires out but ELP keeps him going, then drops down to trip Taguchi! The fans cheer and ELP asks what happened. ELP stands Taguchi back up, puts him on the ropes, and then winds up, to “chop.” Taguchi still shouts in pain! The fans cheer as ELP flexes. ELP storms up, Taguchi “chops,” and ELP plays up how it hurt in slow motion. ELP slow motion punches Taguchi, but the ref still reprimands how that was a closed fist. Taguchi checks his chin, then slow motion punches back! Another closed fist!

The fans rally and duel, ELP winds up and slow-mo lariats, but Taguchi ducks to slow-mo lift! ELP shakes his head, but he gets a slow-mo atomic drop! The fans cheer as ELP slow-mo hobbles away in pain. ELP then comes back, and he slow-motion lifts Taguchi! Slow-mo Manhattan Drop! Taguchi slow-mo reacts in pain, and then ELP reels Taguchi in. ELP calls his shot in slow-motion, but Taguchi fights the suplex! And then he brings things back to normal speed as he snap suplexes! Uno Amigo! But then ELP hits a snap suplex! But then Taguchi hits a snap suplex! But then ELP hits another! They then fight over the third amigo!

The fans rally, and Taguchi hits the THREE AMIGOS! The fans cheer while ELP flounders away. Taguchi gives ELP a Stink Face on the ropes! Taguchi runs, but ELP says STOP! Time out! Taguchi says okay, time out. But then ELP ENZIGIRIS Taguchi! Then cradle! TWO and Taguchi has it! TWO and ELP has it! TWO, and they roll, roll, roll, roll, roll, roll, roll…! And then separate cuz they’re dizzy. Taguchi says stop! ENZIGIRI whiffs because ELP falls on his own! And we’re just five minutes in! The fans rally up as both men stir. Jado coaches ELP, ELP steadies himself, and he brings Taguchi up to whip to the corner.

Taguchi reverses, but ELP reverses, and repeat! They dosido like this corner to corner, then ELP goes up and over. ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! ELP stays cool, and he scoops Taguchi to SLAM him! ELP goes to the corner, and he lines up a shot to DIVING AX HANDLE! Then like Tanahashi, ELP plays an air guitar! ELP then tunes up the band, SUDDEN- NO, Taguchi blocks, spins ELP, and rolls him up! TWO, and Taguchi whips ELP to ropes! ELP sunset flips, but Taguchi stays up! And everyone knows this means the PANTS COME DOWN! Censored sit-down cover, TWO!

ELP sunset flips Taguchi, TWO! Taguchi hikes up the undies to SLAP, SLAP, and ENZIGIRI! The ref reprimands, Taguchi’s undies are still showing! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS again and again, then WEDGIE! Censored HIP- Atomic drop! Taguchi hobbles, ELP fires up, but the HIP ATTACK comes back! The fans cheer and Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “ORYA~!” KETSUYE! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up again, but now Taguchi goes up the corner! But ELP stops the hip drop to torture rack! BRAIN SALAD! And then the DEEP wedgie, and a tuck of the arms, CENSORED C R- NO, Taguchi lands out to BACKDROP!

Another censored sit-down, TWO, and ELP sunset flips it again, and WINS!

Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)

Things definitely got funky, but ELP found a way to survive! ELP washes his face real quick, then he makes sure Taguchi’s pants are up before he hugs it out with him. ELP then asks for the mic, and it is brought to him. The fans applaud, and ELP thanks Korakuen. But now, like he said, NJPW World TV Championship Open Challenge… TOKYO DOME! WRESTLEKINGDOM! The fans cheer that! And then with Jingle Bells playing, a Japanese Santa is here bringing a gift just for ELP? ELP receives the present, opens it up, and inside the box is… a puppet? The fans know this puppet well! It’s Bun-Bun!

And then SURPRISE! Chris Brookes is here, all the way from DDT Pro! He LOW BLOWS ELP, CLOBBERS Jado with the box, then he BOOTS Santa! The fans fire up for Brookes, and he takes the mic to say, “Shitsureishimasu~! <Pardon me!>” Brookes says hello, everyone, and he introduces himself DDT Pro’s international star, Chris Brookes. And ELP, Brookes has seen all the social media posts about challengers stepping up. So he’s gonna take this opportunity! Then, on January 4th, in the Tokyo Dome, your challenger is CHRIS BROOKES! ELP stands up, but Brookes kicks him low! And hits the PRAYING MANTIS!

