Up until the last minute, Hiroshi Tanahashi was not booked for this massive Tokyo Dome show. However, when the challenger for Shingo Takagi’s IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, Kota Ibushi, became ill and wasn’t able to be cleared? The ace stepped up to the plate. Tonight at Wrestle Grand Slam, Tanahashi looks to once again knock it out of the park as he enters the main event, a familiar spot, and faces a familiar opponent. Earlier this year, Tanahashi defeated Shingo to win the NEVER Openweight Championship, and tonight will look to play that victory back in an even bigger title match.
This very well could be the final time Hiroshi Tanahashi wrestles in the main event of Tokyo Dome, and he’s certainly going to fight like it is. He’s just 24 hours out from a brutal match with KENTA, but is just as ready as ever to step into the ring and fight like hell. Tanahashi owns the ring in the Tokyo Dome, with only Shinsuke Nakamura beating him on the first try. However, Shingo Takagi is the best he’s ever been, and has been damn near untouchable in 2021. Only Tanahashi has figured him out this year at this peak, making this the perfect main event despite the circumstances.
The Ace Of The Universe Vs. The Champion Of NJPW
Despite a smaller crowd than usual for Tokyo Dome due to the state of emergency in Tokyo, there was a big match feel as Tanahashi & Shingo locked up. Tanahashi would take Shingo down, but was unable to do much with him on the mat early on. Shingo would be taken down to the mat again but was able to pop up and nail a shoulder tackle. Some elbow drops followed, but Tanahashi dodged a senton and hit one of his own.
Shingo would catch Tanahashi with a pop up Death Valley Driver, before driving Tanahashi over the top with a lariat. He’d slam the face of Tanahashi off the apron twice, before tossing him into it face first off his shoulders. Back in the ring, Shingo nailed a huge vertical suplex, getting a two count, before quickly nailing a snap saito to follow.
A side headlock would also trap the arm of Tanahashi, but he’d be able to wrestle his way free before being swatted down by Shingo. He’d look for Noshigami early on, before nailing a snap DDT instead. Tanahashi fought back with a dragon screw, a move he does better than anyone else. Some strikes in the corner would follow, before Tanahashi flew out of the corner with a flying forearm smash.
A scoop and a slam would set up the somersault senton out of the corner, before Tanahashi would tease the slingblade only to nail the basement dropkick. He’d look for the Texas Cloverleaf, but Shingo was able to get the bottom rope. Once again, they’d exchange strikes before Tanahashi hit a dropkick in the corner to send Shingo outside.
Shingo Takagi & Hiroshi Tanahashi Give Their All
Putting it all on the line, Tanahashi climbed to the top rope before crashing down onto Shingo with Aces High, managing to not injure his knee on the way down. Tanahashi would get Shingo back into the ring at the count of 14, before channeling Shibata with some heavy downward strikes in the corner. He’d cross the ring, and nail the basement dropkick, before hitting the Twist & Shout neckbreaker.
Tanahashi nailed two more, before Shingo nailed a desperate Noshigami to drop the ace. A wheelbarrow German Suplex would follow, before Shingo nailed the Sliding Lariat for a two count. Now in control again, Shingo kicked away at Tanahashi, before having his knee kicked once again. He’d go for the Death Valley Driver again, but Tanahashi landed and hit a dragon screw on the mat.
The Texas Cloverleaf was applied, with Shingo bent at an odd angle before he could get his arms underneath himself. Tanahashi sat back as deep as he could, and forced Shingo to painfully pull himself to the ropes. He’d pull another Shibata like move as he stomped Shingo through the ropes, before trying for the Dragon Screw in the ropes.
Shingo nailed this instead, before attacking the knee of Tanahashi using the apron. He’d look to drop Tanahashi using the barricade to set up the GTR. The damage down onto the knee would hurt Shingo just as much, but he’d get back to the ring first. Tanahashi got back in at 19, and Shingo nailed the sliding lariat and Made In Japan for a two count.
The Dragon Age Continues
Pumping bomber would be next, nearly taking the head off the shoulders of Tanahashi, but it still wasn’t enough to take the ace out on his home field. Last of The Dragon would be attempted, but the hurt knee and defense of Tanahashi kept this one going. Shingo hit some rapid forearm shots, before finally dropping him with a headbutt.
With Tanahashi down, Shingo would attempt Last Of The Dragon again, only to be countered with a Slingblade. Tanahashi went for it properly, but took a lariat instead. He’d come back with a Dragon Suplex, before nailing the Slingblade for a two count. Scaling the ropes, he’d go for Aces High, taking Shingo down.
As he went to climb again, Shingo grabbed the leg of Tanahashi and had to be fought off. He knows High Fly Flow is deadly, but so is Kamigoye and Tanahashi would use the move Ibushi made to surpass him to great effect. High Fly Flow would land but Shingo somehow kicked out of this super combo.
A dragon suplex was set up, before nailing a snap version of Last of The Dragon, but was unable to follow up right away with a pinfall. They’d both be slow to their feet, and trade heavy forearm blows on their way up. Tanahashi would win out after launching off a headbutt, showing just how much he wants this.
Shingo would take two Dragon Suplexes, and still be able to kick out. Tanahashi would climb to the top rope, taking much more effort than usual. Shingo was there to meet him, and would hoist him onto his shoulders. Last of The Dragon off the second rope dropped Tanahashi, but a slow cover still had Tanahashi survive. Shingo would nail one more Last of the Dragon, closing this one finally.
If this is the last time Tanahashi is the main event of Tokyo Dome, he left it all on the line. He called back to Shibata, used the finisher of Ibushi, and took everything Shingo had to offer in an absolute classic. Shingo Takagi is the best NJPW has to offer right now, but Tanahashi truly might be the best they ever had. This match was long, but kept you on the edge of your seat from start to the final finisher. Truly a match worthy of the main event. Match Rating: 5/5 (*****)
Following the match Shingo would take the microphone to address the crowd and his opponent. He’d show some respect to Tanahashi, saying he knows he’s great and showed what it is to be the ace. With this, they’re one and one and need the rubber match someday. He’s waiting for Ibushi, but as he gave his address, EVIL would strike. This is likely to be his next fight, and another hard one.
Can EVIL vanquish The Dragon? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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