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NJPW Owner Speaks Out After Kazuchika Okada Criticism

By Lyle Kilbane • Published Jan 15, 2026 09:50 EST
Kazuchika Okada press conference

The top man in NJPW’s parent company has spoken out after Kazuchika Okada made his feelings clear after Wrestle Kingdom.

AEW star Kazuchika Okada returned to New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 20 as the final opponent in the legendary career of Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Okada defeated his old rival before Tanahashi was joined in the ring by several names from his past, including Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, The Great Muta, Katsuyori Shibata, and Tetsuya Naito.

Plenty of stars from the world of wrestling paid their own tributes to Tanahashi following his final match, but Kazuchika Okada was left unhappy.

Kazuchika Okada Makes Up With NJPW’s Top Boss

Okada hit out at NJPW, noting that there was nobody from management there to greet him or Tanahashi after the match. Now, Bushiroad, the company which owns the majority of NJPW, president, Takaaki Kidani, took to social media to share a bizarre photo of himself being held by Okada as he admitted things were a bit hectic at WrestleKingdom:

At the dome, it was a bit of a mad rush, but we were able to have a good, in-depth talk. What a historic showdown—great job, you must be exhausted. [Quote translated from Japanese]