Tokyo, Japan — January 4, 2026
New Japan Pro Wrestling stood at the crossroads of history and the future on Saturday as Wrestle Kingdom 20 emanated from a sold-out Tokyo Dome, delivering one of the most emotionally powerful and historically significant events in the promotion’s storied existence. The landmark 20th Wrestle Kingdom was not only a celebration of NJPW’s legacy, but a night defined by finality, transition, and rebirth—headlined by the retirement of “The Ace of New Japan Pro Wrestling” Hiroshi Tanahashi, the coronation of a new era led by Yota Tsuji, and the arrival of a legitimate new force in Aaron Wolf.
For over five decades, NJPW has served as the gold standard of professional wrestling in Japan. Founded in 1972 by Antonio Inoki, the company survived industry downturns, cultural shifts, and global expansion through a philosophy rooted in realism, athletic credibility, and long-term storytelling. Wrestle Kingdom—held annually on January 4 at the Tokyo Dome—has evolved into NJPW’s most sacred stage, where legends are made, eras end, and futures are forged. Wrestle Kingdom 20 embodied all of that in one unforgettable night.
Here are the full results:
Pre-Show
- Katsuya Murashima & Masatora Yasuda def. Shoma Kato & Tatsuya Matsumoto
- NJPW World Television Championship: El Phantasmo (c) def. Chris Brookes
Main Card
- NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Championship Ranbo: TMDK won
- IWGP Women’s Championship & NJPW Strong Women’s Championship (Title vs. Title): Syuri def. Saya Kamitani
- United Empire def. Shingo Takagi, David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney & Hiromu Takahashi
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight No. 1 Contender Four-Way: El Desperado won
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Aaron Wolf def. EVIL
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship & IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship (Title vs. Title): Yota Tsuji def. Konosuke Takeshita
- Hiroshi Tanahashi Retirement Match: Kazuchika Okada def. Hiroshi Tanahashi
The Road to Wrestle Kingdom 20: Legacy, Conflict, and Closure
A Company Built on January 4
January 4 has long been sacred in NJPW lore. Since 1992, the Tokyo Dome has hosted the promotion’s biggest annual event, eventually rebranded as Wrestle Kingdom in 2007. These shows have featured defining moments such as Keiji Muto’s ascension, Shinya Hashimoto’s dominance, and Kazuchika Okada’s record-setting reigns. Wrestle Kingdom 20 stood apart because it wasn’t just another chapter—it was the closing of one of the most important books in NJPW history.
Hiroshi Tanahashi: The Ace Who Saved NJPW
No wrestler is more synonymous with NJPW’s modern identity than Hiroshi Tanahashi. Debuting in 1999, Tanahashi rose during one of the company’s most turbulent periods. Through his charisma, work ethic, and emotional connection with fans, he became the stabilizing force that helped guide NJPW out of decline and into its global renaissance.
Tanahashi’s rivalry with Kazuchika Okada defined an era. Where Tanahashi represented resilience and heart, Okada embodied evolution and inevitability. Their Wrestle Kingdom 20 clash—Tanahashi’s final match—was not booked as a nostalgia act, but as the final chapter in one of professional wrestling’s greatest rivalries.
After a deeply emotional, hard-fought bout filled with callbacks to their past encounters, Okada delivered the Rainmaker to secure the victory. The post-match scene transcended wins and losses. Wrestlers from across eras filled the ring to honor Tanahashi, including current stars, former rivals, and international alumni. As the Tokyo Dome roared, The Ace bid farewell—not just as a wrestler, but as the heart of NJPW itself.
Match-by-Match Breakdown and Analysis
Opening & Championship Chaos
The night began with young lions setting the tone for NJPW’s future before El Phantasmo successfully defended the NJPW World Television Championship against Chris Brookes. The Ranbo that followed saw TMDK emerge victorious, reinforcing the faction’s growing influence in the NEVER division.
Women’s Wrestling Reaches a New Peak
The title-for-title showdown between Syuri and Saya Kamitani was years in the making, representing NJPW’s continued commitment to elevating women’s wrestling. Syuri’s decisive victory unified the IWGP Women’s and NJPW Strong Women’s Championships, cementing her status as the division’s standard-bearer.
Faction Warfare & Junior Division Stakes
United Empire’s victory in the massive 10-man tag was more than just bragging rights—it further established their dominance across weight classes. That momentum carried into the junior heavyweight contender match, where El Desperado secured his next championship opportunity after months of frustration and near-misses.
Aaron Wolf Changes the Landscape
One of the night’s most shocking moments came when Olympic gold medalist Aaron Wolf defeated EVIL to win the NEVER Openweight Championship in his professional debut. Wolf’s judo-based offense overwhelmed EVIL, signaling NJPW’s willingness to blend legitimate combat sports credibility into its evolving identity.
The Crowning of a New Ace
The co-main event featured a collision of ideologies. Yota Tsuji, NJPW’s homegrown future, faced Konosuke Takeshita, the internationally seasoned powerhouse. Their title-for-title clash was the culmination of months of rivalry built on ambition and supremacy.
Tsuji’s submission victory not only crowned him IWGP World Heavyweight Champion but also unified the Global Championship, symbolically placing NJPW’s future firmly in his hands.
A Farewell and a Future
Wrestle Kingdom 20 was not simply a retirement show—it was a statement. NJPW honored its past without being shackled by it. Hiroshi Tanahashi’s farewell closed an era defined by perseverance and belief, while the rise of Yota Tsuji and the arrival of Aaron Wolf opened the door to a bold new future.
As Tanahashi transitions fully into his executive role and a new generation steps forward, NJPW leaves the Tokyo Dome not looking back—but moving ahead with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Wrestle Kingdom 20 will be remembered not just as the end of The Ace—but as the night New Japan Pro Wrestling confidently stepped into its next era.
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