New Japan Pro Wrestling President Hiroshi Tanahashi held a press conference on Tuesday regarding his upcoming retirement, which saw EVIL make a surprise appearance at the end of the press conference, issuing a challenge to Tanahashi for NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19 on January 4th, which was later accepted.

EVIL stated that New Japan Pro Wrestling is his company, and that he will be the one to tell Tanahashi when he retires, and that retirement date will be January 4th, 2025 and not the date Tanahashi has set himself for January 4th, 2026.

Tanahashi stated that beating EVIL at Wrestle Kingdom would not only be the best start to 2025, but also the best start to his retirement road.