Thank You, Ace!

Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Road has finally reached the Tokyo Dome! And his final WrestleKingdom sees one last match with The Rainmaker, Kazuchika Okada!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Kickoff Show – Shoma Kato & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Katsuya Murashima & Masatora Yasuda; Katsuya & Masatora win.
• Kickoff Show – NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Chris Brookes; ELP wins and retains the title.
• NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship Tornado Ranbo: TMDK wins and are the new NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions.
• IWGP Women’s & NJPW Strong Women’s Championships Winner Takes All: Syuri VS Saya Kamitani; Syuri wins and is the dual IWGP Women’s & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion.
• 10 Man Tag: David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, “Drilla” Dan Moloney, Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi VS Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman, HENARE, Andrade El Idolo & Jake Lee; Khan, Callum, Henare, Andrade & Jake win.
• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: SHO VS El Desperado VS Kosei Fujita VS Taiji Ishimori; Desperado wins and will challenge DOUKI for the title.
• NEVER Openweight Championship: EVIL VS Aaron Wolf; Wolf wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
• IWGP World Heavyweight & IWGP Global Heavyweight Championships Winner Takes All: Konosuke Takeshita VS Yota Tsuji; Yota wins and is the dual IWGP World & Global Heavyweight Champion.
• Final Road – Finish Line: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Kazuchika Okada; Okada wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Kickoff Show – NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo VS Chris Brookes!

The Headbanga put out the challenge to the whole wrestling world, and he got an answer rather quickly from the Sultan of Schadenfreude! If Brookes enjoys the misery of others so much, will he have the happiest New Year already? Or will The ELP Show continue into a 2026 season?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who gets more than just 15 minutes of fame!

The bell rings and we’re on the clock as the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and ELP slips around, only for Brookes to wrench. ELP rolls, trips Brookes, turns him over, and has the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Brookes pops free to a cover, TWO! A close call already but the two reset. They tie up, ELP waistlocks again, then half nelsons to spin Brookes to a cravat. Brookes wrenches out, ELP wrenches back, and ELP has the wristlock. Brookes wrenches, bridges, handsprings, and WRINGS ELP out, but ELP UP KICKS him away! ELP kips up and the fans cheer the standoff. ELP and Brookes reset again as the fans rally.

ELP offers a handshake, Brookes takes it, but Brookes kicks low! Brookes headlocks, ELP powers up and out, but Brookes RUNS him over! Brookes mocks the “E L P!” chant, then runs. ELP drops down, hurdles, but Brookes stays back! Brookes CHOPS ELP, then whips, but ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to roll off Brookes’ back and RANA! The fans fire up while Brookes tumbles out. ELP builds speed but he fakes Brookes out to backflip! The fans cheer, Brookes BOOTS Jado in frustration! The fans boo and ELP rushes out there, but Team Schadenfreude stands in his way! Then Brookes SHOTGUNS ELP down!

The fans boo more but Brookes drags ELP up and around. Brookes drapes ELP out for a MAGIC SCREW to the floor! The fans are torn, but Brookes puts ELP in the ring. What is Team Schadenfreude up to now? Bunbun distracts the ref so the others can feed Brookes the endless ribbon, which he uses to smother and choke ELP! Wait, that’s no ribbon! That’s a slingshot! They stretch it out, all the way up to the ramp! And it’s a long ramp! INCOMING! SMACK!! The fans are torn again but Brookes covers ELP, TWO! ELP survives that unique attack, but Brookes CHOPS him down! ELP gets up and he CHOPS in return!

ELP CHOPS again, the fans “WOO~,” and ELP CHOPS again! Brookes blocks a kick to KICK the leg out, then BASEMENT SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! ELP is still in this but Brookes clamps on with a chinlock. The fans rally while ELP endures. ELP rises, fires body shots, and he RAMS Brookes into a corner. Brookes dodges a chop to CHOP, then he goes up the corner. Brookes winds up, FLYING SENTON! Cover, TWO! Another unique attack from Brookes but ELP still survives. We hit five minutes so Brookes hurries to CHOP ELP. ELP fires a forearm, Brookes CHOPS again, and repeat! ELP fires SLAP after SLAP, but Brookes SOBATS!

Brookes whips corner to corner, ELP goes up and over, then handsprings away. ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while both men are down, and ELP kips up! ELP scoops Brookes, SLAMS him, then hurries to go up the ropes! Springboard AX HANDLE! And ELP air guitars! The fans rally up as ELP tunes up the band, but slingshot man Baliyan Akki is on the apron! ELP SUPERKICKS him down, then Jado handles the rest of them! Jado says to settle this, but Brookes dodges Sudden Death! IRON OCTOPUS! ELP endures, fights free, and straitjackets!

The fans fire up for the torture rack, and SPINNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Brookes survives being an “Unidentified Flying Opponent,” but ELP goes up top! Brookes hurries to SMACK him first! Brookes climbs, ELP SHOVES him away, but Brookes goes back up! SUPER BUTTERFLY PLEX! The fans fire up again, and Brookes runs corner to corner to SHOTGUN! High stack cover, TWO! ELP survives and the fans fire up again! Jado coaches ELP but Brookes goes up the corner first. But ELP kips up and GAMANGIRIS! ELP climbs up to SUPER STEINER! Then ELP goes back up, for the THUNDERKISS 86, but onto knees!

Brookes drags ELP into a cradle, TWO!! ELP escapes with nanoseconds to spare! The fans rally and Brookes vows to end this! Brookes drags ELP up, underhooks, and MANTIS- NO, ELP flips free! Brookes SMACKS ELP, ELP BOOTS Brookes, but Brookes KNEES and ENZIGIRIS! ELP rebounds, SUDDEN DEATH! Brookes stays up, ELP runs, but into a LARIAT from Brookes! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and the fans fire up again! Brookes hurries to underhooks, lift, and PRAYING MANTIS BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!!? ELP survives and the fans are thunderous! Brookes is the most shocked, and we pass ten minutes!

The fans rally harder as Brookes drags ELP up. Brookes reels ELP in, but ELP is a ragdoll! The ref checks ELP but Brookes hauls him back up. Brookes underhooks, lifts, and- NO, ELP flips up and over! Backslide, TWO! ELP reels Brookes in now, tucks the arms, but Brookes BACKDROPS for a bridging cover! TWO as ELP bridges up! ELP spins Brookes around, has the arms tucked in, C R 2!! Cover, TWO?!?! Brookes survives and now ELP is shocked! The fans rally up, ELP aims from the apron, and THUNDERKISS ATTACK! Then a somersault back to the apron, for a proper “E L P!” THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, ELP WINS!

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

The Calamari King gave ELP quite the fight to not only kickoff the new year but to kickoff WrestleKingdom! But in the end, The ELP Show continues on! They both shake hands and bow in respect, but will we see Brookes and Schadenfreude International in NJPW again some day? Will The Headbanga keep his reign going all through 2026?

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship Tornado Ranbo!

Yoh wanted to defend these titles in a big way for WrestleKingdom 20, and he’s got his wish! Now he, Toru Yano & Master Wato must somehow make it through SEVEN trios in order to keep the titles! Will Direct Drive, Producer, and Way to the Grandmaster prove they’re the best trio in NJPW? Or are we guaranteed to have new champions in the New Year?

The first trio sent out, accompanied by hit J-Pop group, The Rampage, are Shota Umino, Yuya Uemura & Kaisei Takechi! Next out is the House of Torture’s Sanada, Ren Narita & Yoshinobu Kanemaru! Sanada wears a wild LED robot armor that literally announces, “SANADA HAS ARRIVED!” The trios sort out, but then the House just attacks! Typical move from them as Kanemaru beats down Yuya, Sanada beats down Shota, and Ren keeps after Takechi! The bell rings to get this on record, and the House mugs Takechi! The fans boo, but they double whip Takechi to ropes. Takechi BOOTS Ren, then Shota & Yuya CLOBBER Sanada & Kanemaru!

The fans cheer as now Takechi brings Ren up, but Ren kicks low! Ren then CLAWS Shota’s eyes and Yuya’s eyes! Ren runs, but into a TRIPLE DROPKICK! The fans fire up for the heroes as they double whip Ren corner to corner. But the first countdown is here, and we’re throwing a third team into this already! Shota ELBOWS Ren, Takechi ELBOWS Ren, and Yuya SPLASHES Ren, right as Bullet Club’s Clark Connors, Oskar & Yuto-Ice are sent out! Shota kicks Ren out, and 100 Proof brings THEKLA with him! The Toxic Spider is here to support her dawgs for real as they swagger their way down the ramp.

Ren slides back into the ring but Shota stomps him back down. Then the Knock Out Brothers storm in and they QUADRUPLE LARIAT everyone down! The fans fire up as Yuto KICKS away on Yuya, then Oskar digs his boot into Shota! Yuto SOBATS Yuya, then gets gangsta with it. “BOMBACLAT” and DOUBLE KNEES! Shota fires back on Oskar, but Oskar scoops to SLAM! The fans fire up while Shota tumbles out of the ring. Thekla taunts the House of Torture boys, and then Connors runs in with WHEEL-SAN! Connors runs over everybody and the fans fire up! But the countdown is back already, and here comes team four!

The fans fire up as TMDK is here! The Knock Out Brothers will be facing them tomorrow at New Year’s Dash with the IWGP Tag Team Championships on the line, but Zack Sabre Jr, Hartley Jackson and a newly bleach-blonde Ryohei Oiwa want to fight now! The War Dogs stand at the ready, and the brawl is on! Yuto and Oiwa fire forearms, Oskar ROCKS ZSJ, and Connors runs at Hartley. Connors’s shoulder tackle bounces off Hartley, and Hartley TOSSES Connors! Connors holds onto ropes to stay safe on the apron, ZSJ UPPERCUTS Oskar and Oiwa wrenches Yuto. Connors CLOBBERS Hartley with Wheel-san! Oiwa DROPKICKS Oskar outta the ring!

