CM Punk was forced into an odd situation due to a broken foot, but AEW chose to not strip him of the AEW World Championship. Instead, an interim champion will be named – and Hiroshi Tanahashi now has to work to get to Forbidden Door. He will face Hirooki Goto tonight, with the winner going on to face Jon Moxley at Forbidden Door.
Jon Moxley advanced after being ranked #1 in the men’s singles division in AEW, and defeating Battle Royale winner Kyle O’Reilly in the main event of AEW Dynamite. Moxley is a former IWGP United States Champion, and has been calling out Hiroshi Tanahashi for the better part of two years. Should Tanahashi win tonight, Moxley finally gets his match – but everyone would be a fool to look past the always dangerous Hirooki Goto.
Hiroshi Tanahashi Punches Ticket To Forbidden Door
Goto would kick things off with a wrist lock, but Tanahashi easily found the ropes. Tanahashi fought back with a headlock takeover, before some forearm smashes into the corner. Goto would shove Tanahashi over the top rope. On the floor, Tanahashi would eat a massive lariat from Goto, before some more heavy blows in the ring.
The spinning wheel kick into the corner was followed up by the running bulldog. Goto kept the pressure on with the headlock, before Tanahashi broke free and nailed the flying forearm smash. Scoop Slam would set up the Somersault Senton, before Goto would nearly catch Tanahashi with the German Suplex.
Tanahashi would slip free and hit the basement dropkick, but Dragon Screw was blocked into a backdrop driver. Goto would not stay on top for long however – taking a quick Dragon Screw leg whip. They’d trade blows, with Tanahashi potentially getting a KO off a left hand swat. Goto would remain in the fight, before countering the Slingblade.
GTR was blocked, before Tanahahsi turned an Ushigoroshi into a Sling Blade. Goto would hit the midkick, before Goto Shiki roll up nearly caught Tanahashi. A big slingblade would put Goto down, before Aces High and High Fly Flow. Tanahashi is going to Forbidden Door!
Shingo Takagi & Taichi Waste No Time
Shingo Takagi & Taichi changed the perception of the King of Pro Wrestling title with their 30 count match, which saw Shingo claim the trophy for himself. Now tonight they meet once again – with another unique stipulation. It will be a 10 minute time limit match, where all pinfalls are counted up. Whoever gets the most falls in that period will be crowned the winner, with every pinfall counting.
Taichi would nail a kick to the head to start this match, before an exchange of chops. Shingo would move to big boots, but neither man would hit the mat. A quick lariat would drop Taichi, but he’d find his footing for the Hook kick. Taichi grabbed the first two points, and Shingo got one in return.
Yukon Lariat into an inside cradle, Shingo takes the lead 3-2. Shingo got another two points, moving up to 5-2. He’d miss a jumping senton, but kept the pressure on with some knee strikes and a DDT. Sliding Lariat got two more points, moving to a 7-2 lead with 6 minutes left.
A Nail-Biting Final Stretch
Taichi would hit two big kicks, and got two more points, moving the score to 7-4. Pumping Bomber was blocked into the backdrop, and Taichi moved the score to 7-6. Axe Bomber would signal the last three minutes of this match, before Taichi hit the gamiguri.
Black Mephisto was blocked into the Ground Cobra, with Shingo getting 3 more points. 10-6, and Shingo would follow up with a lariat. Taichi refused to go down, but so did Shingo as they traded lariats. Pumping Bomber got a one count, and sliding forearm got none. 11-6, and Taichi was down five points with a minute left.
Shingo would pummel Taichi with forearm smashes, before a Sumo Struggle. Taichi got the Gedo Clutch for 4 points, a pinfall for another, but he’d only get to 10 points. Shingo wins with 11-10 as the final score.
What will Shingo Takagi be up to at Forbidden Door? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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