Hiroshi Tanahashi wants to give fans the match they were expecting.
On the June 1 episode of AEW Dynamite it was revealed that CM Punk would face Hiroshi Tanahashi at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. Unfortunately, two days later, it was revealed that CM Punk suffered an injury that requires surgery and he would not be able to compete at Forbidden Door.
Speaking to Tokyo Sports (translation via golden_kuma), Tanahashi invited Punk to compete at Wrestle Kingdom.
"1.4 Wrestle Kingdom. Punk owes me one. I'd like to invite him to Japan. I've been to the US a lot, so come here with a special price. Tokyo Dome is a prestigious stage," he said.
Despite the injury, Punk will retain the AEW World Title. An Interim AEW World Title will be made while he's out of action. The interim title will be decided at Forbidden Door in the conclusion of a mini-tournament. Tanahashi has a chance to compete in the Interim AEW World Title bout if he defeats Hirooki Goto at NJPW Dominion. He would face Jon Moxley or the winner of a battle royale.
"I think it's overprotective," Tanahashi said of Punk not relinquishing the title. "If it were in Japan, you would give up the belt normally. Or maybe he will come back in a short period of time."
Fans can learn more about the Interim AEW World Title situation by clicking here.
