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WWE Stars Pay Tribute To Hiroshi Tanahashi After Retirement

By Lyle Kilbane • Published Jan 05, 2026 06:30 EST
Hiroshi Tanahashi flowers

WWE stars might not have been able to be at Wrestle Kingdom, but they lined up to pay their own tribute to NJPW legend Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Hiroshi Tanahashi gave fans plenty of warning that he was bringing his legendary career to a close at Wrestle Kingdom 20. In the run-up to that match, plenty of fans had fantasy booked Tanahashi squaring off with his old rival and current WWE star Shinsuke Nakamura.

WWE has allowed Nakamura to work dates in Japan, but not for NJPW, which has a strong working relationship with AEW. It was then revealed that Tanahashi would face off with a man with whom he had headlined the Tokyo Dome plenty of times before, Kazuchika Okada.

At Wrestle Kingdom 20, Okada defeated Tanahashi, sending him off into retirement. AEW stars Will Ospreay, Kenny Omega, Kota Ibushi, and Jay White were on hand to share the ring with Tanahashi after his final bout, giving the legend his flowers in the ring.

WWE Stars Share Memories Of Hiroshi Tanahashi

Now, WWE stars have paid tribute to Hiroshi Tanahashi online with former NJPW stars leading the charge. Bullet Club founder Finn Balor took to social media to pay tribute to the man he called a “true leader”:

I will never forget being star struck as a ‘young boy’ sitting next to @tanahashi1_100 on the Njpw bus , only to be greeted by a gentle welcoming smile. A true leader, leading by example with unrivaled professionalism. You inspired me, guided me, and pushed me to be better. Thank you Senpai and Congratulations on an incredible career Otsukaresama deshita

AJ Styles also paid his own tribute to the man he defeated at New Beginning in 2015 to win the IWGP Heavyweight Championship:

Some of my favorite memories are in Japan. Some of my favorite matches were with this guy @tanahashi1_100
he is truly one of the best.