NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 results: Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada in Tanahashi’s retirement match, Konosuke Takeshita vs. Yota Tsuji for the IWGP World Hvt. Championship and IWGP Global Title

By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)

New Japan Pro Wrestling “Wrestle Kingdom 20”
January 4, 2026, in Tokyo, Japan at the Tokyo Dome
Streamed live on New Japan World 

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 Pre-Show

The broadcast team was Walker Stewart and Chris Charlton.

1. Katsuya Murashima and Masatora Yasuda defeated Shoma Kato and Tatsuya Matsumoto. Murashima powerslammed Kato and then put him in a Boston Crab. Kato tried to get to the ropes, but he didn’t get close. Matsumoto ran in and threw punches at Murashima, who maintained the hold. Yasuda took out Matsumoto, and then Kato tapped out to the Boston Crab.

2. El Phantasmo defeated Chris Brookes to retain the NJPW TV Championship. Brookes picked up several near falls down the stretch, but Phantasmo eventually came back and used a Thunderkiss 86 to get the three count. After the match, the wrestlers shook hands and then bowed to one another. Phantasmo posed for some photos with fans along the guardrail and even handled the camera for a photo with a younger fan.

NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 Main Card

A video package focused on Hiroshi Tanahashi, and ran through the full card… Walker Stewart and Chris Charlton remained on commentary… A boy band performed on the impressive stage while Kaisei Takechi, Shota Umino, and Yuya Uemura made the first entrance for the opening match…

1. Toru Yano, Master Wato, and Yoh vs. Tiger Mask, Togi Makabe, and Ryusuke Taguchi vs. Boltin Oleg, Hirooki Goto, and Yoshi-Hashi vs. Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi, and Satoshi Kojima vs. Ren Narita, Sanada, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru vs. Zack Sabre Jr., Ryohei Oiwa, and Hartley Jackson vs. Kaisei Takechi, Shota Umino, and Yuya Uemura vs. Clark Connors, Oskar, and Yuto-Ice in a Ranbo for the Never Openweight Six-Man Tag Titles. The champions were eliminated late, guaranteeing there would be new champions. The match came down to Oleg, Goto, and Yoshi-Hashi facing Sabre, Oiwa, and Jackson. In the end, Sabre pinned Oleg to win the match for his team. The TMDK trio was given their title belts, and then their final three opponents got in their faces briefly.

Powell’s POV: I didn’t watch much NJPW last year due to having a full plate of American wrestling to cover. I still enjoy checking in for the annual Wrestle Kingdom all-nighter, and I want to experience Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match live. With that in mind, I sat back and watched this one rather than try to keep up with so many wrestlers coming and going, especially with some faces I’m not familiar with. While this had better wrestling than the regular Ranbos I’ve seen, I have no idea why they crammed so much talent into one match. The regular Ranbos included some notable names, undercard wrestlers, and some surprises, whereas this match had several wrestlers I would have expected to see in traditional matches.

2. IWGP Women’s Champion Syuri vs. New Japan Strong Women’s Champion Saya Kamitani in a double championship match. Kamitani sent Syuri to ringside and then performed a springboard dive onto her. Later, Kamitani dropped Syuri with a kick. Syuri performed a German suplex, but Kamitani landed on her feet. Kamitani performed a Blue Thunder Bomb for a near fall. Kamitani followed up with a Star Crusher for a good near fall. Kamitani went for another, but Syuri stuffed it and went back on the offensive. Syuri put Kamitani in electric chair position, and then Kamitani performed a Poison Rana for a near fall. Moments later, Syuri got Kamitani back in electric chair position and then hit her sit-out powerslam finisher and got the three count.

IWGP Women’s Champion Syuri defeated Saya Kamitani in 12:10 in a double championship match to win the New Japan Strong Women’s Championship.

Syuri was emotional after the match after she got the three count, and then again once she held up both title belts…

Powell’s POV: A very good match. I’m not familiar with their finishers, so some of the near falls may have been more effective on me than they were for someone who follows their work closely. By the way, the stage looks great, and the production work is strong. They haven’t done a good job of showing off the sold-out crowd yet, but it definitely has a big show look and feel.

3. Andrade El Ídolo, Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, Henare, and Jake Lee vs. David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney, Shingo Takagi, and Hiromu Takahashi in a ten-man tag. Charlton played up the story that Andrade was revealed as the mystery businessman who has been pulling the strings for the United Empire faction. Lee was the surprise member of his team. The teams fought while the introductions were taking place to start the match. In the end, Lee hit Takahashi with his version of the Helluva Kick and then pinned him.

