MJF defended the gold at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.
Ahead of the show, Hiroshi Tanahashi challenged MJF to defend the title against him. The self-proclaimed generational talent initially refused, but Adam Cole goaded him into accepting the match on the June 21 episode of AEW Dynamite.
MJF’s disdain for NJPW was clear from the second he walked onto the stage, as he was wearing a robe that had “New Japan is an indie” on it. MJF also disrespected Tanahashi throughout the bout, as he mocked his air guitar taunt and yelled that Hiroshi was a “joke.”
Early on, Tanahashi gained the advantage, prompting MJF to leave the ring and walk up the apron, but a “coward” chant convinced him to return to the ring. The two stars continued to battle it out, and Tanahashi nearly scored the win with a modified Sharpshooter.
In the closing moments, MJF went to use his title as a weapon, but the referee stopped him. Tanahashi rolled MJF up for a two count, as the referee was slow to count the pin. Tanahashi argued with the referee, and MJF shoved his opponent into the official. With the referee temporarily compromised, MJF blasted Tanahashi with his Dynamite Diamond Ring and pinned him for the win.
Catch up on our coverage of AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door here.