Brookes tells ELP that he may not understand what Brookes has been saying in Japanese despite being part of NJPW for the last six years, 2026 will change the wrestling world, beginning with Brookes winning the NJPW World TV Championship. See you in the Dome. Laters~! Brookes leaves ELP down and out, but will The Sultan of Schadenfreude be fully satisfied at WrestleKingdom? Or will The ELP Show make it to another season?

After Six Man Tag: Boltin Oleg & Bishamon VS Taichi, Satoshi Kojima & Tiger Mask…

Quite the combo of SHOTO to BOLTIN PRESS on Tiger Mask to get the win, and the team of Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi & BARS is looking strong going into the newly announced “Tornado Ranbo” for the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles. However, The Holy Emperor and King of Bread Style are back to blaming each other for the loss. They argue, then push each other! Tomohiro Ishii is here and he wants them both to calm down. Taichi sees sense, and says that if they wanna win the Six Man titles, they gotta figure this out. Kojima knows that, and so they shake hands on it! Things smooth over, and Ishii is on their team!

Everyone wants those NEVER Six Man titles, even within the same Hontai faction! Will the Stone Pitbull be just the thing #HolyCozy needs to finally get going? Will it be Lights Out instead? Or will Toru Yano, Master Wato & Yoh have another trick up their sleeve to survive the chaos?

After 10 Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture…

Despite Aaron Wolf valiantly trying to help, Hontai still gets cheated by the King of Darkness and his minions. Evil & Dick Togo drag Wolf backstage while Sanada, Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi & Yoshinobu Kanemaru beat up on Yano, Yoh, Wato, Yuya & Shota! But then who is this coming to the rescue? DDT Pro’s Kaisei Takechi! He fights off the House, but that still gets him mugged 4v1! But then Yuya & Shota are back up, they turn the tide, if just for a moment. Tokyo Pimp CLUBS Shota, CLUBS Yuya, then runs, but into a TRIPLE DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Takechi then stands tall with Shota & Yuya!

Shota gets the mic, then he checks on Yoh, Yano and Wato. Shota tells Takechi, “Since you came to help us… Does that mean you’ll be in the Tokyo Dome?” Shota lets Takechi speak, and he says he wanted to fight with Shota & Yuya. So if they’ll have him, how about they team up? Shota asks Yuya what he thinks, and Yuya takes the mic to tell Takechi, it takes a bit more than looking cool to make it in a NJPW ring! But if he’s tough enough, then let’s do it! Takechi says that’s the spirit he came in with, and they shake hands! This new trio is ready to take on the world, will Takechi become a DOUBLE Trios Champion?

After Six Man Tag: Shingo Takagi, Hiromu Takahashi & Gedo VS Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman & Jakob Austin Young…

The United Empire isolates Gedo for the entire match as far as tagging in and out, and the Prince of Pace steals OVERKILL to get the win! But then Callum bullies Gedo by raining down forearms, and he HEADBUTTS and DECKS Young Lions! Shingo Takagi gets Callum to back off, but Callum has a smug grin. EXCALIBUR DOUBLE STOMPS on Takagi! Then he runs away from Hiromu! Callum grabs a mic to tell, “Hey, Hiromu, you little s*it!” The fans boo but Callum tells the fans to shut up, urusei! But he taunts Hiromu and Takagi that this is Christmas time, so he’s his present to them!

He’s already promising two “X,” but Callum will give them just one! And then the lights go down?! And on the tron, a man is putting on some expensive watches and rings, and a very iconic necklace. IT’S ANDRADE EL IDOLO! He introduces himself to the fans, and says La Sombra is coming back to Japan! But he isn’t just here to see Tanahashi, he has business all over the world. And that includes his friends, his amigos, the United Empire! Amigos, see you at WrestleKingdom 20! The fans cheer as Andrade has revealed himself as “The Money Man” behind the Empire! But will he take back what it means to be tranquilo?