Andrade El Ídolo, Callum Newman, Great-O-Khan, Henare, and Jake Lee defeated David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Drilla Moloney, Shingo Takagi, and Hiromu Takahashi in 14:40 in a ten-man tag.

After the match, Jakob Austin Young, who wore non-wrestling attire, joined the United Empire wrestlers in the ring. A man came out wearing a mask and took a cheap shot at Takahashi. He removed the mask and revealed himself to be Francesco Akira…

Powell’s POV: Although most ten-man tag matches feel trivial to me, there was plenty of good action, and everyone had a moment to shine. Lee had been sidelined since September 2024 with a knee injury, so fans seemed surprised and happy to see him. The show is moving at a faster pace than usual.

4. El Desperado vs. Kosei Fujita vs. Taiji Ishimori vs. Sho to become the No.1 contender to the IWGP Jr. Hvt. Championship. The division’s champion, Douki, watched the match from ringside while his guy Sho worked the match. Fujita put Sho in an early submission hold. Desperado and Ishimori opted against breaking the hold. Stewart praised them on commentary, saying he hoped it would become a three-way after they all took out Sho. Ishimori had Desperado pinned, but Show slammed Fujita onto the referee. REF BUMP!!!

Douki, who had a weapon, entered the ring with Yoshinobu Kanemaru. Robbie Eagles ran out and attacked the House of Torture wrestlers, and then Kuukai and Robbie X came out and helped him, and the trio hit dives from the ring to the floor. Sho used a metal sheet on multiple opponents and then rolled the referee back inside the ring. Sho hit a modified piledriver on Fujita and had him pinned, but Desperado broke it up. Desperado hit a Triger Driver on Sho and then followed up with another move for the win…

El Desperado defeated Sho, Kosei Fujita, and Taiji Ishimori in 8:25 in a four-way to become the No.1 contender to the IWGP Jr. Hvt. Championship.

Powell’s POV: The story seemed fairly easy to follow, in that Douki was ducking Desperado and hoped that Sho would do his dirty work, but Desperado beat Sho to become the No. 1 contender. I’ve read/heard a lot of complaints about the House of Torture’s interference in matches, so I wasn’t surprised when they got involved. I’m just happy that Douki made it out of this show in one piece after watching him suffer a dislocated elbow at last year’s Tokyo Dome event.

A video aired on the big screen that listed NJPW Death Vegas for April 16. It also listed dates for other notable events, including the “G1 Climax in USA” with no additional details…

5. Evil vs. Aaron Wolf for the Never Openweight Championship. Wolf removed his judo gear on the stage and had black trunks and boots on underneath. A rock guitarist played on the stage for Evil’s entrance. Evil kicked Wolf to start the match. Wolf fired back, and they traded strikes in the middle of the ring. The match spilled over to ringside. Evil put a chair around the neck of Wolf and then hit the chair with another chair. Evil returned to the ring and played to the crowd.

Moments later, Evil ran Wolf into a corner pad before trying to pin him several times. Wolf tossed Evil to the mat. Evil’s sidekicks ran in and were also put down by Wolf. Evil recovered and threw powder in Wolf’s eyes before kicking him in the balls. Evil suplexed Wolf and then put him in a Sharpshooter. Wolf sold the hold by yelling in agony. He eventually crab walked to reach the bottom rope to break the hold. Wolf fired up and no-sold for a moment, but Evil put him down with a lariat. Evil ran at Wolf, who slammed him. Wolf performed a top rope splash and had Evil pinned, but one of Evil’s extras pulled the referee from the ring.

House of Torture members got the better of some wrestlers who tried to help Wolf. Don Fale threw a table at Wolf. Wolf was placed on the table, and then Fale jumped from the ropes and splashed him through it. The referee was rolled back inside the ring. Evil hit Wolf with a running lariat and covered him, but Wolf kicked out again. Evil did the dropped jaw reaction and then made the throat-slash gesture. Evil set up for a move, but Wolf rolled him over and eventually caught him in a submission hold with his legs around Evil’s head. The referee checked on Evil and then called for the bell…

Aaron Wolf defeated Evil in 12:10 to win the Never Openweight Championship.