Then TMDK wrench and wrench and wrench Yuto, wrangle him, and STOMP the arms! The fans fire up, but Connors SPEARS ZSJ! Oiwa DROPKICKS Connors! Yuto and Oiwa fire forearms, and the countdown is back already! The fifth team is… Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe & Ryusuke Taguchi! The fans cheer as the living legends are on their way! Yuto ROCKS Oiwa, Oiwa comes back, and the brawl continues! Oskar clamps on the NIGHTMARE SLEEPER, then feeds Oiwa to Yuto’s AMBITION! They get Oiwa up, scoop and- NO, Oiwa slips free to shove Oskar into Yuto! Oiwa dodges Oskar, LARIATS Yuto, but Yuto is stuck on the ropes!

Oskar BOOTS Oiwa, brings him around, but Oiwa TOSSES and ELIMINATES Oskar, and thereby the War Dogs! The fans fire up as that’s the first of the match! ZSJ goes after Yuto, Tiger, Taguchi & Togi get in there, and they whip Oiwa to ropes. They CLOBBER Oiwa, then Taguchi gives ZSJ a stink face! Tiger Mask stomps Oiwa, he and Togi double whip Oiwa to a corner, then Tiger KICKS! The countdown ins back while Taguchi HIP ATTACKS Oiwa! The sixth team is… Bishamon & BARS! The fans rally while Taguchi covers Oiwa, TWO! Ren CLAWS Yuya’s eyes, whips Takechi, but Takechi reverses, sending Ren crashing up and over railing!

Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi & Boltin Oleg make their way out while Takechi fires forearms on Ren right in front of the crowd! Taguchi KNEES Oiwa, fires forearms, and Togi CHOPS Oiwa against ropes! Tiger CLUBS ZSJ’s arm, then stomps him in the corner. The House of Torture brawls with Takechi, Shota & Yuya on the outside, Hartley and Togi brawl inside, and now Bishamon jumps in! They go after TMDK, Oleg ROCKS Tiger Mask, but Taguchi HIP ATTACKS Goto! And HIP ATTACKS Hashi! And HIP- ATOMIC DROP from Oleg! Togi CLUBS Oleg, puts him in a corner and LARIATS! Tiger KICKS and KICKS and SOBATS Hashi!

Togi climbs up to rain down fists on Oleg! Tiger runs, but into a FIERCE FLASH! Oleg slips free and YANKS Togi down! The countdown returns, and the seventh team out is… Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Satoshi Kojima! Bishamon double whips Togi but he DOUBLE LARIATS in return while Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & King of Bread Style make their entrance. Oleg CLUBS Togi, then they DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither man falls, so Tiger KICKS, KICKS, and SOBATS Oleg! But Oleg gets under the buzzsaw to fireman’s carry! Oleg SMACKS Togi using Tiger Mask, then KAMIKAZE! Cover, Oleg ELIMINATES Tiger Mask and his team!

Ishii, Taichi & Kojima are finally ringside, with sumo wrestling stars ringside to show their respect for Taichi. The fans fire up as Hontai meets Hontai, and we get TRIPLE SHOULDER TACKLES! Oleg & Bishamon are the ones standing! Oleg fireman’s carries Ishii, but Ishii slips free! Oleg fires elbows to get free, and he CHOPS! Oleg suplexes Ishii! Ishii fights free, and Ishii suplexes?! He manages to send Oleg up and over! The fans are thunderous, but Yuya runs in and ELBOWS Ishii! Feed to Takechi for a forearm! They double whip, Ishii stops himself, and Taichi SOBATS Yuya! Taichi BOOTS Takechi! And the final countdown is here!

Naturally, the last team is the team everyone wants after: the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions, Yoh, Yano & Wato! Shota runs in but Taichi kicks and CLUBS him! Kojima joins in, and they mug the Roughneck! But Shota avoids the lariat sandwich to shove Taichi into Kojima! TORNADO DDT on Taichi, but Kojima ROCKS Shota! Kojima runs, but into a DROPKICK! Ishii runs in but Shota dodges him, and ROCKS Ishii! Ishii roars, ROCKS Shota, but Shota roars! They fire forearms again and again as the champs make their way down the ramp. Ishii LARIATS Shota! Wait, is Yoh cosplaying as a younger Yano?!

Takechi DROPKICKS Kojima out of the ring, Taichi AX BOMBERS Takechi! Yuya ROCKS Taichi, but Taichi BOOTS Yuya! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS, Taichi ROLLING RIDGE HAND CHOPS! Taichi runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yuya hurries to get Taichi up, wrench and cording hold! The House of Torture intercepts the champions at the ramp and they brawl on the outside! Taichi fights the Deadbolt, and he has the waistband! The fans fire up as Taichi tries his sumo throw! Yuya tries Deadbolt, but Taichi SUMO THROWS Yuya! The fans cheer again, and Taichi runs up, but into a RAN- NO! Taichi stops the rana!

Taichi powers up, he lifts Yuya, and he goes for ropes! Yuya fights that, to RANA Taichi up and over, DOUBLE ELIMINATION! That takes both trios out! Kanemaru & Sanada mug Yoh in the ring, they double whip him to ropes, but Yoh ducks and DOUBLE HAIR THROWS a la Yano! The fans fire up, but Ren kicks Yoh! Ren whips, Yoh reverses and HAIR THROWS! Then the fans join in with “Y! O! H!” Kanemaru runs, but into an atomic drop! Yoh vows to end this, and he gets under for ONI- NO, Sanada CLUBS Yoh! Sanada ROCKS Yoh, but Yoh FALLING LOW BLOWS! The fans cheer as Sanada’s own trick comes back to bite him!

Yoh gets another “Y! O! H!” but Kanemaru grabs him! Yoh smothers Kanemaru, but REN WHISKEY MISTS?! Then Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS! DOUBLE MIST!! Ren TOSSES Yoh, but Yoh holds on! Sanada runs up, he BOOTS Yoh, but Yano & Wato are there to catch him! The fans cheer as the champs are safe! Then they drag Kanemaru & Ren out! Wato gets in, Sanada kicks him and sets him up on the ropes, but Yoh shoves the ref away! LOW BLOW on Sanada again! Then Yoh TOSSES Sanada up and out! Sanada holds onto ropes, but Wato SUPERKICKS Sanada! Kanemaru & Ren catch Sanada! So Yoh runs up, but Sanada DUMPS Yoh!

The fans freak out as Yoh holds on, but Kanemaru & Ren YANK Yoh down to ELIMINATES him!! We’re now guaranteed NEW champions! But then Yano YANKS Sanada down, and ELIMINATES The House of Torture!! TMDK, and Bishamon & BARS are the remaining trios! Speaking of, Oleg and Hartley get back in the ring to RAM shoulders! And RAM shoulders again! And again! The fans rally as now Hartley and Oleg CHOP back and forth! Oleg DOUBLE CHOPS, then runs, but Hartley CROSSBODIES! ZSJ & Oiwa get Oleg with the NECK TWIST SPLASH COMBO! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up again!

TMDK hauls Oleg up to double whip! Oleg ELBOWS Oiwa away, Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Hartley, then they send Oiwa and ZSJ into each other! Oleg CLOBBERS ZSJ & Oiwa! They whip ZSJ into a corner, Goto LARIATS, Oleg SPLASHES, and Hashi CHOPS! Then a feed to the FIERCE FLASH! Hashi calls it, and they get ZSJ up! Oleg is on defense, but Oleg catches him into a SLEEPER! SHOTO for ZSJ!! Cover, Hartley BREAKS it! The fans fire up as the teams brawl again! Hashi SUPERKICKS Hartley, then they hit GOTO GO TO HUNTER! They kick Oiwa, double whip, but Oiwa breaks the double lariat to DOUBLE LARIAT back!

The fans fire up, but now Oleg clinches Oiwa! BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up again, Oleg runs at ZSJ and SPLASHES! Then he fireman’s carries ZSJ, but ZSJ slips free! ZSJ trips Oleg, turns him over, JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH!! TMDK WINS!!

Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

It was a wild ride, but in the end, The Mighty Don’t Kneel! Hartley finally gets a championship here in NJPW, and now “The Chin & The Mullet” will be bringing these belts with them to New Year’s Dash. Will 2026 truly be a mighty year?

IWGP Women’s & NJPW Strong Women’s Championships Winner Takes All: Syuri VS Saya Kamitani!

Two rising stars who have been making history all over the wrestling world now collide to make even more history together! Will the Karate Girl add another belt to the collection? Or will the Golden Phoenix truly be golden?

The introductions are made, both titles are raised, and we now crown the Queen of NJPW!

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two stare down. They circle, feel things out, and tie up. Syuri waistlocks but Saya pries free to switch. Syuri switches to snapmare and chinlock, but Saya slips around to hammerlock. Syuri rolls to wrench and wristlock back, but Saya fires a body shot. Saya wrenches, Syuri rolls and wrenches back, then Syuri hammerlocks to headlock. Saya fires more body shots, then powers up and out. Saya hurdles, but Syuri shoves her and blows past, only for Saya to go Matrix! Saya rolls Syuri, Syuri rolls through, but Saya ducks the buzzsaw! Saya smiles while the fans cheer the standoff.

Saya and Syuri reset, and Saya eggs Syuri on. Syuri shoves Saya, then she dodges the lariat to DROPKICK Saya to a corner. Syuri runs in, KNEES low, and reels Saya in for a HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Syuri stays on Saya with an ARMBAR! Saya clasps her hands, fights around, and kicks her way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Syuri lets go. Syuri brings Saya up, reels her in again, and snapmares for a KICK to the back! Saya writhes and the fans rally while Syuri waits. Saya sits up, and Syuri KICKS her again! Saya yelps in pain, but Syuri runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Saya stays in this.

