EVIL challenges Hiroshi Tanahashi for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19

EVIL and Hiroshi Tanahashi will do battle at Wrestle Kingdom 19.

At the end of Tanahashi’s press conference on Tuesday regarding his upcoming retirement, EVIL made a surprise appearance and confronted Tanahashi. The House of Torture leader told Tanahashi that NJPW is his company, and he will tell Tanahashi when he retires, and it will be on January 4, 2025. Tanahashi responded by saying that beating EVIL at the Tokyo Dome would not only be the best start to 2025 but also the best start to his retirement road.

Tanahashi announced his retirement at Power Struggle last weekend, saying his last match will take place at Wrestle Kingdom 20 on January 4, 2026. After his announcement, EVIL and the rest of House of Torture ambushed Tanahashi, with EVIL declaring that he would be the one to say when Tanahashi’s career ends.

During the press conference, Tanahashi cited his physical condition as to why he’s retiring, noting issues with his knees and abs, as well as his new position of NJPW’s president, saying he would transition into a full-time office role following his retirement.

He also expressed wrestling singles matches with everyone on NJPW’s roster, from established stars to the young lions. He also has an interest in wrestling Katsuyori Shibata and Shinsuke Nakamura.

“They’re rivals I came up with,” he said. “There are a lot of hurdles to overcome with those people, but we’ll see.”

Tanahashi also hoped for a happy retirement when the time comes in 2026.

“I’ve seen a lot of retirements, been there for a lot of them,” he said. “I always cry at retirements, but I really want to leave the ring behind with a smile on my face.”