There is a tense situation right now in New Japan Pro Wrestling. On July 26th, they will enter their biggest venue of Tokyo Dome for a rare July show, after over a decade of just running the event on January 4th & 5th. It’s Wrestle Grand Slam, but their planned main event is in some serious danger. Kota Ibushi was set to challenge for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, facing current champion Shingo Takagi in his first title defense. However things quickly went wrong, and when that happens in NJPW? Hiroshi Tanahashi is ready.
Kota Ibushi Has Aspiration Pneumonia
Earlier this month, it was reported that NJPW got all of their talent vaccinated for COVID-19. This went off mostly fine, but Kota Ibushi got very sick afterwards. It was believed to be due to the vaccine, but has now been judged as Aspiration Pneumonia, which is caused by something going down the wrong way when eating, and causing an infection in your lungs.
This is a very serious illness, and while NJPW is hopeful that tomorrow they will be able to clear Ibushi for competition, they have a backup plan ready. You can’t run a Tokyo Dome event without a proper main event after all, and while Tetsuya Naito & SANADA vs. Dangerous Tekkers II is going to be fantastic? It might not be well received in the main event slot.
Hiroshi Tanahashi Is Hot Off A Big Singles Win
Hot off a win over KENTA at today’s Summer Struggle event, which saw Katsuyori Shibata once again get physical in a situation involving his old friend, Hiroshi Tanahashi has stepped up to name himself as a possible contender. As per NJPW1972.com, we’d learn the following.
“‘The main event at the Tokyo Dome is still uncertain,’ he said, ‘can I make an appeal? If I’m needed, I am ready.” Tanahashi has history with both Shingo Takagi & Kota Ibushi. He won the NEVER Openweight Championship from Shingo earlier this year, a match which Shingo never got to redeem the loss from. It was also one of the best NJPW matches of the year.
Tanahashi is also the infrequent tag team partner of Ibushi as Golden Ace, a team which has held the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships together. He will gladly step up to fight for the honor of Ibushi, and is honorable enough to give Ibushi the first shot once he’s healthy enough to compete again if he wins. Add in that Tanahashi is one of the biggest names in NJPW history, and fans would gladly accept this.
Do you want Hiroshi Tanahashi to get into the main event of Tokyo Dome? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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