Syuri stomps Saya, runs the ropes, but Saya uses the ref as a shield! Then Saya runs to DROPKICK Syuri! The fans are torn but Saya runs again, but Syuri SOBATS! Syuri runs, but Saya’s teammates distract the ref and trip Syuri up! The fans rally up while Syuri tumbles out of the ring. Saya takes aim for the springboard SUPER CROSSBODY! Down goes everyone and the fans fire up again! Saya stands tall as the fans cheer, and she puts Syuri back in the ring. Saya then storms over to stand Syuri up, only for Syuri to ROCK her! Saya comes back to ROCK Syuri! The fans rally as Syuri nods, and she ROCKS Saya! Syuri eggs Saya on, so Saya ROCKS Syuri!

The forearms go back and forth, faster and faster! The fans fire up as neither woman stops! Saya fires a flurry, and goes an extra round, to then DECK Syuri! The fans fire up, Saya runs, but Syuri follows! LARIAT at the ropes! Syuri runs, but Saya ROCKS her at the ropes! Saya runs, WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up again, Saya storms back up to Syuri, but they DOUBLE FOREARM! Both women stagger but stay standing. They run back in and DOUBLE FOREARM again! Saya runs up, but Syuri dodges to V-TRIGGER! The fans fire up and Syuri feeds off the energy! Syuri goes up the corner, but Saya rises!

Saya ROCKS Syuri with a forearm, then climbs up the corner. The fans rally as Saya goes to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER STEINER! Then she drags Syuri up to FISHERMAN NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Syuri survives but Saya sits her up! KAMI- NO, Syuri stops the knee, spins Saya, but Saya DRAGON WHIPS her down! Saya goes up the corner now, but Syuri rises! Syuri ROCKS Saya, goes up to the very top, and she hooks an arm?! SUPER DUPER WRISTLOCK TAKEDOWN!! Then KIMURA!! Saya endures, flails, but Syuri switches it up to a SILVER CLUTCH! Saya endures, kicks around again, but then Syuri legscissors the arm!

The fans rally and Saya’s teammates coach her, but she’s stuck at the middle as Syuri makes this a DISARMER! Saya still kicks, still fights, still reaches out, but Syuri DROPS back with the arm! Saya flails and finds the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Syuri lets Saya go, and Syuri drags Saya up to for a DRAPING DDT! Cover, TWO! Saya survives and the fans applaud, but Syuri stands Saya up. Syuri scoops but Saya slips free! Saya HEEL KICKS Syuri down! Saya vows to end this now, and she drags Syuri up. The fans rally as Saya reels Syuri in, hooks the leg, but Syuri slips free! GERMAN SUPELX! But Saya lands out!?

Saya dodges Syuri, rolls her, then lifts, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up again and Saya drags Syuri back up. Saya hooks the leg, STAR CRUSHER!! Cover, TWO?!? Syuri survives the modified Fisherman Buster and the fans are thunderous! Saya rises again, vowing to finally put this away! She reels Syuri back in, adds an extra spin, but Syuri slips free of Star Crusher to wrangle the arm! DISARMER!!! Saya endures, rolls, slips free, but the PENALTY KICK hits! Cover, TWO!! Saya survives and the fans fire up as Syuri roars! Syuri scoops Saya for the RYUEN! Cover, TWO!! Saya survives and the fans fire up again!

Syuri drags Saya up, and Electric Chair Lifts! But Saya POISON-RANAS out of it! Cover, TWO!! Saya goes to a corner, runs back in, JUMP KICK! Then she runs, but Syuri ROUNDHOUSES! Syuri roars, runs, but Saya RANAS! Cover, TWO!!! Syuri escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Then she waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Saya staggers back to her feet, but another ROUNDHOUSE finds her! And the BUZZSAW!! Cover, TWO!??! Saya survives and the fans fire back up! Syuri sits Saya up, aims, and BUZZSAWS!! Saya tumbles, Syuri drags her back up, and hoists her into the Electric Chair Lift! Saya fights, but Syuri still pops her into a fireman’s carry! SYU-SEKAI!! Cover, SYURI WINS!

Winner: Syuri, by pinfall (DUAL IWGP Women’s & NJPW Strong Women’s Champion)

It is truly Syuri’s World now! God’s Eye is truly on her as she has both belts. Saya grabs at Syuri’s hair to tell her this is far from over. But for now, Syuri stands tall as THE woman in NJPW! But will she only continue her conquest as 2026 rolls on?

10 Man Tag: David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, “Drilla” Dan Moloney, Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi VS Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman, HENARE, Andrade El Idolo & ???

If we’re being honest, both factions in this fight have been losing numbers left and right. But Bullet Club made an alliance with the Unaffiliated, and perhaps they are the stronger for it. Can they come out of this as the top dogs in NJPW? Or will they be conquered by the United Empire and their new allies?

Speaking of that, “The Benefactor” was one surprise, but what is the final surprise? It’s… JAKE LEE?! Wasn’t he supposed to be a War Dog?! Well, he got injured pretty early into his contract, so now he’s changed his allegiance! Will this betrayal lead to victory? Or can The Savage King and his soldiers still win the war?

The teams sort out, but then they just brawl! Finlay goes after Callum, Gabe brawls with Andrade, Takagi brawls with Henare, Khan is after Drilla, leaving Hiromu to go after Jake! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands. Things start spilling out of the ring, leaving Gabe and Andrade to fire hands at the bell! They CHOP and CHOP while Finlay now has Jake and fires off furious fists! Andrade CHOPS Gabe, whips him to ropes, but Gabe KICKS Andrade! Gabe whips Andrade, Andrade goes Spider-Man and tranquilo. Gabe runs up but Andrade DUMPS him out! Andrade BOOTS Gabe away, then triangle jump TORNILLOS!

The fans fire up while Gabe falls! Andrade puts Gabe in, goes up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Andrade eggs Gabe on. Andrade suplexes, Gabe slips free, and Gabe ROCKS Andrade! Gabe LARIATS Andrade up and out! Gabe fires up, and he goes up, out, and up the corner?! ASAI MOONSAULT from Gabe! The fans fire up with Gabe, and he hurries to put Andrade in the ring. Gabe powers up the arm, but Andrade waistlocks. Gabe ELBOWS free, runs, but into a BOOT! Andrade CHOPS Gabe, then runs, but into a RIGHT HAND! Gabe roars, then runs, COMEBACK- NO, Andrade blocks!

Gabe blocks a lariat but not the SHADOW ELBOW! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Andrade and Gabe crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Henare! The fans fire up as they DOUBLE LARIAT! Takagi runs to RAM Henare, Henare rebounds to RAM Takagi, repeat! Then Takagi HEADBUTTS! Henare fires fast hands, but Takagi DOUBLE CHOPS! Takagi whips Henare to a corner, runs in, but blocks a boot to LARIAT! Takagi runs, but Henare follows to LARIAT! Henare runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT! The fans fire up again and Takagi drags Henare up. Henare swings, but into a spin and suplex! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally and Takagi gets them fired up. “TOKI-” NO, Khan CLOBBERS Takagi! The fans boo but Khan rains down fists while the rest of the team goes after Finlay and the rest. Khan then lifts Takagi, ASSISTED POWERBOMB with Henare! Cover, TWO! Takagi toughs it out and the fans rally up. Henare stalks Takagi, then clamps on the half nelson! Full nelson! Takagi fights the Ultima Nelson! The fans rally with “OI! OI! OI!” Henare ducks an elbow to HEADBUTT Takagi! Then SHINING WIZARD in the corner! And RUGBY KICK! But Takagi’s right up to PUMPING BOMBER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!

Takagi hot tags Drilla, and Drilla waistlocks Henare. Henare fires elbows, then runs, but Drilla hurdles, drops down, and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Drilla and he WRECKS Henare with a dropkick! Gabe BLASTS Callum down, Drilla puts Henare back in, and the fans fire up with Takagi. Takagi scoops and SLAMS Henare, then goes up, YUKON ELBOW! Drilla goes up, MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Henare stays in this, but the War Dragons say, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans join in with “OI! OI! OI!” as they RAM LARIAT COMBO! But Henare fights off CHOPS and forearms! ELBOW! JAB! Henare roars, but Drilla UPPERCUTS and Takagi LARIATS!

Drilla gets moving, GORE! Cover, TWO!! Henare survives but the fans rally up again. The War Dragons drag Henare back up, double pump handle, but Henare fights free! Henare sends Takagi into Drilla, but Takagi ELBOWS Henare! And JABS! Henare stays put! Takagi breaks free to HEADBUTT! Henare HEADBUTTS back! Drilla ENZIGIRIS! Then he runs, but into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Hot tags to Callum and Finlay! They fire off forearms and the fans fire up! Finlay gets the edge, then whips, but Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and speeds up to BOOT Finlay down!

The fans fire up, but Finlay’s right back up! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Finlay rains down fists, the ref reprimands, but Finlay stops at the count of 4. Finlay then crossface forearms Callum again and again, then reels Callum in. Canadian Rack, CANADIAN- NO, Callum slips free to BODY BLOW! Finlay sputters, staggers, but he runs back up. Callum ENZIGIRIS, SUPERKICKS, but Finlay ROLLING ELBOWS! Both men stagger, Finlay runs, but Callum DROPKICKS Finlay down! The fans fire up while both men sputter at the ropes. Tag to Jake Lee! Jake stands Finlay up, whips, and ELBOWS Finlay down!

