New Japan Pro Wrestling sent out the following:
Manabu Nakanishi to retire February 22
Nakanishi to call an end on his 27 plus year career in special Korakuen Hall event
At the post Wrestle Kingdom press conference on January 7, Manabu Nakanishi announced his plans to retire at a special event on February 22 in Korakuen Hall. The former Olympian will have wrestled for over 27 years professionally after debuting with NJPW in October 1992 and being a superstar of the Third Generation.
“I have decided to retire on February 22 this year. As a result of a neck injury, I haven’t been able to wrestle to the level I wanted, and rather than drag things out, I wanted to draw a line in the sand. Rather than think about how I could do x, y, z a long time ago, I want to put everything that I have into February 22. I want to head into this retirement having given everything I have and end things properly.”