SANADA defended his IWGP World Heavyweight Title against "Jungle Boy" Jack Perry at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.
The bout came together after SANADA issued an open challenge, which Perry accepted.
SANADA did not compete at Forbidden Door 2022, making Forbidden Door 2023 his first taste of AEW.
Speaking to the New Japan website, SANADA reflected on the event.
"When I was over with AEW, I felt how important that IWGP label is," he said. "I got to chat with CM Punk, and he was like ‘that belt is the coolest’. You know, for a CM Punk to know who you are and what you’re doing, that speaks to how widely the IWGP Champion is known."
Asked how he felt about the IWGP World Heavyweight Title bout going on fourth on the show, SANADA replied, "My opponent, Perry, I could see there was something to him, the fans had been behind him, and he had a good match with DOUKI in Chicago. I think he’s someone with a lot of upside. But I think with this being an away game, the most important thing was being able to show who I am in that environment and in that atmosphere. Where you are on the card, that’s important sure, but it was my job to show who SANADA is within that environment, and win on top of that. I did that and I’m grateful I was able to."
Frustrated with his loss to SANADA, Perry turned on HOOK after the bout.
SANADA is set to compete in the annual G1 Climax tournament, which begins on July 15.
Fightful will have coverage of all G1 Climax events in our results section.