Triple Threat Tag: SHO & DOUKI VS El Desperado & KUUKAI VS Taiji Ishimori & Daiki Nagai!

The Murder Machine & Japones Del Mal have made themselves THE team in the NJPW Junior Heavyweight Division. Not only does Douki have THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, but “La Oscuridad” are THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions AND they won the 2025 Super Junior Tag League! They may get to call the shots now, but will a team earn their title shot at WrestleKingdom 20? Or will no one get one over on The House of Torture?

Before the match, Sho insists on speaking. “Oi, this man right here (Douki) is the DOUBLE Junior Heavyweight Champion! He won the Super Junior Tag League undefeated! And even though he doesn’t have a match in the Tokyo Dome, he singlehandedly sold out WrestleKingdom! That is Douki!” The fans boo but Sho continues by saying he will make Douki a TRIPLE Ace in NJPW! And everyone here can boo, but that’s only because they’re idiotic country hicks! Everyone should just shut up and behold the presence of greatness! Think of this as a special look ahead at the “Douki Games” in the Tokyo Dome as they beat everyone up!

But then the other four attack Sho & Douki! The fans cheer as Despy & Kuukai stomp Douki while Taiji & Daiki stomp Sho! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands, but the bell rings to get this on record. It is Tornado Style as Kuukai & Despy drag Douki out and dig boots in while Taiji & Daiki keep on Sho. But Sho BENDS fingers! And YANKS the arms! Sho runs, but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, and then Taiji turns Sho to NECKBREAKER! Feed to Daiki for a BIG suplex! The fans cheer while Taiji kick Sho out. Taiji & Daiki pursue Sho while Kuukai & Despy put Douki in. Douki begs for mercy, but Despy SMACKS him!

Despy & Kuukai double whip, then Despy scoops to BACKBREAKER! Kuukai runs and gets a boost to SHOTGUN Douki! The fans cheer while Kuukai & Despy drag Douki back. But Douki double HELL STABS! Douki TOSSES Despy, dodges Kuukai, but Kuukai switches. Douki elbows Kuukai, uses the British Escape, but Kuukai ducks the enzigiri! Kuukai wheelbarrows, victory roll, and step through, roll and BOW- NO, Taiji & Daiki go after Kuukai! Despy hits them back, Despy and Taiji start shoving, and then the forearms fly! Kuukai and Daiki also brawl, and Sho takes something from the timekeeper?

The brawl in the ring continues, but then Taiji says wait! Douki & Sho are running away with the belts, literally! So all four hurry to chase Sho & Douki down! The fans cheer as they keep the champions from cowardly sneaking outta here! Taiji & Daiki have Douki now, and they beat him up in the crowd while Despy & Kuukai whip Sho hard into railing! Taiji & Daiki SMACK Douki off the eastside sign! Despy has fans move aside so he and Kuukai can take Sho west! Despy uses a fan’s purse to CHOKE Sho! Taiji & Daiki mug Douki and Douki slumps against a Young Lion! Despy & Kuukai CHOKE Sho against railing!

The fans cheer, the ref reprimands, but the muggings continue. Taiji CLAWS Douki’s eyes, Daiki taunts him, and they bring Douki back while Despy & Kuukai SMACK Sho off the westside sign! Daiki & Taiji stomp Douki, bring him back over to the ring, and Daiki RAMS Douki into railing! The fans cheer as Despy DECKS Sho! Despy & Kuukai double whip, but Sho reverses to send Despy into railing! Kuukai CLUBS Sho, puts him in, and he climbs up to CROSSBODY! Sho gets up, dodges Kuukai, but Kuukai tilt-o-whirl RANAS! Kuukai keeps moving and he SHOTGUNS Sho outta the ring! Kuukai DIVES and down goes Sho!

The fans fire up but Taiji goes up, up, has to steady himself, then GOLDEN TRIANGLE MOONSAULTS! Despy runs, but Daiki intercepts with a SPINEBUSTER! And then the BOSTON- NO, Douki rolls Daiki, with tights! TWO! HELL STAB! Daiki fires up, but he falls for the feint, HELL STAB again! Douki runs, but Taiji is back, JUMP KNEE! Daiki is back up, he runs corner to corner and ELBOWS Douki! Taiji adds DOUBLE KNEES, then feeds Douki to Daiki’s SPINEBUSTER! Then BOSTON CRAB! Taiji BLASTS Sho down while Douki endures, and Taiji PLANCHAS, only to crash as Sho dodges! Douki crawls, but Daiki drags him back!