Jake stomps away on Finlay, then whips him to a corner hard! Jake scoops Finlay on the rebound, then SLAMS him down! Cover, ONE, and Finlay flips Jake off. Jake just powers up the hand, guzels Finlay, but Finlay kicks free! Jake comes back to guzel again, CHOKE- STUNNER! Finlay turns things around, and he hurries to hot tag Hiromu! The fans fire up, and Hiromu whips Finlay into Jake! Jake falls, and Hiromu does it again! Finlay reverses, Hiromu SPLASHES in the corner! Then Finlay whips Hiromu, Hiromu reverses, Finlay CANNONBALLS Jake! The fans fire up the dysfunctional dynamic, but Finlay kicks Hiromu!

Finlay lifts Hiromu, CANADIAN HAMMER SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Hirom fires up to fireman’s carry, but Jake’s too tall! Jake CLAWS Hiromu’s face, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs, but into a kitchen sink knee! Jake runs corner to corner, but Hiromu ducks the boot! Gabe runs in and LARIATS Jake! Jake sits down, Gabe SPITS on him, and Gabe blocks Andrade’s kick to UPPERCUT! Gabe runs, but Callum jumps in! DOUBLE BOOTS for Gabe! Drilla jump sin, he ELBOWS Andrade and BOOTS Callum! SPINEBUSTER for Andrade! Callum ROUNDHOUSES Drilla! Callum springboards, but Drilla catches him to a DRILLA-

NO, Callum lands out! Drilla avoids the kick, but not the BOOT! Drilla SPITS at Callum, Callum BOOTS again! Callum runs, but into a DROPKICK! Callum yoyos and HEEL KICKS! Handspring and- DRILLA KILLA!!! A scary landing for Callum but Khan runs up! Drilla LARIATS, but Khan doesn’t budge! IRON CLAW and FALL AWAY SLAM! Takagi is in, but Khan IRON CLAWS for ELIMI- NO, Takagi breaks free! Khan IRON CLAWS and HEADBUTTS, then runs, into a LARIAT! Takagi runs, Khan ducks the lariat, and he BOOTS Takagi! Takagi rebounds to PUMPING BOMBER! But Henare BODY BLOWS! And HEEL KICKS!

Henare then reels Takagi in, btu Takagi whips free! Takagi LARIATS Henare and himself out of the ring! Finlay brings Hiromu around, lifts him up, and he POWERBOMBS Hiromu out onto everyone! The fans are thunderous for the Savage King as he shakes the ropes! Hiromu gets up and he SLAPS Finlay on the corner! Hiromu then climbs up to bring Finlay around, and he SUPER DUPER PLEXES Finlay onto everyone!! The fans are thunderous as the Ticking Timebomb runs around the ring! But then Jake BOOTS him down! Jake puts Hiromu in the ring, in a corner, and he locks on target! FACEBREAKER SHOT!! Cover, The Empire wins!

Winners: Great-O-Khan, Callum Newman, Henare, Andrade El Idolo & Jake Lee, by pinfall

Jake brushes himself off, he is a true gentlemanly killer. And he was also the ace in the hole for The United Empire against the War Dogs. But wait, who is this in the mask? They SUPERKICK Hiromu, and it’s another surprise for the Empire! Francesco Akira is back! The Fire Crown essentially stakes his claim to Hiromu’s GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion, will the Empire truly conquer the world?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: SHO VS El Desperado VS Kosei Fujita VS Taiji Ishimori!

Anyone else getting deja vu? Pretty sure we’ve already seen the Murder Machine gatekeeping who can challenge Japones Del Mal for THE title in the Junior Heavyweight Division. Be that as it may, will Sho continue to deny others their fair shot at Douki’s gold? Or will someone overcome the odds that are stacked against them?

Speak of the devil, Douki is here himself! And he gets the mic to say, “Sorry to keep you waiting for Sho, but it is time for the start of the Douki Games! Drink it all in!” The fans boo, but Fujita makes his entrance first, followed by Taiji, then Desperado, and lastly, Sho. Kanemaru is also out here, perhaps as both security for Douki and an insurance policy for Sho. The ref wants Kanemaru to go away, Douki is cornerman enough for Sho, but then Taiji ARIHARA MOONSAULTS onto Kanemaru & Sho! The fans fire up as the Bone Soldier takes them both down! Taiji puts Sho in and the bell rings to get this on record!

Taiji & Fujita whip Sho to a corner, and Taiji runs in for DOUBLE KNEES! Despy runs in and LARIATS! Fujita runs in and CHOPS! Fujita & Despy send Sho to Taiji for a JUMP KNEE! But the teamwork stops as Despy stops Taiji from hitting Bloody Cross, and gives him a LOCO MONO! The fans fire, but Fujita stops Despy from hitting Pinche Loco to UPPERCUT him down! Then Fujita torture racks Sho, but Taiji pokes Fujita in the eye! But then Despy, Taiji and Fujita all realize they should stick to the plan and focus on Sho. They kick Sho around as he tries to scurry away, and he begs for mercy. He then says look! They all look, and Sho runs away!

Without Sho literally in the middle, Despy, Taiji, and Fujita start trading shots with each other! Despy ROCKS Fujita, ROCKS Taiji, but Fujita KICKS and ELBOWS and CHOPS in return! Fujita runs, but into DOUBLE ELBOWS! Taiji & Despy double whip Fujita to ropes, but Fujita stops himself. Fujita BOOTS Despy, DUMPS Taiji, then GAMANGIRIS Taiji and dodges Despy! Fujita RANAS Despy outta the ring, then goes to the corner. Sho runs in, but Fujita ROCKS him first! Sho staggers, Fujita springboards, but Sho dodges! Sho runs up, Fujita slips around, but Sho fights the German Suplex. Fujita ducks an elbow to CHOP!

Sho JUMP KNEES, Fujita HEEL KICKS! Fujita runs, but Sho uses the ref as a shield! But Fujita is ready and drop toeholds Sho into the surfboard! NEMOS SPECIAL!! Despy slips back in, as does Taiji! They keep Sho from tapping or verbally quitting, and the fans cheer as poor Sho suffers! Douki is upset, but then Taiji & Despy STOMP Fujita to set Sho free. Sho sputters and flops out of the ring, then Despy hits Fujita with a BIG back suplex! Feed to Taiji and he scoops to BACKBREAKER! Fujita scrambles out and the veteran rivals now stand alone. The fans cheer, and then Despy CHOPS! Taiji CHOPS! Despy CHOPS! Repeat!

The fans rally, they both throw forearms now, and they go back and forth! Taiji gets the edge, but Despy fires up! But then Taiji CLAWS Despy’s eyes! Taiji runs, but into an ELBOW! Despy runs, but into a BOOT! Taiji whips, Despy reverses, but Taiji handsprings to RED DOT KICK! The fans fire up again as Taiji hammerlocks and scoops Despy. Despy slips free, then wrenches Taiji to gut wrench and GUITARRA DEL ANGEL! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again and Despy underhooks. PINCHE- NO, Taiji slips free to LA MYSTICA! Then STANDING MOONSAULT KNEE-DROP! The fans fire up as Taiji aims from a corner!

Despy sits up, Taiji says BANG and he reels him in, BLOODY CROSS! But Fujita and Sho are back! Sho scoops Fujita to SLAM him onto the ref!! The fans laugh then boo, then Douki & Kanemaru jump in! The fans boo as the House mugs Taiji! Douki brings the Death Pipe into the ring and CLOBBERS Taiji! The fans boo but now Sho has his Torture Tool! Sho winds up, but ROBBIE EAGLES is here! SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICK for Sho! And Robbie X is here, too! He dodges to handspring and DOUBLE LETHAL INJECTION! The fans fire up as Robbie & Robbie have evened things up!

Wait, now Kuukai is here! He builds speed and Robbie gives him a boost to DOUBLE DROPKICK Douki & Kanemaru! Eagles builds speed and he DIVES! Cannonball tope takes out Douki & Kanemaru, but Eagles resets them for Kuukai’s TORNILLO TOPE! The fans fire up again and now Robbie X aims! He springboards to MOONSAULT them all down! The fans fire up things are even again, and Fujita goes up! But Sho SMACKS him with the “Black Mirror!” SMACK for Eagles, too!! The fans boo but Sho puts the ref back in. Sho tells the ref to do his job! Sho reels Fujita in, tucks the arms, SHOCK ARROW!! Cover, DESPY DECKS SHO!!

The fans are thunderous as the Rogue Luchador saves the day! JAY DRILLER!! Then PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, DESPY WINS!!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship)

Douki is panicking because now he has to face the music! Will Douki survive much longer as champion with the Rogue Luchador chasing him down? Or will the House stack the deck higher than they ever have before?

The tron has a message.

Jun Kasai says that now, the Death Pain Invitacional is now the DEATH VEGAS INVITACIONAL! April 16th, 2026, who’s ready to roll the dice and gamble with their own bodies?

NEVER Openweight Championship: EVIL VS Aaron Wolf!

Now this is historic! The King of Darkness isn’t just defending this title against someone in their first NJPW match, but against someone in their first pro-wrestling match period! The Olympic gold medal judoka makes the jump to the squared circle, but will he get more gold right from the jump? Or will Darkness Fall on Wolf’s debut?

For the challenger’s entrance, taiko drummer Keiji Suzuki performs, heralding in the Golden Beast, Aaron Wolf! He cut his hair short, trimmed his beard short, and wears the Young Lion gear! He is already preparing to be at the bottom, even though he goes for the top! Meanwhile, KENJI03 rocks out live on guitar for Evil as he has Dick Togo, Sanada, Don Fale, Yujiro Takahashi & Ren Narita follow him to the ring. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Everything Is Evil!

