Yuji Nagata’s annual homecoming show Blue Justice presented its 16th edition at Togane Arena, headlined by the 18th and final singles match between him and Hiroshi Tanahashi. Here’s everything that went down during the show:
NJPW Blue Justice XVI Match Results:
- Main event: Hiroshi Tanahashi Final Road ~Kinship~ Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Yuji Nagata
- 6th match: DOUKI, SHO, Yujiro Takahashi, Sanada, & Ren Narita def. Kosei Fujita, Robbie Eagles, Hartley Jackson, Ryohei Oiwa, & Zack Sabre Jr.
- 5th match: Togi Makabe, Master Wato, Toru Yano, & YOH def. Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Ryusuke Taguchi & El Desperado
- 4th match: Daiki Nagai, Hiromu Takahashi, Yota Tsuji, and Shingo Takagi def. Gedo, Taiji Ishimori, David Finlay, & Gabe Kidd
- 3rd match: Clark Connors, OSKAR, & Yuto-ICE def. Taka Michinoku, Tomoaki Honma, & Taichi
- 2nd match: Dick Togo, EVIL, & Don Fale def. Katsuya Murashima, Shoma Kato, & Boltin Oleg
- 1st match: Zane Jay & Masatora Yasuda def. Tatsuya Matsumoto & Tiger Mask
Tanahashi Prevails Over Nagata In Final Showdown
Hiroshi Tanahashi won his final match against his mentor, Yuji Nagata. It was their first singles encounter since 2017, which was Nagata’s final G1 Climax match.
The two icons synonymous with New Japan Pro-Wrestling helped carry the promotion’s banner in the early to mid-2000s. It’s only fitting that they had their last match against one another at Nagata’s hometown before Tanahashi retires at Wrestle Kingdom 20 in January to celebrate their rivalry.
While much older and less explosive than they were two decades ago, both men still showed a lot of grit. In the end, it was the younger Tanahashi who picked up the win with his signature High Fly Flow top rope splash.
After the match, Nagata’s son presented Tanahashi with a bouquet as a show of appreciation. The three posed for the photographers at the center of the ring before Tanahashi sent the fans home with a combination of his Aishitemasu hand sign and Nagata’s Blue Justice salute.
さながら入団会見 #bluejusticexvi pic.twitter.com/4IiOdhff6d
— ゆきみ (@gk39mc371) September 7, 2025
In other news, IWGP Global Heavyweight champion Gabe Kidd returned to action for the first time since July after injuring his knee during the G1 Climax tournament. The injury forced him to forfeit his participation after just one match against Konosuke Takeshita.
Kidd will defend his title against Shingo Takagi at Destruction on September 28. His new Bullet Club War Dogs factionmates also made their return to action in an NJPW ring, as Yuto Nakashima, now known as Yuto-ICE, and Oskar Leube, now known as OSKAR, were in a six-man tag match.
Formerly called Young Bloods, their team, called Knock Out Brothers (K.O.B.), will challenge for the IWGP Tag Team titles against Taichi and Tomohiro Ishii at Destruction. The Road to Destruction tour begins on September 9, with both the IWGP Junior Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight Tag Team titles on the line on the 20th.
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