Hiroshi Tanahashi: I Was Thinking Of Returning To The Ring If Push Came To Shove

Hiroshi Tanahashi was considering a return.

It was in January 2026 at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20 that company President Hiroshi Tanahashi wrapped up his in-ring career. He fell in defeat to Kazuchika Okada in his retirement match, and afterward, there was a post-match ceremony for Tanahashi.

Tanahashi was interviewed by BusinessPlus and shared that if push came to shove, he was thinking about returning to the ring, but added that the current generation of top NJPW wrestlers is holding down the fort.

“My biggest goal as President is to achieve record profits and take New Japan Pro-Wrestling to the next level. However, it feels as though we’ve already grasped that future. Right now, the quality of New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s wrestlers is truly amazing. In the past, we had Antonio Inoki, Tatsumi Fujinami, and Riki Choshu, and from the next generation we had the Three Musketeers of Fighting Spirit: Keiji Muto, Masahiro Chono, and Shinya Hashimoto, and then the third generation: Manabu Nakanishi, Yuji Nagata, Hiroyoshi Tenzan, and Satoshi Kojima, and up until now, there were usually around four fighters who could aim for the top, like myself and Shinsuke Nakamura. But now, with fighters like Yota Tsuji, Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, and Ren Narita, and with Aaron Wolf joining them, it’s an era of fierce competition with many excellent fighters. This competition naturally fuels the passion of the fans. I think we’ll see dramas unfold that even the fans can’t imagine, and the fun will continue. I was thinking of making a comeback if push came to shove, but it looks like I won’t be getting a chance (laughs).”

Tanahashi was on the receiving end of a beatdown from Gabe Kidd at the Road to G1 Climax show. Before capturing the IWGP Global Heavyweight Title, Kidd spit in Tanahashi’s face twice.