Tanahashi is ready to go.
On the final day of the NJPW Best Of The Super Juniors tournament, Jon Moxley will debut for the company as he'll take on Juice Robinson for the IWGP U.S. Heavyweight Championship. Also on that card, Hiroshi Tanahashi will make his return to in-ring competition after undergoing elbow surgery to take on his rival "Switchblade" Jay White. Tanahashi's last match was in April at ROH/NJPW's G1 Supercard and just one month later, he is jumping back into the ring and while being interviewed by NJPW1972.com, Tanahashi addressed those who feel like he is pushing his return date and stated that he feels fine and will work to perform at a top level.
"I’m not rushing. The last few years its been kind of a routine for me, to be hurt and come back this time of year. For me it’s always a thing of listening to my body before deciding when to come back. From here, I’ll be working to be in top condition." He said.
Tanahashi gave Jay White credit for being a different person from the first they went one-on-one at Wrestle Kingdom 12.
"He’s a different person than the one I wrestled in his return match in 2018. He has had experience on the biggest stage, he’s wrestled a lot of different opponents. He’s been in the main event at Madison Square Garden. That will do wonders for your self confidence. To tell you the truth, he’s a high hurdle to clear. To that kid who came back from his excursion to face me, I was a big hurdle to him at the time. Now I’m coming back and he’s the hurdle. It’s almost a role reversal in that regard." Tanahashi explained.
The Best Of The Super Juniors tournament is in its final stages and the winner of the B block will meet A Block winner Shingo Takagi in the finals.
