The first two matches have been confirmed for NJPW Windy City Riot.
NJPW previously announced that Hiroshi Tanahashi's last match in the United States would be at NJPW Windy City Riot on April 11. At NJPW Battle in the Valley, Konosuke Takeshita challenged Hiroshi Tanahashi to face him at the show. Also at NJPW Battle in the Valley, NJPW Strong Openweight Champion Gabe Kidd challenged Tomohiro Ishii to face him in an Iron Man match after they fought to a time-limit draw,
NJPW has officially confirmed both matches for NJPW Windy City Riot on April 11th.
From NJPW:
Topmost in fans' minds heading into this Chicago event will be the final ever match on US soil for the Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi. From defending the IWGP Heavyweight Championship to winning IWGP United States gold in New Japan's return from the pandemic, to memorable outings in TNA, ROH and AEW, Tanahashi's legacy is indelible in America as it is Japan. With his last match coming up on January 4 2026 however, the final road for the Ace runs through Chicago for its last American stop, opposite the Alpha Konosuke Takeshita.
Way back in 2014, Tanahashi wrestled a then teenage prodigy Takeshita in DDT, and was far from charitable in his comments toward either Takeshita or his then home promotion following the match. The Ace's comments back then that the two 'didn't belong in the same conversation' would lit a fire that burned brightly in Takeshita, and saw his transformation from the 'The Future' to 'the Alpha' and now NEVER and AEW International Champion.
Takeshita will not let Tanahashi retire without taking out this pent up aggression on Tanahashi, and while this is a Final Road "Kinship" match for the Ace, feelings will be anything but friendly. In Chicago, Takeshita will seek to show he is erverything to the modern era that Tanahashi was to his own, and perhaps more.
Also official for Chicago is a rematch for Gabe Kidd and Tomohiro Ishii, under Ironman Match rules. At Battle in the Valley, an intense, wild fight for Ishii and Kidd saw both men at their hard hitting best, battling for the NJPW STRONG Openweight Championship. As both men went the 30 minute distance with no decision rendered however, Kidd took a draw as good as a loss. Now, it might not be one fall that decides this issue for the Mad Man and the Stone Pitbull; under the Ironman Match rules, the most decisions rendered in the 30 minute time period will settle the bout and the fate of the STRONG gold. Should the two tie again however, sudden death will mean they will go as long as it takes. Who will leave the better man?
The announced card for NJPW Windy City Riot is below.
NJPW Windy City Riot (4/11)
- Hiroshi Tanahashi's Last US Match: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Konosuke Takeshita
- 30-Minute Iron Man Match for NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Gabe Kidd (c) vs. Tomohiro Ishii
Fightful will have coverage of NJPW Windy City Riot as it airs on April 11.
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