Top International Star Makes Surprise AEW Return

AEW

A top international star has made a surprise return to in-ring AEW competition for the first time in almost a year.

On the Saturday, May 25 edition of AEW Collision a trios match was set to take place between Lance Archer & The Righteous against Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia and a mystery partner.

Just as the match looked to be proceeding as a three-on-two handicap match, a familiar entrance music hit the speakers inside Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Arena and none other than NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi made his way to the ring.

Tanahashi had not competed in AEW in 11 months, with his last match coming at Forbidden Door 2023 against MJF.

With the fans behind him Tanahashi helped Garcia and Castagnoli to victory in the bout, with the eight time IWGP Heavyweight Champion securing the pin for his team.

Following the surprise appearance, AEW’s President Tony Khan would send a tweet thanking Tanahashi, not only for showing up on Collision but also for gifting him a special Jushin Thunder Liger jacket.

For more AEW news ahead of AEW Double or Nothing follow this link here.

Thank you Mr President @tanahashi1_100 for this amazing @Liger_NJPW jacket
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thank you for flying to Vegas #AEWDoN weekend on behalf of @njpw1972 to stand up for @AEW vs the hired guns of The Elite on Saturday #AEWCollision on TBS TONIGHT!

Thank you all watching AEW on TBS now! pic.twitter.com/N0WTartfeY

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) May 26, 2024

NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi just showed up on AEW Collision! 😲 pic.twitter.com/slx6sR7wsA

— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) May 26, 2024

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• Collision
• Hiroshi Tanahashi
• AEW

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