Hiroshi Tanahashi is set to retire at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026.
If he has his ideal scenario, Tanahashi will challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship.
"So ideally, I would like my retirement match to be for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. If I challenge, and win, I'll extend my active career and withdraw my retirement. If I lose, I'll just retire. Then I'll be satisfied. I can retire because I think I can't reach it anymore," Tanahashi told Tokyo Sports.
When the possibility of facing Kazuchika Okada or Shinsuke Nakamura was mentioned, Tanahashi said, "Personally, I would like to fight younger wrestlers, but if the fans want it. It may or may not happen, I don't know. Personally, I would like to do it somewhere. First of all, I will fight with all my might for the remaining one year and two months, so please support me."
Okada is currently signed to AEW while Nakamura is signed to WWE.
AEW and NJPW have a working relationship. Nakamura is set to return to Japan in January for Pro Wrestling NOAH.
