Go Ace … all the way to a match with CM Punk at Forbidden Door.
It looks like New Japan’s Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi, will be the one to test the mettle of new AEW World Champion Punk at the collaborative Forbidden Door pay-per-view later this month in Chicago.
Punk, who won the title from Hangman Adam Page at Double or Nothing last Sunday, teamed up with FTR for a trios victory over Max Caster and the Gunn Club on this week’s episode of Dynamite. Afterward, he told the fans in Los Angeles that he still needed to learn and improve, even as champion.
He then turned his attention to Forbidden Door, asking who he was going to face. Tanahashi walked out onto the stage just a moment later, and even though he didn’t speak (at least on the TV broadcast), he made it clear he was challenging Punk — perhaps even for that newly won gold.
You can watch the entire segment below.
While we’re not sure every fan would agree that Tanahashi’s appearance was the No. 1 moment of the week — an honor that would probably be reserved for MJF’s passionate promo — it was a great bit to set up the first in what should be a series of dream matches booked for Forbidden Door.
Considering Tanahashi’s list of accomplishments, including his record eight reigns as IWGP Heavyweight Champion and three reigns as IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion, he makes for a logical opponent for Punk, especially considering they are close in age as well (Tanahashi is 45, Punk 43). Though Kenta has been publicly lobbying for a chance to face Punk on social media, this matchup is an even bigger one, all things considered.
AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door will take place on Sunday, June 26 at the United Center in Chicago, and will broadcast as a pay-per-view available through Bleacher Report in the U.S., FITE TV internationally, and NJPW World in Japan.