NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 Results
NJPW's biggest show of the year delivered Hiroshi Tanahashi's emotional retirement, a title unification, and several appearances from AEW stars that WWE fans will recognize. Here's everything you need to know from the sold-out Tokyo Dome.
Hiroshi Tanahashi, often called "the John Cena of Japan," wrestled his final match after a 26-year career. Kazuchika Okada, currently signed to AEW, defeated "The Ace" in 33 minutes with his Rainmaker finisher. Okada played full heel throughout, even pulling Tanahashi up from a pin at the two-count to inflict more punishment. The match saw Tanahashi pay tribute to former rivals Shinsuke Nakamura (now in WWE) and Katsuyori Shibata by using their signature moves.
The post-match celebration featured a parade of wrestlers from Tanahashi's past. Jay White, Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, and Kota Ibushi all appeared to present flowers. Ibushi, still recovering from a broken femur, limped to the ring in an emotional Golden Lovers reunion with Omega. The surprise of the night was Tetsuya Naito's return to NJPW after leaving the company in April 2025. Keiji Mutoh (The Great Muta) and legend Tatsumi Fujinami also paid their respects.
In the co-main event, NJPW's Yota Tsuji submitted AEW's Konosuke Takeshita in nearly 30 minutes to unify the IWGP World Heavyweight and IWGP Global Heavyweight Championships. Tsuji forced Takeshita to tap to a Boston Crab, becoming the undisputed top champion. Jake Lee attacked Tsuji after the match, setting up a future title feud..
Aaron Wolf, who won Olympic gold in judo at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, made his pro wrestling debut and immediately won the NEVER Openweight Championship by defeating EVIL via submission in 12 minutes. Wolf overcame heavy interference from the House of Torture faction, including a table splash from Don Fale, to choke out EVIL with a leg-based submission hold.
Former WWE star Andrade (formerly La Sombra in NJPW) was revealed as the mystery businessman controlling the United Empire faction. His team, which included returning Jake Lee, defeated Bullet Club War Dogs in a 10-man tag match when Lee pinned Hiromu Takahashi.
Complete Wrestle Kingdom 20 Results
Main Card:
- Kazuchika Okada def. Hiroshi Tanahashi (Retirement Match, 33:00)
- Yota Tsuji def. Konosuke Takeshita (IWGP World & Global Championship Unification, 29:30)
- Aaron Wolf def. EVIL (NEVER Openweight Championship, 12:10)
- United Empire def. Bullet Club War Dogs (10-Man Tag, 14:40)
- El Desperado won Four-Way (Jr. Heavyweight #1 Contender, 8:25)
- Syuri def. Saya Kamitani (IWGP & Strong Women's Championship Unification, 12:10)
- TMDK (Zack Sabre Jr., Oiwa & Jackson) won Rambo (NEVER 6-Man Tag Championships, 20:46)
Pre-Show:
- El Phantasmo def. Chris Brookes (NJPW TV Championship, 11:49)
- Murashima & Yasuda def. Kato & Matsumoto (6:19)
The company announced "Death Vegas" for April 16, 2026 in Las Vegas, plus G1 Climax 36 will include U.S. tour dates. Tanahashi continues as NJPW President while stepping away from the ring. New Year Dash on January 5 typically sets up the year's direction.