Evil kicks Wolf before the bell! The fans boo but Wolf fires back! They brawl, the bell rings, and the fans rally behind Wolf as the shots keep going! Wolf fires a flurry, but Evil CLAWS Wolf’s eyes! The ref counts, Evil headlocks, but Wolf fires body shots. Wolf powers up and out, they RAM shoulders, and neither man falls! Wolf runs to RAM Evil, then runs again, but Evil kicks low! Evil runs, but Wolf RUNS him over! The fans fire up with Wolf and he whips corner to corner. Wolf runs in and LARIATS Evil! Wolf reels Evil in for a suplex! The fans fire up as Wolf runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Evil bails out and the ref keeps Wolf back!

Evil is frustrated already, but Wolf eggs him on. The ref has Wolf stay back while Evil catches his breath. Evil goes looking under the ring and he brings out a chair. Wolf rushes out after Evil but Evil slides into the ring. Evil then BLASTS Wolf off the apron! Evil argues with the ref, but just so the House can attack! The fans boo, Yoh & Wato are ringside and protest on Wolf’s behalf, but Evil goes out to drag Wolf up and around the way. Evil has Wolf at the ramp, CLAWS his eyes, then grabs a chair! Evil puts the chair around Wolf’s neck! Evil winds up, HOMERUN! The fans boo as Evil says it went yard. Evil laughs and leaves Wolf behind for the ring count.

The fans rally for Wolf while he writhes, this is certainly a crash course in pro-wrestling. Evil “puts one out” while the count climbs, and Wolf stirs at 6 of 20. Wolf checks his neck, rises up at 10, and the fans rally even harder. Evil pretends he’s running the bases, but Wolf is in at 15! The fans cheer, but Evil is right on Wolf. Evil whips Wolf into bare buckles! The fans boo as the House of Torture Special snuck in there! Evil drags Wolf up and taunts him about being in over his head. Evil whips Wolf back in, and Wolf hits bare buckles again! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO!! Evil tries a double knuckle lock cover! TWO!! Evil hooks the leg, TWO!!

The fans fire up as Wolf shows his grit and Evil is shocked! Evil taunts Yoh & Wato, then scuffs Wolf. Evil talks more trash, tells the ref to just call it, but Wolf is stirring. The fans rally up for Wolf, Evil tells them to shut up, but the ref does check. Wolf sits up, Evil is on him, but Wolf CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Evil CLAWS Wolf’s eyes again! But Wolf bends the fingers, and then reels Evil in for IPPON! Dick gets on the apron, Wolf SLINGSHOTS him into the ring! But Yujiro sneaks in! Wolf kicks him first, IPPON! Ren tries, kick and IPPON! Sanada tries, kick and IPPON! The fans fire up with Wolf, but Evil uses POCKET SAND!!

The fans boo as Evil kicks low and hooks a leg! FISHERMAN BUSTER! Evil then gets the legs, steps through, and turns Wolf over! SCORPION DEATHLOCK!! Evil sits deep on Wolf, but Wolf just powers up! The fans fire up with Wolf as he pushes up off the mat! But Evil drags him from the ropes! Evil puts on the pressure, but Wolf fights up again! He fights his way forward, to the ROPEBREAK! The fans are thunderous, but Evil is frustrated as he lets go. Evil “apologizes” to the ref and comes back to taunt Wolf. The fans rally as hard as they can, and Evil drags Wolf up. Evil runs, LARIATS, but Wolf stays up!?

The fans fire up while Evil is stunned! Evil LAREIATS again, but Wolf is still up! Wolf fires a flurry of forearms! Evil ROCKS and ROLLING ELBOWS, then LARIATS! Wolf falls but Evil has him rise again. Evil runs, but into a HIGH SNAP POWERSLAM!! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous again and Wolf rises back up. Wolf drags Evil up and reels him in, OLYMPIC SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives but the fans still rally for Wolf. Wolf roars, drags Evil up, and scoops again, for a SLAM! Wolf shouts, “IKU ZO!” The fans are with Wolf as he goes up, for a DIVING BODY PRESS!! Cover, YUJIRO YANKS THE REF OUT!

The fans boo as Tokyo Pimp screws Wolf! Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER, and he sets Wolf up for Ren’s PUSHUP- NO! Wolf blocks the bar! So Ren LOW BLOWS instead! The fans boo, but Yoh & Wato DOUBLE SUPERKICK Ren! Sanada and Yujiro go after them, then feed Wato to Fale’s SHOULDER TACKLE! They feed Yoh to a SHOULDER TACKLE! They mug Yano, and feed him to Fale’s SHOULDER TACKLE! Then Dick gets a TABLE in the ring! The fans boo as Fale CHUCKS it at Wolf! The table is then set up in a drop zone, and Fale goes up the corner?! Evil & Dick put Wolf on the table, Fale DIVING BODY PRESSES through the table!!

The fans boo as hard as they can but The House clears out the wreckage to hide the evidence! They get the ref back in the ring, but the fans rally for Wolf as hard as they can. Evil laughs as he runs, LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!?!? The fans fire up again while Evil is shocked! Evil slashes his throat and vows to finish this now! Evil drags Wolf up, and he wants the cameras to see this! EVERY- IPPON!! ARMBAR!! Evil hurries to stack Wolf and scrape his face, but Wolf just THROWS Evil down! INVERTED TRIANGLE!! Evil is caught! The fans go nuts while Hontai keeps the House out of the ring! EVIL IS OUT!! WOLF WINS!!!

Winner: Aaron Wolf, by submission (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)

Tokyo Dome erupts! As much as they wanted Wolf to win, they can’t believe he DID win! Evil is half-conscious now, but will he ever live this down? As for Wolf, he’s already captured a title and he only just got here! Is his future in pro-wrestling just that bright?

IWGP World Heavyweight & IWGP Global Heavyweight Championships Winner Takes All: Konosuke Takeshita VS Yota Tsuji!

The Alpha won G1 Climax 35, then won the title at King of Pro-Wrestling, while the Gene Blaster took his title from Gabe Kidd in an epic tiebreaker. Both men want to define Strong Style in this new age, but only one man can have both belts! Will Konosuke Takeshita prove he is THE Alpha of Wrestling? Or will Yota make NJPW truly tranquilo?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and as 2026 begins, there can only be one at the top of the mountain!

It’s of note that Konosuke wears a red ribbon armband a la Shinsuke Nakamura in his younger days. Is this a declaration that the Alpha wants to be the new King of Strong Style? The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two step up. Both men point out their part of the crowd cheering them on, and the dueling only gets louder. The two circle, tie up, and Konosuke waistlocks, only for Yota to wrench and wristlock. Konosuke spins, slips through, and wrenches to wristlock. Yota rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, then headlocks. Konosuke wrenches, headlocks, but Yota powers him to ropes. Konosuke turns things around, and the ref calls the break.

Yota dares Konosuke to hit him, but Konosuke steps back. The fans applaud as the two reset. They circle again, tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Yota goes for an arm. Yota then slips around to waistlock but Konosuke fights the full nelson. Yota powers up but Konosuke drop toeholds. Konosuke keeps on the leg, then floats to a chinlock stretch. Yota fights to his feet, puts Konosuke on the ropes, and the ref calls the break. Yota lets go slowly, then pats Konosuke on the shoulder, before he SLAPS him! The fans fire up while Konosuke scowls. Konosuke swings, but into a BODY BLOW! Yota fires more shots, then whips, but Konosuke reverses, only for Yota to RANA!

The fans fire up as Konosuke tumbles out of the ring! Yota builds speed, but he stops as Konosuke goes around the way. The fans boo but Yota now waits on Konosuke. Konosuke steps up to the apron, then steps inside, and the fans duel as the two reset again. They tie up, Konosuke headlocks, but Yota fires body shots. Yota powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The two stay up, so Yota runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke rebounds to RAM Yota, and Yota rebounds into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Yota reverses, but Konosuke ducks ‘n’ dodges to TAKESHITA LINE! The fans rally up while Konosuke catches his breath.

Konosuke drags Yota around to clamp on a chinlock. Yota endures, but Konosuke grabs an arm to have a COBRA CLUTCH! Yota endures and reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud, and Konosuke lets go to stand Yota up. Yota fires more body shots, but Konosuke CHOPS in return! A blunt shot as Yota clutches his chest, but Konosuke stands him up to CHOP him down! Konosuke then drags Yota up, whips him to ropes, but Yota reverses to kitchen sink knee! The fans cheer while Konosuke is down and Yota goes to a corner. The fans continue to duel, and Yota runs in for a STINGER SPLASH!

Yota runs to RUN Konosuke over, then he runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again as Konosuke stays in this. Yota paces before he brings Konosuke up. Yota reels Konosuke in, but Konosuke fights the suplex! Konosuke shoves Yota, but Yota avoids the elbow to half nelson and GUT BUSTER! Konosuke coughs, takes a swing, but Yota catches him to a spin. But Konosuke suplexes first! BRAINBUSTER! Yota scrambles to a corner, clutching a shoulder. The ref checks Yota, then keeps Konosuke back. Yota goes to the apron while he shakes out that bad arm, but Konosuke pushes past the ref!

Konosuke hauls Yota right up and APRON DDTS! The fans are torn as Yota falls to the floor, but Konosuke just smirks as he brings Yota back up. Konosuke whips Yota into railing! Then he runs up and BOOTS Yota over the railing! Konosuke leaves Yota behind for the ring count to handle. Yota already sits up as he clutches his shoulder, and the fans rally up as he slowly stands up. We’re already at 10 of 20 but Yota hobbles his way over, and he rolls in at 13. Konosuke storms up but Yota fires body shot after body shot! The ALPHA ELBOW knocks Yota down! Then Konosuke NECK TWISTS Yota a la Steven Segal!