Powell’s POV: Wolf did a fine job for a guy crossing over and making his in-ring debut. The fans were hot for Wolf, who was gassed after the match. Someone at ringside had to remind him to pose for photos for the photographers. Wolf recovered a bit after leaving the ring and was slapping hands with fans on his way to the back. The House of Torture interference is painful because it requires viewers to turn their brains off to believe that the referees are unaware of their antics. That said, they added to this spectacle match, especially the Fale table splash, and gave Wolf a bit of a breather. That was fun.

Charlton listed the attendance as 46,913… A video package set up the second double championship match of the night…

6. IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita vs. IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji in a double championship match. At one point, Stewart said that NJPW wrestlers have lost a lot of matches to wrestlers from other promotions and could use a win. Tsuji wore Takeshita down with body shots and eventually dropped him with one. Takeshita battled back until Tsuji put him down with a Destroyer.

Takeshita popped up and performed a German suplex. Tsuji got up and sent Takeshita into the corner, which left both men down on the mat. Takeshita took control and hit Raging Fire. Takeshita had the pin, but Tsuji put his foot on the bottom rope at the last moment. The wrestlers got up and traded big strikes. Takeshita no-sold a chop and then dropped Tsuji with an elbow strike. Takeshita with a a knee strike, but Tsuji stuffed it. Tsuji powerbombed Takeshita, then picked him up in the same position and slammed him face-first on the mat.

A short time later, Takeshita hit a Blue Thunder Bomb from the top rope and covered Tsuji for a two count. Takeshita blasted Tsuji with a knee strike and covered him for a near fall. Takeshita lowered his right kneepad and charged Tsuji, who stood up and headbutted him. Tsuji went head-to-head with Takeshita and let out a primal scream. “Let’s go,” Takeshita said, according to Charlton. They both went to opposite corners. Takeshita charged, but Tsuji cut him off with a Gene Blaster and then applied a Boston Crab. Takeshita eventually tapped out.

IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji defeated Konosuke Takeshita in 29:30 in a double championship match to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.

After the match, both men sat on the mat and looked across the ring at one another. Tsuji got to his feet and was presented with both title belts, while Takeshita stayed down and eventually rolled to ringside. Tsuji got the mic and looked at Takeshita while saing he that he found a rival that he can’t bear losing to. Tsuji turned his focus to addressing the fans.

Jake Lee entered the ring and attacked Tsuji from behind. Lee put Tsuji down and then picked up the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship belt and dropped it on Tsuji, who was down in a corner of the ring. Lee left the ring and was smiling as he headed toward the back. Tsuji was helped out of the ring as he sold the attack…

Powell’s POV: A hell of a match. Easily the best of the night, even if that’s not much of a feat on this show. This was Tsuji’s big moment to shine, and he delivered. Takeshita more than did his part to help make the new double champion. The post-match angle didn’t do much for me. I get the idea that Lee interrupting Tsuji’s moment is heat, but I would have preferred for Tsuji to finish his speech, and maybe be attacked as he was heading to the back, or even at the New Year Dash show tomorrow. That said, I’m not the target audience, and I don’t know the history, so perhaps it was more impactful than it came off to me.

A video package set up the main event. Kazuchika Okada made his entrance with Gedo. Rocky Romero joined the broadcast team. Hiroshi Tanahashi made his entrance and was smiling as he walked down the ramp before heading to the ring. Okada opened his robe and revealed the AEW International Championship belt during the introductions.

7. Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada (w/Gedo) in Tanahashi’s retirement match. Red Shoes was the referee. Charlton said Tanahashi is 2-1 against Okada at the Tokyo Dome. Okada won the third match ten years ago. The fans were fired up when the opening bell rang. Okada worked over Tanahashi on the floor. Tanahashi had the NJPW logo on one kneepad, and the other read “Thank You To Everyone From Tanahashi.”

Tanahashi skinned the cat and then took Okada down with a dragon screw leg whip. Tanahashi charged Okada, who put his foot up, but Tanahashi grabbed it and performed another dragon screw. Tanahashi dropkicked Okada’s knee, which led to Okada rolling to the floor. Tanahashi went up top and performed a crossbody block onto Okada at ringside. Tanahashi got back in the ring first. When Okada followed, Tanahashi gave him another dragon screw through the ropes.

Tanahashi charged Okada, who popped him up and let him fall face-first to the mat. Okada executed a neckbreaker over his knee. Okada slammed Tanahashi to the mat and then hit him with a top rope elbow drop. Okada got in position for the Rainmaker pose, but he flipped off the camera instead. Tanahashi performed three Twist and Shout neckbreakers. Tanahashi ran the ropes, but Okada scooped him up and put him down with a tombstone piledriver. Okada kicked Tanahashi to ringside and then followed him.

