The “forbidden door” continues to open wider by the week, as New Japan Pro-Wrestling and All Elite Wrestling increasingly collaborate with each other, among other companies. If “The Ace” Hiroshi Tanahashi has his way, he’ll be kicking it wide open this weekend.
Speaking to Sports Illustrated ahead of his match against AEW superstar and current IWGP United States Champion Lance Archer at NJPW’s Resurgence show on Saturday, Takahashi said now is the best time to start pushing for some of the bigger matches fans have longed to see.
“I think, now more than ever, it’s important for all of pro wrestling to come together and get past all the troubles COVID has presented,” Tanahashi s said. “I think the best way we can do that is to bring the fans the best possible matches, and those dream-match scenarios. I think being able to wrestle in all these organizations can only be a good thing.”
While the COVID-19 pandemic and the Delta variant have slowed a lot of the progress these companies have made in partnering up, Takahashi sees a day where that is no longer an issue. He stated that he believes the IWGP United States Championship can be a big factor in this continued evolution of the business.
“I predict that once COVID is behind us, you’re going to see even more movement and exchanges between Japan and America,” Tanahashi continued. “The U.S. Heavyweight title is the key to those doors being unlocked, and that’s what makes it extra important.”
In the meantime, Tanahashi will have a huge match on the horizon, one in which he hopes he’s able to win and come away with not only a new title, but a new opportunity for everyone to barge through the forbidden door. Fans will have to wait and see how it unfolds on Saturday.
RELATED: Ten Person Tag Match Added To NJPW Resurgence, Updated Card