Yota writhes and Konosuke goes up the corner, SUPER SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yota survives and the fans cheer, but Konosuke clamps on with a chinlock. Konosuke grinds Yota down, twists him around, and shifts into a chinlock stretch! Yota still endures while the fans rally up, but Konosuke pulls him back! Yota still fights, but Konosuke adds a COBRA CLUTCH to it! Yota reaches with his foot, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Konosuke lets go in frustration. The dueling continues, but it sounds more in favor of Yota than Konosuke. Konosuke stands Yota up to whip him to the corner. Konosuke runs in, but Yota ducks the knee!

Konosuke tumbles up and out, and Yota fires up as he takes aim! Yota builds speed, but Konosuke slides in! RANA! Yota tumbles out, and now Konosuke builds speed! Konosuke FLIES, and direct hit on Yota! The fans fire up while both men are down by the ramp. The ring count returns, but Konosuke already stands at 5 of 20. Konosuke goes up the ramp to walk it off, but he puts Yota in at 15 of 20. The fans applaud as this continues, and Konosuke aims from a corner. Konosuke runs corner to corner, forearm SMASH! Snapmare, then Konosuke runs back in, only for Yota to dodge the knee! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, CURB STOMP!

The fans fire up as the Gene Combination hits! Konosuke rises again but Yota runs, only for Konosuke to BOOT! Konosuke whips, scoops, but Yota uses that to arm-drag! Konosuke tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up again! Yota builds speed and FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans fire up for the direct hit on Konosuke! Yota hurries to get Konosuke up and into the ring, and the fans fire up again as he shouts. Yota goes up the corner for a DIVING DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives that coup de grace and the fans fire up again. Konosuke clutches his chest and ribs while Yota rises again.

The fans rally and duel even harder, and Yota feels that energy. Yota goes back to Konosuke, stands him up, and goes up the corner, MARLOWE- NO, Konosuke dodges! Then DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! DOUBLE LARIATS again, and Yota falls to his knees! Konosuke runs, but Yota dodges to GENE TRIGGER! WAGAMAMA KNEE on return!! Konosuke hurries to scoop and tuck for the BAS- NO, Yota fights and flips things around! Yota tucks Konosuke in, BASTARD DRIVER!! And then WHEELBARROW GERMAN! Yota uses Konosuke’s combo, but Konosuke uses GENE BLASTER?!?

Both men are down and can’t make the cover! The fans are thunderous as Yota rolls away and Konosuke pursues! Yota makes it to the ropes for safety and the fans rally even harder. Konosuke rises up, and he eggs Yota on. Yota slowly stands, gets in Konosuke’s face, but Konosuke ROCKS him! Yota BODY BLOWS! Konosuke ROCKS Yota again! Yota shakes that off to BODY BLOW again! Konosuke walks that off, comes back, and ROCKS Yota! Yota BODY BLOWS, Konosuke ROCKS, repeat! The fans rally as the shots keep going back and forth! Both men lean on the other, then Konosuke fires boxing elbows!

Konosuke winds up, ROLLING- BODY BLOW from Yota! Konosuke falls to the mat! The fans fire up again while Yota eggs Konosuke on. Konosuke stands, winds up, but Yota BODY BLOWS! Konosuke still fires a shot! Yota BODY BLOWS, Konosuke URAKENS, but Yota SUPERKICKS! Yota roars, but then his arm holds him back! ALPHA ELBOW!! And then a lift, but Yota slips free of the bomb to CANADIAN DESTROYER!! Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! Yota backs off to a corner while Konosuke sputters. GENE- NO, Konosuke dodges to then GERMAN SUPLEX! But Yota’s right up?! GENE BLASTER into the corner!

Both men fall again and the fans are thunderous! The ref checks, Yota and Konosuke are both able to continue, and they slowly rise again. Yota nods as he stands, and he roars to power up! The fans cheer as he aims from the corner, GENE- WAGAMAMA KNEE!! Konosuke hurries to lift Yota back up, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! But that’s not enough, as Konosuke reels Yota in! RAGING- NO, Yota fights and fights, but Konosuke powers through! RAGING FIRE!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Yota survives by a literal foot and Konosuke is shocked! The fans rally up again as Konosuke rises to his feet. Konosuke scowls as he looms over Yota.

Konosuke brings Yota up, but Yota’s a ragdoll. The ref checks on Yota but Konosuke stands him up. Yota pushes Konosuke away, so Konosuke eggs Yota on. The fans duel as Yota shakes out the bad arm, and he winds up to CHOP! Konosuke brushes it off, then takes off his armband. Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS again! Yota drops right to his knees and the fans fire up again! Yota sits up, gritting his teeth, and Konosuke runs in! WAGA- NO! Yota stops the knee! And he gets under Konosuke to POWERBOMB! Then he flips Konosuke over, to OVER-BOMB! The fans fire up again as Yota hoists Konosuke up top!

Yota climbs up behind Konosuke, dragon sleepers, but Konosuke fights! Yota rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS in return! The fans fire up, the ref reprimands, but Yota still drags Konosuke up! INVERTED SUPERPLEX!! Cover, TWO?!? Konosuke survives and the fans fire up again while Yota reloads in the corner. Yota runs in, GENE- NO, Konosuke sidesteps again! But Yota switches the waistlock! Konosuke switches, goes up, POISON-RANA! Konosuke roars, the fans fire up, but Yota’s right on Konosuke! GENE TRIGGER in the corner! The fans continue to duel, and Yota sees Konosuke sit up!

Yota goes up, MARLOWE- NO! Konosuke shoves Yota onto the post! Konosuke climbs up to the very top, and he brings Yota up for a SUPER DUPER BLUE THUNDER BOMB!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? The fans are electric as Yota survives! Konosuke vows to end this! WAGAMAMA KNEE!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?!? Takeshita can’t believe it but Yota survives! The fans are electric again, but Konosuke trusts in his Strong Style, and he brings down his kneepad. Konosuke aims from the corner as Yota sits up, BARE BONE WAGAMAMA- HEADBUTT!! Yota hits first, and then he manages to smile?! Yota roars as he eggs Konosuke on!

Both men rise up forehead to forehead, and then Konosuke dares Yota to hit him again! Yota backs away to a corner, and the two prepare like cowboys at a shootout! They power up, run in, and GENE BLASTER hits first!!! The fans are electric as Yota then flips Konosuke over, BOSTON CRAB!! Yota wants to use the classic Young Lion hold to finish this, but Konosuke powers up! Yota powers Konosuke down! Konosuke bites his own thumb to ignore that pain, and he powers up again!! The fans are electric as Konosuke claws his way over, but Yota just puts on MORE pressure!! KONOSUKE TAPS?!?! YOTA WINS!!!

Winner: Yota Tsuji, by submission (DUAL IWGP World & Global Heavyweight Champion)

The Alpha is furious, but perhaps more with himself than with his opponent! These two fought an instant classic, and it all came down to one of the simplest yet most iconic and effective moves in wrestling! Konosuke will now return to AEW emptyhanded, how will he ever face the Don Callis Family? As for Yota, he is the first man to hold both of these belts, as handed to him by the President of Sansei, the sponsor of WK20. Yota gets a mic to tell Takeshita to hold on a moment. “Oi, Takeshita! I know for a fact that deep within, your spirit has not died. And I know, Takeshita, that I’ve found a wrestle that I can’t possibly bear losing to.”

Yota continues by saying he came up in this NJPW ring, he grew up in this NJPW ring, and they all supported him being in this NJPW ring. It is because of all the fans here tonight, all the staff, and everyone around the world that Yota is here as both Global AND World Heavyweight Champion! Do not forget, this cerulean blue ring is one he is proud to say is- JAKE LEE ATTACKS!? The fans boo as the Gentleman Killer is NOT a gentleman anymore! He puts Yota in the corner for a FACEBREAKER SHOT!! The fans boo but Jake picks up the world title. Jake sets that across Yota’s chest, his target very clear. Will Yota’s run as double champion be over before it even begins?

Final Road – Finish Line: Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Kazuchika Okada!

Not only is this a milestone WrestleKingdom, if it is to be remembered for the next 20 years, it will be remembered for this moment right here. After 26 years in the business, The Ace is moving on from his in-ring career to fully focus on being President of NJPW. And in the most suitable fashion, he is facing perhaps his greatest rival for what will truly be the final time. Will it be one more Rainmaker Shock in the end? Or can Tanahashi retire on top?

The big fight introductions are made, the moment is surreal, and yet it is very real as we all say our final goodbye to The Ace!

Tanahashi takes off the jacket, and for the last time ever, the fans cheer those abs. The bell rings, and the fans are thunderous already as they cheer on Tanahashi with all they have one last time. Tanahashi and Okada circle, feel things out, and they tie up. Tanahashi waistlocks, Okada wrenches, but Tanahashi wrenches back. Okada rolls, wrenches, but again Tanahashi wrenches back. Okada rolls again, trips Tanahashi, and he has the toehold, but Tanahashi uses his free leg to hook Okada. Okada fights the armbar, rolls around, and tries to stack, but Tanahashi keeps his shoulders up. Okada slips through to headlock, but Tanahashi wrenches free to facelock.

Both men stand, and Tanahashi hits a double wristlock takedown. Okada keeps his shoulders up, but Tanahashi puts on the pressure. Okada reaches up to headscissor, Tanahashi kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. The Tokyo Dome continues to rally strongly behind Tanahashi, and the two tie up again. They’re in a deadlock, but Okada’s height gives him leverage. Okada has Tanahashi on the ropes, he feints the chop and pats Tanahashi on the shoulder. But then he kicks low! The fans boo but Okada pulls hair to have the headlock. Red Shoes reprimands but Okada mocks the chant, “Go Ace!” Okada grinds the hold, but Tanahashi fights up.