Okada brought Tanahashi halfway up the entrnace ramp and hit him with another tombstone piledriver. Okada returned to the ring. Red Shoes followed and started to count out Tanahashi, who beat the 20-count by returning to the ring at 19. Okada performed another tombstone piledriver and had Tanahashi beat, but he pulled him up at two. Okada smiled and then picked up Tanahashi and put him down with a lariat. Okada got Tanahashi back on his feet and set up for a Rainmaker, but Tanahashi slapped him several times. Okada put him down with a big lariat and held onto his wrist. Once Tanahashi stood up, Okada dropped him with another lariat.

Tanahashi ducked a lariat and then hit Okada with one of his own. Okada came back and hit a Rainmaker. The announcers declared it was over, so it was no surprise when Tanahashi kicked out at two. Stewart said it was going to take more than one. Okada put Tanahashi in a Boston Crab. Romero said it was a smart move to target Tanahashi’s lower back, which is his big weakness. Tanahashi tried to press out of the move, but he fell back to the mat. Tanahashi fired up again and crab walked to the ropes to break the hold.

Okada whipped Tanahashi into the ropes and then dropkicked him. Tanahashi ducked a Rainmaker. Tanahashi finally connected with a slingblade clothesline and then applied a sleeper hold. Okada got to his feet and then dropped into a seated position. Tanahashi released the hold and hit a PK, which the announcers said was a blast from the past. Tanahashi hit a Bomaye knee strike. Tanahashi went up top and hit a High Fly Flow for a near fall.

Tanahashi put Okada in a Full Nelson. Okada broke free and went for a Rainmaker, but Tanahashi beat him to the punch with a sling blade. Tanahashi executed a suplex into a bridge for a good near fall. Tanahashi hit a High Fly Flow onto the back ot Okada. Tanahashi got up, rolled over Okada, and went for another, but Okada put his knees up. Both wrestlers got to their knees and traded rolling elbow strikes, and continued as they got to their feet. Okada threw several in a row, and then Tanahashi fired back. Tanahashi ran the ropes and was put down by another dropkick.

Okada took control and hit a Rainmaker. Okada covered Tanahashi, who kicked out weakly at the last moment. Okada waited for Tanahashi to stand. Tanahashi used Okada’s body to pull himself up. Okada bodyslammed him and then hit him with a top rope elbow drop. Okada struck the Rainmaker pose (the hard camera pulled back), and then he hit the Rainmaker and got the three count.

Kazuchika Okada defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi in 33:00.

Afterward, Tanahashi was on his back when he said something to Okada and smiled. Okada got the mic. Charlton translated. Okada said that Tanahashi must be tired. “Let me just say one thing,” Okada said. “Thank you.” Okada bowed. Tanahashi started to get emotional. Okada left the ring and had a celebratory moment with Gedo before leaving with his title belt.

The fans roared when Tanahashi rolled onto his stomach. He was in tears as he got to his feet.

Jay White made his entrance dressed in a suit. Charlton said he White wouldn’t miss rubbing one more loss in Tanahashi’s face. Tanahashi gritted his teeth as White walked down the ramp and eventually entered the ring. White presented Tanahashi with a bouquet of flowers and then bowed. White hutted Tanahashi, who cried. They posed for photos. White shook Tanahashi’s hand and exited the ring.

Will Ospreay’s entrance theme played. Ospreay walked out dressed in a suit and was smiling. Ospreay presented Tanahashi with flowers while bowing. They hugged and posed for photos. Ospreay shook Tanahashi’s hand and bowed again.

Kenny Omega’s entrance theme played. Omega came out dressed in a suit. Kota Ibushi limped out behind Omega for a Golden Lovers reunion. The limp was severe enough that it was surprising that Ibushi headed down the ramp with Omega. Ibushi, who is still recovering from a broken femur, had to stop for a moment on the ramp. He struggled to enter the ring after Omega entered before him and gave Tanahashi flowers and bowed. Ibushi got in the ring and did the same, and then had a long hug with Tanahashi. Omega and Ibushi posed for photos with Omega and Ibushi.

