Wrestle Kingdom 2026 Opponent For Tanahashi Uncertain Amid WWE AEW Politics

Hiroshi Tanahashi is scheduled to retire at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in 2026, with speculation growing around Shinsuke Nakamura as a potential opponent for his final match. However, despite internal discussions within NJPW, the match is considered a longshot due to several complications, including Nakamura's WWE contract status and the complex political dynamics between NJPW, WWE, AEW, and CMLL. Nakamura's WWE contract reportedly allows him to wrestle in Japan, but NJPW's close relationship with AEW, WWE's top U.S. competitor, complicates cooperation. WWE and NJPW have rarely collaborated in recent years, with Karl Anderson's brief NJPW run while under WWE contract being a rare exception. Wrestling Observer Radio's Dave Meltzer notes that while the idea is floated and could be meaningful for Tanahashi's legacy, no deal has been made, and political hurdles remain significant. Fans remain hopeful but must wait to see if this dream match can overcome the business and contractual challenges to become a reality.