Tanahashi fires body shots, powers up and out, but Okada RUNS him over! Okada does a half Rainmaker pose and the fans boo. Okada brings Tanahashi back up, fires forearms, then CLUBS Tanahashi on the neck. Okada bumps Tanahashi off buckles, whips corner to corner, then runs in, but Tanahashi ELBOWS him away! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up, but Tanahashi skips the air guitar to ELBOW DROP! And SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Now Tanahashi air guitars and the fans cheer. Tanahashi brings Okada up to scoop and SLAM him into the drop zone! The fans cheer as Tanahashi hops up and strikes the pose.

But Okada is up and BODY BLOWS! Then he DROPKICKS Tanahashi off the top! Tanahashi tumbles to apron then floor! The fans boo, then they rally up as Okada goes out to fetch Tanahashi. Okada whips Tanahashi into railing! Then he BOOTS Tanahashi over the railing! Okada taunts the fans, the fans boo in return, and Okada just grins. Okada drags Tanahashi back up, drags him along the railing, and DRAPING DDTS on the floor! Red Shoes reprimands and the fans boo, but Okada “apologizes” as he leaves Tanahashi behind. Okada paces while the fans rally up for Tanahashi. Okada mocks them a bit, then drags Tanahashi up.

Okada RAMS Tanahashi into railing, the fans boo, but Okada shrugs. Red Shoes starts the ring count, but Okada puts Tanahashi in the ring at 4 of 20. Okada then brings Tanahashi up and around, ROCKS him with a forearm, then bumps him off buckles. Okada winds up to ELBOW Tanahashi, and ELBOW him again! And ELBOW him again! Tanahashi slumps down but the fans rally up more. Okada brings Tanahashi around, Tanahashi fires his strike fest, then fires more forearms. Okada kicks low and DDTS! The fans are all stunned with how hard Tanahashi is spiked! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Okada frowns.

Okada looms over Tanahashi, then clamps on a chinlock. Tanahashi endures but the fans rally with “GO ACE! GO ACE!” The entire Tokyo Dome is behind Tanahashi as he rises up and fires body shots. Okada CLUBS Tanahashi, then stalks him to ropes. Okada whips corner to corner, runs in, but Tanahashi dodges! Tanahashi fires fast hands, then whips, but Okada reverses. Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up with Tanahashi as he rises back up! Tanahashi fires more strikes, then he scoops Okada for a SLAM! Tanahashi goes back up the corner and tries this again. Pose and SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO!

The fans rally and Tanahashi powers up. Okada stands, Tanahashi runs, but Okada TOSSES Tanahashi out! But Tanahashi skins the cat! The fans fire up and Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up again while Okada goes to a corner. Tanahashi runs in, but he blocks a boot! DRAGON SCREW again! The fans continue to rally as Tanahashi grabs the legs! Tanahashi ties the legs up, but Okada fights the turnover! Okada CLAWS Tanahashi’s face! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands but Okada goes to a corner. Okada and Tanahashi run in, and Tanahashi DROPKICKS the legs out!

Okada tumbles out of the ring, but Tanahashi goes to the apron. The fans fire up as Tanahashi climbs! One last time, Aces are high, SUPER HIGH FLY ATTACK!! The fans are thunderous for the direct hit and both men are down! Tanahashi rises up first and he crawls to the ring. The ring count starts, and Tanahashi rolls in at 6 of 20. Okada is still down past 8 of 20, but he rises at 10. Okada stands on the apron at 14, steps in at 15, but Tanahashi gets the leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Okada flops back into the ring while the fans rally again. Tanahashi powers up again, runs the ropes, and- FLAPJACK from Okada!

Both men are down again while Gedo applauds from ringside. The fans rally as Okada and Tanahashi slowly rise up. Tanahashi runs in at the corner, but Okada pops him up for the Alabama Lift! REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Okada then drags Tanahashi up, scoops and SLAMS him, then goes to the corner. Standard formula has Okada hit the MACHO ELBOW! And then Okada winds up the Rainmaker… MIDDLE FINGER! The fans boo as this is not the Okada they want! Okada grins as he drags Tanahashi up, waistlocks, but Tanahashi fights the ripcord! Then Tanahashi slips around, and TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Tanahashi stands Okada up, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT again! And then a third TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up, Tanahashi runs, but Okada scoops to TOMBSTONE!! No hesitation nor mercy from Okada on that one, but the fans rally as hard as they can for Tanahashi. Tanahashi sits up in a daze and Okada aims from a corner. Tanahashi stands, but into a SHOTGUN! Tanahashi is sent into buckles, then he tumbles back out of the ring! Okada goes out to fetch Tanahashi again, and he brings Tanahashi to the ramp! They go up the ramp, Okada UPPERCUTS, then he gut wrenches, TOMBSTONE on the ramp!

The fans boo even more and Red Shoes reprimands, but Okada just smirks as he leaves Tanahashi behind. Tanahashi sputters while the fans rally up again. Okada just waits as Red Shoes starts the ring count. Tanahashi slowly sits up but it’s proving difficult. Tanahashi rolls his way down the ramp, but we’re already at 10 of 20! Tanahashi is still so far away as we hit 13! 14! 15! Tanahashi crawls, the fans rally even harder, and we hit 17! 18! Tanahashi springs to life at 19, and he’s in at 19.5! The fans cheer, but Okada’s right on Tanahashi for another scoop and SPINNING TOMBSTONE! Cover, but Okada lets Tanahashi up at two?!

The fans boo but Okada pretends to not know why. Okada ripcords and DISCUS RAINMAKERS! Cover, but Okada lets Tanahashi up again?! The fans boo Okada toying with Tanahashi, but he grins as he drags Tanahashi back up. Okada ripcords Tanahashi for the- DRAGON PLAM! Okada frowns as Tanahashi fires PALM STRIKE after PALM STRIKE! Okada short arm LARIATS Tanahashi down! We pass 20 minutes as Okada winds up again, short arm LARIAT! Okada isn’t done, he drags Tanahashi back up, ripcords, and RAIN- NO, Tanahashi ducks to ripcord and RAINMAKER?!? Both men are down but the fans are thunderous!

Tanahashi rises, he runs, but Okada ducks the slingblade to ripcord! But Tanahashi ducks the Rainmaker, but ducks a lariat! Okada ripcords again, RAINMAKER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Tanahashi survives and Okada seethes but the fans are electric again! Okada has Tanahashi’s legs and turns him over! BOSTON CRAB!! Okada wants to do to Tanahashi what Yota did to Konosuke! The fans rally while Tanahashi endures, but Okada puts on the pressure! Tanahashi still fights, but Okada puts even more pressure on! The fans rally as hard as they ever have, and Tanahashi pushes up again! Tanahashi refuses to give in, and he makes his way over to the ROPEBREAK!!

The fans cheer while Okada lets go in frustration. Okada scuffs Tanahashi, taunts him, but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands, but Okada drags Tanahashi up. Okada whips Tanahashi to ropes, and he DROPKICKS! The fans boo but Okada ripcords again! RAIN- NO, Tanahashi ducks it! But Okada BOOTS Tanahashi! Okada runs, but into a SLINGBLADE! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Okada sits up first, Tanahashi follows, and the fans rally as Tanahashi clamps on with a SLEEPER! Okada endures while the fans chant “GO ACE! GO ACE!” Tanahashi squeezes tight but Okada still rises up!

Okada is turning red, maybe even purple, and he’s fading! Tanahashi sits Okada down, then runs to PENALTY KICK! Shoutout to Shibata! Then Tanahashi shouts out Nakamura! The fans fire up as the spirit of the Three Musketeers is in the Tokyo Dome! “YAO~!” KINSHASA!! Then Tanahashi goes up top, HIGH FLY FLOW!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Okada survives, we hit 25 minutes, and the fans are electric! Both Okada and Tanahashi sit up slowly, perhaps running on fumes, but Tanahashi full nelsons! Okada fights the Dragon Suplex, breaks the nelson, and fires elbows. Okada then scoops again, but Tanahashi slips free!

Okada ducks a lariat, ripcords, but Tanahashi SLINGBLADES! Tanahashi hauls Okada back up, full nelsons, and DRAGON SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Okada escapes with nanoseconds to spare, but Tanahashi goes to a corner! The fans are thunderous again as Tanahashi climbs! HIGH FLY FLOW onto Okada’s back! Then Tanahashi flips Okada over, goes back up top, and HIGH FLY FLOWS, but onto KNEES!! Okada writhes from the double-edged nature of that save, but the fans rally up again! Tanahashi and Okada stir, then slowly rise again. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm!

The fans rally with every shot as these two go back and forth! They lean on each other as they stand, and the fans also give everything they’ve got left as the shots keep going! Tanahashi eggs Okada on, Okada fires forearm after forearm, but Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! Okada UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Tanahashi fires a flurry of forearms! But Okada gets under to waistlock. Tanahashi fights free, DRAGON PALMS, then runs! But into the DROPKICK! Okada drags Tanahashi up, scoops again, but Tanahashi fights it! The fans rally as Tanahashi continues to block the gut wrench!

Okada powers up but Tanahashi tries to gut wrench now! We’ve hit 30 minutes, halfway on this time limit, and Tanahashi gut wrenches?! But Okada fights it to a REVERSE DDT! Maybe even a Destino! Okada then scoops, EMERALD FLOWSION! But Okada won’t stop there, he brings Tanahashi back up to ripcord and RAINMAKER!! Red Shoes can’t look, but Okada still covers. Red Shoes counts it, TWO?!?!?! Tanahashi survives and no one can believe it!! Okada says fine, if that’s how Tanahashi wants it. He encourages the fans to cheer Tanahashi on even more, then he dares Tanahashi to get back up.

