Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. CM Punk Set For AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door

June 1, 2022

The Forbidden Door is wide open, and Hiroshi Tanahashi has stepped through to challenge CM Punk for the AEW World Championship.

During tonight’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Punk and FTR took down Max Caster and the Gunn Club in a six-man tag team match. Following the bout, Punk took to the microphone and celebrated his new championship, telling the crowd that he’s never done drugs, but this is what it must feel like. Later, he brought up the world of New Japan Pro-Wrestling, before openly taunting someone to come through the Forbidden Door, leading Tanahashi to arrive to a loud ovation.

Tanahashi is widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers ever, and is one of the most decorated and popular superstars in NJPW, having won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship a record-setting eight times. The superstar has won a total of 22 championships in NJPW, and is just one of two in the history of the company to ever win its Grand Slam, having won the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship, IWGP Intercontinental Championship, and the NEVER Openweight Championship in his career.

His appearance also sets the stage for what promises to be an incredible match between the two superstars at AEW and NJPW’s Forbidden Door pay-per-view, which is set to take place on Sunday, June 26, 2022.