NJPW’s Hiroshi Tanahashi appears on AEW Dynamite, confronts CM Punk

NJPW star Hiroshi Tanahashi appeared on AEW Dynamite, answering a challenge from CM Punk.

The opening to tonight’s Dynamite had FTR and Punk defeat Max Caster and The Gunn Club. After the match, Punk talked about the Forbidden Door, saying he knew someone was in the back and was ready to challenge him. He called for that person to come out, eventually revealing themselves to be Tanahashi. Punk posed with the championship as Tanahashi pointed at Punk, the two having a staredown.

Punk successfully won the AEW World Championship at Double or Nothing back on Sunday, defeating Hangman Page.

FTR has also had a run-in with NJPW stars recently. On last week’s Dynamite, they were defending the ROH World Tag Team titles when The Great-O-Khan and Jeff Cobb came out and attacked both FTR and their challengers, Roppongi Vice.

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door will take place at the United Center in Chicago on June 26.