As Nakamura rumors swirl, New Japan teases Tanahashi’s final opponent

It seems unlikely that a WWE star would appear for AEW’s biggest partner on one of its biggest shows. But as we’re often told, it’s a never say never business. And with Hirsohi Tanahashi, a superstar often called New Japan Pro-Wresting’s version of John Cena, set to retire at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in the Tokyo Dome on Jan. 3, just weeks after Cena does — we continue to hear rumblings that WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura could be Tanahashi’s final opponent.

There’s no official announcement yet, but NJPW leaned into the speculation during Tanahashi’s Final Homecoming show yesterday (Nov. 2) in The Ace’s hometown of Gifu. New Japan’s president challenged rising star Yota Tsuji for the IWGP Global title, coming up short despite a valiant effort. An effort that included a shoutout to Nakamura when he used one of the 2018 Royal Rumble winner’s signature moves…

Backstage, he had a conversation with New Japan’s head booker Gedo. It didn’t include any teases for the return of one of Tanahashi’s fellow “new Three Musketeer” (a label with historic connotations NJPW placed on Tanahashi, Nakamura, and AEW’s Katsuyori Shibata early in their careers), but it did set the stage for an announcement (translation via Google):

Gedo: Tanahashi-san, have you decided on your opponent for your retirement match yet?

Tanahashi: I haven’t decided on my opponent for my retirement match yet.

Gedo: It hasn’t been decided yet… If that’s the case, well… I’ll prepare it. Just let me know.

While probably not his dream scenario from a booking perspective, I could see AEW boss Tony Khan deciding not to make a stink about a WWE presence on Wrestle Kingdom given his wrestling fandom and respect for wrestling history.

How did Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinsuke Nakamura function as a team?

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