Backstage Update on NJPW’s Decision for Kazuchika Okada as Hiroshi Tanahashi’s Final Opponent & Reason Why Shinsuke Nakamura Was Not Chosen

As noted before, NJPW’s New Japan Road in Anjo event in Anjo, Japan earlier this month featured Kazuchika Okada making a surprise return appearance and being revealed as the mystery opponent for Hiroshi Tanahashi’s retirement match at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026 at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo. Prior to the announcement, WWE talent Shinsuke Nakamura had been rumored as a potential opponent but rumors of AEW blocking Nakamura from being Tanahashi’s final opponent were recently debunked.

The Social Suplex’s Trish Speirs reported that her sources stated that NJPW officials had interest in bringing in Nakamura as Tanahashi’s final opponent but several factors led to Okada being booked instead.

Speirs reported that Nakamura had requested his release from WWE so that he could be able to wrestle Tanahashi at Wrestle Kingdom 20. The idea being Nakamura being released from WWE would not create any potential political issues with NJPW’s current partnerships with AEW and CMLL. Nakamura reportedly has a clause in his WWE contract that allows him to wrestle for other companies in Japan.

Speirs also reported that WWE officials had originally agreed to Nakamura’s release request but later changed their mind and informed all parties that Nakamura could still work the match but he would not be released from his contract with them. This change reportedly took place following WWE’s tour of Japan this past July.

Dave Meltzer reported in a recent episode of the Wrestling Observer Radio that Tanahashi did want to face Nakamura. Tanahashi also had felt that out of all the choices available for a final opponent, the best choice for him to gave a great match would have been with Okada.

Meltzer also reported that NJPW officials had also considered Kenny Omega and Tetsuya Naito but it is currently not known how serious both were considered for the talks for Tanahashi’s final match.

In regards to NJPW’s current partnership with AEW, Meltzer reported that while NJPW using a WWE contracted wrestler could hurt its relationship with AEW, it would also damage their relationship with CMLL at the same time due to CMLL now being in a “war with WWE and AAA in Mexico” following WWE purchasing AAA.