Katsuyori Shibata’s entrance theme played. Tanahashi cried. Ibushi walked out wearing an Opps t-shirt with his index fingers plugging his ears. Shibata gave Tanahashi flowers and spoke to him. Shibata removed his shirt. Shibata and Tanahashi traded a couple of chops, and then Shibata hugged him, and they were both emotional. Shibata raised Tanahashi’s arm while looking to the crowd, and they hugged again before Shibata left the ring.

Music played, and then Keiji Muto (Great Muta) stood up at ringside and got in the ring for his bouquet presentation and photos. The broadcast team laughed about not having Muto walk to the ring because there was a time limit.

Light music played, and then Tatsumi Fujinami stood up at ringside and entered the ring for his moment with Tanahashi. White, Omega, Ibushi, Ospreay, Muto, and Fujinami all posed together for the ringside photographers. Muto took a selfie with Tanahashi, and then another with Tanahashi and Fujinami. The guest wrestlers said their goodbyes. Ibushi put his hands on someone on the floor to brace himself while exiting the ring.

Tetsuya Naito’s entrance theme played, which drew loud cheers. When Naito didn’t come out right away, Tanahashi pointed at his wrist and motioned for Naito to come out. Funny. Bushi came out holding the GHC Tag Team Title belts that he and Naito hold. Naito finally came out wearing a “Los Tranquilos de Japon” armband. He was stone-faced as he walked onto the ramp and headed down the ramp. Bushi blew mist on his flowers before handing them to Tanahashi. Naito finally entered the ring and turned his back to Tanahashi while holding up his fist.

Naito was handed a microphone. He spoke in Japanese while Charloton translated on commentary. Tanahashi gave a quick speech about Tanahashi giving him a chance. He struck the LFI pose by putting his fist in the air and waited for Tanahashi to do the pose with him. After some hesitation, a smiling Tanahashi struck the pose. Tanahashi spoke with Naito, who finally cracked a smile. Tanahashi prepared to bow, but Naito spat in the air instead. Tanahashi acted as if it hit him in the eye while Naito made his exit.

Tanahashi got the mic and addressed the fans in Japanese. Tanahashi told the fans he loved them. He had someone at ringside look under the ring and then they threw him his, um, invisible guitar. Rock music played while Tanahashi played air guitar and the fans clapped along. Tanahashi stopped and the fans called for more. Tanahashi gave them the encore and then tossed the “guitar” out of the ring. He had the guitar tossed back to him and played more air guitar. Tanahashi led the crowd in doing the wave.

Tanahashi stood in the ring under a spotlight for a traditional ten-bell salute. The cheers of the fans increased with each ring, just as he grew more emotional. The ring announcer introduced Tanahashi, who bowed and played to the fans. He hopped on the second rope and waved to the fans, and then repeated this in other corners. Omega and Ibushi were shown watching from the floor. Tanahashi teased leaving, then went to the middle role and waved to the final corner.

Stewart called Tanahashi the heart and soul of professional wrestling. Two wrestlers held the ropes open while Tanahashi exited. Tanahashi was moving gingerly as he walked down the steps. Tanahashi high-fived a row of fans. Tanahashi limped as he walked and then shook hands with another row of fans. Tanahashi limped up the ramp and waved to fans. He hopped on the back of a cart and had a microphone as a group of people pushed or pulled the cart near the back row of the main floor while he waved to the fans. He got emotional again.

After the long lap, Tanahashi got back to the stage and was handed a microphone. Tanahashi walked to the center of the stage and stood in front of the NJPW logo. Tanahashi was emotional as he said he’s so happy he fell in love with pro wrestling. He mentioned that he had a 26-year career. He thanked the fans for their support and his incredible life in pro wrestling. Tanahashi closed it out and then held his first in the air while smoke filled up the stage. Stewart said Tanahashi is God’s gift to pro wrestling. A video played on the big screens…

Powell’s POV: I can’t believe the fans booed and chanted nasty things about the booker. Wait, wrong retirement show. Actually, I didn’t hear a single bit of negativity, nor did I see any fans leave their seats until after the ceremony. In fact, most of the fans appeared to still be in their seats while Tanahashi was taking his long lap around the stadium.

In some ways, this was the weakest Wrestle Kingdom event that I’ve seen, yet in other ways, it was special and perhaps even the most memorable. Everything with Tanahashi was terrific. Tanahashi and Okada had a good, suspenseful match, and the post-match ceremony was wonderful. While I respect Tanahashi’s work, I’ve been a very casual NJPW follower over the years. With that in mind, this was hands down the best pro wrestling retirement ceremony I’ve ever seen. Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it below.