Just hours before Wrestle Kingdom 20 kicks off at the Tokyo Dome, an important update has emerged, causing fans to rethink which wrestlers, particularly from WWE, will be absent from the event. Fightful Select reports that despite the rumors making rounds online, no WWE wrestlers are currently slated to appear, including at Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement ceremony.
According to Fightful Select, “Despite speculation, we have so far not heard of any WWE names being planned for the show. If we hear of any, we will let you know.” The main event will showcase Tanahashi’s final match against Kazuchika Okada on January 4, 2026, followed by a retirement ceremony at the Tokyo Dome. New Japan Pro Wrestling has announced that prominent stars Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay will attend to honor Tanahashi.
Fans also expect the return of more New Japan Pro Wrestling legends to pay tribute, and Fightful has confirmed at least one surprise appearance remains under wraps. “There’s at least one more name who hasn’t appeared on New Japan Pro Wrestling in a while that is set to appear on the show’s screens,” the source revealed.
With Tanahashi’s Final Ace tour coming to an end and over 50,000 tickets sold, the atmosphere promises to be emotional. However, WWE’s involvement in this farewell appears unlikely for now.
What are your thoughts? Should WWE talents have been part of Wrestle Kingdom to honor Hiroshi Tanahashi, and who do you expect to be the surprise returnee for New Japan Pro Wrestling? Share your opinions in the comments below.
Fan Take: This update is significant for WWE fans as it highlights the ongoing divide between WWE and New Japan Pro Wrestling, underscoring the challenges of cross-promotion in pro wrestling. The absence of WWE stars at such a landmark event could signal missed opportunities for both companies in terms of fan engagement and global wrestling culture.
