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Tanaka Nishi-nishi is making his final appearance in the UK, and he’s set to leave a significant mark.
NJPW has officially confirmed that the “Ace” will participate in AEW x NJPW: Forbidden Door on August 24th, taking place at the O2 Arena in London. This match will be his last in the UK before his retirement, which is scheduled for January 4th, 2026, during I Will Fight the Kingdom 20.
Tanahashi made a memorable return during AEW Double or Nothing on May 25th, where he surprised everyone by appearing after a tag match involving members of the Don Charis family. Following the match, the Charis family initiated a post-match attack, to which Tanaka also responded.
“The AEW Double or Nothing pay-per-view on May 25th saw an unexpected appearance by Tanaka!” confirmed NJPW in their statement. “Brody King and Tomohiro Ishii also played a role, and Tanahashi shifted the tide, delivering a sling blade to Kyle Fletcher.”
Later, Tanaka spoke during AEW Collision, explaining his involvement and emphasizing the significance of the Forbidden Door match as his farewell on British soil.
“The Forbidden Door on August 24th at London’s O2 Arena marks my final UK match,” noted NJPW. “Who will step up to this momentous challenge?”
While Tanaka’s opponent has yet to be revealed, fans are already speculating about who will get the privilege of facing him in such a momentous farewell. With his retirement date confirmed, each match leading up to January carries additional weight, and this UK farewell is no exception.
Fan Take: This news is significant for wrestling fans as it marks the end of an era for Tanahashi, one of the sport’s most respected figures. His final match in the UK not only serves as a farewell but also embodies the rich storytelling and emotional ties that make professional wrestling so compelling to its audience.
