Shinsuke Nakamura took some time to reflect on his own wrestling career while celebrating AJ Styles' final match in Japan on Saturday. While thanking Japanese fans and addressing John Cena's farewell tour, Nakamura teased that his retirement is right around the corner.
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…— Shinsuke Nakamura (@ShinsukeN) October 18, 2025
In a post shared on social media, Nakamura wrote:
"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."
Nakamura then touched on the idea that his career may be coming to a near end.
He added, "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…"
Nakamura recently made a return to the ring, accepting the Open Challenge of former United States Champion Sami Zayn. He didn't win the match, but it's fair to ask if this was the start of a new push for Nakamura on WWE programming.
WWE thinks a lot of him, but hasn't been able to find a creative fit and a way to keep a sustained push going. There has been talk that Styles is looking at a possible retirement tour in 2026. Could Nakamura do the same? Is he at the level where fans would want to see that kind of run, where he wrestles some of the bigger opponents of his career?
He might not arguably have that kind of resume in WWE, but if he's looking at hanging up his boots in the next year or two, the hope is that WWE can make his final run memorable.
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