The fans fire up as Daiki sits deep, but Douki grabs the ref! The fans boo as Sho SMACKS Daiki with that “black mirror” metal sheet! Douki covers, La Oscuridad win!

Winner: Sho & Douki, by pinfall

By hook or by crook, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions continue to win and stay undefeated! And as it stands,  no one has those “golden tickets” to WrestleKingdom! Will these weasels get to take time off all the way into the New Year?

Six Man Tag: OSKAR, Yuto-Ice & Yota Tsuji VS Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson!

In 8 Man Tag matches, the Unaffiliated War Dogs are tied with TMDK at 1-1. Who breaks the title in this 3v3 showdown with WrestleKingdom just two weeks away?

Once again, Ice and ZSJ get into it, the ref tries to stop them, but then Oiwa and Oskar get in there. Yota chats with Hartley so as to mind his own business. In the end, Oiwa steps up, but Yuto stands down so that Oskar can step up. The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two stare down. The fans get behind “OI~WA! OI~WA!” Oskar is annoyed, but he and Oiwa approach. Oiwa dodges Oskar, he DROPKICKS Yuto, and the fans fire up! Oiwa eggs Yuto on, but Oskar waistlocks. Oiwa fights the lift with elbows, then he ducks ‘n’ dodges to ROCK Oskar! But Oskar blocks the arm-drag! Oiwa wrenches, wrenches, and grinds the arm, but Oskar whips Oiwa away.

Oiwa dropkicks the legs! Then he arm-drags Oskar! And DROPKICKS him! Oskar stays up to ELBOW DROP Oiwa! Oiwa scrambles out of the ring, and Oskar BLASTS ZSJ & Hartley! The ref reprimands, but Oskar pushes past him to stomp Oiwa. Oskar whips Oiwa into the railing! ZSJ and Yuto fire forearms back and forth, Oskar drags Oiwa into the crowd, and then Yota sends Hartley into railing! ZSJ and Yuto trade more shots, Oskar SMACKS Oiwa off the apron, then Oskar sits Oiwa up on the apron. Oskar CHOPS Oiwa into the ring! Yota sends Hartley into more railing! The fans cheer as Oskar paces around Oiwa.

Oskar drags Oiwa up, CHOPS Oiwa down, then covers, TWO! The fans applaud, and they rally behind Oiwa, but Oskar bumps Oiwa off buckles. Tag to Yota and Yota brings Oiwa around to CHOP! The fans fire up while Oiwa sputters, and Yota drags him back up. Yota grins and he bumps Oiwa off buckles. Tag to Yuto, he pushes Oiwa around and talks trash. Oiwa snarls and he fires forearms and CHOPS! Yuto ROCKS Oiwa, SLAPS Oiwa, then KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS, KICKS, KICKS! The ref counts, Yuto SOBATS and Oiwa sits down. Yuto goes gangsta, “BOMBACLAT!” DOUBLE KNEES! Then he BLASTS ZSJ for good measure!

Yuto goes back to Oiwa, drags him out of the corner, but Oiwa is a ragdoll. The ref checks on Oiwa while the fans rally up. Yuto smirks and taunts Oiwa. Yuto kicks and scuffs Oiwa, but Oiwa stands up to fire a forearm! And another! And another, and another, and another! Yuto SLAPS, SLAPS, but then Oiwa DECKS Yuto! The fans fire up while both men and the two crawl for their corners. Hot tags to ZSJ and Oskar! The fans fire up as ZSJ runs up, but Oskar scoops and spins! ZSJ slips free to UPPERCUT, UPPERCUT, and UPPERCUT! Oskar guzels, but ZSJ wrenches to UPPERCUT the arm! And he BOOTS Oskar!

