Huge NJPW Star Thinks More US Exchanges Will Happen After Pandemic

A top NJPW star has stated that he believes there will be even more talent movement and exchanges between Japan and USA after the pandemic.

Since the beginning of the year, numerous NJPW stars have wrestled for US promotions like AEW, IMPACT. Hiroshi Tanahashi expects more movement to happen when COVID-19 is behind us.

Speaking with Sports Illustrated, Tanahashi argued that it’s important for wrestling promotions to unite and help one another in current circumstances. Wanting more dream matches to take place, Tanahashi said:

“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. 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 organisations can only be a good thing

“I predict that once COVID is behind us, you’re going to see even more movement and exchanges between Japan and America. The U.S. Heavyweight title is the key to those doors being unlocked, and that’s what makes it extra important.”

It was Tanahashi who first referenced a NJPW-AEW “forbidden door” ahead of his WrestleKingdom 14 match with Chris Jericho last year. Since then, the likes of KENTA and Yuji Nagata have wrestled live on Dynamite, and the IWGP United States Championship has changed hands on AEW TV.

At NJPW Resurgence on August 14, Tanahashi defeated AEW’s Lance Archer to win the IWGP US Championship. Also on the show, Will Ospreay returned, declaring himself the “real” IWGP World Heavyweight titleholder.

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• Hiroshi Tanahashi
• NJPW
• AEW
• IMPACT

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