NJPW: Tsuji, Takeshita Retain at Tanahashi Homecoming

In Gifu, Japan, on November 2, 2025, New Japan Pro-Wrestling held Hiroshi Tanahashi's Final Homecoming at the Gifu Memorial Center, drawing 3,742 fans for an emotional evening marking the veteran's last appearance in his hometown. The event featured two major title defenses and concluded with the announcement of a high-stakes double championship match for Wrestle Kingdom 20.

The co-main event saw IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion Yota Tsuji defend his title against Tanahashi in a 20-minute battle that highlighted the challenger's veteran savvy against the champion's explosive athleticism. Tanahashi, nearing the end of his in-ring career with retirement set for January 4, 2026, at the Tokyo Dome, targeted Tsuji's legs with dragon screws and sling blades early on. Tsuji countered with Boston crabs and heavy chops, wearing down the 48-year-old icon. Despite landing a sequence of High Fly Flows and a near-fall inside cradle, Tanahashi could not overcome Tsuji's resilience. The champion secured the victory with his Gene Blaster, retaining the belt and solidifying his status as a rising force in NJPW.

The main event pitted IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Konosuke Takeshita against...