Oskar rebounds to CLOBBER ZSJ! Then LEG DROP misses as ZSJ moves! PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! ZSJ basement DROPKICKS right back! ZSJ UPPERCUTS Oskar to a corner, runs up, and he blocks a boot! Only for Oskar to BOOT ZSJ away to the far side! Oskar runs up, but ZSJ dodges! Oskar hits buckles, ZSJ slips around, hooks the leg and has the IRON OCTOPUS! Oskar endures, fights out, but ZSJ escapes the fireman’s carry to PELE the arm! ZSJ KICKS a leg, KICKS it again, then KICKS again! Oskar kneels and ZSJ runs up, but Oskar blocks the kick! ZSJ SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, but Oskar scoops and SLAMS!

The fans fire up again while both men are down! Oskar and ZSJ crawl, hot tags to Yota and Hartley! Hartley CROSSBODIES but Yota ducks it! Yota kicks low, but Hartley is too much to suplex! Yota still tries, but Hartley suplexes high and hard! The fans fire up, Hartley runs, and he SPLASHES Yota! Then LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” The fans cheer, SENTON onto knees! Yuto saves himself but it was rather double-edged given Hartley’s size! They both stand, Hartley swings, but Yota wrenches! They go forearm for forearm, then GENE TRIGGER! Yota suplexes Hartley?! The fans fire up and Yota covers, TWO!

Yota goes up a corner, MARLOWE- NO, Hartley dodges, and he LARIATS! Then SENTONS! The fans fire up, TWO! The fans rally as Hartley looms over Yota. Hartley drags Yota up, fireman’s carries, but Yota fights the slam! Oskar BOOTS Hartley! ZSJ & Oiwa get in and they wrench, wrench, wrench Oskar’s arms! They double whip, but Oskar breaks the double lariats to DOUBLE LARIAT back! But then Hartley whips Oskar! Oskar reverses to TOSS Hartley! And Yota DIVES! Hartley hits railing, Yota puts him in, and he takes aim! GENE- Fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota survives but Hartley hurries to reel him in!

Hartley lifts but Yota fights it! Yota tries to lift?! Yota BACKDROPS Hartley! The fans fire up and Yota rises. Hartley runs up, Yota dodges, GENE TRIGGER! Then Yota pushes Hartley to center, only for Hartley to guzel! Yota breaks free to HEADBUTT! And GENE BLASTER!! Cover, Yota and Knock Out Brothers win!

Winners: Oskar, Yuto-Ice & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall

Another round, another big win for the Global Heavyweight Champion! Oskar still holds onto Oiwa to taunt him, then he shoves Oiwa away. Yuto is still after Oiwa, though, as he BOOTS him into railing! Yuto fires hands, the Young Lions get in there, but Yuto throws them all aside! Yuto sends Oiwa into more railing! Oskar holds ZSJ down while Yuto beats up on Oiwa! Yuto eggs Oiwa on, tells him to bring the fight, so Oiwa brings the fight! Yuto ROCKS Oiwa, DECKS Oiwa, and he looms over him! The fans are going nuts as Yuto SMACKS Oiwa back down! Yuto mocks the World Tag League winners, but ZSJ gets in!

ZSJ BOOTS Yuto, then the two fire more forearms! ZSJ slips around to a SLEEPER! But Oskar gets ZSJ in the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER! Oskar tells Ice to light it up! AMBITION RIGHT!! Then they both vow to end this! Feed and scoop, ZSJ gets the K O B!! The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions pick up their belts and stand over their future challengers. Oskar even KICKS the WTL trophies! Will this be just how it goes for New Year’s Dash? Or will The Chin & The Mullet prove that, while they’re down right now, they truly are The Mighty?

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Kosei Fujita!

The Final Road to Tokyo Dome has made it to the finish line, but that doesn’t mean The Ace is going to coast into WrestleKingdom. Will it be a clean sweep for Tanahashi before facing The Rainmaker? Or will the Japanese Young Punk establish himself as NJPW’s future?

Tanahashi takes his jacket off, and Korakuen cheers Tanahashi’s one last time. Fujita steps up, and he SLAPS Tanahashi! Definitely a young punk! The bell rings, Fujita DROPKICKS Tanahashi, then he TOSSES Tanahashi out! Fujita goes to the corner, and he rope walks to SUPER CANNONBALL! Down goes Tanahashi and the fans fire up! Fujita puts Tanahashi back in, covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Fujita runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Tanahashi hangs tough! The fans rally for Tanahashi but Fujita gets a leg. Fujita turns Tanahashi over for the HALF CRAB! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally harder.

