On January 4, 2026, Shinsuke Nakamura made his mark at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 in an unexpected way, even though he was not physically present at the Tokyo Dome event. The event, held in Tokyo, served as the retirement show for Hiroshi Tanahashi, and the absence of Nakamura, one of Tanahashi’s storied rivals, was notably felt by fans and wrestlers alike. However, Nakamura ensured his legacy and support were acknowledged during this significant moment in professional wrestling history, leveraging his relationship with an AEW star to keep his spirit alive in the ring.
Hiroshi Tanahashi faced his final opponent, Kazuchika Okada, marking the conclusion of a celebrated career. Although Okada secured victory, the real story unfolded in the tribute that followed, as fellow wrestlers who were instrumental in Tanahashi’s journey—such as Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, Katsuyori Shibata, Jay White, and Tetsuya Naito—joined the celebrations. Nakamura, a member of the legendary “Three Musketeers” and a crucial part of Tanahashi’s history, was absent, but his influence was unmistakably present thanks to a carefully orchestrated tribute.
Konosuke Takeshita Honors Nakamura’s Legacy
In the lead-up to the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 20, AEW’s Konosuke Takeshita competed against Yota Tsuji for the IWGP World and Global Heavyweight Championships, ultimately succumbing to Tsuji. Wrestling fans took note of a red headband worn by Takeshita on his forearm—a signature accessory of Shinsuke Nakamura’s New Japan days. This visual homage was not a coincidence; Takeshita later disclosed that the headband was entrusted to him by Nakamura as a personal gesture of support for Tanahashi’s milestone evening.
“January 4, 2026, Tokyo Dome, on this ring where Hiroshi Tanahashi is retiring, there are pro wrestlers who want to stand here but can’t. ‘Stand in the ring for my share too,’ that’s what they said when they entrusted it to me.”
— Konosuke Takeshita, AEW Star
－－腕に巻いてるのは、中邑さんのものですか？TAKESHITA「………この2026年1.4東京ドーム、棚橋弘至が引退するこのリングに立ちたくても立てない、そんなプロレスラーもいてね。“俺の分までリングに立ってくれ”って、そう言われて託されたものです」https://t.co/DfkCQMuSvB#棚橋引退pic.twitter.com/TFfJx7LrAe— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) January 4, 2026
This act underscored Nakamura’s emotional connection to the event and his enduring respect for Tanahashi’s influence on professional wrestling. Through Takeshita, Nakamura’s spirit was present in the Tokyo Dome, bridging his legacy with the ongoing chapter of NJPW’s evolving story.
Nakamura and Tanahashi’s Mutual Respect Shines Online
Despite being with WWE, Shinsuke Nakamura found other ways to honor Tanahashi’s retirement beyond the symbolic headband. Nakamura publicly acknowledged watching his longtime rival’s farewell via X (formerly Twitter), and demonstrated personal appreciation by sending Tanahashi flowers, a gesture gratefully recognized by Tanahashi online. This exchange reinforced the depth of mutual respect and lasting bond between the two celebrated athletes.
Tanahashi Pays Tribute to Nakamura in the Ring
While Nakamura’s physical absence was felt, Hiroshi Tanahashi ensured to honor the connection they shared during his final match. Facing Okada, Tanahashi performed the Bomaye—Nakamura’s iconic finishing maneuver, now known as the Kinshasa in WWE—offering a heartening nod to his rival’s impact on his career. Additionally, Tanahashi paid respect to Katsuyori Shibata by executing the PK, another significant homage to the collaborative era of the “Three Musketeers.” These actions highlighted the close ties among generations of wrestling greats at NJPW and celebrated the enduring influence of past legends on the present roster.
The moments at Wrestle Kingdom 20 demonstrated the deep interconnectedness within professional wrestling, where tributes transcend promotions and international borders. As Hiroshi Tanahashi closed a historic chapter, Shinsuke Nakamura’s NJPW Wrestle Kingdom presence—though unconventional—was a powerful reminder of the legacies that shape the sport’s future and the unity it inspires across wrestling’s global landscape.
－－腕に巻いてるのは、中邑さんのものですか？
TAKESHITA「………この2026年1.4東京ドーム、棚橋弘至が引退するこのリングに立ちたくても立てない、そんなプロレスラーもいてね。“俺の分までリングに立ってくれ”って、そう言われて託されたものです」https://t.co/DfkCQMuSvB#棚橋引退 pic.twitter.com/TFfJx7LrAe— 新日本プロレスリング株式会社 (@njpw1972) January 4, 2026
みてるぞ
— Shinsuke Nakamura (@ShinsukeN) January 4, 2026
ありがとう。 pic.twitter.com/BWQVTpU4Sg
— 棚橋 弘至 (@tanahashi1_100) January 4, 2026
