Title challenge issued for NJPW Anniversary show main event

Hirooki Goto is finally IWGP Champion — and he already has an opponent in mind for his first title defense.

More than 20 years since debuting for NJPW, Goto won his first World title by defeating Zack Sabre Jr. at the New Beginning in Osaka. Goto spoke backstage after the match and announced that he wants to defend the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Hiroshi Tanahashi at NJPW’s 53rd Anniversary show.

Yuji Nagata also confronted Goto backstage following Tuesday’s event, setting up another future title match if Goto retains against Tanahashi.

NJPW wrote:

There was more drama bnackstage though, as Goto vowed to ‘keep this revolution going.’ Goto said that he wanted to give Hiroshi Tanahashi one last title challenge before the Ace retires, suggesting March 6 and Anniversary as the spot. Yuji Nagata also wanted his first challenge in ten years, a challenge Goto granted if he retains; as Goto promised to ‘show the young generation how it’s done,’ what is to come? 

The 48-year-old Tanahashi is retiring from the ring in January 2026. One of the biggest stars in NJPW history, he’s held the IWGP Heavyweight title eight times.

Tanahashi is also the president of NJPW, having been appointed to that key behind-the-scenes role in December 2023.

The Anniversary event is taking place from Ota City Gymnasium in Tokyo on Thursday, March 6. The only match that’s been confirmed so far is El Desperado vs. Francesco Akira for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.