Tanahashi powers up, but Fujita sits deep on the hold! Tanahashi fights, crawls forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls the break, Fujita lets go, and he drags Tanahashi back up. Fujita bumps Tanahashi off buckles, stomps a mudhole in, but Red Shoes reprimands. Fujita digs his boot in, stops at the count of 4, then he stands on Tanahashi! Red Shoes reprimands and counts again, and Fujita stops at 4. Fujita runs back up, but into an ELBOW! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up and Tanahashi keeps moving, FLYING FOREARM! The fans fire up again while Tanahashi looms over Fujita.

Tanahashi drags Fujita up, fires forearms, then scoops for a SLAM! Tanahashi goes back up the corner, the fans cheer, SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives but the fans cheer, “GO ACE! GO ACE!” Tanahashi waits on Fujita, then he runs the ropes, but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to LEG LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Tanahashi checks his teeth, but Fujita is on him. Fujita CHOPS, then wrenches, and he whips Tanahashi to the corner. Fujita CHOPS again and he pushes Tanahashi down. Fujita goes out to the apron and waits on Tanahashi. Springboard and MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

Fujita hurries to get the legs tied up! Fujita also gets the arms, QUEEN ANGELITO! Tanahashi endures, Fujita reaches up, but Tanahashi bends fingers to fight the Nemos Special! The fans rally as Tanahashi then reaches out, and he has the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets go and he stays cool as he waistlocks. Fujita deadlifts Tanahashi, Tanahashi fires elbows, and then a DRAGON PALM! Fujita goes to a corner, Tanahashi runs up, but Tanahashi blocks the boot! DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up, Tanahashi gets the leg, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Fujita writhes, the fans rally up, and Tanahashi rises again.

Tanahashi gets Fujita’s legs, ties them up, and he works to turn Fujita over! TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! Fujita endures, the fans rally, and Fujita fights around. Fujita claws at the mat and crawls forward, but Tanahashi drags him back! The fans cheer as Tanahashi sits deep! Fujita still endures, and he pushes his way up to then power to the ROPEBREAK! Tanahashi lets go and the fans rally up again. Fujita rises, Tanahashi runs, but Fujita blocks the slingblade! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Tanahashi escapes in time and the fans fire up! Fujita hobbles up, goes to the apron again, and Fujita climbs up.

Fujita aims to FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Not quite a High Fly Flow but Fujita is certainly sending a message! The fans rally for Tanahashi, Fujita brings him up, but Tanahashi fights the suplex! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And a second TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And a third TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi runs to SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives but Tanahashi goes to the corner! Tanahashi climbs and the fans fire up! HIGH FLY FLOP as Fujita dodges! Deadlift and GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Another close call, but Fujita fires up! The fans are getting hotter, and Fujita has Tanahashi up again!

Fujita suplexes, but Tanahashi fights it! Tanahashi wrenches out, fires a forearm, but Fujita fires one back! Tanahashi fires another forearm, Fujita fires back, and repeat! They go shot for shot again and again, and Tanahashi gets the edge! The fans fire up as Fujita breaks the wristlock to CHOP! Fujita runs, but into a SLINGBLADE! But Fujita rises up?! Fujita runs in, but into a full nelson! Fujita BREAKS the nelson, but ends up in a STRAITJACKET GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans are thunderous for Tanahashi and he hurries up the corner! Fujita stands, into the HIGH FLY ATTACK! But Tanahashi won’t stop there!

The fans are roaring with Tanahashi as he goes back up top! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi wins!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall

And with that, Tanahashi is able to get one last win in the building where he debuted! Things have come full circle this close to the end, and Tanahashi shows respect to Fujita while perhaps giving some encouragement, as well. Tanahashi takes a moment to look around at this Korakuen crowd, and he almost wants to leave it at this. But no, the fans want him to stay, and Tanahashi accepts that. Tanahashi gets the mic while the fans cheer him on, and one guy really gets pumped up. Tanahashi says, “NJPW’s last event in 2025, thank you for being here and for all your support this past year!” The fans cheer as Tanahashi bows in thanks.

