Following John Cena’s farewell this year and AJ Styles’ planned departure next year, Shinsuke Nakamura hinted at his own retirement.
After WWE’s Japan tour concluded, The King of Strong Style took to X to hint that he may hang up his boots soon. Here’s what he posted:
“What a special place Japan is. especially for those of us who wrestle.
As AJ said, it’s a place worthy of giving everything you’ve got. Of course, that’s true anywhere in the world… but there’s something sacred here. I don’t know if it’s because I’m Japanese, but I believe the wrestlers and fans who shared this space all felt the same. Maybe.
He did too — John Cena, AJ — they’ve all chosen to step away from the ring. It reminds me that my own time might not be far off.
But I still have things I must do. I’m still struggling, still fighting, not knowing what tomorrow will bring.
All I can do is live this day with everything I have.
Thank you.
If only… one more time…”
During an interview with Tokyo Sports, Nakamura clarified that his retirement won’t happen anytime soon and he wants to win the World Heavyweight Title in WWE.
Here’s what the 2018 Men’s Royal Rumble winner said:
“Fortunately, I haven’t had many injuries, so it’s not like I have to retire right now. But nothing lasts forever. If you ask me about the next 10 years, I have my doubts, but if you ask me about five years, maybe.
You never know what tomorrow brings, so I just have to do what I can now. That’s what keeps me going – the belief that I can still do it.
For me, it’s the World Heavyweight Championship. That’s what I’m after. When you think about the things Japanese wrestlers, especially men, haven’t yet broken through on in America, that’s it. I don’t know if it’ll serve as proof of anything, but sometimes I wonder – if I can’t do it, what happens then?
I just want to leave behind a path, a sense of hope, for the next generation of Japanese and Asian wrestlers.”
