Hiroshi Tanahashi announces plans to retire in 2026

As if Bryan Danielson’s tenure as a full-time performer coming to an end wasn’t enough. Hours later, the ACE of New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that he is set to bring his career to a close as well. Hiroshi Tanahashi will end his in-ring career at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026.

Tanahashi made the announcement during the King of Pro-Wrestling event on October 14 after he, El Phantasmo, and Shota Umino defeated the House of Torture. He took the microphone to announce his intention to retire. There’s no set plan on who will be that opponent, but of course Tanahashi’s career will come to a close at the Tokyo Dome.

Tanahashi is one of the most important figures in professional wrestling. Yes, he’s better known in Japan where he spent much of his career carrying NJPW, but his work has been impactful beyond that. Think about some of the greatest performers who’ve stepped through the ropes in major organizations like WWE, All Elite Wrestling, and TNA Wrestling. Many of them have spent time either aligned or against Tanahashi during stints in Japan. He’s a wealth of knowledge and experience that many of the top names have tapped into at some point in their career.

Hiroshi Tanahashi is every bit a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Thirty combined championships across 25 years in the industry. He stepped into rings around the world, including AEW, Ring of Honor, Impact, DDT, RPW, CMLL, and others. He is every bit deserving to be known as “The Ace” of the most important professional wrestling organization in Japan.

In 2024 we had to deal with the end of Bryan Danielson’s full-time career. John Cena is preparing to retire from in-ring action in 2025. And now, Tanahashi is bringing it to a close in 2026. All the greats are stepping away and leaving the space for the young performers to take their place.