Tanahashi stirs, reaches out for Okada, and the fans are as loud as they’ve ever been! Okada nods as Tanahashi sits up. Tanahashi stands, but Okada scoops to SLAM! Then Okada goes to the corner, more of the standard formula! MACHO ELBOW!! And then the Rainmaker… TRUE POSE!! The fans cheer as Okada is turning back the clock! Ripcord and RAINMAKER!!!! Cover, OKADA WINS!!

Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by pinfall

And so, after 33 minutes and 3 seconds, Tanahashi’s final match comes to an end. Okada clocks one last win over Tanahashi, punctuating the final chapter in a storied rival and a legendary career. Okada bows to show his utmost respect for Tanahashi, then he grabs the mic. The fans finally cheer Okada, and he tells Tanahashi, “You must be tired. And let me just say one more thing… Thank you very much.” The fans cheer that, and Okada bows one more time before taking his leave. The AEW International Champion has another claim to fame, will 2026 be the Year of the Rainmaker?

As for Tanahashi, he hears the fans cheering him on, even though he lost. Once he’s caught his breath, he stands, and they begin his retirement ceremony. Tanahashi is handed bouquets by the Bushiroad Owner & CEO, as well as the Sansei R&D Vice-President. But before Tanahashi can grab the mic to speak, JAY WHITE is here?! The fans can’t believe it, but The Switchblade is indeed back in NJPW live and in person, though still an AEW star. White walks down to the ring, fist bumps ELP before he steps into the ring, and he gets to hand Tanahashi his final bouquet. White bows in deep respect and hugs it out with Tanahashi.

Tanahashi & White pose for the photos, then White gives one last bow before exiting. But the surprises keep on coming! WILL OSPREAY is here! The Aerial Assassin fist bumps Shota Umino before he, too, hands Tanahashi a bouquet, bows in respect, and hugs it out with him. Oh, but hold on, now KENNY OMEGA appears! And so does KOTA IBUSHI! The latter is the most surprising given that broken leg he suffered weeks ago. But at the same time, neither of these men were going to miss this moment. The Golden Lovers take their time walking down that ramp, and the others help Kota into the ring.

Omega hands his bouquet first, and Ibushi hands his next. Tanahashi can’t believe Ibushi toughed it out like that! They hug it out, and well, Tanahashi shouted him out during the match so he had to be here! KATSUYORI SHIBATA Returns to NJPW, though he plugs his ears from how loud his theme is playing. Tanahashi’s already emotional and this is just about sending him over the edge. The Wrestler goes to the ring, refuses to use the steps, and he hands Tanahashi his bouquet. Shibata throws off his shirt, and the two have one last collar ‘n’ elbow! Then they CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Then they hug! The fans cheer as even Shibata is tearing up!

But the hits just keep on coming! The Great Keiji Mutoh gets up from his ringside seat so he can hand Tanahashi one more bouquet. Then it’s none other than THE Dragon, Tatsumi Fujinami! Another bouquet, another hug, and another photo op. Tanahashi is on the brink of blubbering, and we got one star-studded line-up for the photo op! The special guests then step back outside, and- WAIT! Tetsuya Naito is here! The fans cheer as the Uncontrollable Charisma uses both his old theme and his new theme, and a lot of time, to keep us waiting. Someone carries the GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Championships with him, but that’s BUSHI! The real Naito walks out right after!

Tanahashi jokes that there’s a time limit on this, they should hurry up already. But Naito being Naito, he does things on his time. Los Tranquilos de Japon hand their bouquets over, and then Naito takes the mic! Naito again doing things his way, “Buenas noches, Tokyo Dome~!” The fans cheer, and Naito says he looked up to Keiji Mutoh, that’s what inspired Naito a pro-wrestler. Once he got closer to that goal, it was Tanahashi who became his example and why he joined NJPW. Last year, Naito left here. And even despite that, Tanahashi is the one who gave Naito this chance to walk down the ramp one more time, so he thanks Tanahashi for that.

Naito says that maybe he’ll never return to this ring again. Probably not. He probably won’t ever be a NJPW wrestler again, but he is looking forward to perhaps meeting Tanahashi as part of NJPW one day. Until then, adios. Naito holds up the LIJ/LTJ fist, the fans are wary, and so is Tanahashi. Tanahashi says why not, and he fist bumps Naito. Tanahashi and Naito bow in respect, and then Naito lightly spits in Tanahashi’s direction. Naito then steps out, and finally, Tanahashi is given his chance to speak. The fans cheer, Hontai drums the apron, and Tanahashi nods. “Yes, yes, please, just wait a moment.”

Tanahashi thanks everyone for coming out tonight. Tanahashi is honored to have seen a packed Tokyo Dome, just as he’s dreamed for NJPW. Thank you all again. “Today, I retire. But the New Japan wrestlers will keep fighting with everything they’ve got. Everyone, please keep supporting us!” The fans cheer that! Tanahashi wants to leave with that, but the fans and Hontai won’t let him! Tanahashi steps back inside, and he calls for an air guitar. The Young Lions fetch one from under the ring! Big pass, it’s a pop-fly! And a big catch! The fans cheer, and Tanahashi gives us one final Tokyo Dome air guitar concert!

The fans cheer and clap as Tanahashi rocks out! But of course, we need the “EN-CO-RU! EN-CO-RU!” Tanahashi says okay, okay, LASTO! The encore begins, and he throws the air guitar to the fans. But the fans want the true encore! They want the third act! ELP throws another air guitar, and it’s another big pass for one last big catch! LASTO! The fans cheer again as we get the final air guitar jam session! And the jump! Tanahashi falls back and the fans cheer again! Tanahashi SMASHES the air guitar and kicks it out. Tanahashi then takes the mic back while the fans cheer, “TANAHASHI SAEKO!”

Tanahashi thanks the fans, and he claims he never gets tired. But he has one last thing to ask of the fans. Let’s do the wave in the Tokyo Dome! The fans are ready since Tanahashi was asking for this the last few weeks. He coordinates where it’ll start, and he says well, they’ve all been sitting for awhile, so why not get the blood circulating? Ready, and GO! The weave moves all around the Tokyo Dome! Yes, thank you, but give us more! Keep it going! Even up in the upper deck! Thank you, thank you! The fans cheer and Tanahashi thanks them again. And now, to finish the retirement ceremony, the ten bell salute.

Tanahashi is emotional again as we wait through all ten rings of the bell. With that, it is truly official! Hiroshi Tanahashi has retired from in-ring competition! Tanahashi gives each corner one final pose, he high-fives fans around ringside, and even goes up to the stage. Tanahashi brings the mic with him as he rides part of the stage like a cart! The fans are now allowed to take pictures and record video as Tanahashi rides around the arena! Tanahashi waves and says his final goodbyes to the fans. He even rides behind commentary. Tanahashi finishes the lap around the Tokyo Dome, returning to the stage.

Tanahashi takes the mic back, stands at center stage, and Tanahashi says, “Right now… I must say one thing. There is one thing I’ve resolved to do in my heart. I am so, so happy that I fell in love with pro-wrestling. 26 years, it is because of every single fan’s support that has brought me this incredible life. I have done absolutely everything, I gave it my all, and so in the end, Tokyo Dome… AISHITEMAAAASU~!” Pyro goes off for the final declaration, and The Ace walks through smoke and light as he proverbially hangs up the boots. Do not cry because it is over, smile because it happened. #ThankYouAce, and may NJPW’s future be bright under your leadership.

My Thoughts:

An awesome WrestleKingdom, not just for being the 20th, not just for being a great event, but as an amazing farewell to Tanahashi. As great as Tanahashi’s career has been, even he was not going to buck tradition. He and Okada had a great match, maybe their best, and naturally, Tanahashi lost. That entire closing segment was amazing, with a lot more special guests than expected, but it was so nice to see them all again. I also like that Tanahashi got to ride a cart all the way around the arena to let everyone see him up close one last time.

And of course, every match from start to finish on this card was top tier. The NJPW World TV Championship had a wonderful mix of comedy and serious action, great showing for Brookes even in defeat. The Tornado Ranbo is a really fun concept, I hope they do that again next year, and what a great surprise that TMDK won rather than House of Torutre, or even over Yoh’s team retaining. Syuri VS Saya was a great showing for what Stardom (and Joshi Wrestling in general) has to offer, and great win for Syuri to have both NJPW titles now.

There is a LOT of story stuff to unpack in how Jake Lee joined United Empire, but depending on how contract negotiations are going for David Finlay, we might not get to explore that dynamic beyond tonight. In fact, it’s not just Finlay but Drilla AND Connors, too. Given Connors’ relationship with Thekla and she is in AEW, Connors going to AEW would make some sense. Not sure if Connors would join Bang Bang Gang or what. Same goes for Drilla and Finlay. We saw Jay White tonight, hopefully that means he’s close to returning to action in order to help Bang Bang Gang as they desperately need him.

Great Fatal 4 Way, Sho being picked on by all three opponents was fun. Despy winning out is the right choice, he and Douki will have a great match to finally settle things between them. Aaron Wolf really had the fans behind him here, and I figured that if they were giving him the title match as his debut, of course he had to win. They did a good job overbooking this as only the House of Torture can, and that helped make Wolf even stronger. Wolf going straight from Young Lion to established guy, can’t wait to see where he goes from here.

And awesome double title match from Yota VS Konosuke. I had a feeling Yota would win out, Konosuke’s already traveled back and forth between AEW and NJPW enough. Yota has definitely proven to be the strongest of the Reiwa Musketeers, and then Jake Lee attacking was quite the surprise. Again, this is perhaps NJPW already moving on from a Jake Lee VS David Finlay feud, presuming Finlay is already out the door. Commentary was also bringing up Yota (aka NJPW through Yota) considering just unifying these titles, meaning one of those belts disappears. Which would be a shame, neither of those belts is 10 years old.

My Score: 9.5/10