Tony Khan has addressed speculation surrounding Hiroshi Tanahashi’s upcoming retirement match, firmly denying claims that he played any role in blocking a potential showdown between Tanahashi and WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura.
Rumours had circulated suggesting Tony Khan intervened to prevent the dream match from taking place at Wrestle Kingdom 20, but the AEW President dismissed those claims during an interview with Q101, saying he was surprised by how the story had taken shape.
“That is actually something I read about and I was surprised to read that,” Khan said. “I’m not sure where that all came from, I don’t really understand some of that story. It was a very detailed story with a lot of, if I may, it seemed like they thought they could read minds when they wrote that story. Not only did they say this happened and this happened, but he felt his way about it and he felt this way about it and then he was thinking. It’s like, well, are you telepathic?”
Khan pushed back strongly on the idea that he influenced the decision in any way, calling the narrative inaccurate and unfounded.
“A lot of that never happened and a lot of it was like, how would you know what that guy was thinking or that guy?” he said. “I thought that was an interesting story, I’ll put it that way.”
Instead, Tanahashi is set to close out his legendary in-ring career against longtime rival Kazuchika Okada, a pairing Khan believes is both fitting and historically significant. He explained that he has been in close communication with Tanahashi throughout the planning process and fully supports the direction taken for the final match.
“I’ve talked to him extensively about his retirement, worked with him and the idea of having Kazuchika Okada as his final opponent, it’s such an iconic thing,” Khan said. “Their rivalry is so important to New Japan Pro Wrestling and to both men’s careers and to what has gone on to be a very successful promotion with AEW. I think it’s perfect and I’m very happy involved for Okada to be involved as the final opponent for Tanahashi.”
Tanahashi’s farewell match is scheduled to take place on January 4, 2026, at the Tokyo Dome, marking the end of an era for one of the most influential figures in modern professional wrestling.
Will Tony Khan Be At NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 20?
It is unknown whether AEW President Tony Khan will attend NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 20 event on January 4 in Tokyo, Japan, but AEW’s Will Ospreay and Kenny Omega have been announced as attendees for the event, so it stands to reason that AEW’s owner could join them.
AEW’s Konosuke Takeshita is also scheduled for the event, as he is set to take on Yota Tsuji in a winner-takes-all match for Takeshita’s IWGP World Heavyweight Title and Tsuji’s IWGP Global Heavyweight Title.
