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Tony Khan has acknowledged Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement plans but dismissed claims that Shinsuke Nakamura would be his final opponent as mere fiction.
During an interview with Q101, Khan was questioned about rumors suggesting Tanahashi had requested Nakamura for his last match, which Khan found displeasing. He not only refuted the claims but also expressed confusion about how such a narrative was formed.
“That’s actually what I read, and I was surprised to read it. I don’t know where that came from. I don’t really understand that part of the story.”
Khan criticized the report for its presumptions, stating the author seemed to believe they could read minds.
“It was a very detailed story, and there was a lot of ‘What are the words I’m looking for?’ It’s like they thought they could read minds when they wrote that story, because it wasn’t just ‘this happened,’ ‘that happened,’ but ‘he felt this,’ ‘he felt that,’ and ‘he was thinking this.’ It’s like — do you have telepathy?”
Khan made it clear that much of the reported information was inaccurate, with assumptions made without real insight.
“A lot of that didn’t actually happen, and a lot of it was like, how do I know what that person is thinking, what that person is thinking? So I thought this was an interesting story. I’ll put it like that.”
Regarding actual events, Khan shared that he collaborated with Tanahashi to plan his farewell, confirming that Kazuchika Okada will indeed be his final opponent at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026.
“I spoke with him at length about his retirement and we worked together on the idea of having Kazuchika Okada as his final opponent. It’s very symbolic, and their rivalry is very important to New Japan Pro Wrestling, to the careers of both men, and to a very successful promotion in AEW.”
Khan expressed his excitement for the upcoming match, stating it’s sure to be beloved by fans.
“We think it’s perfect and we’re thrilled that Okada will be at Wrestle Kingdom as Tanahashi’s final opponent in what will be Tanahashi’s retirement match. That’s something we’re really looking forward to.”
Earlier reports suggested that New Japan Pro Wrestling had lightly discussed Nakamura as a dream opponent for Tanahashi, but these talks never materialized. Given Nakamura’s WWE contract, the logistical challenges were significant, leading to the decision to focus on the iconic Okada vs. Tanahashi matchup instead.
What do you think—was Kazuchika Okada the best choice for Hiroshi Tanahashi’s final match, or would it have been a more monumental moment if Nakamura had returned? Share your thoughts in the comments!
If you use the above transcript in your publication, please credit Ringside News.
December 30, 2025 12:38pm
Fan Take: This news is pivotal for wrestling fans as it underscores the importance of significant narrative choices in wrestling storylines. The decision to feature Tanahashi’s longstanding rivalry with Okada not only pays tribute to their legacies but also enhances the anticipation for Wrestle Kingdom 20, marking it as a historical event in the sport.
