What’s Next for NJPW After Wrestle Kingdom?
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Wrestle Kingdom marked a historic moment for NJPW, highlighted by the retirement of Hiroshi Tanahashi, one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.
His farewell did more than close a legendary chapter. It also served as a launch point for a new era. After a complicated 2025, NJPW enters 2026 with renewed opportunity, and Wrestle Kingdom laid the groundwork for what comes next.
The first major talking point is Tetsuya Naito. His appearance during the celebrations surrounding Tanahashi’s retirement immediately sparked speculation. As of this writing, it remains unclear whether Naito is officially returning to NJPW or if this was a one-time moment, especially given his recent appearance for NOAH.
A full-time return would be massive for the company. Retaining a draw of Naito’s caliber would help stabilize NJPW in the short term while also creating opportunities to elevate the next generation of top stars. With Tanahashi now gone, NJPW needs all the star power it can get, making this a situation worth monitoring closely.
A New Generation Begins to Take Shape
NJPW is also placing significant faith in Aaron Wolf. That belief was made clear when Wolf defeated EVIL in his very first professional wrestling match to win the NEVER Openweight Championship. Wolf looked strong in his debut, and the crowd was firmly behind him. While there are still areas of his in-ring work that need refinement, the upside is undeniable. NJPW is clearly betting big on Wolf, and 2026 will be a crucial year in his development.
The biggest winner of Wrestle Kingdom was without question Yota Tsuji, who captured the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. In doing so, Tsuji became the first of the Reiwa Three Musketeers, alongside Ren Narita and Shota Umino, to win NJPW’s top prize.
The message was clear. NJPW is investing in its future, and the Musketeers are central to that vision. Tsuji had little time to celebrate his victory over Konosuke Takeshita. Jake Lee attacked him after the match, immediately setting up the champion’s next feud. While the angle created intrigue, it also drew criticism for cutting short a moment that should have belonged entirely to Tsuji.
Looking ahead, 2026 could be one of the most important years in NJPW history. The future is no longer something to prepare for. It is already here. Narita and Umino will need meaningful pushes as the year progresses, and all eyes will be on how Gedo handles the booking moving forward.
The announcement that NJPW will host G1 Climax dates in the United States later this year only adds to the intrigue. NJPW has made its direction clear. Now comes the challenge of delivering on that promise.
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