Tanahashi continues by saying he is happy that the fans are so passionate. That feeling in Tanahashi’s heart is gratitude. So much gratitude. And it is all thanks to the fans. Tanahashi again hopes they can do a wave here like they can in the Tokyo Dome, and have every stop on this Road to Tokyo Dome. The fans applaud that, and Tanahashi wants them to start from here. ELP even hops off English commentary to help. Tanahashi says yeah, watch ELP. Ready, and… Let’s go! The wave goes around the ring, and around again, and again! Tanahashi wants it to keep going, so it makes a full four laps! Tanahashi thanks the fans, and the fans chant for ELP!

Tanahashi says okay, now he feels he is ready, and that the fans are ready, too. He again thanks everyone, he is ready to light it up at WrestleKingdom! The fans cheer, and of course we need one final Korakuen air guitar concert! Katsuya Murashima finds a very big guitar, and gives it a very big toss! That makes for a very big catch! “Korakuen… Korakuen…! KORAKUEN! LET’S ROCK!” The fans cheer and clap along as Tanahashi gives us the air guitar! And he tosses the guitar to the fans! But of course they want the encore! ELP helps a fan throw the guitar to Tanahashi, and it is a big touchdown pass! The fans cheer, and LASTO~!

The air guitar encore begins, and Tanahashi rolls rather than jumps and falls. Tanahashi SMASHES that guitar, but fans want one final one! “MOIKAI! MOIKAI!” Tanahashi says okay, and ELP finds a third air guitar! ELP gives that one good toss, so Tanahashi gets up on the ropes to catch it! The fans cheer as we true the LAST OF THE LAST OF THE LASTO! The fans cheer and clap along once again, and Korakuen gets its final air guitar performance! There’s the jump and fall! “TANAHASHI SAEKO! <Tanahashi’s The Best!>” Tanahashi takes the mic back and the fans cheer. Tanahashi sniffles, and he says those fan signs that are getting to him.

The fans hold up their Go Ace signs and Tanahashi tears up. Tanahashi says he truly loves pro-wrestling, he truly loves NJPW, and he truly loves the fans, thank you! But he’s still not crying, he means that. But for the last time, Korakuen Hall, AISHITEMAAASU~! The fans cheer, and there’s even snow falling! The Ace sends the fans home happy for Christmas, but will it also be a Happy New Year at WrestleKingdom?

My Thoughts:

A great final stop on the Road to Tokyo Dome, a lot of great story development right before WrestleKingdom 20, and some very big surprises with that. Andrade’s non-compete is finally gone, which is why he is going to join what’s left of the United Empire against whatever combination of War Dogs and Unaffiliated. That’ll be great stuff, but I’d love if somehow, Andrade ends up being truly ungovernable, joining what is left of LIJ at some point. And obviously, from here, Andrade can go back to AEW and actually follow through on the stories they wanted to do before this non-compete was clarified and kept him back.

Very good stuff from ELP VS Taguchi, and the slow-motion portion was very entertaining. ELP of course retains, and then Chris Brookes showing up in NJPW from DDT Pro is great stuff. ELP VS Brookes will be great stuff, too, and I feel like there’s a 51-49 chance Brookes takes that title to have it be featured in the craziness that DDT Pro is known for. There is a lot of great development for this “Tornado Ranbo” they’ve come up with, and throwing in multiple teams definitely makes for a wild match. DDT’s Takechi joining in is great, too, but since he’s already a Six Man champion in DDT, I feel like that already crosses him, Shota & Yuya off who could win.

Great Triple Threat Tag from the Junior Heavyweights, but I’m surprised there were no contenders named here. And at the same time, the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles are on New Year Dash? That’s a bit surprising, and maybe disappointing, but maybe that’s just how big WrestleKingdom is this year? Tanahashi VS Fujita was a great main event, but naturally it was one more win for Tanahashi to close out his time in Korakuen. One final air guitar concert, and yet it still feels like Okada wins out. Either way, Tanahashi is going to have a great finale to his career.

My Score: 8.9/10