Tony Khan confirms if he stopped WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura from facing his beloved star in his retirement match

One of Shinsuke Nakamura’s old rivals is set to retire soon. There were rumors that Tony Khan stopped this match from happening, and he eventually resolved that.

NJPW Ace Hiroshi Tanahashi is set to make his final match in the squared circle at Wrestle Kingdom 20 this weekend at the Tokyo Dome. While many hoped there would be a way for him and Shinsuke Nakamura to face off one last time, it didn’t happen. Instead, another of his long-time rivals, Kazuchika Okada, he will be the one to retire him.

By appearing on Q101, Tony Khan was asked about the rumor that he blocked Shinsuke Nakamura to face Tanahashi, and instead found a way for Okada to do so. He thought it was entertaining and very detailed, but he debunked it by saying none of it was true.

“It’s actually something that I read and I was surprised to read that,” Khan said. “I don’t know where all that 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 that happened, but he felt what he thought and he felt it that way and then he thought about it. It’s like, well, are you telepathic? A lot of it never happened and a lot of it was like, how would you know what this guy was thinking or this guy I thought it was an interesting story, I’ll put it that way.

He then mentioned how he was able to tell Tanahashi about the match and how having Okada as the final opponent was an iconic moment. He appreciated the partnership between AEW and NJPW and how Rainmaker could be part of a big moment like this.

“I talked to him at length about his retirement, I worked with him and the idea of ​​having Kazuchika Okada as his final opponent, it’s such an iconic thing. Their rivalry is so important to New Japan Pro Wrestling and to both men’s careers and to what has become a very successful promotion with AEW. I think it’s perfect and I’m very happy that Okada will be involved at Wrestle Kingdom as Tanahashi’s final opponent for his retirement match.” [H/T WrestlingNews.Co]

Shinsuke Nakamura was recently spotted with an AEW star

With Wrestle Kingdom 20 right around the corner, unfortunately, fans won’t be able to see Shinsuke Nakamura, as he is affiliated with WWE. But he recently spent time with a popular AEW star who is also expected to appear on the show.

At pay-per-view, Konosuke Takeshita is set to face Yota Tsuji in a title vs. title match. The IWGP World Heavyweight and Global Heavyweight Championships will be on the line that night.

A few days before this major fight, Takeshita job photos during his stay in Savannah, Georgia. He was with Shinsuke Nakamura, who had his dog with him.

Wrestle Kingdom 20 is full of blockbuster fights, so it’s a show everyone should check out if they can. Besides NJPW’s top talent, two of AEW’s biggest stars, Takeshita and Okada, will be on the card, so it’s must-see action.