Kazuchika Okada: Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Retirement Match Should Main Event, It Would Be Unfair To Others To Compete After

Kauchika Okada is set to return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling on January 4th at Wrestle Kingdom 20 when he faces Hiroshi Tanahashi in Tanahashi’s retirement match.

Okada and Tanahashi are two of the greatest stars in NJPW history, and have headlined three Tokyo Domes together. Okada is looking for a fourth.

“Well, the main event, of course. I’ve always said the IWGP should be the main event, but this is different. If it’s me, it’s gotta be the main event, right?” he said with a defiant smile when asked about the bout order by Tokyo Sports.

Along with Okada vs. Tanahashi, the card features Konosuke Takeshita defending the IWGP World Heavyweight Title against Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji in a winner-take-all bout.

“Mr. Tanahashi is also a veteran of New Japan, and I feel it would be unfair for other wrestlers to compete after him. Experiencing a main event where you don’t get much reaction afterward, or experiencing an IWGP title match not being the main event—both are valuable experiences. I think that will be a valuable experience for both Takeshita and Tsuji. (Fans) could even vote on it,” he said.

Fans voted on the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 8, choosing the IWGP Intercontinental Title bout between Shinsuke Nakamura and Hiroshi Tanahashi to headline over the IWGP Heavyweight Title bout between Okada and Tetsuya Naito.

Fans can find more comments from Okada on the match by clicking here.