The wrestling world came together at the Tokyo Dome to bid farewell to “The Ace” of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, Hiroshi Tanahashi. Following his final match against longtime rival Kazuchika Okada at Wrestle Kingdom 20, a star-studded retirement ceremony featured surprise appearances from several top AEW stars, many of whom have been absent from television due to injury.
Among the most emotional returns was Will Ospreay. The “Aerial Assassin,” who has been out of action since August 2025 with herniated disc injuries, entered the ring to present Tanahashi with flowers. Ospreay’s history with Tanahashi is deep, having faced him numerous times during his ascent to the top of the NJPW card before departing for AEW.
Joining him were the “Golden Lovers,” Kenny Omega and Kota Ibushi. Their appearance was particularly notable given Ibushi’s condition; the star suffered a broken femur in October 2025 but managed to walk to the ring under his own power to honor his friend and rival. Omega, who battled Tanahashi in the main event of Wrestle Kingdom 13, stood side-by-side with Ibushi in a poignant moment of respect.
Perhaps the most surprising appearance came from “Switchblade” Jay White. The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion has not wrestled since March 2025 but returned to the Tokyo Dome to pay tribute to the man he defeated to win the title in 2019. Despite their bitter on-screen rivalry, White presented flowers to Tanahashi, acknowledging the torch that was passed between them.
Current AEW star Katsuyori Shibata also participated, exchanging his signature chops with Tanahashi before sharing a heartfelt embrace. The ceremony also featured Japanese legends Keiji Muto, Tatsumi Fujinami, and Tetsuya Naito, solidifying Tanahashi’s status as an icon of the sport.
The ceremony capped off a historic night that also saw the end of an era for NJPW’s championship lineage. Earlier in the evening, Yota Tsuji defeated Konosuke Takeshita to unify the IWGP World and Global titles, effectively starting the post-Tanahashi era with a new leader at the helm.
While Ospreay, Omega, Ibushi, and White appeared for the ceremony, their in-ring futures remain uncertain. Ospreay’s herniated discs and Ibushi’s leg injury are significant hurdles, and no official timetable has been given for their return to competition in AEW. Fans will be watching closely for updates on their recovery as AEW heads toward its Revolution pay-per-view in March.
